Sailing from Rhodes: Catamaran Itinerary & Anchorages

Updated May 2026.

Rhodes is Greece’s southernmost serious catamaran charter base — the country’s gateway to the Dodecanese island chain and a short hop from Türkiye’s southern coast. The standard 7-day route from Rhodes Mandraki Marina runs north-west across to Symi, Tilos, Nisyros and Halki before looping back via Lindos. The meltemi here is moderate compared to the open Cyclades, the water is deep and clear, and the cluster of small islands within a 75-nautical-mile radius gives a charter week real variety. This guide walks the route, the anchorage detail for each stop, the provisioning logistics by island, and the practical considerations for first-time Rhodes charterers.

About Rhodes as a charter base

Rhodes Mandraki Marina is the main charter base — full-service stern-to berthing for 50-foot catamarans, fuel and water on the dock, and a customs office for crews crossing to Türkiye (Marmaris, Datça, Bodrum) or returning to Greek waters. Indicative marina fees: approximately €80-150 per night for a 50-foot cat in peak July-August. Diagoras International Airport (RHO) is 14 km from the marina, about a 20-minute taxi ride; direct flights from major European hubs run April through October.

Season notes: May-June and September-early October are the smart-money shoulder weeks — water at 22-25°C, fewer crowds, charter rates roughly 20-30% below peak. Peak July-August sees warmer water but a steady meltemi (the N-NW summer wind) at 4-6 Bft on most afternoons. Rhodes sits far enough south that the meltemi is meaningfully less brutal here than in the open Cyclades — one of the under-stated reasons families pick Rhodes over Athens as their charter base.

Customs note: Rhodes is an EU port, but every crossing to Türkiye (Marmaris is 25 nm east, Datça is 50 nm north-east) requires entry and exit paperwork at both the Greek and Turkish marinas. Allow half a day at each end for the customs process. For first-time Rhodes charterers we recommend staying within Greek waters; the Türkiye extension is for repeat visitors or 10+ day charters.

The must-see stops and their anchorages

The Rhodes charter cluster has six stops worth knowing about by name. Each carries different anchorage geography, different shelter from the meltemi, and different provisioning capacity.

Rhodes Town and Mandraki Marina (day 0 / day 7)

Rhodes Old Town is UNESCO-listed, walled, and walking-distance from Mandraki Marina. The Palace of the Grand Master and the Street of the Knights date from the 1309-1522 Knights of St. John era and are still some of the best-preserved medieval architecture in the Eastern Mediterranean. Plan a half-day in town either side of the charter week.

Provisioning: Sklavenitis Rhodes town (large, full selection, about 5 minutes by taxi from Mandraki), AB Vassilopoulos near the port (premium and imported goods), Lidl Rhodes (budget option, around 10 minutes by taxi), plus smaller Marinopoulos and My Market branches for top-ups. The Old Town fish market opens early; fresh fish, octopus and sea urchins arrive by 07:30. Provisioning delivery services pre-deliver to Mandraki for an approximate 10-15% markup — order 48 hours ahead and skip the chaotic Day-1 supermarket run.

Lindos (35 nm SE of Mandraki, round-trip)

The cliff-top Acropolis (4th century BC, expanded by the Knights) and the blue-domed Panagia church define the village skyline. The standard catamaran anchorage is Vlicha Bay just north of Lindos — large sand bottom, 5-8 m depth, sheltered from S/SE swell, comfortable holding for a 50-foot cat. Lindos Bay directly below the Acropolis is smaller and fills with day-tripper boats by 11:00, so the practical move is to anchor at Vlicha and tender in. Pefkos, 4 km north, has a slightly larger Spar mini-market if you need to top up.

Lindos works as the day-1 stop if you’re going east first or, more commonly, as the day-6 stop on the return leg before disembarking at Mandraki on day 7.

Symi (20 nm NW of Rhodes)

The neoclassical harbour town painted in pastels is the most-photographed Dodecanese stop — it’s the picture everyone associates with the chain. Three anchorages to know about:

— Pedi Bay: 3 km east of Symi town, sand and mud bottom, 5-8 m depth, sheltered from the meltemi (N-NW). The standard 7-day-route overnight option. Holding is good but the bay fills in season; arrive before 17:00 in July-August.
— Symi harbour: stern-to in town, walking distance to everything. Approximately €50-80 per night for a 50-foot cat. Berths fill by 16:00 in season; if you want a town night, plan to arrive early.
— Panormitis monastery bay: south coast of Symi, anchor 8-12 m, exposed to S/SE swell. Worth the detour to see the Archangel Michael monastery at the head of the bay; not a safe overnight in southerly weather.

Provisioning at Symi: small grocery store in the town, a bakery near the harbour worth a stop for the souvlaki and bougatsa, and the fish quay morning market.

Tilos (35 nm NW of Symi)

One of the quietest inhabited islands in the Dodecanese — a small population, almost no organised tourism, and protected waters that host sea turtles and Mediterranean monk seals. The main port is Livadia: stern-to or anchor in the bay, 6-10 m sand and rock holding, sheltered from N-NW (the prevailing summer wind). Plaka beach on the south coast is a smaller alternative but exposed. Provisioning is limited — the village grocery in Livadia carries basics only. Top up at Rhodes or Symi before this stop. Eristos beach has a working beach taverna for lunch if you’re stopping mid-day.

Nisyros (15 nm NW of Tilos)

Active volcano — the Stefanos crater is the largest hydrothermal crater in Greece and you can walk down into it. A taxi or hired car from Mandraki port to the volcano runs approximately €20-30 round trip. Two anchorages: Mandraki harbour (Nisyros’s main port, stern-to or anchor outside, 4-8 m sand and rock) and the smaller Pali harbour on the east coast (quieter, sheltered from NW, less infrastructure). Provisioning is minimal — small grocery in Mandraki for basics. Plan to arrive provisioned from Rhodes or Symi.

Halki (15 nm W of Rhodes — optional inclusion)

UNESCO-protected harbour town with nine windmills and restored neoclassical architecture lining the small Emborios harbour. Anchorage: Emborios harbour — stern-to or anchor in bay, 4-7 m sand bottom, sheltered from N-NW, exposed S. Provisioning is tiny; bring everything from Rhodes. Worth one night for the quay-side dinner scene and the morning walk through the village.

Kastellorizo (75 nm E of Rhodes — for 10+ day charters)

The smallest inhabited Dodecanese island, sitting just 2 km off the Turkish coast. Famous for the Blue Cave (Galazia Spilia) sea grotto — reachable only by dinghy or local boat. Town harbour has limited berths, pre-book through the harbour-master. The 75-nm leg is exposed open-water and only suitable for 10+ day charters or experienced crews with a settled weather window.

Sample 7-day route from Rhodes Mandraki

The standard pattern for first-time Rhodes charterers:

Day 1 — Mandraki → Symi (20 nm, ~4 hours). Saturday turnaround at Rhodes, depart late morning Sunday after the provisioning run. Afternoon ashore in Symi town, evening anchorage in Pedi Bay or stern-to at Symi harbour.

Day 2 — Symi → Panormitis → Tilos Livadia (~35 nm total). Long sailing day, ~7 hours including the south-Symi monastery detour. Overnight Tilos at Livadia.

Day 3 — Tilos → Nisyros Mandraki (15 nm). Morning sail, afternoon excursion to the Stefanos volcano crater. Overnight at Nisyros Mandraki.

Day 4 — Nisyros → Halki Emborios (35 nm). South-easterly leg back toward Rhodes. Quay-side dinner at one of the Emborios tavernas.

Day 5 — Halki → Lindos Vlicha Bay (28 nm). Afternoon climb to the Lindos Acropolis. Overnight in Vlicha.

Day 6 — Lindos → Prasonisi day-stop → Rhodes Mandraki (15 + 15 nm). Day stop at the Prasonisi sand spit at the southern tip of Rhodes (the kite-surf and wind-surf scene; calm-weather lunch swim). Back to Mandraki for the final overnight at the marina.

Day 7 — Disembark Mandraki.

Alternative shorter 5-day: Rhodes → Symi → Tilos → Nisyros → return Rhodes. Skips Halki and Lindos.

Alternative 10-day: Add Kastellorizo (75 nm east) plus a 2-3 day crossing to Marmaris or Datça (Türkiye) with the full customs paperwork.

Provisioning along the route

Rhodes is the only stop on the route with a full supermarket. Plan to provision heavily on day 1 (or via delivery service to Mandraki Marina) and top up fresh fruit, bread and fish at each island stop.

Rhodes Town / Mandraki: Sklavenitis (5 min taxi from marina, the biggest selection in town), AB Vassilopoulos near the port (premium imports), Lidl on the outskirts (~10 min taxi, budget option), smaller Marinopoulos and My Market branches for top-ups. Old Town fish market for early-morning fresh catch. Provisioning delivery via local services like Yacht Provisioning Rhodes — order 48 hours ahead, approximate 10-15% markup, delivered to the pontoon.

Lindos: small village grocery sufficient for top-up only. Pefkos 4 km north has Spar with a slightly broader selection.

Symi: small grocery in town, bakery, fish quay morning market — perfect for a fresh-fish dinner aboard.

Tilos: Livadia village grocery, basics only. Top up at Rhodes or Symi before this stop.

Nisyros: small Mandraki grocery for basics. Pre-load from Rhodes or Symi.

Halki: very limited; pre-load on Rhodes.

For the broader Greek provisioning picture see our 2026 Greek provisioning guide.

Practical sailing notes

Boat size. 42-46 ft catamarans are the sweet spot for the Dodecanese route. Lagoon 42, Bali 4.2 or Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 for couples and 4-person crews; Lagoon 46, Bali 4.6 or FP Tanna 47 for 6-8 person crews. The shallow 1.3-1.4 m draft on these models fits every Dodecanese anchorage including the smaller harbours at Halki and Nisyros.

Wind. The meltemi blows N-NW at 4-6 Bft on most July-August afternoons and is meaningfully gentler at Rhodes than in the open Cyclades. Plan downwind legs going NW (Rhodes to Symi/Tilos/Nisyros) in the afternoon and beating-back legs coming back SE in the morning before the wind builds.

Marina fees. Indicative 2026 rates: Rhodes Mandraki €80-150/night for a 50-foot cat in peak, Symi harbour €50-80, Lindos Vlicha free anchorage. Tourist tax: approximately €1.50-2 per person per night standard Greek rate.

License. Greek regulations accept the ICC and RYA Day Skipper Practical for bareboat charters. The second-skipper rule applies (one licensed plus one assistant). Without a license, book a skipper at approximately €160-220 per day.

Related guides

— Greek Islands by Catamaran — Cyclades, Ionian and Saronic compared.
— Paros must-see deep-dive.
— 2026 Greek provisioning cost guide.
— Below Deck in Greece — route + reality check.
— Alina — Fountaine Pajot Thira 80 power catamaran charter.

Ready to plan a Rhodes charter?

Browse the 2026 fleet on the Catamaran Charter Greece fleet page. For a custom Dodecanese itinerary with your dates and crew size, use the contact form and we’ll come back within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best season to charter a catamaran from Rhodes?

May-June and September-early October are the shoulder sweet spots — water 22-25°C, fewer crowds, charter rates roughly 20-30% below peak. July-August is hottest and busiest with reliable meltemi at 4-6 Bft. Rhodes is meaningfully less windy than the open Cyclades because of its southern position.

How far is Symi from Rhodes by sail?

20 nautical miles north-west, about 4 hours of sailing in moderate meltemi conditions. The standard day-1 leg on the 7-day route, departing Rhodes Mandraki in the late morning and arriving Pedi Bay or Symi harbour by mid-afternoon.

Where do I anchor for the night in the Dodecanese?

The main overnight anchorages on the standard 7-day route: Pedi Bay on Symi (sand/mud, 5-8 m, sheltered from N-NW), Livadia on Tilos (6-10 m, sheltered from N-NW), Mandraki harbour on Nisyros (stern-to or 4-8 m anchor), Emborios on Halki (4-7 m sand), and Vlicha Bay on Rhodes east coast (5-8 m sand). Symi town and Rhodes Mandraki are stern-to marina options when you want a town night.

Can I cross to Türkiye from Rhodes?

Yes — Marmaris is 25 nm east and Datça is 50 nm north-east. Crossing requires entry and exit customs paperwork at both the Greek and Turkish marinas, so allow half a day at each end. Most Rhodes charters stay within Greek waters; the Türkiye extension suits 10+ day charters or repeat visitors with the paperwork sorted ahead.

Where can I buy groceries near Rhodes Mandraki Marina?

Sklavenitis Rhodes town is the biggest supermarket within 5 minutes by taxi. AB Vassilopoulos near the port carries premium and imported goods. Lidl Rhodes is the budget option, 10 minutes by taxi. Smaller Marinopoulos and My Market branches handle top-ups. Provisioning delivery services pre-deliver to Mandraki for a 10-15% markup — order 48 hours ahead to skip the chaotic Day-1 supermarket run.