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

Three Greek islands, one lively boat day. This seven-hour cruise from Kos combines clear-water swimming with stops on Pserimos and Kalymnos, then adds music, dancing, a waterslide, and lunch aboard the pirate-style boat. I especially like the golden beach at Pserimos and the easygoing party atmosphere at Plati. The main trade-off is time: Kalymnos receives only a short visit, and the lunch is tasty but simple.

You meet the Pirates of Kos at Kos port for the 10am departure, with optional hotel pickup at an added cost. At $31 per person, the trip offers a lot for the price: three island stops, a cooked meal, swimming, an experienced crew, and a full day on the water. Drinks and coffee cost extra, so bring a little spending money.

Key points to know before booking

• Pserimos comes first: You get about one hour for the golden beach and clear water, followed by souvlaki and Greek salad on board.
• Kalymnos is the sightseeing stop: You visit Pothia, the island capital, but the time there can feel brief if you want a proper town walk.
• Plati brings the fun: Expect music, dancing, a boat waterslide, a jumping platform, sunbathing, and swimming from the vessel.
• The crew shapes the day: The captain and entertainers keep the mood high, with several reviews praising the humor, helpfulness, and English explanations.
• Lunch is included: Souvlaki, salad, and bread are served, with vegetarian food available if requested ahead of time.
• This is good value for active families and couples: You get a full day at sea without paying for a more formal sightseeing cruise.

Setting out from Kos at 10am

The day begins at the port of Kos, where you look for the boat Pirates of Kos and show the crew your mobile voucher. The boat has a pirate theme, but the experience is less about historical reenactment and more about a relaxed day at sea with music, swimming, and light entertainment.

The cruise lasts seven hours, returning to Kos at about 5pm. That timing makes it easy to fit into a standard Kos holiday, though you should treat it as a full-day activity rather than a quick morning outing.

Hotel pickup is optional and costs extra. If you add it, you receive the specific pickup information after booking. One family praised the pickup and return near their resort, calling the service efficient, but the basic price does not include transportation.

The crew speaks English, and the schedule is explained along the way. Some passengers particularly enjoyed the humor and energy of the main host, while another singled out a crew member named Lui. The exact crew can vary, but the pattern is clear: this is a social boat trip, not a quiet sailing excursion.

Pserimos gives you the best beach time

Around noon, the boat reaches Pserimos, a small Dodecanese island with a golden sandy beach. You have about one hour here, enough for a swim, a little time on the sand, and a look around without trying to turn the stop into a full island visit.

Pserimos is the most beach-focused part of the trip. The water is described as clear and blue, and several people liked the calm swimming conditions and small fish visible near the shore. If you enjoy snorkeling, this is the stop where you may want to bring your mask.

The short stay is also the first limitation. One person wished for more time at the beach, and that is understandable. An hour disappears quickly once you walk off the boat, find a place on the sand, swim, and return before departure. I would treat Pserimos as a scenic swim stop, not a chance to explore the island in depth.

While you enjoy the beach and water, the crew prepares lunch on board. You return to the boat for souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread. Vegetarian meals are available, but you need to request one in advance. The food is basic rather than elaborate, yet it gives the trip real value because you do not need to find a restaurant during the island stops.

The portions may not satisfy everyone, especially after swimming in the sun. Still, several people found the meal tasty and well cooked. One useful point is that the lunch is included, while coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are not.

Kalymnos offers a short look at Pothia

After Pserimos, the boat continues to Kalymnos, an island known for its connection to the sea and climbing. The main stop is Pothia, the island capital and port, where you can walk around, take in the harbor setting, and look for a drink or snack if you want something beyond the included meal.

Kalymnos is the most suitable stop for anyone who wants a little local atmosphere rather than only beach time. The island has historical sights, cafes, restaurants, and town streets, although this cruise does not provide enough time for a thorough visit.

This is where you need to set your expectations carefully. Several accounts describe the Kalymnos stop as roughly 45 minutes, though the exact schedule may vary. That gives you time to get your bearings and take a short walk, but not enough for a museum, a long meal, or a serious look at the island’s climbing culture.

I like the contrast between the stops. Pserimos is about sand and swimming. Kalymnos gives you a taste of an inhabited island town. The drawback is that the boat’s schedule gives more weight to entertainment and swimming than to sightseeing. If Kalymnos is your main reason for booking, you may prefer a dedicated island excursion.

Plati turns the boat into a floating play area

The final stop is Plati, where the mood shifts from island exploration to open-sea fun. The boat stays near the island, and the main attractions are the water around the vessel, the jumping platform, and the waterslide.

This is the moment that many families, teenagers, and couples seem to enjoy most. You can slide into the sea, jump from the platform, swim, sunbathe, and listen to music on the boat. The crew encourages dancing as the boat approaches Plati, so expect a louder and more playful atmosphere than at Pserimos.

The word party is important here. This is not a silent cruise with a view and a book. Music plays on board, the crew entertains, and people are invited to join in. If you want a peaceful afternoon with only the sound of waves, Plati may feel too lively. If you enjoy a drink, a swim, and a little dancing under the Greek sun, it is likely to be the highlight.

One caution concerns swimming time. Some people felt the Plati stop was too short, even though the activities were fun. The practical advice is simple: have your swimsuit ready before the boat arrives, and do not spend the whole stop taking photos if swimming is your priority.

What the pirate boat experience is really like

The boat’s character is central to the trip. The pirate design gives the day a playful identity, while the crew supplies the entertainment. People have praised the clean boat, friendly service, reasonable drink prices, and steady music.

You may also see a parrot and have the chance to take a photo with it. That is a small detail, but it adds to the unusual feel of the boat and works especially well for families.

The crew also provides more than jokes and music. English explanations help you follow the route, and some people appreciated learning about the islands and Greek history along the way. The balance is informal: you get commentary, but this is not a formal guided lecture.

The experience suits solo visitors as well as groups. One solo passenger enjoyed the music, boat activities, drinks, and friendly setting. That matters because social cruises can be awkward when you are on your own, but the shared swimming and entertainment make it easy to take part at your own pace.

Is $31 good value?

At $31, this is one of the stronger-value ways to spend a day from Kos. The price includes the cruise, three island stops, swim stops, lunch, crew service, insurance, and required fees. You would pay extra for drinks and hotel transportation, but the main activities are covered.

The value improves if you plan to use the boat’s facilities. Someone who wants three quiet sightseeing stops may find the itinerary too brief. Someone who wants a combination of beach time, town views, lunch, and water activities gets much more for the same fare.

Lunch is a fair part of the value, though you should not expect a long Greek feast. Souvlaki, salad, and bread are straightforward food for a day at sea. It is cooked on board and generally considered tasty, but the amount may feel modest if you have a large appetite.

The trip also avoids the expense and hassle of arranging separate transport between islands. You see Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati in one outing, with the boat handling the route and the crew keeping the schedule moving.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Families with older children and teenagers who want swimming and a waterslide
• Couples looking for an inexpensive day out from Kos
• Solo visitors who like music and a social atmosphere
• People who want a first taste of several Dodecanese islands
• Anyone who prefers an active boat day to a formal sightseeing tour

The trip is also suitable for mixed-age groups because you can choose your own pace. One person can swim, another can sit in the sun, and someone else can walk around during the Kalymnos stop.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is historical sightseeing, quiet sailing, or long visits on land. The island stops are short by design. You get variety, not depth.

Practical advice for making the day easier

Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel within reach. The schedule moves from beach to boat to open-water swimming, so changing in a hurry is not ideal.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water-friendly shoes if you have them. The boat has drinks for sale, but coffee and other beverages are not included. A little cash or a card for the bar is useful, though the available payment method is not specified.

Request a vegetarian lunch before the trip. Do not wait until you board, since the crew needs advance notice to prepare it.

If you want the best chance of enjoying Kalymnos, leave the boat promptly and keep your town walk focused. If swimming is your priority, return to the boat ready for Plati rather than spending too long ashore at Pserimos.

The sea can be bright and reflective, so sunglasses help. Bring a phone case or other protection for your phone if you plan to take photos near the waterslide or jumping platform.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the current starting time and pickup details when booking, since optional transfers are arranged separately.

Should you book the Pirates of Kos trip?

Book it if you want a cheerful, low-cost day that mixes three islands with swimming, lunch, music, and a waterslide. The strongest parts are Pserimos beach, the friendly crew, the boat atmosphere, and the chance to jump or slide into the sea at Plati.

Skip it if you want long, serious visits to Kalymnos or Pserimos. The schedule gives you a sample of each place, not a full cultural tour.

For most people staying on Kos, this is a good-value choice, especially for families and anyone who wants the sea to be the main event. Just expect simple food, extra charges for drinks and transfers, and a lively boat rather than a peaceful yacht.

FAQ

Where does the three-island cruise depart from?

The boat departs from the port of Kos. Look for Pirates of Kos and show the crew your mobile voucher.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

The boat leaves at 10am and returns to the port of Kos at about 5pm. The total duration is seven hours.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The cruise visits Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati. Pserimos is the beach stop, Kalymnos offers time in or near Pothia, and Plati is used for swimming and boat activities.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread. Vegetarian food is available if you notify the crew in advance.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Coffee and other drinks are not included and can be purchased separately on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and return to your accommodation are available for an extra charge. Specific pickup details are provided after booking.