From the Port of Kos: Full Day Boat Cruise to 3 Islands

The best part of this three-island cruise is its mix of scenery and sea time. You visit Vathi on Kalymnos, stop for swimming in clear water, and spend time on Pserimos, all without arranging ferries or juggling schedules. The route also passes fish farms where dolphins are sometimes seen close to the boat.

I like the friendly Odyssey crew, especially the attentive service described by passengers, and I like the price: about $35 per person for the cruise, lunch, and swim stops is hard to beat. The main consideration is that this is a full day on a shared boat, and seating can feel crowded at busy times. Wind can also change the swimming plan.

At a glance

• Vathi on Kalymnos: Spend about an hour in a peaceful village set beside a striking natural fjord, with cliffs, coves, and caves around it.
• Lunch included: Expect pork or chicken souvlaki, salad, tzatziki, and bread, with beans and dolmades available instead of meat.
• Swimming from the boat: Plati and the later stops offer clear water, warm sun, and a chance to jump straight from the deck.
• Dolphin spotting: The route passes fish farms, a good place to watch for wild dolphins, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Reasonable onboard prices: Cocktails have been reported at about €6, and bottled water at about €1 during happy hour.
• Good value, with limits: The trip includes the cruise, islands, lunch, and swimming, but not drinks, towels, or hotel transfers.

The Kos departure and what the day feels like

You meet the blue boat named Odyssey in Kos harbour, opposite the Port Police. Arrive by 9:30 to check your ticket and get settled. The boat then heads out for roughly an hour toward Kalymnos.

This is not a small private yacht outing. It is a shared boat trip with music, a cash bar, and a lively mix of couples, families, and groups. That said, the atmosphere is generally described as relaxed rather than a loud party cruise. The music has included easy listening and more upbeat selections, although you should not expect a traditional Greek music program throughout the day.

The boat has seating for the long sailing stretches, but the best spots may go quickly. One passenger found the boat crowded enough that seating felt tighter than expected, while others found plenty of room and a comfortable ride. I would arrive promptly, especially if you care about sitting in a shaded or open-air area.

Sea conditions matter. On calmer days, the front of the boat can be a pleasant place to watch the coast. In rougher water, spray may reach the front, and some people have found it too wet there. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a light cover-up. A towel is not included.

Vathi on Kalymnos: a calm first stop

The first major stop is Vathi, a village on Kalymnos. The approach is one of the memorable parts of the day. The boat moves into a natural fjord surrounded by rugged cliffs, inlets, and caves. This is a very different view from the sandy resort coast around Kos.

You have free time to walk through the village and take photographs. The planned stop is about an hour, though the exact time can change if the captain makes an extra turn to look for dolphins or if sea conditions affect the route. Some departures have had less time here because the crew lingered near dolphin activity. That trade-off may disappoint anyone hoping for a long village visit, but it can be worthwhile if dolphins appear close to the boat.

Vathi is best approached as a short local stop, not a full sightseeing tour. You can stroll, look at the waterfront, and try a local specialty, but there is not enough time for a long hike or a detailed exploration of Kalymnos. The appeal is the setting and the chance to see a quieter island community.

The fjord entrance is particularly good for photographs. Keep your camera ready as the boat comes in, since the cliffs and waterline create the strongest views before you even step ashore.

Greek lunch after the morning sailing

After Vathi, you return to the boat for lunch. The standard meal includes pork or chicken souvlaki, salad, tzatziki, and bread. It is simple Greek food rather than a long restaurant-style meal, but it gives you a filling break without taking time away from the islands.

Vegetarian guests can request beans and dolmades instead of meat. This option has worked well for vegetarians, and it can also suit vegans if you skip the tzatziki. If you have a strict dietary need, speak with the crew when boarding so the meal is clear before service begins.

The food has received especially strong praise, with several people describing it as fresh, tasty, or generous in portion. One small point to keep in mind is that the salad may be a cabbage-based salad rather than the tomato and cucumber Greek salad some people expect. If you are hoping for a large or elaborate buffet, keep your expectations modest. If you want a hearty included lunch on a boat, it does the job well.

Lunch is also a practical part of the value. A full-day cruise can become expensive if you must buy every meal and drink along the way. Here, the main meal is already covered, so your additional spending can stay low.

Dolphins near the fish farms

After lunch, the boat passes nearby fish farms. This is the best time to watch the water for wild dolphins. Several departures have seen dolphins close to the boat, and some groups have reported multiple animals and repeated passes.

The captain may turn back or slow down if dolphins are spotted. That can alter the timing of the next stop, so the schedule is better understood as a flexible route than a minute-by-minute program. You may get less time at Vathi or another stop if the boat spends extra time with the dolphins.

I like this part because it feels less manufactured than a standard sightseeing stop. The dolphins are wild, and there is no promise that they will appear. Treat the sighting as a bonus, not as the main reason to book. If you do see them, it can become the unexpected highlight of the day.

Stand on the side of the boat where you have a clear view of the water, but do not crowd the rail. Children should remain supervised, particularly when the boat slows or people gather for photographs.

Plati: clear water and a boat-side swim

Plati islet is used mainly for swimming. The boat stops in clear turquoise water, and you can jump or climb into the sea for a swim around the boat. This is the point where the trip shifts from sightseeing to simple holiday fun.

You should be comfortable entering the water from the boat and climbing back aboard. The stop is not presented as a beach visit, so you will not be walking onto a broad sandy shore or using a beach facility. Bring your swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach.

The water is the main attraction. On a hot Kos day, a swim gives the sailing schedule a welcome break. Families have enjoyed this stop, and children have particularly liked jumping into the sea. You should still judge the conditions for yourself. Wind can make the water choppy, and one departure could not dock at Plati because of the weather. The crew substituted another swimming stop at Pserimos.

After the swim, the boat offers a happy hour with drinks and cocktails at reasonable prices. Cocktails have been reported at around €6, while bottled water has been available for about €1 during happy hour. These prices make the bar more usable than an onboard bar that turns every drink into a splurge.

Pserimos: your final island stop

Pserimos is the final island stop. You have about an hour to walk around at your own pace, look at the shoreline, and see a small island community before the return to Kos.

This stop gives you more time on land than the Plati swim stop. It is a useful contrast to Vathi: instead of a fjord and steep scenery, you get a relaxed island visit with time to wander. The exact character of the stop depends on the day and the part of the island where the boat docks.

Take some cash if you want to buy something here. At least some restaurants on Pserimos do not accept cards. Drinks are not included in the tour, so cash can also be useful for a final refreshment.

Do not expect a long cultural program or a packed list of sights. Pserimos works because it is small and easy to explore in a short time. You can stretch your legs, take photographs, and enjoy being somewhere quieter before the boat heads back to Kos.

The return trip and onboard atmosphere

The final sailing back to Kos takes roughly 30 minutes according to the planned route, though the complete day lasts around 7 to 7.5 hours. The total duration sounds long on paper, but it is broken into sailing, walking, lunch, swimming, and island time.

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this boat. Yanas, the captain named in passenger feedback, and the wider team are repeatedly described as warm, helpful, and attentive. The crew has assisted with swimming, checked on passengers, helped with seasickness, and supported people after minor accidents.

That personal service matters on a boat trip. You are not simply left to work out where to sit, eat, swim, or return. The captain also provides information about the islands and may adjust the route when conditions or dolphin sightings call for it.

The atmosphere suits people who want a pleasant day at sea rather than a full party. Music plays onboard, but it has generally not been described as excessively loud. If you specifically want old Greek songs, the playlist may not always match your hopes.

Is $35 good value for a full day?

At about $35 per person, this is one of the better-value ways to see several islands from Kos. The fare includes the boat ride, visits to three islands, swimming stops, and lunch with a meat or vegetarian choice. A comparable day can cost much more once you add transport, meals, and separate boat tickets.

The price does not mean a luxury cruise. You pay extra for drinks, and you need to bring your own towel. There is no hotel transfer, so you must make your own way to the harbour. Seating may feel tight when the boat is busy, and the itinerary can shift with wind or dolphin sightings.

For me, the value comes from the variety. You get a fjord at Vathi, a village stop, a cooked lunch, dolphin-searching, open-water swimming, cocktails, and another island visit. None of these parts is extremely long, but together they make a full and varied day.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want to see more of the Dodecanese without planning a complicated island-hopping route. It works especially well for couples, families, and first-time visitors to Kos who want a relaxed day with clear structure.

It is also a good fit for vegetarians, since a meat-free lunch is available. Families have enjoyed the swimming stops, though children need close supervision around the boat and should have plenty of sun protection.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike shared excursions, need lots of personal space, or want a quiet sailing with no music. The trip is also not ideal for anyone who cannot comfortably manage boat access, deck movement, swimming from the boat, or short walks ashore. The activity information says the boat is wheelchair accessible but also lists the experience as not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so confirm your specific needs before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Kos plans are still shifting, but they do not change the practical need to arrive at the harbour by 9:30.

Should you book the Odyssey three-island cruise?

Yes, if you want strong value and plenty of variety in one day. The standout features are the friendly crew, filling lunch, clear swimming water, and real chance of seeing dolphins near the fish farms.

Book it with realistic expectations. This is a shared boat, not a private sailing charter. You will have limited time at each island, the music may not be traditionally Greek, and wind can change the route. Bring a hat, sunscreen, swimwear, towel, and some cash for Pserimos.

For most people who want a straightforward island day from Kos, the combination of price, scenery, swimming, food, and attentive service makes the Odyssey a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The blue boat named Odyssey leaves from the harbour of Kos, opposite the Port Police.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive on the boat by 9:30 to check your ticket.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Vathi on Kalymnos, Plati islet, and Pserimos.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes pork or chicken souvlaki, salad, tzatziki, and bread. A vegetarian option with beans and dolmades is available instead of meat.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to purchase onboard. Cocktails have been reported at about €6, and bottled water has been available at about €1 during happy hour.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own along with swimwear, sunscreen, and a sun hat.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.