Seasonal· Kos· Greece — Dodecanese, Sporades & North Aegean
Kos Meltemi Fall Winds (Cape Agios Fokas & Kos Bay)
36° 51.4′ N · 27° 21.8′ E
In the summer meltemi the wind accelerates over and around Kos's high spine, dropping violent gusts onto the south-east cape and into the bay off Kos town: a well-known trap for yachts under full sail.
Practical
ActiveCaptain hazard at the SE point of Kos: very heavy gusts, easily up to 35 knots, especially north-north-easterly; be careful under full sail where windsurfers are out (2023 report). Dream Yacht warns of strong gusts into the bay off Kos Marina with the meltemi; mySea notes downbursts at Kamari and Kardamena. The meltemi blows from the N-NW at Force 4-6 from May to October (Dream Yacht), and the north coast of Kos is among the most exposed waters in the Dodecanese (area guide). Wikipedia notes the wind can be especially strong on Nisyros because of jet effects as it passes over Kos. Reef early, and plan Kos-Nisyros crossings for the morning, before the afternoon peak.
Best for
Knowing when to reef off Kos
Season
Jun–Sep, peaking Jul–Aug
Nearby
- Agios Fokas Anchorage (Kos)0.5 NM away
- Kos Divers (Psalidi, Kos)2.2 NM away
- Embros Therma Hot Springs (Kos)2.3 NM away
- Kos Marina Boatyard & Travel Lift3.5 NM away
- Kos Marina Fuel Dock3.5 NM away
- Kos Marina3.6 NM away
- Kos Marina Chandlery & Marine Electronics3.6 NM away
- Kos Marina Laundry, Showers & Gas Refill3.6 NM away