Rhodes: Pleasure Cruise for Swimming and Snorkeling

Clear water, three stops, one easy day. This six-hour Rhodes cruise takes you from Mandraki Harbour along the island’s east coast to Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. You can swim, snorkel, stretch out in sun or shade, listen to music, and buy a drink aboard a traditional Greek wooden boat.

I like the simple focus: you spend roughly an hour at each swimming stop instead of rushing through a string of sights. I also like the price, about $47 per person, which is fair for six hours on the water with snorkeling gear, a swimming noodle, fruit, and an English- or Greek-speaking crew. The main caution is the boat itself. One passenger found it dirty and poorly maintained, with an unpleasant lower toilet, while food and drink prices were also considered high.

• Three one-hour swim stops: Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay give you plenty of water time.
• A traditional wooden boat: The vessel adds a Greek coastal feel, though condition can vary and is worth keeping in mind.
• Snorkeling equipment included: You do not need to bring your own mask and equipment.
• Water, music, and downtime: You can swim, use the noodle, sit in sun or shade, and relax between stops.
• Fresh seasonal fruit aboard: Watermelon was especially appreciated after swimming.
• A practical port departure: Meet at the Statue Alexander near Alkmini boat in Mandraki Harbour.

Six Hours From Mandraki Harbour to the East Coast

The boat leaves Mandraki Marina and Port at 10:00 and returns around 16:00. That makes this a full half-day experience, not a quick harbor ride with one brief swim.

You meet at Mandraki Harbour, by the Statue Alexander and the Alkmini boat. Hotel pickup and transfers are not included, so you need to make your own way to the port and arrive on time. The crew is clear about this point: the boat cannot wait for late arrivals.

The route follows the east coast of Rhodes. After about 40 minutes, you reach the first swimming area. The day then follows a calm pattern: stop, swim and snorkel for about an hour, return to the boat, and sail onward to the next bay.

I like this rhythm because you get real water time. Many boat outings promise swimming but give you 20 minutes at each stop. Here, the advertised schedule gives you about three hours in the sea altogether, which is the heart of the experience.

The boat has music, shaded and sunny areas, a bar selling drinks and food, and seasonal fruit. This is not a silent sailing trip or a formal sightseeing cruise. It is a relaxed day on the water, with the coastline serving as the backdrop.

Kallithea Bay: Your First Taste of the Sea

Kallithea Bay is generally the first stop, reached after roughly 40 minutes of sailing. You have about an hour for swimming and snorkeling in the bay.

This is one of the better parts of the outing for anyone who wants to get into the water early. You are not left waiting until midday for your first swim. Bring your camera if you want photos from the boat, but keep it secure around the water.

Kallithea is also described as a famous snorkeling place, so it is an important stop for people who care more about looking below the surface than simply floating. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, which keeps the packing list short. You need swimwear, a towel, and a camera if you want one. A personal mask is optional, not required by the activity details.

Keep expectations sensible. The crew cannot promise fish sightings. One person saw only a single small fish during the snorkeling, so you should think of the equipment as a way to explore the water, not a guarantee of a busy underwater show.

The water itself is the reliable attraction. You get an hour to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the bay before returning to the wooden boat.

Afandou Beach: A Longer Stretch of Water Time

The second stop is Afandou Beach, where the boat allows about another hour for swimming and snorkeling. It gives the day a useful change of setting after Kallithea Bay.

The stop is also a chance to slow down. You can leave the water, sit aboard in the sun or shade, listen to music, and let the crew handle the sailing. A swimming noodle is included, which is useful if you prefer to float rather than spend the whole hour snorkeling.

The arrangement suits mixed groups. A confident swimmer can snorkel, someone else can use the noodle, and another person can stay aboard. You do not have to treat every stop as a sporting challenge.

This is where the six-hour length earns its keep. The boat is not simply moving from one famous name to another. It is giving you time at each place. If you are tired after two swims, that is normal. The schedule lets you take a break on deck before the final stop.

Food and drinks are available from the onboard bar, but be careful with your budget. A recent passenger found the prices too high and decided not to eat. Seasonal fruit is included, and watermelon can be a welcome refreshment after salt water and sun.

Anthony Quinn Bay: The Most Photogenic Stop

Anthony Quinn Bay is the final swimming stop, with about one hour in the water. It is described as the famous bay on the route, known for its green-blue water and strong photo appeal.

This is the place where you will likely want your camera ready before you jump in. The bright sky, clear water, and enclosed bay setting provide the most memorable visual part of the cruise. You can take photos from the boat, then swim and snorkel beneath the surface.

The order matters in practical terms. By the time you reach Anthony Quinn Bay, you may already have spent two hours swimming. Some people will feel ready to rest. Others find the final stop special enough to get back in the water. The schedule gives you the choice.

Do not expect a guided marine-life lesson or a guaranteed parade of fish. The crew leads the general outing in English or Greek, but the activity details do not promise a naturalist guide. You are paying for access to three scenic swimming areas, boat time, basic equipment, and a relaxed day at sea.

If your top priority is seeing many fish, this may disappoint. If your priority is swimming in striking water and visiting three well-known coastal stops, Anthony Quinn Bay helps make the cruise worthwhile.

What Life Is Like Aboard the Wooden Boat

The traditional Greek wooden boat is part of the experience, not just transportation. It gives the trip a local character that a modern ferry would not provide. You can sit in the shade, stretch out in the sun, listen to music, and watch the coast pass while the crew moves between bays.

The word traditional should also set your expectations. This is not a luxury yacht. One passenger described the boat as surprisingly worn, dirty, and in poor condition. The lower toilet was singled out as especially unpleasant.

That criticism does not cancel out the good parts, but it is important if you need polished facilities. The boat includes a toilet, bar, music, and seating areas, yet the standard may feel basic. Pack lightly, keep valuables secure, and bring what you need for the water rather than expecting hotel-style comfort.

The crew is described as experienced, and the outing includes an English- and Greek-speaking guide. No individual guide or captain name is provided, so do not book this expecting a named guide-led tour.

The music adds a holiday mood, though it also means the cruise is not designed as a quiet nature trip. I would choose it for a social, easygoing day rather than for solitude.

Is $47 Good Value for Six Hours?

At about $47 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-hour cruise with three swim stops. You also receive snorkeling equipment, a swimming noodle, music, seasonal fruit, and the use of a traditional boat.

The key value is time. You get roughly one hour at each bay, rather than paying for a short scenic ride with a single quick swim. If you plan to spend your day in the water anyway, the cruise combines transport between coastal spots with equipment rental and a guided schedule.

The price becomes less attractive if you expect a high-end boat, generous meals, or a full snorkeling safari. Food and drinks cost extra, and one passenger considered those prices too high. There is no hotel pickup or transfer, so you also need to account for your own trip to Mandraki Harbour.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Those terms help if your plans are still changing, but the boat’s strict departure time means you should not cut it close at the port.

Who Will Enjoy This Rhodes Cruise Most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a straightforward day of swimming without arranging several separate beach visits. It works especially well for people staying near Rhodes Town who can reach Mandraki Harbour independently.

It is also a good match for:

• Families and mixed-age groups who want several water stops
• Couples looking for a relaxed day with scenic bays
• Swimmers who prefer an hour at a time rather than short stops
• People who do not own snorkeling equipment
• Visitors with a free day before check-in or after leaving a hotel

One person found the cruise useful before check-in because they could leave a backpack aboard and spend time around the harbor afterward. That detail may be helpful, but you should confirm luggage arrangements with the provider rather than assume all bags can be stored.

I would hesitate if you need a spotless boat, a comfortable restroom, quiet sailing, or strong guarantees of marine life. I would also think twice if you dislike fixed schedules. You must be on time, and the boat will follow its planned route.

How to Prepare for the Three Stops

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you can get ready quickly at the port. Bring a towel, camera, and any personal sun protection you need.

The provided swimming noodle and snorkeling equipment reduce what you need to carry. Still, a dry bag or other waterproof way to protect your phone would be sensible, especially if you plan to take photos from the boat.

Leave room in your day for the full 10:00 to 16:00 schedule. You will be on the boat for about six hours, with sailing between the bays and about three hours of swimming time.

Food is not included, but seasonal fruit is. The bar sells drinks and something to eat. Since onboard prices may feel high, consider eating before departure and bringing only what the provider allows. The listed restrictions specifically say scooters are not allowed, while no other food rule is provided.

Pay attention to your energy. Three one-hour swims can be tiring, especially under a bright sky. You can use the shade, rest aboard, and treat the third stop as optional water time rather than forcing yourself to swim at every bay.

Should You Book the Rhodes Pleasure Cruise?

Book it if your ideal Rhodes day means clear water, three scenic bays, and plenty of swimming for a reasonable price. The strongest part is the schedule: Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay each receive about an hour, and snorkeling gear is already aboard.

Skip it if boat condition and restroom standards matter more to you than the route. The wooden boat may feel worn, food and drink prices may be high, and fish sightings are not guaranteed.

For most people, this is best viewed as a practical water day, not a luxury cruise or serious marine tour. Arrive early, pack swimwear and a towel, bring realistic expectations about snorkeling, and enjoy the water rather than expecting perfection from the boat.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes swimming cruise start?

It starts at Mandraki Harbour, by the Statue Alexander and the Alkmini boat.

What time does the cruise leave?

The cruise starts at 10:00.

What time does the boat return?

The boat is scheduled to arrive back at Mandraki Marina and Port at 16:00.

How long is the activity?

The full cruise lasts six hours.

Which swimming stops are included?

The three stops are Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a swimming noodle are included.

Is food included?

Seasonal fruit is included. The boat also has a bar where you can buy drinks and something to eat.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and transfers are not included.

What languages are available during the cruise?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Greek.