Rhodes: Gulet Trip with Food, Drinks, SUP, Kayak & Swimming

Rhodes looks best from the water. This six-hour gulet cruise combines three fine swimming stops with a homemade Greek lunch, free SUP boards, kayaks, and snorkeling gear. I especially like the long two-hour stop at Ladiko and the generous supply of soft drinks and wine. The main catch is simple: the boat can fill quickly, so late arrivals may lose the best sunbeds.

The $78 price is strong for a full day on the sea, especially with lunch and most drinks included. I also like the friendly crew, lively music, and the easy mix of quiet sunbathing and water play. If you want beer, coffee, cocktails, or slushies, bring extra money, since those cost more.

Five things to know before boarding

• Arrive early for a sunbed: Several people arrived 35 to 60 minutes before departure to claim a better outdoor spot.
• Ladiko gets the most time: The two-hour Fun Island stop is the heart of the day, with SUP, canoeing, snorkeling, floating sofas, and swimming.
• Wine and soft drinks are included: Water, juices, fizzy drinks, and local wine are available throughout the cruise. Beer is extra.
• The lunch is Greek and generous: Expect Greek salad, seasonal fruit, and traditional dishes, with food suitable for vegans and non-vegans.
• The swimming stops break up the sailing: Anthony Quinn Bay offers about 40 minutes in the water, Ladiko two hours, and Kallithea Springs about 30 minutes.
• This is not a quiet little boat ride: Music, shared seating, busy activity areas, and many sunbathers give the trip an upbeat day-at-sea feel.

Setting out from Mandraki Harbour

You meet the wooden gulet El Greco opposite Eleftherias Square in Mandraki Harbour. The boat is easy to identify, but I would not cut the timing close. The most useful practical tip from the day is to arrive about an hour early if you want a prime sunbed or an outdoor place to stretch out.

Arriving 35 to 45 minutes early should also help. People who arrived only 20 to 25 minutes before departure found the best spots taken and ended up inside with a chair and table. That matters on a six-hour cruise, especially on a hot Rhodes day.

The boat has plenty of places to sit, including sunbeds and shaded areas. Still, the most desirable spots go quickly. If you are traveling with a group, it is worth agreeing on a fair plan rather than spreading towels over every available place. One practical weakness is that busy departures can make the seating and food areas feel crowded.

The first part of the outing is a sightseeing cruise along the eastern coast. It lasts about an hour and a half, giving you time to settle in, take photographs, and enjoy the sea air before the first swim. Music plays on board, and the mood is more cheerful day cruise than formal sightseeing vessel.

Anthony Quinn Bay, Rhodes’ emerald swimming stop

The first major stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the prettiest coves on Rhodes. Green vegetation around the shore helps give the water its striking emerald color. The boat pauses here for photography, swimming, and snorkeling, with about 40 minutes in the water.

I would treat this as a scenic introduction rather than the main activity session. Forty minutes is enough to cool off, swim, and take photographs, but it passes quickly if you want to do several things. You may also find the bay visually dramatic from the boat, with the best views coming as you approach and pull away.

Swimming noodles are available, which is useful if you want to float rather than work hard in the water. Snorkeling is included, though the trip is not presented as a specialist snorkeling outing. Think clear coastal water, a short swim, and a chance to see the cove from sea level.

After this stop, the gulet makes a short sightseeing run of about ten minutes before reaching Ladiko Bay. That brief passage keeps the day moving without turning the cruise into long stretches of open-water sitting.

Two hours at Ladiko and Fun Island

Ladiko is where this cruise earns its keep. The boat spends around two hours here, giving you enough time to try the activities without rushing from one queue to another. Fun Island is a floating water area reached only by the El Greco gulet, with platforms, floating sofas, and equipment set up for water play.

You can use the SUP boards, kayaks, canoes, and snorkeling equipment without paying extra. This is a major advantage over a basic sightseeing cruise, because you are not limited to looking at the water. You can paddle, float, snorkel, or simply settle on a platform with a soft drink.

The long stop also works well for mixed groups. Children and teenagers can focus on the water activities while adults relax on the floating sofas or return to the boat for lunch. Couples can split their time between paddling and sunbathing. You do not need to be athletic to enjoy it, since sitting on the platform and swimming are perfectly good options.

The crew is part of the appeal here. Nikos and Stephanos were singled out for being attentive, friendly, and helpful, and the crew also assists with the equipment. One crew member showed people nearby caves, adding a little discovery to the stop without turning it into a formal guided tour.

The activity area can become busy, particularly on full departures. Equipment was generally available, but you may need to wait briefly for the item you want. If you are eager to use a SUP or kayak, head over soon after the boat reaches the floating area.

One small tip: a person returning from the water suggested asking for fins, since they were not always handed out automatically. If you want fins for snorkeling, ask the crew directly rather than assuming they will appear with the mask.

Lunch on board: good value, with a few caveats

The meal is served during the longer Ladiko stop. It is built around traditional Greek food, including Greek salad, seasonal fruit, and several prepared dishes. Food descriptions include chicken, giant beans in sauce, stuffed tomatoes and peppers with rice, salad, bread, and tzatziki.

Portions are described as generous, and many people found the meal tasty and satisfying. Fresh seasonal fruit and morning treats are also included, which helps make the food offering feel more substantial than a token boat snack.

The lunch is suitable for both vegans and non-vegans, but you may need to ask for the plant-based option. One vegetarian diner found the alternative less impressive than the main meal, describing it as vegetables, tzatziki, and bread. If you are particular about food or have a narrow diet, it would be sensible to confirm the available choice when you board.

You cannot bring your own food or drinks, so keep that rule in mind. The included refreshments cover water, juices, fizzy drinks, and wine. Beer, coffee, cocktails, and slushies are extra. The free wine is a strong value point for adults who enjoy a glass with lunch, but beer drinkers should budget for additional purchases.

Kallithea Springs from the sea

The final swimming stop is at Kallithea Springs, where the natural setting is paired with distinctive architecture. The stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes time for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and local snacks.

This is a shorter visit, so think of it as a final chance to get in the water and see the site rather than a full visit to the springs complex. The architecture gives the stop a different character from Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko. Instead of only looking at a cove or floating platform, you get a coastal view shaped by both nature and buildings.

If you want a photograph of Kallithea from the water, have your camera ready as the boat approaches. The schedule leaves enough time for a swim and quick pictures, but not for lingering. As with all three stops, conditions at sea can affect how comfortable the water activities feel. On one outing, strong winds were noted, though the group still enjoyed the cruise and swimming.

After Kallithea, the gulet spends about 45 minutes sailing back to Mandraki Harbour. That gives you a final chance to dry off, enjoy the music, have another soft drink or glass of wine, and watch the coast recede.

What the six-hour rhythm feels like

The schedule is well spaced. You get a long opening cruise, a short first swim, another brief sailing section, a full two-hour activity stop, a 40-minute return cruise, a final half-hour swim, and then the ride home.

That rhythm matters because a full day on a boat can become tiring if you sit still for six hours. Here, the swimming stops arrive often enough to cool you down. In hot weather, the breaks are not just entertainment. They are a practical relief from the sun and warm air.

At the same time, this is not a fast-paced adventure from start to finish. A large part of the day is spent sailing or lounging. You should enjoy sunbeds, sea views, music, and casual conversation. If you need constant activity, the long cruise sections may feel slow.

The boat has a traditional wooden design, which gives the trip more character than a plain motorboat. You get a broad view of the coast and plenty of open-air time, but the experience is shared with other people. Full departures may feel too busy for anyone hoping for a private or peaceful sailing day.

Drinks, seating, and the small costs

At $78 per person, the package offers solid value. A six-hour boat ride alone can make up much of that price, and here you also receive lunch, fruit, morning treats, three swimming stops, wine, soft drinks, snorkeling gear, SUP boards, kayaks, and access to the floating platforms.

The included wine and soft drinks are particularly useful for families and groups. You do not need to keep buying water or juice throughout the day. For adults, wine with lunch and during the return sailing adds to the relaxed holiday feel.

The extra charges are easy to understand but worth noting. Beer is not included, and neither are coffee, cocktails, slushies, or other named paid drinks. If everyone in your group drinks beer, the final cost will rise. If you are happy with water, soft drinks, and wine, the advertised price is much closer to your actual spending.

Sunbed access is another value consideration. The boat has plenty of seating, but the best outdoor positions are not guaranteed. Arrive early, and you improve your odds of getting the setup you want. If you arrive late, be prepared to share space or sit in a less sunny area.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes boat trip?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want several classic Rhodes coastal sights in one day. It is also a good fit for different age groups, since you can choose between active water sports and simple relaxation.

Children who can swim and follow boat safety instructions should have plenty to do at Fun Island. Teenagers are likely to enjoy the SUP boards, kayaking, and floating platforms. Adults can spend more time with lunch, wine, photography, or the sun deck.

You should choose another type of outing if you want a private boat, a quiet sailing trip, a serious snorkeling program, or a carefully plated gourmet meal. The food is traditional and filling, but it is not the main reason to book. The boat can also feel crowded when everyone wants lunch, drinks, and equipment at the same time.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. You may also want a waterproof phone pouch, though that item is not supplied as part of the package.

Is the El Greco gulet cruise worth booking?

Book it if you want variety and value. For $78, you receive a full six hours on a traditional wooden gulet, a Greek lunch, included wine and soft drinks, three water stops, and several free activities. The two-hour Ladiko session is the clear highlight, while the crew’s helpful attitude adds warmth to the day.

Arrive early, accept that the boat may be busy, and budget for beer or cocktails if you want them. If those conditions suit you, this is one of the more complete ways to enjoy Rhodes’ eastern coast without arranging separate trips for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and sightseeing.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes gulet cruise start?

Meet opposite Eleftherias Square in Mandraki Harbour. Look for the traditional wooden gulet named El Greco.

Where does the cruise finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at El Greco Cruises in Mandraki Harbour.

How long does the boat trip last?

The full activity lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What swimming stops are included?

The cruise includes about 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, two hours at Fun Island in Ladiko Bay, and 30 minutes at Kallithea Springs.

Are SUP boards and kayaks included?

Yes. SUP boards, kayaks, canoes, snorkeling gear, floating sofas, and platforms are included at no extra charge.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek lunch is included, along with morning treats and seasonal fresh fruit.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited soft drinks, water, juices, fizzy drinks, and wine are included.

Is beer included?

No. Beer, coffee, cocktails, and slushies are not included and cost extra.

Is the lunch suitable for vegans?

Yes, the lunch is described as suitable for vegans and non-vegans. If you want the vegan option, ask the crew when food is served.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. You cannot bring your own food or drinks on board.

Can wheelchair users join the cruise?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.