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

The best part of the Barco de Pirata cruise is the variety packed into one long day. You visit Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati, then finish with swimming, snorkeling, jumping from the boat, and sliding into the sea. I like that this is not just a sightseeing boat ride. It gives you beach time, island walks, food, and a proper splash-around stop.

I also like the cheerful crew and the price. At about $29 per person, lunch, safety gear, the three island stops, and the waterslide make this one of Kos’s better-value day trips. The main drawback is the lively party atmosphere. Music runs through much of the day, and some island stops can feel short, especially if you want a quiet swim or a long wander.

Key things to know before booking

• Pserimos gives you a small-island taste: You have about an hour for photos, a walk, a drink, shopping, and lunch-related time.
• Kalymnos is the cultural stop: The visit is longer on the schedule, but the time for exploring can still feel limited.
• Plati is the water-play finale: This is where the slide, swimming, snorkeling, and boat jumping take center stage.
• The crew creates a party mood: Expect music, dancing, announcements, and plenty of friendly interaction.
• Lunch has three choices: Pick chicken, pork, or a vegetarian meal, but bring no personal drinks because outside beverages are not allowed.
• Bring serious sun protection: You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and sea breeze.

A pirate boat day from Kos Harbour

You meet the boat in Kos Harbour, near Jasmine Caffe. Look for the large wooden pirate-style vessel and the Barco de Pirata sign. The boat is easy to spot once you are in the right stretch of the harbour, but give yourself enough time to find it and settle in.

The cruise lasts about 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. That is a full day, not a quick harbour outing. You need swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a spare T-shirt. I would add a dry change of clothes and a small amount of cash for drinks or purchases on the islands.

The boat has safety equipment, including life jackets, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Free Wi-Fi is also included, though your phone may be better used for photographs than for staying online. The English and German-speaking crew keeps the day moving, explains what is happening, and handles the practical side of the trip.

This is a social cruise rather than a quiet sailing excursion. Music plays between stops, and the crew keeps the mood upbeat. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors can all fit in, but you should enjoy being around a crowd and not mind a soundtrack during the crossing.

Pserimos: a small first stop with Greek-island charm

After roughly 55 minutes at sea, the boat reaches Pserimos. This is a compact island, and that is part of its appeal. You are not coming here for a long museum visit or a packed list of sights. You come to walk, take photographs, sit by the water, and enjoy the simple scale of a small Aegean settlement.

The scheduled stop is about an hour. That sounds generous, but it goes quickly once you leave the boat, find a good view, order a drink or ice cream, and browse the small shops. You may also have time for a short walk along the shore.

Pserimos works well as an easy introduction to the day. The pace is relaxed, and you can get off the boat, stretch your legs, and see a quieter side of the islands near Kos. If you want a long beach session, though, this is not the place to expect it. The stop includes several possible activities, including lunch timing, shopping, photographs, and free time, so the exact rhythm can vary.

The meal is described as a traditional Greek barbecue served on board, with chicken, pork, and vegetarian choices. Depending on the day’s schedule, lunch may be connected with the first island stop or served as the boat continues. The food has earned plenty of praise for taste, though portions have felt modest to some people, especially hungry children and adults used to a large midday meal.

I would treat lunch as a useful included meal rather than the main reason to book the trip. Choose your option when asked, and consider eating a good breakfast. You cannot bring your own drinks on board, but beverages are available for purchase.

Kalymnos: the longest stop and the most character

The crossing from Pserimos to Kalymnos takes about 45 minutes. Kalymnos is a larger and more distinctive stop, with time for photographs, a walk, shopping, and a look at local life. The scenery changes as you approach, and the island feels more substantial than tiny Pserimos.

The schedule gives Kalymnos roughly 55 minutes. Some visitors have found that enough for a quick look, while others have wanted more time. That difference matters. If you plan to wander far from the landing point, shop seriously, or sit down for a full drink, you will need to keep an eye on the departure time.

Kostas has been particularly helpful on this part of the cruise, showing people around and explaining aspects of Kalymnos and its culture. If he is guiding your group, listen closely as you walk. A short explanation can turn a pleasant island stop into something more meaningful than simply taking a photograph and returning to the boat.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a three-island cruise, not a dedicated Kalymnos tour. You will get an introduction rather than a full visit. I like the inclusion because it lets you compare three different island settings in one day, but I understand why some people would prefer to skip a short town stop and spend longer in the water.

The practical choice is to decide what matters most before you arrive. If you want local atmosphere, use the stop for a walk. If you care more about swimming, save your energy for Plati. Trying to do everything can leave you feeling rushed.

Plati: the real action takes place in the water

After about 40 minutes from Kalymnos, the boat heads to Plati. This is the highlight for many people because the focus shifts from island walking to sea time. You can swim, use snorkeling gear, relax with a drink, and try the onboard waterslide.

The slide runs from the boat into the sea, and you can also jump from the vessel if you are comfortable with the height. One person described the jump as about 10 metres, but the exact height is not officially specified, so you should judge it for yourself and follow the crew’s instructions. The slide is the safer, gentler choice for children and anyone who wants the fun without the leap.

This stop suits a wide age range. Children can enjoy the slide, confident swimmers can jump and snorkel, and less active people can remain on deck or wade in the water. The crew supplies safety equipment, but you still need to be honest about your swimming ability and stay alert around the boat.

The scheduled stop lasts about an hour. That is long enough for a good burst of water fun, but it can feel brief once everyone queues for the slide, swims, dries off, and takes photographs. If the sea is your main reason for booking, this is the part of the day you will want to protect.

The water may offer a chance to see marine life with the provided snorkeling gear. Dolphin sightings are possible on some days, but they are luck rather than a promise. Do not book expecting dolphins. Book because Plati gives you a lively, easy swim stop in clear Aegean water.

Music, drinks, and the boat atmosphere

The Barco de Pirata is built around a party mood. The crew plays music, dances, sings, and interacts with people on board. Yanis and the bar staff have been singled out for warm service, and the crew generally keeps busy cleaning, serving, and checking on people.

The boat has been described as clean and well maintained. That matters on a long day at sea, especially when children are using the slide and everyone returns wet from the water. The crew cleans spills quickly, and proper toilets make the outing easier for families.

Drinks cost extra. Water has been reported at about €1, and some drinks and cocktails are reasonably priced. One useful tip is that cocktails may be discounted after the first hour on certain departures, so check the bar’s offer early in the day. Prices and promotions can change, so do not rely on a particular deal.

The music is a strength if you want energy between stops. It is less appealing if you want a quiet cruise with only the sound of the sea. You can usually find a calmer corner on deck, but this is not a silent boat. Bring your sense of fun, not your expectation of a private yacht.

Free Wi-Fi is included, although the strongest value here is time outdoors. I would keep your phone protected from splashes and use it for a few photographs rather than trying to work during the crossing.

Is the included lunch enough?

The meal is a Greek-style barbecue with a choice of chicken, pork, or vegetarian food. It is included in the ticket, served on the boat, and generally considered tasty and convenient. For the price of the whole excursion, that is a useful saving and one less meal to arrange.

Portion size is the main question. Some people have found lunch perfectly adequate, while others wanted more, especially when children did not eat every side dish. The meal may include meat, pita, salad or coleslaw, and other simple accompaniments, but the exact plate can vary.

I would not count on seconds. Eat breakfast, choose the option that suits you, and consider buying a snack before boarding if you are travelling with children. You cannot bring your own drinks, but the restriction does not prevent you from preparing sensibly with food eaten before the cruise.

If you are vegetarian, the listed vegetarian option is important to request clearly. If you have a serious allergy or strict dietary requirement, confirm the arrangements before booking because the supplied information does not give a full allergy policy.

Value at about $29 per person

At around $29, this cruise offers a lot for a full day. You receive boat transport from Kos, three island visits, lunch, crew service, safety equipment, swimming stops, snorkeling gear, and the waterslide. Even if you value only the transport and water activity, the price is hard to dismiss.

The value improves if you plan to visit several islands but do not want to arrange separate ferries. You get a broad introduction to Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati without paying for individual boat connections, meals, and water activities.

The tradeoff is control. You follow a set route and shared timetable. You cannot stay longer in Kalymnos because you have found a good café, and you cannot extend the Plati swim because the boat has to return to Kos. A private boat or smaller sailing trip may offer more quiet and flexibility, but it will cost more.

For families, the included slide can be worth a large part of the ticket on its own. For couples seeking romance and calm, the music and busy social mood may reduce the appeal. For solo visitors, the friendly setup can make it easy to meet people, and the crew has a record of making special occasions feel welcome, including birthday announcements.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a full, active day with lots of variety. It suits families with children, groups of friends, solo visitors who like social settings, and anyone who wants to combine sightseeing with swimming.

You should also book it if you want good value more than luxury. The boat is described as clean and comfortable, but this is an excursion boat with a lively crowd, not an exclusive sailing yacht. The food is practical and included, not a long restaurant lunch.

Think twice if loud music bothers you, if you dislike fixed schedules, or if you want long, quiet time on one island. The stops are designed to give you a taste of each place. They are not long enough for a detailed visit.

A few practical tips will improve the day:

• Arrive early if you want a good place on the upper deck.
• Wear sunscreen from the start and reapply it often.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, towel, swimwear, and a T-shirt.
• Eat breakfast, especially if you have hungry children.
• Keep valuables protected around the slide and swim area.
• Ask about drink prices and any cocktail offers early.
• Follow the crew’s instructions before using the slide or jumping.

FAQ

Where does the 3-island cruise depart from?

It departs from Kos Harbour. Look near Jasmine Caffe for the large wooden pirate boat and the Barco de Pirata Cruise sign.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes Pserimos, Kalymnos, and Plati. Pserimos and Kalymnos are island visits, while Plati is mainly used for swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and waterslide fun.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek meal is included, with chicken, pork, or vegetarian choices. Beverages are not included and are available to purchase on board.

Can I bring my own drinks?

No. Bringing personal drinks on board is not permitted.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a T-shirt. You may also want a dry change of clothes and money for drinks or island purchases.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should confirm the exact arrangements when booking if you need specific boarding or onboard assistance.

Should you book the Barco de Pirata cruise?

For most people wanting an affordable day on the sea, I would book it. The strongest reasons are the three-stop route, the lively crew, the included meal, and the Plati waterslide. The cruise gives you far more than a simple boat transfer for about $29.

Just choose it for the right reasons. You are signing up for music, sun, shared spaces, short island visits, and a set schedule. If that sounds like a good day, the Barco de Pirata offers a cheerful and unusually full introduction to the islands around Kos.