The island of Kos is part of the Dodecanese islands, area known for good sailing and yacht charter options. It is the third largest island in the area, right after Rhodes and Karpathos. Kos has in total 112 kilometres of beautiful coastline with many interesting locations to visit. The biggest town is Kos. It is located on the northern part of the island.
Like many Greek islands, it has a very rich history, first mentioned in Iliad. Due to the strategic location of the island, it played an important role in Greek history. It was ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Ottomans and Italians throughout history.
One of its nicknames is “the island of Hippocrates” for having given birth to the most recognized doctor in history.
Find Your Ideal Yacht in Kos Sailing Region
Why is Kos popular Among Sailors?
Kos is the second most visited island after Rhodes and a perfect starting point for your sailing itinerary. It is favoured among sailors due to its beautiful vegetation, spectacular beaches and clear sea. Although Kos is small, the island is very popular and visited by almost one million tourists every year. Kos also has an international airport, which makes it a perfect starting point for a yacht charter or even a stopover for the smaller Dodecanese Islands like Symi, Nisiros, and Leros. Rhodes is another big island in the Dodecanese and a good stop to plan for your sailing itinerary.
Due to its rich history, there are many landmarks on the island of Kos that are worth visiting such as Asklepion, Maltese Knights Castle and many other interesting historical sites. For an active vacation, there are numerous bike and hiking paths on the island. Kos is known as “the island of bicycles” because so many locals and tourists use them. Popular activities in Kos are windsurfing, especially on the beaches of Mastihari and Kefalos, and diving, where diving trips are organized to nearby islands. Some of the most popular beaches with various facilities on Kos are Kardamena, Agios Stefanos, Kefalos and Lambi.
Yacht Charter in Kos Sailing Region
Charter a boat from the new Kos Marina, where you have a great variety of sailing yachts and catamarans to choose from. You can sail south to the popular Rhodes, or head north to the unspoiled, less touristy islands of Kalymnos and Leros. In case you want to take a break from sailing, there are around twenty pristine, sandy beaches on Kos on which you can relax with your family, or simply enjoy a walk among numerous Greek and Roman ruins scattered all over.
For all those adrenaline addicts, there are a lot of activities you can find on Kos, from windsurfing, paragliding, parascending, water skiing, canoeing, and much more. Wine lovers will be thrilled to hear that in the heart of the island there are many vineyards, the most prominent being Triantafyllopoulos Winery, which will surely leave your taste buds satisfied.
Naturally, the high season runs from June to September, but inexperienced sailors should keep in mind the strong Meltemi winds are the most active in July and August - they can appear in clear weather without any warning.
Best Places to Visit in Kos Region
Kos island offers many options for exploration during your vacation. You can visit many popular locations on the island or the nearby islands in the Dodecanese. Chartering a boat offers you many more possibilities than visiting from land.
Asclepion is the most famous archaeological site in Kos. It was used as a healing site and medical school during ancient times. It got its name from Asklepios, Apollo's son. It is also one of the most scenic locations on the island. The whole area is located on three levels, with beautiful sea and forest views.
Agios Stefanos is a beach located in the bay of Kefalos and it is one of the most photogenic beaches in Greece. In front of the beach is one more hidden gem of Greek islands, the Islet of Kastri. The small island with the church of Agios Nikolaos, the patron saint of sailors. Nearby villages of Kefalos and Kamari have some nice and fancy eating options.
Mastihari is an old village on the western part of the island with Agios Theologos beach offers one of the most magical sunsets.
Rhodes is another island in the Dodecanese archipelago. It has good marinas, nice beaches, and many other sites to discover.
Important Info for Sailing in Kos Sailing Region
Best time to sail
April to November
Most popular marinas
Kos Marina
Nearest airports
Kos International Airport (KGS)
Number of charter yachts
100+
Popular regattas
Rodos Cup
Top attractions
Kos Town, Kardamena Beach, Asklepieion Temple, Hippocrates Garden
Gastronomy Highlights of Kos Sailing Region
Like many other Greek islands, Kos has a rich culinary tradition. Local gastronomy is based on a Mediterranean diet. Grape and olive harvesting are one of the traditional activities on Kos Island. There are many options for wine and olive oil tasting along the island once you decide to take a break from your sailing aboard your charter yacht.
Krasotyri is a sheep or goat cheese matured in brine with red wine. This process was devised during a period of shortage of olive oil. It is one of the must-try products of Kos Island.
Glyko Tomataki is a tomato spoon sweet made with vergaki tomatoes. It is a special type of elongated tomato. The recipe consists of tomatoes, honey, almond and vanilla.
Kanelada is a refreshing syrup with a cinnamon taste, usually served diluted with water or sparkling water.
