From Kardamena: Nisyros, St.Antonios & Yali Islands Cruise

Three islands, one easy sea day. This eight-hour cruise from Kardamena combines a pirate-style boat ride with quiet church views, free time in Nisyros, swimming stops, and lunch served on board. At $39.52 per person, it is an appealing way to see several nearby islands without arranging separate ferries or meals.

I especially like the clear swimming stops and the choice between exploring Nisyros or simply enjoying its port town. The boat has two decks, a bar, toilets, music, and a relaxed holiday mood. The main compromise is time: Nisyros receives only part of the day, and the optional volcano visit costs extra, so you will need to choose your priorities.

Key points to know before booking

• Three island stops in one day: Visit St. Antonios, Nisyros, and Yali from Kardamena, with the cruise returning around 5:30 p.m.
• St. Antonios is the peaceful first stop: Walk to the small Church of St. Antonios, swim in clear water, or stay on board while lunch is prepared.
• Nisyros offers the most choice: Explore Mandraki, climb roughly 200 steps to Panagia Spiliani, or pay extra for a visit to the volcano.
• Yali is made for swimming: This small volcanic island has only 21 inhabitants and serves mainly as a scenic boat stop.
• Lunch is simple and Greek: The included meal features souvlaki, salad, and bread, with vegetarian food available if requested ahead of time.
• The strongest value is convenience: The price includes the boat, lunch, taxes, and liability insurance, while drinks and coffee cost extra.

Leaving Kardamena on the Maria Magdalini

Your day begins at the port of Kardamena, where you look for the Maria Magdalini, the advertised pirate boat. Show your mobile voucher to the crew before boarding. Departure is scheduled for 10 a.m., with a return to the same port at about 5:30 p.m.

That timing makes this a full day on the water, not a quick sightseeing trip. You should arrive ready for sun, wind, swimming, and several hours aboard the vessel. Bring a towel and beachwear, and consider carrying anything else you need for comfort during a long warm-weather outing.

The boat has two decks, giving you a choice of seating and views. The upper deck should appeal to you if you want more sun and a wider view, while the lower level may feel better when you need a break from the heat. A bar is open during the cruise, but coffee and drinks are not included in the price.

The atmosphere is part of the appeal. Music plays during the trip, and the combination of open decks, swimming stops, and a pirate-boat design gives the day a casual holiday feel. This is not the right choice if you want a quiet sailing trip with little activity. It is better suited to people who enjoy a social boat outing with a planned schedule.

St. Antonios, a quiet first stop

After roughly an hour, the boat reaches St. Antonios, also called Agios Antonios. The island is uninhabited, so do not expect a village, a line of shops, or a long list of sights. Its attraction is the small Church of St. Antonios, the natural setting around it, and the sense of calm that comes from being away from a developed port.

You can walk to the church for a view across the surrounding water and enjoy the quiet location. The visit is likely to feel more personal than the stop in Nisyros because there are fewer built attractions competing for your attention.

St. Antonios also begins the swimming side of the day. The water is described as clear, and you can swim near the island or sunbathe beneath the Greek sun. Bring footwear you do not mind getting wet and keep your towel close, since this stop is built around simple outdoor pleasures rather than a formal excursion.

While you enjoy the island, the crew prepares the included Greek BBQ lunch. The meal includes souvlaki, salad, and bread, a straightforward menu that suits a day at sea. Vegetarian meals are available, but you need to notify the crew in advance so one can be reserved.

The main limitation here is the short, simple nature of the stop. If you expect a major historical site or a long walk through a town, St. Antonios will not provide that. If you want a quiet place to swim, take photos, and visit a tiny church, it fits the day well.

Lunch on board, with a practical catch

Eating on the boat saves you the trouble of finding a restaurant during a tightly scheduled island cruise. You can have lunch without giving up your swimming time, and the souvlaki, salad, and bread offer the kind of filling meal that works well after time in the sun.

Still, this is an included boat lunch, not a long restaurant meal. The information provided does not promise a wide menu, and drinks are separate. You should tell the crew ahead of time about vegetarian needs rather than waiting until lunchtime.

At $39.52, the meal adds useful value because the fare also covers the cruise, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance. Once you add a drink or coffee, your final spending will be higher, but the base price remains modest for an eight-hour trip with three island stops.

Mandraki and the many choices of Nisyros

Around noon, the boat reaches Nisyros, one of the day’s main attractions. You arrive at Mandraki, the island’s capital and port. This stop gives you the most freedom, but it also requires the clearest time management.

Mandraki is a good place to slow down. Walk through the narrow streets, browse the souvenir shops, and settle at Ilikiomeni Square for coffee or a traditional dessert. The town offers a different mood from the beach stops: instead of swimming and sun, you get whitewashed buildings, small lanes, local shops, and a chance to experience the everyday center of the island.

You can also climb roughly 200 steps to the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani. The climb leads to panoramic views of Nisyros and the Orthodox Church of Panagia, described as one of the island’s important sights. This option is best for you if you want a viewpoint and do not mind spending part of the stop on stairs beneath the sun.

The stairs matter because Nisyros is not a stop where you can comfortably do everything. You may have to choose between the monastery, the town, and the optional volcano visit. If you want a slower afternoon, stay in Mandraki and enjoy the streets and square. If the view matters most, head uphill soon after leaving the boat.

The volcano is available as an optional visit for an extra charge. Ask the crew for current details before deciding, since the base fare does not include it. You should also confirm how much time the option takes. A volcano excursion may be the right choice if geology is your main reason for visiting Nisyros, but it could leave less time for Mandraki.

That choice is one of the tour’s few real drawbacks. Nisyros deserves more than a hurried glance, yet the cruise must continue to Yali and then Kardamena. I would decide before boarding whether you prefer town streets, the monastery, or the volcano, rather than losing time trying to fit everything in.

Yali, a small volcanic island for swimming

The last stop is Yali, a small volcanic island belonging to the municipality of Nisyros. Only 21 people live there, and the stop is mainly about the views and the water rather than a town visit.

You remain on or around the boat, sunbathe, enjoy the scenery, and swim in the clear water. You can also jump from the boat to test your swimming confidence. This is the most playful section of the day, especially if you like open-water swimming and do not need a sandy beach.

The boat’s bar serves cocktails and other drinks during the cruise, making Yali a natural time to buy one and settle into the afternoon. Drinks are not part of the ticket, so bring payment for the bar if that is important to you.

The stop also works well for people who prefer not to swim. You can stay aboard, take in the volcanic island views, listen to the music, or sunbathe. That flexibility makes the trip easier for mixed groups, since one person can swim while another relaxes on deck.

You should keep expectations realistic. Yali is not presented as a developed island excursion with shops, museums, or a long walking route. It is a scenic water stop, and its value comes from the setting and the chance to get into the sea.

What the $39.52 fare really covers

The price is one of this cruise’s strongest points. For $39.52 per person, you receive boat tickets for the three-island route, lunch, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance. That gives you a full day’s structure without paying separately for island transport.

The fare does not include coffee or drinks. The optional visit to the volcano also costs extra. Those additions are easy to overlook when you see the low advertised price, so allow for them if you want a drink on deck or hope to add the volcano trip.

The value is best if you want variety without complicated planning. You see three different island settings in one day: an uninhabited church island, a real port town, and a small volcanic swimming stop. The price is less compelling if you want a long, unhurried visit to Nisyros or a specialist volcano tour.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule in Kos is still changing. These policies make the booking less risky, though you still need to check availability for the exact starting time.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a relaxed island day with several distinct stops. Couples, families, and groups of friends can all find something to do, from church visits and town walks to swimming and sunbathing.

It is particularly suitable for people who enjoy being on a boat but do not want a full sailing adventure. The crew handles the route, lunch, and timing, while you choose how active to be at each stop.

You should think twice if you dislike shared excursions, scheduled departures, or time limits in port. Nisyros is the stop most likely to leave you wishing for more time. Strong swimmers will get the most from the St. Antonios and Yali stops, though you can remain on board if you prefer not to enter the water.

The trip is also a good fit for anyone who values an easy package. You do not need to arrange several tickets, search for lunch, or work out how to connect the islands. The tradeoff is that the itinerary gives you a taste of each place rather than a full visit to any one of them.

Useful planning tips for a smoother day

Wear beachwear under comfortable clothes so you can move easily between town, boat, and swimming stops. Pack a towel, and protect yourself from the sun during the open-water portions of the trip.

If you want to climb to Panagia Spiliani, make that decision early in the Nisyros stop. The roughly 200 steps take time, and you may prefer to spend the rest of the visit in Mandraki or at Ilikiomeni Square.

Ask the crew about the volcano option as soon as you board. It has an extra charge, and knowing the timing in advance will help you choose between the volcano, monastery, and town.

Bring money for the bar if you want coffee, cocktails, or other drinks. Keep your expectations simple for lunch, and contact the operator ahead of time for the vegetarian meal.

The boat has toilets, which matters on an eight-hour trip. You also return to the same Kardamena port, so the day is straightforward from start to finish.

Should you book the three-island cruise?

Book it if you want a good-value sea day with swimming, music, lunch, and a quick taste of Nisyros. The clear water, pleasant stop at St. Antonios, lively boat atmosphere, and scenic Yali visit give the day plenty of variety.

Choose another option if your main goal is a detailed Nisyros visit. The island’s volcano, monastery, and Mandraki town cannot all be enjoyed fully in the available time, especially if you add the paid volcano excursion.

For most people staying in Kardamena, this is an easy and fairly priced way to spend eight hours. Go prepared for sun, bring your towel, reserve a vegetarian lunch in advance if needed, and decide which Nisyros sight matters most to you.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from the port of Kardamena. Look for the Maria Magdalini pirate boat and show the crew your mobile voucher.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat is scheduled to depart at 10 a.m. Check availability for the confirmed starting time when booking.

When does the cruise return to Kardamena?

The boat is expected to return to the port of Kardamena at about 5:30 p.m.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The route visits St. Antonios, Nisyros, and Yali.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on board includes souvlaki, salad, and bread. Vegetarian meals are available if you notify the crew in advance.

Are drinks included?

No. Coffee and drinks are not included, although a bar is open during the cruise.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes. Toilets are available on the vessel.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.