12-day Northern Route – Dodecanese islands, Greece
A sailing trip along the Dodecanese islands of Greece departing and returning from Kos, along Kalimnos, Lipsi, Patmos, Arkoi, Samos, Ikaria, Donoussa, Amorgos, Levita, and Leros.
We sail through the same islands as the 7-day Northern route and then carry on further North. Samos is so amazing, we’ll most likely stop here two nights to give you time to hire a car and explore. Ikaria is one of our personal favourites, a very special place; sample the famous local wine here, and discover why the island is a famous Blue Zone area. We then head southwest through the spectacular islands to the West like Donoussa and Levita. These are not to be missed as they’re very untouristy, with empty bays and beautiful sunsets, before sailing via Leros or Kalymnos back to Kos.
Mentioned islands are indicative, as the routes we plan and the islands we visit always depend on sailing conditions dictated to us by the Greek gods Poseidon and Aeolus. As true SeaScapers we always make sure you’ll have the trip of a lifetime.
Sample itinerary
Embark 9:00 AM in Kos. After boat briefing, unpacking, and generally getting comfortable with the yacht, we’ll set sail for Kalymnos. Around noon we will stop in a quiet bay for a delicious on-board lunch and a swim, before we continue our sail to Vathys. A dramatic little spot and a perfect introduction to “traditional Greece”; a well-hidden and very narrow fjord-like entrance, opening up into a tiny fishing village at the head of the bay. It boasts one main street and a collection of houses scattered into the valley; an unexpected patch of lush vegetation on an otherwise very dry and arid-looking island. Vathys is the only place on the entire island that is lucky enough to have its own spring water supply, and they use it carefully to cultivate citrus fruits, figs, grapes and anything else that can be persuaded to grow. In the evening, we visit our favourite family restaurant BOOTSHAUS Old Poppy’s Taverna where we’ve been going to for the past we-don’t-even-know-how-many years. The chef is a magician with food, and all you have to do is let him choose what to cook that evening.
Miles: 14.5
Duration: 3 hours
After a morning swim in Vathys’ ocean swimming pool next to the dock, we’ll set sail for Leros, the former home base of SeaScape Sailing and therefore an island we call home. We go for anchor in a remote, quiet bay to give you the best sailing experience: a night on anchor with a sky full of stars to fall asleep under. We’ll prepare a barbecue on board while you enjoy some quality time on the boat or go for a few rounds on the paddle board. We might go to bed early or stay up late and enjoy some great music and a few drinks, it’s really all up to you! One thing is guaranteed: after this night, you have experienced the real deal of living off-the-beaten track on a sail boat.
Miles: 22
Duration: 4.5 hours
Sail to Patmos – an early start to make the most of exploring the famous Monastery Island, where St John was inspired by visions to write the Book of Revelations. The 10th century monastery (built by Crusader Knights) reigns over the island, still an active and influential part of daily life here. The village that lies at the foot of the monastery is everyone’s romantic image of a Greek village; narrow winding alleyways scarcely wide enough for a skinny donkey! – cats sunning themselves on whitewashed streets, old ladies in black collecting fresh bread from the bakery in the morning. It’s well worth an early rise to get up there in the dawn hours; the old ladies will look at you in faint amazement that a foreigner should find their way up there at such a time; if you can remember enough of our Greek lessons to say “kalimera!” (good morning), they’ll give you a huge smile and a “kalimera-sas” back (good morning to you too) ! (Note: that’s “kali-MER-a”, not “calamari”).
Miles: 14
Duration: 3 hours
This pint-sized paradise, with a winter population of around 30 souls (yes, three-zero, you’ll probably meet them all by dinner), is one of the tiniest specks we visit. We’ll drop anchor in a dreamy southeast lagoon—so calm it feels like Mother Nature’s infinity pool—or tie up in the wee port and let the locals spoil us with seafood that was swimming a few hours ago. A walk up the hill will reward you with an epic viewing point.
Miles: 11
Duration: 2.5 hours
From Arki we stretch our sea legs a little further. Unlike tiny Arki with its 30 hardy winter souls, Samos is a proper Greek heavyweight—lush, mountainous, and bursting with history, famed for its sweet muscat wine, ancient philosophers (yes, Pythagoras did his triangle thing here), and a coastline that makes you want to throw your itinerary overboard and just… stay. Samos is home to the Heraion, a UNESCO-listed sanctuary dedicated to Hera, plus the astonishing Eupalinos Tunnel—an ancient aqueduct dug straight through a mountain over 2,500 years ago.We’ll glide into one of its welcoming harbors, where tavernas tempt with meze spreads and ouzo that could convince you you’re fluent in Greek after two glasses.
Miles: 21
Duration: 4 hours
As Samos has so much to discover, we’ll stick around for an extra day. This is a good place to rent a car and go explore the island. History buffs can geek out over temples and ruins, hikers can head for lush green hills, and beach lovers—well, pick a direction and you’ll hit turquoise. Samos is proof that bigger can be better… but don’t worry, it still knows how to keep things deliciously laid-back.
We set a westerly course for legendary Icaria. Named after Icarus, who supposedly splashed down here after flying a little too close to the sun, the island has a reputation for both drama and serenity. Today, it’s world-famous as a Blue Zone, where locals regularly clock up 90+ birthdays thanks to their relaxed pace and Mediterranean diet. With a population of around 8,500, Icaria is big enough to keep you exploring but still proudly off the tourist radar. Expect wild, mountainous terrain, pristine beaches like Seychelles (yes, that’s really its name), and hot springs bubbling away in Therma. The island has the best mix of myth, hiking trails, and that famously slow, life-loving rhythm. After the bustle of Samos, Icaria feels like sailing straight into a different philosophy of living—one you’ll wish you could pack in your duffel.
Miles: 20
Duration: 4 hours
From Icaria it’s a short hop to the rugged charm of Fourni, a tiny archipelago that feels like the Greek islands distilled. Fourni is a fisherman’s haven, where life still ticks to the rhythm of nets and boats rather than ferry schedules. Instead of docking in town, we’ll slip into a quiet southern bay, drop anchor, and make it our private patch of paradise for the night, including a barbecue on deck.
Miles: 11.5
Duration: 2.5 hours
We look forward to visit Lipsi – island of the 42 blue-domed churches. It is a small, untouristy village, with an unruly array of whitewashed buildings scattered around the bay. The vivid streaks of traditional blue trim and the blazing bougainvillea pinks & purples make it a real photographers’ dream. To cool off, there is a lovely little sandy beach, a few minutes’ walk over the hill from where we moor the boat, and a great hike out to the headland with spectacular views out to sea. If conditions are calm, we may be able to visit Macro Nisi for a swim stop en route. It’s a secluded little anchorage with sheer-sided cliffs, which have been known to entice the braver (or more foolhardy) amongst us to throw caution to the wind and leap off them! For those more inclined to be adventurous in the water, there’s a very cool, semi-submerged tunnel through the cliffs through which one can snorkel, emerging in little cave on the other side of the island.
Miles: 20
Duration: 4 hours
We set sail towards a bay next to Emporios, where we love to spend another night on anchor. Or “Pirate Bay” just around the corner, where we anchor the boat close to shore and take the dingy to go on land. This little tranquil oasis is a little Pirates in the Greek islands getaway you won’t find when you follow the main tourist tracks. It’s like a tiny safe heaven popped up in the middle of nowhere, with its own little bar and restaurant.
Miles: 19.5
Duration: 4 hours
Sail to our lunch-n-swim stop at one of the little, uncrowded bays around Kalymnos or Pserimos. Time to go hike around the hills and maybe pick some beautifully scented sage to make a fine, healthy brew of sage-and-local-honey tea! After lunch, it will be time to sail back to Kos. The luxury of land showers and a laundry, and perhaps a cold one at a bar. Our final dinner is usually at a gorgeous beachfront restaurant.
Miles: 26.5
Duration: 5.5 hours
Disembarkation is at 9:00 AM. For those wishing to stay longer in Kos, we can recommend some great little places to stay around the island. For onward travel, there are several daily flights to many European cities. You will definitely be heading home with a nice tan!
Best time to sail
May – October are the best months to sail along the Dodecanese islands of Greece.
For those who like a little adreline with their sailing, the midsummer months have the strongest winds: 25knots or so on average. It tends to be a little mellower in the early and late season. Even if you never sailed before, you could join any month really. There is no such thing as beginner months or intermediate / advanced months. From late May-Oct, it’s pretty much guaranteed sun, sun and more sun – once again, a perfect yachties’ playground!
Schedule for the 12-day Northern sailing route
View the schedule here (Shareboat trips are usually planned upfront in this schedule, while the remaining ‘open’ weeks are available for private charters along any desired route.)
12-day Northern route sailing options
Shareboat
For individuals, couples, or friends travelling together – join likeminded adventurers on one of our shareboats.
Private charter
Already have your own group? Charter the whole boat with our skipper to have the time of your life with your private group.