From Kos: 3-Island Pirate Cruise with Lunch and Waterslide

The best part of this day is the mix of three very different island stops and pure boat fun. You wander through Pserimos, see a little of Kalymnos, then finish at Plati with swimming, jumping from the boat, and a waterslide into the sea.

I like the friendly crew and the fact that lunch, safety gear, and slide access are included. I also like the price: at about $29 per person, this packs a lot into one day. The trade-off is a loud, busy atmosphere, and some stops feel short if you want serious sightseeing.

Key points

• Three stops, three moods: Pserimos for a small island break, Kalymnos for a larger village visit, and Plati for swimming and snorkeling.
• The waterslide is the star: You can slide from the boat or jump into the water at the final stop.
• A lively sailing day: Music, dancing, and a cheerful crew continue during the crossings.
• Lunch is included: Choose chicken, pork, or a vegetarian Greek-style meal.
• Plan for strong sun: Bring a hat, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, and a T-shirt.
• Best for active fun: This suits families, couples, solo visitors, and groups who enjoy a social boat trip more than a quiet sail.

A pirate boat with a party spirit

The Barco de Pirata is easy to spot in Kos Harbour, near Jasmine caffe. Look for the large wooden pirate-style boat and the sign for Barco de Pirata Cruise.

This is not a quiet sightseeing vessel. Music plays during the crossings, the crew keeps people involved, and the mood can feel like a daytime party at sea. You can sit back with a drink, claim a place on deck, dance, or simply watch the Dodecanese coast slide past.

The boat has been praised for being clean and well kept. Crew members stay active throughout the day, clearing spills, helping passengers, serving drinks, and keeping the atmosphere moving. Kostas has helped introduce passengers to Kalymnos, while Yanis has been singled out for his warm service.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, and safety equipment such as life jackets is provided. Still, you should expect wet decks, stairs or movement around the boat, and a full day in the sun. If loud music bothers you, this may not be your ideal sea outing.

The 55-minute crossing from Kos

The first crossing takes about 55 minutes. That sounds like a long time, but it is part of the appeal. This is when the crew sets the tone with music and conversation, and you get your first proper look at the open South Aegean.

Find your preferred place early, especially if you want a seat on the upper deck. One useful tip is to bring your hat and sunscreen out before the boat leaves. Once the party starts and the boat is moving, it is easy to put off the small practical tasks that matter later.

Free Wi-Fi is included, though the real entertainment is outside. The view is the reason to stay on deck. You will feel the sun, wind, and salt spray, so keep a T-shirt handy rather than spending the entire crossing in swimwear.

Drinks are not included, and you cannot bring your own drinks aboard. Water, cocktails, beer, coffee, and spirits are available to buy. Prices have been described as reasonable, and some passengers noted drink discounts later in the day, but bring payment for the bar rather than expecting an all-inclusive cruise.

Pserimos, a small island pause

The first stop is Pserimos, with about an hour to explore. This is the most relaxed land break of the day. You can walk, take photographs, browse small shops, sit with an ice cream or drink, and enjoy the simple coastal setting.

Pserimos is not a place for a packed sightseeing program. Its appeal is its scale. You get a short taste of a small Greek island rather than a long list of monuments or museums. The stop works well as an introduction to island life, especially if your usual holiday base is Kos.

The timing can feel tight. An hour is enough for a walk and a drink, but not enough for a slow meal, extensive shopping, and a serious exploration. If you want to see as much as possible, leave the boat promptly and keep an eye on the return time.

Lunch is served during this part of the day or around the first island stop. You choose chicken, pork, or a vegetarian option. The meal is intended as a filling Greek-style boat lunch, not a restaurant feast. Many people find it tasty and adequate for the price, while some find the portions modest, especially for hungry children or adults with large appetites.

If you are bringing children, snacks would be useful, but remember that bringing your own drinks is not permitted. The food can include meat, pitta, salad or coleslaw, and other simple Greek accompaniments. Vegetarian meals are available, but you should confirm your choice with the crew when arranging lunch.

Kalymnos in roughly 55 minutes

After about 45 minutes at sea, the boat reaches Kalymnos. The schedule gives you about 55 minutes here, although the activity details contain a clear timing error that lists 55 hours. Treat this as a short island visit, not a half-day stop.

Kalymnos feels different from Pserimos. It offers a larger, more settled place to walk, shop, and take photographs. You have enough time to get a quick sense of the island, stretch your legs, and enjoy a drink or snack, but not enough to explore widely.

This is where the trip’s promise of three islands needs a little explanation. You are visiting three places, but you are not receiving a full cultural tour of each one. The cruise gives you brief introductions, with most of the day spent moving between islands and enjoying the boat.

Kostas may help show you around Kalymnos and explain some local culture. That adds useful context to a stop that could otherwise feel like a quick walk and photo break. If you value local stories, stay near the guide when information is being shared.

Some people find this stop less exciting than Pserimos or Plati, especially because the time is short and swimming may not be offered here. Others appreciate the chance to see a second island town rather than spending the whole day on the boat. I would think of Kalymnos as a sampler stop: worthwhile, but not the main reason to book the cruise.

Plati and the main splash of the day

The final island stop is Plati, reached after about 40 minutes of sailing. This is where the cruise changes from island sightseeing to water play.

The boat stops for about an hour, giving you time to swim, use the onboard slide, and snorkel with the supplied gear. You can also jump from the boat into the clear sea, provided you are comfortable with the height and follow the crew’s instructions.

The slide is the main attraction for many people. It suits children and adults, though young children need close supervision and anyone nervous about heights should watch first. One passenger described jumping from a considerable height, so do not feel pressured to copy other people. The lower-key choice is to enter from the swim area or use the ladder.

Snorkeling is included, but expectations should stay sensible. This is a casual swim stop, not a guided marine-life expedition. You may see small fish and enjoy the water, but the exact sea conditions and wildlife will vary. Dolphins are sometimes seen near the boat, though there is no guarantee.

An hour passes quickly here. Several people have wished for a longer swim and slide session, especially after spending time walking on the earlier islands. If swimming is your priority, get ready before the boat reaches Plati so you do not lose half the stop finding your towel, sunscreen, and shoes.

Greek lunch, drinks, and the real value

At about $29 per person, this is an unusually low-cost way to spend most of a day on the water. Your fare includes the three island visits, lunch, crew service, swim stops, safety equipment, the waterslide, snorkeling gear, and Wi-Fi.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the boat facilities. A simple ferry ticket would not give you lunch, entertainment, a swim stop, or a slide. You are paying for transport and a full social activity in one package.

Lunch is the one area where expectations need care. The choice of chicken, pork, or vegetarian food is convenient, and the meal has generally been considered tasty. Portions may not satisfy everyone, especially children who do not eat the side dishes or adults expecting a large barbecue plate.

Drinks cost extra. Water is available for purchase, and the bar serves beer, cocktails, coffee, and spirits. Some passengers have found the prices fair, with cocktail discounts later in the day. Since you cannot bring drinks aboard, include the bar in your budget.

The pricing can vary depending on where and when you book. The advertised online price is $29, while some booking comments refer to lower prices in euros or cheaper direct sales near the harbour. Check the current rate before paying, and compare the final price with what is being offered directly at Kos Harbour.

What the day feels like for families and adults

This cruise works especially well for families with children who enjoy music, swimming, and water slides. A five-year-old and a 69-year-old have both been described as being well looked after, which gives a useful sense of the broad age range.

The crew’s energy is a real part of the experience. They sing, dance, interact with people, and mark special occasions such as birthdays. If you are travelling alone, the social atmosphere can make the day feel welcoming rather than awkward.

The same quality can be a drawback. You should not book this expecting silence, private space, or long periods of calm reading. Music and movement continue through much of the day.

For couples, the cruise offers easy fun without requiring much planning. For groups, it gives everyone a shared activity and plenty of time to sit together. For solo visitors, the crew and group setting make it easy to join the mood, though you should be comfortable with a public, energetic atmosphere.

It is less suitable if you want a detailed archaeological tour, long hikes, quiet beaches, or private snorkeling. The islands are short stops, not full-day destinations.

Sun, space, and practical comfort

This is a long outing of about 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. Much of that time is spent sailing between stops, so you need to be comfortable in the sun and on a moving boat.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, preferably high factor
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• A T-shirt for sun protection
• Comfortable footwear for short island walks
• Payment for drinks

Claiming a good upper-deck spot early can help, particularly if you want an open view. The boat has proper toilets, which is useful when travelling with children.

Watch your belongings around the swim stop. Keep dry items together and make sure your towel is not left where it can blow away. After swimming, the combination of wind and sun can cool you quickly, even on a hot day.

Weather affects the route. If conditions are poor, the full three-island plan may change. A day may include only two islands if the sea is not suitable. That is disappointing if you planned around every stop, but safety has to come first.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is the Barco de Pirata worth booking?

I would book this cruise if I wanted an affordable, active day that combines island scenery with swimming and entertainment. The crew, music, clean boat, and slide are the strongest parts, and the price is hard to beat when lunch and safety gear are included.

I would hesitate if I wanted quiet sailing, generous lunch portions, or enough time to properly explore Kalymnos and Pserimos. The itinerary is a sampler, and the final swim stop can feel too short for people who want more time in the water.

For families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like meeting people, this is a strong Kos day trip. Bring sun protection, keep your expectations realistic about the food and island time, and be ready for loud music. If that sounds like your kind of day, the Barco de Pirata offers a lot for the money.

FAQ

Where does the 3-island cruise depart from?

Meet at Kos Harbour near Jasmine caffe. Look for the large wooden pirate boat and the Barco de Pirata Cruise sign.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts about 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. The exact departure time depends on availability.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek-style meal is included, with chicken, pork, or vegetarian choices.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to purchase onboard, including water, beer, cocktails, coffee, and spirits. You cannot bring your own drinks aboard.

Is the waterslide included?

Yes. Waterslide access is included, along with swim stops and safety equipment.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included for the swim stop at Plati.

What languages are available?

The tour is available with live guidance in English and German.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a T-shirt. You should also bring money for drinks onboard.