Pirate ships and island hopping meet in Greece. This Barco De Pirata day trip is made for time-tight travelers who want to see more than just Kos, with the fun of a pirate-themed boat and ocean views all day. I like that it hits three islands in one outing, so your day feels full even when your vacation calendar is not.

My favorite part is the practical combo: snorkeling gear is available on board and you get Greek barbecue lunch served during the cruise. One thing to keep in mind, though: this is a long day with travel time between stops, and several people noted that the time ashore can feel short, especially if you want long beach lounging or extensive shopping.

Key takeaways before you go

• Three islands in a day: Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati, so you get variety without hopping flights or boats.
• Pirate-ship fun: you are not just sitting on a ferry, the vibe is part of the experience.
• Snorkeling gear on board: bring swimwear and plan to use it while conditions are good.
• Greek barbecue lunch included: meat plus vegan and vegetarian choices, cooked outside on the boat.
• Crew energy matters: many reviews call out a friendly, organized team, with a shout-out to Spiros.
• Some days feel noisy or rushed: music volume and stop duration are the most common complaints.

Pirate Ship Island Hopping From Kos With Real Greek Lunch Power

If your dream day in Kos includes the sea, a few swims, and a fun atmosphere, this cruise aims straight at that. You meet at the Port of Kos in the morning, then you spend the day moving between islands like you are doing your own mini island circuit, only with everything handled for you.

What you will likely appreciate most is that the experience has built-in variety. You get time to relax aboard, you get chances to get in the water, and you still get a proper sit-down meal, not just a snack. And yes, the pirate theme is not a gimmick you ignore. It is part of the day’s energy, from the ship feel to the party-style atmosphere people described.

That pirate-ship approach also helps with the emotional part of travel. When you are tired from moving around, a day on the water can feel lighter, and a cruise like this turns sightseeing into a flow, not a checklist.

Price and Value: Why This Cruise Can Feel Like a Bargain

At $34.76 per person, this is priced like a budget-friendly day trip, and the big value is what you get for that money: three island stops plus lunch included. For many people, the meal alone saves time and cost versus finding food during short port breaks.

The trade-off is time efficiency. You are paying for volume, not for long lingering. When reviews mention rushed stops, that is the heart of it. If you want deep beach time on one island, you may feel squeezed. If you want to see multiple places and swim when you can, this pricing makes sense.

Also, drinks are not included. Alcoholic beverages are listed as not included, so if you plan to drink, factor that into your day. One review mentioned happy-hour style cocktail pricing on a specific day, but that is not something you should count on. Treat it as a possible bonus, not a promise.

Timing, Group Size, and Where You Actually Start

The cruise starts at 9:45 am at the Port of Kos, with the day ending back at the meeting point. Duration is listed as about 7 hours 30 minutes, so it is not a quick half-day. Plan your other plans around it, not next to it.

The group size is capped at 200 travelers. That does not sound small, but it can still feel manageable on a ship depending on how crowded it gets at boarding and at the deck areas. A couple of reviews complained about start-time delays at the port and crowding when additional passengers joined later in the morning, so be ready for the possibility that your timeline may not feel perfectly tight.

Meeting-wise, you are at the Port of Kos (Kos 853 00, Greece). If you are staying in Kos Town, this is a straightforward location since it is noted as near public transportation.

Boarding the Barco De Pirata: The Pirate-Ship Mood

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. It is built to be fun, and many reviews hit that point hard: people talked about pirate mode, dancers, hosts, and an upbeat day at sea.

You can also expect a fair amount of onboard activity, including music. The downside is that sound can be intense. One review singled out loud music as making them get a headache. If you are sensitive to noise, pack ear protection or be ready to spend some time in quieter areas when you need a break from the soundtrack.

Where you sit matters too. One review mentioned getting a good seat upstairs on the deck after arriving slightly before the start. If you want views, get there early enough to claim the spot you want, especially on sunny days when people tend to cluster on the best photo and swim watching areas.

Stop 1 Kalymnos: Swim Breaks and Quick Beach Time

Kalymnos is one of the islands you visit on this circuit, and it is often the easiest stop to use for a first swim. The cruise is designed around short, sweet island moments, and the Kalymnos stop is where many people hope to jump in right away.

A common theme in feedback was that the time on the first island can be brief, with about 30 minutes max for swimming mentioned in one review. That is enough for a dip, getting your bearings in the water, and maybe quick snorkel time if conditions are good, but it is not enough for a long walk, beach picnic, and shopping marathon all in one.

What you should do here: think swim first, then reassess. If you care more about water time than souvenirs, you will feel like the stop matches the cruise concept. If you want to linger on land, you might feel a bit rushed.

Stop 2 Pserimos: Harbour Atmosphere and the Sponge-Sales Reality

Pserimos is where the day starts to feel more like island life, not only sea time. You get a harbor-area break and, in at least one review, people chose to ride a small train because it was hot and they wanted an easy way to see more without walking.

Important practical angle: that same review described the mini train as focused on selling sponges from a specific store. So, if you enjoy browsing crafts and local products, great. If you hate sales pressure, you may prefer walking a bit on your own and skipping anything that feels like a shop stop.

The upside for Pserimos is that it can be the most balanced stop for people who want a mix of land and sea. You get to stretch your legs, take photos, and still return to the boat for the next leg.

Stop 3 Plati: Anchoring Time and How to Plan for It

Plati is listed as the third island stop. In a perfect world, you get time to explore like the other islands. In real-world timing, though, some feedback hinted that the third stop may not always feel like a full dock-and-wander visit.

One review said that on the third island, the boat anchored rather than fully visiting for a long ashore period. Even if you do not experience the same situation, it is smart to treat Plati as a “time-on-the-water” stop first, not a long exploration stop.

How to plan: if snorkeling and swimming are your priorities, Plati could still deliver because anchored stops often provide a chance to get into calmer water. If you want to shop and stroll, arrive with flexible expectations and be ready to make the most of whatever shore time you get.

Snorkeling and Dolphins: How to Get the Most From Calm-Water Moments

The cruise includes snorkeling opportunities, and equipment is available on the boat. That means you do not need to bring your own gear, but you should still come ready with swimwear, sunscreen, and a plan for getting in and out without wasting time.

This trip is also advertised as a chance to see dolphins while you travel. You cannot control wildlife, of course. But on a route like this, it is worth keeping your head up during the sail sections, especially when the boat is moving through open water and not right up against shore.

The best approach for you: when you hear the crew signal a swim or snorkeling window, commit quickly. The water is the value here. If you spend too long figuring things out, the stop can pass without enough time to enjoy what you came for.

Greek Barbecue Lunch: Meat, Fish, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Outdoor Cooking

Lunch is included on this cruise, and it is served as a Greek barbecue cooked outside on the boat. The menu includes five options: chicken, pork, fish, vegan, and vegetarian. That is a strong spread for a day trip where food is often limited.

How the meal fits into your day matters. Short island stops can turn lunch into the one moment you slow down and actually recover. Reviews generally praised the food, with many people calling it tasty and highlighting that it was part of the overall fun.

That said, a couple of negative notes came up around freshness and texture, with one review saying meat was hard and not fresh. So, I would treat it as a solid included lunch, not as gourmet dining. You should still plan to enjoy it, but keep expectations realistic for a mass day trip.

Also, alcoholic beverages are not included. If you want beer or cocktails, plan for that cost. If you like non-alcohol options, you can enjoy lunch without worrying about drink budgets.

Comfort and Practical Issues: Noise, Rushed Stops, and Long Sailing Time

The biggest “consider” items from feedback are pretty consistent.

First: the day can feel long, with lots of sailing and not always much time at each island. That does not mean the trip is bad. It means it is designed for movement and variety, not for extended beach time. If you are hoping for a slow, laid-back day, pick your expectations accordingly.

Second: music can be loud. If you are traveling with kids, many families loved the party atmosphere. If you are sensitive to sound, you may want ear protection.

Third: schedule drift can happen. One review described delayed start time at the port and then feeling rushed at stops because the itinerary got out of sync. That can happen on any day trip with weather, boarding flow, or crowd logistics.

So how do you protect your day? Arrive early, keep your plans for after the cruise realistic, and treat each stop as a swim-and-stretch moment rather than a full day on land.

Who Should Book This Kos Pirate Cruise (and Who Should Skip It)

This cruise is a great match if you are:

• Time-tight in Kos and want multiple islands without planning ferries
• Travel-minded and want the fun atmosphere of a pirate-style ship
• Interested in a mix of sea views, quick beach time, and snorkeling

You might want to look at something else if you:

• Want long beach hours on a single island
• Are bothered by loud onboard music
• Prefer a quieter, more laid-back pace with slower port breaks

Families often seem to love it. One review highlighted that kids had the best time, and the atmosphere was described as good for all ages.

For couples, it can be fun too, especially if you like playful day trips and want to see places without committing to a longer tour schedule.

Quick Tips I’d Use for Your Day on the Sea

• Bring swimwear and sunscreen, because the day is built around water time and sun.
• Plan to hop on activities fast at each stop, since port windows can be tight.
• If you are noise-sensitive, pack ear protection.
• Eat lunch and treat it as your fuel, since the trip is long and food is not a casual add-on you choose later.
• If you care most about snorkeling, keep your gear ready as soon as the boat stops, so you do not lose the best moments.

Should You Book the Barco De Pirata Cruise at 3 Islands?

My take: book this if you want a fun, efficient day trip that gets you out of Kos and onto the water with three island stops and a Greek barbecue lunch included. The value is real for the price, and the pirate-ship energy is exactly what many people came for.

I would not book it as your one and only must-do if you are the type who needs lots of time on land, quiet pacing, and a perfectly timed schedule. The structure of the day can feel rushed for beach lovers, and noise can be an issue.

If you can flex your expectations and prioritize sea time, this cruise is one of the more entertaining ways to spend a day around Kos.

FAQ

What time does the Barco De Pirata cruise start in Kos?

The tour starts at 9:45 am at the Port of Kos.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is listed as about 7 hours 30 minutes.

Which islands are visited during the trip?

You visit Kalymnos, Pserimos, and Plati.

Is lunch included, and what choices are there?

Lunch is included. It is a menu of five choices: chicken, pork, fish, vegan, and vegetarian.

Are alcoholic beverages included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available on the boat.

Where do you meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at the Port of Kos, Kos 853 00, Greece. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can be on the cruise?

The maximum number of travelers is 200.

What can cause the cruise to change or be canceled?

The experience requires good weather. It can also be canceled if a minimum number of travelers is not met, with an offer of a different date or a full refund.