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

The best part of this cruise is the variety packed into one long day. You get a quiet church stop at St. Antonios, free time in Nisyros’s port town, and a final swim from the boat near tiny volcanic Yali. It feels more like island hopping than a simple boat ride.

I like the clear swimming stops and the Greek barbecue served on board, since you do not lose beach time hunting for lunch. I also like having choices on Nisyros: you can climb to Panagia Spiliani, wander Mandraki, or pay extra for a volcano visit.

The main consideration is time. An eight-hour cruise gives you a good taste of three islands, but Nisyros deserves more than a few hours if you want to see its volcano and towns at an easy pace. Drinks, coffee, and the optional volcano visit cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Three island stops in one day: Visit St. Antonios, Nisyros, and Yali from Kardamena.
• A two-deck pirate boat: The Maria Magdalini has toilets, a bar, and room to sunbathe.
• A peaceful first stop: St. Antonios offers a small church, clear water, and a quiet break from the main island.
• Free time in Mandraki: Explore Nisyros’s port, climb around 200 steps to Panagia Spiliani, or sit with a coffee in Ilikiomeni Square.
• Swimming from the boat: Yali is the place to enjoy open-water swimming, sun, music, and drinks.
• Useful meal planning: Lunch includes souvlaki, salad, and bread. Vegetarian food is available if you request it ahead of time.

What this Kardamena cruise is really like

This is a full-day sea outing from Kos, built around three different moods. St. Antonios is quiet and simple. Nisyros gives you an actual town to explore. Yali brings you back to the water for swimming and sun.

The boat leaves Kardamena at 10 a.m. and returns around 5:30 p.m. That timing makes this an easy day trip if you are staying in or near Kardamena and want to see more of the Dodecanese without arranging separate ferries.

You meet the pirate boat Maria Magdalini at Kardamena port and show your mobile voucher to the crew. The vessel has two decks, toilets, and a bar. Those details matter on an eight-hour trip. You can move around, find a seat in the sun or shade, and buy drinks during the day, though coffee and beverages are not included in the price.

At $39.52 per person, the cruise offers a lot for the cost: boat transport to three islands, lunch, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance. It is not a private sailing trip, and you should not expect a quiet yacht setting. Think of it as a social, music-filled excursion with swimming, sightseeing, and a casual holiday mood.

The first hour: St. Antonios and its little church

The first stop comes within about an hour of leaving Kardamena. St. Antonios is uninhabited, which gives it a very different feel from the streets and cafés of Nisyros later in the day.

The small church of St. Antonios is the main point of interest. You can walk up to see it and enjoy the view, or simply stay near the water and take in the calm. This is a good place to slow down after boarding and get your first swim of the day.

The water is intended for swimming, and you can also sunbathe under the Greek sun. Bring a towel and beachwear, since you will want to get wet early rather than wait until the final stop.

The appeal here is not a long list of sights. It is the quiet. If you like small religious buildings, open views, and a short break away from developed resorts, St. Antonios gives you that. If you need a full village, shops, or a detailed guided visit, this stop may feel brief.

While you are swimming or looking around, the crew prepares lunch on board. That is a practical touch. You do not have to carry a packed meal ashore or spend your short stop searching for a restaurant.

Greek barbecue lunch on the boat

Lunch includes souvlaki, salad, and bread. It is a straightforward Greek barbecue rather than a formal meal, which fits the day well. You eat on board, keep your beach time, and avoid adding another stop to an already busy schedule.

If you are vegetarian, tell the operator in advance so the crew can prepare a vegetarian meal. Do not wait until you are on the boat, since the meal needs to be arranged beforehand.

Drinks are separate. The bar is open during the cruise, so you can buy refreshments, but budget for them when comparing the total cost. The included lunch helps keep the base price reasonable, while the extra drinks mean the final spend depends on how often you use the bar.

Mandraki, Nisyros: your longest stop ashore

Around noon, the boat reaches Nisyros and docks at Mandraki, the island’s capital and port. This is the most substantial stop of the day because you can choose between town time, a church visit, or an optional volcano trip.

Mandraki has narrow streets, small shops, cafés, and a relaxed port-town atmosphere. You can stroll without a fixed route, browse souvenirs, or stop in Ilikiomeni Square for coffee or a traditional dessert.

I like this part of the itinerary because it gives you room to choose your own pace. After a morning of swimming, you can sit in the shade and watch town life. If you want more exercise, you can take on the roughly 200 steps to the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani.

The climb is worth considering for the view. From the monastery, you can look across Nisyros and visit the Orthodox church of Panagia, one of the island’s notable religious sites. The steps also mean this option is not ideal if you want a completely effortless afternoon. Wear sensible shoes and save some energy for the walk back down.

You can also pay extra for a visit to Nisyros volcano. The cruise description does not include that visit in the base price, so ask the crew for the current details before deciding. This is important: if the volcano is your main reason for visiting Nisyros, check how much time the optional trip leaves for Mandraki.

With only one stop on Nisyros, you cannot do everything leisurely. A traveler who wants the volcano, monastery, town streets, and a long café stop may find the schedule tight. I would choose one main priority before you arrive. Pick the monastery and Mandraki for a self-guided visit, or ask about the volcano option if volcanic scenery matters most to you.

Yali: swimming, sun, and a final break

The last stop is Yali, a small volcanic island belonging to the municipality of Nisyros. Only 21 people live there, so the setting is much quieter than Mandraki.

You spend this stop mainly from the boat. The plan is simple: swim in clear water, sunbathe, try a drink from the bar, listen to music, and jump from the boat if you feel comfortable. Bring a towel, and keep your beachwear handy rather than buried in your bag.

Yali works well at the end of the day. You have already walked through town and perhaps climbed to the monastery, so a relaxed swim is a welcome change. The stop also gives you time to enjoy the boat itself, including the two decks and open views around the island.

The boat’s jumping and swimming setup will appeal to confident swimmers and families with older children who enjoy active water time. It may be less suitable if you prefer a sandy beach, gentle shore entry, or a very quiet cruise.

The word volcanic matters here. Yali is not presented as a developed resort with a long menu of land activities. Its attraction is the combination of unusual island scenery and clear water around the boat. You should see it as a swim stop, not as a full island tour.

The pirate boat atmosphere

Maria Magdalini is described as a pirate boat, and that gives the trip a playful character. The experience is not formal or luxurious. Music, swimming, a bar, and movement between two decks shape the day.

That atmosphere has been one of the strongest parts of the excursion. You can expect a cheerful group setting rather than a silent sailing trip. If you like music and a shared holiday mood, the boat adds fun between the island stops.

The two decks are useful. You may find a place to sit in the open air, move away from the sun, or watch the water while the boat is underway. Toilets are available on board, which is essential for a day at sea.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. The price does not suggest a small private charter, and the description does not provide a maximum group size. If personal space and quiet are your top priorities, ask the provider about the boat’s usual capacity before booking.

What the strong ratings mean for you

This excursion has a 4.5 rating from 171 reviews, with repeated praise for the swimming stops, music, locations, and overall planning. Those comments point to the tour’s strongest qualities: it keeps moving, but it does not rely on sightseeing alone.

You get several chances to enter the water, especially at St. Antonios and Yali. The water is described as very clear, and the boat allows you to jump in rather than simply look at the sea from the deck.

The stops also feel different from one another. St. Antonios is peaceful. Nisyros offers culture, town streets, and optional sightseeing. Yali is about swimming and unwinding. That variety prevents the day from feeling like three versions of the same beach stop.

One practical tip from the excursion experience is to consider renting a quad bike at Nisyros if you want to see more of the island. This is not included, and you should confirm availability and timing before making plans. The elevated views are appealing, but a quad-bike rental could use up the short time available in Mandraki.

I would not rent one automatically. If this is your first visit, walking Mandraki and climbing to Panagia Spiliani may give you a more relaxed taste of the island. Choose the quad bike only if getting beyond the port matters more to you than cafés, shops, and the monastery.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a low-cost way to combine sightseeing and swimming. It suits people who like a full day, casual meals, music, and several short experiences rather than one long visit in one place.

It is also a good fit if you are staying in Kardamena and want a simple booking with one meeting point. The boat leaves and returns to the port, so the day has a clear beginning and end.

Families may like the mix of church, town, food, and water activities, but parents should decide if their children are comfortable with boat swimming and jumping. Bring towels, beachwear, and anything you need for a long day in the sun.

I would be more cautious about recommending it to you if you want a detailed guided history of Nisyros. English is the listed language, but the information provided does not promise a full guided walking tour in Mandraki. You are given free time and optional activities, so the experience leans toward independent exploring.

It is also not the best choice if you dislike changing activities or have trouble with steps. The day includes boarding, swimming, walking in town, and possibly the 200-step climb to Panagia Spiliani. You can skip the climb, but the itinerary still has a busy rhythm.

What to bring and what to arrange

Pack a towel and beachwear. You will use both at St. Antonios and Yali, and you may want dry clothes for the ride back to Kardamena.

Arrange a vegetarian lunch before the cruise if needed. The included meal is souvlaki, salad, and bread, while coffee and other drinks are purchased separately at the bar.

Keep your phone voucher ready when you board Maria Magdalini. Since the meeting point is the port of Kardamena, allow enough time to find the pirate boat before the 10 a.m. departure.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans around Kos are still changing.

Should you book the Nisyros and Yali cruise?

Book this cruise if you want good value, clear swimming water, and three contrasting island stops in one day. The included lunch, onboard toilets, bar, and two-deck boat make the $39.52 price especially practical for a long outing.

Choose it with realistic expectations. You will get a taste of Nisyros, not a complete island tour. The volcano visit costs extra, Mandraki time is limited, and the boat atmosphere is social rather than private.

For a first look at the nearby islands from Kardamena, I think it is a strong choice. Bring your swim gear, decide your Nisyros priority before arrival, and save room for a final swim at Yali.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What time does the boat leave and return?

The boat departs at 10 a.m. and returns to Kardamena at about 5:30 p.m. The total duration is eight hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits St. Antonios, Nisyros, and Yali. St. Antonios and Yali include time for swimming, while Nisyros offers free time in Mandraki and optional activities.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes souvlaki, salad, and bread. Vegetarian meals are available if you notify the crew in advance.

Are drinks included in the price?

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

Can I visit the volcano on Nisyros?

Yes, the volcano visit is available as an optional activity for an extra charge. Ask the crew for more information during the cruise.