Photo: Mac McDade ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Meltemi, sponges and Patmos’ monastery.
The Dodecanese sit close to the Turkish coast and the wind here is serious: in high summer the meltemi blows 20–25 knots from the north, so we go in June and late September when it is kinder. From Kos Marina we work north via Kalymnos, the sponge-divers’ island, Leros with its Italian-era port buildings and Lipsi to Patmos, where the Book of Revelation was written in the monastery of St John. For people who have already tried sailing and want real wind.
- The Monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse
- The cliffs of Kalymnos — a climbers’ Mecca
- The fjord of Vathy on Kalymnos
- Leros: Lakki bay and its 1930s Italian architecture
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Handover
Kos Marina and boat handover
We meet at Kos Marina at 17:00, take over the yacht and shop for food. We go through the week’s forecast: the passage plan depends on what the meltemi does.
Overnight: Yacht, Kos Marina - DAY 2 · 14 nautical miles
Kos to Pserimos and Kalymnos
Eight miles to Pserimos in the morning, a swim in its sandy bay, then six more to Pothia, the capital of Kalymnos. The sponge-divers’ museum and harbour tavernas in the evening.
Overnight: Yacht, Pothia, Kalymnos - DAY 3 · 20 nautical miles
Kalymnos to Leros
North along Kalymnos’ east coast with a look into the fjord of Vathy, then the channel between Kalymnos and Leros where the wind accelerates and we take the first reef. Night in the deep bay of Lakki.
Overnight: Yacht, Lakki marina, Leros - DAY 4 · 12 nautical miles
Leros to Lipsi
A short 12-mile leg to quiet Lipsi, an island of one village and a dozen coves. A swim at Platys Gialos after lunch, dinner with local wine in the evening.
Overnight: Yacht, Lipsi harbour - DAY 5 · 10 nautical miles
Lipsi to Patmos
Ten miles to Skala, the port of Patmos. We climb to Chora and the Monastery of St John, founded in 1088, and the Cave of the Apocalypse — both UNESCO sites.
Overnight: Yacht, Skala, Patmos - DAY 6 · 25 nautical miles
Patmos to Leros, Xerokampos
Back south with the meltemi behind us: 25 miles on a broad reach to Xerokampos bay at the southern tip of Leros. A night at anchor and dinner on board.
Overnight: Yacht, at anchor in Xerokampos - DAY 7 · 30 nautical miles
Leros to Kos
The final 30-mile run down past Kalymnos to Kos Marina. Refuelling, berthing and a farewell dinner in Kos old town.
Overnight: Yacht, Kos Marina - DAY 8 · Check-out
Check-out
Yacht handed back by 09:00, transfer to Kos airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Berth in a double cabin on a 40–50 ft sailing yacht
Professional skipper for the whole week
Yacht insurance and the boat’s security deposit
Bed linen, towels, dinghy with outboard
Final cleaning of the yacht
Ivan’s support: preparation, watches, daily debriefs
Transfer between Kos airport and Kos Marina
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Kitty: provisioning, marina fees, fuel, water — usually €250–350 per person
Dinners in tavernas ashore
Greek cruising tax (TEPAI)
Monastery and museum tickets
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
At least one previous sailing trip is desirable: several legs are hard on the wind against a sea. Ivan holds a call with the group beforehand to go through reefing and the watch system.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- A soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- Shoes with clean, non-slip soles
- Sun and wind protection, and a light rain layer
- Personal essentials suited to your experience at sea
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.