The best part of this day is the chance to jump from the boat into clear water at Plati, an uninhabited island with no town or sales pitch to interrupt the swim. The route also gives you three quite different stops: a working little port at Vathy, a rocky swimming spot, and a sandy beach at Pserimos.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes the need to reach the harbor on your own. I also like the mix of activity: swimming, a little exploring, food, music, and time on shore. The main caution is comfort. Shade can be limited on the open boat, drinks are not included, and the day may feel long if you dislike sun, cigarette smoke, or a lively group setting.

Key points to know before you book

• Three islands, three different moods: Vathy offers a small port and local shops, Plati is best for swimming, and Pserimos gives you golden sand and a quiet village stop.
• Plati is the swimming highlight: The water is described as especially clear green-blue, with time to snorkel or climb the rocks.
• Lunch is included, drinks are not: The Greek BBQ comes with vegan and vegetarian choices, but every drink must be purchased onboard.
• The boat is social and open-air: Music and a DJ help create a party mood, but shade is not guaranteed everywhere.
• Transfers are useful but may begin early: Pickup instructions come before the trip, and the bus may collect you well before the 10 a.m. sailing time.
• The group can reach 90 people: This is a shared excursion, not a quiet private cruise.

Three islands from Kos in one long day

At $54.07 per person, this is an efficient way to see several islands near Kos without arranging separate boats or taxis. The price covers your transfers, boat trip, lunch, and use of the onboard restroom. That makes it a reasonable package for a full day on the water, though you should budget extra for drinks.

The advertised start time is 10 a.m., but pickup timing depends on your hotel area. The transfer uses the main street rather than necessarily collecting you at your hotel door, and you will receive exact instructions before the activity. Look for the Smilies Holidays bus with its sign in the front windshield.

Plan for roughly eight hours overall. One account describes being collected around 9 a.m., waiting on the boat, and returning at about 5 p.m. That does not mean eight hours of nonstop sailing. The day is broken up by three island stops, with the longest stretches onboard lasting roughly one hour and 45 minutes to two hours, depending on weather.

That distinction matters. You are signing up for a full-day outing, not a short harbor cruise. The time passes more easily if you enjoy music, conversation, sun, and swimming. If you want a quiet boat with a short schedule, choose carefully.

Vathy, a small port with more than a swim

The first stop is Vathy, also written as Vathis in the tour information. You have about 90 minutes here, which is the longest shore visit of the day.

Vathy is presented as a small port filled with local points of interest. You can browse food shops, visit a sponge retailer, see the high church, walk around the town, and swim in the nearby water. The stop gives the day some local texture before the more nature-focused swimming breaks.

The sponge shop is a particularly useful detail for anyone interested in the traditional trade of the Dodecanese. You do not need to turn this into a shopping stop, but it gives you a chance to see an item closely tied to island life. The food shops also make Vathy a sensible place to pick up something small if you prefer to supplement the included lunch.

The one limitation is time. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but it disappears quickly if you want to browse, walk, visit the church, and swim. I would decide before arriving which two or three activities matter most to you. Trying to do everything may leave you rushing from one spot to the next.

Plati delivers the clearest water

Plati is uninhabited, so there is no town to explore and no long list of sights. That is exactly its appeal. The stop lasts about 45 minutes and focuses on the water.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel, or climb up the rocks. The water is described as exceptionally clear green-blue, making this the strongest stop for anyone who chooses the cruise mainly for swimming. The boat setting also means you can get straight into the sea without spending the short stop searching for a place on shore.

Bring swimwear under your clothes and have a towel ready. Forty-five minutes is enough for a good swim, but not enough for a slow change of clothes, an extended hike, and a leisurely meal. If you are comfortable in the water, Plati may become the most memorable part of the day.

The rocky setting requires sensible judgment. The tour information says you may hike up the rocks, but it does not promise a marked trail or formal facilities. Wear footwear that can handle a rough surface, and do not climb higher than feels safe. This is a natural stop, not a developed beach resort.

Pserimos adds sand, ice cream, and a little village life

The final island stop is Pserimos, with about 40 minutes ashore. After the open-water stop at Plati, this is a gentler finish.

You can relax on the golden sandy beach, buy an ice cream, or visit the small church. The short visit works best if you want to slow down rather than pack in another major activity. Sit by the water, take a few photographs, and enjoy the change from boat deck to beach.

Forty minutes is not enough for a long beach session. You will need to keep an eye on the departure time, especially if you walk away from the landing point. I would treat Pserimos as a pleasant final pause, not as the main beach day of your holiday.

The three stops work well together because they avoid repeating the same experience. Vathy has shops and a port, Plati is about clear water and rocks, and Pserimos gives you sand and a small church. None of the stops is designed for a detailed cultural tour, but together they give you a varied day around the islands.

What lunch really adds to the value

A Greek BBQ lunch is included, with vegan and vegetarian options available. This is important at sea. You do not need to organize a separate midday meal, and you can return to the boat after swimming without spending time looking for a restaurant.

Expect a simple excursion lunch rather than a carefully prepared restaurant meal. Feedback about the food is mixed. One meal was described as a small souvlaki stick with bread and coleslaw, while another account found the food acceptable for the price. A separate comment praised the meal overall but noted that the vegetarian and vegan alternative was canned beans.

That does not make lunch a reason to avoid the tour, but it does set a fair expectation. The meal is practical fuel for a day outside. If you have a large appetite, strict dietary needs, or strong expectations about Greek food, bring a few permitted snacks or plan to buy something at Vathy. The provided information confirms vegetarian and vegan choices, but it does not give a full menu, so ask for details if your diet is medically important.

Drinks are not included. This applies to alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, which you can buy at the boat bar. The onboard bar is convenient, but the final cost will be higher than the ticket price if you buy several drinks throughout the day.

An open boat with music and a social mood

The boat atmosphere appears to be one of the tour’s strongest features. Positive feedback highlights a friendly crew, music, and a DJ. One account also describes the boat as especially good-looking, while another praised the atmosphere during the swim stops and the jump from the boat into the sea.

This is not a silent sightseeing cruise. Music can make the long stretches between islands feel shorter, particularly if you enjoy a holiday-party mood. It also means the experience may not suit you if you want calm water, quiet reading time, or a private conversation.

The maximum group size is 90 people. That is a fairly large shared outing, even if the actual number on your date is lower. Seating, shade, access to the rail, and space around the swim entry point may all be shared.

Shade deserves special attention. The boat has shaded areas, but it is an open-air wooden sailing boat, and the sun shifts during the day. One difficult account describes senior family members struggling to find enough shade, while the operator states that shaded areas are available and that the crew can try to help when concerns are raised.

My advice is simple: treat shade as limited rather than guaranteed. Bring a hat, high-factor sunscreen, water purchased onboard, and a cover-up. If you are traveling with older adults or anyone sensitive to heat, speak to the crew early rather than waiting until the boat is crowded or the sun is high.

Smoking is another consideration. The boat is outdoors, and the operator states that this is not a nonsmoking activity. A complaint described the captain and crew smoking during the outing. If smoke bothers you, ask about seating and be prepared for the possibility that you cannot avoid it completely.

Transfers are convenient, but read the pickup message

The included air-conditioned vehicle is a real advantage. Kos is spread out, and arranging your own taxi to the departure point can add cost and uncertainty. A clean, air-conditioned bus also makes the return easier after a full day in the sun.

Pickup takes place from the main street near your accommodation, and exact instructions are sent before the activity. Look for the Smilies Holidays sign in the windshield. Do not assume the bus will stop directly outside your hotel.

The early pickup issue is worth planning around. One person was collected about two hours before the expected sailing and then waited on the boat for about an hour. The company explains that pickup times are set according to the distance from the hotel area to the departure point.

That system may be efficient for the operator, but it can make your morning feel longer. Have breakfast before leaving, carry sunscreen and water, and do not pack those items in luggage that goes out of reach. Confirm the pickup message carefully, since the stated 10 a.m. start does not necessarily mean leaving your hotel at 10.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want several island stops in one day, enjoy swimming from a boat, and prefer a package that includes transportation and lunch. It is especially useful for a first visit to Kos when you want to see more of the surrounding islands without planning every detail yourself.

It also suits people who like a friendly, active boat atmosphere. The music, DJ, swimming, and shared lunch create a social day rather than a contemplative one. Families and mixed-age groups can find something to do at every stop, though anyone needing reliable shade should plan carefully.

I would hesitate if you dislike crowds, loud music, smoking, or uncertain seating. The boat can hold up to 90 people, drinks cost extra, and the food is basic. People with mobility concerns may also want to ask the operator for more details before booking, since the supplied information only says that most people can participate and does not describe boarding or the rocky areas at Plati.

The overall rating is 4.6 out of 5 from 16 ratings, with 94 percent recommending the experience. That suggests strong satisfaction, but the small number of ratings and the sharply negative account show why the practical details matter more than the headline score.

Cancellation and weather details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the cruise, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number is not reached, the operator offers another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book this three-island day?

Book it if your priority is clear swimming water, several island stops, and simple door-to-door planning at a moderate price. The strongest moments are likely to be the swim from the boat at Plati, the relaxed beach stop at Pserimos, and the fun atmosphere onboard.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a long, shared, open-air excursion with basic lunch, paid drinks, changing shade, and a schedule that may begin earlier than the advertised sailing time. Pack for heat, keep some flexibility, and tell the crew promptly if you need help.

For an active day around Kos, the package offers solid value. For a quiet cruise or a polished food experience, I would choose something smaller and more specialized.

FAQ

How long does the three-island cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours, with a listed start time of 10 a.m. Pickup may happen earlier depending on your hotel area, and the day includes three island stops.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Vathy, Plati, and Pserimos. Vathy has shops, a sponge retailer, a church, town streets, and swimming. Plati is an uninhabited island for swimming, snorkeling, and climbing the rocks. Pserimos offers a sandy beach, ice cream, and a small church.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek BBQ lunch is included, and vegan and vegetarian options are available.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are excluded. You can purchase drinks at the bar onboard.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and return transfer are included. Pickups take place from the main street, and exact instructions are sent before the activity. Look for the Smilies Holidays bus sign in the front windshield.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity can include a maximum of 90 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. Weather or minimum-number cancellations may result in another date or a full refund.