A Day’s 3-Island Cruise Tour with Transfer

Clear water is the main attraction here. This 8-hour cruise from Kos takes you to Vathy, Plati, and Pserimos, combining swimming, small-island scenery, a Greek BBQ lunch, and hotel transfers for $54.07 per person. I like the mix of three very different stops and the chance to swim straight from the boat in clear water. I also like that lunch, restrooms, air conditioning, and transport are included. The main concern is that the day can feel long, especially if you dislike sun, onboard smoking, or a lively boat atmosphere.

The boat leaves around 10:00 am, but your pickup may be much earlier. One booking reported being collected two hours before departure and waiting on board for about an hour. Bring patience, sun protection, and something to occupy you during transfer or boarding delays. The tour is capped at 90 people, so this is a social group outing rather than a quiet private sailing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three islands, three different moods: Vathy has a small port and local shops, Plati is an uninhabited swimming stop, and Pserimos offers a sandy beach.
• Swimming is the star: Plati is the best stop for clear green-blue water, snorkeling, and jumping from the boat.
• Greek BBQ is included: Vegetarian and vegan choices are available, though the meat-free option may be quite basic.
• Drinks cost extra: The bar sells drinks, but no alcoholic or nonalcoholic beverages are included.
• Transfers are convenient but not always quick: Pickup takes place on the main street, and the exact time is sent before the trip.
• Expect a lively open-air boat: Music and a DJ help create a holiday mood, but shade and smoking may matter to some people.

What this Kos cruise actually offers

This is a full-day island-hopping outing built around swimming rather than formal sightseeing. You spend time on three islands, with the boat connecting the stops and serving lunch during the day.

The advertised duration is about eight hours. The listed route includes 1 hour and 30 minutes at Vathy, 45 minutes at Plati, and 40 minutes at Pserimos. The remaining time is used for boarding, sailing, lunch, and transfers between the islands.

That timing gives you a useful sense of the pace. Vathy receives the longest visit because it has the most to explore. Plati and Pserimos are shorter stops, so you need to choose what matters most: swim first, stroll first, or simply sit and enjoy the view.

The cruise has received a 4.6 rating from 16 ratings, with 94 percent of people recommending it. That is a strong result, but the small sample and mixed comments suggest you should book it for the right reasons. It is a good-value day at sea, not a polished luxury cruise.

Pickup from Kos and the morning wait

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which makes the price more useful if you are staying away from the port. Pickup is handled from the main street rather than necessarily from your hotel door. Before the trip, you receive instructions with the exact pickup time.

Look for a bus with the Smilies Holidays sign in the front windshield. The bus is air-conditioned and has been praised for being clean and punctual. That matters on Kos, where a hot roadside wait can quickly take the shine off an otherwise pleasant morning.

The tradeoff is an early collection time. Pickup schedules depend on where your hotel is located, so you may be collected well before the 10:00 am start. One account describes a pickup two hours early followed by an hour waiting on the boat. If you prefer a tightly timed morning, ask for the expected pickup time before the day of departure.

Once on board, find your place and settle in. The boat is an open-air wooden sailing boat with some shaded areas, but shade is not guaranteed throughout the day as the sun moves. If you need consistent shade, arrive prepared and ask the crew early rather than waiting until the boat is full.

Vathy and Porto Vathy: the longest island stop

Vathy, also called Porto Vathy in the tour description, is the first major stop and lasts about 90 minutes. It is described as a small port with shops, a sponge retailer, a high church, local food stores, and access to the sea.

This is the most varied stop. You can browse rather than simply sit on the beach, which gives the day a little local character. The sponge shop is a particularly fitting stop in the Dodecanese, where natural sea sponges are a familiar part of island commerce.

You also have time to swim here. I would suggest looking around the port first, then saving enough time for the water. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but it passes quickly if you want a snack, a short walk, and a swim.

Do not expect a major sightseeing program. Vathy is valuable because it breaks up the boat ride with a small-port visit. Its appeal is simple: local shops, a church, sea air, and a chance to move around after sitting on board.

Plati: the clearest water and best swim

Plati, or Platy, is uninhabited and receives about 45 minutes. There are no shops or town streets here, so the focus is the sea.

This is likely the strongest stop for swimmers. The water is described as exceptionally clear with green and blue tones, and you can snorkel or climb up the rocks. You can also jump from the boat into the sea, a detail praised repeatedly in the feedback.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a refreshing swim, but not for a slow, extended beach visit. Have your swimsuit ready before arrival. If you wait until the boat reaches the island to organize towels, goggles, and sunscreen, you will lose part of the stop.

The rocky setting also means you should take care when getting in and out of the water. The available information does not specify snorkeling equipment, so do not assume gear is supplied. Bring your own if snorkeling is important to you.

Plati is not the right stop if you want cafés, shade, or a long walk. It is the right stop if your ideal Greek island experience is a jump from the boat into transparent water.

Pserimos: golden sand and a slower finish

The final island stop is Pserimos, with about 40 minutes available. Here you can relax on a golden sandy beach, buy an ice cream, or visit a small church.

Pserimos gives the route a different feel from Plati. Plati is about swimming from the boat in a wild, uninhabited setting. Pserimos gives you sand, a little refreshment, and an easy stroll.

Forty minutes is brief, so choose one main activity. If you want the beach, head there directly. If the small church interests you, keep your walk short and leave time to return to the boat. An ice cream is a pleasant option, but the stop is not long enough for an unhurried meal or extensive exploring.

The three stops work well together because each offers a different reason to get off the boat. Vathy is the most active and varied, Plati is the best for clear-water swimming, and Pserimos is the simplest place to relax on sand.

Lunch, drinks, music, and the onboard mood

A Greek BBQ lunch is included in the price. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, which is useful for a mixed group. Still, the food may be the least reliable part of the experience.

One account praised the trip but felt the food was a letdown. Another described the portion as a small souvlaki stick with bread and coleslaw. The meat-free option has been described as canned beans. That does not mean everyone will dislike lunch, but you should expect a straightforward excursion meal, not a restaurant-quality Greek feast.

Drinks are not included. This applies to alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, which you can buy from the bar on the boat. Since you will be out for most of the day, budget for drinks separately or bring only what the operator allows onboard. The supplied information does not confirm a bring-your-own-drinks policy, so do not count on it.

The mood can be lively. Music and a DJ were praised, and the crew received strong marks for being friendly. This is a good match for people who enjoy a social holiday atmosphere. It may not suit you if you want quiet sailing, especially because smoking has been reported onboard in the open-air areas.

The boat has shaded areas, but coverage may be limited as the sun shifts. If you are traveling with older family members or anyone sensitive to heat, take this seriously. Ask the crew for help as soon as you board, and bring a hat, sunscreen, water, and light clothing.

Value at $54.07 per person

At $54.07, the cruise offers solid value if you plan to use the included transfer and lunch. Paying separately for transport, a boat trip, three island visits, and a meal could easily become more expensive, while this package keeps the day simple.

The value is strongest for an active day at sea. You get three stops, a boat ride, swimming opportunities, a meal, restrooms, and air-conditioned transport. The price is less attractive if you will not swim, dislike group activities, or expect high-end food and attentive personal service.

The maximum group size is 90 people. That is large enough for a busy boat, particularly around popular seating and shaded areas. In exchange, you get a lower price than a private charter.

I would judge the price by your priorities. If you want an affordable day with clear water, music, and several islands, it is reasonable. If you are paying mainly for comfort, silence, or refined dining, spend more on a smaller boat.

Timing, comfort, and what to pack

The stated start time is 10:00 am, with the complete outing lasting about eight hours. Although the listed island visits add up to less than three hours, sailing and boarding take up much of the day.

The boat ride between stops can last up to about two hours depending on weather conditions, according to the operator’s response to one complaint. That makes comfort important. You may spend long stretches onboard even though the itinerary has three island stops.

Pack these essentials:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable shoes for the boat and rocky areas
• Cash or another payment method for bar purchases and island treats
• Snorkeling gear if you want to snorkel
• A light cover-up for the boat

Restrooms are available onboard, which is a useful comfort on a full-day sailing trip. Air conditioning is provided in the transfer vehicle, not necessarily across the open-air boat deck.

Weather matters. The cruise requires good conditions and may be moved or canceled if the weather is poor. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and groups of friends who want a simple island day without arranging transport themselves. It is especially suited to swimmers and people who like music, social energy, and a relaxed holiday schedule.

It can also work well as a final full day on Kos. The route gives you beaches, sea views, a meal, and a clear change from hotel or town time. One German-language account described it as a particularly good holiday-ending outing, praising the boat, crew, music, water, and transport.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, need guaranteed shade, or find heat and cigarette smoke difficult. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information for boarding, rocks, or beach access.

Families with older relatives should plan carefully. Ask about shade immediately, keep water close, and avoid assuming that every seat will remain shaded. The crew may be able to help, but the boat’s layout and sun exposure limit what staff can change.

Should you book the 3-island cruise?

Book it if your perfect Kos day includes swimming from a boat, clear water, three short island visits, Greek food, music, and convenient transfers. The strongest parts are Plati’s water, the chance to jump from the boat, the variety of the three stops, and the friendly crew.

Think twice if you want a quiet, carefully timed, luxury experience. Pickup may be early, the boat can feel crowded, lunch is basic, drinks cost extra, and shade is not guaranteed. Go in with realistic expectations and this is a good-value day on the water. Go expecting a private yacht and gourmet lunch, and you may be disappointed.

FAQ

What is included in the cruise price?

The price includes the cruise, Greek BBQ lunch, vegetarian and vegan meal options, onboard restrooms, an air-conditioned transfer vehicle, and pickup and drop-off at your hotel area.

Are drinks included?

No. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are excluded. You can buy drinks from the bar on the boat.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 am. Your pickup time may be earlier, and exact instructions are sent before the activity.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is conducted from the main street. Look for the bus with the Smilies Holidays sign in the front windshield.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route visits Vathy, Plati, and Pserimos.

How long do you stop at each island?

The listed times are about 1 hour and 30 minutes at Vathy, 45 minutes at Plati, and 40 minutes at Pserimos.

Can you swim during the cruise?

Yes. Swimming is available at Vathy and Plati, and you can jump from the boat into the sea. Plati also allows snorkeling and climbing up the rocks.

Is the tour suitable for most people?

The activity states that most people can participate. Detailed accessibility information for the boat, rocky areas, and beaches is not provided.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.