Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming

★ 4.5 · 137 reviews From $46 Operated by Rizos Daily Cruises Discovery Boat · Bookable on Viator
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Lindos and two swim stops make a fine island day. This 8-hour boat trip gives you time to explore Lindos on your own, then cool off at Tsambika Beach and Anthony Quinn Bay. I like the balance: three hours of free time in Lindos is long enough for the village, Acropolis, beach, and lunch, while the return route adds some beautiful coastal views.

I also like the friendly crew, air-conditioned boat, sundeck with sunbeds, and dependable schedule. The main drawback is the snorkeling. You may see colorful fish among seaweed and coral, but one direct review found little to see at the stop. Treat the water visits as pleasant swim breaks rather than a serious snorkeling expedition.

Key points to know before booking

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming - Key points to know before booking

  • Three hours in Lindos: Enough time for the Acropolis, village lanes, sandy beach, and a tavern meal, but not enough for a slow visit to every corner.
  • Two 30-minute swim stops: Tsambika Beach comes first, followed by Anthony Quinn Bay.
  • About 1 hour and 40 minutes to Lindos: The boat ride takes a meaningful part of the morning, so bring sun protection and something to occupy you.
  • Anthony Quinn Bay has a film connection: Its dramatic setting was used for The Guns of Navarone.
  • The boat can carry up to 245 people: This is a large shared cruise, not a quiet private sailing trip.
  • $46.44 per person: The price is reasonable if you value transport, free time in Lindos, and two swim stops, but food, drinks, and Acropolis admission are extra.

What this Rhodes boat day is really like

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming - What this Rhodes boat day is really like

The day starts at 8:45 am from Alpha Centaurus Sailing Trips & Cruises at Pl. Eleftherias 1 in Rhodes Town. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, which makes planning simple if you are staying near the harbor or using nearby public transportation.

This is not a guided walking tour of Lindos. Once you arrive, you are on your own for three hours. That freedom is a major part of the appeal. You can set your own pace instead of following a guide through every lane and viewpoint.

The boat then leaves Lindos at 2:00 pm for Tsambika Beach. After a 30-minute swim stop, it continues to Anthony Quinn Bay for another 30 minutes in the water. The boat returns to Rhodes harbor at about 5:30 pm, following the island’s coastline.

The schedule is neatly divided, but keep an eye on the clock. Lindos is the star of the day, and the swimming stops come later. If you spend too long over lunch or shopping, you will have less time for the Acropolis or beach.

A few more Rhodes half-days to weigh up

The long morning ride to Lindos

The outward cruise takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. That is a sizable stretch of the tour, but it also gives you a chance to see Rhodes from the water instead of spending the whole day on a road.

The air conditioning matters here, especially on a hot summer morning. You can also use the sundeck and sunbeds if you want open air and sunshine. I would not assume that everyone in your group will want the same thing, so having both shaded or air-conditioned space and an outdoor deck is useful.

A boat ride of this length calls for basic preparation. Bring sunscreen, a hat, water, swimwear, and a towel. Food and drinks are not included, so you should plan to buy something in Lindos or bring what you need if permitted by the operator.

The vessel may hold up to 245 people. That capacity tells you what kind of outing this is: social, shared, and potentially busy. It is a good fit if you enjoy a boat day with other people around you. It is less suited to anyone hoping for a quiet, intimate cruise.

Three free hours to explore Lindos

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming - Three free hours to explore Lindos

Lindos gives you the most important block of independent time. The village is known for its white buildings, winding streets, sandy beach, local taverns, and the Acropolis above it all.

You have several sensible ways to use the three hours:

  • Visit the famous Acropolis of Lindos.
  • Walk through the village lanes.
  • Spend time at the sandy beach.
  • Stop for traditional food at a local tavern.
  • Combine two or three of these without trying to do everything.

The Acropolis is the obvious priority if this is your first visit. It gives Lindos its famous hilltop setting and is the reason many people want to come here in the first place. The tour does not include a guided Acropolis visit, and admission is not listed as included, so budget separately for entry if you plan to go inside.

The independent format has a clear advantage. You can choose the Acropolis, the beach, lunch, or simply a slow walk through the village. The tradeoff is that you must manage your own route and return to the boat on time.

Three hours sounds generous, but Lindos can easily absorb it. A visit to the Acropolis, a meal, and a walk down to the beach will use the block quickly. I would decide your priority before stepping off the boat. If the Acropolis matters most, head there early rather than beginning with a long lunch.

You should also remember that the boat departs Lindos at 2:00 pm. The schedule does not leave room for a leisurely, open-ended afternoon. Keep enough time to get back to the departure point without a last-minute rush.

Tsambika Beach: a 30-minute swim break

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming - Tsambika Beach: a 30-minute swim break

At 2:00 pm, the boat leaves Lindos for Tsambika Beach. The ride to the swimming area takes about 30 minutes, according to the itinerary, and the stop itself lasts another 30 minutes.

The stop is described as a Blue Lagoon area, with clear water suited to swimming and snorkeling. Half an hour is enough for a refreshing dip, but it is not enough for a long session in the water. You will need to get changed, enter the sea, swim, and return to the boat within a firm window.

This is a good point in the day to cool down after walking around Lindos. If the sun has been strong, the water break will feel especially welcome. One direct comment described the snorkeling stop as mainly a brief swim to cool off, with little to see. That is useful advice: bring a mask if you have one, but do not book this trip solely for underwater wildlife.

The wording about colorful marine life should be taken as a possibility rather than a guarantee. Sea conditions, visibility, and the exact swimming spot can affect what you see. You may spot fish, coral, or seaweed, but the main value here is the chance to swim from the boat in a scenic part of Rhodes.

Same stretch of coastline, a completely different day out:

Anthony Quinn Bay and its movie setting

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming - Anthony Quinn Bay and its movie setting

The final stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most recognizable coastal spots on the route. The bay was used as a natural setting for The Guns of Navarone, which gives the stop a bit of film history as well as its natural appeal.

You get 30 minutes in the water here. The seabed is described as one of the most attractive in the Mediterranean, with colorful fish among coral and seaweed. Again, conditions will shape the experience. Some people may find the underwater scene enjoyable, while others may mainly appreciate the swim and the setting.

The short stop works best if you see it as a quick taste of the bay. You are not getting a full afternoon at the beach, and you are not taking a dedicated marine-life trip. You are getting a timed swim in a memorable coastal location during a broader day trip.

I like the order of the afternoon. After your land time in Lindos, the boat shifts the mood from sightseeing to swimming. Then the cruise back to Rhodes gives you a final look at the coastline instead of ending abruptly at the last stop.

The return to Rhodes harbor

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming - The return to Rhodes harbor

After Anthony Quinn Bay, the boat heads back to Rhodes harbor and is expected to arrive around 5:30 pm. The return follows the island’s coastline, so the trip continues as a sightseeing cruise even after the swimming ends.

By this point, the air-conditioned interior and sundeck become practical rather than decorative. You may want to dry off, sit in the sun, or simply rest after a long day. The combination of transport and leisure is where much of this tour’s value comes from.

The schedule is also one of the more praised features. A well-timed day matters when you are combining a major village visit with two water stops. The listed departure and return times make it easier to plan dinner or another evening activity in Rhodes, though you should allow some flexibility for conditions at sea.

Price and what you get for $46.44

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming - Price and what you get for $46.44

At $46.44 per person, this is a fair price for a full-day shared boat outing. You get transport by boat, air conditioning, access to the sundeck and sunbeds, three hours in Lindos, two swimming stops, and the coastal cruise back to Rhodes.

The cost becomes more attractive if you already planned to visit Lindos. Getting there by boat turns the transfer into part of the day rather than treating it as a simple ride. You also avoid arranging separate transport to Lindos and then finding your own way back.

The price does not cover food or drinks. Lunch in Lindos is your responsibility, and you should also account for any Acropolis admission. If you are trying to keep the day strictly within the advertised price, bring a plan for meals and drinks.

This is not the best value for someone who wants a private boat, a quiet sailing experience, or expert snorkeling instruction. The large maximum capacity of 245 people makes the price possible, but it also means you are paying for a shared cruise atmosphere.

What the positive feedback gets right

Lindos Full Day Boat Tour with Swimming - What the positive feedback gets right

The strongest praise focuses on the staff, the timetable, and the swimming locations. One comment highlighted a professional team and beautiful places for swimming. Another described Lindos as beautiful and the sea swim as a wonderful part of the day.

That matches the tour’s design. The crew’s job is not to lead a long cultural lecture in Lindos. It is to keep a large boat moving on schedule, provide a pleasant ride, and manage the swimming stops. Friendly service and punctual departures make a real difference on a day with several moving parts.

Food and drinks served on the boat also received a positive mention, though they are not included in the tour price. That means you may be able to purchase refreshments onboard, but you should still treat them as optional extras rather than part of the package.

The more critical feedback is also fair. Snorkeling conditions are not guaranteed, and a 30-minute stop can feel short if you are expecting a full marine excursion. The sensible approach is to value the water stops for swimming first and snorkeling second.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Lindos without arranging a separate transfer and like the idea of adding swimming to a sightseeing day. It works especially well for a mixed group, since one person can prioritize the Acropolis, another can enjoy the beach, and everyone can meet back for the boat.

It also suits families and groups with different interests because Lindos is self-guided. You are not locked into one walking route. The tour information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

You may want a different option if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The two stops are short, and at least one account found little to see underwater. You should also think twice if crowded group cruises bother you, since the boat can carry as many as 245 people.

This tour is less ideal for anyone who needs a long, relaxed stay in Lindos. Three hours is useful, but it is still a timed visit. You will need to choose your priorities rather than wander without a plan.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive ready for both walking and swimming. Lindos may tempt you into a simple village stroll, but the Acropolis adds sightseeing time, and the two water stops mean you should have swimwear and a towel easy to reach.

Use the first part of Lindos time wisely. If you want the Acropolis, go there early. If the beach is your priority, avoid letting lunch consume the whole visit. Since food and drinks are not included, decide in advance how much time and money you want to spend at a tavern.

Keep track of the 2:00 pm departure from Lindos. The boat cannot build the day around individual delays. A watch or phone alarm is a simple way to protect your return time.

For the water stops, pack sunscreen and consider bringing your own snorkeling gear. The tour mentions snorkeling but does not state that equipment is supplied. Your own mask may also save time during a short stop, since you will not need to wait for equipment.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, with the same basic choice of another date, another experience, or a full refund if that minimum is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. The cut-off uses local Rhodes time.

Should you book the Lindos boat tour?

Book it if you want a practical combination of Lindos sightseeing and swimming for $46.44. The three-hour independent visit gives you real freedom, and the two water stops add a welcome break after the village and Acropolis.

Do not book it expecting a private cruise or a dedicated snorkeling trip. The boat is large, the swimming stops are brief, and underwater visibility may not deliver much marine life.

For most people, the best reason to choose this outing is its balance. You get a major Rhodes sight, time to make your own choices, a friendly crew, a clear schedule, and a scenic ride home. Just keep your expectations focused on a well-organized day at sea, not an expert-led exploration beneath it.

FAQ

Where does the Lindos boat tour start?

It starts at Alpha Centaurus Sailing Trips & Cruises, Pl. Eleftherias 1, Rodos 851 00, Greece.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:45 am.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point in Rhodes harbor area.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 8 hours.

How long does the boat take to reach Lindos?

The trip to Lindos takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.

How much free time do I get in Lindos?

You get 3 hours of free time to explore Lindos independently.

What can I do during the Lindos stop?

You can visit the Acropolis, walk through the village, relax on the sandy beach, or eat at a local tavern. Food and drinks are at your own expense.

Where are the swimming stops?

The boat stops at the Blue Lagoon area of Tsambika Beach and then at Anthony Quinn Bay.

How long are the swimming stops?

Each swimming stop lasts 30 minutes.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum capacity of 245 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

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