From Kos: Kalymnos, Pserimos and Plati Day Cruise with Lunch

Sea, sand, souvlaki, repeat. This lively seven-hour pirate-boat cruise links three Dodecanese islands with swimming stops, music, and a Greek lunch at a notably low price. I like the easy mix of beach time and island visits, and I like that the boat turns the ride home into part of the entertainment with dancing, drinks, and a waterslide. The main drawback is time: Kalymnos gets only a short visit, while Pserimos receives about an hour.

The experience works best if you want a sociable day on the water rather than a quiet sightseeing boat. You should also know that coffee and drinks cost extra, and the lunch is simple rather than a carefully prepared meal. Still, at $28.80 per person, it offers a lot for a full day near Kos.

Key points to know before sailing

• Three islands in one day: You visit Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati before returning to Kos at about 5pm.
• Pserimos gets the best beach time: You have roughly one hour for golden sand and clear water.
• Kalymnos is a quick taste: You stop in or near the main town, Pothia, but the visit can feel brief.
• Plati is the fun stop: The boat provides a platform and waterslide for swimming in open water.
• Lunch is included: Expect souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread, with vegetarian food available if requested ahead of time.
• The mood is lively: Music, dancing, cocktails, and an entertaining crew make this more of a party cruise than a silent island tour.

What this Kos boat trip is really like

This is a simple, good-value day at sea, not a carefully paced cultural excursion. You meet the Pirates of Kos boat at Kos port and show your mobile voucher to the crew. The scheduled departure is 10am, with the boat returning around 5pm.

The name suggests a themed boat, but the real appeal is the atmosphere. You spend the day moving between islands, swimming from the boat, sitting in the sun, and listening to music. The crew keeps people involved, and George is singled out as especially funny and helpful.

I would choose this trip if you want your day to feel relaxed and social. If you hope to explore Kalymnos in depth, visit several historic sights, or spend long stretches alone on a beach, the schedule will feel too tight.

The boat also has a practical advantage: you do not need to arrange separate ferries or taxis between the islands. Your lunch is included, and an optional hotel transfer can be added for an extra charge. That keeps the day easy, though you still need to reach the port unless you pay for pickup.

Pserimos: the strongest beach stop

The first island stop is Pserimos, a tiny island known for its golden sandy beach and clear blue water. The boat stays for about one hour, which gives you enough time to get ashore, swim, and sit on the beach without turning the stop into a long beach holiday.

This is the part I would look forward to most if swimming matters to you. The water is described as calm and warm, with small fish visible near the swimming area. Bring goggles or a mask if you have them, since the conditions may suit a little snorkeling, although snorkeling equipment is not listed as included.

Pserimos covers only about 15 square meters according to the tour information, a figure that appears unusually small, but the useful point is clear: this is a very small island. You are not coming here for a long walk through villages or a full afternoon of sightseeing. You are coming for a short, pleasant beach stop.

While you swim, the crew prepares lunch. That timing makes sense, since it avoids serving the meal while the boat is moving and gives you something ready after your time in the water. Lunch consists of souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread. Vegetarian food is available, but you need to request it in advance.

Do not expect a restaurant meal. The food is basic and useful for a day in the sun. Some people may find it underwhelming, but at this price, I see it as a practical inclusion rather than the main reason to book.

Kalymnos and Pothia: a quick island taste

After Pserimos, the boat continues to Kalymnos. This island has a more substantial identity than tiny Pserimos. Kalymnos is associated with the sea and with climbing, and its main town, Kalymnos or Pothia, serves as the island’s port and main center.

You may have time to look around the town, see some historical sights, or stop at a café. The exact amount of free time is important here. The schedule gives Kalymnos a shorter stop, and some accounts put it at around 45 minutes. That is enough to stretch your legs and get a first impression, but not enough for a serious visit.

I would treat Kalymnos as a preview, not the main event. You can step off the boat, wander briefly, and take in the port town, but you should not expect to reach distant parts of the island or explore its climbing areas. The island deserves more time than this cruise can provide.

That short stop may disappoint you if Kalymnos is your main reason for booking. On the other hand, it helps explain the low price and the broad itinerary. The cruise is trying to give you three different settings in one day: a sandy beach, an inhabited island town, and a swimming party from the boat.

If you want a quiet look at Kalymnos, the music and schedule may not suit you. If you simply want to say you visited the island and see its main port, the stop does the job.

Plati: swimming, music, and the boat party

The final stop is Plati, where the cruise shifts from island sightseeing to water-based fun. Here, the boat itself becomes the attraction. You can sunbathe, order drinks, listen to music, and jump into the clear water from the boat’s platform.

There is also a waterslide, a feature that adds a playful touch for families and groups. The crew dances and keeps the energy up as the boat approaches Plati and on the return journey to Kos. This is the most entertaining section of the day, but it is also where the schedule can feel frustratingly short.

Some people would like more time swimming at Plati. That is worth keeping in mind if you care more about water time than island stops. You may spend much of the day moving between destinations, with only limited periods actually in the sea.

The boat’s setup makes Plati suitable for confident swimmers who enjoy jumping from a platform. You should decide for yourself how much of that activity you want to do. The experience includes swimming stops, but it does not promise a long, quiet snorkeling session or organized water instruction.

Drinks and cocktails are available for purchase. Coffee and drinks are not included in the price, so bring payment for anything you want beyond lunch. The music can be loud on the middle deck, which is part of the fun for some people and a drawback for anyone hoping for a peaceful ride.

Lunch and drinks on board

The included meal is one reason the price works well. You get souvlaki, salad, and bread while the boat is stopped around Pserimos. It is not fancy, but it gives you a proper break from swimming and sunbathing.

You should mention dietary needs before the trip. Vegetarian meals are available on request, but the crew needs advance notice. The supplied information does not list other dietary arrangements, so it is sensible to ask before booking if you have requirements beyond vegetarian food.

Drinks are extra. That includes coffee and the drinks served during the day. The onboard prices have been described as reasonable, but your final cost will depend on how much you order. For the best value, think of the ticket as covering the boat, stops, lunch, crew, insurance, and legal fees, then budget separately for refreshments.

The meal also helps the schedule run smoothly. You do not need to search for a restaurant during the short island stops, and you avoid using your limited time in Pothia for lunch. That is useful, even if the food itself is modest.

Is $28.80 good value?

At $28.80 per person, this is strong value for a seven-hour cruise that includes three island stops, lunch, swim time, crew service, insurance, and the boat ride back to Kos. The price becomes even better if you would otherwise pay separately for a ferry trip, a meal, and access to several swimming spots.

The value depends on your expectations. This is not a small private boat, and the tour does not offer long, detailed visits on each island. You are paying for variety and atmosphere. You are not paying for an in-depth Kalymnos tour.

I would call it a good deal for:

• Families who want swimming and a waterslide
• Couples who enjoy music and a social setting
• Groups looking for an affordable day on the water
• People staying in Kos who want to see nearby islands
• Anyone who likes a flexible, low-cost outing with lunch included

I would be more cautious if you dislike loud music, organized entertainment, or short stops. A private boat or dedicated Kalymnos excursion would give you more time and control, but it would not come close to this price.

Timing, pickup, and what to bring

The listed meeting point is the port of Kos. You should find the Pirates of Kos boat and show your mobile voucher to the crew. The cruise begins at 10am and ends back at the same meeting point around 5pm.

Hotel pickup is optional and costs extra. Specific pickup details are provided after booking. If you add the transfer, check the instructions carefully so you know when and where to wait.

I would bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• Comfortable clothes for a warm day at sea
• Money for drinks and coffee
• A mask or goggles if you want to look for small fish
• Your mobile voucher

You should also allow for the fact that this is a full seven-hour outing. Even though the stops are relaxed, you spend much of the day on the boat. If you are prone to seasickness, the supplied information does not state whether medication or special seating is available, so ask the operator before departure.

The cruise is hosted in English. The crew is described as experienced and entertaining, and George is praised for making the journey fun while also helping people along the way.

What I like most, and what I would change

The strongest feature is the mix of experiences. In one day, you get Pserimos beach, a short look at Kalymnos, open-water swimming at Plati, and a lunch break without having to arrange anything yourself.

I also like that the cruise does not treat the boat as mere transport. The music, dancing, platform, and waterslide give the return journey a purpose. You are not simply watching the clock until Kos comes back into view.

The crew is another plus. A funny, active host can make a basic boat trip feel much more memorable. George receives particular praise for being informative, entertaining, and helpful, which is exactly the kind of presence that matters on a group excursion.

The main weakness is the timetable. Pserimos gets about an hour, Kalymnos may receive only 45 minutes, and Plati swimming time can feel limited. The boat tries to cover a lot of ground, so you need to accept quick impressions rather than full island visits.

Lunch is another modest point. Souvlaki, salad, and bread are perfectly sensible for a day outdoors, but you should not book this expecting a special Greek feast. The overall price leaves room for that compromise.

Should you book the Kos island cruise?

I would book it if you want a cheerful, affordable day at sea with swimming, music, lunch, and three different stops. Pserimos is the best choice for beach time, Plati is the best choice for boat-based fun, and Kalymnos gives you a brief taste of a larger island.

I would skip it if your main goal is to explore Kalymnos properly or spend hours in quiet water. You may also prefer another option if loud music and group entertainment are not your idea of relaxation.

For most people staying in Kos who want variety without spending much, this is an easy recommendation. Just set your expectations correctly: it is a lively island-hopping day with short stops, not a slow cultural tour.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at the port of Kos. Find the Pirates of Kos boat and show your mobile voucher to the crew.

What time does the cruise leave?

The boat boards at 10am according to the provided schedule. Check availability when booking for the exact starting details.

What time does the boat return to Kos?

The cruise returns to the port of Kos at about 5pm.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati.

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes, but you must request a vegetarian meal in advance so the crew can prepare one.

Are drinks included?

No. Coffee and drinks are available at an additional cost.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup can be added for an extra charge, and you receive specific pickup details after booking.