Rhodes Day Cruise (with lunch & unlimited drinks) 5,5 Hours

Rhodes is best enjoyed from the water. This 5.5-hour cruise combines three beautiful swim stops with a generous Greek lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear, making it an easy way to see more of the island without arranging several separate trips. I especially like the friendly crew, led by Theodore, and the relaxed feel of the traditional wooden boat.

I also like the value. At $72.56 per person, you get lunch, beer, wine, soft drinks, fruit, coffee, tea, bottled water, and snorkeling equipment. The main caution is timing: the boat leaves around 10:00 a.m., and you should arrive at least 30 minutes early. One passenger who arrived late found the boat already gone.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three 50-minute swim stops: Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs each provide time for swimming and snorkeling.
• Theodore and his crew: The host is frequently praised for being warm, attentive, and quick to offer drinks or help.
• Traditional wooden boat: You get padded seating, bean bags at the front, a restroom, shower, WiFi, and room to move around.
• Lunch is included: Expect chicken, pasta, rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread, with red or white wine.
• Good cruise-port option: The meeting point is at Royal Sailing Rhodes near Eleftherias Square, within walking distance of Rhodes Old Town and the port area.
• Arrive early: Some passengers recommend arriving 30 minutes before departure to find the best seats and avoid any confusion about boarding.

What This Rhodes Cruise Is Really Like

This is not a high-speed sightseeing trip. The wooden boat moves at an easy pace, giving you time to enjoy the sea air and views. That slower speed is part of the charm, but it also means the cruise is built around relaxing rather than covering a long stretch of coastline.

The group size is capped at 35 people. That is large enough for a social atmosphere but small enough for the crew to keep an eye on the group. The mood appears to be casual and friendly, with music, swimming, food, and drinks shaping the day rather than formal commentary about Rhodes.

The boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly five and a half hours. A start time of 10:00 a.m. means you should expect to be back around 3:30 or 3:45 p.m., although exact timing can be affected by sea conditions and the boat’s speed.

I would treat this as a swimming and food cruise first, and a sightseeing cruise second. You will see attractive bays and coastline, but the main event is getting into the water.

Meeting the Boat Near Rhodes Old Town

The starting point is Royal Sailing Rhodes, at Pl. Eleftherias in Rhodes Town. The area is close to public transportation and can be reached on foot from the medieval center, making this useful if you are staying in town or visiting Rhodes from a cruise ship.

Look for the Royal Sailing booth along the marina. One particularly practical tip is to arrive early, not simply because of check-in, but because the most comfortable seats may go first. Padded cushions and large bean bag chairs at the bow are popular places to settle in for the ride.

The published start time is 10:00 a.m., but one unhappy passenger reported that boarding effectively began earlier and that the boat had departed after arriving 10 minutes late. Because of that conflicting experience, I would aim to be at the marina by 9:30 a.m. It costs you a little waiting time and removes a great deal of stress.

There is no private transportation included, so you arrange your own way to the meeting point. The tour finishes back there, which makes planning the rest of your day fairly simple.

Afandou Beach: A Quiet First Swim

The first stop is Afandou Beach, where the boat anchors for about 50 minutes. This gives you a chance to get used to the boat, collect snorkeling equipment, and settle into the rhythm of the day.

Afandou is presented as a quieter swimming stop. You can swim, snorkel, or simply float and enjoy the sun. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, although flippers are not, so bring your own if you prefer using them.

Lunch is served during this stop. The food has a Greek, family-style feel rather than a restaurant presentation. The advertised spread includes chicken, pasta, rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread. Red and white wine are available with the meal.

The best part is convenience. Your belongings remain on the boat while you swim, and you do not need to find a beach restaurant or carry food to shore. The main limitation is that 50 minutes passes quickly once you account for getting in and out of the water and eating lunch.

Anthony Quinn Bay: The Most Photogenic Stop

The boat then continues to Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most visually appealing bays on this route. The water is known for its clear appearance, and the sheltered setting can make it a pleasant place to swim and snorkel when conditions are calm.

You get another 50 minutes here. Many people consider this the favorite stop, particularly for the calm, transparent water. It is a good place to use the provided mask and snorkel, though you should remember that sea conditions can vary from one day to another.

The approach by traditional wooden boat adds to the pleasure. You are not simply being dropped at a beach by a fast transfer boat. The cruise itself is part of the experience, with time to sit back, listen to music, and watch the coast pass at a slower speed.

Do not expect a long period of exploration at the bay. This is a shared swim stop, not a private beach visit. You stay near the boat, and the schedule keeps moving so the group can reach the final stop and return to Rhodes on time.

Kallithea Springs: Clear Water at the Final Stop

The last stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat anchors for another 50 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. The water here is described as especially clear, making it a fitting final stop.

By this point, you may be ready for a quieter swim rather than another full activity. You can use the time in the water, sit on the boat, or enjoy another drink while taking in the surroundings.

The schedule gives you 150 minutes of swimming in total, divided into three equal stops. That is a solid amount of water time for a half-day cruise, but it will feel short if you want to snorkel carefully at every location. One mixed assessment found the stops shorter than expected compared with a more expensive boat trip taken previously.

That is an important comparison. This cruise offers three swimming locations, but it is not designed for long snorkeling sessions. You are paying for a balanced day of sailing, food, drinks, and swimming.

Lunch, Drinks, and the Onboard Atmosphere

The food is one of the strongest parts of the package. The meal includes several familiar Greek dishes, along with chicken and pasta for people who prefer something simple. Vegetarian dishes are available, and the meal is accompanied by salad, dips, olives, bread, and wine.

Descriptions of the chicken range from delicious and juicy to less impressive, so expectations should remain sensible. This is a boat buffet, not a carefully plated taverna meal. Still, having a fresh meal included is a real advantage, especially when you are spending hours away from shore.

Drinks are available throughout the cruise. The included choices cover beer, red and white wine, bottled water, Pepsi, orange and lemon Fanta, juice, coffee, and tea. Fruit is also provided as a snack, and watermelon may be served early in the trip.

Cocktails are not included in the standard price. You can buy them separately, so do not assume every drink on the boat is part of the package.

The crew’s service is repeatedly praised. Theodore is often singled out as a welcoming host, while the rest of the team keeps drinks topped up and checks that people are comfortable. There is also music onboard, and one trip included live entertainment, though you should not assume that live music is offered every day.

What the Boat Provides, and What It Does Not

The boat has a restroom, shower, WiFi, and a place to keep your belongings while you swim. Those details matter more than they may sound. A five-hour day on the sea is much easier when you do not need to return to shore for basic comforts.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but flippers and towels are not. Pack your own towel and bring footwear or clothing that you can manage easily around the boat. The supplied information does not list a hotel pickup, so you will need to handle transportation to Eleftherias Square yourself.

Getting back onboard may require using a staircase from the water. One passenger found the steps a little difficult and wished for a longer ladder. If you have limited mobility, ask the operator about the boarding arrangement before booking. The general information says most people can participate, and service animals are allowed, but the boat is still a marine setting with wet steps and movement underfoot.

Is $72.56 a Fair Price?

At $72.56, this is a strong value if you expect to eat and drink onboard. Lunch alone is not the only saving. You also receive snorkeling equipment, fruit, soft drinks, beer, wine, coffee, tea, water, and access to three swimming locations.

The price makes the most sense for someone who wants a complete half-day outing without paying extra at each stop. It is also useful for cruise-ship passengers who want a ready-made activity that returns to the same general area in the afternoon.

The value is less clear if your priority is speed or maximum time in the water. One negative account described the boat as slow, with little time available at the stops and a return about 25 minutes late. Most of the praise focuses on the relaxed pace, but you should not book this expecting a fast boat excursion.

A private charter or speedboat may offer more swimming time and faster transfers, but it will likely cost more. This cruise works best as the middle ground: social, comfortable, food-inclusive, and reasonably priced.

Who Should Book This Trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and solo visitors who want an easy day by the sea. It suits you especially well if you like swimming but also want lunch, music, drinks, and a bit of social interaction.

Families with teenagers may find the three swim stops appealing. The water activities give the day structure, while the food and soft drinks make the outing straightforward. People who dislike sitting on a beach all day will appreciate seeing three different locations.

It is also a sensible choice for cruise-ship passengers. The meeting point is close to the port area, and one passenger specifically praised returning on time for a ship schedule. Still, allow extra time before departure and leave a buffer after the cruise if your ship has a strict all-aboard time.

I would think twice if you need easy step-free access, want a quiet luxury cruise, or care most about extended snorkeling. The boat can feel busy with up to 35 people, and the swimming periods are fixed at about 50 minutes.

Booking, Weather, and Cancellation Details

You receive confirmation when booking, and the experience is offered in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful in Rhodes, where sea conditions can change the feel of a boat day quickly.

Because the trip is often booked about 20 days ahead, reserve early if your dates are fixed. The group limit of 35 people helps keep the outing from becoming a large ferry-style excursion, but popular summer departures can still fill.

Should You Book the Rhodes Day Cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed, food-and-drink-filled day with three attractive swimming stops. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, Theodore’s attentive hosting, the traditional wooden boat, and the amount included in the price.

Arrive around 9:30 a.m., bring a towel and any preferred flippers, and expect a leisurely pace rather than a speedy coastal tour. If you can accept those limits, this is a very appealing way to spend a day around Rhodes, with enough swimming to cool off and enough Greek food and music to keep the boat ride enjoyable.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes cruise start?

It starts at Royal Sailing Rhodes, Pl. Eleftherias, Rhodes 851 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise start?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m. Arriving around 9:30 a.m. is wise because early boarding and seat selection may matter.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise end?

It ends back at the original meeting point.

Which swimming locations are included?

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

How long do you spend at each stop?

Each swimming stop is scheduled for about 50 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, pasta, rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread. Vegetarian dishes are available.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks include beer, red and white wine, bottled water, Pepsi, orange and lemon Fanta, juice, coffee, and tea.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, but flippers are not.

Are towels and cocktails included?

No. Towels are not included, and cocktails cost extra.