Dodecanese Islands (aka Southern Sporades)

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The Dodecanese are a archipelago in the eastern Aegean. The Dodecanese spans from Patmos to Rhodes

The islands are typically covered by sparse vegetation. Most of the islands are mountainous and surrounded by steep coast but there are also some bays with beaches. The water depth increases rapidly with the distance from the coast. Therefore, the ranges with suitable water depths for anchoring are quite short. A common remedy is to take a long line ashore to a convenient rock or tree. This also has several other advantages: it prevents the problem of the anchor being dragged "downhill" where the bottom is quick shelving; reduces worries of hitting other anchored boats in a wind change; because you can get closer in, the boat may not be so affected by strong down draughts, which can be quite common in some anchorages in the late afternoon.

In summer, the Etesiens (locally known as the Meltemi in Greek and Meltem in Turkish)are the prevailing winds. The direction being NW to W. These winds typically begin in mid to late June and can blow into late September. Strength is usually 5 bft, interspersed with days of calms or very little wind. The Meltemi has a tendency to increase in force as the summer progresses. Severe gale force (F9)winds are sometimes reached in July and August in the Southern half of the Aegean, especially around the Cyclades. There is quite good detailed information concerning this phenomenon contained in the popular nautical pilots for the area and should be taken very seriously by any visiting skipper, irrespective of the size of vessel. The sea state created by these winds can be very dangerous and is sometimes underestimated by visiting yachtsmen/women. Although most popular harbours and anchorages a well protected from the sea state, many are not protected from the wind, so its vitally important to make sure the anchor is properly dug in with enough scope (ratio AT LEAST 5:1 chain to depth), even if you anchor in a flat calm. The weather/wind can change very quickly here, with very little or no warning. If you ever have any problems here, like not sleeping at night, they usually have to do with anchoring or (other people?)not anchoring properly. Average temperatures are mostly above 20°C, also in autumn. If you like a relaxing sailing trip and if you prefer silence, go there in late autumn; most of the tourists are gone and the Meltemi season has quietened down. At that time you will find empty harbours and anchorages and sleepy towns.

The infrastructure of the marinas and harbours is not very developed. Usually, you will moor in town harbours or anchor in bays. Most of the time you don't have to pay any harbour dues. On the other hand, showers are rare and when available are expensive (5 Euros or more is not uncommon). Also, obtaining water can sometimes be difficult because the islands often have no local supply. In such cases water is shipped to the island by tanker and is consequently a relatively precious commodity.