Dokos

Dokos

Dokos is the tiny, uninhabited island tucked between Hydra and Spetses in the Argo-Saronic, about 12 square kilometres of scrub, goats, and a single ruined Byzantine castle on its east coast. It feels almost forgotten, with no village, no cars, and just a couple of pebbly bays — Skintos on the north side is the classic yacht anchorage — where the water is deep blue and completely quiet except for cicadas.

It’s most famous for something you can’t see: the Dokos wreck, found just off its coast in 1975, the oldest known shipwreck in the world at around 2700-2200 BC, loaded with Cycladic pottery. Today the wreck is protected and you dive it only with permission, but that history gives Dokos a strange weight — an island that has watched maritime traffic for 4,500 years and still refuses to be anything but wild and empty.

Oldest shipwreck in the world, an island almost no one lands on

You’ll love it here if you like your islands raw and your history deep. Small Greek island of Argo-Saronic Gulf, about 60 miles east of Peloponnese, four kilometres north of western tip of Hydra, uninhabited, barren, 7 nautical miles from Hydra port to small dock below Kastelli, deserted with only few scattered residences few inhabited. Inhabited since early Bronze Age, even copper era 6000 BC, important port in ancient times. On eastern side lighthouse constructed 1923, 9 meters tall round tower. Ruins of great Byzantine castle Kastelli, 100 houses, prehistoric tombs and walls early Hellenistic. Most famous lies offshore, Dokos shipwreck oldest underwater shipwreck known to archaeologists, discovered August 23 1975 by Peter Throckmorton between southern Greece and Hydra next to small island Dokos ancient Aperopia, dated 2700-2200 BC Proto-Helladic second period, 4200-year-old, remains 15 to 30 meters underwater off southern coast. Wood gone, cargo of useful beautifully preserved, trade of olive oil and wine since Proto-Helladic verified by cargoes of Dokos and Point Irion shipwrecks. Island was refuge for Albanian settlers animals in Middle Ages, attempts to purchase protected island 2007, island of marble quarries near Hydra named after family of Hydriot captains. Best for sailors, divers with interest in archaeology, Hydra visitors wanting secluded beaches away from Hydra day without traveling far, top yachting spots Saronic Gulf. Pristine coves hidden inlets dot rugged coastline perfect swimming sunbathing relaxation, beach and chapel Agios Nikolaos loop hiking trail circle Kastelli hill ascends to Castle. Less ideal if you want facilities, there are none, it’s an hour by caique to Dokos, simple sail.

Water taxi only, no ferry

No ferry service, access strictly by private means. You can hire water taxi from nearby ports Hydra, Spetses or Ermioni on mainland Peloponnese, communication done only by sea taxi, there is no public transport to Dokos. Some organised day tours from Hydra include Dokos as stop for swimming snorkeling, private boat trip Hydra Island and Dokos to explore hidden beaches, remote island short boat ride away. Fly UK to Athens, then ferry Piraeus to Hydra about 2h to 2h30, no cars on Hydra, then water taxi 2.5 miles away. Boat name Meraki style trips also from Hydra. Best time is May to October, June and September calmest, July August hottest but still quiet because uninhabited. Bring everything, water, picnic, good shoes for Kastelli castle hill. You can’t dive the wreck without permission, Ministry of Culture protected, but you can swim over area and feel it, 15-30m deep, snorkel coves nearby. Base in Hydra, day trip 1 hour by caique, then evening back in Hydra harbour. Protected island, leave no trace.

Sources

Back to all Greek islands

The Greek Island Directory is a project of passion where a love of Crete, Data Integrity and Directories converge to create something truly special for users: Learn More.

Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by admin