The island of Kalymnos is less known as a tourist destination however, it is famous worldwide for its “sponge fishermen” and as a “climbing” paradise.
Kalymnos has a quite large capital town, named Pothia, which is also its main port. Pothia is beautiful, despite having many modern indiffrent buildings mixted with its beautiful neoclassical ones. It is worth exploring it, to discover many picturesque spots in its narrow streets and the castle, a bit further, above the hill. Very nice tavernas, cafes and bars are found along the coastal road and in front of the yachts.
One of the most impressive spots in Kalymnos is Vathy or Rina (NE). It is a small, quite primitive, fishing village found at the end of a very deep and narrow fjord, offering a few tavernas by the sea. It is considered as one of Kalymnos' highlights and attracts many tourists visiting by excursion boats from the neighboring islands, as long as private yachts.
In Kalymnos you will enjoy many beautiful beaches, which are quiet even in the high season. Additionally, it has a few attractive coastal tourist resorts with nice tavernas, beach bars and cafes.Last but not least, one of the most picturesque spots in Kalymnos, is the islet of Telendos, which is only a few meters away from the western coast of the island, opposite the small port of Myrties. Telendos has a small fishing village, with a couple of tavernas and a couple beaches. Kalymnos is a limestone island, mainly with steep and rocky coasts. Its numerous coves are ideal for sailing.
YACHTING IN KALYMNOS: Kalymnos Main Port (Limin Kalymnou) & Capital Town, Pothia (S), offers good shelter from the meltemi however it suffers from strong NW gusts and a swell with southerlies. There are two quite large areas dedicated to private yachts (painted blue), however many of them being occupied by local boats. The first mooring area is SW of the harbor and the second one is in the new quay (NW of the harbor, N of the fishing boats area). The last one is safer with the meltemi (with stern mooring). In both quays you will moor with your anchor to the quay but the holding is good (mud & weed). Water and electricity are provided on both quays. The place is not very quiet as there are ferries passing, causing swell in some place and there is some noise from the road and the local café/bars.
Vathy or Rina (E) is a very picturesque narrow fjord and therefore popular to yachters and excursion boats. It ends to a charming little fishing village with a few tavernas and a small mole. If you are lucky enough you may find a place to moor there, as long as you make sure that your anchor is well secured. It offers perfect protection from the meltemi and from most winds, however it suffers from strong gusts.
Telendos islet and Myrtia harbor: Telendos is a charming islet , only a few meters away from the western coast of Kalymnos (and Myrtia harbor). There you will find a tiny fishing village and a few tavernas, which make it an excellent place for a simple lunch or dinner. You will also find a couple of beaches for a refreshing dive. Telendos has a small pier and offers reasonable protection from the meltemi. However, the holding is not very good and might be dangerous. The bottom has rocks, weed, sand and some mooring blocks. Be very careful with the underwater cables. Alternatively you can moor in the little harbor of Myrtia, opposite Telendos, in Kalymnos. The mole is small and has space for one or two yachts, offering quite reasonable protection from most winds. The place is pleasant with a nice beach and several tavernas.
Vlyhada (S), a few miles W of the main port, is an attractive anchorage offering reasonable protection from the meltemi, despite being gusty. Holding is not always safe (loose mud) and at night, there may be changes of the wind direction. There, you will find a few attractive tavernas and a small “Sea Museum”. Palionissos (NE) does not offer good holding but there are a couple of tavernas offering some improvised moorings. Emborios bay (NW) is well protected from the meltemi, by Kalavros islet. However, the holding is not good (mud, sand and weed) and the water is not very clear due to the fish farms. The settlement is quiet attractive and there are a few nice tavernas, offering buoys which you can use for free (having however an ethical obligation to favor the one that owns the buoy). SW of the settlement there is another cove offering good holding and protection (except from E). However it is small, offering place for only 3-4 medium sized yachts. Agrinontas is a nice cove with crystal clear emerald sea, apx 2 n.m. next to Emborio. It has only a couple of houses and offers good protection from the meltemi. However it has some swell. Linaria bay is suitable only as a short-term anchorage for a meal, and only with good weather, as it is very gusty and not protected.
LAST REVISED: May 2010
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT KALYMNOS WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON! Accuracy:
This Tourist/Nautical Guide’s only purpose is to offer a totally FREE on-line tool that will assist the Yachting Community. It is being constantly updated by our team, after thorough research and on the spot visits. Additionally, significant voluntary contributions have been offered by respected members of the yachting community. Although we try to evaluate all information as much as possible, www.all4ychting.com, does not have any responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies in its content. Interested to be a contributor? We welcome any information or photo by those who are interested in helping us to improve or correct our content. We will be pleased to receive your e-mails at: info@all4yachting.com, with the Subject: Tourist Guide Contribution. Your e-mail, name, surname, telephone number should be clearly stated. Rights: All rights are reserved for any information or photo published in www.all4yachting.com. No one has the right to publish any of the content of www.all4yachting.com without permission. Photos: Most of the photos published in our portal belong to www.all4yachting.com. However, many photos have been sent to us by our contributors. Therefore, we are not able to recognize their source. In case you recognize a photo which is published without permission please inform us by e-mail, as soon as possible. We are willing to publish the photographer’s name, or remove the photo.