Kos Yacht Charter
The Dodecanese in the south eastern Aegean are an island hopping dream in one of the sunniest parts of Greece, where you can sail in a diverse cruising ground to more than 160 islands and islets.
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Sailing Kos
From our base in Kos Marina, you can sail north to the islands of Leros, Lipsi and Patmos, where you’ll find secluded pebble beaches and crystal clear coves for swimming. Or sail south to the striking island of Symi and the glamorous little port town of Gialo with its waterfront lined by unique neoclassical architecture.
Nisyros Island is a great place to stop off for inland exploration during your Kos yacht charter. It’s here you can stroll dark, volcanic beaches, visit the whitewashed streets of Mandraki and see the active volcano and its impressive caldera.
On Kos, take a trip to the medieval fortifications at Mandraki Port, including the Castle of the Knights Hospitaller with impressive harbor turrets. For sandy beaches on the island, sail to the resorts of Kefalos, Marmari and Tigaki. Or venture offshore while sailing Kos and head to the steep and rocky coastline of nearby Kalymnos.
To sail in Kos you’ll need a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities. Or you can hire a skipper. Read our guide to sailing qualifications for more information.
Choose charter type below to see available charters options
Fully crewed
Cabin cruise
SailShare
Aqualodge
Motor Yachts
Things to do in Kos
Visit the traditional village of Mylotopi
At Kefalos on the island of Kos, you can see the restored traditional village of Mylotopi. Tour the fascinating architectural landmarks, including a windmill, tunnel, house and a restaurant displaying the conditions of the inhabitants a century ago.
Enjoy a drink in Eleftherias Square
With so many things to do in Kos, make sure you visit this lively market square. Surrounded by historic buildings, you can soak up the local atmosphere with a drink or a meal in a local restaurant or cafe. The market stalls, offering local honey and herbs, are great for stocking up on gifts to take back home.
Sail to Symi
Head to the south of the Dodecanese during your Kos yacht charter and explore Symi’s impressive architecture. A clock tower dating from 1890 stands guard at the port entrance and is one of this island’s trademarks. Shops, bars and cafes lure you in, while later on a lively nightlife awaits.
Relax on Agios Fokas Beach
Many of the locals enjoy this superb little beach, complete with a sparkling sea, snackbar, sunbeds and umbrellas. Take your beach shoes and goggles with you so you can enjoy a swim from this pebbly beach.
Discover Casa Romana
Casa Romana showcases the architecture of Hellenistic and Roman times. Tour this beautiful mansion known for its elaborate frescos and statues. It’s one of our favorite things to do in Kos.
Weather insights
When is the best time to visit Kos?
The best time to visit Kos is in the summer, when you can enjoy hot, dry and sunny days. Temperatures can reach 86ºF in the summer months, peaking in August.
What are the sailing conditions in Kos?
The sailing conditions for Kos include a NW prevailing wind in summer, force 4-6. Keep your distance from the shoals extending from Akrotiri Ammoglossa and be aware of the meltemi and its strong gusts into the bay.
When returning to base, go stern to and use the mooring lines, not your anchor. At the entrance to the port, call channel 77 and the marina office will send a pilot to assist you.
Sailing Kos with Dream Yacht Charter
Yacht charter Kos
Explore the Dodecanese group of Islands from our base in Kos. Plan your perfect itinerary in Greece and enjoy sailing our catamarans and monohulls.
Skippered yacht charter Kos
If you can’t sail, you can still enjoy an exciting sailing vacation in Greece. Hire a skipper to sail your yacht from Kos and the rest of the islands in the Dodecanese.
Kos Easy Crewed charters
Sail aboard a private yacht with your friends and family with our easy to book and affordable Easy Crewed packages – skipper and water toys included! Choose your own itinerary, with the flexibility to add on a hostess/cook for meals if you’d like.
Kos sailing itinerary
Take a look at our Kos sailing vacation suggestions
Useful information for yacht charters in Kos
How do I get to Kos from the US?
There are several daily flights from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Kos International Airport (KGS). You can fly direct to Athens from New York with Emirates, or with scheduled stops from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago with American Airlines.
The airport is a 30-minute taxi ride away from your base for sailing Kos.
What language is spoken in Kos?
The official language spoken in Kos is Greek, although English is spoken by many locals as well.
What is the currency for Kos?
The currency in Kos is the Euro (EUR).
What documents do I need to sail Kos?
To visit Kos, you’ll need a valid US passport. US citizens do not need a visa for visits to Greece for up to 90 days.
To sail Kos, a sailing license recognized by port authorities is required.
Talk to us to make sure you have the correct documents before you travel.
How do I get around Kos?
There’s a local bus service between the airport and Kos, Mastichari, Kardamena and Kefalos. The bus stop is 50 meters from the terminal building. Tickets can be purchased from the bus driver.
What is the Wi-Fi like in Kos?
There’s internet access at our marina and via cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots which you can use during your Kos yacht charter. Onboard Wi-Fi service can be added to your charter upon request for an additional fee.
What regulations are there in Kos?
Fishing without permission is prohibited in Kos. Sailing is permitted at night.
Where can I find weather forecasts in Kos?
You can find Kos weather forecasts on the Meteo website. You can also monitor VHF channel 16 for weather reports ahead of your vacation sailing the Dodecanese Islands.
What provisioning is there in Kos?
There is plenty of choice for provisioning in Kos. Please refer to the base guide.
What baggage can I take on my Kos sailing vacation?
Please take only soft bags and not suitcases as they are too cumbersome on board.
What is the electrical current in Kos?
The electrical current in Kos is 220V (power sockets are F type).
What is the dialing code for Kos?
The dialing code for Greece is +30, and the Kos area code is 2242.
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FAQ
See all our FAQsWhy should I book with Dream Yacht?
Dream Yacht Worldwide is now the world’s leading yacht charter company and offers you:
- A diverse fleet of yachts with a wide variety of models and manufacturers to suit every type of sailor.
- We have 40+ exciting destinations and we’re a pioneer in finding new sailing grounds.
- You can be assured of our commitment to customer service excellence.
- You’ll receive a warm and friendly welcome from our base teams who will share regional tips, recommendations and advice.
- We’re also a trusted seller of new and used boats and an innovator in charter management options – sailing is our business.
What licenses do I need to hire a yacht and sail myself?
The skipper of a yacht has primary responsibility for the safety of the crew and yacht at all times. Many destinations require just relevant experience demonstrated by a sailing resume.
To charter in the Mediterranean, it is mandatory that you hold a sailing license recognized by the local port authorities for bareboat charters in Italy, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Malta, Montenegro and Turkey. Other destinations that require a license include Madagascar, Seychelles, Thailand, Brazil and Sweden. For Belize, the port authority will issue a certificate of competency and an application is made on arrival.
You must take your proof of competency and original certificate with you on your charter. We advise you to contact our team about your qualifications and destination requirements before booking.
By accepting the yacht contract you are confirming that you and/or members of your crew are capable and competent to sail the yacht in the conditions and cruising area of the charter. We reserve the right not to hand over the yacht if, after inspection, it is the opinion that the charterer is not, or may not be competent to be in charge of the vessel.
What is a skippered yacht charter?
A skippered yacht charter is when you rent one of our boats for you and your guests and a professional skipper sails it for you. No sailing experience is needed.
You will need to choose a yacht with a cabin for your skipper to sleep in as they are responsible for your yacht for the duration of your charter. We will find the skipper for you once you have found your perfect destination and yacht.
You will need to pay for your skipper’s food. You can invite the skipper to dine with you on board or out at a local restaurant.
What is the difference between crewed and by the cabin charters?
Our by the cabin charter charters offer exciting destination tours on a set itinerary crafted by our destination experts. You can book a double cabin and private bathroom and will share the boat with other guests who have booked the other available cabins. You will be looked after by a professional skipper and hostess with itineraries ranging from three to 11 nights. There is a set menu and included meals and drinks vary depending on location.
Can you tell me about your yachts?
Our super premier yachts are less than 12 months old from their first charter date, while premier yachts are less than three years old from their first charter date. Our yachts are well maintained and undergo regular, scheduled technical inspection.
In case of emergency, you can rely on our hotline, at any time, seven days a week. If you experience a technical failure affecting major and important parts of the yacht, we will repair the failure within four hours of receiving your call during working hours (8am to 5pm). If you lose more than four hours (during working hours), we will compensate you for one full day. If the repair takes more than one day, we will provide you with a similar boat or compensate you on a pro-rata basis. If restrictions to this guarantee apply in specific areas, this will be detailed during the charter check-in at the base.
Do I need insurance for my bareboat charter?
We highly recommend you arrange travel insurance in case you need to cancel for an unexpected reason to cover non-refundable deposits. Please make sure you have personal travel insurance that covers sailing.
We will insure the vessel throughout the charter with first-class insurers against all risks, to provide permission to charter as under contract terms and to cover third-party liability.
The following options are available in limited locations:
- Security Deposit: This varies on the size of the boat and when the boat is returned without damage it is refunded.
- Damage Waiver: The charterer agrees to pay a non-refundable damage waiver at the time of booking, as well as a reduced damage deposit on embarkation that is refundable upon completion of the charter should no damage occur.
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