Yacht charter and Boat rental in Kos

In May, June and September, marinas are less busy than in July and August. In April and October, expect shorter days, changeable weather and fewer open services. Check that your base operates on your dates.

Start with short day trips around Kos Town / Kardamaina in weather your crew can handle. Pick a nearby harbour as a fallback and get to know the boat before a longer crossing. Book a skippered charter if nobody in your crew has experience with navigation or berthing.

Choose a sailing yacht for more sailing and a narrower berth, or a catamaran for separate cabins and level living space. A motorboat works for a day trip if you do not need to sleep on board. Compare shade, water capacity, fuel terms and cabin layouts. A wider boat also needs a wider berth or a buoy.

Choose the marina first, then compare flights and road transfers via Kos (KGS). Check the full journey to the marina and leave time for shopping and the boat handover. If you arrive late, spend the first night in the base marina.

Check the current rules of Kos / Mandraki Tourist Port before you choose your stops. Access, anchoring and mooring rules differ by zone, and some zones charge entry fees or close. Follow official maps, signs and local instructions, protect the seabed and shoreline and use waste facilities. An empty spot does not mean you may anchor or moor there.

Mandraki Tourist Port in Kos charges €30/day for a private monohull up to 12 m (as of October 2026). Water and electricity are extra. Commercial boats may get a 50% discount, so ask about your boat's category, VAT and the full price. Kos Marina and other municipal quays have their own prices.

Bareboat requirements depend on the boat, engine, flag and sailing area. Your licence has to meet the local rules, and the charter company has to accept it. Send your licence and sailing CV to the charter company before you pay, and ask whether you also need a VHF certificate. If your licence or experience falls short, book a skippered charter.

Yes. On a skippered charter, a professional handles navigation and harbour manoeuvres and adapts the route to the weather and local rules. Before booking, agree where the skipper sleeps, who pays for meals and which costs come extra. A larger motor yacht may come with extra crew. Meals, fuel and other services depend on the listing.

For a relaxed week, plan a short route around Kos Town / Kalymnos / Pserimos and pick the base marina to match. For longer or more exposed passages, you need suitable weather, written approval from the charter company and enough time to get back. Keep a fallback harbour in mind and spend the last night close to the base.