KOS: Catamaran Day Cruise – Swim, Snorkel, Food & Drinks!

Blue water, warm sun, no rush. This seven-hour catamaran trip from Kos gives you two of my favorite things at sea: easy access to quiet swimming bays and a friendly crew that keeps the day relaxed. I also like the freshly prepared Greek lunch, morning coffee, snacks, and included drinks, which save you from paying for every small extra on board. The main drawback is the price. At $212 per person, this is not a cheap boat outing, and one detailed assessment found the food simple and the drink choice limited for the cost.

The trip works best if you want a comfortable day on the water rather than a fast sightseeing tour. You sail from Kos harbor toward Pserimos, stop in two bays, swim and snorkel with provided equipment, then eat lunch on board with views across the sea. The boat is spacious and the group can be fairly small, with one account describing around 14 people, but deck space and soft seating may not feel generous if everyone wants the best spot at once.

Key details before you book

• Two swimming stops near Pserimos: You get time to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, and sit quietly in two clear-water bays rather than making a rushed single stop.
• Greek lunch prepared on board: The meal is part of the price, with white wine, beer, bottled water, and soft drinks available within stated limits.
• A spacious catamaran from Kos harbor: The boat offers room to sit and relax, music, swimming aids, and a crew that helps with the day’s activities.
• A small-group feel: One account described a group of about 14 people, though the exact number can vary.
• Bring your own towel: Towels are not supplied, and the hard deck may matter if you plan to stretch out for hours.
• Adult-oriented activity: Children under 12 are not accepted, and the cruise is not suitable for people with mobility, wheelchair, or visual impairments, or for people over 75.

Setting out from Kos harbor

Your meeting point is on board at Kos harbor, just to the right of the I Love Kos sign when you face it. This is a useful landmark, but you still need to allow time to find the correct boat and be ready before departure.

The cruise starts with a fairly gentle rhythm. You settle onto the catamaran, take in the view of the Kos coastline, and enjoy coffee and snacks as the boat heads toward Pserimos. Some of the route is sailed and some is covered under engine power, so do not expect continuous sailing with the motor off for the entire seven hours.

That mix is normal for a day cruise. The appeal is not a technical sailing lesson. It is having a stable base on the water, plenty of open views, and the chance to reach bays that are harder to visit from land.

The crew speaks English and is described as friendly, attentive, and eager to help. That matters here because the quality of a boat day often depends less on the route than on how smoothly the crew handles food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and movement around the boat.

The ride toward Pserimos

Pserimos is a small island in the Dodecanese, and the route gives you a broad view of the Aegean rather than a long list of historical stops. This is a day for sea air and swimming, not museums or village walks.

As you cruise, you can take coffee, eat the morning snacks, listen to music, or find a place to sit in the sun. The catamaran is spacious, but do not assume every passenger will have a padded front-deck spot. One careful assessment found that the deck felt hard and that the soft seating at the front was not enough for everyone.

That is an easy problem to manage if you bring a towel or beach cover-up to sit on. Towels are specifically not included, so pack one even if you plan to spend most of your time in the water. A hat is also useful, since a full day at sea means long exposure to the sun.

Only non-oily sun protection products are allowed on board. This rule protects the deck and prevents slippery surfaces, so apply sunscreen before boarding and bring a suitable product for later use.

First bay: clear water and free snorkeling gear

The first anchorage is one of the main reasons to choose this trip. The catamaran stops in a quiet bay near Pserimos, where you can swim in clear turquoise water and use the provided masks, flippers, and goggles.

You do not need to bring a full snorkeling kit. Life vests and swimming aids are also available, which makes the stop more approachable if you are comfortable in the water but not a confident swimmer. The crew is there to guide and assist, though this should still be treated as a boat-based swim stop rather than a formal snorkeling lesson.

The water is the star here. You can swim away from the boat, look beneath the surface, or simply float and cool off. Marine life is part of the appeal, but conditions can change with weather and visibility, so do not book this expecting a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

The first stop also gives non-snorkelers something to do. You can remain on deck, take in the views, or enjoy the calm setting while others swim. That flexibility is important for a mixed group, since not everyone wants the same amount of activity.

Second bay: more time to slow down

The second swimming stop gives the day a better pace than a single quick anchorage. After the first swim, you have another chance to get into the water, try the snorkeling equipment, or simply relax near the boat.

The two-bay plan is a strong part of the value. You are not spending the whole day in transit, and the cruise includes enough time for the sea to feel like the main event. The stops are described as secluded and scenic, with views toward Pserimos and the surrounding Aegean.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is not a private charter where you decide every stop and timing. The crew chooses the bays, and the cruise may be canceled or rescheduled if weather or low numbers make operation unsafe or impractical.

You should also expect a social day. Music is available on board, and the group size may be modest, but this is not a silent retreat. The atmosphere can be lively, especially once food, drinks, and swimming are underway.

Greek lunch served on the catamaran

Lunch is freshly prepared on board and follows traditional Greek flavors. That is a welcome touch because it means you do not lose time returning to port or going ashore for a meal.

The food has been warmly praised, with several accounts calling lunch excellent or very good. Another more critical assessment found it good but simple. Both points can be true: you get a tasty Greek meal in a lovely setting, but you should not expect a restaurant tasting menu or a large buffet.

The lunch becomes part of the pleasure because you eat with the island and sea around you. After swimming, a seated meal and a cold drink can feel like exactly the right break.

Drinks include bottled water, soft drinks, white wine, and beer. Alcohol is limited to two glasses of wine and two beers per person under the boat’s safety rules. This is enough to accompany lunch, but it is not an open bar. If unlimited alcohol is important to you, this cruise will not meet that expectation.

Coffee and snacks are served earlier in the day, so you are not relying on lunch alone. Even so, anyone with specific dietary needs should confirm suitability before booking, since no detailed menu or dietary information is provided.

How much value do you get for $212?

At $212 per person, the cost is high for a seven-hour outing. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: the round-trip catamaran ride, crew service, coffee, snacks, drinks, lunch, snorkeling equipment, life vests, and two swim stops.

You are also paying for comfort and convenience. A cheaper boat trip might offer transport and one swimming stop, while this outing combines food, drinks, equipment, and a more spacious boat in one package.

But the price still deserves a close look. One assessment at the equivalent of €175 found the trip pleasant but not exceptional, pointing to simple food, a limited drink selection, no towels, and not enough cushioned space at the front. That is the key value warning.

I would book it if you place a high value on a relaxed catamaran setting, friendly service, and not having to organize lunch or snorkeling gear yourself. I would hesitate if you mainly want to swim for a few hours at the lowest possible price.

The included drinks are helpful, but the alcohol limits keep the package from being an all-inclusive party cruise. The strongest value comes from the whole day working together: boat, bays, meal, crew, and scenery.

Who will enjoy this day most?

This cruise suits adults and older teenagers who want a polished day on the water with a balance of swimming and relaxation. Children under 12 are not accepted, so families with younger children need another option.

It is especially good for couples, friends, or small groups who enjoy a social but not enormous boat outing. The reported group of about 14 people suggests a more personal feel than a large excursion vessel, although the final number can vary.

You should be reasonably comfortable moving around a boat and getting in and out of the water. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and it is also listed as unsuitable for people with visual impairments or those over 75.

Bring a hat, swimsuit, beachwear, towel, sunscreen, and passport or ID card. A copy of your identification is accepted. Do not bring pets, and nudity is not allowed.

Practical details that can affect your day

You must provide several details at least two days before the cruise. These include your full name, surname, nationality, ID or passport number, mobile phone number, and hotel in Kos.

This is required for Port Authority records and also lets the operator contact you if weather forces a change. Failing to send the information on time can result in cancellation of the booking, so do not leave this paperwork until the morning of departure.

The cruise lasts seven hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Kos harbor.

Weather is a real factor for any Aegean boat trip. The operator can cancel or reschedule because of weather or because too few people have booked. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while planning your Kos stay.

The overall rating is 4.9 from 18 reviews, with strong praise for the crew, food, bays, music, and relaxed mood. One lower assessment is useful because it highlights the central question: is the comfort and convenience worth the premium price for you?

Should you book the Kos to Pserimos cruise?

I would recommend this trip if you want a full, easy day at sea and are happy to pay for the package. The crew, two swimming bays, on-board Greek lunch, free snorkeling gear, and included soft drinks make it simple to enjoy the day without constant extra charges.

I would not choose it if you want a budget boat ride, unlimited drinks, guaranteed front-deck seating, or a highly active snorkeling program. Bring your own towel, use suitable non-oily sunscreen, and send your required identity details on time.

For the right person, this is less about checking off Pserimos and more about giving yourself seven unhurried hours of sun, water, food, and Greek hospitality.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The catamaran leaves from Kos harbor. The crew meets you on board, just to the right of the I Love Kos sign when you face the sign.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts seven hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek lunch is freshly prepared on board and served during the cruise.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are bottled water, soft drinks, white wine, and beer. Alcohol is limited to two glasses of wine and two beers per person.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, flippers, goggles, life vests, and swimming aids are available for use during the swimming stops.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Beach towels are not provided, so you should bring your own.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Kos harbor.

What information must I provide before the cruise?

At least two days before the cruise, you must provide your full name, surname, nationality, ID or passport number, mobile phone number, and hotel in Kos. A passport or ID card, or a copy, is required.