Kos: Try Scuba Diving with a diving boat

Kos offers an unusually gentle introduction to scuba in a sheltered Pserimos bay, where the bottom slopes down slowly and the maximum depth is only 5 meters. I like the patient instruction and the small working groups, with two PADI instructors looking after four or five people. I also like that you are not stuck underwater all day: the boat, swimming, snorkeling, and coastal views make this a proper half-day at sea.

The main consideration is that the $123 price covers one underwater session. You can add a second for €45 in cash, but the basic trip is best viewed as a first taste, not a full certification course. You must be able to swim, complete a medical statement, and leave 24 hours before flying.

Key points at a glance

• A gentle first underwater session: The sheltered bay reaches only 5 meters, with clear water and a slow change in depth.
• Two instructors for four or five beginners: This gives the group close supervision, useful if breathing through a regulator feels strange at first.
• A comfortable 25-meter boat: Apollon has a shaded deck and a large sun deck for the ride to Pserimos.
• More than scuba: After your session, you can swim, snorkel, or simply stretch out in the sun.
• A real extra-cost choice: The second session costs €45 in cash, while snacks, drinks, and photos cost extra.
• A strong first-timer record: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 98 bookings, with repeated praise for calm, supportive instruction.

Why this is a good first taste of scuba

The best feature here is the setting. Pserimos gives beginners a protected bay bordered by rocky outcrops. The seabed slopes down gradually, so you do not suddenly find yourself in deep water. The maximum depth is 5 meters, shallow enough to make the first underwater experience feel manageable while still giving you a proper sense of weightlessness.

You will spend about 20 to 25 minutes below the surface. The scheduled activity block is described as roughly 30 minutes, but the actual time underwater is shorter. That is sensible for a first attempt. Your attention is busy at the start: breathing through the regulator, clearing your ears, watching your instructor, and learning to move without kicking too hard.

I especially value the ratio of two instructors to four or five people. That is a small group for an introductory session, and it matters if you feel nervous. Several people have needed a little time to settle their breathing. The instructors are used to taking things slowly, and you can expect them to keep watch rather than send you off to manage alone.

You do not need prior scuba experience. You do need to swim and have no serious health problems. Before entering the water, you complete a medical statement. Be honest with it. This is not a good activity to treat casually if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Leaving Kos at 8:30 on Apollon

Your morning begins at Liamis Dive Centre, where the 25-meter Liamis Dive Boat, Apollon, departs at about 8:30 a.m. The return to Kos is scheduled for around 2:30 p.m., giving you six hours from start to finish.

The boat has a shaded deck and a spacious sun deck. That combination is useful in the Greek sun. You can sit under cover during the journey, then move into the sun when you want to dry off or enjoy the view. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, and clothes suitable for the weather.

The cruise to Pserimos takes about 45 minutes. This is not wasted time. It gives you a chance to get comfortable on the boat before the safety talk and to look out at the coast and nearby islands. If you are prone to feeling uneasy at sea, eat lightly, bring water, and choose a shaded place to sit. Snacks and drinks are not included, so bring your own or buy them on board.

The boat is part of the value here. You are not simply meeting an instructor beside a beach, completing a quick lesson, and leaving. The boat ride, open water, swimming time, and views turn the session into a half-day outing.

The safety briefing before you enter the water

Once the boat reaches the Pserimos area, you receive a briefing lasting about 15 to 20 minutes. The briefing covers the underwater plan, safety points, and how to use the equipment. Pay close attention, even if you have watched scuba videos or tried a pool lesson elsewhere.

The first challenge for many beginners is breathing underwater. That sounds simple, but it can feel unnatural when you first put the regulator in your mouth. The instructors can help you work through that moment. The small groups also mean they can notice when someone is tense, moving too fast, or needs an extra explanation.

The briefing is not just a formality. It sets the pace for the session and gives you a chance to ask questions before you are in the water. If you feel anxious, say so early. A calm start makes a bigger difference than trying to appear confident.

The equipment is included, along with the site explanation and snorkeling gear. You are supervised by PADI instructors throughout the underwater portion. The experience is designed for beginners, but it is still a real scuba activity, so you should expect to listen, follow instructions, and work with the equipment rather than simply float around.

Exploring the sheltered bay at 5 meters

The underwater area is protected on both sides by rocky outcrops. The depth increases gently toward the end of the bay, reaching no more than 5 meters. Clear water helps you see where you are and makes it easier to appreciate the fish and other marine life.

The session lasts about 20 to 25 minutes. You may stop to look at fish, move around the bay, and take in the colors below the surface. The activity also allows interaction with the fish, though you should follow the instructors’ directions and avoid disturbing the sea life.

This is not a dramatic wall descent or a technical scuba trip. That is precisely why it works for a first attempt. You get the main sensations of scuba without being sent into a deep site. You can learn how to breathe, control your movement, and enjoy the underwater world at a forgiving depth.

Underwater photos and videos are available for €25 on a USB memory stick. One recent booking paid extra for a large collection of more than 400 photos and videos delivered quickly by transfer. The exact number of images will vary, but the option is useful if you want a record of your first session. Bring cash if you think you will want it.

The break between sessions

After the first session, the boat becomes a relaxed base. You can dry off, sit in the shade, use the sun deck, swim, or snorkel. Snorkeling gear is included, so you can keep looking below the surface without the regulator and heavier equipment.

This break is important because the first underwater session can be tiring in a quiet way. You are concentrating throughout, and many people feel a little nervous at the beginning. Sitting on deck with a view of the sea gives you time to reset before deciding if you want to do more.

The second session costs €45 per person and is payable in cash on the boat. I like that this is optional. If the first session is enough, you can enjoy the rest of the day without paying more. If you are comfortable and want extra time below the surface, the second session gives you that chance.

A few people have used the two-session option as a stepping stone toward further scuba training. This activity is not a certification course, but it can help you decide if you want to pursue an Open Water course later. If you already suspect scuba will become a hobby, the second session may be good value.

What the price includes at $123

At $123 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a complete boat outing built around a supervised first scuba session. You get boat transfers, the captain, instructors, equipment, the site briefing, one underwater session, and snorkeling gear.

The cost is less attractive if you are mainly looking for a long snorkeling trip. In that case, you are paying for the equipment, instructors, and scuba instruction that you may not use fully. The value improves if you want to try scuba properly and appreciate having a boat, a protected site, and close supervision.

Budget for extras:

• The second underwater session: €45, cash on the boat
• Snacks and drinks: extra, payable on board
• Underwater photos and videos: €25 for a USB memory stick

There is no need to pay for the second session in advance. You can make the choice after seeing how comfortable you feel. That makes the basic price easier to understand: it buys a complete first experience, with optional add-ons rather than a long list of compulsory costs.

Who will enjoy this most

This is aimed at first-time scuba participants aged 12 and over. It suits you if you can swim, want a guided introduction, and like the idea of combining a lesson with a boat trip.

It is particularly good for couples or friends with mixed confidence levels. One person can take a little longer to settle while the instructors keep the group together. The boat also gives non-scuba time, so the outing does not depend entirely on how much you enjoy the underwater part.

It is less suitable if you cannot swim, have a serious health issue, or want deep-water scuba. It is also not the right choice for anyone seeking a formal qualification in one day. Think of it as an introduction and a pleasant sea outing, not a substitute for certification training.

The minimum age is 12. Children under 12 cannot take part. Pets are not allowed, apart from assistance dogs. Fishing, alcohol, and drugs are also not permitted.

Practical advice for a smoother morning

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes for the boat. Pack swimwear, a towel, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and weather-appropriate layers. The sun deck is spacious, but the sea can feel cooler after you leave the water.

Take cash. You may want the second session, drinks, snacks, or the photo package. Those costs are separate, and cash is specifically required for the extra underwater session.

Avoid scheduling a flight within 24 hours after scuba. That rule is easy to miss when planning a short holiday, but it matters. Put this activity early enough in your Kos itinerary to leave a full day before flying home.

The activity is offered in Greek and English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Check the start time when booking, since departure is generally around 8:30 a.m.

The instructors are the heart of the experience

Equipment and scenery matter, but beginner scuba depends most on the people giving the briefing. Here, the strongest pattern is calm, patient instruction. The teaching is described as clear and thorough, with particular care for people who feel nervous about breathing underwater.

That is valuable because hesitation is normal. You might feel fine while putting on the equipment, then tense up when your face goes below the surface. The instructors can slow things down and help you regain control. That kind of support is more useful than a fast, ambitious route.

The staff also seem to balance instruction with a friendly tone. You still learn the safety rules, but the day is not treated like a stiff classroom exercise. You get guidance, then time to enjoy fish, clear water, swimming, and the boat.

Should you book the Pserimos scuba trip?

Book it if you want your first scuba experience to be shallow, closely supervised, and part of a relaxed boat day. The two-instructor groups, sheltered bay, clear water, and optional second session make it a thoughtful choice for beginners who may feel nervous.

Think twice if you cannot swim, have a medical condition that makes scuba unsafe, or need a certification course. Also check your flight plans before booking, since you must wait 24 hours after the session before flying.

For most eligible visitors, I would choose the basic package first and decide about the second session after the initial underwater time. That keeps the cost under control and lets your comfort, rather than enthusiasm before the trip, decide what comes next.

FAQ

Is prior scuba experience required?

No. The activity is designed for beginners and includes a safety briefing, equipment instruction, and supervision from PADI instructors.

How deep will the underwater session go?

The maximum depth is 5 meters. The seabed gets deeper gradually within a sheltered bay.

How long do I stay underwater?

The included session lasts about 20 to 25 minutes, although the scheduled activity block is described as about 30 minutes.

How many instructors supervise each group?

Groups contain four or five participants and are supervised by two instructors.

Can I take a second underwater session?

Yes. You can add a second session for €45 per person, payable in cash on the boat.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and you can snorkel during the break or after your first session.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 12. Children under 12 cannot participate.

How long should I wait before flying?

You should not fly for 24 hours after scuba. Plan your Kos schedule accordingly.