Kardamaina: 3-Bay Pirate Boat Cruise with BBQ Lunch

Three bays, one boat, a warm-water finale. The Maria Magdalini makes a pleasant day of it, with 1.5 hours at Kefalos Beach and a Greek BBQ of souvlaki, salad, and bread served onboard. I also like the short stop at Camel Bay for clear water and boat jumps, followed by two hours at Bubble Beach, where volcanic heat warms the sea.

The main drawback is that the cruise covers a lot in one day, so two stops are fairly brief. Camel Bay gets only about 30 minutes, and Kefalos Beach is reached by boat rather than explored at a slow, unhurried pace. Still, for $33.88 per person, the combination of three bays, lunch, boat transport, and swimming time gives you solid value.

Key Details Before You Sail

• Three very different swimming stops: Kefalos offers a broad golden beach, Camel Bay is a short scenic stop, and Bubble Beach brings warm volcanic water.
• The boat departs at 10am: You meet the Maria Magdalini at Kardamena port and return at about 4:30pm.
• Greek BBQ is included: Lunch consists of souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread, with vegetarian food available if requested.
• Camel Bay is the quickest stop: You get roughly 30 minutes to swim, take pictures, and jump from the boat.
• Facilities are onboard: A toilet, snack bar, sun mats, and insurance are included.
• The experience is priced for a full day: At $33.88, the fare includes the round cruise, lunch, taxes, and boat facilities.

Setting Out From Kardamena at 10am

Your day begins at Kardamena port, where you find the pirate-style boat Maria Magdalini and show the crew your mobile voucher. The listed departure time is 10am, with the boat returning around 4:30pm. That makes this a full half-day at sea, not a quick morning outing.

The pirate boat theme adds a little fun without changing the basic nature of the trip. This is a simple swimming cruise built around sun, sea, and three beach stops. You are not signing up for a guided history tour or a small private sailing trip.

The host speaks English, which is useful for meeting instructions and the basic flow of the day. Since the meeting point is the port itself, you do not have to find a separate office or arrange a transfer from elsewhere.

I would arrive with enough time to locate the Maria Magdalini before departure. The port is the key landmark, and your mobile voucher is what you show the crew when boarding.

Kefalos Beach Gives You the Longest Shore Stop

The first stop is Kefalos Beach, on the northwest side of the island. The boat reaches the shore, and you can get off for about 1.5 hours. This is the best chance during the cruise to walk on sand, look around, and swim without watching the clock every few minutes.

Kefalos is described as a broad golden-sand beach with clear water and small bays. I like that this stop gives you a proper shore visit rather than keeping you on the boat for the entire morning. You can walk along the beach, find a place to sit, and enjoy the water at your own pace.

The time limit still matters. Ninety minutes sounds generous, but it passes quickly once you leave the boat, walk along the shore, swim, and return to the meeting point. I would keep an eye on the boat and allow time to get back before departure.

This stop suits you best if you want a beach experience rather than only a quick swim from the vessel. It is also the most practical place to stretch your legs after the initial sailing.

The beach description includes small bays, so you may find some variety along the shore rather than one long, uniform strip of sand. Still, the exact conditions can change with the day, and the cruise does not promise a private beach or a quiet, empty shoreline.

Greek BBQ Lunch on the Maria Magdalini

After Kefalos Beach, you return to the boat for lunch. The included meal is a straightforward Greek BBQ with souvlaki, Greek salad, and bread. Vegetarian options are available on request, so you should mention that need when booking rather than waiting until the meal is served.

I like the timing. After swimming and walking at Kefalos, a meal back onboard lets you rest while the boat moves toward the next bay. It also keeps the outing simple, since you do not need to leave the beach in search of food.

This is not a restaurant meal with a wide menu. Think of it as a filling boat lunch designed for a day outdoors. The food included in the price helps make the $33.88 fare more reasonable, especially since the cruise also covers the boat ticket, taxes, insurance, and use of sun mats.

Drinks and snacks are not included. A snack bar is open during the cruise, so you can buy something onboard, but you should budget separately for those items. If you prefer to avoid extra spending, bring anything you need that is permitted for the boat.

The open deck has sun mats, which are useful during the long sailing periods. If you like to sit in the sun, you will have a place to stretch out. If you prefer shade, the available information does not specify how much shaded seating there is, so plan accordingly.

Camel Bay Is Short, Clear, and Scenic

The second stop is Camel Bay, named for the beach’s camel-like shape. It is described as a deserted beach with clear water, and the boat spends about 30 minutes here.

This is the most compact stop of the day. You can admire the unusual shape, take pictures, and swim near the boat. The main attraction is the setting and the chance to get into the water without the longer shore break offered at Kefalos.

The boat also provides an opportunity to jump into the sea at Camel Bay. That makes this stop particularly appealing if you enjoy swimming straight from the vessel. I would treat it as a quick water break rather than a full beach visit.

The word deserted should not lead you to expect a long period of solitude. The stop is part of an organized cruise, and the boat remains the center of the visit. You may not have time to explore much of the beach itself before it is time to return onboard.

Still, the short stop helps give the cruise variety. Kefalos is the beach walk, while Camel Bay is the quick swim and photo stop. That contrast keeps the day from feeling like the same activity repeated three times.

Bubble Beach Brings Warm Volcanic Water

The final stop is Bubble Beach, also called Paradise Beach, where you spend about two hours. The water is warmed by veins connected to the Nisyros volcano, making this the most unusual swimming stop on the route.

Warm water can make a long swim more comfortable, especially after spending much of the day in and out of the sea. You can jump from the boat, swim around it, or make your way to the shore. The beach is organized, with bars and water activities available.

I would plan to use this as the relaxed final stop. Two hours gives you enough time to swim, sit on the beach, and have a drink if you want one. It is also the place where you have the most choice between staying onboard and going ashore.

The organized beach setting may appeal to you if you want refreshments and activity options. It may be less appealing if your ideal final stop is a completely empty beach. The cruise offers both a boat-based swim and access to the shore, but Bubble Beach is not presented as an untouched bay.

The volcanic connection gives the stop a clear identity. You are not simply visiting another sandy beach. You get a different feel from the warmer water, which is why this final stop is likely to be the most memorable part of the route.

What the Six-and-a-Half-Hour Schedule Feels Like

The cruise lasts about 6.5 hours, from the 10am departure to the return at 4:30pm. Much of that time is split between sailing and shore stops, so you should expect a relaxed boat day rather than constant sightseeing.

The schedule gives Kefalos 1.5 hours, Camel Bay about 30 minutes, and Bubble Beach two hours. The remaining time covers sailing, boarding, lunch, and moving between the bays.

That balance works well if you want several swimming locations in one outing. You get enough time at Kefalos and Bubble Beach to settle in, while Camel Bay adds a quick change of scenery.

The tradeoff is that you cannot control the pace. You leave each place when the boat schedule says it is time to go. If you find a beach you love, the cruise will not allow you to stay for the whole afternoon.

I see this as a good choice for a first look at several bays. If you already know you want one particular beach for a full day, a beach-only plan may suit you better.

What Is Included for $33.88?

The listed price is $33.88 per person. For that fare, you receive the round cruise to the three bays, the BBQ lunch, vegetarian food if requested, legal fees and taxes, sun mats on the open deck, and insurance.

That is a useful bundle. You are paying for transport between several coastal stops, a meal, and a full afternoon of access to the boat. The price also avoids the need to arrange separate transport to Kefalos, Camel Bay, and Bubble Beach.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim at all three locations. If you only want to sit on the boat and watch the coast, the fare may feel less worthwhile. The cruise is built around getting into the water.

You should also remember that drinks and snacks cost extra. Since a snack bar operates onboard, you have an easy option, but the headline price is not the final amount if you buy refreshments.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 84 ratings, and the praise centers on the attractive stops, plentiful swimming, friendly crew, and fair price. Those points match the structure of the trip: the cruise gives you a lot of sea time and several chances to swim without charging for each part separately.

Who Will Enjoy This Pirate Boat Cruise?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a simple day on the water with a clear schedule. It suits families, couples, and groups of friends who like swimming, sunbathing, and a casual meal more than formal sightseeing.

It is also a good fit if you want variety. Kefalos offers a longer beach visit, Camel Bay brings a quick boat-side swim, and Bubble Beach provides warm water with access to an organized shore.

You may want to think twice if you dislike fixed departure times or spending several hours on a boat. The cruise is not designed around lingering at one beach. It also may not suit you if you want a quiet, private outing, since this is an organized boat experience with a set route.

Strong swimmers and confident jumpers will find more to enjoy at Camel Bay and Bubble Beach. If you would rather enter the water from the shore, you can swim to the beach at Bubble Beach, and Kefalos also offers shore access.

The boat has a toilet, which matters on a 6.5-hour outing. The snack bar adds convenience, and sun mats make the open deck more comfortable, though you should plan for your own preferences regarding food, drinks, and sun protection.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Day

Request a vegetarian lunch in advance if needed. The meal includes souvlaki, salad, and bread, but vegetarian food is specifically available on request.

Bring money for snacks and drinks. They are not included, although the onboard snack bar is open during the cruise.

Use the sun mats on the open deck, but remember that a full day at sea means plenty of sun exposure. The activity information confirms the mats but does not list other personal items, so you should prepare for a normal beach day.

Keep your mobile voucher ready at the port. You show it to the Maria Magdalini crew when you arrive.

Pay close attention to the return time at each bay. Kefalos gives you 1.5 hours, Camel Bay about 30 minutes, and Bubble Beach two hours. Camel Bay is especially easy to underestimate because it is a short stop.

If your plans may change, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which keeps the booking flexible.

Should You Book the Maria Magdalini?

Book this cruise if you want three bays, several swimming opportunities, a Greek BBQ, and a full day at sea for $33.88. The strongest reasons are the warm water at Bubble Beach, the golden shore at Kefalos, and the easy variety of a planned route.

I would skip it only if you want a private boat, a single beach for the whole day, or a slower schedule. Camel Bay is brief, and every stop follows the boat’s timetable.

For most people looking for an affordable, active beach day from Kardamena, this is a sensible choice. Bring extra money for drinks, request special food in advance, and be ready to swim. The Maria Magdalini does what the day promises: it carries you to three distinctive bays, feeds you lunch, and gets you back to port by late afternoon.

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 cruise leave?

The cruise departs at 10am. Check the available date and booking details for the exact starting information.

What time does the boat return?

The Maria Magdalini is scheduled to return to Kardamena port at about 4:30pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 6.5 hours.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits Kefalos Beach, Camel Bay, and Bubble Beach, which is also called Paradise Beach.

How much time is available at Kefalos Beach?

You have about 1.5 hours at Kefalos Beach, including time to walk, swim, and explore the shore.

How long is the stop at Camel Bay?

The stop at Camel Bay lasts about 30 minutes. You can swim, take pictures, and jump from the boat.

How long do you stay at Bubble Beach?

You spend about two hours at Bubble Beach. You can swim from the boat or go to the organized beach.

What food is included?

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

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Snacks and drinks are not included, but a snack bar is open onboard during the cruise.