Rhodes Island - The Sun Isle
Named thusly for the many sunny days which occur here in any given year, the island of Rhodes has been an important port and cultural center from antiquity and still retains that charm today and not just in the cities, but also in the backcountry, framed by olive gardens, vineyards and citrus plantations, not to mention the idyllic villages. A great destination for yacht charter Greece vacations.
Sea & Coast
Made famous by the Colossus that was one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world, Rhodes is the biggest of the Dodecanese islands from the eastern Aegean Sea. It lies 18km from the Turkish peninsula and is also one of the most visited of the Greek islands thanks to its unique mix of good climate, perfect beaches and lots of historical sights, all the ingredients of a perfect Yacht Charter holiday.
Shaped like a spearhead, the island has 220km of coastline, with its most famous city, Rhodes, positioned at the northern tip. Most of that coastline is made up of golden sands and multicolored pebbles. However, any Yacht Charter tourist can notice a difference between the western coast and the eastern one, with the west part being more fertile and covered in forest vegetation, whereas the eastern is rockier.
The vegetation here is not your typical Greek flora, but that’s due to the fact that Rhodes is actually closer to Asia Minor. The mountainous interior is covered in pine forests and cypress. Along the lower regions close to the shore, the inhabitants have cultivated citrus plants, olives, grapes, and wine grapes, giving the scenery that Greek feel that Yacht Charter holidaymakers enjoy.
Due to its eastern position within the Mediterranean basin, Rhodes Island enjoys hot, dry summers and mild winters. In summer, temperatures go as high as 28 degrees Celsius during the day and 22 degrees at night. As a Yacht Charter skipper, you won’t have to worry about rain and bad weather during the tourist season, but during the cold months (October to March) short showers do occur.
Culture & History
The most important town on the island is Rhodes, home to the ancient Colossus, but even before this wonder of the world the island was inhabited by people, as early as the 16th century BC. By the time recorded history started, the island already had important cities such as Lindos, Ialysos and Kameiros, which were not only important trade ports but also influential cultural centers.
After a fall from prosperity under the Byzantines, Rhodes once again rose in importance under the Venetians, the Genoese and the Knights Templar until it was conquered by the Turks of the Ottoman Empire. All these cultures left some mark on the island, which is why Yacht Charter tourists can enjoy 3000 years of history when visiting here.
Seamanship & Experience
Getting in and around the island by boat is fairly easy which is why many of the Yacht Charter crews end up hopping from island to island around the Dodecanese. You’ll find that the prevailing winds are blowing from northwest which makes heading into that direction fairly complicated.
The two main harbors on Rhodes are the ones in the town with the same name. The big harbor is used by giant cruise ships while the marina (Mandraki harbor) is used by smaller, privately-owned boats, mainly Yacht Charter sailors. Here, you’ll also find some of the local Yacht Charter companies.