Kalymnos Marina (Kalymnos) South Aegean - Kalymnos - Greece Marina in Kalymnos, Aegean

Port Kalymnos, also known as Kalimnos or locally as Póthia, serves as the main harbour of Kalymnos island in the South Aegean. The marina provides good shelter from the meltemi winds, though sailors should be aware of strong northwest gusts that blow across the harbour. When southerly winds are present, a heavy swell enters the harbour, affecting mooring conditions. The port offers two main mooring options for visiting yachts, both utilizing anchor mooring to the quay system. The first mooring area is located at the southwest end of the harbour, where the quay section is painted blue. This location accommodates approximately 12-15 yachts moored stern-to the quay. Anchoring depths range from 7.0 to 8.0 metres, with the seabed consisting of mud and weed that provides good holding once the anchor sets properly. Due to meltemi gusts hitting the port bow when moored stern-to, it is essential to test the anchor holding before leaving your vessel unattended. Water and electricity connections are available on the quay, though sailors should note the confusing signage at water points, which display both potable and non-potable water stickers. The second mooring option is the new quay constructed at the northwest end of the harbour, positioned north of the fishing quay and also marked with blue paint. This newer facility offers significantly more space, with capacity for almost 50 yachts. Water depths approximately 2 metres from the quay measure around 3.0 to 3.5 metres. Vessels with rudders drawing more than 2 metres should exercise caution due to concrete blocks located beside the wall. Anchoring depths here are 6.0 to 7.0 metres, with the bottom composition being mud and weed that provides good holding. The meltemi wind direction at this location blows onto the stern of vessels moored stern-to, making it a more secure mooring option during strong meltemi conditions. However, this area experiences constant swell from ferry traffic and other vessels entering and leaving the harbour. Similar to the southwest quay, water and electricity connections are available at this location. Both mooring areas in Port Kalymnos are subject to traffic noise from the busy harbour and surrounding roads. Additionally, the din from nearby restaurants and bars is noticeable, which is typical for the island capital. Sailors should be prepared for these urban noise levels when choosing to moor at either location. An important advisory concerns unofficial mooring helpers operating in the harbour. This issue is present in several Dodecanese islands, including Lispi and particularly Symi where it has become a serious concern. In Kalymnos, there is a man wearing a yellow emergency jacket with 'mooring assistance' written on it. Many sailors mistakenly believe this person is the official town delegate authorized to collect port fees. However, these informal mooring helpers operate with fixed or variable tariffs and should not be confused with official personnel delegated by the town to collect legitimate port fees. All sailors are strongly encouraged to be formal in their dealings and ensure they are paying fees to the authorized person representing the port authority. Port Kalymnos provides essential facilities for cruising yachts visiting the Dodecanese islands, with its two distinct mooring areas offering different advantages depending on weather conditions and vessel requirements. The southwest quay suits smaller groups of yachts seeking proximity to the town center, while the northwest quay accommodates larger numbers of vessels with improved shelter from the prevailing meltemi winds. Understanding the characteristics of each mooring location, including depth soundings, bottom composition, wind patterns, and potential hazards, enables sailors to make informed decisions about where to secure their vessels safely during their stay in this island capital.