Greek Islands Crossing
Two countries, one cruise
Sail from Bodrum to the Dodecanese — Kos for the archaeology, Symi for the painted harbour, optional Tilos for the empty beaches. International waters, passport required, but unbeatable for a one-week trip if you have never sailed Greece.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Captains adjust the order based on weather, but these are the standard daily anchorages.
Bodrum → Kos (Greece)
⚓ Kos MarinaClear out of Bodrum, short crossing to Kos. Afternoon visit to the Asclepion, dinner in the old town.
Kos → Pserimos
⚓ PserimosAnchor lunch at tiny Pserimos for the famous moussaka taverna; afternoon swim.
Pserimos → Symi
⚓ Symi (Yialos)Long sail south-east to Symi — arrive into the painted neoclassical harbor at sunset.
Symi → Panormitis monastery
⚓ PanormitisRound the south of Symi to the historic monastery; hike, swim, lunch on board.
Panormitis → Datça (Turkey)
⚓ DatçaCrossing back to Turkish waters, clearance into Datça.
Datça → Knidos
⚓ KnidosFinal swim stop at the ancient port of Knidos.
Knidos → Bodrum
⚓ BodrumMorning sail back to Bodrum; disembark after lunch.
Why book this route?
You get two countries for the price of one. Symi alone is worth the trip — the harbour is one of the most photographed in Greece — and the crossing back via Knidos sneaks in a Turkish archaeology stop.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about the Greek Islands Crossing route.
Do all guests need a passport?
Yes — every guest must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the trip end date. Bring it, even children.
Do I need a Schengen visa?
Not for short-stay tourism if you hold a UK, US, Canadian, Australian, or most EU passports. Other nationalities should check the Greek consulate website. The captain will not be able to clear you into Greece without a valid visa.
How does port clearance work?
The captain handles it. You'll need to present passports to Turkish customs on departure (Bodrum) and Greek port police on arrival (Kos). Total clearance time: ~1 hour each end.
Can we use Euros in Greece and Turkish Lira in Turkey?
Yes — the gulet sails into Greek waters using Euros (Greece is in the Eurozone). When back in Turkey, expenses are in Turkish Lira. Most marinas accept cards.
Are Greek port fees included?
Yes — Greek port and clearance fees are included in the charter price. Some captains add a separate "transit log" fee per person; confirm in the inquiry.
What if the meltemi makes the crossing too rough?
The captain has discretion to delay or change route. Worst case the trip stays in sheltered Turkish waters — you don't lose time, just modify the itinerary.
Find a vessel
Vessels based in Bodrum run this route.
Browse Bodrum vesselsSee all vessels →Best months
July–August meltemi can make the Bodrum–Symi leg lively; pick June or September for calmer crossings.
What's included
- ✓Skipper and crew
- ✓Half-board: breakfast, lunch, soft drinks
- ✓Turkish & Greek port clearance fees
- ✓Bed linen and towels
- ✓Snorkel gear