Three islands, one pirate-boat day. I love the relaxed pace of this pirate-boat cruise and the quiet, scenic stop on St. Antonios, where the island is basically just you, the sea, and a small church. It’s a great way to see more than one island without dealing with ferry schedules.

My favorite part is the time around Yali, a tiny volcanic island with reported super-clear water and plenty of on-board lounging with the bar open. You’ll also get a proper Greek BBQ lunch on board. The main catch is that it is a full day, and a few of the best add-ons are optional and may mean extra walking or extra cost.

Quick take: what makes this cruise worth your time

• Pirate-boat feel from Kardamena: depart at 10am, then settle into an easy, sea-day rhythm.
• St. Antonios first stop: uninhabited island vibes, with time to swim or sunbathe and visit the church viewpoint.
• Nisyros at midday: Mandraki port town time plus an optional hike of about 200 steps to Panagia Spiliani.
• Yali’s volcanic swim time: a small island (only 21 inhabitants) that’s mostly about views, swimming, and sun.
• Lunch on board is included: souvlaki, salad, and bread, with vegetarian options available on request.
• Music and atmosphere: from the reviews, the mood tends to be lively without feeling chaotic.

From Kardamena to a 10am Pirate-Boat Departure

Your day starts at the port of Kardamena, where you look for the pirate boat Maria Magdalini. You’ll show your mobile voucher to the crew, then you’re off at 10:00am. Expect a full 8-hour outing, with a return to the port at 17:30.

This schedule is a big part of the value. You get three island experiences in one stretch of time, without having to plan multiple transport legs. The boat has two decks, and there are toilets on board, which makes the day feel less stressful.

St. Antonios: a Quiet Uninhabited Island With a Church View

Within the first hour, you reach the first stop: St. Antonios, described as uninhabited and calm. The focus here is simple and very Greek, a small church you can visit, then a lot of freedom to soak up the water and the silence.

The church of St. Antonios is the key landmark. It’s less about crowds and more about the viewpoint and peace you get when you’re off the busy island loop. This is also where the cruise earns goodwill fast, because it is an early chance to swim in clear water and reset your day before the busier island time.

Practical tip: if you like to photograph from viewpoints, this stop is a good one to do it early, before the day gets hotter and fuller.

Nisyros at Noon: Mandraki Streets, Panagia Spiliani, and Optional Volcano Time

Around noon, you arrive at Nisyros, at Mandraki, the island’s capital and port. You’ll step off the boat into a town that feels made for slow wandering, narrow streets, souvenir shops, and the kind of casual square time that makes island days pleasant.

The optional climb to Panagia Spiliani

If you want the classic view, there’s an optional climb of about 200 steps up to the mountain monastery Panagia Spiliani. From there, you get a panoramic view over Nisyros and the Orthodox church of Panagia. This stop rewards you for good shoes and a patient pace, because the payoff is the view, not a quick photo spot.

If you want an easier pace

Not everyone wants steps at midday. If that sounds like you, you can simply explore Mandraki’s atmosphere, pop into small shops, and hang out around Ilikiomeni square for coffee or a traditional dessert.

Optional volcano visit (extra charge)

There’s also an optional visit to the volcano of the island for an additional cost. If that’s on your wishlist, ask the crew for details when you’re there. Nisyros is known for its volcanic character, and this is the one part of the day where you might turn from scenic wandering to something more earth-science focused.

One more smart note from the reviews: if you want to go beyond the immediate port area and reach viewpoints faster, you may be able to rent a quad bike during your Nisyros stop. That can add independence if you’re comfortable navigating on your own.

Yali Island: Volcanic Views, Sun Time, and Swimming From the Boat

The last stop is Yali, a small volcanic island that belongs to the municipality of Nisyros and has just 21 inhabitants. In other words, it’s not about town exploring. It’s about the sea, the light, and the time you spend with the boat as your base.

You’ll likely spend most of this portion of the day either:

• lingering on board to sunbathe, relax, and watch the coastline
• or getting into the water, since the cruise is built around swimming around the island, with reported clear and refreshing conditions

The reviews also highlight the pleasure of the on-board vibe here, with people mentioning cocktails and drinks while enjoying the sun. The boat bar is open during the cruise, so you’re not stuck waiting for one set restaurant meal to feel like the day has momentum.

Important note on wording: the cruise description talks about getting in the water from the boat, and that’s exactly how you should think of Yali, not as a beach day with rentals. Bring the gear that helps you enjoy water time comfortably.

Lunch on Board: Souvlaki, Salad, Bread, and Vegetarian Choices

This cruise includes lunch on the boat. The menu is souvlaki, salad, and bread, served while you’re still in motion, and the timing works well because it comes during the first stretch of island stops.

Vegetarian options are available if you notify the crew in advance. This matters because some island tours include lunch that is more of a token snack. Here, you’re getting a full included meal, which helps keep the day good value, especially since coffee and drinks are not included.

The Bar, Coffee, and What You’ll Pay Extra For

The bar is open during the cruise, and you can grab drinks while you’re on the water and waiting between stops. What’s not included is coffee and drinks in general, so plan for some spend if you want cocktails or soft drinks during the day.

That said, the decision is easy because you’re not buying meals at each stop. Lunch is included, so your extra costs can be just drinks, snacks, or any optional paid add-ons like the volcano visit.

What the Timing Means for Your Comfort (and Your Energy)

This isn’t a slow, half-day cruise. It’s built around a rhythm: depart 10am, first island within an hour, Nisyros at about noon, then Yali later in the day, and back at 17:30. If you like variety, that timing feels efficient.

If you prefer total downtime, it can feel like a lot. The optional 200-step climb at Nisyros is the biggest energy question, and the optional volcano stop can also shift how much time you have for wandering Mandraki or just resting on board. Decide early which highlights you want most, because the schedule leaves less room for random detours.

Bring This, Wear This, and You’ll Feel Prepared

The cruise gives you the basics for a smooth sea day:

• Bring a towel
• Bring beachwear
• Toilets are available on board
• Bar is open during the cruise
• The meal is souvlaki, salad, bread, with vegetarian options available on request

That’s a helpful, practical packing list. You don’t need to overthink it. Your biggest job is to be ready for water time at Yali and the option for the 200-step climb on Nisyros.

Value for About $40: What You Get for the Money

At around $39.52 per person, the value comes from what’s bundled rather than what’s charged later. You’re paying for:

• boat tickets for the cruise to three islands
• lunch on board
• legal fees and taxes
• liability insurance
• vegetarian meal option if requested

Then you handle the smaller extras like coffee and drinks, plus optional activities such as the volcano visit.

In practice, that means you’re buying one organized sea day and not piecing together separate tickets for island hopping. If you care about swimming time, clear-water stops, and a proper included meal, this is one of those prices that feels fair rather than bargain-chasing.

Who Should Book This Cruise, and Who Should Skip It

I’d book this if you:

• want an easy day from Kardamena with three island stops
• like swimming and sun time without having to bring your own plans
• enjoy a mix of scenic stops and town wandering (Mandraki on Nisyros)
• want lunch included so your day doesn’t turn into constant spending

I’d think twice if you:

• hate walking climbs, since the optional 200 steps to Panagia Spiliani is a real commitment
• prefer beaches with lots of equipment, since Yali is more about the water and the boat than a structured beach setup
• want a quiet, minimal-change day, since the itinerary moves through multiple places and you are on the water for most of the day

Should You Book This Cruise?

Book it if your ideal day in the Dodecanese looks like this: sail out of Kardamena, enjoy a calm uninhabited island, spend midday in Mandraki with a chance at a high viewpoint, then finish on Yali with swimming time and a relaxed on-board atmosphere.

Skip it only if you know you won’t use the optional highlights, because this cruise is at its best when you take advantage of the included lunch plus the chance to experience all three island environments. If you want water time and island views, this is a strong value pick.

FAQ

What time does the cruise leave Kardamena?

The pirate boat departs from the port of Kardamena at 10:00am.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is listed as 8 hours, and it returns to the port of Kardamena at 17:30.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the port of Kardamena and find the boat Maria Magdalini. Show your mobile voucher to the crew.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on board is included, with souvlaki, salad, and bread.

Do you have vegetarian lunch options?

Vegetarian options are available on request. You should notify the crew in advance so they can reserve a vegetarian meal for you.

Is there a bar on board?

Yes. The bar is open during the cruise.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear.

Are toilets available on the boat?

Yes. WCs/toilets are available on the vessels.