Glass Bottom Boat to Pserimos

Pserimos is a small, quiet island between Kos and Kalymnos, with a handful of houses, a few tavernas and a curved sandy bay where the water is shallow and clear. It is one of the most visited islands for day trips from Kos because the beach is easy and the trip is short. A glass-bottom boat adds a nice twist to the crossing: through panels in the hull you can watch the sea floor drift by, with sea grass, rocks and the occasional shoal of fish passing beneath you. For families with children, or for anyone who would rather look at marine life than snorkel for it, this is a charming way to see underwater scenery with no wet gear and no skill needed. The excursion is built around Pserimos Beach, a sheltered strip of pale sand with calm water that is ideal for paddling and swimming. Most visitors arrive on the morning boat, spend a few hours lying on the sand or swimming, have lunch at a taverna on the shore and sail back in the afternoon. The island has a quiet, off-the-grid feel for the part of the day when the boats are out, and the shore is lined with tamarisk trees that provide a little shade. There is no real town, just a small settlement, a church and the sea, which is much of the appeal.

The product linked here is titled Dory's Glass Bottom Boat Adventure in Pserimos and Pserimos Beach and is shared, with a good rating from more than a hundred reviewers. The title does not list the sailing time, lunch or other inclusions, so ask the operator about the schedule, whether you have a set return time and whether food or drinks are covered. Also check whether the glass-bottom viewing happens during the crossing, at anchor or both.

Expect a laid-back day. The beach has limited services, so bring a towel, sunscreen, hat, water and snacks, and consider renting a sunbed and umbrella if you want shade. Reef shoes are useful for pebbly spots, and goggles let children look under the surface at the water's edge. If you suffer from seasickness, take a remedy before the crossing, because the open stretch between islands can be choppy in the afternoon. In peak summer the beach gets busy when several boats arrive at once, so walk a little way along the sand for more room.

This is a gentle excursion, so it suits small children, grandparents and anyone who does not want a long day on a larger cruise. It also works well as a half-day alternative if you want a morning on the water and an afternoon back in Kos Town. If you want a longer programme, the three-island cruises usually include Pserimos as one stop among several, with more swimming and more time at sea.

For travellers who love simple beaches, clear water and a slow pace, a day at Pserimos is a good reminder that the best parts of the Dodecanese are often the quietest.

If you want to see more fish, pack a mask and snorkel anyway, because the water near the rocks at each end of the beach is often clearer and busier with life than the middle of the bay. Take a bag for rubbish and leave the beach as you found it, since small islands depend on visitors for their tidiness.