Kos Pirate Boat With Kids: Is It Worth It?
Updated October 20, 2026 · 5 min read
The pirate boat is a trip many families consider on Kos, and it is not a bad idea. But it is a long day: the pirate cruises run between 6.5 and 7.5 hours, and the pirate theme is only part of that. Whether it works depends mainly on how long your children manage without a nap, a bed or a pool.
The pirate trips on Kos
| Trip | Price per person | Rating | Reviews | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kos Pirate Cruise: 3 Islands, Swimming & Lunch | €27 | 4.6 | 3,261 | 7.5 hours |
| 3-Islands Boat Trip with BBQ on a Pirate Boat | €24.30 | 4.4 | 653 | 7 hours |
| Pirate Boat Cruise to 3 Bays with BBQ Lunch, from Kardamena | €30 | 4.2 | 178 | 6.5 hours |
| 3-Bay Pirate Boat Cruise with BBQ Lunch, from Kardamena | €30 | 4.3 | 154 | 6.5 hours |
| 3 Islands Pirate Cruise to Kalymnos, Pserimos, Plati & BBQ | €24 | 4.6 | 67 | 7 hours |
The €27 listing says only “3 islands near Kos” and names neither the islands nor the departure point. The €24.30 trip leaves from Kos Town and, like the €24 listing from Kos, names Kalymnos, Pserimos and Plati. The two from Kardamena visit bays instead, such as Kefalos Beach, Camel Bay, Kastri Island and Paradise Beach. The listings give a price per person. Whether children pay less, and up to what age, is on each booking page, and we do not state an age limit that the listings do not give.
What a day on board looks like
The biggest trip describes itself as “a unique pirate adventure for all ages”, with swimming, time to relax on deck and a freshly prepared lunch. The BBQ trip adds drinks with the Greek meal.
The listings do not describe the entertainment on board. How lively the boat is, whether there are games or face painting for children, and what the way back feels like depend on the boat and the crew, so treat the pirate theme as a setting, not a programme.
What the listings do not say is where the shade is, how many toilets there are, how crowded the boat gets, or how loud the music is. For a family those are the questions that decide the day. Read the recent reviews for them, and ask the operator if the booking page leaves them open.
How long can children manage?
Seven hours on a boat is a different thing from seven hours on a beach. There is no way to leave early and no car to go back to. Expect swimming stops, lunch and a long sail back.
- Children who nap during the day may struggle, and so may you. The boat is not a quiet place for a nap.
- Children who like water and games are the ones this trip is built for.
- Very hot days are harder than the brochure suggests. Open decks in July and August mean strong sun, so ask about shade, and bring your own sun protection and water.
- Pick-up from the hotel can take longer than expected. The listings give no transfer times, so ask. If your trip includes hotel pick-up, add that to the length of the day.
For seasickness, speak to a pharmacist or a paediatrician before you travel. What helps without medication is to sit mid-boat in the shade and look at the horizon.
Shorter options for small children
If a full day sounds like too much, two glass-bottom trips run far shorter:
- The Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with Swimming Stops from Kos Town runs 2.5 hours for €20 per person, rated 4.3 from 403 reviews.
- The Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with Mermaid Show lasts 1.5 hours and costs €27, rated 4.5 from 106 reviews. The listing calls it “perfect for families and short trips”.
Neither will take you to three islands. For a first boat trip with a very young child, though, the short ones are a safer start than seven hours.
When to skip it
Skip the pirate boat if your children are babies or toddlers who need a quiet place and a fixed routine, if the forecast is hot and there is no shade information, or if your children are on the older side and will find a pirate theme babyish. For them, a standard 3-island cruise is the better fit.
Verdict
For primary-school-age children who like water, the pirate boat is a good day out, and the most-reviewed one at €27 is the safest choice of the five. For anyone younger, start with a short glass-bottom cruise. All boat trips are on the boat trips page.
