Review · SWIM STOP & BEACH SAILING TRIPS
Kos: Catamaran Small Group Full-Day trip with Meal, Drinks, Swim
Clear water, quiet bays, and lunch at sea. This seven-hour catamaran trip from Kos combines a sailing day with the easy pleasures of a Greek island outing. You head toward Pserimos, stop for swimming and snorkeling, and spend the day on a spacious boat with a maximum of 16 people.
I like the small group, which keeps the boat from feeling crowded, and I like that lunch, snacks, coffee, water, beer, and wine are included. The main drawback is value: at $210.26 per person, the price feels high if you also need to arrange and pay for your own transfer to the harbor.
The day begins at 9:00 am on Akti Kountouriotou in Kos Town and ends at the same place. It is best for people aged 12 to 75 who can manage boarding, swimming, and moving around a boat without assistance. You should bring a beach towel, since one is not provided.
Key points to know before you sail

- Small boat atmosphere: The catamaran carries no more than 16 people, with past departures ranging from a particularly intimate group to around 14 passengers.
- Pserimos is the main setting: The route takes you from Kos toward Pserimos, where clear water and sheltered bays create the main appeal.
- Two swim stops: You can swim and use the provided snorkeling equipment, with a light snack at the first stop and lunch later in the day.
- Food and drinks are included: Expect Greek lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, beer, and wine.
- No hotel transfer: You must reach the meeting point in Kos Town yourself, and arranging transport early matters during the busy season.
- Weather shapes the day: Poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund, and the trip also requires a minimum number of bookings.
Setting out from Kos Town at 9:00 am
The meeting point is on Akti Kountouriotou, a convenient starting place in Kos Town. The activity returns to this same point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup at the end of the day.
The practical catch is transport. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the operator advises arranging a transfer ahead of time because Kos becomes very busy during the season. If you are staying close enough to reach the harbor on foot, this is simple. If not, leave room in your morning for traffic and limited availability.
I would arrive early rather than treating 9:00 am as the time to begin searching for the boat. A full-day sailing trip is much more enjoyable when you start calmly, with time to identify the meeting point and organize your towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and phone.
Once aboard, the catamaran gives you more room than a typical small motorboat. That matters during a seven-hour outing. You can sit, talk, watch the water, and move around without feeling confined to one narrow bench.
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Sailing toward Pserimos

The route heads from Kos toward Pserimos, a smaller island known here for its clear water and quiet bays. The appeal is not a long list of formal sights. It is the change of pace: you leave the busy shore behind and spend several hours with the sea as the main view.
The sailing time also gives the crew a chance to provide coffee, tea, water, and snacks. This is useful because the day is long and the first swim stop may come before the main meal. You are not expected to bring food for the day, although bringing extra personal snacks may still suit you if you have a large appetite or dietary needs that have not been addressed in advance.
The crew receives especially strong praise for being attentive without allowing the boat to feel crowded. That balance is important. A small-group trip can feel either friendly or awkward depending on the crew, but the available feedback points to a relaxed day where the two crew members keep an eye on practical needs and help everyone enjoy the stops.
The exact sailing conditions will depend on the weather. On a calm day, the catamaran itself becomes part of the pleasure. In rougher conditions, the open sea may feel less comfortable, particularly if you are prone to motion sickness. The operator can cancel for poor weather, offering another date or a full refund.
The first swim stop and free snorkeling gear

The first major pause is for swimming. The water around Pserimos is praised for its clarity, and this is where the trip moves from sightseeing to a proper sea day.
Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel. That is a useful saving in luggage space and means you can make a spontaneous choice once you see the water. You can swim, snorkel, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the bay if you are not comfortable in open water.
A light snack is served at the first swim stop. It is a small detail, but a smart one. You can get hungry after swimming, and the snack helps bridge the gap until lunch at the next stop.
You should still bring your own beach towel. The boat includes food and drinks, but towels are specifically excluded. Pack one in a small day bag along with dry clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and anything you need to keep your phone protected from spray.
The swimming stops are a strong reason to choose this trip, but they also define who should skip it. This is not a sightseeing cruise where you remain on deck all day. The experience is built around getting into the water, and the operator says it is not suitable for people with physical impairments or for children under 12.
Lunch on board at the second stop

After the first swim and snack, the day continues to another bay for lunch. The meal is served on board, so you do not lose time going ashore or searching for a restaurant. That keeps the focus on the water and gives the day a pleasant rhythm: sail, swim, snack, relax, then eat.
The lunch is described as Greek, which suits the setting better than a generic packed meal. The exact dishes are not specified, so do not book this expecting a particular menu. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences, ask the operator before departure rather than assuming every need can be handled on board.
Lunch is one of the main factors behind the price. You are not just buying a seat on a boat. The fare includes the meal, drinks, snacks, coffee or tea, bottled water, and use of snorkeling gear. You also get a full day on a small catamaran rather than a short harbor cruise.
Still, $210.26 is a serious price for a day out. The value is strongest if you want a hosted experience with food and drinks included, and if a crowded public boat would spoil the day for you. It is weaker if you mainly want a quick swim and do not care about the meal, the small group, or the catamaran setting.
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Drinks, shade, and time to relax

The included drinks cover bottled water, coffee, tea, beer, and wine. That makes the trip easy to budget. You do not need to keep reaching for your wallet each time you want a drink, and the alcoholic options can make lunch feel more festive.
Use some judgment with alcohol, especially in strong sun and around swim stops. The day is still active, and hydration matters. Bottled water is included, so make that your main drink before and after swimming.
The catamaran provides a good platform for doing as much or as little as you like. You can swim and snorkel at both stops, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The boat’s size also helps the social side of the trip. With no more than 16 people, you have a better chance of getting to know the group than on a large excursion vessel.
Past departures have had noticeably different group sizes. One was described as having 14 people, while another had only eight other passengers. You should not assume every departure will be that small, but the maximum is limited and the experience is designed around a personal feel rather than a mass outing.
Crew service and the small-group difference

The two crew members are a central part of the experience. Their role is not only to sail the boat, but also to manage swim stops, serve food and drinks, provide equipment, and keep the day running smoothly.
The strongest praise centers on their attentiveness. That is especially valuable on a boat trip, where small problems can quickly become annoying. A good crew helps with the equipment, keeps the meal moving, and makes sure the group understands what is happening next without turning the day into a rigid schedule.
The group size also gives the crew a practical advantage. With a maximum of 16 people, they can provide more individual attention than they could on a large excursion. You should still expect a shared experience, not a private charter. Other people will shape the mood, seating, and timing of the day.
This is a good choice if you enjoy meeting a small group of people but do not want a packed party boat. It may be less suitable if you want complete privacy, a custom route, or control over every stop.
What the $210.26 price really covers

At first glance, the fare may seem steep, especially since transfers are excluded. One previous passenger specifically considered the experience a little expensive for that reason. That is a fair concern, and you should include the cost of reaching Kos harbor when working out your total.
The price becomes easier to justify when you count what is included:
- Approximately seven hours on the water
- A spacious catamaran with a maximum of 16 people
- Greek lunch served on board
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Coffee and tea
- Beer and wine
- Snorkeling equipment
- Two swim-focused stops
- Crew service throughout the day
I would compare this with the cost and effort of arranging a private boat, buying meals and drinks separately, and carrying your own snorkeling equipment. The small group and included food are the main value points.
I would not choose it solely because it is the cheapest way to reach Pserimos. It is not. Choose it because you want the whole package, with a comfortable boat, organized stops, and a day where most of the details are handled for you.
Who should book this Kos catamaran trip?

This outing suits adults and older teenagers who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and a slow day at sea. The minimum age is 12, and the operator says it is not suitable for people over 75 or for people with physical impairments.
You are likely to enjoy it if you want:
- A small group instead of a large excursion boat
- More time on the water than a short cruise provides
- Swimming in clear water around Pserimos
- Lunch and drinks included in the upfront price
- A crew that stays involved throughout the day
- A relaxed mix of social time and independent swimming
You may want a different activity if you need hotel transport included, dislike open-water swimming, require a highly specific menu, or want a low-cost boat outing. The lack of transfer is the biggest practical weakness, while the age and physical requirements rule out some people.
The trip is generally well regarded, with a 4.9 rating from 44 reviews and 98 percent recommending it. Those figures support the idea that the core experience works well, especially the boat, crew, clear water, and manageable group size. They do not remove the need to think about price, transport, or weather.
Booking, weather, and simple preparation
Confirmation is provided when you book, and mobile tickets are accepted. The tour is offered in English, and the meeting point is near public transportation.
The cancellation terms are reasonable if your plans may change. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.
Weather deserves special attention. Sailing and swim stops depend on suitable conditions, so the operator may cancel if the weather is poor. In that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The activity also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation for that reason comes with the same general choice of another date or a refund.
Pack light, but bring the right things:
- Beach towel
- Swimsuit
- Dry change of clothes
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Secure phone protection
- Any personal medication
- Extra snacks if you have special dietary needs
Should you book it?
I would book this catamaran trip if you want a polished, small-group day on the water and are happy to pay for convenience. The strongest reasons are the limited group size, attentive two-person crew, clear swimming water near Pserimos, and the fact that lunch and drinks are already covered.
I would pause if $210.26 feels high before adding transport. The trip does not include hotel pickup, and the experience depends on weather and your comfort with swimming from a boat.
For the right person, this is not simply a ride from Kos to another island. It is a full day built around sea time, good food, and a relaxed crew. Bring your towel, arrange your transfer early, and choose it for the complete experience rather than for the lowest possible price.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran trip start and finish?
It starts at Akti Kountouriotou, Kos 853 00, Greece, at 9:00 am. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.
How long does the experience last?
The trip lasts approximately seven hours.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to and from the meeting point.
What food and drinks are included?
The trip includes lunch, snacks, bottled water, coffee or tea, beer, and wine.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling gear is provided for use during the swim stops. Beach towels are not included, so bring your own.
What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?
If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The same options apply if the minimum number of bookings is not reached.
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