Telendos Greece Sailing Guide

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide. Telendos is a small island off the west coast of Kalymnos in the Dodecanese, separated from Myrties by a narrow channel. It is a steep, rocky island with a single waterfront settlement facing Kalymnos and no road network. For yachts, Telendos is used mainly as a settled-weather anchorage and short stop in combination with Kalymnos, rather than as an independent harbour destination.

The island has a small quay used by local boats and passenger launches from Myrties, but no marina or yacht service infrastructure. Anchorages are limited by deep water, rocky ground, ferry traffic in the channel, and exposure to Meltemi conditions. The most practical yacht positions are off the eastern waterfront and nearby bays in suitable depths, with provisioning, fuel, water, and marine services handled from Kalymnos.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - History

Telendos was once physically connected to Kalymnos, but a major earthquake in 554 AD caused land subsidence and separated it from the main island. Remains of early Christian basilicas, settlement ruins, cisterns, tombs, and defensive structures show that Telendos had an active community during the late Roman and Byzantine periods. The island’s position opposite the Kalymnos coast made it useful for fishing, small-scale coastal trade, and local maritime movement.

After the earthquake and later regional decline, Telendos became sparsely inhabited and never redeveloped into a major port or commercial centre. Its later history remained closely tied to Kalymnos, with seasonal fishing, sponge-diving connections, small agriculture, and local boat traffic. Today Telendos is a small inhabited island with a single waterfront settlement, archaeological remains, and a limited maritime role based mainly on passenger boats, local fishing craft, and visiting yachts in settled weather.

Chart Disclaimer. This chart is a schematic representation for illustrative purposes only and must not be used for navigation. Refer to official hydrographic charts for safe navigation. Be aware ENC charts may differ from official hydrographic charts. Both should be corrected and updated regularly.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Ocean Currents and Tidal Flow

Tidal range around Telendos is small, generally about 0.2–0.4 m, and tidal streams are weak. Yacht handling is affected more by wind-driven set, local sea state, and channel effects between Telendos and Kalymnos than by astronomical tide. In settled conditions, current in the Telendos–Myrties channel is usually light, commonly below 0.5 knots.

During sustained north and north-west Meltemi conditions, a wind-driven surface set can develop through the channel and around the north and south ends of Telendos. Short steep chop may form where wind funnels between Telendos and Kalymnos, especially in the afternoon. There are no significant tidal races, but local acceleration, ferry wash, and rebound from the steep shoreline can affect anchoring comfort and tender movement close to the waterfront.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Weather

Telendos has a dry Dodecanese climate with hot summers, mild winters, and limited rainfall during the cruising season. From May to September conditions are usually settled, with daytime temperatures commonly around 28–35°C and strong sun exposure. Rain is uncommon in summer but becomes more frequent from late autumn through winter.

The main weather factor is the Meltemi, usually from the north or north-west, strongest from June to September. It can blow for several days and create rougher conditions in the Telendos–Kalymnos channel than the short distance suggests. The eastern side of Telendos has some shelter from westerly sea state but remains affected by gusts, ferry wash, and reflected chop. Southerly weather is less common in summer but can make the eastern waterfront and channel anchorages uncomfortable.

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.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Local Winds

Local winds at Telendos are dominated by the Meltemi, usually from the north or north-west during summer. In the main season it commonly builds from late morning into the afternoon, with 15–25 knots frequent and stronger gusts possible during established Meltemi periods. The channel between Telendos and Kalymnos can funnel the wind and produce short steep chop, especially off Myrties and the Telendos waterfront. Gusts can descend from the steep slopes of both islands and shift direction close inshore. Southerly winds are less frequent but make the eastern anchorage and waterfront more exposed, with swell and chop entering the channel.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Approaches

Approach Telendos from the west coast of Kalymnos, normally through the channel between Myrties and the Telendos waterfront. The island is steep and easy to identify, with deep water close offshore. Approach depths in the channel are generally adequate for yachts, commonly 10–30 m, but depths reduce quickly close to the Telendos quay, beaches, and shoreline shelves.

Final approach should be made slowly in good light, keeping clear of passenger launches running between Myrties and Telendos, local moorings, swimming areas, and small craft. The eastern waterfront is the main landing area, but there is no protected yacht harbour. The north and south ends of Telendos are exposed to Meltemi acceleration and rebound from the steep coastline. Strong northerlies can make the channel choppy and uncomfortable, while southerly weather can send swell directly into the eastern anchorage area.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Navigation

• Telendos waterfront/main landing. This is the key navigation point on the eastern side of the island, opposite Myrties on Kalymnos. Approach through the Telendos–Myrties channel in depths commonly 10–30 m, then reduce speed close to the waterfront where depths shoal quickly toward the quay and beach. The small quay is used by passenger launches and local boats, so yachts should not obstruct the landing area. Use the anchorage off the waterfront rather than relying on berthing alongside.
• Myrties–Telendos channel. This is the main transit area. It is short, deep, and visually straightforward, but it is busy with passenger boats, tenders, swimmers, paddle craft, and local traffic. In Meltemi conditions the channel can funnel north to north-west wind and produce steep chop. Keep a clear track, avoid cutting across launch routes, and allow for gusts when manoeuvring at low speed.
• Eastern anchorage off Telendos village. This is the most practical yacht position. Anchor clear of the quay, ferry-boat track, moorings, and swimming areas in about 6–12 m, where suitable sand patches can be found between rock and weed. Holding is variable and should be checked. The anchorage is usable in settled weather and moderate northerlies but becomes uncomfortable in southerly weather or strong funnelled wind.
• Northern Telendos coast. This is steep-to and exposed. Depths commonly exceed 20–30 m close offshore, with little practical anchoring room. It should be rounded with clearance in Meltemi conditions because wind acceleration, rebound chop, and gusts occur around the northern end of the island.
• Southern Telendos coast. This also has steep-to water and limited anchoring shelves. Depths are commonly 15–30 m close inshore, with mixed rock, weed, and isolated sand. It is suitable only for slow visual inspection in settled weather and should not be treated as a normal overnight anchorage

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Chart Accuracy

Hydrographic charts accurately depict coastline and channel configuration. Electronic charts align with official data but may lack detailed seabed information. Caution is required for isolated rocks near shore and variable seabed composition. Depth soundings are reliable but should be verified when anchoring.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Anchorages

• Telendos waterfront/village anchorage. This is the main viable anchorage on the eastern side of the island, opposite Myrties on Kalymnos. Anchor clear of the passenger-boat landing, local moorings, ferry-boat track, and swimming areas. Depths are generally 6–12 m, with some shallower patches closer to the beach. The bottom is sand, seagrass, weed, and rock patches. Holding is best in clean sand and poor where weed or rock predominates.
• Mirtee/Myrties–Telendos channel anchorage. This lies in the channel between Telendos and Kalymnos. This is a fair-weather anchorage only and is affected by passenger launches, tenders, swimmers, ferry wash, and wind funneling. Depths are commonly 6–10 m, with sand patches between weed and rock. Holding must be checked visually. It is practical for short stays in settled weather but not suitable in strong Meltemi or southerly conditions.
• South Telendos anchorage. This lies south of the village frontage, near the small fishing-boat area. Anchor in selected sand patches in about 5–9 m. The bottom is mixed sand, weed, and rock. Space is limited and local boats should be kept clear. This position can be more protected from some northerly chop than the middle of the channel, but it remains exposed to southerly weather and rebound from the steep shoreline.
• Hohlakas/western beach anchorage. Located on the west side of Telendos is a temporary daylight anchorage only. Depths are generally 8–15 m close enough for practical anchoring, with deeper water outside. The bottom is mixed sand, shingle, weed, and rock. It is exposed to the open Aegean and unsuitable in Meltemi, westerly swell, or any unsettled weather.
• Northern Telendos roadstead. This is not a normal anchorage but may be used briefly in calm weather if a suitable sand patch is found. Depths are commonly 12–20 m close in, dropping quickly offshore. The area is exposed to northerly wind acceleration and should not be used overnight.
• Southern Telendos roadstead. This has limited temporary anchoring in settled conditions. Depths are usually 10–18 m over mixed rock, weed, and isolated sand. Holding is unreliable unless the anchor is set in sand. It is exposed to swell and wind shifts around the south end of the island

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Entry Formalities

Entry formalities follow standard Greece procedures for visiting yachts. This is not a designated port of entry for international clearance, and there are no customs or immigration facilities on the island. Vessels arriving from outside Greece or the Schengen Area must first clear into the country at an official port of entry before proceeding to this port. Direct arrival from a non-Schengen country is not permitted. The Greek cruising tax (TEPAI) must be valid and paid, and the vessel’s cruising log (DEKPA for non-EU vessels, or transit log where applicable) should be up to date and available for inspection if requested by port authorities or coastguard.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Marina Facilities

Telendos has no marina and no formal yacht berthing facility. The only practical landing point is the small quay on the eastern waterfront, used by local passenger boats between Myrties and Telendos, fishing boats, and small craft. Visiting yachts should not rely on berthing alongside. The quay area is shallow and congested, with passenger traffic taking priority. Yachts normally anchor off the village in about 6–12 m, clear of the ferry track, moorings, swimming areas, and local craft. There are no yacht pontoons, or laid visitor berths.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Provisioning

Supermarkets. Provisioning on Telendos is limited to small-shop supply. Named options include Mini Market I Oraia Telendos and Supermarket and Bread. For fuller provisioning, use Myrties and Masouri on Kalymnos before crossing to Telendos. These areas have small supermarkets, mini markets, bakeries, and grocery stores near the passenger-boat landing and main road. Larger supermarket choice is available farther south in Panormos and Pothia.

Markets. Fresh produce on Telendos is limited. Supply is available from Mini Market I Oraia Telendos, Supermarket and Bread, and small local grocery supply near the waterfront settlement.

Fish Markets. Fish supply on Telendos is limited. Fresh fish may be available from local fishing boats along the waterfront, but supply is irregular and depends on weather, landings, and local demand. There is no formal fish market on Telendos. Seafood is more commonly available through waterfront tavernas, with typical items including grilled fish, red mullet, sea bream, squid, octopus, cuttlefish, and small prawns.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Local Cuisine

Local cuisine on Telendos follows Kalymnos and Dodecanese coastal cooking, with seafood, olive oil, vegetables, pulses, goat, lamb, pork, local cheese, and bread. Common dishes include grilled fish, fried calamari, octopus, red mullet, sea bream, kakavia fish soup, souvlaki, goat stew, lamb with herbs, pork dishes, gemista, moussaka, fasolada, horiatiki salad, feta, olives, and seasonal vegetable dishes. Local taverna food is mainly waterfront seafood and simple island cooking. Typical supplies include fresh fish when landed, squid, octopus, local cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, capers, herbs, olives, honey, and Kalymnos-style dishes such as mouri stuffed lamb and spinialo where available.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Local Beverages

Local beverages on Telendos include house wine from Kalymnos and the wider Dodecanese, Kalymnian Anama sweet wine where available, ouzo, tsipouro, Greek beer, Greek coffee, frappe, freddo espresso, bottled water, juices, and soft drinks. For wine afficionados Dodecanese wines are mainly from Rhodes, Kos, and smaller-producing islands. Recognised regional examples include PDO Rhodes, PDO Muscat of Rhodes, PGI Kos, and broader PGI Dodecanese/Aegean Islands wines. Common grape varieties include Athiri, Muscat, Amorgiano/Mandilaria, Fokiano, and modern Greek or international varieties depending on producer. Kalymnos wines are best-known for Anama, a traditional sweet sun-dried wine associated with Kalymnos, commonly described as made from Fokiano and Moschato/Muscat grapes.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Diesel Fuel Supplies

Diesel fuel is not available on Telendos. There is no fuel berth, marina fuel dock, or regular yacht fuel delivery service on the island. Fuel should be obtained on Kalymnos, mainly from Pothia or by road supply arranged on the Kalymnos side. Small quantities may be carried by jerry can from Myrties, Masouri, Panormos, or Pothia, but Telendos itself should not be treated as a fuel stop.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Water Supplies

Water supply on Telendos is limited. There is no marina water point, yacht water berth, or reliable quay water service for visiting yachts. Bottled water is available from Mini Market I Oraia Telendos, Supermarket and Bread, small grocery supply, cafés, and tavernas near the waterfront settlement.

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Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Marine Services

No marine service facilities exist on Telendos. Minor assistance may be possible locally. Full service capability requires transit to Kalymnos.

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Local Etiquette

Interpersonal etiquette on Telendos is informal, quiet, and village-based. Use basic greetings in shops, tavernas, cafés, and boat landings: kalimera in the morning, kalispera later in the day, and efcharisto when leaving. Dress is casual, but swimwear is not normal inside shops or tavernas away from the beach. Keep communication polite and patient with taverna owners, shopkeepers, fishers, and passenger-boat crews. Do not block the small quay, waterfront paths, local boat access, or taverna frontages with tenders, gear, rubbish, or provisioning bags

Telendos Greece Sailing Guide - Summary

Telendos provides limited anchorage on the east coast and within the channel to Kalymnos. Protection is dependent on wind direction with exposure to Meltemi and southerly systems. Infrastructure is minimal with reliance on Kalymnos for services. Navigation is straightforward with attention to channel conditions. The Telendos Greece sailing guide for all you need to know.