Blue Voyage Greece: Dodecanese & Aegean Island Cruises
Whitewashed harbours, volcanic islands and clear Aegean water — crewed gulet cruises through the Dodecanese, often paired with the Turkish coast.
A blue voyage in Greece trades Turkey’s pine-backed bays for whitewashed harbours, castle towns and the bright, open Aegean. Our natural cruising ground is the Dodecanese — the string of islands off the south-west Turkish coast, from Kos and Rhodes to tiny Symi and volcanic Nisyros — close enough that many voyages combine both countries.
Because the Dodecanese lies just across the water from Bodrum and Marmaris, a Greek leg is easy to add to a Turkish charter, or you can sail entirely in Greek waters from Kos or Rhodes. Beyond the Dodecanese, longer or one-way voyages reach the Cyclades and the Saronic and Ionian seas.
Below you’ll find the islands you’ll visit, sample routes, when to come and how a Greek blue voyage works.
Cruising grounds
Where you’ll sail in Greece
The Dodecanese is the heart of it. Kos, directly across from Bodrum, is the usual gateway; from there you island-hop to laid-back Kalymnos, tiny Pserimos, the volcanic caldera of Nisyros and on to Symi, whose neoclassical harbour is among the prettiest in the Aegean, and Rhodes with its medieval old town.
Each island brings a different anchorage: a fishing-village quay for dinner, a monastery bay for a swim, an empty cove for the night. Further afield, the Cyclades add classic whitewashed islands and stronger winds, while the Saronic and Ionian offer greener, gentler cruising — best on longer or one-way charters.
Plan your trip
Good to know
The Dodecanese, island by island
Kos: the gateway, opposite Bodrum, with a lively harbour and Hippocrates’ plane tree.
Kalymnos & Pserimos: sponge-diving heritage and quiet swim bays.
Nisyros: a live volcanic caldera you can walk into.
Symi: a jewel-box neoclassical harbour.
Rhodes: a walled medieval city and a long sandy coast.
Sample routes
Kos, Kalymnos & Leros (7 nights): a relaxed Dodecanese loop from Kos.
Rhodes, Symi & Datça (7 nights): the southern islands with a Turkish bay or two.
Bodrum ↔ Kos crossover (7 nights): half in Turkey’s Gökova, half in the Greek islands, on a private charter.
Crossing from Turkey
The Dodecanese is minutes to hours from the Turkish coast, so a Greek leg is easy to add on a private charter — the crew handles passports and a small transit-log formality at each border port. Purely Greek cruises start from Kos or Rhodes; tell us early which flag you want to fly.
When to sail
June to September is the Greek season. July and August bring the strongest Meltemi winds — exhilarating for sailors, and the Dodecanese offers plenty of sheltered lee. June and September are calmer and quieter, with warm water and long evenings in the harbours.
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can I sail a blue voyage in Greece from Turkey?
Yes. The Dodecanese sits just across the water from Bodrum and Marmaris, so a Greek-island leg is the classic addition to a Turkish charter. On a private gulet the crew handles the passport and port formalities at each side.
Which Greek islands do the cruises visit?
Mostly the Dodecanese: Kos, Kalymnos, Pserimos, Nisyros, Leros, Symi and Rhodes. Longer or one-way voyages can reach the Cyclades or the Saronic and Ionian seas — ask us about a tailored route.
Do cruises depart from Greece or from Turkey?
Both. You can start in Turkey (Bodrum or Marmaris) and cross over, or sail entirely in Greek waters from Kos or Rhodes. Which works best depends on your flights and whether you want to combine the two countries.
When is the best time for a Greek blue voyage?
June to September. July and August are hottest and windiest — great for sailing — while June and September are calmer and quieter, with warm sea and lively but not crowded harbours.
Is a Greek cruise private or cabin?
Cross-border and Greek-water cruises are usually private charters, where the crew manages the clearances and your route. Cabin cruises tend to stay within one country, so a private gulet is the simplest way to island-hop the Dodecanese.
What paperwork is needed to sail in Greece?
Valid passports for all guests and, on a private charter, a port clearance and transit log that the crew arranges at each border. We handle the formalities; you just bring your passport.
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Plan your voyage — Greece
Tell us your dates and group size and we will plan the route and send a tailored quote.
Plan your voyage