Santa Maria 3 Island Cruise: Aegean boat tour with cliff jumping

Sponge diving history and cliff jumping in the same afternoon

The Santa Maria 3 Island Cruise is a full-day boat tour departing from Santa Maria that visits three islands in the Aegean—Platy, Kalymnos and Pserimos—with swimming, cliff jumping, dolphin watching and a freshly cooked lunch served aboard the 80-foot wooden vessel. The tour includes a personalized audio guide on your smartphone, restroom access and a traditional BBQ lunch; beverages are not included but vegetarian and vegan meals are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Aegean cruise with island stops

• Board the Santa Maria boat
• Stop at Pserimos island beach
• Go on dolphin watching safari
• Stop at Platy island for cliff diving
• Explore Vathy port and town
• Swim in refreshing waters
• Enjoy freshly cooked lunch on board

The Experience

The boat leaves the dock and heads first to Pserimos, where you'll find a sandy beach and the option to explore the small port or grab an ice cream before a short dolphin-watching safari. From there, the route moves to Platy, a tiny island where the main draw is cliff jumping into the clear water and swimming in the turquoise shallows. The day's third stop is Kalymnos, where you'll dock at the small port of Vathy and have time to walk the town, try local specialties like fresh orange juice and the island's famous honey, and swim before heading back to the boat.

Lunch is served aboard after the Kalymnos stop—a freshly cooked traditional BBQ prepared on the vessel. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you request them when booking. The audio guide works through your own smartphone and covers the stops and the islands' history as you move between them. WiFi is available on board if you need to stay connected, and there's a restroom for the duration of the 7.5-hour cruise. You'll meet the crew directly at the boat 30 minutes before departure to board and choose your seats.

Kalymnos is known for its sponge-diving tradition, and the time ashore gives you a chance to learn about it firsthand from locals or simply wander the port. The mix of stops—a quiet beach, cliff jumping, a working island town and open water—means the day doesn't repeat itself. Bring sunscreen and a towel; the boat has shade but the sun reflects off the water all day.

What’s included

• Traditional BBQ lunch served aboard the boat.
• personalized audio guide accessed through your smartphone.
• WiFi on board.
• restroom access.
• dolphin-watching safari.
• swimming and cliff jumping at Platy.
• time to explore the port towns and local culture at each stop.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Kos Cruise Experts

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day on the water with three island stops and hands-on activities like cliff jumping and sponge diving, rather than a beach-focused cruise—you'll get local culture and activity mixed together across Platy, Kalymnos, and Pserimos.

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Top questions

Can I cliff jump if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Cliff jumping at Platy is optional, and the water is shallow enough for swimming near the beach if you prefer that instead. The crew can point out the safest entry points and the depth varies across the jump spots.

What's the sponge diving history of Kalymnos about?

Kalymnos has been a center of sponge diving for centuries, and the port town of Vathy still has a working sponge trade. During your time ashore you can explore the harbor, see sponges for sale, and talk to locals about the tradition, though formal tours of diving operations are not part of this cruise.

Is the lunch filling, or should I eat before boarding?

The traditional BBQ lunch is a full meal served hot aboard the boat after the Kalymnos stop. It's designed to be the main meal of the day, though you can bring snacks if you prefer. Vegetarian and vegan versions are available if you request them at booking.

Will we actually see dolphins?

The cruise includes a short dolphin-watching safari in the area where dolphins are known to appear, though sightings are not guaranteed. The Aegean waters around these islands are home to dolphins, and the crew knows the best spots to look.

What should I bring for a full day on the water?

Bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel and a swimsuit. The boat has shade but you'll be in the sun for most of the day. Water and soft drinks are not included, so bring your own or purchase them at the island stops. Alcoholic beverages are allowed for guests 18 and over.

How much time do we spend at each island?

The itinerary is structured around three main stops—Pserimos, Platy and Kalymnos—with time to swim, explore and relax at each one. The exact duration at each stop depends on the day's conditions and the group, but the full cruise runs 7.5 hours from departure to return.