Kos: Try Scuba Diving with a diving boat

Your first breath underwater changes the day. This six-hour Kos boat outing takes beginners to Pserimos for a carefully supervised scuba session in clear, shallow water. I like the patient instruction and the unusually gentle maximum depth of 5 meters, which helps nervous first-timers find their footing. I also like the roomy 25-meter boat, with shade, a large sun deck, swimming, and snorkeling built into the day. The main consideration is that the $123 price covers one underwater session only. A second costs another €45, and snacks, drinks, and photos cost extra.

I would choose this for a first taste of scuba rather than a formal certification course. You get a proper safety briefing, equipment, two PADI instructors for each small group, and time to enjoy the sea without spending the whole morning underwater. Bring cash, and remember that you must be able to swim, complete a medical statement, and avoid flying for 24 hours afterward.

Key points at a glance

• A gentle first setting: The protected bay at Pserimos reaches only 5 meters, with a slow increase in depth.
• Small instructional groups: Four or five participants are paired with two instructors.
• A full half-day at sea: Leave Liamis Dive Centre around 8:30 a.m. and return at about 2:30 p.m.
• A proper boat, not a basic transfer: The 25-meter Apollon has a shaded deck and spacious sun deck.
• Extra underwater time costs €45: You can add a second session after a break, or swim and snorkel instead.
• Strong beginner feedback: The experience has a 4.9 rating from 98 reviews, with repeated praise for calm, caring instructors.

Why this Kos experience works for first-timers

Many people like the idea of scuba but feel uneasy about the equipment, breathing, or being below the surface. This outing is designed to remove some of that pressure. You are not sent into open water at great depth. You begin with a briefing, practice the basic equipment, and then enter a sheltered bay where the bottom slopes down gradually.

That shallow setting matters. If you feel nervous, the water depth is less intimidating, and the instructors can keep close watch. Several people who initially felt anxious became comfortable as the session continued. One first-time participant described having trouble with breathing at the start, then settling in after the instructors stayed patient and supportive.

I especially value the group arrangement. Four or five people share two instructors, so this is not a mass swim with one guide far ahead. The instructors remain with you for the entire 20 to 25 minutes underwater. That gives you a better chance to ask for help, adjust your breathing, or pause if the first few minutes feel strange.

This is not a certification course, and you should not expect advanced underwater skills or a long exploration. It is an introduction, but a well-structured one. If you later want an Open Water certificate, the experience may give you a useful first taste of the sport. One participant enjoyed the first session so much that he planned to return to Liamis for formal certification.

Leaving Kos on the Apollon

Your morning begins at Liamis Dive Centre, where you meet the crew and board the Apollon. The boat is 25 meters long, with a covered section for shade and a broad sun deck for sitting in the sun. The trip to Pserimos takes about 45 minutes, so the boat ride itself becomes part of the outing rather than a quick transfer.

I would bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light layer for the ride. Even in warm weather, the breeze on the water can feel cooler than expected. Comfortable shoes help while boarding, and a towel is essential after swimming.

The shaded deck is useful if you are not keen on sitting in full sun for six hours. The sun deck gives you room to stretch out between activities. Snacks and drinks are available at an additional cost on the boat, but bringing your own snacks is sensible. Cash is also worth carrying for the €45 second session and any extras.

The ride offers coastal views and a chance to settle your nerves before the practical part begins. If you are worried about your first underwater experience, this quiet time on the boat is useful. You can meet the instructors, watch the sea, and get used to the equipment before entering the water.

The safety briefing sets the tone

Before getting wet, you receive an explanation of the session and the equipment. The briefing takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes and covers the basic safety points needed for a controlled, enjoyable first attempt.

Pay attention here, even if you have watched scuba videos before. The instructors explain how to use the equipment and what to do in the water. You also have the chance to ask questions before the group enters the bay. For a nervous beginner, this preparation can make the difference between rushing through the experience and enjoying it.

You are placed in a group of four or five people with two instructors. This is one of the strongest parts of the arrangement. The instructors can keep an eye on each person, and the small group makes it easier to receive individual help.

You must be able to swim, and you will be asked to complete a medical statement. The activity is not suitable for anyone with serious health concerns or certain pre-existing medical conditions. If you have any doubt, deal with that before booking rather than hoping the statement will not matter on the morning.

Pserimos offers a calm underwater introduction

The boat stays within a bay protected by rocky outcrops on both sides. The bottom slopes gently until it reaches a maximum of 5 meters. For a first session, that is reassuringly shallow, and you will barely notice the full depth because the water is described as very clear.

The underwater session lasts around 20 to 25 minutes. You move through the bay with the instructors, looking at marine life and the colors below the surface. The guides may help you interact with fish, and there is an opportunity for underwater photos.

Do not expect a major wall, a dramatic wreck, or a long route through deep water. That is not the purpose here. The appeal is seeing ordinary Mediterranean sea life at close range while learning how your body reacts to breathing underwater. The clear water and gradual depth make the setting suitable for building confidence.

The first few minutes can feel awkward. Breathing through a regulator is unfamiliar, and some people need time to relax their shoulders and find a steady rhythm. The repeated praise for calm, supportive instruction is important here. If you feel tense, tell the instructor. The format allows them to stay close and help you work through it.

The water is also where the experience earns its price. You are not merely sitting on a boat and trying equipment for five minutes. You receive a proper supervised session, use supplied gear, and spend enough time below the surface to see marine life and get a real sense of the activity.

Your break gives you a choice

After the first session, you have time to relax. This is when you decide if you want to pay €45 for a second underwater session or stay on the boat and enjoy swimming and snorkeling.

I like having this choice. Some first-timers are ready for more once the initial nerves disappear. Others find that one session is enough, especially if they are tired from concentrating on breathing and equipment. You do not have to commit to the second session in advance according to the supplied details, but the additional charge is payable in cash on the boat.

The second session is likely to suit people who want more time to practice and observe marine life. Several participants specifically enjoyed doing two sessions, with one describing the second as spectacular. If you already suspect that you will want both, budget the extra €45 from the start.

If you choose not to continue, the break is still worthwhile. You can swim, snorkel, sit under the shaded deck, or use the sun deck. Snorkeling gear is included, so the day does not stop once your scuba session ends.

Swimming and snorkeling round out the morning

The snorkeling option makes the outing more appealing to couples and groups with different levels of interest. One person can take the second session while another swims or snorkels. You still share the same boat and bay, rather than splitting up for the rest of the day.

Snorkeling also gives you a less demanding way to watch the sea. You do not need to manage a regulator or focus on equalizing pressure. If the first session feels like enough, you can simply float, look below the surface, and enjoy the water.

The boat trip is not only about the underwater activity. You have time to rest, swim, take in the views, and enjoy the warm Kos weather. That helps the $123 price feel more reasonable than the cost of a short introductory lesson on its own.

Still, remember that food and drinks are not included. If you want a proper snack between sessions, bring one or buy it on board. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, which is both a stated rule and an important safety point before any underwater activity.

What the $123 price really covers

At $123 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Kos. The price includes boat transfers, the captain, instructors, equipment, the safety briefing, one supervised underwater session, and snorkeling gear.

The value comes from the combination. You get a half-day boat trip to another island, a 25-meter vessel with shaded and sunny areas, a small instructional group, and close supervision in a protected bay. If you were only paying for a brief tryout in a swimming pool, the cost would feel high. Here, the setting and boat time add real value.

You should also calculate the likely extras:

• Second underwater session: €45, payable in cash
• Snacks and drinks: extra on the boat
• Underwater photos and videos: listed at €25 for a USB memory stick

Photo arrangements may vary. One person reported receiving a large collection of more than 400 photos and videos by WeTransfer after paying extra. If recording the experience matters to you, ask the crew how the current delivery works before you pay.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Kos plans depend on weather or changing holiday schedules.

The practical details that matter

The boat leaves at around 8:30 a.m. and returns to Liamis Dive Centre at about 2:30 p.m. The full duration is six hours, so do not place a flight or a tightly timed afternoon commitment afterward.

The no-fly rule is especially important. You must not fly for 24 hours after scuba, so schedule this outing early enough in your holiday to protect your return flight. This is an easy detail to miss when planning a short island break.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Comfortable shoes and clothes
• Snacks if you do not want to buy food on the boat
• Cash for the second session and extras
• Clothing suitable for the weather

The minimum age is 12. Children under 12 and non-swimmers cannot take part. Assistance dogs are allowed, but other pets are not.

The instructors speak Greek and English. No prior scuba experience is required, but swimming ability is necessary. The medical statement is part of the process, so anyone with a serious medical condition should check suitability before reserving.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this experience to a first-timer who wants a gentle introduction without committing to a full course. It also suits couples, since one person can try the second session while the other swims or snorkels.

It is a good choice if you value patient teaching, clear shallow water, and a relaxed boat day as much as the actual underwater time. The repeated praise for the instructors is not a minor detail. Calm guidance matters when you are learning to breathe underwater for the first time.

I would be more cautious if you want a long underwater route, serious training, or a remote reef experience. The maximum depth is only 5 meters, and the first session lasts 20 to 25 minutes. That limitation is a benefit for beginners, but experienced scuba users may find it too basic.

Should you book the Kos Pserimos experience?

Book it if you want a safe, friendly first step into scuba, especially if the thought of deep water makes you nervous. The small groups, two-instructor setup, shallow bay, and patient approach make this a strong choice for building confidence.

Budget for the second session if you think you will want more time underwater, and carry cash for that, food, drinks, and photos. I would also schedule it at least a full day before your flight.

Skip it if you cannot swim, have a medical condition that makes scuba unsuitable, or want advanced underwater scenery. For everyone else, this is a well-balanced Kos outing: enough instruction to feel secure, enough boat time to feel like a proper island trip, and enough freedom to enjoy the sea at your own pace.

FAQ

How long does the Kos scuba experience last?

The activity lasts six hours, from around 8:30 a.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m.

Where does the boat leave from?

The starting point is Liamis Dive Centre in Kos.

Is scuba experience required?

No. The activity is designed for beginners, and prior experience is not required.

How deep will the first underwater session be?

The maximum depth is 5 meters. The bay gets deeper gradually, so the descent is gentle.

How long is the included underwater session?

The included session lasts about 20 to 25 minutes.

Can I take a second underwater session?

Yes. A second session is available for an additional €45, payable in cash on the boat.

What happens if I do not want a second session?

You can relax on the sun deck or take part in swimming and snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I fly after this activity?

You should not fly for 24 hours after scuba. Plan the activity accordingly, especially if you have a flight from Kos.