Kalymnos Kasos Ferry

Kalymnos Guide

Forming part of the Dodecanese group of islands, the Greek island of Kalymnos lies in the south east Aegean Sea, to the west of the Bodrum Peninsular between the Greek islands of Kos and Leros. Kos is around 12 km to the south of Kalymnos and Leros is around 2 km to the north. After the islands of Kos and Rhodes, Kalymnos is the third most populous island in the Dodecanese and is known for its affluent population.

The island's terrain is characterised by many mountains and a coastline littered with sheltered coves which make it the perfect destination for a sailing holiday. The island has also been referred to as the "Sponge divers island" because sponge diving has taken place in the islands crystal clear waters for many years. The trade in sponges has brought a significant amount of wealth to the island and has made it famous throughout the Mediterranean.

The island's capital is called Pothia and is also home to the island's port. It is a colourful town that is spread out over the foot and slopes of two hills and the valley between them. There are regular ferry services to Piraeus, Rhodes, Samos and to the other islands in the Dodecanese and the Cyclades.

Kasos Guide

The Greek island of Kasos is the most southerly of the Dodecanese group of islands and has a history that is closely associated with the nearby island of Crete. The island's first inhabitants are thought to have been the Phoenicians, while Homer included the island as one of the islands that participated in the Trojan War. The small island had a significant naval presence and used its fleet to take part in the Revolution in 1821 which unfortunately resulted in its complete destruction by the Turks in 1824.

The island's more recent history is linked to the rest of the islands in the Dodecanese until they were all unified with Greece in 1948. Many of island's residents, and those of Karpathos, emigrated to America and Egypt, where they worked on the construction of the Suez Canal in the middle of the 19th century.

Kasos can be reached by ferry from Piraeus, Crete (Siteia, Aghios Nikolaos), Rhodes, Halki and Karpathos.