Dodecanese · George Yachts
Yacht Charter Kos
Cosmopolitan Dodecanese hub - Hippocrates's island, Turkish coast across the channel, the late-season yacht base after Rhodes
Last updated August 2026
Why Kos
Kos is the second-largest Dodecanese island after Rhodes, 75 nautical miles north of Rhodes and just 3 nautical miles from the Turkish coast at Bodrum. As a yacht-charter base, Kos has three advantages: an international airport with direct flights from northern Europe in summer, a deep marina (Kos Marina) with 250+ berths that's actually engineered for yachts above 25m, and proximity to the Turkish-coast cruising grounds (Bodrum, Gocek) for clients who want to mix Greek and Turkish waters. The island itself has the strongest archaeological credentials in the Dodecanese after Rhodes - the Asklepieion sanctuary where Hippocrates trained as a physician, the Roman agora ruins in the town centre, and the medieval Knights Templar castle at the harbour. Charter weeks from Kos typically combine 2-3 days local (Kos town, Kefalos bay south-west, Therma hot-springs anchorage) with 3-4 days touring the smaller Dodecanese (Nisyros volcano, Tilos, Symi). Late-season is Kos's strongest argument - water stays 22°C through mid-October, longer than any Aegean group except Rhodes.
Yachts Ideal for Kos
8 yachts from the fleet
Sample Itineraries from Kos
What a week could look like
Aboard S/CAT Genny · 193 NM
Cape Sounion → Kythnos (Kolona) → Paros (Naoussa) → …
- Day 1 · 22 NM · Athens (Alimos) → Cape Sounion
- Day 2 · 22 NM · Cape Sounion → Kythnos (Kolona)
- Day 3 · 45 NM · Kythnos (Kolona) → Paros (Naoussa)
- Day 4 · 16 NM · Paros (Naoussa) → Delos
- Day 5 · 16 NM · Delos → Syros (Ermoupoli)
- Day 6 · 39 NM · Syros (Ermoupoli) → Kea (Vourkari)
- Day 7 · 33 NM · Kea (Vourkari) → Athens (Alimos)
Aboard S/CAT Above & Beyond · 193 NM
Cape Sounion → Kythnos (Kolona) → Paros (Naoussa) → …
- Day 1 · 22 NM · Athens (Alimos) → Cape Sounion
- Day 2 · 22 NM · Cape Sounion → Kythnos (Kolona)
- Day 3 · 45 NM · Kythnos (Kolona) → Paros (Naoussa)
- Day 4 · 16 NM · Paros (Naoussa) → Delos
- Day 5 · 16 NM · Delos → Syros (Ermoupoli)
- Day 6 · 39 NM · Syros (Ermoupoli) → Kea (Vourkari)
- Day 7 · 33 NM · Kea (Vourkari) → Athens (Alimos)
Aboard S/CAT Kimata · 120 NM
Aegina (Agia Marina) → Hydra → Poros → …
- Day 1 · 17 NM · Athens (Alimos) → Aegina (Agia Marina)
- Day 2 · 29 NM · Aegina (Agia Marina) → Hydra
- Day 3 · 12 NM · Hydra → Poros
- Day 4 · 16 NM · Poros → Aegina Town
- Day 5 · 15 NM · Aegina Town → Epidaurus
- Day 6 · 10 NM · Epidaurus → Agistri (Skala)
- Day 7 · 21 NM · Agistri (Skala) → Athens (Alimos)
When to Visit Kos
June through October all work for Kos. October specifically is one of Greece's two latest-season viable charter destinations (along with Rhodes). Water still 22°C, thermal wind gentle, all the Kos restaurants open through mid-October. April and May the water is cool (18-20°C) but the island is beautifully green and crowd-free.
George's Insider Tips for Kos
- Kos Marina is the proper deep-water berthing - book via the marina office. Avoid the historic main harbour for anything above 25m (depth + space issues).
- The Asklepieion is a 20-minute taxi from the town and is one of the most peaceful Greek archaeological sites. Half-day shore excursion.
- Therma hot-springs anchorage on the south-east coast - anchor in 4-5m, swim to natural hot spring that flows into the sea. The combination of cool Aegean + hot spring is unusual in Greek waters.
- Bodrum (Turkey) is 3 nautical miles east - a same-morning cross-border excursion for clients who want the Ottoman castle + bazaar. Customs takes 30 minutes each way; brief the captain.
- Kefalos Bay on the south-west coast is the lunch-anchor - sandy bottom, protected from north wind, walking distance to a few south-coast tavernas.
Frequently Asked
About chartering in Kos
Can we charter Kos with a Turkish-coast leg?
Not through this house. Bodrum is a few miles across the strait, and cross-border charters exist in the trade on yachts whose flag and paperwork allow it, but our weeks begin and end in Greek waters and are arranged from Athens, Lefkada and Corfu. This page stays as a guide to Kos.
Is Kos better than Rhodes as a charter base?
Different briefs. Rhodes is closer to Symi and the deeper Dodecanese history. Kos is closer to the Turkish coast and has a more international tourism scene. For multi-island Dodecanese charters, Rhodes is the better base; for Greece-Turkey combined weeks, Kos.
How does the Kos late-season compare to Cyclades?
Materially warmer. Kos's southern Aegean position keeps water at 22°C through mid-October when the Cyclades has already dropped to 19-20°C. Rhodes and Kos are the two genuine late-season Greek charter bases.
Direct flights to Kos in 2026?
Kos airport (KGS) has direct flights in summer from London, Manchester, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Amsterdam, Brussels. Reach via Athens (40-minute flight) outside summer.
What yacht type for Kos?
Motor yacht is best for the deeper Dodecanese-and-Turkey range and the Therma anchorage swim format. Sailing yachts work for clients who want the slower-paced southern Aegean sailing. Catamaran is family-friendly for the Kos-Nisyros volcano excursion.