Kardamaina: 3-Bay Pirate Boat Cruise with BBQ Lunch

The best part of this outing is the variety packed into one easy day at sea. You sail on the pirate ship Maria Magdalini from Kardamena to three very different bays: a broad sandy beach, a quiet cove shaped like a camel, and a warm-water stop linked to volcanic activity.

I like the generous swimming time and the fact that lunch is served onboard rather than eating into your beach hours. I also like the simple price, listed at $33.88 per person, which covers the cruise, BBQ, taxes, insurance, and sun mats. The main drawback is that drinks and snacks cost extra, and the long stop at Bubble Beach may feel less appealing if you prefer a quiet, undeveloped shore.

Key points to know before booking

• Kefalos Beach gives you 1.5 hours ashore, enough time to walk along the beach, explore small bays, and swim from land.
• Camel Bay is a short, scenic stop, with about 30 minutes for photos and swimming from the boat.
• Bubble Beach, also called Paradise Beach, gets two hours, with warm water, beach bars, and water activities.
• Lunch is Greek and practical, with BBQ souvlaki, salad, and bread served aboard the Maria Magdalini.
• The crew speaks English, and a toilet, snack bar, and sun mats are available on the boat.
• The schedule runs from 10am to 4:30pm, making this a full half-day excursion from Kardamena.

Setting sail from Kardamena at 10am

Your day begins at Kardamena port, where you look for the pirate boat Maria Magdalini and show the crew your mobile voucher. The listed departure is 10am, with a return to the same port at about 4:30pm.

The pirate styling gives the boat a more playful feel than a plain transfer vessel. Still, the real attraction is the route, not a themed performance. You are signing up for a day of open water, beach time, swimming, and a relaxed lunch rather than a formal sightseeing cruise.

The host or greeter speaks English. Since the meeting point is the boat itself, arrive with enough time to find Maria Magdalini at the port and get settled before departure. The boat has toilets, which matters on a six-and-a-half-hour outing, and the snack bar stays open during the cruise.

Sun mats are available on the open deck. You will want sun protection, a towel, swimwear, and some cash or another way to pay for drinks and snacks, since those are not included in the price.

Kefalos Beach gives you the longest land stop

The first major stop is Kefalos Beach, on the northwest side of the island. You get about 1.5 hours of free time here, making it the best stop for a proper walk and a little independent exploring.

This is not just a quick swim from the stern. The boat reaches the shore, and you can get off to walk across the beach, see its small bays, and spend time in the water at your own pace. The combination of golden sand, clear water, and small inlets gives this stop more variety than a single-purpose swimming pause.

I like this part of the schedule because it gives you a chance to stretch your legs. After time on a boat, walking along a beach can make the day feel less repetitive. It also gives you the clearest choice of activities: swim, sunbathe, walk, take photos, or simply sit by the water.

The time limit is worth noting. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but it passes quickly if you plan to walk the full beach and swim. Keep an eye on the boat’s departure instructions and do not treat this as an open-ended beach visit.

Kefalos is likely to suit you best if you want some land time during a boat trip. If your main goal is jumping straight into the sea from the boat, the later stops are more focused on that.

Greek BBQ lunch back aboard Maria Magdalini

After Kefalos Beach, you return to the boat for lunch. The meal includes BBQ souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread, a straightforward menu that fits the setting and does not require a long break from the water.

This is one of the better-value parts of the outing. Your lunch is included in the advertised price, and you eat while the cruise continues rather than paying separately at a beach restaurant. The meal also gives the day a clear Greek flavor without pretending to be a fine-dining experience.

Vegetarian food is available on request. Make that request when booking or before the day of the cruise, since the standard meal centers on souvlaki.

Drinks and snacks are not included. A snack bar is open onboard, so you have an option if you want something between stops, but you should plan for an extra charge. The practical approach is to bring what you need for the day and treat the BBQ as the main meal.

The lunch is especially useful for families and anyone comparing the total cost of boat trips. A cheaper-looking cruise can become less affordable once you add a meal, beach food, and basic onboard costs. Here, the core lunch is already part of the package.

Camel Bay is the quietest swimming stop

The next stop is Camel Bay, a deserted beach named for its camel-like shape. The boat pauses here for about 30 minutes, giving you time to admire the clear water, take photos, and swim.

You generally stay focused on the water at this stop rather than spending a long time ashore. The advertised highlight is jumping from the boat, which makes Camel Bay a good moment for confident swimmers who enjoy entering the sea directly from the deck.

Half an hour is enough for a refreshing swim and a few photographs, but it is not enough for a slow beach visit. If you prefer a long, quiet stretch on sand, Kefalos Beach gives you more of that. Camel Bay works better as a short scenic pause between the longer stops.

Take care on the boat and follow the crew’s instructions before jumping. The available details do not specify water depth, access arrangements, or whether everyone can disembark at the beach, so you should view this as a boat-based swimming stop rather than a guaranteed shore visit.

The deserted setting is part of its appeal. There are no stated bars or water activities here, so the mood should be simpler than at Paradise Beach. You get clear water, the unusual outline of the shore, and a brief break from the main beach crowds.

Bubble Beach brings warm volcanic water

The final stop lasts about two hours at Bubble Beach, also called Paradise Beach. This is the longest swimming period of the cruise and the most distinctive stop from a natural point of view.

The water is warm because of veins connected with the Nisyros volcano. That volcanic link gives the stop something beyond the usual beach formula, although the experience remains simple: swim, float, sunbathe, jump from the boat, or swim to shore.

You can reach the beach from the boat by swimming, and the shore is organized with bars and water activities. This makes Bubble Beach more developed than Camel Bay. If you want a drink, a little beach activity, or an easier shore-based break, that organization may suit you.

The tradeoff is atmosphere. You are not getting an empty beach here. The beach facilities and activities can make the stop livelier, but they also mean less solitude. I would choose this cruise partly because it gives you both kinds of setting in one day: a more open beach at Camel Bay and a serviced shore at Paradise Beach.

Two hours is enough time to settle into the stop instead of rushing through it. You can spend part of the time in the water and part on shore. If you are less comfortable jumping from a boat, swimming to the beach gives you another way to enjoy the stop, provided you are comfortable with the swim and follow the crew’s guidance.

What the $33.88 price really covers

At the listed price of $33.88 per person, the value is strongest for anyone who wants transport between several bays, a meal, and a full day of swimming in one booking.

The price includes the round cruise to all three bays, BBQ souvlaki, salad, bread, legal fees, taxes, insurance, and sun mats on the open deck. That is a useful bundle. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Kefalos, Camel Bay, or Paradise Beach, and you avoid paying for lunch at a beach venue.

The price does not include snacks or drinks. That is a small but important detail when comparing excursions. If you plan to buy several drinks during six and a half hours in the sun, your final spend will be higher.

The listed rating is 4.3 from 84 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the places visited, the amount of swimming, the friendly crew, and the quality for the money. Those are the areas where this trip makes its case. It is not trying to be a luxury yacht charter. It is an affordable group boat day with a useful route and included lunch.

The value drops if you dislike set schedules or crowded beach stops. You cannot choose how long to remain at each bay, and the two-hour Paradise Beach stop may not suit someone looking only for isolated coves.

The pace, facilities, and practical details

This is a six-and-a-half-hour activity, with departure at 10am and return around 4:30pm. The timing makes it easy to build around a full day in Kardamena, but the cruise itself takes up most of the daylight hours.

The route has a sensible rhythm. Kefalos gives you the longest land visit, lunch follows onboard, Camel Bay provides a short swim, and Paradise Beach closes the day with the longest water stop. You get changing scenery without constantly packing and unpacking.

The boat has a toilet and snack bar. Sun mats are available on the open deck, which helps if you plan to spend much of the sailing time outside. Drinks and food beyond the included lunch are extra.

The information provided does not state the group size, seating layout, shade capacity, or accessibility arrangements. If any of those matter to you, ask Sail Away Tours before booking. The same applies to children, mobility needs, and exact boarding instructions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your plans around Kardamena are still changing, but check the conditions at booking.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a simple way to see several bays without hiring transport or planning your own boat route. It suits swimmers, sunbathers, couples, families, and groups looking for a sociable day on the water.

It is also a good match if you value variety. Kefalos gives you a walkable beach, Camel Bay offers a short boat swim in a quieter setting, and Paradise Beach adds warm water plus beach facilities.

The cruise may not suit you if you want a private experience, complete control over the route, or long stretches of silence. You should also think twice if you dislike jumping from a boat, although the beach stops provide other ways to enjoy the day.

The schedule favors people who enjoy a planned outing. You will have set departure and return times, fixed stops, and limited time at each location. In exchange, you get a full route without the work of arranging it yourself.

What to bring for a more comfortable day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. The open deck and beach stops put you in strong sun for much of the day, and the available sun mats do not replace shade or sun protection.

Carry a little extra money for drinks and snacks. Lunch is included, but those additional purchases are not. A vegetarian meal can be arranged on request, so make that clear before departure.

Keep your mobile voucher ready when you board. You will need to find Maria Magdalini at Kardamena port and show it to the crew.

Most important, bring a relaxed attitude toward timing. Kefalos, Camel Bay, and Paradise Beach offer different experiences, but none is yours for the entire day. The best way to enjoy the cruise is to use each stop for what it does best.

Should you book the Maria Magdalini cruise?

Book it if you want good value, plenty of sea time, and three distinct bays in one organized outing. The included Greek BBQ, English-speaking crew, toilet, sun mats, and long Paradise Beach stop make the $33.88 price easy to justify for many visitors staying in Kardamena.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a very quiet beach day, or complete freedom over your schedule. For everyone else, this is a practical way to turn one day into a mix of beach walking, swimming, warm volcanic water, and Greek food without a complicated plan.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What time does the boat leave?

The stated departure time is 10am. The cruise returns to Kardamena at about 4:30pm.

How long does the activity last?

The cruise lasts approximately 6.5 hours.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The route includes Kefalos Beach, Camel Bay, and Bubble Beach, also called Paradise Beach.

How much time do you get at Kefalos Beach?

You get about 1.5 hours of free time at Kefalos Beach. You can walk along the beach, explore small bays, swim, or sunbathe.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes BBQ souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread. Vegetarian options are available on request.

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are not included, although a snack bar is open during the cruise.

Are toilets available onboard?

Yes. Toilets are available on the vessel.

Can you cancel the booking?

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