Barco De Pirata Cruise at 3 Islands in Greece

Set sail for three islands in one lively day. The Barco De Pirata Cruise turns a standard boat trip from Kos into a full-day outing with a pirate-style ship, swimming stops, snorkeling gear, island views, and a Greek barbecue served on board. I especially like the three-island route and the friendly, energetic crew, including staff praised for dancing, hosting, and keeping the mood upbeat.

The price is about $34.76 per person, which is strong value for roughly seven and a half hours at sea with lunch included. I also like the choice of chicken, pork, fish, vegan, and vegetarian meals. The main catch is time: this is a lot of sailing with short stops, and the music can be loud enough to bother anyone hoping for a quiet day.

Key points to know before you book

• Three islands in one day: Visit Kalymnos and Pserimos, with a swimming or anchorage stop around Plati, also written as Plato in the tour details.
• A pirate-style ship: The unusual vessel gives the trip a playful, family-friendly feel rather than the quiet mood of a small sailing cruise.
• Swimming and snorkeling: Equipment is available on board, so you can get into the clear water without bringing your own mask and snorkel.
• Lunch is included: Choose from chicken, pork, fish, vegan, or vegetarian Greek barbecue options.
• A lively onboard atmosphere: Music, dancing, reasonably priced drinks, and an enthusiastic crew are central parts of the experience.
• Plan for a full day: Departure is at 9:45 a.m. from the Port of Kos, and the cruise returns to the same meeting point after about seven hours and 30 minutes.

What this Kos boat trip is really like

This is not a quiet little boat ride with long, empty stretches for reading. It is a large group cruise, with capacity for up to 200 people, built around music, sunshine, swimming, food, and a party atmosphere. The pirate theme is part of the fun, especially if you are traveling with children or teenagers who want more energy than a standard ferry provides.

You meet at the Port of Kos for the 9:45 a.m. departure. It is wise to arrive early if you want a good place on the upper deck. One passenger arrived around 9:10 a.m. and got a particularly good seat upstairs. That detail matters because the open deck offers the best views, but desirable seats can go quickly.

The ship may not leave precisely at the advertised time. It can collect additional passengers at the port, and one departure was delayed beyond 10 a.m. That delay then squeezed the time available at later stops. If your day depends on a strict schedule, keep this in mind before booking.

Once under way, you can settle into a seat, watch the coast of Kos recede, or look for dolphins. Dolphin sightings are possible, not guaranteed, so treat them as a pleasant bonus rather than a promised part of the program. The crew helps create the mood with music, dancing, and friendly service. Staff members named in praise include Spiros, who was working his first day on the boat during one trip, as well as a bald bartender with a beard and a bandana-wearing host known for dancing.

Kalymnos, the first island stop

Kalymnos is the first major island stop and gives you your first chance to get off the boat or swim. The schedule can be tight, with some passengers getting about 30 minutes for a swim. That is enough for a quick dip in clear water, but not enough for a relaxed beach afternoon.

The appeal here is simple: after sitting on the ship, getting into the sea feels refreshing. Snorkeling equipment is available on board, so you can look below the surface and search for marine life without packing your own gear. The tour describes the waters as clear and the marine life as abundant, though conditions and visibility can change with the weather.

Bring your swimwear under your clothes and have a towel ready. With a short stop, you do not want to waste half your time searching through a bag. If swimming is your main reason for booking, you should also understand that this cruise is designed to give you a taste of several places, not a long beach stay at any one of them.

Kalymnos is best enjoyed as a quick sea stop. You will probably remember the water, the views from the ship, and the pleasant break from the music more than a detailed visit on land.

Pserimos and the harbor walk

The second island stop is Pserimos, where the focus shifts from swimming to seeing the harbor and walking around. You can explore on foot, sit by the water, or choose the small train ride offered during the stop. The train can be useful on a hot day, especially if you are traveling with children or prefer not to walk in strong sun.

The practical drawback is that the train experience may feel more commercial than scenic. One account found it heavily focused on selling sponges at a particular shop. If you take the train, keep your expectations modest. It may provide an easy way to see more of the area, but it is not necessarily a calm sightseeing ride.

Pserimos works best if you treat it as a brief harbor visit. You are not getting hours to shop, eat, and explore at your own pace. The schedule is shared with a large group, and delays from late arrivals can make the stop feel rushed.

Still, the stop adds variety. The day is not only about staying on a boat and swimming. You get a short taste of island life, a look at a small harbor, and a chance to stretch your legs before returning to the ship.

Plati, or Plato, and the final swim

The third destination is called Plati in the main description and Plato in another part of the tour information. The name difference should not cause concern, but it is worth knowing when you compare details before departure.

This stop may not function like a full island visit. The ship can anchor nearby rather than letting everyone go ashore, so you may spend your time swimming from the boat instead of walking around. That is a major distinction. If you imagine three separate island walks, this cruise may disappoint you. If you are happy to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the water from the ship, the final stop can be a fine finish.

As with Kalymnos, the time in the water may be limited. Some passengers wished they had longer at each stop, especially for swimming and shopping. The schedule has to account for sailing between islands, serving lunch, boarding passengers, and returning to Kos, so the three-island title comes with a tradeoff.

I would think of the route as two island visits plus a sea stop. That description is more useful than expecting three equal shore excursions.

Greek barbecue lunch on the boat

Lunch is included, and it is served as a barbecue prepared outside on the boat. You can choose chicken, pork, fish, vegan, or vegetarian food. That range is a real strength because mixed groups do not need to arrange separate meals on shore.

The meal has received mixed reactions. Some people found it tasty and considered the food one of the day’s best features. Others found the chicken and pork hard or twice cooked, with a side dish that felt more like German coleslaw than a Greek salad or vegetable dish.

That makes the lunch a pleasant convenience rather than the main culinary reason to book. It saves you from buying a separate meal during a busy day, and the barbecue setting adds to the holiday mood. Just do not expect a carefully prepared restaurant meal.

If you have dietary needs, the menu explicitly includes vegan and vegetarian choices. It is sensible to confirm your selection with the crew when you board. Alcoholic beverages are not included, but drinks are available for purchase. Several people liked the drink prices, and some departures have offered happy-hour cocktails for about 5 euros. That promotion does not happen every time, so treat it as a possible bonus.

The pirate ship and onboard atmosphere

The vessel is the heart of the experience. Its pirate styling gives the day a theatrical touch, and the crew encourages passengers to join the mood. Music, dancing, and a lively bar make the boat feel more like a floating party than a transport service.

Families with children and teenagers are likely to enjoy this most. It also suits couples and groups who want an easy, social day rather than a private or romantic cruise. The crew is repeatedly praised for being warm, helpful, and fun, and that personal service helps the large ship feel less impersonal.

There is a clear downside. The music can be very loud. One passenger developed a headache and found the noise stressful. If you are sensitive to loud sound, choose a seat farther from the speakers if possible, or bring suitable hearing protection. The upper deck may offer better air and views, but it may not be the quietest place when the music starts.

The ship is accessible to people with special needs, and special services and toilet facilities are provided. Most people can participate, and the port is near public transportation. The boat’s large capacity also means you should expect a shared group setting, not an intimate excursion.

Is $34.76 good value?

At about $34.76 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to see several places beyond Kos in a single day. The cost covers the cruise and lunch, and the boat also provides snorkeling equipment. You are paying for transport, a full day at sea, food, entertainment, and access to three coastal stops.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, and drinks. Families can also appreciate the simple pricing and the fact that children can swim, watch the crew, and enjoy the pirate theme without needing a tightly planned schedule.

The value is weaker if your priority is time ashore. You are not paying for long beach visits or detailed guided sightseeing. Much of the day is spent sailing, and every delay can reduce the already short time at the islands.

For a first taste of island hopping from Kos, the price is attractive. For serious beach time, slow exploration, or a peaceful sailing experience, spend more time comparing alternatives.

Tips for getting the best day

Arrive well before 9:45 a.m. if you want an upper-deck seat. An early arrival around 9:10 a.m. helped one passenger find a good position before the boat filled.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a small bag that you can reach quickly. The stops are short, and you will not want to unpack a large day bag every time the ship anchors.

If you want to snorkel, use the equipment available on board, but remember that the time in the water may be brief. Get ready before the crew announces the stop so you can make the most of it.

Expect music and dancing. This is part of the product, not an occasional surprise. If you want a quieter ride, look for a seat away from the speakers and bring ear protection.

Do not count on happy-hour cocktails. Some departures have offered drinks for about 5 euros, but this is not listed as a standard inclusion. Alcoholic drinks cost extra, and lunch is the only meal specifically included.

Keep your schedule open after departure. The cruise lasts about seven hours and 30 minutes, but port delays or late boarding can affect the timing of the stops.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can also lead to cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. One late cancellation caused serious frustration for a booked passenger, so do not make an important onward connection immediately after this cruise.

Who should book the Barco De Pirata Cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want to see beyond Kos without arranging ferries, meals, and island transport yourself. It is especially well suited to families, teenagers, first-time boat riders, and groups who enjoy music and a social atmosphere.

You should also book it if the idea of swimming in clear Greek water appeals more than spending hours in museums or shops. The ship, crew, barbecue, and price make it an easy holiday day with little planning.

I would hesitate if you want long stops, quiet sailing, polished food, or a small-group experience. The route covers a lot of water, and the shore visits can feel hurried. The final Plati or Plato stop may be an anchorage rather than a proper island walk, and loud music is a real consideration.

My advice is simple: book it for the fun of the boat and the chance to sample three island settings in one day. Skip it if your dream is to settle on one beach and stay there. At this price, the cruise offers plenty of entertainment and a useful taste of the islands, as long as you accept that this is a busy sampler rather than a slow island escape.

FAQ

Where does the Barco De Pirata Cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from the Port of Kos, Kos 853 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:45 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise finish?

The cruise returns to the same meeting point at the Port of Kos.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati. Plati is also written as Plato in the tour information.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included and is prepared as a Greek barbecue on board.

What lunch choices are available?

You can choose chicken, pork, fish, vegan, or vegetarian food.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available on the boat for use during the swimming stops.