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

The best part of this cruise is its variety. In one day, you get a quiet church stop on St. Antonios, time in the island town of Mandraki, and swimming from the boat near volcanic Yali. It feels less like a single sightseeing stop and more like a full day of moving through the Dodecanese by sea.

I like the simple rhythm: swim, eat, walk, then swim again. I also like that lunch is served on board, so you do not lose time searching for a restaurant. The main drawback is that Nisyros offers only a limited amount of time, especially if you want to visit both Mandraki and the volcano.

Key points to know

• Maria Magdalini pirate boat: Find this two-deck vessel at Kardamena port before the 10am departure.
• Three very different stops: St. Antonios is quiet and church-centered, Nisyros is for town and optional sightseeing, and Yali is mainly for swimming.
• Greek barbecue at sea: Lunch includes souvlaki, salad, and bread, with vegetarian food available if requested ahead of time.
• Panagia Spiliani climb: You can walk up about 200 steps from Mandraki for views and a look inside the Orthodox monastery church.
• Bring swim gear: The best use of the Yali stop is getting into the clear water from the boat.
• Good value at $39.52: The fare includes the cruise, lunch, taxes, and liability insurance, though drinks and coffee cost extra.

What this eight-hour island cruise is really like

This is a relaxed, social boat day rather than a detailed guided tour. You leave Kardamena at 10am, spend time at three islands, and return to the same port at about 5:30pm. The advertised duration is eight hours, so allow most of your day for it.

The boat is the Maria Magdalini, described as a pirate boat with two decks. That gives you a choice of how to spend the ride. Sit upstairs for sun and views, or find a calmer place below when the heat builds. The bar stays open during the cruise, but coffee, drinks, and cocktails are not included in the fare.

The English-speaking crew handles the practical side of the day. You show your mobile voucher when you find the boat at Kardamena port. There is a toilet on board, which matters on a full-day sailing trip.

The mood leans easygoing. Music, sunbathing, swimming, and jumping from the boat are all part of the appeal. If you want a formal lecture about geology or local history, this will not be the right format. If you want a simple day on the water with several changes of scene, it makes more sense.

First stop: peaceful St. Antonios

Within about an hour of leaving Kardamena, the boat reaches St. Antonios, also called Agios Antonios. This is an uninhabited island, and its quiet character is the point. There are no busy streets or long list of sights waiting for you. Instead, you get open space, clear water, and the small church of St. Antonios.

Walk up to the church for the view and a few peaceful minutes away from the boat. Then use the remaining time as a beach stop, although the exact shore conditions can vary. Swimming and sunbathing are the main activities here.

This first stop sets the pace for the day. You are not being rushed from one major monument to another. You get time to sit, cool off, and enjoy the setting before lunch.

While you are at St. Antonios, the crew prepares a Greek barbecue on board. Lunch includes souvlaki, salad, and bread. Vegetarian meals are available, but you need to notify the company in advance so the crew can prepare one.

That advance request is worth remembering. Do not wait until you are sitting down to eat. The standard meal is built around meat, and a vegetarian option must be arranged before departure.

Lunch on board, with the sea as your dining room

The meal is one of the practical strengths of this trip. You do not have to pay for a separate restaurant lunch on Nisyros, and the schedule keeps moving without turning the day into a string of purchases.

The food is straightforward rather than elaborate. Expect a Greek barbecue, not a long restaurant menu. Souvlaki, salad, and bread suit a warm day at sea, though you may want to bring extra snacks if you normally eat more during an active day.

Drinks are separate. The bar is open throughout the cruise, so you can buy coffee, soft drinks, or something stronger, but those costs are not covered by the $39.52 ticket. Keep this in mind when comparing the headline price with your likely spending.

Lunch is served while the boat is operating around the islands. That means wind and movement are possible. If you are sensitive to motion, choose your seat with care and avoid eating too quickly. The provided information does not promise a sheltered dining area, so conditions may affect how comfortable lunch feels.

Nisyros and Mandraki: the most substantial stop

Around midday, the boat reaches Nisyros and docks at Mandraki, the island capital and port. This is the stop with the most to do, but also the one where time management matters most.

Mandraki has narrow streets, small shops, cafés, and a traditional island feel. You can simply walk around, browse souvenirs, and stop at Ilikiomeni Square for coffee or a local dessert. This is the easiest option if you want a calm visit without turning the stop into a workout.

If you prefer a view, climb the roughly 200 steps to the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani. From above, you can look across Nisyros and visit the Orthodox church of Panagia, one of the island’s notable religious sites.

The climb is optional, but it is not a tiny stroll. In the midday heat, the steps may feel harder than they sound. Wear shoes with a firm sole, carry water, and leave enough time to return to the boat. You can enjoy Mandraki without making the climb.

The stop also offers an optional visit to Nisyros volcano for an extra charge. Ask the crew for current details before deciding. The volcano is not included in the basic price, and adding it may reduce the time you have for Mandraki.

This creates the central choice of the day. Choose the volcano if volcanic scenery is your main reason for visiting Nisyros. Stay in Mandraki if you would rather see the town, visit Panagia Spiliani, and enjoy a less hurried stop.

A practical tip from the experience is to consider a quad bike at this second stop if an appropriate rental option is available and you want to see more of the island. A ride can help you reach viewpoints beyond the port, but it also adds cost, planning, and time pressure. For most people on a boat schedule, walking around Mandraki is the simpler choice.

Yali: the final stop is made for swimming

The last stop is Yali, a small volcanic island belonging to the municipality of Nisyros. Only 21 people live there, so this is not a town visit. The attraction is the island setting and the water around it.

The boat provides the platform for the stop. You can sunbathe on deck, order a drink, and get into the clear water. If you enjoy jumping from a boat, this is the place to test your nerve. The swimming stop is likely to be the most fun part of the day for confident swimmers.

Bring a towel and beachwear, and keep your belongings organized. The supplied information does not describe a sandy beach or a shore landing at Yali, so plan on spending your time around the vessel rather than wandering the island.

This stop also gives you the best chance to relax after the walking and sightseeing at Nisyros. You can swim, sit in the sun, or simply look back at the volcanic island from the boat. The cocktails and other drinks are available from the bar, but they cost extra.

If you do not swim, Yali can still work as a scenic pause, but the choices are narrower. The stop is built around the water. People who want frequent land visits and museums may find this part less rewarding.

Is $39.52 a fair price?

At $39.52 per person, this is a strong value for a full day on the water. The price includes boat transport to all three islands, lunch, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance. You are not paying separately for the basic cruise or the barbecue meal.

The price does not include coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, or the optional volcano visit. Those extras can change the final cost, so bring a payment method for the bar and ask about the volcano before committing to it.

The value is especially good if you plan to swim and make full use of the three stops. You are paying for access to places that would be difficult to combine independently in one day, plus the convenience of returning to Kardamena by the same boat.

The trade-off is depth. You will see three islands, but you will not have a full day on any one of them. Nisyros receives the most attention, yet even there you must choose between town time, the monastery, and the optional volcano.

For a beach-and-boat day, the price works very well. For a serious Nisyros sightseeing day, an independent visit with more time may suit you better, though it would not offer the same simple three-island route.

Who will enjoy the Maria Magdalini most?

I would choose this cruise if you want a day that mixes swimming with light sightseeing. Couples, families with older children, and groups of friends can all find something to enjoy, provided everyone is comfortable with a full day in the sun.

It is a particularly good match for you if you like:

• Swimming from a boat in clear water
• Casual music and a social atmosphere
• Short walks rather than demanding hikes
• Greek food served simply
• Seeing several islands without arranging separate transport
• A flexible day where you can sunbathe when you do not want to sightsee

The trip is less suitable if you dislike boats, need a quiet small-group setting, or want detailed historical guiding. The vessel has two decks and a bar, which suggests a lively day rather than a private sailing trip.

You should also think about the heat. St. Antonios and Yali offer plenty of sun, while the climb at Panagia Spiliani is exposed enough to make water and sensible pacing important. A towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and light clothing are essential.

Timing, cancellation, and small practical details

The boat departs Kardamena at 10am and returns at about 5:30pm. Check the current departure details when booking, since the activity page asks you to confirm starting times.

Find the Maria Magdalini at Kardamena port and show the crew your mobile voucher. The activity ends back at that same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The host or greeter speaks English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. These policies are useful if your island plans depend on weather or changing ferry schedules, but check the exact terms at booking.

There is a toilet on the vessel, and the bar remains open during the cruise. These are small details, but they make a difference during an eight-hour outing.

My take: should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a good-value day that combines three islands, a Greek barbecue, and plenty of time around the water. The strongest parts are the clear swimming stops, the easy lunch arrangement, the quiet church on St. Antonios, and the chance to see Mandraki without planning several connections.

Go in with the right expectations. Nisyros is not a long, detailed land tour, and the volcano costs extra. Yali is mainly a boat-and-swimming stop, while St. Antonios is quiet rather than packed with sights.

For the price, the Maria Magdalini trip gives you a lot of variety in one day. Choose it for fun, sun, and island scenery. Skip it only if you want a slow visit focused entirely on Nisyros or prefer a small, silent sailing experience.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What time does the boat leave and return?

The boat departs at 10am and returns to Kardamena at about 5:30pm. The activity is listed as lasting eight hours, so check the current starting time when booking.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on board and includes souvlaki, salad, and bread. A vegetarian meal is available if you request it in advance.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

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

Can I visit the Nisyros volcano?

Yes, an optional volcano visit may be available for an extra charge. Ask the crew for more information during the cruise.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear. You will also want to be ready for swimming and sunbathing during the stops.