Private yacht charter in Rhodes
Rhodes has been the dominant island of the Dodecanese since antiquity, and it marks the eastern edge of the Greek charter coast, 18 kilometres from the southern shore of Turkey. Its walled Medieval City, rebuilt by the Knights of St John who held the island from 1309 to 1523, has been on the UNESCO list since 1988, and Mandraki, the island's oldest harbour, is in the centre of the town. A Rhodes yacht charter looks north along the Dodecanese, the chain of islands that runs up the Turkish coast towards Patmos.
By yacht the islands come one a day: Symi a short run to the north-west, then Tilos, Nisyros and Kos, with the Turkish coast in sight much of the way.
The Dodecanese from the water
Rhodes Town and Lindos. The Medieval City holds the Palace of the Grand Master. Lindos, down the east coast, rises to an acropolis crowned by the Doric Temple of Athena Lindia, from about 300 BC, above St Paul's Bay, where tradition holds that the apostle came ashore in a storm.
Symi. The harbour of Gialos is lined with neoclassical mansions from the island's 19th-century sponge trade, and the monastery of Panormitis stands in the south. Its nearest neighbours are the Datça and Bozburun peninsulas of Turkey.
Tilos and Nisyros. Both lie between Rhodes and Kos. Nisyros is a volcano, active but not erupting, with a caldera three to four kilometres wide and fumaroles in its craters, reached from the port of Mandraki.
Kos. The ruins of the Asklepieion, the healing sanctuary associated with Hippocrates, and an international airport with seasonal flights.
Patmos. Chora and the fortified Monastery of St John the Theologian, founded in 1088, together with the Cave of the Apocalypse, have been on the UNESCO list since 1999. Tradition holds that St John received his Revelation here.
A week from Rhodes
A week north from Rhodes runs to Symi, Tilos, Nisyros and Kos, with Patmos within reach of a longer charter, and Lindos makes a first or last day on the east coast. As the islands run in a line, a one-way charter between Rhodes and Kos saves the return passage, since both islands have international airports.
Crossing to Turkey
Marmaris, Bozburun and Datça are within easy reach of Rhodes and Symi, and Bodrum lies opposite Kos. A crossing means clearing out of Greece at a port of entry such as Rhodes and into Turkey at one of its own, where an agent normally handles the formalities, with passports checked on both sides. Whether a given yacht can take its charter into Turkish waters depends on its flag and licence, which we confirm before anything is committed. For a week based on the Turkish side, see Bodrum yacht charter.
When to go
The season runs from May to October. In the Dodecanese the meltemi is a regular feature of July and August, usually from the west or north-west; it can reach force 7, though less often than in the Cyclades, and spring winds are milder, around force 3 to 5. Settled spells also tend to last longer here. July and August are the busiest months, peaking around the 15 August holiday, while June and September bring quieter harbours.
Marinas and arrival
Rhodes International Airport is about 14 kilometres south-west of Rhodes Town, and most of its traffic is international, with many seasonal summer routes. Yachts use Rhodes Marina and Mandraki, and the Central Port serves international traffic, including the ferries to Turkey.
Yachts and what a week costs
Rhodes and Kos are established bases for bareboat and skippered yachts. Most of Greece's crewed yachts are based in Athens, so a crewed yacht that starts in Rhodes usually adds a positioning fee. Charter yachts generally carry up to 12 guests overnight.
As a Mediterranean guide, a 20 to 30 metre motor yacht runs from around EUR 30,000 to EUR 80,000 a week before running costs, a 30 to 45 metre yacht from around EUR 80,000 to EUR 250,000, and yachts above 50 metres from around EUR 250,000, quoted individually. Sailing yachts usually sit below motor yachts of the same length. The Advance Provisioning Allowance is typically 25 to 35 percent of the base rate, and gratuity customarily 5 to 15 percent. VAT on a Greek charter depends on the yacht's licence, the length of the charter and the route, and TEPAI, the Greek fee on yachts in Greek waters, is calculated on length; both are set out before anything is signed. What a yacht charter costs explains each line.
How a Rhodes charter is arranged
The Dodecanese suit a second Aegean week, or a first one for guests who prefer quieter harbours to the Cyclades in August. We shortlist the yachts that suit your group, weigh a yacht positioned from Athens against one based locally, and plan the crossing when the route includes Turkey. The Greek islands yacht charter guide explains how the Dodecanese join the Cyclades, and the Greek islands page covers the rest of the coast.
Tell us your dates, the size of your group and what you have in mind, and we will come back with a shortlist. Start the conversation.
