With over 4,000 well-equipped routes, the rocky paradise of Kalymnos is unlike anything else in the Mediterranean. Spending a week on a sailboat is easily the best way to explore the ruggedness of this Greek island, allowing you to spend the rest of the time sailing and exploring. Relatively new on the world climbing scene, Kalymnos is regarded a treasured source of routes—ranging from 5.7 to 5.14d—accompanied with a light breeze, crystal-clear Aegean Sea, and delicious food. Climb anything from easy slabs, technical wall climbs, wild overhanging, and even climbs between stalactites. With well-bolted crags and a community centered around climbing, it’s the perfect spot for an active vacation. Find out why you should head to Kalymnos for the best sport climbing in Greece from Emily Cole, avid sport climber and founding member of Crux Crush.
Spend eight amazing days of fantastic rock climbing and sailing around the island in the idyllic setting of a Greek holiday! Discover superb rock climbing only accessible by boat, relax with your group under the cozy Greek sun, and make the most of your active vacation. Let your certified guides plan out the perfect days on the rocks and spend the rest of the time exploring the spectacular scenery, traditional cuisine, and amazing locations around Kalymnos including Telendos Island, crags of Eros, Pescatore and Irox, iconic crags of Grande Grotta, Sykati Cave and more! During your week on the sailboat, relax, discover spectacular vistas from the limestone cliffs, and upgrade your skills with an expert guide!
Meet your guides in Kos marina and embark the boat from 6pm onwards. Organize your equipment, settle into your rooms and get to know the group you will be sailing with for the rest of the week.
Set sail towards Kalymnos Island and enjoy stunning views of the Dodecanese islands. Upon reaching Vathy’s inlet, anchor the boat in a secluded bay with emerald waters and an inviting beach. From here, you’ll have access to a newly bolted climbing crag, located just 100 meters from your boat! Rest assured, you’ll likely be the sole occupants spending the night in this enchanting spot.
Sail around Kalymnos and head towards the smaller island of Telendos. You are fortunate enough to be among the few climbers who have the chance to ascend Telendos Island, as it’s accessible only by sea. The plan is to explore a couple of crags, each offering routes of varying difficulty levels and distinct climbing styles. Continue climbing until the sun sets, casting a warm orange glow over Kalymnos before you.
Wake-up and dive from the boat before a hearty breakfast! Drop the anchor in Arginonta’s beautiful roadstead where over 1,000 sport climbing routes from grade 4 up to 9 await you. This is the ideal place to go to when there’s wind blowing and you want a protected spot in the sun. Plenty of possibilities, wonderful views, and caves waiting to be explored make Arginonta one of the most interesting spots in the area.
One day is not enough for Arginonta so spend the morning of exploring new crags and check-out as many ascents as you can. Sail through the Dolphin’s Bay, also a well known climbing spot, and arrive at Palionisos in the evening, a serene and charming village with a stunning beach, a small pier, and an exception seafood taverna that promises an unforgettable dinner!
Set sail towards Sikati Cave, a truly unique wonder in the world, perfect for those with extraordinary skills—it just might become the most incredible climbing spot you’ve ever experience. The secluded white beach nestled at the cave’s base forms a perfect natural harbor where you’ll anchor. Additionally, there’s a crag known as “The Beach”, conveniently located just a short swim from the boat, providing an ideal setting for climbing until sunset.
The crags are easily reachable from the boat and you’ll enjoy climbing there until lunchtime. It’s your final opportunity to savor the island’s exceptional homemade cuisine at your guides’ friend’s taverna. Take one last refreshing swim in Palionisos’ azure waters before hoisting the sails and setting the course for Kos.
Pack up and take a few last photos of this wonderful location, exchange contacts with your new friends, and say farewell to Kalymnos! Disembark in the morning by 9 am.
This Vertical Sailing Tour is the best thing since sliced bread and cheese ! A true dream come true!! Well thought out, organized and truly Awesome. From start to finish, professional, easy to work with, Tony and Lorenzo went out of their way to accommodate my needs.
And seriously what better group of people could you want to hangout with?
Great Time, Great People, Great Tour! Lifetime friends are just waiting to meet you on this adventure!
The idea of combining sailing and climbing together is brilliant…the nature always surrounds you, a real trip among nature and poetry! The staff is very competent, great food and lots of prosecco! A must do experience with the risk of not being able to live without it!
Included:
Due to the nature of this adventure, the guide requires that a part of the cost of the trip, 300 euros, is paid upon boarding in cash. This will cover the costs of:
Add-ons:
Not included:
Good physical shape is important but don’t worry — regardless of your climbing grade, you’ll always find a partner matching your level, and if that’s not the case, your guide will be there for you. Rock climbing is more about using good movement technique rather than muscling up a cliff using brute strength. To ensure you have a fun retreat, your guide will be there to supervise the climbing and to help all the climbers to improve their skills, and to choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level. You don’t need any knowledge of sailing — the skipper will take care of everything!
Still, health and physical fitness are crucial to actively engage in daily activities of hiking and rock climbing. Participants are strongly encouraged to have proficient swimming skills, especially if they plan to engage in the challenging deep water soloing during the tour.
Please keep in mind that there’s no multi-pitch climbing, no slack-lining, no deep water soloing, and no water skiing available on this trip.
Kalymnos has plenty of options for beginner climbers. Whether you’ve never climbed before or are transitioning from the gym to outdoor climbing, your guide will customize the day to suit your skill level and objectives. With a guide by your side, you’ll learn something new, stay safe on the rocks, and most importantly, have fun!
For intermediate to advanced climbers, Kalymnos has loads of routes to spend the day on. Your guide will discuss your objectives and customize the day to your goals. Let your guide plan the day so you can focus on developing your skills while climbing the classic routes or best hidden gems the area has to offer.
You will spend your week on a 45 to 55-foot Monohull or Catamaran sailing boat. This magnificent boat has 4-5 two-people cabins, a spacious living room, well-equipped kitchen, and a deck perfect for late night hang-outs. With her, you’ll sail countless coves and experience the island the way it was meant to be experienced! If this is your first time on a sailing boat and you don’t know what to expect, here is what you can expect from life on board:
Personal climbing gear:
Certain gear (rope, belay device, and quickdraws) can be rented for $75, you can add it upon booking.
Personal items:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
Climbing days can be arranged for bigger groups. Contact us prior to booking.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Kalymnos, most people fly into Kos International Airport, about 30 minutes away from the marina. You can also fly to Athens International Airport, Greece, and then fly to the island of Kalymnos just an hour away. Once you get there, you can rent a car or motorbikes to get to the Kos marina.
You can board the boat in Kos Marina from 6 pm onwards on Day 1.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Greece, please refer to the Discover Greece website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
Secure your place on this year’s adventure with a $550 deposit due upon booking. The remaining amount is paid 2 months (60 days) prior to departure.
Once the trip is confirmed by the guide, the cancellation policy stated below applies. If the Client does not pay the remaining balance at the latest 2 months prior to the tour, the Guide reserves the right to cancel the Booking and retain the Client’s deposit. If the Client cancels…
Cancellation requests must be made in writing. Payment for boat extras has to be paid in cash at boarding. If the Guide cancels a tour, Client who has booked the tour will receive a full refund of the amount paid to the Guide at the time of booking. The Guide will not refund any additional expenses incurred by the Client related to the tour (such as transportation tickets, hotels, etc.). Client will also have the option to apply the amount paid towards joining another tour. In the unfortunate event of tour cancellation caused by a force majeure event, including but not limited to natural calamities (e.g., storm, earthquake), political tensions, national disasters, medical emergencies, or any other cases beyond the Guide’s control, no refunds will be provided.
I would totally recommend the Vertical Sailing Tour experience to any climbers, from the most passionate and advanced to the beginners and the ones that are curious to discover this amazing sport in the best way possible, on a sailing boat ! The team is very professional but above all fun, the best mix to have an incredible climbing experience in the best corners of Europe !