From Kardamena: Nisyros, St.Antonios & Yali Islands Cruise

The best part of this three-island cruise is the mix of easy sea time and real places to explore. You swim off the boat at St. Antonios and Yali, then walk through Mandraki on Nisyros, where narrow lanes, small shops, churches, and a hilltop monastery give the day some local character.

I like the clear plan: three different stops in eight hours, with lunch handled on board. I also like the freedom at Nisyros, where you can climb about 200 steps to Panagia Spiliani, wander Mandraki, or simply sit in a square with a coffee. The main drawback is time. Nisyros offers more than this short visit can cover, and the optional volcano trip costs extra.

Key points to know before you book

• St. Antonios comes first: Swim, sunbathe, visit the small church, and eat a Greek BBQ lunch prepared by the crew.
• Mandraki gives you a proper island stop: Walk the narrow streets, browse shops, and climb toward Panagia Spiliani for broad views.
• Yali is your final swim stop: This tiny volcanic island has only 21 inhabitants, and the focus here is water, sun, drinks, and jumping from the boat.
• The boat is Maria Magdalini: Look for the two-deck pirate boat at Kardamena port and show your mobile voucher to the crew.
• Lunch is simple and practical: Souvlaki, salad, and bread are included, with a vegetarian meal available if you request it ahead of time.
• The price is low for a full day: At $39.52 per person, the cruise includes transport between islands, lunch, taxes, and insurance, while drinks and the optional volcano visit cost extra.

Why this cruise works as a full day from Kardamena

This is a relaxed island-hopping day rather than a serious sailing expedition. The boat leaves Kardamena at 10:00 and returns at about 17:30, giving you roughly eight hours between the port and the three stops.

That timing suits you if you want a full outing without arranging ferries, beach transfers, or lunch on your own. You get sea views, swimming time, a meal, and several hours on Nisyros for one modest price.

I would choose this trip for a sunny holiday day when you want variety. You are not spending all day on one beach, but you are also not racing through a long list of sights. The pace changes nicely: a quiet church and swim at St. Antonios, an island town at Nisyros, then a final swim and sun stop at Yali.

The boat has two decks, a bar, and toilets. That matters on an eight-hour trip. You can move around rather than remain in one fixed seat, although your best spot may depend on how busy the sailing is.

Boarding the Maria Magdalini at Kardamena

The meeting point is simple: go to Kardamena port and find the pirate boat Maria Magdalini. Show the crew your mobile voucher before boarding.

The boat’s pirate styling gives the day a holiday feel, but the useful features are more important. You have a bar for drinks, toilets on board, and two decks for sitting, standing, and taking in the views.

Bring beachwear and a towel. You will want both for the swimming stops, and the boat is also your lunch table. Coffee and drinks are not included, so budget a little extra if you want refreshments beyond the meal.

The crew and host operate in English. No individual guide names are provided, so do not expect a named cultural guide leading a formal tour. This is mainly a crew-led cruise with free time at each island.

First stop: St. Antonios and a Greek BBQ at sea

After about an hour, the boat reaches St. Antonios, an uninhabited island and the first stop of the day. This is the quietest part of the itinerary, with no town to tour and no long list of sights to tick off.

The island’s small church of St. Antonios is the main point of interest. You can walk up to it, take in the peaceful setting, and enjoy the view across the water. The appeal is not grand architecture. It is the calm of a small religious site on an otherwise empty island.

Most of your time here is for swimming and sunbathing. The water is described as clear, and the stop gives you a chance to get in early, before the afternoon heat builds. If you prefer not to swim, you can remain on the boat or find a place to sit in the sun.

While you are at St. Antonios, the crew prepares a Greek BBQ lunch on board. The included meal consists of souvlaki, salad, and bread. It is straightforward food, but that is exactly what works after a swim and before more exploring.

If you are vegetarian, notify the crew in advance. A vegetarian option is available on request, but you should not wait until lunchtime to mention it.

This stop is a good example of the cruise’s strengths and limits. You get a lovely natural pause and a swim, but not a developed beach with facilities on shore. The boat’s toilets and bar are useful here because St. Antonios itself is uninhabited.

Nisyros and the narrow streets of Mandraki

Around midday, the boat reaches Nisyros and docks at Mandraki, the island’s capital and port. This is the most substantial stop, and it is where you should decide how to spend your limited time.

Mandraki offers a simple choice. You can walk the town, shop, and sit for coffee, or you can make the uphill climb to Panagia Spiliani. Trying to do everything may leave you hurrying, especially if you also want the optional volcano visit.

The town is best explored on foot. Wander the narrow streets, look into the small shops, and make your way to Ilikiomeni Square for a coffee or traditional dessert. This gives you a taste of everyday island life rather than only a view from the harbor.

The climb to the Monastery of Panagia Spiliani takes about 200 steps. It is not a huge hike, but it is enough to feel tiring in hot weather or after swimming. Wear shoes with a firm sole, carry water, and allow time to get back to the port.

The reward is the view over Nisyros and Mandraki. The monastery and its Orthodox church are among the island’s main sights, and the climb gives you a better sense of the town’s position above the harbor.

If steps are not appealing, stay below and enjoy Mandraki at an easier pace. You can still see the town, browse the shops, and stop for a drink without turning the visit into a workout.

The optional volcano visit

Nisyros is known for its volcanic character, and a volcano visit may be available for an extra charge. Ask the crew for current details before deciding.

The key point is that this is not included in the base price. If seeing the volcano is your priority, confirm the cost, timing, and exact arrangements on the day. Choosing it may also reduce the time you have for Mandraki and Panagia Spiliani.

For many people, the town stop alone will feel more relaxed. If you have already seen volcanic sights elsewhere, you may prefer to keep your time for the monastery, shops, and square. If Nisyros is the main reason you booked, the extra visit may be worth considering.

One practical tip is to look into a quad bike if you want to cover more ground around Nisyros, as one of the useful suggestions from this outing was using one to reach better viewpoints. Ask locally about availability and cost, since neither is included in the cruise price.

Yali, the tiny volcanic island for swimming

Yali is the final stop. It is a small volcanic island belonging to the municipality of Nisyros, with only 21 inhabitants.

This is not another town visit. The attraction is the setting around the boat. You can sunbathe, order a cocktail or other drink from the bar, and jump into the clear water. If you like an active swim stop, this is the place to test your confidence from the boat.

You should think of Yali as a sea-and-sun stop, not a sightseeing stop. There is no detailed shore program described, so plan to spend most of your time on board or in the water.

The timing works well at the end of the day. After walking around Nisyros, you can cool off and settle into a more relaxed mood before the return to Kardamena. Music and the general atmosphere are part of the appeal, especially if you enjoy a lively boat outing rather than a silent nature cruise.

The tradeoff is that drinks cost extra. The bar is convenient, but your $39.52 fare does not cover coffee, cocktails, or other beverages. Bring money or confirm how payment works with the crew.

Lunch, drinks, and what the $39.52 price covers

At $39.52 per person, this is strong value for a full eight-hour day. The fare includes the cruise to all three islands, lunch, legal fees, taxes, and liability insurance.

That package saves you from paying separately for island transport and a meal. The included lunch is not a long restaurant meal with multiple courses, but souvlaki, salad, and bread are a useful midday meal for a swimming and walking day.

The main extras are easy to understand:

• Coffee and drinks are not included.
• The volcano visit on Nisyros may require an additional charge.
• A quad bike, if you choose to use one on Nisyros, is not part of the cruise price.

I would compare this with the cost of arranging independent boat travel between Kardamena and the islands, then adding lunch and beach time. The cruise offers less flexibility, but it is much simpler. You do not need to organize connections or figure out where to eat between stops.

The fare is especially appealing if you plan to use all three parts of the day. If you dislike boat time, do not swim, and only want to see Mandraki, the value is less convincing. You would be paying for a full-day cruise when the town visit is your only real interest.

What the day feels like on board

The mood is casual and social. The boat has music, a bar, two decks, and places to enjoy the sea views. This is not designed as a quiet, private sailing trip.

The two-deck layout gives you some choice. You can look for a sunny place, find shade if available, or move around as the scenery changes. Still, you should expect a shared boat setting rather than personal space.

The best moments are the simple ones: swimming in clear water, eating lunch with the islands around you, and watching the coast appear as the boat moves between stops. The cruise makes the sea part of the experience instead of treating it only as transport.

I also like that the itinerary does not fill every minute. At St. Antonios and Yali, you have time to swim or sunbathe without being pushed through a formal schedule. At Nisyros, you can choose how much walking you want to do.

The price of that freedom is limited depth. You get a taste of three islands, not a complete visit to any of them. Keep that in mind when setting expectations.

Who should book this island cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A low-cost full-day outing from Kardamena
• Several swimming opportunities
• A simple Greek lunch included in the fare
• A short visit to Mandraki and Panagia Spiliani
• A social boat atmosphere with music and a bar
• A flexible day that mixes walking, swimming, and sunbathing

Families may like the variety, provided everyone is comfortable with a full day on a shared boat and swimming from the vessel. Confident swimmers will get the most from Yali, though you can also remain on board and sunbathe.

This is less suitable if you want a private boat, a quiet sailing experience, detailed guided commentary, or a long visit to the volcano. It may also disappoint you if you expect to explore every corner of Nisyros. The schedule gives you a useful introduction, not a complete island tour.

The 4.5 rating from 171 reviews fits the experience described here: the strongest features are the well-planned stops, clear swimming water, music, and easygoing atmosphere. The most useful practical advice is to plan your Nisyros time before you arrive. Decide in advance if the monastery, town, volcano, or a wider island trip matters most.

Booking details worth knowing

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Kardamena plans depend on weather or other activities.

The boat leaves at 10:00 and returns at approximately 17:30. Check availability for the exact starting time before booking, since the stated duration is eight hours.

Bring beachwear and a towel, and request a vegetarian lunch ahead of time if needed. The meeting point is Kardamena port, where you should find Maria Magdalini and show your mobile voucher to the crew.

Should you book the Maria Magdalini cruise?

Book this cruise if you want the best mix of swimming, island scenery, lunch, and easy logistics for about $40. It gives you three distinct stops without the work of planning your own boat connections.

Skip it if your main goal is a detailed Nisyros visit or a dedicated volcano tour. In that case, you need more time on Nisyros than this schedule allows. For a sunny, social day at sea with a real taste of Mandraki, St. Antonios, and Yali, this is a practical and good-value choice.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and ends at Kardamena port. Find the Maria Magdalini pirate boat and show the crew your mobile voucher before boarding.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat is scheduled to leave Kardamena at 10:00. Check availability when booking for the exact starting time.

What time does the cruise return?

The boat is scheduled to return to Kardamena at approximately 17:30.

Which islands does the cruise visit?

The cruise visits St. Antonios, Nisyros, and Yali. St. Antonios and Yali are mainly swimming and relaxation stops, while Nisyros offers time in Mandraki.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch on board includes souvlaki, salad, and bread. Vegetarian options are available if you request one in advance.

Are drinks included?

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

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes. Toilets are available on the vessel.

Is the volcano visit included?

No. A visit to the volcano of Nisyros is optional and requires an extra charge. Ask the crew for more information.