Kalymnos is part of the Dodecanese archipelago in the Aegean Sea, but it is one of the islands less traveled by traditional tourist flows. Certainly not deserted or unknown, it is not, however, one of the “hot spots” of the summer, although, as we shall see, finding a berth in the island’s main ports in July and August can become an interesting bet.

Its origin is lost in myth, and its history is one of the most misunderstood of the many Greek islands; Homer spoke of it in the Iliad and Ovid later spoke of it as well, although he defined it in a manner (“wooded”) that contrasts with the island’s current appearance, barren and mountainous, rather poor in vegetation.

It is known for certain that it was colonized by the Mycenaeans and then passed to the Dorians, ended up under the Persians and was later allied with Athens; after a long Byzantine rule, the island passed into the hands of the Turks, who decimated the population. In the Middle Ages it was owned by the Knights of the Order of St. John, and then by the Ottomans; finally, in the twentieth century it was we Italians who colonized it, during Fascism, and the island won its coveted freedom only in 1948.

The inhabitants of Calimno have always been known for their skill in sponge fishing, an activity that is reduced nowadays but still continues in the wake of tradition.Calimno is characterized by high and jagged coastlines, numerous islets near the coast, a landscape that, seen from the sea, appears rough and “hard,” dotted with olive trees, orange trees, vines and fig trees. Inland, however, the island is rich in fruit and vegetable crops, and there is no shortage of honey, the island’s specialty; be sure to load a jar of it on board (along with a sponge, of course!).

In addition to sponges and honey, Calimno is known for its rock climbing opportunities-with breathtaking views, of course. And there is no shortage of wonderful scuba diving opportunities. In short, if you want or need to plan a stop for a few days, Calimno may be the ideal place.
Like other islands in this sea area, Calimno is also quite windy. The meltemi blows strongly here, and it blows most of the time in summer. So expect to find even treacherous currents when approaching Kalymnos harbor, which is the island’s main port and is located to the south, at the bottom of a natural inlet.

And if the meltemi doesn’t take care of it, the ferries will: barges arrive in the port of Kalymnos every day to unload tourists from the nearby island of Coo and elsewhere, generating a rather annoying swell; make sure the anchor holds very well, not least because the seabed in the port is mud and seaweed and the hold is only modest.
That said, the ports of Kalymnos offer about 80 berths, and while they may appear numerous, we assure you that in high season it can happen that you may be “stranded.”
The port is located just in the innermost part of the bay, behind the ferry pier. Moor along the southwest quay and at the new long northwest pier. Be careful not to moor at places colored yellow, it is forbidden; look for those marked with blue.

You moor at the stern and are right in front of the waterfront with taverns and so on; it goes without saying that noise and light pollution are not indifferent. There are columns with water and electricity (almost negligible flat rates). Outside the ports, to the north, there is also a pier with a fueling station. The town then lacks nothing, not even for boating (and also for spare parts for engines and electronic parts).
Among the things to see in town, you cannot miss the Nautical Museum, which tells the interesting story of sponge fishermen with lots of fascinating period memorabilia.