Boat Rental in Kos, Greece
You can find boats available to rent with or without a skipper in Kos on the
Nautal website. Search for sailboats, catamarans, motorboats and more in Kos and/or in the world.
Flexible cancellation or date changes up to 15 days before check-in is allowed on selected boats. Kos is the
third largest island out of all the
Dodecanese Islands and has its
own airport, making it nice and easy for sailors to get to their boat rental in Kos. There are also
hundreds of islands that surround the Greek island of Kos, some of them uninhabited, others buzzing with
busy beach setups, cosy cafes and chique restaurants.
How much does it cost to rent a boat in Kos?
The price of renting a boat in Kos
depends on a number of factors, but principally on the
type of boat you want to rent. In Kos, we have
four different types of boat available.
For
Kos Catamaran charter, you can expect to pay anywhere
from $4602 per week in high season and
$2596 per week in low season.
Gulets, on the other hand, can cost anywhere
from $3343 a day and $23404 a week in high season and from
$3039 a day and $21276 a week in low season.
Motorboat prices tend to stay
fairly consistent all year round and
start at $2188 a week.
To rent a sailboat, you can expect prices to
start at $2665 per week during high season and
$1177 per week during low season.
Is it possible to rent a boat in Kos with or without a skipper?
Yes,
it is possible to rent a boat in Kos both with and without a skipper. Renting a boat in Kos with a skipper is ideal if you want to be guided through the best places in the area and get the most out of your sailing experience. You can rent a boat in Kos without a skipper if you have the appropriate licence or if there are boats available to rent that do not require a licence. Being
one of the few places in the Mediterranean where you don’t need a boating licence, it is a great place to learn the ropes for amateur sailors. It is without a doubt a great idea to be the captain of your own boat if you are an experienced sailor.
What are the best ports and sailing areas in Kos?
There are lots of smaller areas where you can dock for a secluded supper or a morning dip in the ocean but if you are looking for somewhere to stay for a couple of nights so that you can explore the island, we recommend
Kos Marina, located just a
ten minute walk from Kos town, the capital city of the island. This marina is the only one on Kos, but is also equipped with everything you will need during your stay both for yourself and others on board, as well as the boat itself.
There is a
marina café for delicious bites to eat, a place to pick up some
groceries,
bathroom and shower facilities and the
pontoons supply sailors and boats with electricity, water and wifi. Furthermore, sailors can enjoy the
shops, beaches, castle ruins and bars/restaurants just outside of the marina walls.
Other smaller places where you can drop your anchor include:
Located on the south coast of Kos in Kamari Bay, this dock provides ample protection from the northern winds but does leave you more exposed to the southern winds.
Tigani is also located on the southern coast of Kos, just to the north of Kamari. This area is great for dropping your anchor as it is well protected from the northerly Meltemi winds.
With lots of restaurants and entertainment establishments nearby, Kefalos is the perfect place to drop your anchor if you’re feeling a little peckish, or if you fancy checking out the nightlife on Kos. It also offers good protection from all winds except for the southern ones.
Kardamena is a very popular tourist destination with one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and also offers good protection from the northern and western winds.
What to Do in Kos?
There are plenty of things to do on the island of Kos on your boat rental, such as visit medieval castles or temple ruins, explore old Ancient Greek mythology or unwind in natural thermal springs in unique settings.
There are also plenty of cafes and bars where you can stop for a cocktail and admire the view from dry land once in a while. Whilst there are lots of things to do on the island, you can also take a daytrip to Bodrum, Turkey and delve into a whole different world of cuisine and culture. Be sure to look up local events, traditions and festivities so that you can stop for some festive fun or pick up some souvenirs at a weekly market. Why not enjoy a sail along the Turkish coast and stop in Akyarlar for a wander and a bite to eat?
There are so many places to visit on the island of Kos that you might struggle to fit them all in. One of the obvious places to stop off is the capital city, Kos town. Kos town offers many things to say, mainly in the form of archaeological sites and old castles, such as Ancient Agora and the Castle of the Knights of Saint John. If you want to escape the sun for a little while, you can also check out the Archaeological Museum of Kos.
You can also head to Tigaki. Here, you can explore the natural beauty of the salt lakes of Kos as well as frequenting the many dining and entertainment establishments.
Marmari is the area to go for those looking for a more peaceful vacation. This is the best place to try out an assortment of water activities as well as sampling a range of food in the local tavernas. If you have time, you should also go shopping for souvenirs in the many shops so that you can bring presents home for your friends and family.
Also a popular destination, especially for sailors, is the fishing village of Mastichari. While here, you can sample lots of fresh seafood dishes, consisting of the local fishermen’s catch of the day. Mastichari is also the home of Kos’ 2nd largest harbour. It’s not just the local seafood that attracts people to Mastichari though. It is also a great base if you want to explore neighbouring islands, such as Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Leros.
The former fishing village of Kardamena is another good base for people wanting to visit neighbouring islands. From here, many people like to visit the neighbouring island of Nisyros, as well as the hot springs of Agia Irini, which are said to possess magical healing properties.
If you want to try out a range of watersports, maybe Kefalos is the place for you. Kefalos has a spectacular seaside area called Kamari, which is packed full of even more amazing restaurants for sampling more of the local cuisine. However, if you want to travel a little further inland, you can also visit many landmarks, including the Castle of the Knights and many churches.
How is the weather in Kos?
As Kos is located
further to the east than many of the other
Dodecanese islands, it’s much more
sheltered thanks to neighbouring Turkey, although sailing here
can still be challenging and unpredictable due to the strong winds present in the area. The weather, in general, is
blissful during the summer season and is also
sublime for spring and autumn sailing, although sailors should bear in mind that it may be
nippier at night.
Temperatures usually exceed 20°C (68°F) by April and
continue to rise until July and August when they are usually
higher than 30°C (86°F).
It is standard for
wind force to blow at
no more than approximately 25 knots (6 beauforts) maximum, allowing sailors to glide to their destinations safely and with ease throughout the summer. In the
peak summer season during the months of July and August, the prevailing north
Meltemi wind usually blows at its strongest in the region of the
Central Aegean Sea, although many islands, in particular Kos will find themselves more sheltered than others. These
strong winds usually subside towards the end of August. The
direction of the wind is often
western, given that it is the main direction that is unprotected from the mainland or coastline.
Nights around Kos are typically
calm with only a light breeze, although the
winds always get
stronger again
in the morning.
When is the best time to go to Kos for your sailing vacation?
The best time to go sailing in Kos
depends on the sort of things you want to do during your holiday. If you want to
swim and snorkel around the island, you should
visit during the summer when the
weather is better. The
sea temperature in the summer can reach
as high as 25°C (77°F), which makes this the
perfect time to go for families with children. If, however, you wish to have a
more cultural experience, you should
avoid the summer as the heat will likely be too much if you’re hoping to do a lot of walking. If this is the sort of holiday you’re after, you should aim to
go in May or September, when the weather is still good but there are
fewer crowds and lower prices.
How to get to Kos?
Flying is, of course, the
quickest and easiest way to reach Kos and
Kos International Airport, often called simply
Hippocrates, presents
domestic flights all year round from such
Greek cities as
Athens,
Thessaloniki,
Rhodes,
Heraklion, and
Astypalea. During summer, the
airport is connected with some European countries as well. It takes around
an hour to fly from Athens to Kos.
When you reach the island, there are several options for further transit, including
car rental, taxis, or buses.
Another popular way to reach Kos is by a
ferry which you can find at
Piraeus port near Athens. Although this can be a nice, scenic way to reach the island, it is a
long journey, being around
11 hours long. You can also reach Kos by
ferry travelling from Rhodes, Leros, Kalymnos, and Patmos, as well as the Turkish coastal town of
Bodrum. The
quickest nautical route is from the island of Patmos and this journey takes roughly
2 hours.