Kos: Try Scuba Diving with a diving boat

Kos has a gentle way to learn scuba. The small-group coaching and the protected bay make your first underwater session feel safe, clear, and very doable. The main drawback is you must be able to swim and complete a health statement before you go.

This is a half-day setup, about 6 hours total, with a boat that leaves around 08:30 and returns around 14:30. You head to Pserimos, get fully briefed on gear and safety, then go underwater in shallow water while instructors stay close the whole time. Afterward, you can snorkel or swim, and there’s an optional second underwater session for an extra fee.

What I like about this experience is how it trades big-tour chaos for focused teaching. You’ll be learning the basics, not just showing up for photos, and you get plenty of water time to build confidence fast.

Key takeaways before you go

• Small groups with two instructors means lots of personal attention during your first underwater experience
• Shallow, gently sloping bay (max 5 meters) keeps the learning curve friendly
• Briefing first, then short underwater sessions (20 to 25 minutes) helps you stay calm and in control
• Pserimos time for snorkeling and swimming gives you a full sea day, not one short moment
• Underwater memories available for extra cost including a USB option, plus reports of quick sharing by WeTransfer
• Optional second underwater session costs extra (45 euros cash on the boat), so you can choose your comfort level

Getting Started at the Liamis Centre, and What to Bring

I like that this course starts with clear expectations and a real gear handoff, not guesswork. You’ll want comfortable shoes for boarding and moving around on the boat, and then basic sun protection for the sail and time on deck.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. If you get cold easily on the water, wear weather-appropriate layers too, since early-morning breezes can feel cooler than you’d expect in the Dodecanese.

One practical note: cash matters. The second underwater session is paid in cash on the boat, and snacks and drinks are also handled onboard. If you want the photo and video option on a USB stick, that’s also extra.

The 08:30 Boat Ride to Pserimos, with Real Time on the Water

The day begins with a boat ride on a long, 25-meter vessel called Liamis boat Apollon. It has a shaded deck for people who want a break from the sun, plus a spacious sun deck where you can relax as the coastline slides by.

You’re out at sea for about 45 minutes before you shift focus to the Pserimos area. This timing is good for first-timers because you’re not rushed, and you can settle in while the crew gets you ready for what comes next.

What you’ll enjoy here is the mix of motion and calm. You get the coastal views on the way over, then you arrive at a protected place where the water stays beginner-friendly and clear.

Safety Briefing You Can Actually Use Before Going Underwater

Before any underwater time, you get an in-depth briefing that covers the plan for the session and how to stay safe. This includes the safety aspects of the activity and the use of the equipment, and it takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

This part matters more than people think. When you understand how the gear works and what your instructor expects, you spend less energy panicking and more energy enjoying what you came for.

You also get grouped up after the briefing. You’ll go with groups of about 4 to 5 participants, paired with two PADI instructors. That ratio is why many people feel secure right away, especially if they’re nervous about breathing underwater.

First Underwater Session in a Protected Bay, Max 5 Meters

Your underwater experience happens within a bay protected by rocky outcrops on both sides. Staying in this kind of protected area helps keep conditions stable for learning, and it also means you can focus on skills instead of fighting waves.

The water depth increases very gently. You reach a maximum depth of about 5 meters, and for many first-timers it barely feels like you’re going that far down because visibility is typically clear.

The session itself is short on purpose: instructors supervise you for about 20 to 25 minutes underwater. During that time, you’ll follow guidance, interact with fish you can see around you, and take underwater photos.

One thing I value in a beginner course is that instructors keep watch the entire time. With two instructors for a small group, you can get help fast if something feels off.

Pserimos Town Break: Snorkeling, Swimming, and Resetting On Deck

After the first underwater session, there’s a relaxing break. This is where the day turns into a real sea outing instead of a single event.

You can choose to snorkel or swim in the Pserimos area, using the snorkeling gear that’s included. If you don’t want to go back underwater again right away, this is your chance to enjoy the water at your own pace, staying closer to the surface.

Between the boat time and the sheltered bay, it’s a comfortable way to build confidence. You get to feel the sea, see marine life from above and below, and then decide whether you want to pay for a second underwater session.

Also, keep an eye out for the photo handling after. Some participants report that photos and videos were shared quickly by WeTransfer, while the USB stick option remains an add-on for those who want a physical keepsake.

Optional Second Underwater Session for 45 Euros, When It’s Worth It

You have the option to do a second underwater session that day for an extra 45 euros, paid cash on the boat. If you’re still feeling energized, it can be an excellent way to practice what you learned during the first attempt.

I’d treat the first session as the confidence builder, then use your second choice as a comfort decision. If you felt relaxed, curious, and ready for more time underwater, paying for the extra session can be great value. If you’re tired or still processing the experience, the snorkeling and swimming time is already a full chunk of ocean time.

Either way, you’re not stuck. You choose after your first session, and you can spend the remainder of the day on deck enjoying the views.

Price and Value for Kos: What You Really Get for $123

At $123 per person for a 6-hour half-day, the value comes from what’s included rather than just the activity name. Your package includes boat transfers, scuba equipment, instructors, a site briefing, and one underwater session in shallow water with a small group and two instructors. Snorkeling gear is included too, which matters because it turns the day into more than a single underwater moment.

That’s also why the group size is such a big deal. When you’re learning something physical and technical, small numbers and close supervision are part of what you’re paying for.

What’s not included is straightforward. The second underwater session costs 45 euros cash. Snacks and drinks are payable on the boat. And if you want a USB memory stick with underwater photos and videos, that’s an extra 25 euros.

If you’re on a tight budget, plan to enjoy snorkeling and swimming after your first underwater session and skip the add-on. If you’re confident and curious, the optional second underwater session can be a worthwhile upgrade since you’ll already be comfortable with the gear by then.

Conditions, Limits, and Practical Know-Before-You-Go Rules

This is a beginner course, and prior experience isn’t required. But there are clear limits, and you should check them early so there are no surprises.

You must be able to swim. The minimum age is 12 years old. You’ll be asked to fill out a medical statement, and diving is not safe for people with serious health issues. Also, you’re told it is not safe to fly for 24 hours after your underwater session.

There are also activity rules. Pets are not allowed, and fishing and alcohol or drugs are not permitted. If you’re bringing anything besides swimwear and your essentials, keep it simple so you’re not scrambling on a moving boat.

One good travel tip: pack your stuff so you can access sunscreen and a towel quickly. You’ll spend time in sun, then you’ll want to dry off and reset after being in the water.

Who This Course Suits Best in Kos, and Who Might Skip It

This course is built for beginners, and it’s especially appealing if you want instruction that takes anxiety seriously. Some participants describe starting with nerves about breathing underwater, and the instructors are known for being patient and supportive until you feel comfortable.

You’ll also like this if you care about seeing Mediterranean marine life without going to deep, open-water conditions. Staying in the protected bay at about 5 meters makes it easier to enjoy what you see.

Who should skip it? Non-swimmers, children under 12, and anyone with pre-existing medical conditions that would make underwater activity unsafe. If you’re unsure about your health status, treat the medical statement seriously and ask questions before you commit.

The decision: Should you book Liamis’s beginner course with the Pserimos boat trip?

Yes, if you want a structured first underwater experience in Kos with calm conditions, close instruction, and a real half-day on the water. The shallow max depth, the protected bay, and the small group coaching are the big reasons this feels manageable for first-timers.

Consider booking without the optional second underwater session if you’re budget-conscious or if you want to go step by step. If you feel great after your first underwater session, the add-on for 45 euros cash is there, and you can decide on the day.

If you’re able to swim and you’re comfortable completing a health statement, this is a strong way to get your bearings fast and leave Pserimos with both underwater time and surface snorkeling.

FAQ

What is the duration of the activity?

The total duration is about 6 hours, with departures around 08:30 and returning to Kos around 14:30.

What does the price include?

The included items are boat transfers, captain, dive instructors, diving equipment, a site briefing, 1 underwater session (in a group of 4 to 5 with 2 instructors, max depth 5 meters for 20 to 25 minutes), and snorkeling gear.

How deep do you go?

You stay in a protected bay and go to a maximum depth of about 5 meters.

Is prior scuba experience required?

No. Prior experience is not required, and this is set up as a beginner course.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. You must be able to swim.

What is the minimum age to join?

The minimum age is 12.

What extra costs should I expect?

A second underwater session can be added for 45 euros payable cash on the boat. Snacks and drinks are also payable on the boat, and a USB memory stick with underwater photos and videos costs 25 euros.

How soon can I fly after the underwater session?

It is not safe to fly for 24 hours after the underwater session.

What if I have health concerns?

You will be asked to fill out a medical statement, and it is not suitable for people with serious health issues.