BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide

Boat Rental in Rhodes: Symi and the Dodecanese

Rent a boat in Rhodes to sail to Symi and the Dodecanese: anchorages, colourful harbours, indicative prices and weather tips to plan your week well.

Rhodes is the largest island of the Dodecanese, at the south-eastern tip of Greece. Its international airport, medieval old town and marinas make it a solid base for exploring a still-unspoilt archipelago. Renting a boat here combines heritage, clear coves and short crossings to islands with strong character, well away from the busiest charter routes.

Rhodes, gateway to the Dodecanese

From Rhodes you can work up the island's east coast, dotted with bays such as Lindos and its famous acropolis overlooking the sea. The town has everything you need before departure: provisioning, marinas and rental bases. Most work on the Saturday-to-Saturday weekly format, but shorter outings exist to discover the area without going far. It is good terrain for a first charter in Greece, provided you respect the weather.

Symi, the northern must-see

A crossing to the north, Symi charms the moment you enter its harbour: colourful neoclassical houses stacked up the hillside, an authentic atmosphere and sheltered coves all around. Pedi and Nanou bays offer pleasant anchorages, while the Panormitis monastery to the south is worth the stop. It is often the highlight of a week starting from Rhodes, and a chance for an evening alongside in a unique setting.

Weather and choosing a boat

The Dodecanese feels the meltem, the northerly wind that blows in summer: less fierce than in the central Aegean, it still calls for planning your crossings and choosing sheltered anchorages. A sailboat (1,500 to 4,000 € per week) or a catamaran both work; a local skipper at 150 to 350 € a day knows which bays hold in a steady blow and adjusts the route day by day. For a relaxed pace, count on legs of a few hours and build in a rest day, as headwinds can slow progress on the way back north.

When to leave from Rhodes

The season runs from May to October. The meltem is stronger in July and August, which makes spring and early autumn especially pleasant: warm sea, more manageable winds and less crowded harbours. Plan your crossings for the morning, before the afternoon thermal strengthens, and keep a fallback stop in case the wind rises faster than expected. Provisioning is easy in Rhodes and Kos but more limited on the smaller islands, so top up on water and fresh food before the most isolated legs of the Dodecanese.

Booking smart

Service fees range from 0 to 9 % depending on the platform, and the same boat can vary by 10 to 25 % from one site to another. Boat-Comparator compares these offers live to avoid overpaying. To plan your route, see our boat rental in Rhodes page and our Greece boat rental guide. Finally, check the cancellation policy, which varies from one owner to the next.

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