Blue Voyage from Kos: Dodecanese Island Cruises
Directly across the water from Bodrum — a natural gateway to the Dodecanese, and the perfect place to pair Greek islands with the Turkish coast.
Kos lies just across the strait from Bodrum, which makes it the natural gateway to the Dodecanese and one of the easiest places to combine a Greek-island cruise with the Turkish coast. Its lively harbour, framed by a Knights’ castle and the plane tree said to be Hippocrates’, is a fine place to step aboard.
From Kos a week’s sailing reaches sponge-diving Kalymnos, the volcanic caldera of Nisyros, quiet Pserimos and, further north, Leros and Patmos — or you simply cross the water to Bodrum and the Gulf of Gökova for a two-country voyage.
Below you’ll find the islands you’ll visit, sample routes, when to come and how a Kos blue voyage works.
Cruising grounds
Where you’ll sail from Kos
North and west of Kos the Dodecanese opens up. Kalymnos, the old sponge-divers’ island, has dramatic cliffs and calm harbours; tiny Pserimos offers a single sandy bay; Nisyros hides a still-steaming volcanic crater you can walk into. Push further and you reach Leros, with its Italian-era architecture, and holy Patmos.
East, the water narrows to Bodrum and the Gulf of Gökova, so many Kos voyages spend half their time in Greece and half in Turkey. Whichever way you turn, the sailing is open and bright, with a whitewashed harbour or an empty anchorage at the end of each day.
Plan your trip
Good to know
Sample routes from Kos
Kos, Kalymnos, Leros & Patmos (7 nights): a northern Dodecanese loop of harbours and swim bays.
Kos, Pserimos & Nisyros (7 nights): the nearby islands and the volcano, shorter hops and quiet coves.
Kos ↔ Bodrum & Gökova (7 nights): half Greek islands, half Turkish gulf, on a private charter.
Crossing to Bodrum & Turkey
Bodrum is in sight across the strait, so pairing Kos with the Turkish coast is the classic move — Gökova’s sheltered bays complement the open Greek sailing perfectly. On a private charter the crew handles passports and the port clearance on each side.
When to sail
June to September is the Dodecanese season. July and August bring the strongest Meltemi winds — lively sailing, with plenty of island lee for shelter — while June and September are calmer and quieter, with warm water and long harbour evenings.
Getting to Kos
Kos has its own airport (KGS) with summer flights from several European cities. Many guests instead fly to Bodrum (BJV) and join the boat with a short crossing — useful if you want a Turkey-and-Greece voyage. We help you plan the simplest route to the boat.
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Can I sail between Kos and Bodrum?
Yes, on a private charter — they sit right across the strait from each other, and the Bodrum–Kos crossing is a classic. The crew handles passports and port clearance. It is the easiest way to combine Greek islands with Turkey’s Gulf of Gökova.
Which islands does a Kos cruise visit?
Typically the nearby Dodecanese: Kalymnos, Pserimos, Nisyros and, on longer routes, Leros and Patmos. A Kos voyage can stay purely Greek or cross to Bodrum and Gökova for a two-country itinerary.
Do I fly to Kos or to Turkey?
Either. Kos has its own airport (KGS), or you can fly to Bodrum (BJV) and join the boat with a short crossing. Which is simpler depends on your flights and whether you want to combine both countries — we help you decide.
When is the best time for a Kos blue voyage?
June to September. July and August are hottest and windiest — exhilarating sailing — while June and September are calmer and quieter, with warm sea and lively but uncrowded harbours.
Is a Kos cruise private or cabin?
Cruises that cross between Kos and Turkey are usually private charters, so the crew can manage the border clearances and your route. A private gulet is also the simplest way to island-hop the Dodecanese at your own pace.
Ready when you are
Plan your voyage — Kos
Tell us your dates and group size and we will plan the route and send a tailored quote.
Plan your voyage