Kardamaina: 3-Bay Pirate Boat Cruise with BBQ Lunch

Three bays, one cheerful boat, plenty of swimming. This six-and-a-half-hour cruise on the pirate ship Maria Magdalini gives you a simple day on the Aegean: golden beaches, warm water, boat-side swimming, and a Greek BBQ. I especially like the generous time at Kefalos Beach and the chance to visit quieter Camel Bay by boat. The main drawback is that drinks and snacks cost extra, so you will want to plan ahead.

The schedule is easy to follow. You leave Kardamena port at 10am, visit Kefalos Beach, eat lunch onboard, stop at Camel Bay, then spend two hours at Bubble Beach, also called Paradise Beach. You return around 4:30pm. It is a good fit if you want several coastal stops without arranging transport or beach plans yourself, though the busiest parts of the day are built around swimming rather than serious sightseeing.

Key things to know before boarding

• Three very different coastal stops: Kefalos offers shore time, Camel Bay is a short boat-side swimming stop, and Bubble Beach brings warm volcanic water with organized beach facilities.
• A full 1.5 hours at Kefalos Beach: You can get off the boat, walk along the sand, explore small bays, or simply stay by the water.
• Greek BBQ served onboard: Lunch includes souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread, with vegetarian food available if requested.
• Two hours at Bubble Beach: This is the longest swimming stop and includes the option to swim ashore for bars and water activities.
• Straightforward port meeting point: Find the pirate boat Maria Magdalini at Kardamena port and show your mobile voucher to the crew.
• Good value for a half-day on the water: The $33.88 price includes the boat, lunch, taxes, insurance, and sun mats, but not drinks or snacks.

Setting Sail From Kardamena at 10am

Your day begins at Kardamena port, where you look for the pirate boat Maria Magdalini. The crew accepts your mobile voucher at the boat, and the same spot serves as your return point later in the afternoon. Since the boat leaves at 10am, give yourself enough time to reach the port and locate the vessel without rushing.

The cruise runs for about 6.5 hours, returning at approximately 4:30pm. That timing matters if you are arranging dinner, a transfer, or another afternoon activity. I would keep the rest of your evening fairly open. A day of sun, salt water, and boat time can leave you ready for a slow meal rather than another scheduled outing.

English is the stated language for the host or greeter. A toilet is available onboard, and the snack bar stays open during the cruise. You can also use sun mats on the open deck, a small but useful touch if you plan to spend much of the crossing stretched out in the sun.

The boat’s pirate theme gives the trip a playful feel, but the real attraction is the route. You are not simply cruising offshore for views. You get three separate stops, each with a different way to use your time.

Kefalos Beach Gives You the Most Shore Time

Kefalos Beach is the first destination, on the northwest side of the island. The boat reaches the shore, allowing you to get off and spend about 1.5 hours on land. This is the most useful stop if you like to walk, look for small coves, and break up your time in the water with a little exploration.

The beach is described for its golden sand, clear water, and small bays. You can walk across the beach, settle down for a swim, or simply find a comfortable spot and enjoy the coast at your own speed. Unlike the shorter stops later in the day, Kefalos gives you enough time to do more than take a quick photograph.

I like this opening stop because it lets you get your bearings. You are not immediately asked to jump from the boat and get back aboard. You can go ashore, stretch your legs, and decide how active you want the rest of the day to be.

Still, 1.5 hours is not an unlimited amount of time. You will have enough time for a walk and swim, but not for a long beach day. Keep an eye on the return time, especially if you move away from the boat along the shore. The cruise continues as a group, so the ship will not wait for a long wandering detour.

Greek BBQ Lunch Aboard Maria Magdalini

After Kefalos, you return to the boat for lunch. The included meal is a Greek BBQ with souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread. Vegetarian options are available on request, so make that request when booking rather than waiting until the meal is being served.

This is a practical lunch rather than a formal dining experience. You eat onboard, which saves the time and cost of finding a restaurant at the beach. It also keeps the day moving toward the next two stops. For a $33.88 excursion, including a hot meal makes the price easier to justify.

I like the food choice because it suits a day by the sea. Souvlaki is familiar, filling, and easy to serve in a casual setting. The salad and bread round it out without turning lunch into a long interruption.

You should bring money for drinks and extra snacks. They are not included, although the onboard snack bar is open during the cruise. The supplied information does not give a separate drink price, so check onboard if you want to know the exact cost before ordering.

Camel Bay Is a Short, Quiet Swim Stop

Camel Bay is next. Its name comes from the shape of the beach, and the stop is described as a deserted beach with clear water. The boat spends about half an hour here, giving you time to take photographs and swim from the vessel.

This is the most distinct stop for people who enjoy the boat itself as a swimming platform. You can get into the water directly from Maria Magdalini rather than walking ashore. The short visit makes Camel Bay feel like a quick coastal pause, not a full beach outing.

The clear water and unusual shape give you something different from Kefalos. You will have enough time for a swim and a few pictures, but not enough time for a long walk or a relaxed shore picnic. If getting off the boat is important to you, remember that the main shore time comes at Kefalos, while Camel Bay is primarily a boat-side stop.

The half-hour schedule also means you should be ready when the crew announces the stop. Have your swimwear, towel, and any simple belongings close at hand. The less time you spend searching through bags, the more time you get in the water.

Bubble Beach Brings Warm Volcanic Water

The final stop is Bubble Beach, also called Paradise Beach. You spend about two hours here, making it the longest water stop of the afternoon. The water is warm because of veins linked to the Nisyros volcano, according to the activity details.

You can enter the sea from the boat or swim to the shore. On land, the beach is organized with bars and water activities, giving you more facilities than the quieter Camel Bay. That mix makes Bubble Beach the most flexible stop: stay onboard and swim from the ship, or go ashore and use the beach area.

The warm water is the special feature here. It changes the feel of the stop from an ordinary swim to something more unusual. You should still keep your expectations sensible. The information describes warm water connected to volcanic activity, not a dedicated hot spring or spa.

Two hours gives you room to settle into the stop. You can swim, sunbathe, visit the beach, or split your time between the boat and shore. Since this comes late in the day, it is also a good chance to slow down before the return crossing.

What the $33.88 Price Really Covers

At $33.88 per person, the cruise offers solid value if you want a complete day on the water. The price includes the round cruise to three bays, lunch, legal fees and taxes, insurance, and sun mats for the open deck. You are paying for transport between beaches as well as the meal and organized schedule.

The strongest value comes from the number of stops. You are not paying for one short boat trip followed by a single beach visit. The route includes 1.5 hours at Kefalos, a half-hour at Camel Bay, and two hours at Bubble Beach. The total time away from port is long enough to make this a main activity for the day.

One enthusiastic comment described the outing as the best 22 euros spent, though the stated price for this experience is $33.88. Prices can change by booking date or currency, so use the amount shown when you reserve. Either way, the value depends on what you want included. If you would rather choose your own beach, restaurant, and transport, an independent day may offer more control. If you want one booking with lunch and several coastal stops, this is easier.

The extras are limited but clear. Drinks and snacks are not included, and you should request vegetarian lunch in advance. There is a snack bar onboard, so you are not left without an option, but your final cost may rise if you buy several drinks or snacks.

The Best Fit for This Cruise

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a relaxed, social day with plenty of water time. The schedule suits swimmers, sunbathers, couples, families, and anyone who prefers an organized outing over piecing together separate beach visits.

It is also a good choice if you want variety. Kefalos gives you shore time, Camel Bay offers a short boat-side swim, and Bubble Beach combines warm water with beach facilities. You get several settings in one day without changing hotels or arranging local transport.

The cruise may be less suitable if you dislike fixed schedules. The boat leaves at a set time, each stop has a planned duration, and the return is around 4:30pm. You cannot extend your stay at the beach or skip ahead to a different stop.

It is also not the best match if your main goal is a quiet, isolated beach day. Camel Bay is described as deserted, but Bubble Beach has bars and water activities, and the boat itself creates a shared group setting. The appeal is convenience and variety, not complete solitude.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Wear swimwear under your clothes if possible. The itinerary moves quickly between beach time and boat swimming, and you will not want to spend a short stop changing.

Bring sun protection, a towel, and a way to keep small valuables dry. The boat has an open deck and sun mats, but the supplied details do not describe lockers or shaded storage. Keep your belongings simple.

Request a vegetarian lunch when you book. The standard meal includes souvlaki, salad, and bread, while vegetarian options are available on request. Making the request early avoids confusion at lunchtime.

Bring some extra money for the snack bar. Drinks and snacks are excluded, but the bar operates during the cruise. If you want to keep the cost close to the advertised price, pack your own expectations around the included meal and use the bar only when needed.

If you want the most beach time, pay attention to the stops at Kefalos and Bubble Beach. Camel Bay is only about 30 minutes, so treat it as a quick swim and photo stop rather than a full visit.

The cruise is rated 4.3 out of 5 from 84 ratings. The strongest praise focuses on the lovely places, frequent chances to swim, friendly crew, and fair price. That matches the design of the outing: it succeeds by giving you a lot of sea time and a clear route, not by offering lengthy commentary or elaborate dining.

Should You Book the Maria Magdalini Cruise?

Book it if you want three beaches, a Greek BBQ, and several chances to swim for one straightforward price. The generous Kefalos and Bubble Beach stops are the main reasons to choose it, while Camel Bay adds a short and scenic change of pace.

Skip it if you need a private boat, a completely quiet beach, or a flexible schedule. For everyone else, this is a practical way to spend a full day around the coast from Kardamena. Bring sun protection, request any special lunch needs ahead of time, and budget a little extra for drinks.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Kardamena port. Find the pirate boat Maria Magdalini and show your mobile voucher to the crew.

What time does the boat leave?

The stated departure time is 10am. Check availability when booking because starting times should be confirmed for your chosen date.

What time does the cruise return?

The boat is expected to return to Kardamena port around 4:30pm. The activity lasts about 6.5 hours.

Which beaches does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Kefalos Beach, Camel Bay, and Bubble Beach, also called Paradise Beach.

How long do you stay at each stop?

You get about 1.5 hours at Kefalos Beach, 30 minutes at Camel Bay, and two hours at Bubble Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes BBQ souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread. Vegetarian options are available on request.

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are not included, but the onboard snack bar is open during the cruise.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes. Toilets are available onboard the vessel.