RHODOS Charter base - Dodecanese islands - Sailing in GREECE

THE MARINA
Mandraki marina is in reality the older harbour of Rhodos -magnificent- town. It is a public port that does NOT offer the facilities of a modern private marina. The port alike the town of Rhodos occupies the northernmost tip of the island right below the medieval castle and opposite the Market Square of Rhodes, a 30 minute drive from the airport and 20 minutes walk from the commercial (ferry) port of Rhodos. The facilities within the harbour area can give a minimum of comfort to the charterers since there is power, water and supermarkets near the yachts.

HOW TO REACH OUR RHODOS BASE
Rhodos Island can easily be reached by plane or by ferry. The airport caters to many regular international flights to and from Italy, England, Germany, Scandinavian cities and Israel, mostly during the summer, as well as a big number of charter flights to and from all around the world. Domestic flights are run daily from Athens by Olympic Air and Aegean Airlines and cost approximately 100 Euro per person. Flight time from Athens is approx. 60-80 minutes. The airport is located 15km away from the city of Rhodes, on the west coast of the island. A public bus service connects the airport to the city and taxis are also very easy to find just outside the airport. Taxi will drop you (and your luggage) off right in the marina with 20-25 Euros.
Another way to get to Rhodes is by ferry boat. There are regular ferry lines connecting Rhodes with Athens (Pireaus Port), Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Cyprus and Turkey. The ferry takes approx. 12 hrs to get to Rhodos from Piraeus port (it stops on various islands before), however in the summertime there are also some "express" ferries that take approx. 7- 8 hrs only. No doubt the ferry is a more affordable solution although more "time wasting". For further information on ferry schedule and prices you can visit www.greekferries.gr.
ADVICE: Allow flexibility in your schedule when travelling by ferry as part of an ongoing journey. If delayed, see some of the sights of interest you may have missed! The shipping companies are prone to changing which ships they use on any given route - so as always, call to check if you want to book on a particular ship.
OUR SUGGESTION: A direct charter flight from your country to Rhodes would be the best solution.

MEETING POINT/OFFICE
The EASY SAILING meeting point is directly onto your yacht (we will inform you of your yacht's name a few days before you arrive in Rhodos).

MOORINGS
One day or at least a couple of hours before you return to Rhodos charter base (at the end of your charter), please inform our base manager (by mobile phone or VHF channel 68) about your estimated time of entering the port, in order to be able to help you with the berthing procedure. EASY SAILING berths are in the lee of the windmills, towards the last of the 3 windmills. There are some mooring lines, though our staff may prompt you to use your anchor.

FACILITIES
Water and 220V power is available on the quay.
Fuel is delivered on the quay by a car-tanker.
The main street is a 7-minute walk from the dock.
A 24-hour taxi stand is also found across the road outside Mandraki marina.
The local bus terminal of Rhodos town with connection of the main villages/ beaches/ sites of the island (such as Lindos) is about 300m away from the yachts berths.
ATM cash point and many Banks are located in the town near the yachts pier.
Parking area (unguarded, quite safe) is also located into the marina, but you better consult the base manager about the best place to leave your car.
WC / Toilets / Hot water showers are available near the office 5-minutes walk from the boats' berths.

SIGHTSEEING IN RHODOS
For more information on interesting places and other sailing tips you may check our Easy Sailing web page of Rhodos Island

PROVISIONING
There are two supermarkets within the harbour that are open 7 days a week from 07.30 to 21.00 during the summer. There you will find almost anything you wish.
Provisioning lists are accepted in Rhodos too. You can do more shopping in the market square nearby.

RESTAURANTS
There are various cafes, taverns and restaurants within walking distance of the ancient town and market square. A couple of the best taverns / Greek traditional restaurants in the island you will find in remote villages about 7-16 km SW of the town. EASY SAILING base staff can call a taxi for you and advise you how to locate them.

THE WEATHER
From May to October, the prevailing wind in this area blows from the W or NW at Force 4-6B. If your bearing is towards Kos island, then after you pass the Turkish cape West of Symi island, the winds are usually calmer and blow from N (or NE sometimes) For more weather details you may check Easy Sailing web page for the major area of the Dodecanese islands

HAZARDS
Beware of the rocks and shallow waters on the north side of the port entrance. Also: drop as much chain as you have in your chain locker, so that your boat's anchor will not stuck to the heavy-big-chain of the mooring-lines which is submerged parallel to the dock at a distance of 30m (90 feet). Waters at this point are 20 m deep and you will -most probably- need a diver to free your anchor.

Other names for Rhodos island: Rhodes, Rodos, Rodes, Rodi, Rhodos