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

The best part of this Kos boat trip is its mix of three very different stops. You get a sandy beach at Pserimos, a short taste of real island life in Kalymnos town, and a playful swim stop at Plati, all without arranging separate ferries.

I like the excellent price of $31, especially since lunch and the cruise are included. I also like the crew-led atmosphere, with music, dancing, jokes, and the unusual pirate boat setting. The main drawback is time: Kalymnos gets only about 45 minutes in some departures, and the swim stop at Plati can feel short if you want more time in the water.

Key points to know before you book

• Pserimos comes first, with about an hour for its golden beach and clear water.
• Lunch is served on board, with souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread. Vegetarian food is available if requested ahead of time.
• Kalymnos offers a quick town visit, not a full island tour or long sightseeing stop.
• Plati is the fun stop, with a waterslide, jumping platform, swimming, music, and drinks for purchase.
• The boat returns to Kos at about 5pm, making this a full but manageable day trip.
• The mood is social and lively, so it suits families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who prefers fun at sea over a quiet sailing trip.

What this seven-hour cruise is really like

You meet the Pirates of Kos at the port of Kos and show your mobile voucher to the crew. The boat leaves at 10am, with an expected return around 5pm. Hotel pickup is available for an extra charge, and the exact pickup details arrive after booking.

This is not a small, silent sailing boat. It is a themed pirate boat with a friendly crew, music, a bar, and plenty of activity on board. You can sunbathe, sit back with a drink, listen to music, or join in when the crew gets the party going.

That variety is important. You can enjoy the cruise without taking part in every activity, but the atmosphere is clearly part of the attraction. If you want a calm boat ride with long stretches of quiet, this may feel too lively. If you like music, dancing, jokes, and a bit of harmless silliness, the boat itself becomes one of the day’s main stops.

The English-speaking crew explains the plan and helps with the swimming activities. One crew member called Lui receives particular praise for his energy, while other comments single out the guide’s humor and helpful manner. A parrot is also part of the boat’s character, and you may have the chance to take a picture with it.

Pserimos: a golden beach and your first swim

Around noon, the boat reaches Pserimos, a very small island in the Dodecanese. The stop lasts about an hour, giving you time to walk onto the golden sandy beach, swim, or simply sit under the Greek sun.

Pserimos is the prettiest beach stop of the day for many people. The water is described as clear and calm, with small fish visible in places, making it a pleasant spot for a swim or simple snorkeling. You should not expect a long beach day, though. One hour passes quickly once you leave the boat, find a place on the sand, and get into the water.

The stop works well because it gives you a proper shore break early in the trip. You are not confined to the boat all day, and the beach offers a change of pace before lunch. Bring swimwear under your clothes, as changing time may be limited, and keep your phone protected from spray and sand.

While you enjoy Pserimos, the crew prepares lunch. The meal includes souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread, with a vegetarian option available if you request it in advance. The food is straightforward rather than elaborate, but it is included in the low tour price and gives you something filling before the afternoon stops.

Portions may feel modest if you have a large appetite. Drinks and coffee are not included, so budget extra for anything you want from the boat’s bar. Still, including a hot meal, salad, and bread at this price makes the outing unusually good value.

Kalymnos: a short taste of island life

After Pserimos, the boat heads to Kalymnos, one of the best-known islands in this part of the Dodecanese. Its capital, Pothia, is also the island’s main port and town. The island is associated with the sea and climbing, and its scenery feels more rugged than the small beach setting at Pserimos.

The stop gives you a chance to walk around town, look at the harbor, find a cafe, or browse for a few local impressions. You may also see historical sights, though the schedule does not allow time for a serious cultural tour. Think of Kalymnos as a brief introduction, not a complete visit.

This is the stop where the timetable matters most. Some departures allow roughly 45 minutes, while the advertised plan describes time to explore Kalymnos town. That is enough to stretch your legs, take photographs, and get a feel for the port. It is not enough for a broad tour of the island or a relaxed meal in town.

I would treat the Kalymnos stop as a useful bonus rather than the central reason to book. If Kalymnos is your priority, visit it separately and spend more time there. If you want to see several islands in one day, the short stop works well and adds variety to the route.

The contrast between the islands is part of the fun. Pserimos is small and beach-focused. Kalymnos offers a working port and a larger town. Plati, the final stop, returns you to open water and boat-based entertainment.

Plati: swimming, a waterslide, and music on deck

At Plati, the boat becomes the main attraction. The crew sets up time for swimming in the clear sea, and you can use the waterslide or jump from the platform into the water. You can also stay on deck, sunbathe, order a drink, and watch the views around the tiny island.

This is the most playful part of the trip. Families with older children and teenagers tend to get a lot from the slide and jumping platform, while adults can choose between swimming, music, cocktails, and simply enjoying the ride. The activities are optional, so you do not need to be athletic or confident in the water to enjoy the stop.

You should know that the water time may feel short. Some departures leave you wishing for longer at Plati, especially if you have waited to use the slide or platform. The schedule has to fit three islands and the return to Kos, so this is a taste of open-sea swimming rather than a long beach session.

The music and dancing continue as the boat heads back. The crew keeps the mood light, and the return journey can feel like a small party at sea. This is where the tour differs from a basic island transfer. You are not simply being taken from port to port. The boat ride is designed as entertainment.

Food, drinks, and the pirate boat atmosphere

Lunch is one of the better practical features. You do not need to find a restaurant during the short stops, and the included souvlaki meal saves money in a destination where food and drinks can add up quickly. Vegetarian meals are available, but you must notify the provider before the trip.

Coffee and drinks cost extra. This is worth remembering because the trip lasts seven hours, and the boat’s bar is part of the experience. The price remains low even after adding a drink, but the total will be higher than the advertised fare if you buy cocktails, soft drinks, or coffee throughout the day.

The boat has a clean, casual feel and enough room for different styles of passenger. You can join the dancing, listen to the music from the middle deck, or find a quieter place to watch the sea. The crew’s humor is repeatedly praised, and the guide explains activities in English.

The social energy is a major strength, but it is also the clearest matter of taste. You should book this for fun, not for polished luxury. The pirate theme, music, crew jokes, slide, and parrot create a cheerful holiday outing. They do not create a refined sailing experience.

Is $31 a good value?

At $31 per person, this is a strong deal for a seven-hour excursion. The price covers the boat cruise, three island stops, swim stops, crew, lunch, insurance, and required fees. You are effectively combining transport, sightseeing, entertainment, and a meal in one booking.

The value becomes even clearer when you compare the day with arranging separate boat transport and meals yourself. Independent island hopping would require more planning, and short ferry connections may not line up as neatly. Here, the route is fixed, but the tradeoff is simplicity.

The optional hotel transfer costs extra. It can be useful if you are staying away from Kos port or do not want to arrange a taxi before a 10am departure. If you are already near the port, meeting the Pirates of Kos directly is the cheaper option.

The low price does mean you should keep expectations realistic. This is not a private charter, a specialist nature cruise, or a full guided tour of Kalymnos. It is a busy day out with simple food, shared facilities, and an upbeat program. For the cost, that is a fair arrangement.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This outing suits families with children and teenagers, particularly those who will use the waterslide and jumping platform. It also works for couples and solo visitors who like meeting people and joining a lively boat atmosphere. One solo passenger specifically enjoyed the music, swimming, drinks, and friendly setting, which suggests you do not need a large group to have a good time.

You will probably like it if you want:

• Three island stops without complicated planning
• A beach, a town, and a swim platform in one day
• Music and crew entertainment
• A low-cost lunch-inclusive excursion
• Optional hotel pickup
• Time for swimming without making the whole day about swimming

You may prefer another trip if you want a quiet cruise, a long visit in Kalymnos, or several hours on one beach. The stops are short by design, and the boat’s music can be energetic. People with limited comfort in the water can remain on board, but the most distinctive activities center on swimming and the slide.

The tour is also weather-dependent in practical terms, since swimming and boat activity are central to the day. The supplied information does not specify a minimum age, accessibility arrangements, or equipment rental, so ask the provider directly if any of those points matter to you.

Practical tips for making the day easier

Arrive at the Kos port with enough time to find the Pirates of Kos and show your mobile voucher. If you book hotel pickup, wait for the specific instructions sent after booking rather than assuming the boat collects from every property.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a way to protect valuables from water. Wear shoes that are easy to remove for the beach and swimming stops. A small amount of cash or a payment card may be useful for drinks, though the available payment method is not specified.

Tell the provider about a vegetarian meal before departure. Do not wait until you board, since the crew needs advance notice to prepare it.

If you want the calmest beach time, head ashore promptly at Pserimos. If the waterslide and platform are your priority, listen for the crew’s instructions at Plati and use the available water time efficiently. You can always return to the deck afterward for music and drinks.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Kos plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Pirates of Kos?

Book it if you want a high-value, social day at sea with three different settings and plenty of light entertainment. The combination of Pserimos beach, Kalymnos town, Plati swimming, lunch, and the boat’s slide is hard to match at $31.

I would not choose it as your main Kalymnos sightseeing experience, since the town stop is brief. I would also skip it if your ideal boat day means quiet water, long stops, and no loud music.

For most people staying in Kos who want an easy island sampler, though, this is a smart choice. You get a real taste of the nearby Dodecanese, a filling lunch, a friendly English-speaking crew, and enough activity to keep a seven-hour day from feeling flat.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The Pirates of Kos leaves from the port of Kos. Show your mobile voucher to the crew when you arrive.

What time does the cruise run?

The boat departs 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 route includes Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Coffee and drinks are not included and can be purchased separately on the boat.

Is hotel pickup available?

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