A Kos glass bottom boat lets passengers watch the seabed through a glass panel in the hull while sailing from Kos Town harbour towards Pserimos. See more Greek tours on the homepage.
This post covers what the trip is, where the boats sail, what passengers see, the swim stops, what listings include and who can join. Common questions come last.
What is a kos glass bottom boat trip?
A kos glass bottom boat trip is a sea cruise from the harbour of Kos town on a boat with glass below the waterline. Passengers watch the seabed from inside, stay dry, and sail past the coast or on to a small island.
The hull of a glass-bottom boat has panels of glass or another clear material under the waterline. The view is clearer than looking into the water from above, because the unsteady surface of the sea does not distort it. The effect is close to wearing a diving mask.
Kos is a Greek island of the Dodecanese chain, in the south-eastern Aegean Sea. Its main town and port, also called Kos, is the starting point. The same kind of cruise runs elsewhere in Greece, for example as a Corfu glass bottom boat trip.
- Hull: Glass below waterline
- View: Clearer than surface
- Start: Kos town harbour
- Passengers: Stay dry aboard
A kos glass bottom boat trip suits travellers who want to see the seabed without swimming.
Where does a kos glass bottom boat sail?
A kos glass bottom boat sails from the port of Kos town. Listings differ on the route: one cruise follows the coast near the harbour, and another crosses to the small island of Pserimos for a swim stop and a shipwreck.
Pserimos is a small island of the Dodecanese chain. It lies north of Kos, and the cruise boats of the area call there. One listing sets out the course as a start at the port of Kos, a Pserimos stop for swimming and snorkelling, and a return to the port.
The coast cruise starts the same way, from the harbour of Kos town, and follows the shoreline soon after departure. The swim stop lets passengers jump from the boat into the sea. Day cruises that add Kalymnos and Plati appear on the same listings as separate trips.
- Start: Port of Kos
- Island: Pserimos, north of Kos
- Coast: Kos town shoreline
- Stops: Swim and shipwreck
A kos glass bottom boat leaves from Kos town harbour, then follows the coast or crosses to Pserimos.
What can passengers see from a kos glass bottom boat?
A kos glass bottom boat shows an old shipwreck and the sea life of the Aegean through glass in the hull. Listings name the shipwreck as the main sight, and they describe other marine life as a matter of chance.
One listing says the thick glass bottom reveals an old shipwreck, and the crew signals the right moment to gather at the glass. Another lists a shipwreck among the sights of the coast cruise, visible from the viewing area without getting wet.
The Mediterranean seabed holds meadows of Neptune grass, a seagrass found only in that sea. Its leaves reach about 1.5 metres. Sea urchins, round spiny animals, crawl over the seabed on tiny tube feet and feed mainly on algae.
- Wreck: Old shipwreck below
- Plants: Neptune grass meadows
- Animals: Sea urchins, marine life
- Method: Glass in hull
A kos glass bottom boat gives passengers a dry view of the shipwreck and the seabed below.
Which swim stops does a kos glass bottom boat include?
A kos glass bottom boat includes a swim stop in clear water. Listings differ on the place: one stays along the Kos coast, while others stop at Pserimos, the small island between Kos and Kalymnos. Swimmers can dive in, snorkel or jump from the boat.
The Pserimos listings place the swim stop at Pserimos, a small Greek island in the Dodecanese, known for its beaches and taverns. One booking-site title names Pserimos Beach, and another listing adds a chance to see an old shipwreck during the swim stop.
The Kos coast listing sails along the shoreline before its swim. Passengers dive into the clear water, use the snorkelling equipment provided, or jump from the boat into the sea. Stop counts differ: one title promises swimming stops, while the mermaid-show listing names one.
- Place: Pserimos or coast
- Entry: Dive or jump
- Gear: Snorkel set supplied
- View: Old shipwreck
A kos glass bottom boat names its swim stop on the listing, so travellers check the place first.
What do listings for a kos glass bottom boat include?
A kos glass bottom boat includes the cruise, a glass viewing area, an experienced crew and a swim stop. Drinks and snacks are sold at the onboard bar, and listings differ on extras such as a diver show, life jackets, towels and an audio commentary.
The mermaid-show listing includes the glass viewing area, a mermaid and diver show, a swim stop, life jackets, towels and an experienced crew. Drinks and snacks are sold at the onboard bar. The same list names a transfer, so travellers confirm pickup before booking.
Pserimos listings differ. One lists the boat trip and drinks, bought on board for an additional charge. Another lists an audio commentary and leaves drinks out. Full-day island cruises are covered in the post on other boat trips from Kos.
- Gear: Life jackets, towels
- Show: Mermaid and diver
- Bar: Drinks sold aboard
- Briefing: Safety talk
Before booking a kos glass bottom boat, travellers compare the inclusion lists, because gear, shows and drinks differ by listing.
Who can join a kos glass bottom boat?
A kos glass bottom boat suits families and couples, and one booking site calls the trip open to everybody. Passengers can stay dry, because the glass shows the seabed from inside the boat. One listing marks the trip as not suitable for people over 95 years.
The mermaid-show listing is built for families with children, and life jackets are available, especially for children. Group limits differ: one listing sets a standard group of up to 15 people, one caps guests at 40, and another sets a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 70.
Boarding starts at the harbour of Kos town, and one listing adds a safety briefing after boarding. Another listing asks passengers to carry a passport or ID for the whole trip and accepts a mobile voucher on the day of the trip.
- Families: Child life jackets
- Non-swimmers: Stay dry
- Age: Not above 95
- Bring: Passport or ID
Each kos glass bottom boat listing states its group size and limits, so travellers read those lines first.
What do travellers ask about a kos glass bottom boat?
A kos glass bottom boat prompts questions on booking, children, swimming and rough sea. Listings offer free cancellation up to a day ahead, while one booking site adds free rescheduling or a refund if bad weather cancels the trip.
How do travellers book a kos glass bottom boat?
Booking runs through listing sites. Three listings offer a full refund when travellers cancel up to a day ahead, and two add a reserve now, pay later option. Another site shows instant confirmation and accepts a mobile voucher. Travellers carry a passport or ID on the day.
Can children and non-swimmers join a kos glass bottom boat?
Yes. One listing is designed for families and lists life jackets, especially for children, and another site calls the trip a good fit for kids. Non-swimmers can stay dry on board, because the glass bottom shows the seabed without a dip in the sea.
What happens to a kos glass bottom boat in rough sea?
Rules depend on the booking site. One site promises free rescheduling or a refund if the activity must be cancelled due to bad weather. Another refunds the booking when the minimum group of 15 is not reached. Listings differ, so travellers read the cancellation line before paying.