Kos
round-trip.
Sail a 7-day yacht charter from Kos via Leros, Patmos, Lipsi, Arki and Kalymnos — northern Dodecanese loop with sponge-diving heritage and Byzantine pilgrimage sites.
Day-by-day route
Click any pin on the map or any day in the Route summary below to see the daily stop, narrative, and photos.
Kos Marina → Leros
32 nm shake-down NNW to Leros along Kalymnos west coast. Lakki bay (south) is huge and sheltered; Agia Marina (north) is photogenic but exposed in N Meltemi above 22 kn.
Distance
25 NM
Sailing
~5h at 5 kn
Route at a glance
Route summary
Click any day to jump back to the map and see its photos, narrative, and mooring tip.
Day-by-day journey
Named anchorages, restaurants, and route notes for every leg of the week — written by sailors who've actually run this passage.
Kos Marina → Leros
32 nm shake-down NNW from Kos Marina along the limestone west coast of Kalymnos. The Dodecanese summer wind regime is the Meltemi from N — at this latitude consistently 18-25 knots in afternoon, building from 13:00. Lakki on the south coast of Leros is one of the largest natural harbours in the Mediterranean and a sheltered overnight; Agia Marina town quay on the north coast is the alternative for the photogenic pastel waterfront scene.
Things to do
Walk Lakki Art Deco quay (1930s Italian fascist architecture)
Climb to Panteli Castle for the panorama
Swim Xerokambos Beach (south coast)
Pitaroudia chickpea fritters at a quay taverna
Mooring tip
Lakki Marina stern-to with lazy lines, €40-60/night, fully sheltered. Agia Marina town quay €25-40/night but exposed in N Meltemi above 22 kn.
Leros → Patmos
22 nm north to Patmos. Skala harbour on the east coast is the standard charter overnight — large quay, sheltered from N. Patmos is the UNESCO-listed Greek Orthodox pilgrimage island; the Cave of the Apocalypse (where St John dictated the Book of Revelation in AD 95) and the 11th-century Monastery of St John are both on the road from Skala up to Chora.
Things to do
Walk to the Cave of the Apocalypse (UNESCO)
Visit the 11th-c Monastery of St John
Swim Psili Ammos golden-sand beach (south)
Mastiha cocktails in Chora alleys
Mooring tip
Stern-to in Skala harbour, €30-50/night. Large quay, sheltered from N. Anchorage in Grikos Bay south coast is the alternative for swim-anchorage.
Patmos → Lipsi
12 nm southeast to Lipsi — small island archipelago, 700 residents. Lipsi town harbour stern-to is the only quay; small, family tavernas on the waterfront, single bakery, single church-clock-tower square. Aspronissi Bay 2 nm east is the headline snorkel anchorage.
Things to do
Snorkel Aspronissi Bay (2 nm east)
Walk to Chapel of Panagia (single rock)
Lipsiako cheese with thyme honey at a taverna
Buy fresh koulouria sesame rings at the village bakery
Mooring tip
Stern-to in Lipsi town quay, €15-25/night, sheltered from N. Anchor in Aspronissi Bay on sand at 4-6 m for swim alternative.
Lipsi → Arki
8 nm short hop east to Arki — population 40, no scheduled ferry, single taverna on the harbour. Tiganakia Bay on the south coast is the headline anchorage of the entire Dodecanese — turquoise shallows over white sand, sheltered from N. Stavento taverna at the harbour is the only restaurant; the fisherman-chef brings the day catch direct.
Things to do
Anchor swim at Tiganakia Bay turquoise shallows
Hike to the mountaintop Panagia chapel
Lobster astakomakaronada at Stavento taverna
Read on deck under the cicadas
Mooring tip
Stern-to in Arki harbour, €15-20/night, sheltered from N. Anchor in Tiganakia Bay on sand at 3-5 m for the headline swim anchorage.
Arki → Kalymnos
22 nm south to Kalymnos — sponge-diving heritage island, world-class limestone climbing routes (Kalymnos hosts the annual climbing festival each October). Pothia harbour on the south coast is the main charter overnight; the cliffs of Telendos islet are visible 1 nm west, the climbing zones at Massouri and Armeos on the west coast are accessible by road from Pothia.
Things to do
Climb the Grande Grotta limestone cliff (route guide at Climber's Nest cafe)
Snorkel Vathy Bay turquoise inlet
Visit the Sponge Diving Museum at Pothia
Mououri stuffed squid at a Pothia ouzeri
Mooring tip
Stern-to in Pothia harbour, €30-50/night, sheltered from N. Vathy on the east coast is the alternative for sheltered fjord-like inlet.
Kalymnos → Kos Marina
15 nm south back to Kos Marina. Optional swim stop at Pserimos (small island halfway, sand 4-6 m, sheltered from N). Kos Marina is the largest charter base in the Dodecanese — full services, fuel berth, lazy lines, well-protected from any direction. Refuel before tying up.
Things to do
Optional Pserimos swim stop
Walk Kos Town Asklepion ruins
Swim Therma Beach hot springs (south coast)
Kleftiko slow-cooked lamb under the 2400-year plane tree
Mooring tip
Kos Marina stern-to with lazy lines, €60-90/night. Refuel at the entrance fuel berth before mooring. Confirm handover slot 24h ahead.
Kos → Check-out
Handover at Kos Marina before 09:00. Boat inspection — deposit released within 7 days. Crew transfer to Kos airport (KGS) is 25 minutes by road. Deposit released within 7 days post-inspection. Plan to final inspection with the base manager and last swim at Tigaki Beach (north coast).
Things to do
Final inspection with the base manager
Last swim at Tigaki Beach (north coast)
Coffee at a Kos Town café
Airport transfer (25 min from Kos Marina)
Mooring tip
Hand over at Kos Marina before 09:00. Deposit released within 7 days post-inspection.
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