Kalymnos Pserimos and Plati 3-Island Cruise with Lunch from Kos

Kos harbour and dolphin watching at sea

The day begins at the harbour of Kos town, overlooked by the walls of the medieval castle that once guarded the entrance to the port. Our boat is a large traditional wooden vessel with cushioned sundecks, a shaded lower deck and tables, so everyone finds a comfortable spot for the crossing. As the boat leaves, you see the whole north coast of Kos with Mount Dikeos rising behind the town.

The first leg lasts about an hour and twenty minutes across open water towards Kalymnos. Around twenty minutes of this crossing are spent watching for dolphins, which often follow boats in these waters and are a highlight for children. Sightings depend on nature and are never guaranteed, but the crew knows where the animals tend to gather. Meanwhile, the audio guide on your phone introduces the islands of the Dodecanese.

Kalymnos and the deep inlet of Vathy

Kalymnos is famous across the Mediterranean as the island of sponge divers. For centuries its men dived to the seabed to collect natural sponges, a hard and dangerous trade that shaped the island's culture, music and wealth. Today you can still see and touch real Greek sponges in the small shops by the harbour and learn how they are cleaned and shaped.

The boat stops for about an hour at Vathy, where a narrow fjord-like inlet cuts between steep rocky walls and opens onto a green valley of citrus groves, a rare sight in the dry Dodecanese. Walk along the waterfront, taste local honey or fresh orange juice and buy souvenirs. Many people searching for a Kalymnos day trip from Kos want exactly this mix of scenery, tradition and calm.

Plati, a swim stop in turquoise water

About half an hour from Kalymnos, the small uninhabited islet of Plati sits between Kalymnos and Pserimos. Its name means flat, and its low rocky shape surrounds bays of sand and pebbles where the water is shallow, clear and intensely turquoise. With no roads or buildings, the only visitors are boats like ours.

The boat anchors for about 40 minutes, enough for a long swim straight from the deck or a snorkel along the rocks, where small fish are easy to spot. Bring your own mask if you want to explore underwater. It is one of the most photographed swim stops of the cruise, and the calm water makes it pleasant even for less confident swimmers who stay close to the boat.

Pserimos, a small island with a sandy beach

Pserimos lies between Kos and Kalymnos and has only a handful of permanent residents, who live around a single bay. Its long sandy beach with shallow, gentle water is the main attraction, lined by a few small tavernas and shaded by tamarisk trees. Out of season the island is almost silent, and even in summer it keeps a slow, village rhythm.

You have about 40 minutes on Pserimos to swim from the beach, rest in the shade, walk to the little church above the bay or browse for local products. Children love the shallow water here. Then the boat sets off for the last leg of about one and a half hours back to Kos harbour, with time to relax on the sundeck and enjoy the views of the coast.

Lunch on board and tips for the best day

A Greek barbecue lunch is cooked and served on board during the cruise, typically with grilled meat, salads and bread, enjoyed at the tables in the shade. Drinks are not included, so bring water or buy soft drinks on board. If you need halal food, tell us when booking: halal options are limited on the islands, but seafood and vegetarian alternatives can often be arranged, and we can advise.

The best time for this cruise is from May to October, when the sea is warm for swimming. In July and August the meltemi wind can make the open sea choppy, and the crew may change the order of the stops for comfort. Kos is easy to reach: Kos Airport receives many flights in summer, and fast boats connect the island with Rhodes in about two to three hours.