From Kos: 3-Island Boat Trip with BBQ & Water Slide

The best thing about this Kos boat trip is its mix of three very different island stops. You get a sandy beach at tiny Pserimos, a taste of town life in Kalymnos, and a lively open-water swim near Plati, all in one day.

I like the easy value: $31 includes lunch, the cruise, insurance, and swim stops, while the crew supplies the jokes, music, and onboard energy. I also like that the trip works for mixed groups, from families with teenagers to solo visitors. The main drawback is time: Kalymnos can feel brief, and the Pserimos stop may leave you wishing for a longer swim.

Key points to know before booking

• Pserimos comes first: Spend about an hour on a golden beach with clear water before lunch is served.
• Kalymnos is the sightseeing stop: You can explore the port town of Pothia, though the visit may be as short as 45 minutes.
• Plati is the fun stop: Swim from the boat, use the water slide, jump from the platform, or stay on deck with a drink.
• Lunch is simple Greek fare: Souvlaki, salad, and bread are included, with vegetarian food available if requested ahead of time.
• The atmosphere is lively: Music, dancing, jokes, and an entertaining crew are a major part of the day.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Otherwise, meet the Pirates of Kos boat at Kos port at 10am.

A full day at sea for $31

At $31 per person, this is one of the easier Kos excursions to recommend on price alone. You are getting a seven-hour boat trip, three island stops, lunch, an experienced crew, insurance, and the legal fees included in the fare.

That price does not cover coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, or hotel transport. Still, the core package is generous. You can spend the day moving between islands without arranging ferries, taxis, beach time, and lunch separately.

I would think of this as a social boat day rather than a quiet island cruise. The music is part of the experience, and the crew often dances and keeps the mood light. If you want a calm, silent crossing with long hours in one village, this is not the right outing. If you want swimming, sun, jokes, and easy sightseeing, the price is strong.

The published rating is 4.5 from 419 reviews, and the most consistent praise centers on the crew, the atmosphere, the scenery, and the value. A few people found the lunch modest or wanted more time at a particular stop, so it is best to keep expectations sensible. This is a casual boat lunch, not a restaurant meal.

Boarding the Pirates of Kos at 10am

You meet the boat at the port of Kos and show your mobile voucher to the crew. Optional hotel pickup is available at an extra charge, with exact arrangements sent after booking.

The boat is presented as a pirate ship, which gives the morning a playful tone before you even leave the harbor. The crew speaks English, and several comments point to clear explanations, helpful staff, and plenty of humor during the journey. Lui is singled out by name in the praise, so you may hear his name from the crew or other passengers as the day gets underway.

The boat trip lasts until about 5pm. That is a useful detail when planning your day, since this is not a short morning cruise. You will want to leave your schedule open for the full seven hours, especially if you add hotel pickup.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and some cash or a card for drinks. Coffee and drinks are not included. A phone or small camera is useful for the views, but keep it secure around the slide and swimming platform.

Pserimos: golden sand and the first swim

Around noon, the boat reaches Pserimos, a tiny island in the Dodecanese. Its small size is part of its appeal. This is not a place for a long sightseeing walk or a packed list of monuments. You come here for the golden sandy beach and clear blue water.

The stop lasts about one hour. That gives you enough time to get off the boat, settle on the sand, swim, and enjoy the setting without turning the visit into a rushed photo stop. The water is described as calm and full of small fish, making this the better stop if you want a gentle swim or a bit of snorkeling.

There is a practical tradeoff. An hour goes quickly once you have walked from the boat, found a place on the beach, and changed into your swimming gear. If beach time is your top reason for booking, you may wish this stop lasted longer. Still, Pserimos gives the trip its most traditional Greek-island feel: a small shore, clear water, and a simple pause under the sun.

While you are enjoying the beach, the crew prepares lunch on board. The included meal is souvlaki with Greek salad and bread. It is straightforward, filling food that suits a day at sea. Vegetarian meals are available, but you must notify the operator in advance so the crew can prepare one.

The order matters here. You swim first, then return to the boat for food. Have your towel and cover-up ready, since the boat may be busy with people moving between the beach and lunch.

Kalymnos and the port town of Pothia

The second destination is Kalymnos, a larger and more rugged island known for its connection to the sea and to climbing. The main town, Pothia, is also the island’s port and principal center.

This is the most useful stop for anyone who wants more than beach time. You can walk around town, look at the harbor, find a cafe, or get a small taste of the island’s history and local life. Kalymnos also has historical sights, though this boat trip is not designed as a full island tour.

Your time here may be around 45 minutes, so plan carefully. You will not have time to explore far from the port. I would use the stop for a short walk, a few photographs, and a quick look at Pothia rather than trying to visit a distant sight.

This shorter visit is the clearest weakness in the schedule. Some people would gladly trade part of the Pserimos beach stop for more time in Kalymnos. If Kalymnos is your main interest, a dedicated excursion or ferry visit would let you see much more. On this boat trip, Kalymnos works best as a compact introduction between two swim stops.

Plati: the boat becomes the attraction

The final stop near Plati is less about walking ashore and more about staying on the boat. This is where the trip shifts into its party phase, with music, dancing, drinks, sunbathing, and open-water swimming.

You can use the water slide and diving platform, then climb back aboard and do it again if conditions and crew instructions allow. If jumping is not your thing, you can watch from the deck, take photographs, or order a drink from the bar. The combination gives families and mixed-age groups useful choice. Children and teenagers can play while adults sit in the sun.

The clear water is the star here. The boat provides a view of Plati while you swim, so the stop feels different from Pserimos. Pserimos gives you a beach; Plati gives you the thrill of swimming directly from the vessel.

The limitation is the length of the swim. You might find the time at Plati feels short, especially after waiting for your turn at the slide or platform. It is also the loudest part of the day, with music playing on the middle deck and dancing encouraged. That is fun for many people, but not ideal if you are hoping for a peaceful final stop.

One memorable detail from the boat is the parrot, which has featured in photographs with passengers. It is a small touch, but it fits the playful pirate-boat character of the outing.

Lunch, drinks, and the onboard mood

Lunch is included, but keep it in the right category. Souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread make a good casual meal after swimming, yet portions may feel modest if you have a large appetite. The food is cooked on board and generally described as tasty, but it is not meant to be a long Greek dining experience.

Drinks cost extra. Previous pricing feedback describes onboard drinks as reasonably priced, but you should still budget for them if you want coffee, cocktails, or soft drinks throughout the day.

The crew is a major reason this trip works. The atmosphere is deliberately entertaining, with music, dancing, jokes, and commentary in English. The captain and guides help keep the long crossings from feeling empty, and the staff are described as friendly and helpful.

This also explains why the trip suits solo visitors. You are not left to create your own entertainment, and the group setting makes it easy to join the general mood. Couples, families, and groups of friends can all enjoy the day, though the music and social energy may be too much for someone seeking a quiet escape.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families with older children and teenagers who will enjoy the slide and platform
• Couples wanting an inexpensive day on the water
• Solo visitors who like a friendly, social setting
• First-time visitors to Kos who want a quick look at nearby islands
• Anyone who values swimming and scenery more than detailed sightseeing
• Budget-conscious visitors who want lunch and several activities included

You should think twice if you want long, independent visits in island towns. Kalymnos is only briefly sampled, and Pserimos is mainly a beach stop. The schedule also has plenty of time on the boat, so people prone to seasickness should consider that before booking.

The cruise is also weather-dependent in the practical sense that swimming comfort, wind, and the enjoyment of the upper deck can change from day to day. No special weather promise is provided, so check the conditions and bring sensible sun and swim gear.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible and means you do not have to pay at the time of booking.

The meeting point is the Pirates of Kos boat at the port of Kos. Hotel pickup is optional and costs extra. If you choose it, you receive the pickup details after booking.

Tell the operator in advance if you need a vegetarian meal. This is important because the crew needs notice to prepare the alternative.

The listed language is English. The cruise includes the boat, swim stops, an experienced crew, three island visits, lunch, insurance, and legal fees. Coffee and other drinks are separate.

Should you book the Pirates of Kos cruise?

Book it if you want a low-cost, high-energy day on the water with several kinds of fun packed into one outing. The strongest reasons are the price, the friendly crew, the clear swimming spots, the simple Greek lunch, and the chance to see Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati without organizing several separate trips.

I would choose it over a standard sightseeing cruise if you enjoy music, dancing, and water activities. I would not choose it for a serious exploration of Kalymnos, a quiet sailing day, or a long beach stay.

For most visitors spending a few days on Kos, this is a good way to break up hotel and beach time. Just remember the basic bargain: three islands and plenty of entertainment for $31, but short stops and a lively boat rather than slow, independent island travel.

FAQ

Where does the boat trip start?

Meet the Pirates of Kos boat at the port of Kos and show your mobile voucher to the crew.

What time does the cruise leave?

The boat departs at 10am and returns to the port of Kos at about 5pm.

How long is the activity?

The cruise lasts seven hours.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The route includes Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati.

Is lunch included?

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

Are vegetarian meals available?

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

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Coffee and drinks are not included and must be purchased separately.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and return are available for an extra charge, with specific details provided after booking.