Rhodes: Cruise with 3 Stops, Lunch and Unlimited Drinks

The best Rhodes day may be spent offshore. This 5.5-hour cruise from Mandraki Port links three of the island’s finest swimming spots with a traditional wooden boat, buffet lunch, and drinks included. I like the friendly crew, especially host Theodore, and I like the generous swimming time at each bay. The main catch is limited shade, so sun-sensitive passengers should plan ahead.

You get snorkeling gear, floats, a shower, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea without paying extra as you go. Lunch is plentiful and includes vegetarian choices, though the food may suit you better if you want a simple buffet rather than a restaurant-style Greek feast. Arrive early if you care about the best seating, particularly the front pads or upper deck.

Key points to know before you book

• Three 50-minute swim stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs each offer a different setting for swimming and snorkeling.
• Traditional wooden boat: The older-style vessel has plenty of character for photographs and gives the trip a more relaxed feel than a large motorized excursion boat.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You receive a buffet meal, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. Cocktails cost extra.
• Theodore and the crew set the tone: Service is a major strength, with repeated praise for the warm, attentive hosting.
• Arrive early for better seats: The boat can sell out, and the front pads or upper deck offer better views, though shade may be limited.
• Good value at $70: For half a day on the water, three stops, food, drinks, and equipment, the price is strong if you plan to swim.

Leaving Mandraki Port on a classic wooden boat

The meeting point is next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, at the Royal Sailing Rhodes desk. From there, you board for a morning departure and head along the east coast of Rhodes.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. It is a traditional wooden vessel with an older, photogenic look. One passenger described it as spacious, and another said that even when sold out, there was still enough room to relax. That said, seating position matters. If you arrive early, try for the front pads or a place on the upper deck, both recommended for open views.

The trip includes free WiFi, although the real attraction is looking outward rather than staring at a phone. There is also a shower onboard, which is useful after several saltwater swims. Snorkeling equipment and floats are supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask or buoyancy aid.

This is a boat day, not a sightseeing cruise with a long list of shore visits. Most of your time is spent sailing, swimming, eating, and sitting in the sun. The rhythm works well if you want a relaxed break from ancient sites and town streets. It works less well if you need constant activity or prefer exploring places on foot.

Anthony Quinn Bay: emerald water and rocky views

After roughly an hour of sailing, the first stop is Anthony Quinn Bay. The boat pauses here for about 50 minutes, giving you time to swim, snorkel, take photographs, or simply enjoy a drink while looking at the shore.

This bay is known for its emerald-green water and thick green vegetation around the rocky coast. From the boat, you get a view that is difficult to match from land. The water is the main event, and the enclosed shape of the bay helps create a calm setting when conditions are favorable.

Snorkeling equipment is included, making this a sensible place to test the water without carrying extra gear. The clear water can reveal small marine life close to the boat, although the trip does not promise a particular species or a formal marine-life tour.

The 50-minute stop is a useful compromise. It gives you enough time for a proper swim without turning the day into one long stay at a single bay. You should still move efficiently, since changing clothes, snorkeling, taking photos, and having a drink can use up the clock quickly.

The bay can also be a busy sight from the water, and the boat may not be the only one stopping there. Still, the view and water color make it a strong opening stop. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the provided floats and stay close to the boat.

Afandou Beach: the longest break and lunch stop

A short sailing period of about 10 minutes brings you to Afandou Beach. This is the longest stop, lasting around 110 minutes in total. You can swim from the boat, snorkel, relax on the beach, and, when available, try kayaking or other water activities.

Afandou gives the day a different feel from Anthony Quinn Bay. Instead of only swimming from the vessel, you have more time to settle into the surroundings and choose your pace. Strong swimmers can spend the hour in the water, while others can use the beach or remain onboard with a cold drink.

Lunch is served during this stop or as the boat remains anchored nearby. The buffet includes local flavors, vegetarian dishes, fruit, and generous portions. Wine, beer, and soft drinks are included, and the crew keeps drinks available throughout the day. Coffee and tea are also listed among the included choices.

Food quality appears to be generally well received, with praise for the taste and quantity. I would keep expectations sensible: this is a boat buffet, not a full taverna meal. One useful criticism is that some passengers wanted more distinctly Greek items, such as gyros or souvlaki. If local food is your main reason for booking, ask yourself how much that matters. The meal is filling and convenient, but it may not satisfy someone seeking a carefully prepared regional menu.

The 110-minute stop helps the lunch service feel unhurried. You can eat, swim, and return for another drink without racing from one activity to the next. This is also likely the best stop for families, since the longer pause gives children room to change activities.

Kallithea Springs: clear water beside the rocks

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, reached after about an hour of sailing from Afandou. You have another 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling in a long, clear-water inlet surrounded by rocks and ladders leading down toward the sea.

Kallithea feels more structured than the other bays. The rocky edges and ladders create a distinctive setting, and the clear blue water makes it especially appealing for a final swim. You can climb down to the water where permitted, snorkel near the boat, or remain onboard and enjoy the view.

The stop is long enough for a swim but short enough to keep the return schedule moving. If you want photographs, take them early. Once you start swimming, the time passes quickly, particularly when the water is calm and visibility is good.

This stop also shows why the cruise is more than a simple beach transfer. Each location offers a slightly different experience: Anthony Quinn Bay is the scenic first look, Afandou is the extended activity and lunch stop, and Kallithea Springs provides a striking final swim.

What the food and drinks are really worth

At $70 per person, the included food and drinks are a major part of the value. You are not only paying for transport between beaches. The price also covers a wooden boat cruise, buffet lunch, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, snorkeling equipment, a shower, and a first aid kit.

The drink arrangement suits a carefree day. You can choose wine with lunch, take a beer after swimming, or stick with soft drinks and water. Several people particularly liked that drinks continued to be offered during the sailing portions, not just at mealtime.

Cocktails are not included. The boat offers them for separate purchase, so budget extra if that is part of your ideal day. The standard package is already broad enough that you do not need to buy anything onboard unless you want a cocktail.

The lunch is described as a Greek buffet with vegetarian options and fruit. Portions appear generous, which matters after three swims. The strongest praise centers on taste, freshness, and quantity, while the most useful criticism is that the menu could include more recognizable Greek street-food choices. I would call the meal a solid convenience and a good value addition, rather than the central culinary reason to book.

Crew service and the mood onboard

The crew receives the most consistent praise. The staff are described as friendly, welcoming, attentive, and good-humored. Theodore is singled out more than once as an excellent host, and that personal touch seems to shape the day.

The atmosphere is relaxed rather than formal. Easy-listening music has been used onboard, and one passenger appreciated that it was present without being overpowering. That balance matters: you get a social boat day without having to endure a loud party soundtrack from morning to afternoon.

The crew also pays attention when conditions become uncomfortable. On one choppy trip, a passenger who felt seasick said staff checked in and helped. The Aegean can change from smooth to unsettled, so this kind of care is worth noting, though no crew can guarantee calm water.

The boat may feel intimate on some departures. One account described roughly 18 people and compared the atmosphere to a private charter. Other accounts refer to a sold-out boat with plenty of room. Group size may therefore vary, and you should not assume every departure will feel equally small. Arriving early remains the safest way to improve your seating choice.

Sun, shade, swimming, and practical comfort

This cruise favors people who enjoy being outdoors for several hours. Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not included, so that item is easy to forget and annoying to replace once you are already on the boat.

Shade is the main comfort issue. One passenger wanted more cover from the sun, and the open design that makes the boat attractive for photographs may leave you exposed. If you burn easily, bring strong sunscreen, a hat, and a light cover-up. Choose a shaded spot when possible, but do not count on everyone having one.

You will swim from or near the boat at the three stops. The supplied snorkeling equipment is useful for casual exploration, and floats help less confident swimmers enjoy the water. The activity is not presented as a technical snorkeling excursion, so expect easy, recreational swimming rather than a guided lesson or specialist wildlife trip.

The boat also has a shower, a small but valuable feature after saltwater stops. With lunch and drinks handled onboard, you avoid the usual problem of trying to find a beach café during a tightly timed excursion.

Who will get the most from this $70 cruise

I would recommend this trip most strongly if you want to see several famous coastal spots in one half-day without arranging taxis, beach transfers, meals, and equipment separately.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples wanting a scenic day with time to relax together
• Families who appreciate food, drinks, floats, and a simple schedule
• Swimmers and casual snorkelers who want repeated chances to enter the sea
• Cruise passengers or short-stay visitors with limited time in Rhodes
• Anyone who prefers a friendly shared boat to a large, impersonal excursion

You may want another type of outing if you dislike sun exposure, get seasick easily, or want long visits ashore. The stops are primarily for swimming and snorkeling, not for touring the historical buildings or walking through the surrounding areas.

It is also not ideal if your top priority is gourmet food. The buffet is praised as tasty and generous, but one criticism about the lack of gyros or souvlaki is fair. You are buying a well-organized day on the water with food included, not a dedicated culinary tour.

Timing, booking, and small details that matter

The total duration is about 5.5 hours, with sailing periods and three stops. The schedule gives each bay roughly 50 minutes, while Afandou receives the longest break because lunch and extra water activities fit there.

The meeting point is easy to identify: next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, at the Royal Sailing Rhodes desk. The listed language is English, and a live English-speaking guide is provided.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. Check the available start time for your chosen date, since the exact departure schedule is not fixed in the basic description.

The activity runs across much of the season, but conditions can vary. Late-season passengers have still enjoyed the trip, while one autumn outing was choppy. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking sensible precautions before boarding and choose a stable seat when you arrive.

Should you book the Royal Sailing Rhodes cruise?

I would book it if your ideal Rhodes day includes clear water, three swim stops, a sociable wooden boat, and food and drinks without constant extra charges. The crew service, Theodore’s hosting, generous lunch, and steady supply of drinks make the $70 price look strong.

I would hesitate only if you need reliable shade, a quiet private charter, a gourmet Greek meal, or extensive time on land. For most people who want an easy, cheerful day along the east coast, this cruise packs a lot into 5.5 hours without making the schedule feel frantic. Arrive early, bring your towel and sun protection, and aim for a front or upper-deck seat if the view matters to you.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes boat cruise meet?

The meeting point is next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, at the Royal Sailing Rhodes desk.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about 5.5 hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The cruise stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs.

How long do you spend at each swimming stop?

You spend about 50 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, 50 minutes at Kallithea Springs, and about 110 minutes at Afandou Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch with vegetarian choices is included, along with fruit.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included. Cocktails are available for an additional charge.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and floats are also available.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Towels are not included.