Kos Greece Sailing Guide

Kos Greece Sailing Guide. Kos is located in the south-eastern Aegean Sea within the Dodecanese group of Greece at approximately 36°53′N 27°17′E. The island lies close to the Turkish mainland with a narrow channel to the north. The primary port and marina are located on the north-east coast adjacent to Kos town.

The operating environment is semi-exposed Aegean with limited tidal influence and seasonal wind dominance. The north coast is exposed to Meltemi conditions across the channel, while the south coast is comparatively sheltered. Depths increase rapidly offshore with defined harbour basins providing controlled berthing.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - History

Kos has a continuous maritime history from antiquity through its role as a centre of medicine associated with Hippocrates, followed by Roman, Byzantine, and later Knights Hospitaller rule of Kos before Ottoman control and incorporation into modern Greece in 1947. Physical remains include the Asklepion sanctuary, medieval fortifications at Kos Town harbour, and later civic and port structures reflecting continued use as a coastal settlement.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Approaches

Approach to Kos is from open water with primary access via the north coast to Kos Harbour and Kos Marina. Depths offshore exceed 30–50 m, reducing to 5–10 m approaching harbour limits. The approach is clear with no constrained channels.  Sea state is wind driven. Meltemi (N–NW) produces short, steep seas across the channel between Kos and the Turkish coast with gust acceleration near headlands. Southerly winds reduce sea state along the north coast but increase exposure on the south coast. Tidal range is typically 0.2–0.4 m with negligible tidal stream.  Hazards include ferry traffic operating between Greece and Turkey, local traffic, and fishing activity near shore. Gusting conditions affect final harbour approach under Meltemi influence.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Navigation

Kos Harbour and marina areas are active with ferry and commercial vessel movement. Maintain watch on VHF Channel 16 and port working channels. Ferries have priority and operate on fixed schedules.  Entry to Kos Harbour requires awareness of manoeuvring ferries and confined turning areas. Night navigation is supported by harbour lighting and marked approaches. Speed limits apply within harbour limits. Fishing gear including nets and lines may be present near shore and in bays and is not always clearly marked.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Chart Accuracy

Charts issued by the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service are reliable for approaches and harbour areas. ENC data aligns with paper charts for primary navigation features. Uncharted moorings, laid lines, and small craft activity may not be reflected in electronic charts. Marina layouts and berth arrangements may differ from chart depiction.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Anchorages

Anchoring within Kos Harbour is restricted. Outside the harbour, anchorages are available primarily along the south coast and selected north coast areas.  Kos Marina outer areas provide limited anchoring in depths of 4–8 m over mud with moderate holding but subject to harbour traffic. North coast anchorages are exposed to Meltemi conditions and generally unsuitable in strong northerlies. East coast areas toward the Turkish channel experience wind funneling and increased sea state.

• Kefalos Bay (SW coast) provides the most reliable anchorage with depths of 5–15 m over sand and good holding, sheltered from Meltemi but exposed to southerly winds.
• Kamari Bay (within Kefalos) provides shallower depths of 3–8 m over sand with good holding and improved shelter from northerlies.
• Therma Bay (SE coast) provides depths of 5–12 m over sand and rock with variable holding and partial shelter from northerlies but exposure to southerlies.
• Agios Fokas (SE coast) provides depths of 5–10 m over mixed seabed with variable holding and exposure to easterly and southerly winds.
• Marmari (N coast) provides depths of 4–8 m over sand with moderate holding but is exposed to Meltemi and develops steep seas in northerly conditions.
• Mastichari (NW coast) provides depths of 3–6 m over sand with moderate holding but is exposed to northerly winds and ferry traffic.

No anchorage around Kos provides full protection in all wind directions. South coast locations provide the most consistent shelter in Meltemi conditions.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Entry Formalities

Kos is a port of entry. Customs and immigration clearance is required for arrivals from outside Schengen areas. Vessel and crew documentation must be available for inspection. Movements between Greece and nearby Turkish ports require formal clearance procedures. Harbour master control applies to port entry and berthing. Drones are subject to Greek aviation regulations. Communications equipment must comply with national requirements. Waste discharge is regulated.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Marina Facilities

The primary facility is Kos Marina located south of Kos Harbour. Depths alongside are generally 3–6 m with stern-to berthing on laid moorings. Along the Dodecanese coast, stern-to mooring on laid lines is standard; handling of other vessels’ lines without permission is avoided. Quay spacing is limited and fendering is required. Noise is controlled in marina areas during evening hours. Fuel is available within the marina. Shore power and potable water are provided. Lift and repair facilities are available. Additional berthing is available on Kos Harbour town quay with variable depths and commercial traffic influence.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Local Weather

Summer conditions are dominated by dry, stable weather with strong northerly winds. Winter conditions include frontal systems with variable winds and increased precipitation. Weather patterns are wind dominant with minimal tidal influence.

The Marine Electrical and Electronics Bible has a complete list of Greek VHF Radio Channel information and weather forecast times for Greece along with NAVTEX UK and Europe and NAVTEX Mediterranean for 490kHz and 518kHz.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Local Winds

Meltemi (N–NW) is the dominant summer wind producing sustained conditions and steep sea state across exposed channels. Local acceleration occurs near headlands and through the Kos–Turkey channel. Southerly winds are less frequent but provide reduced sea state on the north coast and increased exposure on the south coast.

The Meltemi is a strong, dry northerly wind that dominates the Aegean in summer, accelerating through channels and between islands to produce steep, short seas. It is most persistent in July and August, often blowing for several days with little diurnal variation, creating fast north‑to‑south passages and challenging return routes. Its strength is shaped by pressure gradients between the Balkans and Anatolia, with local acceleration zones around major island gaps.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Provisioning

Supermarkets. Provisioning on Kos is centred on Kos Town where full resupply is practical. AB Vassilopoulos operates a full-scale store with consistent daily restocking suitable for complete reprovisioning. Sklavenitis and Lidl are also present in and around Kos Town and the main road network, providing reliable supply across all categories with high turnover. Additional supermarkets and provisioning outlets operate in Kardamena, Mastichari, and Tigaki with reduced range but adequate for routine resupply. Outside these centres, smaller grocery stores operate with limited stock and variable resupply.

Markets. Kos Municipal Market provides structured access to vegetables, fruit, herbs, olives, olive oil, cheeses, and dry goods sourced from both local agriculture and mainland supply. Weekly street markets operate across Kos Town and surrounding settlements supplying seasonal produce, honey, herbs, and locally grown vegetables with consistent availability. Agricultural production on Kos includes vegetables, citrus, and olive oil, contributing to stable local supply.

Fish Markets. Fish supply is available through fishmongers and quay-side vendors in Kos Town with daily availability supported by local fisheries and regional distribution. Species include lavraki (European seabass), tsipoura (gilthead seabream), barbouni (red mullet), sardines, anchovies, squid, and octopus. Additional fishmongers operate in Kardamena and Mastichari with reduced volume. Availability is generally stable, though subject to weather conditions affecting fishing activity.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Local Cuisine

Kos cuisine combines local agriculture with Dodecanese and Anatolian influence. Signature dishes include pitaridia (fresh pasta served with meat or tomato-based sauces), katimeria (fried pastry with honey or cheese), and krasotyri (wine-cured cheese). Pligouri (cracked wheat) is used in pilaf-style dishes and with meat.

Seafood includes lavraki (European seabass), tsipoura (gilthead seabream), sardines, anchovies, squid, and octopus, prepared grilled, fried, or stewed with olive oil. Meat dishes include lamb, goat, and pork, often slow-cooked or baked. Vegetable dishes include greens, legumes, and tomato-based preparations.

Kos does have identifiable local products tied to agriculture and small-scale processing. These include krasotyri (wine-cured cheese), produced by maturing cheese in red wine sediment, and local wines from island vineyards using regional grape varieties. Honey is produced from thyme and mixed flora with small-scale output, along with olive oil from local groves.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Fuel Supplies

Fuel on Kos is available primarily at Kos Marina and within the adjacent harbour area via fixed fuel berth and road tanker delivery, with marine diesel as the standard supply. Delivery is reliable with short notice due to established marina infrastructure and regular supply chains. Secondary locations such as Kardamena and Mastichari have limited or irregular supply and may require prior arrangement; no fuel is available at anchorages.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Water Supplies

Water is available at Kos Marina and adjacent harbour quays via metered municipal supply with pressurised connections at berths. Availability is consistent with stable pressure, supported by established infrastructure and desalination supply on the island. Secondary locations such as Kardamena and Mastichari have limited or variable supply, and no water is available at anchorages.

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Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Marine Services

Kos provides marine service support including diesel engine servicing for Yanmar and Volvo Penta through regional agents, and marine electronics support including Raymarine. Lift and repair facilities are available at Kos Marina.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Local Customs

Dress standards apply in urban and historic areas; swimwear is not worn away from beaches. Churches require covered shoulders and appropriate dress. Interaction ashore is direct. Kos has a continuous resident population with no separate indigenous maritime customs beyond standard Greek norms.

Kos Greece Sailing Guide - Summary

Kos is a semi-exposed Aegean location with strong seasonal wind influence. Harbour and marina access is straightforward but influenced by ferry traffic and wind conditions. Anchorage is available primarily on the south coast with better shelter from northerlies. Full marina, provisioning, fuel, and marine services are available. Kos Greece Sailing Guide for all you need to know.