Kos Town: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with Swimming Stops

The best part of this Kos boat trip is not simply looking through the glass bottom. It is the combination of a close shipwreck view, a long stop in clear water near Pserimos, and a short sailing time that does not eat up your whole day. At $23 per person, it gives you a taste of the Aegean without signing up for an all-day cruise.

I like the beautiful Blue Lagoon swimming stop and the fact that you get time to swim, use floating aids, and look for fish. I also like the 150-minute format, which works well for families and anyone who wants a sea outing without a full-day commitment.

The main thing to consider is seating. The boat can fill quickly, and the boarding process may feel untidy. Arrive early if you want an outdoor seat, especially on a sunny or choppy day.

Four things to know before you book

• The shipwreck is the glass-bottom highlight: The viewing panels may look scratched or cloudy at first, but the wreck can appear remarkably clear when the boat is above it.
• The Pserimos swim stop is the real star: Expect crystal-clear green-blue water, fish, a sandy beach, and time to jump from the boat or use its slide.
• This is a short cruise with a proper swimming break: The advertised duration is 150 minutes, a useful middle ground between a quick harbor ride and a full-day island trip.
• Families get plenty to do: Children can watch for sea life, fish from the boat, use pool noodles, or enjoy the slide and music.
• Seats matter: Outdoor places offer sun and breeze, while the covered area provides shade but may feel crowded.
• The onboard extras are reasonably priced: Drinks, snacks, beer, and cocktails are available, but they are not included in the $23 fare.

Finding the yellow Dorry in Kos Town

You meet the boat right in the port of Kos Town. Look for the yellow Dorry Glass-Bottom Speedboat, a detail worth remembering because the harbor has plenty of boats and excursion signs.

There is no separate hotel transfer listed, so plan to reach the port on your own. Give yourself extra time before departure. One family arrived about 20 minutes early but found the boat already filling, with the only remaining seats in the covered glass-bottom area.

The boarding process may not feel perfectly organized. That is partly down to people choosing seats quickly, but it means you should not stroll up at the last second and expect your preferred spot.

The crew speaks English, Greek, Italian, and German. The atmosphere is friendly without being too pushy, and the staff help people who need assistance. One crew member named Manolis received special praise for helping a child with autism, while other families appreciated the crew’s calm approach with children and nervous swimmers.

Setting off toward Pserimos

Once Dorry leaves the port, you can settle into the open top deck and enjoy the breeze. The ride gives you views of Kos and Pserimos, with the Aegean spread around the boat.

You can buy a drink from the onboard bar, although food and drinks are not included in the ticket. Available choices include soft drinks, beer, snacks, and freshly made cocktails. One particularly useful detail is that the prices have been described as reasonable, including cocktails costing about €5, and there is no reported pressure to keep buying.

The boat also has a shaded section. This matters on hot Kos afternoons, but it can become the least comfortable area when the boat is full because it includes one of the glass-bottom viewing spaces. If you are prone to seasickness, remember that the ride may be choppy, and sitting low in a crowded covered area may not be ideal.

Music plays during the cruise, giving the trip a light party feel rather than a quiet nature outing. I would describe the mood as relaxed and social, not formal. If you want complete peace and silence, this may not be your perfect boat trip.

What you actually see through the glass

Dorry has two glass-bottom viewing areas, so you can move around and look into the water from below the boat. Children can make a game of spotting fish and other sea life, which gives them something to do between the main stops.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not a specialist marine-life expedition, and the glass panels are not always perfect. Some plastic covers have scratches, and one section can initially look foggy or cloudy. That can make ordinary viewing less impressive than the name glass-bottom boat suggests.

The picture changes when you reach the old shipwreck. Several people found the wreck surprisingly clear from above, and the guide provides information about it. The boat spends enough time in the area for you to get a proper look instead of making a quick pass.

I would treat the glass bottom as a bonus rather than the sole reason to book. On a bright day with calm water, it can be engaging, especially for children. The wreck is the strongest part of the viewing experience, while the ordinary stretches of seabed may offer only brief glimpses of fish.

The guide also shares information during the outing. One particularly effective guide kept both adults and children listening while explaining island history and Kos’s importance in medicine. The exact guide may vary, but the trip is not just a ride with music and swimming.

The shipwreck stop

The old wreck gives the cruise its most unusual sightseeing moment. You remain on the boat and look down through the viewing areas as Dorry passes over or near it.

The water clarity makes a real difference. On a good day, you can see the shape of the wreck and fish in the surrounding water. The boat’s position and the crowd around the viewing areas affect how well you see, so do not expect everyone to have an unobstructed view at the same time.

This can also be the busiest part of the cruise. People gather around the glass, and someone seated near the panels may find others standing close by. If you are traveling with children, stay with them as you move through the viewing area and avoid blocking the panels for too long.

The wreck stop is brief compared with the swimming break, but it adds a touch of history and mystery to what could otherwise be a simple harbor cruise. I would especially value it if your group includes children who enjoy spotting objects underwater.

Swimming in the clear waters near Pserimos

The main stop comes around the middle of the cruise, when Dorry anchors near Pserimos. The water is repeatedly described as exceptionally clear, with fish close to the boat and a beautiful sandy beach nearby.

You can enter the sea from the boat, use the slide, or jump from the side. Floating devices, pool noodles, and other aids are available for people who are not confident swimmers or simply want to relax in the water. One useful criticism is that larger life vests would help some passengers, so check the available equipment before entering.

You may also swim toward the beach. The experience is at its best when you bring your own snorkel, since the clear water and fish make the swimming stop more interesting than a simple cool-off.

The length of this stop is one of the strongest points of the trip. You are not rushed into a quick ten-minute swim. There is enough time to swim, snorkel, sit in the water, and enjoy the view. One passenger wished for even more time at the Blue Lagoon, while another expected two swimming stops and found only one. The official description specifies a swim stop, so book this expecting one substantial water break, not several.

The water can still feel cool, even under the Greek sun. If you do not want to swim, you can stay aboard, enjoy the views, watch the children, or try fishing from the boat. A child who did not want to enter the water was helped to fish instead, a good example of how the cruise can work for mixed groups.

Facilities and comfort on board

For a small boat outing, Dorry has useful facilities. There are toilets onboard, and the bar sells drinks and snacks. The boat also has both sunny and shaded seating, though the best spots go quickly.

Outdoor seating is the better choice if you want fresh air, a view, and a comfortable place during the crossing. It is less appealing if the sun is strong or the sea turns choppy. The covered glass-bottom space gives shade but may leave you close to other passengers and more vulnerable to motion sickness.

Bring sun protection, water, and a towel. A snorkel is worth packing because the swimming stop is one of the main reasons to take the trip. You should also bring a dry change of clothes if you expect to use the slide or jump from the boat.

Wear footwear that you can manage easily around a boat and at the swimming stop. The supplied information does not specify a required dress code or special equipment list, so keep your packing simple and practical.

Is $23 a fair price?

At $23 per person, this is strong value if you want three things in one outing: a boat ride, a shipwreck sighting, and a proper swim in clear water.

The price is especially attractive for families because the cruise keeps children occupied without requiring a full-day commitment. The slide, music, fish, glass panels, and swimming stop provide variety. You also avoid paying for a long excursion when your group may only want a couple of hours at sea.

The ticket covers the boat trip only. Drinks, cocktails, snacks, and beer cost extra, so add a little spending money if you want to use the bar. Those extras have been described as fairly priced, and card payment is available onboard according to the supplied information.

The value is weaker if you expect a polished, quiet marine tour with perfect underwater viewing. The glass panels can be scratched, the boarding may be untidy, and the boat can feel crowded. You are paying for an enjoyable mix of activities, not a private charter or a serious wildlife trip.

The free cancellation window is up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Kos plans are still changing. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book.

Who should take this Kos cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to families with children. Kids can look for fish, watch the wreck, enjoy the music, use the slide, fish from the boat, and swim with floating aids. The crew has also shown patience when children need extra help.

It suits couples and friends who want a fun afternoon rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. The music, drinks, and open deck create an easygoing mood, while the stop near Pserimos gives you a scenic place to relax.

It is also a good fit for cautious swimmers. You can choose not to enter the water, and floating equipment is available. Still, anyone with serious mobility, swimming, or motion-sickness concerns should ask the provider for current details before booking, since the supplied information does not describe accessibility arrangements.

This may not suit you if you want solitude. The boat can be full, people gather around the glass panels, and the music adds energy. It is also not the best choice if your main goal is to spend hours on a beach, since the trip includes one swimming stop rather than a full beach day.

Practical tips for getting the best trip

Arrive early and head for the outdoor deck if that is important to you. Do not assume that booking alone will guarantee a particular seat.

Bring a snorkel, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a small amount of money for the bar. A waterproof phone pouch is sensible if you plan to use the slide or jump from the boat.

If the sea looks rough, sit where the crew suggests and keep your attention on the horizon. One child felt unwell during a choppy trip, and moving upstairs helped. The crew was supportive, but your own preparation still matters.

If you are not swimming, ask about fishing or stay near the shaded area. The trip works better when everyone in your group has a plan for the water stop.

Do not judge the glass bottom before reaching the wreck. The panels may look less clear in ordinary water, but the wreck can provide a much better view.

Should you book the Dorry glass-bottom cruise?

Book it if you want a low-cost, family-friendly sea outing with a real swimming stop and no full-day commitment. The clear water near Pserimos, the fish, the shipwreck, and the helpful crew give the trip more substance than a simple harbor ride.

Think twice if you need quiet, guaranteed outdoor seating, or flawless glass-bottom viewing. For most people, though, the $23 price makes the trade-offs easy to accept. Bring a snorkel, arrive early, and treat the swim in Pserimos as the main event. The wreck and the views add just enough sightseeing to make the two-and-a-half-hour trip feel well spent.

FAQ

Where does the Kos glass-bottom boat cruise meet?

You meet the boat at the port in Kos Town. Look for the yellow Dorry Glass-Bottom Speedboat.

How long is the cruise?

The advertised duration is 150 minutes, or two and a half hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $23 per person.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The cruise includes a swimming stop in clear water near Pserimos.

How many swimming stops are there?

The activity information specifies one swimming stop. Do not book this expecting two separate water stops.

Can I see fish from the boat?

Yes. You can look for sea life through the boat’s two glass-bottom viewing areas, and fish may also be visible in the clear water during the swimming stop.

Does the cruise pass an old shipwreck?

Yes. The boat passes an old shipwreck, which you can view through the glass-bottom areas. A guide provides information about it.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Drinks, snacks, beer, and cocktails are available onboard for an additional charge.

Does the boat have shade and toilets?

Yes. The boat has a shaded area and toilets onboard. Outdoor seating is also available, but it can fill quickly.

What languages are spoken by the host or crew?

The host or greeter languages are English, Greek, Italian, and German.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.