From Kos: Pserimos Island Snorkeling Cruise by Diving Boat

The best part of this Kos outing is the chance to trade a crowded beach for a clear blue lagoon near Pserimos, where you can swim and snorkel at your own pace. The 25-meter Apollon has both shade and a broad sun deck, so you are not stuck in one spot for the ride.

I like the calm, small-group feel, with recent trips carrying roughly 15 to 25 people rather than a packed party crowd. I also like the proper introduction before entering the water: the crew explains the equipment, safe snorkeling, and the marine life you may see. The main consideration is that this is an active boat outing, not a glass-bottom sightseeing cruise. You must swim, climb a ladder from the sea, and manage narrow passages on board.

At a glance

• Clear water around Pserimos: Spend several hours swimming and snorkeling in a quiet blue lagoon away from Kos.
• A real instruction period: Expect 20 to 30 minutes of guidance on masks, fins, snorkels, safety, and local sea life.
• Room to spread out: The Apollon offers a shaded deck and a spacious sun deck for the 45-minute crossing.
• Useful for beginners: The crew explains the basics carefully, and wetsuits help you stay comfortable in the water.
• A smaller boat atmosphere: Groups are generally around 15 to 25 people, according to the supplied trip details.
• Bring your own lunch: Food and drinks are not included, so pack something before leaving Kos.

Leaving Kos Harbour on the Apollon

Your morning begins at Liamis Dive Centre’s boat in Kos Harbour. Look for the meeting point about 50 meters from the Dolphins roundabout, at the front of the only traffic lights, where Akti Kountourioti meets Meg. Alexandrou. Have your ticket ready and arrive around 8:15 to 8:30 a.m.

Before boarding, you complete a short medical statement. This is ordinary paperwork for a water activity, but do not leave it until the last second. The operator also needs your full name, home address, phone number, and passport number at least 12 hours before the trip so you can be placed on the passenger and insurance lists.

The Apollon is 25 meters long, which gives the crossing a more comfortable feel than a small open boat. You can sit under cover if the sun is already strong, or head to the sun deck for a better view of the coast. The ride to Pserimos takes about 45 minutes, enough time to settle in without spending half the day getting there.

The trip is described as five hours, though the published schedule has departure around 8:30 a.m. and return around 2:30 p.m., which is closer to six hours including the full timetable. Check the exact departure time when booking, and plan your day around the stated return rather than assuming a strict five-hour window.

The safety briefing before you enter the water

The first part of the crossing is not filler. Instructors spend around 20 to 30 minutes explaining how to use the mask, snorkel, and fins, along with basic safety rules and an introduction to local marine life.

That matters even if you have snorkeled before. A well-fitted mask and a correctly used snorkel can make the difference between calmly watching fish and spending the first half-hour clearing water from your equipment. Beginners get a clear starting point, while experienced swimmers can use the briefing to understand how the crew wants the group to behave in the water.

You are fitted with a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins once you reach Pserimos. The wetsuit is a practical touch. It can keep you comfortable for longer in the sea and offers a little extra protection from the sun and the chill of extended swimming.

The instructors provide indirect supervision rather than one-to-one in-water guiding. That distinction is important. You are free to explore at your own pace, but you are still responsible for staying within your ability and following the safety advice. This setup suits confident swimmers and families with older children who can manage their own equipment.

Pserimos and the blue lagoon stop

The boat heads for Pserimos, a small island in the Dodecanese with a quieter feel than Kos. The main attraction here is not a long island tour. It is the clear water around the boat, where you can spend the bulk of the stop swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and watching marine life.

The water is described as turquoise and crystal clear, which gives you the best chance of spotting fish close to the surface and around the rocky areas. The exact species and visibility will depend on sea conditions, but the trip’s briefing helps you know what to look for instead of simply swimming around and hoping to see something.

This is a good place to set realistic expectations. The sea is the main event, not a staged wildlife show. You might find plenty of fish on a calm, clear day, as several supplied trip comments describe, but marine life is never guaranteed. Wind, direction, sunlight, and water clarity all affect what you see.

You can choose your own pace once you are in the lagoon. Swim for a while, return to the boat, dry off on the sun deck, then go back in if you feel like it. That flexibility gives the trip a relaxed rhythm and makes it easier for a mixed group, especially when some people want to snorkel and others mainly want to swim or sunbathe.

What time in the water feels like

The water stop lasts for a few hours, giving you much more time than a quick beach excursion. You are not rushing through a ten-minute photo stop before being called back aboard.

Families should pay attention to the activity level. Children who are comfortable in open water may enjoy the freedom, and the crew explains snorkel use in a way that can help younger swimmers. But the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you must be able to climb a ladder to get out of the sea.

You also need to step on and off the boat and move through a narrow passageway to reach the front deck. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but those physical requirements may not work for every wheelchair user. If you have limited mobility, contact Liamis Dive Boat before booking and describe exactly what assistance you need.

The crew’s role is supportive rather than intrusive. You receive instruction and indirect oversight, but you are not assigned a private instructor. That arrangement keeps the day open and informal, though anyone who feels uneasy in open water should choose an activity with closer supervision.

Life on board between swims

The Apollon gives you two basic choices: shade or sun. The shaded deck is useful during the hottest part of the day, while the spacious sun deck lets you stretch out and take in the coastal views.

I would pack a towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a lunch that can handle a boat ride. Food and drinks are not included, and the instructions specifically recommend bringing a packed lunch and cash. Personal medication belongs in your day bag as well.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That rule is especially sensible on a boat where you are entering the sea and climbing a ladder afterward.

The boat ride itself is part of the appeal, but it is also worth considering if you dislike time at sea. The crossing to Pserimos takes around 45 minutes, and the return adds another stretch on the water. Wind can lead to cancellation, since the boat’s route depends on the force and direction of the wind.

How the group size affects the experience

The supplied trip information gives a useful idea of scale: around 15 to 25 people on some outings. That is small enough to feel calmer than the large party boats and pirate-style cruises commonly offered from Kos, while still giving the boat enough people for a social atmosphere.

A smaller group also helps during equipment fitting and the first swim. You are less likely to feel lost in a mass of swimmers, and the crew can explain the basics without shouting to a huge crowd.

Still, this is not a private charter. The boat carries both snorkeling customers and people taking part in underwater activities, so the group may have mixed abilities and different interests. That is fine if you want a flexible day, but less ideal if you expect a private guide focused only on you.

English and Greek are the listed working languages. The crew’s explanations are a key part of the experience, especially for first-time snorkelers, so ask questions before entering the water if anything about the gear or safety rules is unclear.

Is $64 a fair price?

At $64 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the equipment and spend several hours in the water. The fare covers the boat, captain, snorkeling equipment, and the basic marine-life and safety information. You are also paying for transport from Kos to Pserimos and back, rather than arranging separate boat travel.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a full sea outing without paying for a private boat. You get a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins, which saves you from bringing or hiring your own gear. The small-group setup adds to the appeal.

The price does not include food, drinks, or hotel pickup and drop-off. You need to make your own way to Kos Harbour and bring lunch. Those costs are easy to manage, but they should be included in your total budget.

I would consider this good value for confident swimmers who will spend plenty of time snorkeling. If you mainly want to lie in the sun and take pictures, you may find a standard sightseeing cruise more suitable.

Who should book this Kos excursion?

This trip suits you best if you:

• Can swim confidently in open water
• Want several hours for snorkeling rather than a quick stop
• Prefer a quieter boat to a large party cruise
• Are happy with indirect supervision
• Like having the option to swim, sunbathe, or return to the water
• Want equipment and basic instruction included
• Are comfortable stepping on and off a boat and using a sea ladder

It is less suitable for non-swimmers and for anyone who needs constant in-water assistance. It may also disappoint you if you expect a guided naturalist tour with a guaranteed list of fish or a detailed shore visit in Pserimos.

The crew has received especially strong praise for being friendly, clear, and helpful. Athena is named in one of the supplied comments, and the overall impression is of a team that takes time to explain the activity and help beginners feel at ease. The recorded rating is 4.7 from 76 reviews, with repeated praise for the relaxed mood, crew, instruction, and fish sightings.

Practical details before you book

Book with enough time to provide the required personal information. The operator needs it at least 12 hours before the trip for the passenger and insurance lists.

Bring sunscreen even if you plan to spend most of your time in the water. The sun deck offers excellent exposure, and reflected sunlight on the sea can catch you off guard.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel, hat, and medication easy to reach. A packed lunch is essential because meals and drinks are not supplied.

Allow for weather changes. The trip may be cancelled if wind force and direction make the route unsuitable. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

FAQ

Where does the Pserimos snorkeling cruise depart from?

It departs from Liamis Dive Centre’s boat in Kos Harbour, about 50 meters from the Dolphins roundabout, at the front of the only traffic lights on the corner of Akti Kountourioti and Meg. Alexandrou.

What time should I arrive?

You should arrive at approximately 8:15 to 8:30 a.m. The boat departs around 8:30 a.m., so have your ticket ready and allow time to complete the medical statement.

How long is the trip?

The activity is described as five hours. The stated schedule has departure around 8:30 a.m. and return around 2:30 p.m., so check the exact timing when you book.

How long is the boat ride to Pserimos?

The journey from Kos to Pserimos takes about 45 minutes.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

A wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins are included, along with a safety and equipment briefing.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Bring a packed lunch, and carry cash if needed.

Can non-swimmers join?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Do I need to climb a ladder?

Yes. You must be able to climb a ladder to get out of the sea, step on and off the boat, and navigate a narrow passageway to reach the front deck.

What languages do the instructors speak?

The instructors speak English and Greek.

Can the trip be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The boat trip may be cancelled because of the force and direction of the wind. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Should you book the Pserimos snorkeling cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized half-day on clear water, with proper equipment, a friendly crew, and enough time to snorkel without being packed onto a party boat. The combination of a blue lagoon, sun deck, wetsuits, and a 15 to 25-person feel gives it strong value at $64.

Skip it if you cannot swim, need close personal supervision, or would rather explore Pserimos on land. For everyone else, especially first-time snorkelers who want clear instructions and a relaxed day at sea, this is one of the more practical ways to get beyond Kos for a few hours.