From Kardamena: Nisyros, St.Antonios & Yali Islands Cruise

Three islands, one easy sea day. This eight-hour cruise from Kardamena combines a quiet church stop on St. Antonios, free time in Nisyros town, and swimming from the pirate boat near volcanic Yali. I like the mix of sightseeing and water time, and I like that lunch is included rather than leaving you to hunt for food between stops. The main consideration is that Nisyros time is limited, especially if you want to climb to Panagia Spiliani or add the optional volcano visit.

I also like the simple setup: meet the Maria Magdalini pirate boat at Kardamena port, board at about 10am, and return around 5:30pm. The cruise has a bar, toilets, two decks, and a lively atmosphere with music. Drinks and coffee cost extra, so bring some spending money if you want more than the included meal.

Key points before you book

• Three very different stops: St. Antonios is quiet and uninhabited, Nisyros offers town and church sightseeing, and Yali is mainly for swimming and relaxing.
• A Greek barbecue is included: Lunch consists of souvlaki, salad, and bread, with a vegetarian meal available if you request it in advance.
• Nisyros has a 200-step climb: You can walk up to Panagia Spiliani for views, or stay in Mandraki and enjoy its narrow streets, shops, coffee, and traditional dessert.
• Yali is a boat-based swim stop: You can swim in clear water, sunbathe on deck, and jump into the sea from the vessel.
• The boat is Maria Magdalini: Look for the pirate boat at Kardamena port and show your mobile voucher to the crew.
• The price is modest for a full day: At about $39.52 per person, the fare includes the cruise, lunch, taxes, and liability insurance, but not drinks or the optional volcano visit.

Setting off from Kardamena on the Maria Magdalini

Your day begins at Kardamena port, where you look for the Maria Magdalini, a pirate-style boat. Show your mobile voucher to the crew, then settle in for the run toward St. Antonios. The boat has two decks, giving you a choice between sitting in a more shaded spot or staying outside for the sun and views.

The advertised departure is 10am, with a return to Kardamena at about 5:30pm. That makes this a full day rather than a short boat trip. You should arrive ready to spend most of the day on or near the water, with a towel and beachwear packed in an easy-to-reach bag.

The bar stays open during the cruise, and toilets are available on board. Those are useful details on an eight-hour outing. Coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, and other drinks are not included, so the low ticket price does not mean every onboard purchase is covered.

The tone is more relaxed party boat than formal sightseeing vessel. Music, sunbathing, swimming, and casual time on deck are part of the appeal. If you want a quiet, private sailing trip with a small group, this probably is not the right format. If you enjoy a social boat day with several stops, it makes good sense.

St. Antonios, a peaceful first stop

The first stop comes within about an hour at St. Antonios, also called Agios Antonios. This island is uninhabited, and that immediately gives the stop a different feeling from Nisyros. There are no town streets or shops to fill your time. Instead, you get a simple natural setting, clear water, sun, and the small church of St. Antonios.

You can walk to the church and enjoy the viewpoint, or keep your visit focused on the sea. The stop is well suited to a first swim because it gives you time to get comfortable with the boat and the day before reaching the busier part of the itinerary.

The appeal here is peace and space. You can sunbathe under the Greek sun, swim in clear water, or take in the view without trying to fit a long list of sights into a short visit. Bring sandals or shoes suitable for walking if you want to visit the church, since the information provided does not describe the exact shore access.

This is also when the crew prepares the Greek barbecue lunch. Souvlaki, salad, and bread are included. A vegetarian option is available, but you need to notify the crew in advance so they can prepare it. That is worth arranging before departure rather than hoping a substitute meal will appear on the day.

Lunch on board, with a practical catch

Eating on the boat helps keep the schedule moving. You do not lose part of your Nisyros visit looking for a restaurant, and you can enjoy lunch with the sea around you. The meal is straightforward Greek fare, not a long restaurant service: souvlaki, salad, and bread.

I see the included lunch as a real benefit at this price. It gives you something substantial during a long day and removes one extra cost. Still, you should bring any snacks you personally need, since the supplied details only promise the listed meal.

Vegetarians should make the request in advance. The crew can reserve a vegetarian meal, but this is not presented as an automatic option for everyone. Drinks are separate, including coffee and bar purchases. The open bar adds convenience, but it can also make the final cost higher if you buy several cocktails or soft drinks.

Mandraki and the 200 steps to Panagia Spiliani

Around noon, the boat reaches Nisyros and drops you at Mandraki, the island’s capital and port. This is the most substantial sightseeing stop of the day. Unlike St. Antonios and Yali, Nisyros gives you a real town to explore, with narrow streets, souvenir shops, coffee stops, and traditional food.

You have a choice to make. If you want a view and a religious landmark, climb about 200 steps to the mountain monastery of Panagia Spiliani. From there, you can look across Nisyros and see the Orthodox church, described as one of the island’s key sights.

The climb is optional, and that matters. You do not need to turn your port visit into a workout. If the heat is strong, you prefer an easier day, or you simply want to enjoy Mandraki, stay in town. Walk the narrow streets, browse the small shops, and stop at Ilikiomeni Square for coffee or a traditional dessert.

The limited time at Nisyros is both a strength and a weakness. You get a useful taste of the island without arranging transport or planning a full day ashore. But you cannot comfortably do everything. A climb to Panagia Spiliani, a relaxed town visit, and the optional volcano trip may not all fit together.

The optional Nisyros volcano visit

The island volcano can be visited for an extra charge. The crew can provide more information, and you should ask before deciding. The supplied details do not state the additional price, transport method, or how much time the volcano visit takes, so do not assume it is part of the standard cruise.

This option is best for you if the volcanic character of Nisyros is the main reason you want to visit. If you choose it, plan your time carefully. The standard stop already includes Mandraki, the Panagia Spiliani climb, and time for shops or a café. Adding another paid visit may mean giving up some of those choices.

For a first look at Nisyros, staying in Mandraki may be the less rushed plan. You can ask the crew about the volcano once on board and then make a decision with the actual timing in hand.

Yali, the final stop for swimming

The third stop is Yali, a small volcanic island belonging to the municipality of Nisyros. Only 21 people live there. You are not visiting for a town tour. The main event is staying on the boat, enjoying the island views, swimming in clear water, and jumping into the sea from the vessel.

This is the stop that gives the day its easygoing finish. After walking around Nisyros, you can return to a simple routine: find a place on deck, sunbathe, order a drink, and get into the water when you feel like it. The clear sea and the chance to jump from the boat are major reasons this cruise appeals to people who want more than sightseeing.

Bring a towel and beachwear, as requested by the operator. A change of clothes may also be useful after swimming, though it is not specifically listed as required. The boat’s two decks make it easier to find a spot that suits you, but seating preferences are not guaranteed.

Yali is also where the cruise feels most like a holiday boat day. The music, drinks, sea views, and swimming create a casual atmosphere. If you want a guided explanation at every stop, you may find this section light on structured sightseeing. If you want time to relax without a schedule of speeches, that is a plus.

What the $39.52 price really includes

At around $39.52 per person, this is a strong-value day for anyone who wants a boat trip with several destinations. The price covers the boat tickets for all three islands, lunch, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance. For an eight-hour outing, that is a lot of the basic cost handled in advance.

You still need to budget for drinks and coffee. The volcano visit at Nisyros also costs extra. Those additions are optional, so you can keep the day close to the advertised price if you stick with the included meal and bring your own spending limit for the bar.

The value comes from variety. A boat-only swim trip would give you more time in the water, while a dedicated Nisyros excursion could offer more time on the island. This cruise splits the day between three stops, lunch, town sightseeing, and swimming. You sacrifice depth at each place, but you gain a broad introduction without needing to organize ferries or island transfers yourself.

The 4.5 rating from 171 reviews supports the idea that the overall format works well. The most praised features are the clear water, the stops, the music, and the general mood on board. Those are exactly the parts to prioritize when deciding if the trip suits you.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full day on the water and like a blend of swimming, light sightseeing, and social atmosphere. It suits couples, families, and groups of friends who do not need every hour tightly devoted to historic sites.

It is especially useful if you are staying in Kardamena and want a simple way to see Nisyros. The boat handles the route, lunch is arranged, and you return to the same port. That makes the day easy to plan.

You should think twice if you want a long, focused visit to Nisyros. The town stop is only one part of a three-island schedule, and the volcano visit is optional with an extra fee. People who dislike music, sun, or boat-based swimming may also prefer a quieter land tour.

The climb to Panagia Spiliani is another personal choice. You need to be comfortable with about 200 steps if you want the viewpoint and monastery. You can skip it and enjoy Mandraki at street level.

Small details that make the day easier

Wear beachwear under comfortable clothing, since the first and final stops are built around swimming. Pack a towel, and keep your mobile voucher ready for boarding at Kardamena port.

Tell the crew about a vegetarian meal before the cruise. Do not wait until lunch, because the meal needs to be reserved in advance.

Bring money for drinks, coffee, and possible optional costs. The bar is open, but those purchases are outside the ticket price. Ask the crew about the Nisyros volcano option if that is important to you, since the available information does not give its added price or exact timing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The host or greeter language is English. Those terms make the trip easier to fit into a changing holiday schedule, but you should still check the current departure availability before booking.

Should you book the Nisyros and Yali cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable, easygoing island day with three different settings: a quiet church island, a traditional Nisyros port, and a volcanic swimming stop. The included barbecue, onboard toilets, two decks, and clear return plan add useful comfort.

Skip it if you want a long Nisyros visit, a private boat, or a highly focused volcano tour. For most people staying in Kardamena, though, the combination of price, lunch, swimming, and island variety makes this a sensible choice. Keep your expectations simple: this is a lively pirate-boat day with good stops, not a specialist archaeological excursion.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at the port of Kardamena. Look for the Maria Magdalini pirate boat and show the crew your mobile voucher.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat is scheduled to depart at 10am. Check availability for the exact starting time when booking.

What time does the cruise return?

The cruise is scheduled to return to Kardamena port at about 5:30pm.

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts eight hours.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The cruise visits St. Antonios, Nisyros, and Yali.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on board includes souvlaki, salad, and bread.

Can I request a vegetarian meal?

Yes. You need to notify the crew in advance so they can reserve a vegetarian meal.

Are drinks included?

No. Coffee and drinks are not included, although the bar is open during the cruise.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes. Toilets are available on the vessels.

Can I visit the Nisyros volcano?

Yes, but the volcano visit is optional and costs extra. Ask the crew for more information.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. These are particularly useful for the swimming stops at St. Antonios and Yali.

Is cancellation allowed?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.