12-day Southern Route – Dodecanese islands, Greece and Turkey combo

A sailing trip along the southern Dodecanese islands of Greece and a little part of Turkey, departing and returning from Kos, along Datca, Simi, Bozuk Buku, Rhodes, Chalki, Tilos, Nisyros and Knidos.

A beautiful southern route, starting at our base from Kos and sailing to the Southern islands with stops in Turkey also. The exact Turkish bays and locations are depending on weather so this is just a typical sample route. Chalki is a particularly gorgeous, a photographer’s paradise and you won’t find too many tourists here. It’s yachties and locals only, as it is as with most of the other islands off the main ferry routes.

Between Greece and Turkey, which is best? Both are fantastic sailing grounds, loads of local “colour” and culture, yet very different to each other. How to choose? So – don’t choose, do the best of both worlds! Our Greece – Turkey combo trip gives you a chance to explore both countries at a leisurely, cruising pace. No need to worry about the logistics of getting ferries from one country to the other, you simply stay on board your floating home and we take care of customs bureaucrasy. Come join us for a taste of both cultures; it’s the “real deal”, people and places you’ll never see on a cruise ship.

Mentioned islands are indicative, as the routes we plan and the islands we visit always depend on sailing conditions dictated to us by the Greek gods Poseidon and Aeolus. As true SeaScapers we always make sure you’ll have the trip of a lifetime.

Sailing to the Datca peninsula of Turkey

Conveniently for us – Turkey’s most gorgeous cruising grounds are right opposite; the aptly named Turquoise Coast. Our favourite is the Datca peninsula, well away from “McDonalds Marmaris”. It’s a fascinating mix of ancient and modern; from Knidos, once a thriving trading port and home to thousands in 300BC; to Datca – modern-day Turkey, a lively waterfront of bars, restaurants and carpet shops.

Happily for us on sailboats – there are still lots of hideaways scattered along the coast which have very limited road access. Designed to protect the sailing & fishing fleets of old, these ancient ports are now the haven of yachties looking for the more traditional Turkey and her people. Tucked away in sheltered bays are our little “one taverna” anchorages. There’s no road access, it’s us boaties only. Most have been run by the same families for decades, we get the “visiting cousins” treatment here too (and fresh-baked bread in the mornings, yum!)

Our main cruising grounds are around the Datca peninsula – a stunningly pretty coastline, scattered with reminders of long-ago cultures. Although Greece is often termed the “cradle of western civilisation”, Turkey actually has many more truly ancient sites. Step ashore from your boat and within a 5 min hike, you’re viewing the bay from the same amphitheatre as the local residents of 300 BC did. And then there’s modern-day fun stuff too – Turkish Baths, hot springs & mud baths – the lively waterfront nightlife in Datca – practising your bartering skills in the bazaars.

But best of all, we think, are the little out-of-the-way anchorages, and their very entertaining and idiosyncratic local characters. We’ve been sailing here for 15 years now and are pretty much part of the family – as a SeaScape sailor, you’ll be welcomed like visiting cousins too!

Best time to sail

May – October are the best months to sail along the Dodecanese islands of Greece.

For those who like a little adreline with their sailing, the midsummer months have the strongest winds: 25knots or so on average. It tends to be a little mellower in the early and late season. Even if you never sailed before, you could join any month really. There is no such thing as beginner months or intermediate / advanced months. From late May-Oct, it’s pretty much guaranteed sun, sun and more sun – once again, a perfect yachties’ playground!

Schedule for the 12-day Southern sailing route

View the schedule here (Shareboat trips are usually planned upfront in this schedule, while the remaining ‘open’ weeks are available for private charters along any desired route.)