Between the Turkish coast and the Greek islands the distance is often a few hours' sailing. Short does not mean simple: every border crossing means exit and entry formalities in two countries, EU rules and cruising tax.
We do not offer deliveries on this route. This page is a guide for owners planning the passage themselves. Our skippered deliveries run along the Turkish coast between Istanbul and Fethiye, and we can survey the boat before departure anywhere on the Turkish coast: calculate the survey fee.
Entering Greece
- Port of entry: the first arrival is at an official port of entry.
- Documents: boat papers, insurance, crew list and passports.
- Schengen: visas and permitted stays for non-EU crew.
- Cruising tax: charged in Greece on private boats above a set length; payment proof kept aboard.
- VAT status: the boat's position in EU waters.
Between the islands
Once entered, sailing between Greek islands is subject to domestic rules. Returning to Turkey, entry is again at an official port of entry.
Weather
In summer the meltemi sets the timing of island hops in the Aegean; it blows hard especially in the Cyclades.
Nearby islands
From many points on the Turkish coast, the Greek island opposite is a few hours' sail away. The short distance makes planning easier, but every crossing passes a national border, so formalities can take longer than the sailing itself. The opening hours of exit and entry offices set the departure time.
Timing in the meltemi
In summer the meltemi accelerates in the channels between islands. Even a short crossing can turn hard as wind and sea build in the afternoon. So crossings are usually made in the morning; if the return leg is upwind, the return day is planned separately.
Crew and documents
Every crew member's passport and any visa are checked before departure. For non-EU crew, permitted-stay rules are followed, especially over periods with several crossings back and forth.
Foreign-flagged boats
When a foreign-flagged boat in Turkey on a transit log crosses to Greece, the transit log is closed on exit and new formalities are done on return. This is planned together with the boat's stay conditions in Turkey.
Charter boats
Charter boats crossing between the two countries may need extra documents and rules because of commercial use; the crossing is then planned with the operator's agent.
Rules
As entry conditions, cruising tax and document requirements can change, the current position is confirmed with an agent before each crossing.
Fuel and water
On short island hops, fuel and water are topped up where convenient rather than run low; availability varies between small island harbours.
Return plan
If the boat will spend time in the islands and come back, the return date and the Turkish port of entry are set from the start. A window is sought for the return day too; in meltemi season, heading back north or east is easier in the early morning. On return, entry to Turkey is at an official port of entry.
Island-hopping, the plan is reviewed daily; on strong meltemi days the boat stays in harbour and the hop waits for the next good morning. Short distances make that flexibility easy and take the pressure off the schedule.
Keep papers and the crew list current at every crossing; each border means formalities from scratch, and one missing document can lose a day.
Keep all the papers in one folder, easy to reach at the quay or the office.
Nearby island crossings: distances
Sea distances from the Turkish coast to the nearest Greek islands. Distances follow the coastal sea network, not a straight line. Allow time for exit and entry formalities.
| Route | Distance |
|---|---|
| İzmir - Çeşme → Chios | 8 NM |
| Ayvalık → Lesbos | 17 NM |
| Kuşadası → Samos | 19 NM |
| Didim - Altınkum → Leros | 24 NM |
| Didim - Altınkum → Patmos | 49 NM |
| Bodrum → Kos | 11 NM |
| Bodrum → Kalymnos | 27 NM |
| Datça → Symi | 10 NM |
| Marmaris → Rhodes | 26 NM |
| Kaş → Kastellorizo | 4 NM |
| Çanakkale → Limnos | 86 NM |