Sailing Rhodes and Symi: a 7-day Dodecanese loop
Sailing from Rhodes gives you a medieval walled town as your base and three very different small islands within a day's sail: neoclassical Symi, green and quiet Tilos, and tiny Halki with a single harbour village. A typical week is a loop of four to six sailing days of roughly 16 to 40 nautical miles each, with nights in town harbours rather than marinas, and a finish along the sheltered east coast past Lindos and its acropolis.
Where to charter a yacht for Rhodes and the southern Dodecanese?
Charter yachts here start from Rhodes town, mostly from Rhodes Marina just south of the old town and close to the ferry port; your booking tells you the exact pier. On our Greece page you can compare bases across the country. Charter weeks usually run Saturday to Saturday. For bareboat, the skipper needs a licence the charter company accepts (see our guides to the boat licence in Greece and the ICC certificate); otherwise you can book with a hired skipper or as a crewed yacht.
A 7-day sailing itinerary from Rhodes
The legs below are a realistic loop for a Saturday-to-Saturday week. The prevailing summer wind around Rhodes is west to north-west, so the plan goes north-west first while you are fresh, then reaches and runs back. All distances are approximate; plan with up-to-date charts and a pilot book.
Day 1: Rhodes Marina, check-in and the old town
No sailing on day one for most crews. After the handover and provisioning, walk into the medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and along Mandraki, the town's old yacht harbour; the Colossus of Rhodes once stood at the island's harbour. Overnight in Rhodes Marina. Tip: Rhodes Marina monitors VHF channel 71; if you ever call at Mandraki instead (VHF 09), keep clear of the rocks and shallows on the north side of its entrance and lay out plenty of chain, because a heavy ground chain lies parallel to the quay about 30 m off.
Day 2: Rhodes to Symi Gialos (approx. 22 nm)
The first leg crosses the open channel north-west to Symi, usually close-hauled or on a close reach in the afternoon breeze, so leave in the morning. On the way in, look into the bay of Pedi, a small seaside settlement about 2 km from the Chora. Then comes the moment Symi is famous for: rounding into Gialos, the harbour town, with neoclassical houses stacked up the hillside. Overnight in Gialos harbour, which the municipality calls the island's safe harbour. Tip: arrive early in high season, because quay space is limited and the harbour is busy with ferries.
Day 3: Symi Gialos via Panormitis to Tilos Livadia (approx. 30 to 32 nm)
Motor or sail down the east and south coast of Symi to the bay of Panormitis (approx. 8 to 10 nm) and go ashore to the monastery of the Archangel Michael, probably the most important religious monument on the island. Then cross south-west to Tilos (approx. 23 nm), usually a beam reach in a north-westerly. Overnight in Livadia, Tilos's port and liveliest village, with a large pebble beach. Tip: this is a long day, so skip Panormitis if the forecast is strong and go straight to Tilos.
Day 4: Tilos to Halki Nimborio (approx. 16 nm)
A short, often downwind leg south-east to Halki. The only village, Nimborio (also written Emborio), is built like an amphitheatre around a natural harbour, with neoclassical stone houses and courtyards paved with pebble mosaics. Overnight in Nimborio harbour. Tip: with a short leg you have time for a swim stop on the way and a walk on the mountain trails to the island's secluded chapels.
Day 5: Halki round Cape Prasonisi to Lindos (approx. 40 to 42 nm)
The longest day of the week: south to Prasonisi at the southern tip of Rhodes (approx. 21 nm), then north-east up the lee side of the island to Lindos (approx. 20 nm). With the usual north-westerly this is mostly a reach or run, but start early. Lindos from the sea, with its acropolis above the village, is one of the finest views in the Dodecanese. Overnight: the port authority closes the swimming zone of the main Lindos bay to motor vessels in summer and bans anchoring in St Paul's Bay (see rules below), so only anchor further out, outside the delimited zones, if the current notice and the weather allow; otherwise continue towards Rhodes. Tip: if the forecast is strong, sail back north along the west coast from Halki to Rhodes town instead (approx. 33 nm) and drop Lindos.
Day 6: Lindos to Rhodes Marina (approx. 22 nm)
Coast north along the east side of Rhodes, which lies in the lee of the island in a westerly and usually gives flatter water. Swim stops are possible wherever the bathing-area rules allow. Back in Rhodes Marina in good time for fuelling. Tip: check your contract for the return time and whether the yacht must be refuelled before check-in.
Day 7: Rhodes, check-out
Check-out on Saturday morning. If you had a spare day, use it on day 5 to split the long leg, or for an extra night in Symi.
| Leg | Distance | Overnight | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodes Marina | 0 nm | Rhodes Marina | Medieval old town, Mandraki |
| Rhodes to Symi | approx. 22 nm | Gialos harbour | Neoclassical harbour town, Pedi |
| Symi to Tilos via Panormitis | approx. 30 to 32 nm | Livadia harbour | Monastery of the Archangel Michael |
| Tilos to Halki | approx. 16 nm | Nimborio harbour | Amphitheatre village, pebble mosaics |
| Halki to Lindos via Prasonisi | approx. 40 to 42 nm | Outer Lindos bay (check notice) or on to Rhodes | Lindos acropolis from the sea |
| Lindos to Rhodes | approx. 22 nm | Rhodes Marina | East coast in the lee |
Rules and safety around Rhodes
- Lindos restrictions. Every summer the Rhodes port authority (part of the Hellenic Coast Guard) issues decisions for Lindos. In the published version, a sea area in front of the main beach (Megalos Gialos) out to where swimmers usually reach is closed to all motorised vessels, including anchoring, laying moorings and running lines ashore, from May to the end of October. In St Paul's Bay, anchoring by any craft is prohibited inside the bay and within 100 m around its entrance from June to the end of October, motorised craft may not enter the western part, and only one at a time may enter the eastern part, solely to drop off or pick up passengers. The Megalos Gialos ban covers motorised vessels of every type, so assume it applies to a sailing yacht with an engine. The rules are reissued each season, so check the current notice (report of the port authority decision).
- Bathing areas everywhere. Under the general port regulation (GKL 20), keep 200 m away from swimmers and do not exceed 5 knots within 200 m of the shore.
- Wind. In summer the northerly etesians, or meltemi, blow mainly in the Aegean, turning north-westerly further south; around Rhodes the prevailing wind from May to October is west to north-west, Force 4 to 6. The Hellenic National Meteorological Service publishes sea-area warnings. Expect stronger gusts near high ground and headlands, reef early, and plan the open crossings (Rhodes to Symi, Symi to Tilos) for the morning.
- Traffic. Rhodes town is a busy ferry port and the route to Symi is used by ferries and day-trip boats. Keep a good lookout and stay clear of the harbour entrances.
- Turkey. The Turkish coast (Datça, Bozburun) is close, but crossing means leaving and re-entering Greece with official clearance and passport and customs formalities in both countries. Ask your charter company first whether it is allowed under your contract; it is not part of this route.
- Licence. Licence-free boating in Greece is only for small motorboats (outboard up to 30 hp on a conventional hull, 15 hp on a RIB, V-hull or multihull). For a bareboat yacht, the skipper needs a recognised licence, the ICC being the safest, and the charter company checks it. With a hired skipper nobody on board needs one. Details in our boat licence guide for Greece.
Best time to sail around Rhodes
The Greek sailing season follows the warm, dry half of the year, roughly April to October, and autumn in the south is long and warm, according to the HNMS climate overview. The meltemi is at its strongest and most persistent in July and August, which gives fast sailing but lively crossings. May, June and September are the most relaxed months for this loop: the meltemi is usually less persistent than at its July and August peak. October brings shorter days, but autumn in southern Greece is long and warm. Lindos rules and harbour conditions change with the season, so check official notices before you go.
FAQ
How far is Symi from Rhodes by sailing yacht?
Approximately 22 nautical miles from Rhodes Marina to Symi's Gialos harbour, a comfortable half-day sail in normal conditions. It is the natural first leg of a week from Rhodes.
Can I anchor in St Paul's Bay at Lindos?
Not in summer. The Rhodes port authority bans anchoring inside the bay and within 100 m of its entrance, and limits motor vessels to brief passenger drop-offs in the eastern part. Check the current season's notice.
Where do yachts stay overnight on Tilos and Halki?
In the harbours of Livadia on Tilos and Nimborio on Halki, the islands' main villages and ferry ports.
Can I sail to Turkey from Rhodes on a charter yacht?
Only with official exit and entry clearance, passport and customs formalities, and if your charter contract permits it. Check with the charter company before you plan it.
Is the Rhodes area suitable for a first bareboat week?
It suits crews with some open-water experience: the legs are moderate, but the crossings are exposed to the summer north-westerly. If you are unsure, book with a skipper, or read about calmer areas first.
More sailing guides
Carry on north with our Dodecanese sailing week from Kos, or compare with the Cyclades sailing week from Lavrion. Charter yachts from Rhodes can be booked on Ship O'Hoi, bareboat or with a skipper.
