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

Three islands, one easy day. This eight-hour pirate-boat cruise links quiet St. Antonios, the volcanic island of Nisyros, and tiny Yali without asking you to arrange several separate trips. I especially like the mix of swimming, a Greek BBQ lunch, and free time in Mandraki. The boat also has two decks, a bar, and toilets, which matter on a full day at sea.

The main point to consider is the pace. You get a taste of three islands, not a long, detailed visit to each one. Nisyros also has an optional volcano trip for an extra charge, so you should ask the crew early if that is a priority. At $39.52 per person, the cruise offers strong value for a full day, but drinks, coffee, and optional activities cost extra.

Key points before you book

• Three very different stops: Visit the church and swimming waters of St. Antonios, explore Mandraki on Nisyros, then relax around volcanic Yali.
• A Greek BBQ is included: Lunch brings souvlaki, salad, and bread on board, with a vegetarian meal available if you request it in advance.
• Swimming is a major part of the day: St. Antonios and Yali are your chances to swim from or near the boat, with clear water and time to sunbathe.
• Nisyros gives you real time ashore: You can walk Mandraki, climb about 200 steps to Panagia Spiliani, or sit in Ilikiomeni Square with a coffee.
• The boat leaves Kardamena at 10am: You return around 5:30pm, making this a straightforward day trip from Kos.
• Bring beachwear and a towel: The bar is open, but coffee and drinks are not included in the fare.

Starting in Kardamena on the Maria Magdalini

Your day begins at the port of Kardamena, where you find the Maria Magdalini, the cruise’s pirate-style boat. Show your mobile voucher to the crew before boarding. Departure is scheduled for 10am, and the return to Kardamena is planned for about 5:30pm.

The pirate-boat theme gives the trip a relaxed holiday feel rather than the mood of a formal ferry crossing. You have two decks, so you can look for a sunny place outside or move around when you want a little shade. Since the cruise lasts eight hours, that freedom is useful.

I would arrive with your swim gear already easy to reach. You will want a towel, beachwear, sunscreen, and perhaps a light cover-up for walking around Nisyros. The boat has toilets, and the onboard bar is open during the cruise, but drinks and coffee are extra.

The route is offered with English-speaking hosting. The price includes boat tickets, lunch, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance. That keeps the basic cost simple, especially for a full day that includes three island stops.

St. Antonios brings a quiet first stop

After roughly an hour on the water, the boat reaches St. Antonios, an uninhabited island with a small church of the same name. This is the calmest stop of the day. There are no town streets or shops to occupy your time, so the appeal is the setting, the church, the open views, and the chance to swim.

You can walk to the church of St. Antonios and take in the peaceful surroundings. The stop also gives you time to sunbathe or get into the clear water. If you prefer a slow start, stay near the boat and enjoy the sun before the busier part of the itinerary.

While you are ashore or in the water, the crew prepares lunch. That timing works well because you return to the boat ready to eat rather than losing more time at a restaurant. The included meal is a Greek BBQ with souvlaki, salad, and bread.

Vegetarian meals are available, but you need to notify the company in advance. Do not wait until you are hungry and already sitting down. The crew needs advance notice to prepare the correct meal.

St. Antonios is not a sightseeing stop packed with attractions. That is both its strength and its limit. If you want a quiet church, a swim, and a little time in the sun, it is a pleasant opening stop. If you want museums, shops, or a long guided walk, you will find more to do later on Nisyros.

Lunch on board keeps the day moving

The included BBQ is one of the practical advantages of this cruise. You do not need to leave the boat, search for a restaurant, or spend part of your island time waiting for food. Souvlaki, salad, and bread make a straightforward Greek meal suited to a day at sea.

The lunch is not presented as a fine-dining experience, and it should not be judged that way. Its value is convenience. You eat while the trip continues, and the meal is already included in the ticket price.

Bring money for drinks if you want something from the bar. Coffee and other drinks are not part of the package. Since you will be in the sun for much of the day, carrying water is sensible, even though the bar is available.

The music and general atmosphere are part of the appeal for many people. This is a social cruise, not a silent nature trip. You might hear music on board and find the mood lively, particularly during the swimming portions. Families, couples, and groups looking for a cheerful day at sea will probably fit in well.

Mandraki gives you the best choice of activities

Around noon, the boat reaches Mandraki, the capital and port of Nisyros. This is the day’s main land stop, and you have several ways to use your time.

You can simply explore Mandraki. Walk through the narrow streets, browse souvenir shops, and take in the town’s distinct island character. For a slower break, head to Ilikiomeni Square for coffee or a traditional dessert. This option suits you if you want to experience the town without turning the visit into a workout.

The more active choice is the climb to the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani. Reaching it means walking up about 200 steps, so wear shoes that can handle uneven streets and stairs. From the monastery area, you can see across Nisyros and visit the Orthodox Church of Panagia, described as one of the island’s notable sights.

That climb is worth considering, but it takes a fair share of your free time. You should not expect to fit in the monastery, a leisurely town walk, a long café stop, and the optional volcano visit without feeling rushed. Pick the part of Nisyros that matters most to you.

A useful tip is to ask about a quad bike if you want to reach viewpoints beyond the immediate port area. One cruise passenger specifically praised the higher views reached by quad bike, along with the small shops and cafés available for drinks. The tour does not state that quad-bike hire is included, so treat this as an optional local arrangement and confirm the details before committing.

The volcano option needs advance planning

Nisyros is known for its volcanic character, and the cruise offers an optional visit to the island’s volcano for an additional charge. This is not included in the $39.52 ticket, so ask the crew for the current details if the volcano is your main reason for visiting Nisyros.

The important practical issue is time. The standard stop already gives you the choice of Mandraki, Panagia Spiliani, cafés, shops, and local streets. Adding a volcano excursion may leave less time for the town, and the extra cost is separate.

You should decide before the boat reaches Nisyros, rather than trying to make a last-minute choice after wandering around Mandraki. Ask what the extra charge covers and how much of your stop it uses. The supplied information confirms the option but does not give a fixed price or detailed schedule.

If you want a broad taste of Nisyros, staying in Mandraki may be the better choice. If the volcanic side of the island is your top interest, the extra trip could make better use of your visit. Neither choice is wrong, but you probably cannot do everything comfortably during one port stop.

Yali is the day’s best swimming stop

The final island is Yali, a small volcanic island belonging to the municipality of Nisyros. Only 21 people live there, so this stop feels very different from Mandraki. You are not coming here for a long town visit. You are coming for the water, the views, the boat, and time to relax.

The cruise gives you a chance to swim around Yali, sunbathe, and jump from the boat into the clear water. If you enjoy a simple swim with no complicated plan, this may be your favorite part of the day. You can also order cocktails and drinks from the bar while enjoying the view.

The phrase test your diving skills appears in the activity description, but the practical instruction is simple: you can jump from the boat into the water. You should only do so if you are comfortable with the conditions and follow the crew’s directions.

Yali is also where the cruise’s social side is most apparent. Music, drinks, sunshine, and time on the two decks create a holiday atmosphere. The stop is excellent for swimmers and sunbathers, but less useful if you want another historic village or church. It is a water stop, and the day works best if you accept that.

What the $39.52 price really covers

At $39.52 per person, this is a low-cost way to spend most of a day around the Dodecanese islands. The price includes the three-island cruise, boat transport, the onboard BBQ lunch, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance.

The strongest value comes from combining transport and lunch. You do not need to arrange a separate boat to Nisyros, and you get access to St. Antonios and Yali in the same day. The lunch also helps keep extra spending under control.

You should budget separately for coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, and any optional visit to the Nisyros volcano. The bar is open, but an inexpensive cruise can become less inexpensive if you order drinks throughout the day.

The rating of 4.5 from 171 ratings points to a consistently positive experience, and the strongest praise centers on the clear swimming water, the stop choices, the music, and the relaxed atmosphere. Those details match the itinerary well. The cruise is built around pleasant stops and a good day outside, not an intensive cultural tour.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several kinds of island time in one day. You get a quiet church stop, a real town on Nisyros, and a final swim near a small volcanic island. That variety gives the cruise more depth than a simple boat trip to one beach.

It is especially suitable for:

• People who enjoy swimming from a boat
• Couples and families seeking an easy full-day outing
• Visitors who want to see Mandraki without organizing their own transport
• Anyone who likes music, sun, and a social boat atmosphere
• Budget-conscious visitors who value included lunch and a fixed route

You may want another type of excursion if you need long, detailed visits at every stop. The schedule is designed to give you highlights, not hours of quiet exploration on each island. It is also less suitable if you dislike open-water swimming, sun exposure, or a lively onboard setting.

The 200-step climb to Panagia Spiliani may also be difficult if you prefer to avoid stairs. You can skip it and spend your time in Mandraki, so the choice is yours.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive at the port ready to show your mobile voucher to the crew of the Maria Magdalini. The advertised departure is 10am, and availability should be checked for the exact starting time when you book.

Wear beachwear under your clothes and carry a towel. Use sun protection, since swimming and sunbathing take up much of the day. Comfortable footwear will help if you plan to walk through Mandraki or climb toward Panagia Spiliani.

Tell the company ahead of time if you need a vegetarian meal. The information provided confirms vegetarian options, but only with advance notice.

The cruise allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. These options are useful if your Kos plans are still changing, but you should still check the current availability and departure details before booking.

Should you book the Nisyros island cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value sea day with swimming, lunch, island scenery, and a manageable taste of Nisyros. The route is well balanced for people who prefer a mixture of relaxing and exploring. The strongest parts are the quiet St. Antonios stop, the freedom to choose how you use Mandraki, and the final swim around Yali.

Think twice if your main goal is a long volcano visit, a detailed archaeological tour, or a quiet boat with no music. In that case, the optional volcano plan may feel rushed, and the social cruise atmosphere may not suit you.

For most visitors staying near Kardamena, this is an easy way to see more of the Dodecanese without paying much for a full day. Bring a towel, plan your Nisyros priorities, and keep some money aside for drinks. Do that, and the $39.52 fare makes good practical sense.

FAQ

Where does the cruise begin?

The cruise begins at the port of Kardamena. Find the Maria Magdalini pirate boat and show the crew your mobile voucher.

What time does the boat leave and return?

The boat is scheduled to leave Kardamena at 10am and return around 5:30pm. Check availability for the exact starting time when booking.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

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

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Coffee and drinks are not included, although 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.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. The vessels have toilets, and the boat has two decks.