3 Hour Yellow Semi Submarine Swimming Cruise with Drinks Included!

The best part is getting wet. This three-hour yellow semi-submarine cruise gives you two appealing ways to see Rhodes: through underwater viewing windows and from the sea itself at Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay. I especially like the chance to swim into a cave that you cannot reach from land, and the included beer and soft drinks make the boat ride feel easy and relaxed.

I also like the family-friendly setup. Children can watch fish through the underwater cabin, then choose whether to swim, snorkel, or use a floating noodle. The main drawback is timing: the advertised 25-minute and 40-minute swim stops may feel shorter in practice, especially when boarding, anchoring, and resort drop-offs take up part of the day.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim into Traganou Caves: The first stop is a short but memorable chance to enter a sea cave accessible only by boat.
• Anthony Quinn Bay gets the longest stop: You have up to 40 minutes here for swimming, snorkeling, and watching fish.
• The underwater cabin is best for children: It offers a simple look beneath the boat, but do not expect an aquarium-style display.
• Beer and soft drinks are included: The open bar adds value, though drink availability can vary during the trip.
• Equipment quality is mixed: Masks, snorkels, and noodles are supplied, but some equipment has been reported as worn or broken.
• Allow for loading and drop-offs: The boat carries up to 49 people, and the full outing may include resort transfers and several boarding stops.

What the Yellow Semi-Submarine Actually Offers

This is not a conventional sightseeing boat with a full underwater tour. It is a yellow semi-submarine, meaning the boat remains on the surface while a lower cabin with marine viewing windows lets you look below the waterline.

That setup is particularly useful if you are traveling with children, do not want to snorkel, or simply want a break from the sun. You can sit below and watch the sea floor and fish while the boat moves along the coast near Faliraki Beach.

Keep your expectations sensible. The underwater cabin is a pleasant extra, not the main event. The best views depend on water clarity, sunlight, boat position, and the presence of fish. During one stop, fish may be fed near the boat, but this can happen without much warning. If you want to see more than the occasional fish from below, your own mask may be more useful than the cabin.

The real value comes from combining that brief underwater view with two chances to swim in attractive coves. You are paying for a short coastal cruise, swimming access, basic equipment, and drinks in one package.

Traganou Caves: A Short Swim With a Clear Goal

The first stop is Traganou Beach, where the boat anchors near the caves. The main attraction is simple: you can swim into the actual cave, an experience not available from the beach.

This is the stop where timing matters most. The planned swim lasts 25 minutes, but several people have found the actual time closer to 15 minutes. If you want to reach the cave, look around inside, and swim back to the boat, that leaves little spare time.

I would treat Traganou as a quick adventure rather than a long swim. When the boat is positioned well and the sea is calm, swimming into the cave gives the stop a sense of purpose. You are not just jumping into the water beside the boat. You have somewhere specific to go.

The cave is also the part of the outing most affected by wind and loading conditions. On a windy day, getting people on and off the boat can take much longer. One account described the first stop as too short because rough conditions slowed boarding and reduced the time in the water.

Take your goggles with you as soon as the crew announces the stop, and listen closely for the return time. With a short stop, you do not want to spend several minutes searching for equipment or waiting until everyone else has entered the water.

Anthony Quinn Bay: The Main Swimming Stop

Anthony Quinn Bay receives the longer stop, listed at 40 minutes. This is where you have the best chance to settle into the water, try the snorkeling equipment, and look for fish around the boat.

The bay is a strong choice for a swimming cruise because it offers more than an open-water jump. You can swim, use a noodle, or stay near the boat with a mask. Children can try the water at their own pace, while stronger swimmers have more room to explore.

The underwater cabin is used here as part of the marine viewing. Fish may be fed near the boat, giving children something to watch below the windows. Still, the cabin should be viewed as a bonus. One account found it less useful because the feeding happened without notice and there was not much else visible under the boat.

The advertised 40 minutes may also be reduced. Some passengers have recorded a stop of roughly 30 minutes. That difference matters because changing, collecting equipment, and getting back aboard all take time. If swimming is your priority, enter the water promptly rather than waiting for the perfect moment.

Do not expect a large number of fish every time. Water conditions and the boat’s position make a difference. Anthony Quinn Bay can be enjoyable even when marine life is limited because the setting and swim itself are the main attractions.

The Equipment Is Useful, but Bring Your Own If You Can

Snorkeling gear and swimming noodles are supplied. That is helpful, especially if you are traveling with children or do not want to pack bulky equipment for a short excursion.

The equipment has been the weakest part of the outing for some people. Several masks have been described as broken, noodles as ripped, and only one snorkel as available or usable. The gear has also been described as sitting together in a laundry basket rather than being clearly cleaned and sanitized between uses.

That does not mean every item will be unusable. It does mean you should inspect your mask before the boat reaches the first stop. If you own a well-fitting mask and snorkel, bring them. A personal set will save time and give you a better seal, especially if you are sensitive to shared equipment.

Noodles are useful for children and anyone who wants to relax in the water. However, there may not be one for every person. If your child depends on a float, ask for one early rather than waiting until everyone is already in the sea.

Drinks Make the $60.49 Price Easier to Justify

At $60.49 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Rhodes’ swimming coves. It becomes better value if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, snorkeling equipment, and drinks.

Beer and soft drinks are included through the open bar. Some accounts describe cool drinks as plentiful, while another says the drink supply felt limited. I would treat the drinks as a useful inclusion, not a reason to book the trip by itself.

The price makes the most sense for you if you want a simple half-day activity with no need to organize several pieces separately. Families may also find the package convenient because the boat provides underwater viewing, swimming access, flotation aids, and refreshments in one outing.

The value drops if you want a serious snorkeling trip or a full three hours of active swimming. When loading, unloading, and resort drop-offs take up a large part of the schedule, the time actually spent at the coves can feel closer to two hours.

The experience is often booked about 18 days ahead, so popular dates may fill before your holiday. If your plans are flexible, compare the actual swim times and equipment standards with other boat trips before committing.

The Time on the Clock Needs a Little Explanation

The tour is sold as approximately three hours, but that does not mean three hours anchored at the swimming spots. The boat may collect and return people at several locations, and one account described the final hour as resort drop-offs.

This matters most if you have tight plans afterward. I would not book a dinner reservation or airport transfer immediately after the stated finish time. Allow extra space for boarding delays, wind, and the return route.

The boat can carry up to 49 people. That is a moderate-sized group, but it is large enough for the swim stops to feel busy. You may need to wait for equipment, use the ladder while others are boarding, or share the best position near the underwater windows.

The crew has received praise for being friendly, welcoming, and helpful with families. Janice was singled out positively for her pleasant manner. At the same time, service can feel uneven. Some people found communication limited, with little explanation of the stop length or the flow of the afternoon.

You can help yourself by asking two questions early: how long is the swim stop, and when must I be back aboard? Clear answers are especially important at Traganou, where a few minutes can determine whether you reach the cave.

Faliraki Beach and the Coastal Cruise

Between the swimming stops, the boat cruises along the coast near Faliraki Beach. This is the least active part of the trip, but it gives you time to sit back, enjoy the sun, and look through the underwater windows.

The coastal ride works well as a change of pace. After swimming, you can dry off, take in the sea views, and enjoy a drink instead of rushing from one activity to another. If you have young children, the underwater cabin gives them something to do while adults rest.

Wind can change the feel of the ride. On a calm day, the cruise should be comfortable and scenic. On a windy day, boarding and unloading may take much longer, and the boat may move more slowly. Weather is important enough that the operator can cancel for poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund.

This is a weather-dependent outing, so check the forecast and bring a light layer for the ride back. The sun may feel strong during the swim, while the moving boat can feel cooler once you are wet.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would recommend this cruise most strongly to families who want an easy introduction to the coast. Children can look below the boat, watch for fish, swim near the group, and choose a noodle instead of committing to snorkeling.

It also suits couples who want a relaxed afternoon with scenic stops rather than a technical snorkeling trip. The included drinks and short format make it easy to enjoy without planning a full day around the water.

You should think twice if your priority is long, uninterrupted time in the sea. The stop at Traganou may be shorter than expected, and Anthony Quinn Bay may not receive the full advertised 40 minutes. A dedicated snorkeling charter may give you better equipment and more time in the water.

This is also not ideal if you dislike group outings or want quiet, personal service. With as many as 49 people aboard, the experience has a shared, organized feel. You may find the crew friendly, but communication and attention can vary during a busy departure.

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the meeting area is near public transportation. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Those details make it fairly accessible as a general holiday activity, but you should still consider your own comfort with ladders, open water, and boat movement.

Practical Tips for a Better Afternoon

Bring your own mask and snorkel if you have them. The supplied equipment is convenient, but the condition of individual items can vary.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel ready. With short stops, changing on board can waste precious water time.

Get your equipment early. At Traganou, head for the cave promptly if that is your main goal. At Anthony Quinn Bay, enter the water soon after anchoring so you get the full benefit of the longer stop.

Ask the crew to repeat the return time if the instructions are unclear. The communication has not always been consistent, and it is better to confirm than guess.

Protect your phone and valuables from spray. The boat includes an open bar and underwater viewing, but it remains a working swimming vessel rather than a polished luxury yacht.

Keep expectations realistic about the marine life. You may see fish around the boat, particularly during feeding, but sightings are not guaranteed. The coves, cave swim, and coastal views are the dependable parts of the outing.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book the Rhodes Semi-Submarine Cruise?

Book it if you want a family-friendly coastal outing with two swim stops, a cave visit, basic snorkeling gear, and included drinks. The combination is easy, fun, and likely to please children who enjoy both boats and water.

Book with caution if the exact schedule matters to you. The advertised three hours can include resort loading and drop-offs, and the swim stops may be shorter than their listed times. Bring your own mask if possible, ask about timing, and treat the underwater cabin as a pleasant extra rather than the star attraction.

At $60.49, I see fair value for a relaxed half-day by boat, especially for families who want several activities in one package. I would not choose it for serious snorkeling, guaranteed long swims, or top-level equipment. For the right expectations, though, Traganou Caves, Anthony Quinn Bay, and an open-air ride along the Rhodes coast make this a worthwhile option.

FAQ

How long is the yellow semi-submarine cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours, although the actual time at the swimming stops can be shorter because of boarding, unloading, and resort drop-offs.

What are the two swimming stops?

The boat stops at Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay. Traganou includes a chance to swim into the cave, while Anthony Quinn Bay offers a longer stop for swimming and snorkeling.

How long is the Traganou Caves stop?

The planned stop is 25 minutes. Actual time in the water can be shorter, depending on boarding conditions and the boat’s schedule.

How long is the Anthony Quinn Bay stop?

The planned stop is 40 minutes. The time may be reduced on some departures because of loading and unloading.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are provided for use during the stops. Equipment condition can vary, so bringing your own mask and snorkel is sensible if you have them.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Beer and soft drinks are included through the open bar on board.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 49 people.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same type of option applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.