Rhodes
round-trip.
Sail a 7-day yacht charter from Rhodes via Symi, Nisyros, Kos, Tilos and Chalki — southern Dodecanese loop with medieval harbours, volcanic islands and Knights heritage.
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.
Rhodes → Symi
24 nm shake-down NNW to Symi. Most photographed Dodecanese harbour, neoclassical mansions on tiered slopes. Inner quay fills by 16:00; Pedi Bay 2 nm east is the alternative.
Distance
21 NM
Sailing
~4.2h 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.
Rhodes → Symi
24 nm shake-down NNW to Symi from Mandraki Marina at Rhodes. Symi harbour is the most photographed neoclassical waterfront in the Dodecanese — ochre and peach captains' mansions on tiered slopes. Stern-to on the inner quay, €30-50/night, slot fills by 16:00 in peak. Anchor in Pedi Bay 2 nm east of the town if quay is full.
Things to do
Walk to the 18th-c Panormitis Monastery (south end of island)
Buy fresh sponges from harbour stalls
Symian shrimp at a quay taverna
Swim Nanou Beach (boat-only access)
Mooring tip
Stern-to inner quay, €30-50/night, slot fills by 16:00 in peak. Pedi Bay 2 nm east anchor on sand at 5-7 m as alternative.
Symi → Nisyros (Pali)
32 nm west to Nisyros — active volcanic island, the Stefanos crater on the inland caldera floor is a hike from the ridge road and one of the more dramatic shore activities in the Dodecanese. Pali harbour on the north coast is the standard charter overnight — small marina, sheltered from N. Mandraki port on the west coast is the alternative.
Things to do
Hike into the Stefanos volcanic crater
Walk Mandraki cobblestone alleys
Soak in Loutra natural thermal springs
Buy local capers (volcanic-soil grown)
Mooring tip
Stern-to in Pali harbour, €25-35/night, sheltered from N. Mandraki west coast is the alternative; smaller, exposed in NW wind.
Nisyros → Kos
15 nm north to Kos Marina — largest charter base in the Dodecanese, full services, fuel berth, lazy lines, well-protected from any direction. Walk to Kos Town for the 4th-century BC Asklepion ruins, the 2400-year-old plane tree on Platia Platanou, and the Roman Therma Beach hot springs 5 km south.
Things to do
Walk Kos Town Asklepion ruins (4th-c BC)
Sit under the 2400-year plane tree on Platia Platanou
Swim Therma Beach hot springs (south coast)
Kleftiko slow-cooked lamb at a Kos Town taverna
Mooring tip
Kos Marina stern-to with lazy lines, €60-90/night. Refuel at entrance fuel berth before mooring. Lambi marina on the north coast is the smaller alternative.
Kos → Tilos
22 nm south to Tilos — the first zero-waste island in Greece (powered by solar + wind, no plastic bags allowed since 2018). Livadia harbour on the east coast is the standard overnight, sheltered from N. Mikro Chorio is a 19th-century abandoned mountain village rebuilt as a single taverna-and-bar destination — accessed by road from Livadia.
Things to do
Hike to Agios Panteleimon monastery (cliff path)
Mikro Chorio abandoned village taverna at night
Mizithra cheese with thyme honey at a hilltop kafeneio
Tilos organic wine tasting (solar-powered vineyards)
Mooring tip
Stern-to in Livadia harbour, €20-30/night, sheltered from N. Eristos Bay on the south coast is the alternative for sand-bottom anchorage.
Tilos → Chalki
15 nm south to Chalki — small island west of Rhodes, car-free village, 300 residents, the harbour at Emporio is the only quay. Pontamos Cove 1 nm east is the headline swim anchorage — neon-blue water, snorkel-friendly. Knights' Castle on the ridge above the village is the medieval fortification.
Things to do
Snorkel Pontamos Cove (neon-blue water)
Hike to Knights' Castle on the ridge
Pougia sun-dried octopus at Taverna Giorgos
Buy souma fig spirit from Yiannis distillery
Mooring tip
Stern-to in Emporio harbour, €20-30/night, sheltered from N. Pontamos anchor on sand at 4-6 m for swim alternative.
Chalki → Rhodes (Lindos)
32 nm east to Lindos — the second-largest town on Rhodes after the capital, the Acropolis of Lindos (5th-century BC Athena temple) sits on the cliff above. Anchor in St Paul's Bay (south of the village) for swim before mooring; Lindos has no town quay, the standard overnight is anchor in St Paul's Bay.
Things to do
Hike up to the Acropolis of Lindos
Swim St Paul's Bay (rock-lined turquoise crescent)
Melekouni sesame-honey bars at a rooftop taverna
Walk the white-cube alleys at sunset
Mooring tip
Anchor in St Paul's Bay on sand at 4-6 m, sheltered from N. No town quay at Lindos. Lardos Bay 2 nm south is the alternative if SPB is full.
Rhodes → Check-out
Sail back to Mandraki Marina at Rhodes (20 nm north along the east coast). Handover before 09:00 the following morning. Inspection — deposit released within 7 days. Rhodes airport (RHO) is 30 minutes by road. Deposit released within 7 days post-inspection. Plan to final inspection with the base manager and walk the medieval Old Town Knights Street.
Things to do
Final inspection with the base manager
Walk the medieval Old Town Knights Street
Coffee at Marco Polo Café (Old Town)
Airport transfer (30 min from Mandraki)
Mooring tip
Hand over at Mandraki Marina before 09:00. Deposit released within 7 days post-inspection.
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