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

Three islands, one easy day at sea. This Odyssey cruise is appealing because it mixes short island visits with swimming stops, a generous Greek lunch, and plenty of time simply watching the Dodecanese coast slide past. I especially like the visit to Vathi on Kalymnos, where fjord-like water and rocky cliffs give the morning a strong sense of place, and the chance to see dolphins near the fish farms.

The other big plus is value. At $35 per person, the price includes the boat trip, island stops, swimming, and lunch with meat or vegetarian choices. The main caution is that this is a full boat day, not a private sailing trip. Seats can feel tight when the boat is busy, and wind may change the route or make the front deck wet.

The crew receives unusually warm praise, with Captain Yannis and his team often singled out for being friendly, attentive, and good-humored. You should also know that the schedule is weather-sensitive, the drinks cost extra, and the information describes the boat as wheelchair accessible while also listing the experience as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments. Check directly before booking if access is important.

Key points to know before you book

• Vathi on Kalymnos is the most scenic village stop: You get about an hour to walk through the quiet streets, see the natural fjord, and look for local food or small souvenirs.
• Plati is the main swim stop: The boat anchors near turquoise water, giving you the chance to jump in and swim around the vessel.
• Dolphins are a happy possibility, not a promise: The route passes fish farms where dolphins are sometimes seen, and the captain may slow down or turn back if they appear.
• Lunch is simple, filling Greek food: Expect souvlaki, salad, tzatziki, and bread, with beans and dolmades replacing the meat for vegetarians.
• Pserimos offers a slower final stop: You have roughly an hour to walk around, swim, or sit near the bay before sailing back to Kos.
• Bring cash for Pserimos: At least one island restaurant does not accept cards, and drinks on the boat are not included.

Finding the blue Odyssey boat in Kos harbor

The meeting point is Odyssey Boat Kos, at the harbor opposite the Port Police. Look for the blue boat named Odyssey. You need to be onboard by 9:30 to have your ticket checked, so do not treat the listed departure time as a suggestion.

There is no hotel transfer included. You will need to reach the harbor yourself, which is simple if you are staying in Kos Town but worth planning around if you are based elsewhere on the island.

The sailing portion to the first stop takes about an hour. That is enough time to settle into a seat, order a drink later in the day, and get used to the motion of the sea. Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, and a towel. Towels are not supplied.

Why this cruise offers good value at $35

The price is the strongest part of this outing. A full day on the water with three island visits, swimming, and lunch for $35 gives you a lot for your money. You are not paying separately for a bus transfer, a restaurant meal, and a boat ride between each stop.

The food is not fine dining, but that is not the point. Lunch is served onboard and usually includes pork or chicken souvlaki, salad, tzatziki, and bread. The vegetarian plate uses beans and dolmades instead of meat. One vegetarian and vegan couple found the meal suitable, with the vegan diner simply skipping the tzatziki.

Drinks cost extra, but the onboard bar is described as reasonably priced. Cocktails are around €6, and water has been available for about €1 during happy hour. The crew also offers an Odyssey cocktail, which several people enjoyed. If you want drinks on Pserimos, carry cash, since card payment is not accepted at every restaurant.

The boat is not designed as a luxury yacht. It is a working local excursion boat with shared seating and a social feel. Most people find it comfortable enough for the duration, but one account described six people being placed in space better suited to four. If you want the best choice of seats, arriving on time matters.

Vathi on Kalymnos: the scenic first stop

The first island stop is Vathi, a village on Kalymnos. The approach is one of the most memorable parts of the day, with steep rock, coves, caves, and a narrow natural fjord leading toward the village.

You usually get about an hour here. That is enough for a short walk, photographs, and a taste of village life, but not enough for a long hike or a serious exploration of Kalymnos. Think of it as a pleasant introduction rather than a full island visit.

I like this stop because it gives the cruise some local character. You are not only anchored offshore for a swim. You also step into a real settlement, see the surrounding hills, and get a brief look at how the island communities fit around the water.

The timing can change. On one outing, the captain spent extra time following dolphins, leaving only about 30 minutes at the first island. That was considered a good trade by the passengers who saw the dolphins, but it shows why you should keep expectations flexible.

Watching for dolphins near the fish farms

After lunch, the boat passes nearby fish farms, a known area for dolphin sightings. The crew keeps watch, and the captain may make another turn if dolphins appear close to the boat.

Dolphin sightings were a highlight for many people, with some groups seeing several animals and one family counting at least eight nearby. Others saw none, so treat this as a bonus rather than a scheduled part of the cruise.

This section can also make the day feel less rushed. You are not constantly getting off, walking, and reboarding. Sometimes the best part is standing along the rail with a drink, watching the water, and waiting to see movement beside the boat.

The sea can be choppy. One passenger found the front of the boat too wet to enjoy when conditions changed. If you prefer a dry ride, sit farther back or inside when the wind picks up. Bring sunscreen even on a breezy day, because the reflection from the water is strong.

Plati: turquoise water and a proper swim

The route continues to Plati, a small islet known here mainly for swimming. The boat stops in clear turquoise water, and you can jump from the boat and swim around it.

This is the part of the day that feels most like a holiday postcard. After walking through Vathi and eating lunch, the water gives you a chance to cool off without another scheduled tour activity. Soft music plays onboard, and the atmosphere is generally relaxed rather than built around loud entertainment.

You should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat. The supplied details do not describe a beach landing at Plati, so expect a boat-based swim stop rather than a walk onto a broad sandy shore.

Wind can affect this stop. One group could not dock at Plati because of the conditions, and the crew added another swimming stop in the Pserimos area instead. That is a sensible adjustment, but it means the exact order and location of your swims can change.

Pserimos: a slower final island visit

Pserimos is the final island stop, with about an hour to explore at your own pace. Compared with Vathi, this is less about a dramatic fjord approach and more about having time near a small island bay.

You can walk around, look for a drink or snack, and enjoy the setting before the return sail. The stop works well late in the day because it is not overloaded with formal activities. You are free to do as much or as little as you like.

Take cash if you want to buy something here. One useful detail from the trip is that some Pserimos restaurants do not accept cards. A small amount of euros can save you from missing a cold drink or local snack.

The schedule gives you enough time to get a feel for Pserimos, but not enough to see every corner. That is the pattern across the cruise: short, attractive introductions to three islands rather than a deep visit to any one of them.

Lunch, drinks, and the onboard mood

Lunch is served after the first island visit. The standard plate includes souvlaki, salad, tzatziki, and bread. It is straightforward Greek fare, but it is filling and well suited to a long day outdoors.

Vegetarian food is available, with beans and dolmades replacing the meat. If you are vegetarian or vegan, tell the crew early. A couple traveling together found the vegetarian meal suitable for both of them, with the vegan diner leaving out the tzatziki.

The crew’s attitude is one of the biggest strengths of the experience. People consistently describe them as attentive and helpful, from arranging special meals to assisting with seasickness or helping after a minor fall. Captain Yannis is also praised for keeping the mood light while giving information about the islands.

Music is part of the atmosphere. It is generally soft and not presented as a party cruise, though one person would have preferred more traditional Greek music. If you want loud dancing and a raucous pirate-boat feel, this is probably not the right style. If you prefer a friendly boat with music in the background, it should suit you better.

How crowded and active is the boat?

The cruise attracts families, couples, and groups looking for an affordable full day on the sea. Several families found it suitable for children, including children aged eight and twelve who especially enjoyed jumping into the water.

The boat can feel busy, particularly in high season. Shared seating is part of the bargain, and you may not have a private corner for the whole day. Arrive by 9:30 if having a good seat matters to you.

There is also some physical activity. You need to move around the boat, get on and off at island stops, and manage entry into the sea for swimming. The experience information is mixed on access: it is marked wheelchair accessible in one place but also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Ask the operator about boarding, seating, toilets, and swimming access before you reserve.

Families should bring extra sunscreen and hats, especially for children. The boat offers shade in some areas, but you should not count on remaining protected all day.

The pace: seven and a half hours that can pass quickly

The advertised duration is 450 minutes, or seven and a half hours. The sailing plan includes roughly one hour to Kalymnos, 45 minutes toward Plati, 20 minutes toward Pserimos, and about 30 minutes back toward Kos, along with the island visits and swim stops.

That sounds long on paper, but the day is broken into useful sections. You have a village visit, lunch, dolphin watching, a swim, another island walk, and the return ride. One couple found that the roughly seven-hour day passed quickly because there was always something different to do.

Still, you should not book this if you dislike spending most of a day on a boat. The cruise is designed as a full outing, not a quick sightseeing trip. Sea conditions can also make the ride tiring for anyone prone to seasickness. The crew has helped with seasickness medicine, but bring your own preferred remedy if you normally need one.

Who should book the Odyssey cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a low-cost way to see several nearby islands without arranging separate ferries, meals, and swim stops. It is particularly good for couples, families, first-time visitors to Kos, and anyone who wants a relaxed day with plenty of scenery but no demanding hike.

You will probably enjoy it if your ideal day includes a simple Greek lunch, affordable cocktails, village walks, clear water, and a friendly crew. The high rating of 4.8 from more than 5,000 reviews reflects how consistently people value the staff, food, scenery, and price.

I would look elsewhere if you want a private boat, long free time on each island, luxury service, or a guarantee of seeing dolphins. I would also think twice if you dislike crowds, get seasick easily, or have mobility needs that require fully confirmed access.

The cruise earns its strong reputation through small practical touches: vegetarian meals arranged in advance, sensible drink prices, a captain willing to adjust for dolphins or wind, and staff who pay attention. At $35, it is an unusually affordable way to spend a full day around Kos, provided you are happy with a shared boat and a flexible route.

Should you book this three-island cruise?

Yes, if you want strong value and a relaxed introduction to Kalymnos, Plati, and Pserimos. The scenery, swimming, lunch, and crew make this one of the better budget day trips from Kos.

Book with realistic expectations. You get short island visits, not full-day exploration; a tasty buffet, not a restaurant meal; and a lively shared boat, not a private yacht. Bring a towel, hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and some cash, arrive before 9:30, and let the captain handle the day’s changes.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from Odyssey Boat Kos in the harbor, opposite the Port Police. Look for the blue boat named Odyssey.

What time should I arrive?

You should be onboard by 9:30 so the crew can check your ticket.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is 450 minutes, which is seven and a half hours. Some departures may finish in about seven hours depending on the route and conditions.

Which islands does the boat visit?

The planned stops are Vathi on Kalymnos, Plati islet, and Pserimos island.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to buy onboard, including cocktails and water.

Can I swim during the cruise?

Yes. The cruise includes swimming stops, including a stop near Plati and swimming opportunities around Pserimos. Wind may change the exact locations.

Is there a chance to see dolphins?

Yes. The boat passes fish farms where wild dolphins may appear. Sightings are possible but cannot be guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a sun hat. The boat does not provide towels.