From Kardamena: Nisyros, St.Antonios & Yali Islands Cruise

Three islands, one easy day at sea. This cruise from Kardamena packs swimming, island exploring, a Greek barbecue, and plenty of open-water views into one relaxed outing. I like the mix of Nisyros town time and simple beach stops, and I like that the boat, lunch, taxes, and insurance are covered in the price.

The main tradeoff is time. Nisyros offers enough to explore, but a stop of roughly a few hours cannot cover the town, monastery, and volcano without rushing. The volcano also costs extra, and drinks are not included, so bring some spending money.

Key points at a glance

• Three very different islands: Visit St. Antonios for a quiet church and swim, Nisyros for town streets and sights, and Yali for clear water and boat-based relaxation.
• A Greek lunch on board: The included meal features souvlaki, salad, and bread, with a vegetarian option available if you request it ahead of time.
• A 10 a.m. departure: You get a full day on the water, returning to Kardamena at about 5:30 p.m.
• The Maria Magdalini pirate boat: Find this two-deck vessel in Kardamena harbor and show your mobile voucher to the crew.
• Swimming is central to the day: Bring beachwear and a towel, since the schedule includes swimming and jumping from the boat near Yali.
• Nisyros can be as active or easygoing as you want: Walk toward Panagia Spiliani, browse Mandraki, or sit with a coffee in Ilikiomeni Square.

What this Kardamena boat trip is really like

This is a long, social day at sea rather than a quiet private sailing trip. The Maria Magdalini is described as a pirate boat with two decks, a bar, toilets, and room to move between sun and shade. Music and a cheerful onboard mood are part of the appeal.

You leave Kardamena at 10 a.m. and spend the day moving between three islands. The advertised duration is eight hours, with a return to the same port around 5:30 p.m. That timing makes the trip easy to fit into a Kos holiday, especially if you want one day that handles transport between several places for you.

The crew speaks English, and you show your mobile voucher when you board. There is no separate transfer information provided, so plan to make your own way to the port of Kardamena.

At $39.52 per person, the value is strong for a full day on the water. The fare includes the boat ticket, all three island stops, lunch, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance. You will pay extra for coffee, soft drinks, cocktails, and other bar purchases, and the optional volcano visit on Nisyros is not part of the basic price.

The first hour brings you to quiet St. Antonios

The first stop comes within about an hour of leaving Kardamena. St. Antonios is a small, peaceful island with a church dedicated to St. Antonios and a fine viewpoint over the surrounding sea.

This stop gives the day a gentle start. You can walk up to the church, take in the view, or stay near the water for swimming and sunbathing. The appeal is not a long list of sights. It is the chance to pause somewhere simple and quiet before the busier Nisyros visit.

You should wear shoes suitable for a short walk if you want to see the church. The provided information does not describe the path in detail, so avoid assuming it is fully paved or especially easy. If swimming is your priority, this is one of the better chances to settle into the water early in the day.

While you are at St. Antonios, the crew prepares lunch on board. This makes the stop practical as well as scenic. You do not need to search for a restaurant or lose time waiting for a table.

Lunch on board keeps the schedule moving

The included meal is a Greek barbecue with souvlaki, salad, and bread. A vegetarian meal is available, but you need to tell the operator in advance so the crew can prepare it.

Eating on the boat is useful here because the itinerary already includes three stops. You get a proper meal without giving up more of your limited time on Nisyros. It also keeps the day informal. You can eat, talk, and enjoy the sea rather than treating lunch as a separate event.

Drinks are not included. The onboard bar is open during the cruise, so you can buy coffee, cocktails, and other drinks as needed. If you prefer not to spend extra, carry water with you, although the provided information does not specify what outside food or drink is allowed.

The barbecue is a good value addition, but this is not a restaurant cruise. Expect a straightforward Greek lunch designed for a day outdoors, not a long dining experience.

Nisyros gives you the day’s main land visit

Around noon, the boat reaches Mandraki, the port and capital of Nisyros. This is the longest and most varied stop, and it is where you need to make a choice about how to spend your time.

Mandraki has narrow streets, souvenir shops, small cafes, and a traditional island feel. If you want an easy visit, simply stroll through town, find Ilikiomeni Square, and stop for a coffee or traditional dessert. This is probably the least hurried way to enjoy Nisyros.

If you want a view and a little exercise, you can climb about 200 steps toward the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani. From above, you can look across Nisyros and visit the Orthodox church, described as one of the island’s notable sights.

The steps make this option less suitable if you have limited mobility or do not want to walk uphill in the midday sun. Take water, move at your own pace, and allow enough time to return to the port. The cruise does not provide unlimited time, so a town walk and monastery visit may require some planning.

There is also an optional visit to the Nisyros volcano for an additional charge. Ask the crew for current details before deciding. The basic ticket does not cover it, and adding the volcano may leave less time for Mandraki itself.

One useful tip is to ask whether a quad bike is available for hire during the Nisyros stop. A quad bike can help you reach viewpoints beyond the immediate port area, but availability and arrangements are not guaranteed in the information provided. If you are considering it, ask the crew before leaving the boat and keep a close eye on the departure time.

Yali is the final swim stop

The third stop is Yali, a small volcanic island belonging to the municipality of Nisyros. Only 21 people live there, so this is not another town visit. The focus is the sea, the views, and time spent on or around the boat.

You can sunbathe, order a drink from the bar, and jump from the boat into clear water. The reviews especially praise the swimming conditions and the fun of jumping directly from the vessel. For many people, this will be the most carefree part of the day.

Yali works well after Nisyros because the pace changes. You have had time to walk and make choices on land. Here, you can simply stay on deck, swim, and enjoy the volcanic island scenery.

Do not expect a long guided exploration of Yali. The supplied details describe it mainly as a boat and swimming stop. Bring your towel and beachwear, and keep your phone protected if you plan to take photos near the water.

The bar adds to the holiday feel, but it also makes it easy to spend more than the ticket price. A cocktail in the sun can be pleasant, though you should remember that drinks are separate from the included lunch and cruise fare.

The boat setup and atmosphere

The Maria Magdalini has two decks, giving you more than one place to sit during the crossing. That matters on an eight-hour day. You may want sun for part of the route, shade after swimming, and a comfortable place to eat lunch.

Toilets are available on the vessel, which is important when you are away from shore for much of the day. The bar stays open during the cruise, and music contributes to the overall mood.

This is best for people who enjoy a friendly group atmosphere. If you want silence, personal space, or a highly tailored route, a pirate-boat cruise may feel too lively. The positive side is that you do not need to organize ferries, restaurant reservations, or separate transport between the islands.

The excursion has a rating of 4.5 from 171 reviews, with especially strong praise for the stop locations, music, swimming, and general organization. That matches the structure of the day: the route is simple, the main activities are clear, and the crew keeps food and transport in one place.

Who will get the most from this excursion

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want an easy island day from Kos. It suits you if you like a blend of sightseeing and swimming rather than spending the entire day on land.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in or near Kardamena and do not want to arrange separate boat tickets for Nisyros. The price covers the basic components you are most likely to need, including lunch and the full route.

You will enjoy it most if you can handle a full day around water, sun, steps, and a fixed schedule. The Nisyros visit involves choices, and the boat cannot wait indefinitely if you wander too far from Mandraki.

This may not suit you if your main goal is a detailed volcano visit. The volcano is optional, costs extra, and competes with town time. It may also disappoint you if you expect a private sailing experience or an in-depth guided tour of every island.

Practical value at $39.52

The price is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. For $39.52, you receive a full-day cruise, three island stops, lunch, taxes, legal fees, and insurance. That is a fair package for a day when the boat itself handles most of the transport.

The extras are easy to understand. Drinks, coffee, and cocktails cost more. The volcano visit on Nisyros also costs extra. If you stick to the included lunch and sightseeing, the base price remains quite controlled.

I would budget extra for at least one drink and possibly the volcano, but I would not feel forced to add either. The free parts of the day already include the church, swimming, Mandraki, the monastery, and views around Yali.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are helpful if your Kos plans are still changing, though you should check the current conditions when booking.

What to bring and how to plan your time

Bring a towel and beachwear. You will need both for the swimming stops and the boat jump near Yali.

Wear comfortable footwear for St. Antonios and the walk toward Panagia Spiliani. Carry sun protection and water, since much of the day is outdoors and the Nisyros stop comes around midday.

If you want to visit the monastery, decide early so you do not spend too long browsing Mandraki first. If you want the volcano, ask the crew about the extra cost and timing as soon as you board or reach Nisyros.

Vegetarians should notify the operator in advance. Do not wait until lunch, since the crew needs time to reserve the correct meal.

Should you book the Nisyros and Yali cruise?

Book it if you want good value, clear-water swimming, and a relaxed taste of several islands without arranging the day yourself. The strongest parts are the varied route, the included barbecue, the lively boat atmosphere, and the chance to choose between walking, sightseeing, and swimming.

Skip it if you want a slow, detailed visit to Nisyros or a dedicated volcano tour. For everyone else, especially visitors based in Kardamena, this is a practical and enjoyable way to spend one full day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the port of Kardamena. Look for the Maria Magdalini pirate boat and show the crew your mobile voucher.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat departs at 10 a.m.

When does the cruise return to Kardamena?

The cruise returns to the port of Kardamena at about 5:30 p.m.

How long is the experience?

The stated duration is eight hours.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route includes St. Antonios, Nisyros, and Yali.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes souvlaki, salad, and bread. Vegetarian options are available if you request one in advance.

Are drinks included?

No. Coffee, drinks, cocktails, and other bar purchases are not included. The bar is open during the cruise.

Can I visit the Nisyros volcano?

Yes, the volcano visit is available as an optional activity for an additional charge. Ask the crew for details.

Are toilets available on the boat?

Yes. Toilets are available on the vessel.