Kos Town: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise with Swimming Stops

The best part of this Kos boat trip is the combination of a shipwreck viewing stop and a swim in the clear waters near Pserimos. You get a small taste of the Aegean from the boat, then a proper chance to jump in, snorkel, or simply float beside the vessel.

I like the short 150-minute length, which gives you a sea outing without sacrificing a whole day. I also like the easy family appeal: there is a slide, music, shaded seating, floating aids, snacks, and a crew that pays attention to children and less confident swimmers. The main caution is that the glass-bottom viewing can be less impressive when the plastic covering is scratched or cloudy, and boarding can feel crowded if you arrive late.

Key points to know before you book

• The old shipwreck is the strongest glass-bottom viewing moment, especially when the water is calm and clear.
• The Pserimos swimming stop is the real star, with clear water, fish, a sandy beach, and time for swimming or snorkeling.
• The 2.5-hour format works well if you want a boat trip but not an all-day island cruise.
• Arrive early for a better seat, particularly if you want an outside spot on the upper deck.
• Onboard extras cost more, but snacks, soft drinks, beer, and cocktails are available, and card payment is accepted.
• Families get plenty to do, including a slide, jumping from the boat, floating aids, and help from the crew.

Why this short Kos cruise works so well

From the port in Kos Town, the yellow Dorry Glass Bottom Speedboat heads out for a simple half-day sea outing. The trip is not built around a long lecture or a packed schedule. You get open water, views of Kos and Pserimos, a look below the boat, and a swim stop.

That balance explains much of the appeal. At $23 per person, you are paying less than you would for many full-day island cruises, while still getting the parts most people want: time on the water and a beautiful swim. You will not get a full island tour or several beaches, but you also will not spend seven hours waiting for the next activity.

The boat carries a 4.4 rating from 305 reviews, and the praise is especially consistent around the friendly crew, the Blue Lagoon swimming stop, and the value for families. One crew member named Manolis received special praise for helping a child with autism, while other families described the staff as calm and helpful when children needed support.

Finding the yellow Dorry at Kos port

The meeting point is straightforward. Look for the yellow Dorry Glass Bottom Speedboat right at the port in Kos Town. You do not need a separate transfer, since the boat leaves from the town’s harbor.

Boarding is one area where timing matters. Some passengers found the process a little disorganized, and the boat can already be quite full before departure. I would arrive early, especially for a popular sailing time or if you want a seat on the upper deck.

The upper deck gives you more sun, wind, and open views. The covered area offers shade and contains one of the glass-bottom viewing sections. If you are prone to seasickness, note that the ride can become choppy, and a seat with fresh air may feel better than sitting below or inside.

The boat has toilets onboard, a useful detail on a 150-minute outing. There is also a bar selling snacks, soft drinks, beer, and cocktails. Prices are described as reasonable, with freshly made cocktails available for about €5 on one reported trip. Drinks are not included in the $23 ticket, so bring a little extra if you want something cold during the cruise.

The ride across the Aegean

Once the boat leaves Kos Town, you can settle into the ride and watch the shoreline recede. The main pleasure here is not speed for its own sake. It is the combination of salty air, sun, and the changing view between Kos and Pserimos.

Music plays onboard, giving the trip a relaxed party feel rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. That works well for families and groups of friends, though it may not suit you if you want a silent nature trip.

You can sit in the sun on the top deck or move to the shaded area when the heat becomes too strong. In the Greek summer, that choice matters. The sun can be intense, and the ability to move between shade and open air makes the boat more comfortable than a vessel with only exposed seating.

The crew speaks English, Greek, Italian, and German. Information is given during the trip, including details connected to the wreck and the islands. The tone appears to be friendly rather than pushy. You can enjoy the music, scenery, and sea without being pressured to buy food or drinks.

Looking through the glass-bottom sections

Dorry has two glass-bottom viewing areas where you can look into the water below. This is a nice feature for children, non-swimmers, or anyone who would rather see marine life without getting wet.

Set your expectations correctly. This is not an aquarium or a professional underwater viewing vessel. The plastic covering over the glass can have scratches, and some sections may look cloudy before the boat reaches the wreck. A few passengers found the glass-bottom part underwhelming at first.

The quality improves when the boat passes over something worth seeing. Above the old shipwreck, the view becomes much more interesting, especially when the water is clear and the boat pauses long enough for people to look. You might also spot fish below the boat, depending on the light and sea conditions.

The viewing areas can become crowded. If you want a clear look, move over when the crew announces the wreck and be prepared to share the space. With young children, stay close, since other passengers may gather around the viewing windows at the same time.

For kids, the glass sections add a small treasure hunt to the ride. They can search for fish, watch the seabed, and try to spot the wreck. That activity helps break up the sailing time, especially for children who do not plan to swim.

The old shipwreck stop

The shipwreck is one of the cruise’s distinctive moments. Rather than simply racing past it, the boat gives you time to look through the glass-bottom area and hear information about what you are seeing.

The wreck is best understood as a short viewing stop, not a major archaeological visit. One passenger found it less interesting than expected, while others considered it spectacular because the water was so clear. Your experience will depend on the light, the sea, and where you manage to stand on the boat.

I would treat the wreck as a bonus rather than the main reason to book. It gives the cruise character and makes the glass-bottom design worthwhile, but the swim in Pserimos is usually the more memorable part.

If you want photos, keep your camera ready before the boat reaches the wreck. The viewing window can be busy, and the best angle may not last long. A phone held over the glass may also catch reflections, so you will usually see more with your own eyes than through a hurried photograph.

Swimming in Pserimos’ clear water

The main stop comes near Pserimos, where the boat pauses for a swim in clear green-blue water. Depending on conditions, you can swim beside the boat, use a slide, jump from the side, snorkel, or make your way toward the sandy beach.

This is where the $23 fare begins to look especially good. You get a genuine chance to enjoy the sea rather than a token ten-minute dip. Several accounts describe plenty of time for swimming and snorkeling, with fish visible in the clear water.

Bring your own snorkel if you have one. Goggles and pool noodles may be available onboard, along with floating devices for people who are less confident in the water. One practical criticism was that larger life vests would help non-swimmers, so do not assume every flotation aid will fit every person perfectly.

The water may feel cool when you first enter, but the setting is the kind you remember: a sandy beach, bright sun, fish near the boat, and clear water that lets you see below the surface. If you are nervous about jumping in, you can take your time. You can also remain onboard and enjoy the view.

Children have several options here. They can use the slide, jump with adult supervision, fish from the boat, or simply watch others swim. One child who did not want to enter the water was helped to fish instead, which shows how the trip can work even when your family does not share the same comfort level.

The swimming stop is also the most weather-sensitive part of the trip. On a sunny day, it can feel almost perfect. In poorer weather, the sea may still be enjoyable, but the colors and visibility will not be as strong. One group had a rainy day after many months of sunshine and still enjoyed the crew and outing, though clear skies will give you the best version of the experience.

Seating, shade, music, and onboard comfort

Your choice of seat can shape the whole cruise. The upper deck is best for open views and a stronger sense of being at sea, but it offers less protection from the sun. The covered area helps on hot days and may suit families with young children.

Arrive early if you want to choose. On one sailing, passengers boarded 20 minutes early and found the boat already full, leaving limited seating outside. Sitting near a glass-bottom section can also mean people standing around you during the wreck viewing.

The music creates an upbeat holiday mood. It is not a quiet sailing boat, and the atmosphere can feel more like a casual floating beach party. That is a plus for many families and groups, but keep it in mind if you are seeking a peaceful cruise.

Snacks and drinks are sold onboard, and the crew does not appear to push sales. The presence of toilets makes the 2.5-hour duration easier, particularly for families. You should still bring sun protection and water for the time before or after your paid drink.

How this compares with a full-day boat excursion

A full-day cruise can give you more beaches and island time, but it also takes up most of your day. Dorry is better if you want a compact sea experience between sightseeing, lunch, or an evening in Kos Town.

The 150-minute duration is long enough to feel like an outing, yet short enough for children who lose patience on extended boat rides. It also suits you if you have only an afternoon free or do not want to spend an entire day in direct sun.

The trade-off is variety. You get one main swim stop, not a string of coves. One passenger expected two swimming stops, so check your expectations before booking. The boat trip gives you one wreck viewing and one strong swimming opportunity, with sailing time in between.

For many people, that is exactly the right amount. You see the sea, swim in clear water, and return to Kos without the fatigue of a full-day excursion.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend Dorry to families, couples, friends, and first-time visitors who want a simple way to get on the Aegean. Children have enough variety to stay interested, while adults can relax with a drink, music, sunshine, and the view.

It also suits non-swimmers because the glass-bottom windows let you see something below the surface, and floating aids are available. Still, the tour is built around the swim stop, so you should be comfortable spending time around open water even if you do not enter.

Snorkelers will get the most from the Pserimos stop. The water can be clear enough to see fish around the boat and near the beach. People mainly interested in marine biology or serious wreck exploration may find the glass-bottom section too basic.

If you are sensitive to motion, be thoughtful about seating and weather. The ride can be choppy, and one child felt unwell during a rough crossing. Fresh air and an outside seat may help, but the boat trip is still subject to sea conditions.

Price, booking flexibility, and practical value

At $23 per person, this is strong value if you use the swim stop fully. The fare includes the boat trip, while drinks and snacks cost extra. You are paying for a short cruise with two viewing sections, a shipwreck stop, a Pserimos swim, and onboard facilities.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Kos plans may change. Check the available start times when booking, since the later sailing can depend on when the earlier boat returns.

The cruise carries a broad age appeal, but children should be watched closely around the slide, boat edges, and swimming area. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a snorkel if you have one. The official details do not list hotel pickup, so plan to reach the port in Kos Town independently.

Should you book the Dorry Glass Bottom Boat?

Book it if you want a well-priced, family-friendly half-day on the water with one beautiful swim stop. The clear Pserimos water, fish, friendly crew, slide, music, and manageable length make this more than a simple harbor ride.

Book with realistic expectations about the glass-bottom feature. The windows may be scratched or cloudy, and the viewing area can be crowded. The wreck is worthwhile, but the swimming stop is the main attraction.

If you want several islands, long snorkeling sessions, or a quiet sailing boat, choose a longer and more specialized cruise. If you want two and a half hours of sun, sea, swimming, and easy entertainment from Kos Town, Dorry is a sensible choice for the money.

FAQ

Where does the Kos glass-bottom boat cruise leave from?

The yellow Dorry Glass Bottom Speedboat leaves from the port in Kos Town.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts 150 minutes, or about two and a half hours.

What can I see through the glass bottom?

You can look for sea life beneath the boat and view an old shipwreck. The boat has two glass-bottom viewing areas.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The cruise stops near Pserimos so you can swim in the clear water. You may also snorkel, use the slide, jump from the boat, or swim toward the sandy beach.

Are drinks and food included in the ticket?

No. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase onboard. Beer, soft drinks, cocktails, and snacks are sold separately.

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 before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.