From Kos:A full day cruise in the newest luxury vessel!

Kos is a good base for seeing the smaller Dodecanese islands, and Captain Morgan turns that idea into a full-day boat outing with swimming stops, music, lunch, and a friendly crew. The 33-meter vessel has three decks, cushioned sun areas, shaded tables, and room for up to 300 people.

I like the clear-water swimming stops and the chance to see a very different side of island life at Vathy. I also like that Greek BBQ is included in the $35 price. The main consideration is noise: this is a party cruise, not a quiet sailing trip, and the boat can feel crowded when many people want the best seats.

Key points

• Captain Morgan is a new 33-meter cruise boat: You get three decks, padded sun loungers, shaded seating, tables, and a modern bar.
• Four island experiences fill the day: The route includes Pserimos, Vathy on Kalymnos, dolphin watching near Kalymnos, and Plati, with an additional surprise stop mentioned as part of the cruise.
• Swimming is the main event: Bring swimwear and expect time for swimming, sunbathing, and jumping into the sea.
• The $35 fare includes Greek BBQ: Drinks cost extra, but onboard prices have been described as reasonable.
• The mood is lively: Music, cocktails, and an energetic crew make this a good choice for social groups, families, and anyone who wants a fun boat day.
• Arrive early for the best chance at a seat: Some seats may be claimed with towels while passengers are ashore, and the boat can fill up.

What Captain Morgan is really like

Captain Morgan is presented as the newest day cruiser built in Greece, launched in 2024. At 33 meters long and designed for as many as 300 passengers, it is a large boat for a day trip around Kos and the nearby islands.

That size gives you useful comforts. You can move between three decks, find a sunny place to lie down, or retreat to a shaded area with a table. There is also a bar serving cocktails and other drinks. If you prefer to watch the sea rather than swim at every stop, the upper decks give you a good reason to stay aboard.

The boat is not a small yacht, though. It is built for a crowd, and the atmosphere can become loud. Music is part of the program, and the crew keeps the energy high. I would choose this cruise for fun, movement, and easy island access, not for silence, privacy, or a slow romantic sail.

Leaving Kos for the Dodecanese

The meeting point is Kos Cruise Experts. Look for the pirate-style Captain Morgan ship at the stated harbor location. The first part of the trip is a sightseeing cruise of about 40 minutes, which gives you time to settle in, find your preferred deck, and get your first drink if you want one.

I recommend arriving early. The boat has many seats, but popular spots can go quickly. A practical trick is to leave your towel or belongings on your chosen chair while you swim or go ashore, although you should keep valuables with you.

The route is designed around stops rather than long periods of island sightseeing. You will spend much of the day on the water, with brief shore visits and swimming breaks. That makes it easy to enjoy several places without arranging separate ferries, but it also means you should not expect a detailed tour of every island.

Pserimos: a gentle first island stop

Pserimos is scheduled for about 45 minutes of free time and sightseeing. It is one of the smaller islands near Kos, with beaches and a compact port area. The appeal here is simple: clear water, an easy first look at a smaller Greek island, and a chance to stretch your legs before more time at sea.

This stop works well as an introduction to the day. You can take photographs, look around the port, or head toward the beach for a quick swim. The short timing keeps the cruise moving, but it also limits how far you can walk or how much of the island you can see.

Bring footwear that is easy to remove and replace, since you may be moving between the boat, shore, and swimming areas. With only 45 minutes, keep your plans simple. Pserimos is best treated as a pleasant island pause, not a full cultural visit.

Vathy Port and Rina: a taste of Kalymnos

The stop at Vathy Port, also known as Rina, lasts about an hour. This is the most substantial shore visit on the route. You have time for photographs, a little shopping, sightseeing, and possibly a swim.

Vathy is linked with the traditional products that make Kalymnos appealing: sponges, honey, and local orange juice. These details give the stop more character than a basic beach break. You can use the time to learn about the island’s working traditions, try local flavors, and enjoy the setting around the port.

The visit is still short. The cruise does not give you a full day on Kalymnos, and the boat stops at one side of the island rather than offering an extensive tour across it. If your main goal is to see Kalymnos in depth, you need a separate island visit. If you want a quick introduction combined with swimming and lunch, Vathy fits the bill.

The Greek BBQ is included in the price, adding real value to this long outing. The food has been described as perfectly serviceable rather than a special culinary event, so think of it as a convenient meal that keeps the day moving. Drinks are not included, and you will buy them from the onboard bar.

Dolphin watching near Kalymnos

The schedule includes about 20 minutes of dolphin watching around Kalymnos. Seeing dolphins is never guaranteed, so treat this as a hopeful wildlife moment rather than a promise. The crew keeps an eye on the water, and you will want to stay alert during this section.

This is also one of the shorter sightseeing stretches. Have your camera ready, but do not spend the whole time staring at your phone. The sea views and the chance of spotting dolphins are the point.

The cruise then continues for another 20 minutes before reaching Plati. The route gives you plenty of time to enjoy open-water views, but the boat’s music and announcements may make quiet observation difficult.

Plati: the day’s best swimming break

Plati is the strongest stop for anyone who measures a boat trip by water time. You get about 45 minutes for swimming and free time, with calm, clear water and a peaceful beach setting.

You may also see people jumping from the boat into the sea, depending on the conditions and what the crew allows that day. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes. The supplied information specifically lists swimwear, but a dry layer is a sensible addition for the ride back.

Forty-five minutes passes quickly. If you want to swim, do that first, then take photographs or relax. Keep track of the boarding time, since the ship cannot wait for late swimmers.

The surprise stop and the changing route

The experience is promoted as having a fourth surprise stop at another attractive swimming or relaxation spot. The detailed route names Pserimos, Vathy, dolphin watching near Kalymnos, and Plati, while the included features also refer to a surprise stop.

That means the exact extra stop may depend on the day, weather, sea conditions, or the captain’s decision. I would enjoy the surprise rather than plan around a particular beach. The flexible stop is one of the more appealing parts of the trip, but you should understand that the route can change.

The return sightseeing cruise lasts about 40 minutes before reaching Kos. After a full day in the sun, this is a good time to sit in the shade, order a final drink, and watch the islands fade behind you.

The party atmosphere, music, and crew

The crew is a major part of the experience. Ariel is singled out for bringing humor, information, and energy to the day, and the wider crew is often described as welcoming and entertaining. The lively presentation helps turn a series of short stops into one connected event.

That energy will suit you if you enjoy music, socializing, cocktails, and a little playful chaos. Families can enjoy it too, and the experience has worked well for mixed-age groups, including young children and teenagers.

Still, the music can be loud. One detailed account described the boat as a party venue that happens to stop for swimming, rather than a calm cruise with occasional entertainment. That is useful guidance. If you want a quiet day with soft engine noise and long stretches of peaceful reading, choose another boat trip.

Is the boat comfortable for a crowd?

The new vessel gives you more room than a small day boat, with three decks and shaded areas. Cushions on the sundecks are a welcome touch, especially during a seven-hour outing. Tables make it easier to eat lunch or enjoy a drink without balancing everything on your lap.

The tradeoff is capacity. With up to 300 people, the boat can feel busy, especially during the busiest months. There may not be enough of the most desirable seats for everyone, so arriving early matters.

You can improve your day by deciding in advance how you want to use the boat. Claim a shaded table if heat bothers you. Choose an upper sun deck if views and sunbathing matter more. If you plan to swim at every stop, a seat near an easy exit may save time.

What the $35 price includes

At $35 per person, this is strong value for a seven-hour outing if you want several stops and a full day on the water. The fare includes the cruise, island visits, swimming time, dolphin watching, the Greek BBQ, and the entertainment created by the crew.

You also avoid arranging separate transport to Pserimos or Kalymnos. That convenience matters on Kos, where a single booking gives you a ready-made island day.

Drinks are extra. The bar serves cocktails and other refreshments, and onboard prices have been described as reasonable, though one account was unimpressed with a cocktail. I would budget for drinks separately and avoid assuming the bar will match a specialist cocktail lounge.

Professional photographs may also be offered during the day. Prints have been described as costing €5, with no pressure to buy. That can be a nice keepsake, especially for a birthday or family outing, but it is optional.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend Captain Morgan to you if you want:

• A social, music-filled day on the water
• Several chances to swim in clear Dodecanese waters
• An easy way to visit Pserimos and part of Kalymnos
• A large modern boat with sun and shade
• A Greek BBQ included in a low-cost day trip
• A fun option for families, couples, and groups of friends
• The possibility of dolphin watching and a flexible extra stop

I would think twice if you want a quiet sailing experience, a small group, detailed island touring, or long stretches of time on shore. The itinerary is made of short visits, so you get variety rather than depth.

Practical advice before you go

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring sunscreen, a towel, a hat, and a dry layer. A waterproof bag is useful for your phone and money, especially if you plan to jump into the water.

Arrive early and look for the pirate ship at the Kos Cruise Experts meeting point. If sitting together matters to you, board promptly and choose your deck before the music and swimming stops begin.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Tour support is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking.

Should you book Captain Morgan?

Book it if your ideal Kos day includes swimming, music, island views, cocktails, a simple BBQ, and a crew that keeps the mood moving. At $35, the combination of a new boat, several stops, lunch, and seven hours at sea is hard to dismiss.

Skip it if you want calm, quiet, or a detailed visit to Kalymnos. Captain Morgan is best understood as a lively island-hopping party cruise with real swimming and sightseeing, not as a traditional cultural tour. Choose your expectations correctly, arrive early, and you have the ingredients for one of the more entertaining days from Kos.

FAQ

How long does the Captain Morgan cruise last?

The cruise lasts seven hours, including the sightseeing portions, island stops, swimming time, lunch, and the return to Kos.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is Kos Cruise Experts. Look for the pirate ship named Captain Morgan at the provided harbor location.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Pserimos, Vathy Port at Rina on Kalymnos, the Kalymnos area for dolphin watching, and Plati. An additional surprise stop may also be included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek BBQ lunch is included in the price. Drinks are not included and can be purchased onboard.

What languages are available?

Tour support is available in English, French, German, Italian, and Polish.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear. A towel, sunscreen, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes are also sensible for a full day of swimming and sunbathing.