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!

Sample itinerary

Day 1

Embark 9:00 AM in Kos. After boat briefing, unpacking, and generally getting comfortable with the yacht, we’ll set sail for Nisyros - the volcano island. After noonwe will stop in a quiet bay for a delicious on-board lunch and a swim, before we continue our sail to Nisyros. The island is not on the main ferry routes, nor does it have an airport... which has happily kept it from any mass tourist influx. The traditional little harbour town is just gorgeous - a photographer's dream of postcard material around every corner. The volcano is still officially active, though has not erupted since 1888. One can hike around the huge, lunar-like crater, the smell of sulphur still very much in the air. During the day we’ll arrange a car for you to hire so that you’re all prepared to head up to the volcano the next morning by the crack of dawn. After enjoying our first ‘anchor beer’ - our daily ritual after successfully docking the boat in port - we’ll go out for dinner in a small family taverna right next to the dock. Miles: 22.5 Duration: 4.5 hours

Day 2

The earlier the better, we hop in our rented car and drive up the winding road to the volcano crater, where the earth hisses and steams beneath your feet—a true front-row seat to Mother Nature’s drama. Afterward, a short drive takes us to the hillside village of Nikia, a charming cluster of white stone houses, narrow alleys, and balconies spilling over with flowers. From here, you get breathtaking panoramic views of the island, the caldera, and the sea beyond—perfect for a slow stroll and a coffee before heading back to the harbor. By around 11 am, we cast off from Nisyros, sails up and wind in our hair, heading for Turkey’s Knidos, a blend of myth and archaeology, where columns and amphitheaters practically tumble into the sparkling Aegean. Ancient Greeks built a city here so irresistible even Aphrodite supposedly had her own temple, and today it’s a treasure trove of ruins and history buffs. We wander the ancient site right before sunset, as the sunset is amazing up here. Miles: 11 Duration: 2 hours

Day 3

Tilos is a green, eco-conscious island with just the right amount of charm to make you want to linger. The island is famous for its medieval ghost village, Mikro Chorio, perched on the hillside, where abandoned houses echo with the past and goats act as unofficial tour guides. Bonus trivia: dwarf elephants once roamed here. Yes, you read that right. History, wildlife, and a perfect swimming bay make Tilos a quiet, restorative stop. Miles: 16 Duration: 3 hours

Day 4

Next up is Chalki, a tiny island that’s basically Greek island life distilled. Pastel neoclassical houses cluster around the harbor, fishermen mend nets at the water’s edge, and the pace is slow enough that you start to forget what day it is. We want to arrive in Chalki on time to find a space at their tiny town dock. Many of our passengers say that Chalki was one of their highlights, not only because of its picture-perfect pastel houses, but also for enjoying the little things in life… Wandering around without specific destination, enjoy a delicious freddo cappuccino and meze dinner until late, or swim in the beautiful blue bay around the corner. Miles: 18 Duration: 3.5 hours

Day 5

Today is a bonus day in Chalki, letting you sink fully into the slow rhythm of island life. You have the option to get up as early as you can, and take the 30-minute walk uphill to explore the medieval fortress built by the Knight of St. John in the 14th-15th century. It was constructed on the site of an older Hellenistic acropolis to control the sea routes and harbor. The view up there is amazing. Or, if you don’t feel like being active today, walk to the beach around the corner and have a relaxing beach day - sun beds and great drinks and food from the adjacent beach bar included. Chalki is the perfect place to do whatever you feel like.

Day 6

We leave town for a night of pure tranquility in a Symi anchorage—depending on wind and mood. We drop the hook, take a cooling swim in water so clear it’s almost unreal, and fire up the barbecue for a dinner under the stars. Here, it’s just you, the sea, and the crickets—no crowds, no schedules, and a view that makes Instagram filters feel unnecessary. Nights like this remind you why sailing is magical: total freedom, your own floating hotel, and a sunset that refuses to be rushed. Miles: 23.5 Duration: 5 hours

Day 7

Time to sail to the grand stage: Rhodes, largest of the Dodecanese and packed with history. The marina is our gateway to a medieval playground where knights once roamed and today’s visitors stroll cobbled streets with ice cream in hand. The Old Town is a labyrinth of stone, gates, and hidden courtyards, culminating in the Palace of the Grand Masters, which somehow manages to impress whether you’re a history nerd or just in it for the view. Wander the promenades, and soak up the scale, architecture, and general “wow factor” of Rhodes. Miles: 20 Duration: 4 hours

Day 8

No sailing today: Rhodes deserves a second night and exploration by car. Take a day trip to Lindos, with its hilltop acropolis and whitewashed maze of alleys, or linger in the Old Town sipping local wine, people-watching, and imagining the knights of yore plotting their next move. Two nights in Rhodes means you get to enjoy the island’s grandeur without feeling rushed, a perfect counterbalance to the smaller islands visited earlier-best of both worlds.

Day 9

From Rhodes we return to the delicate charm of Symi Town, a harbor that’s one of the prettiest in all of Greece. Pastel mansions climb the hills like an Aegean painting, their reflections shimmering in the water. While it has some similarities to the architecture you’ve seen in Chalki, Symi is more lively with all of its restaurants and bars around the horseshoe-shaped port. After we let all of you wander of in town, we reunite later for a dinner that will most certainly include Symi shrimp. Lively as Symi is, we won’t expect you to be back on the boat and in bed before midnight - this is the place to go out for some late night drinks if you’re up for it. Miles: 24 Duration: 5 hours

Day 10

Sail to Hayıtbükü - a lovely sandy beach; a little village and farmland as the backdrop. The key feature here is “Ogun's Place" - an off-beat little establishment, right on the beachfront. It's a restaurant, bar, hangout spot all rolled into one. We're welcome to use their beach beds, wifi, showers and generally feel like visiting family (we pretty much are, after all these years). The main character is Ogun himself - the larger-than-life, exuberant proprietor. He bounces around from table to table with his characteristic Ogun laugh; smiles are always infectious, and Ogun's Place reflects his contagiously positive energy. Ogun's sister, Semra is responsible for the very unusual array of home-cooked food which they are also famous for. Married to a French guy, imagine the combo of French and Turkish cuisine... yum!!! Miles: 18 Duration: 3.5 hours

Day 11

It is time to sail back to Kos. The luxury of land showers and a laundry, and perhaps a cold one at a bar. We will stop in a remote bay somewhere en route to enjoy our last lunch on board before continuing the journey back to Kos, where the loop began. After arriving back we’ll have an anchor beer, say YAMAS to this unforgettable time together, and possibly share favourite highlights with a sense of melancholy about this trip coming to an end. Our final dinner is usually at a gorgeous beachfront restaurant. Miles: 27 Duration: 5.5 hours

Day 12

Disembarkation is at 9:00 AM. For those wishing to stay longer in Kos, we can recommend some great little places to stay around the island. For onward travel, there are several daily flights to many European cities. You will definitely be heading home with a nice tan!

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.)

12-day Southern route sailing options

Our 55' yacht Artemis, based in the Dodecanese islands of Greece

Shareboat

For individuals, couples, or friends travelling together – join likeminded adventurers on one of our shareboats.

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Private charter

Already have your own group? Charter the whole boat with our skipper to have the time of your life with your private group.