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 · 240 NM
Kea - Vourkari → Kythnos - Kolona → Sifnos - Vathy → …
- Day 1 · 30 NM · Athens (Alimos) → Kea - Vourkari
- Day 2 · 35 NM · Kea → Kythnos - Kolona
- Day 3 · 40 NM · Kythnos → Sifnos - Vathy
- Day 4 · 30 NM · Sifnos → Polyaigos & Kimolos
- Day 5 · 45 NM · Kimolos → Folegandros
- Day 6 · 35 NM · Folegandros → Ios - Manganari
- Day 7 · 25 NM · Ios → Paros - Naoussa
Aboard S/CAT Above & Beyond · 265 NM
Kea - Otzias → Syros - Ermoupoli → Tinos - Ormos Panormou → …
- Day 1 · 30 NM · Athens (Alimos) → Kea - Otzias
- Day 2 · 45 NM · Kea → Syros - Ermoupoli
- Day 3 · 20 NM · Syros → Tinos - Ormos Panormou
- Day 4 · 15 NM · Tinos → Mykonos - Ornos Bay
- Day 5 · 40 NM · Mykonos → Paros - Naoussa
- Day 6 · 20 NM · Paros → Naxos - Plaka
- Day 7 · 95 NM · Naxos → Athens (Alimos)
Aboard S/CAT Madicon · 173 NM
Folegandros → Sikinos → Ios - Manganari → …
- Day 1 · 35 NM · Santorini (Vlyhada) → Folegandros
- Day 2 · 15 NM · Folegandros → Sikinos
- Day 3 · 15 NM · Sikinos → Ios - Manganari
- Day 4 · 35 NM · Ios → Naxos - Apollonas
- Day 5 · 15 NM · Naxos → Iraklia / Schinoussa
- Day 6 · 8 NM · Schinoussa → Koufonisia - Pori
- Day 7 · 50 NM · Koufonisia → Santorini
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?
Yes. Bodrum (Turkey) is 3 nautical miles east of Kos and accepts charter yachts via standard customs clearance. Most charter weeks add 1-2 nights on the Turkish coast for the cultural contrast. VAT treatment shifts if non-Greek time exceeds 30% of the charter - brief George at booking.
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.