Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this six-hour catamaran cruise gives you a full day of swimming without the fuss of packing a beach bag and finding three different coves. You anchor offshore at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs, then swim straight from the boat into clear water.

I like the generous swim stops, each lasting about an hour, and the small-group feel, with no more than 24 passengers plus crew. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: Greek salads, chicken, hummus, feta, fresh bread, fruit, soft drinks, and unlimited wine and beer from noon.

The main thing to understand is that the catamaran stays at anchor. You do not walk ashore at each bay, so you need to swim from the boat. That makes this a poor fit for anyone with limited mobility or anyone hoping for a traditional beach day.

At a glance

• Three long swim stops: Spend about an hour at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.
• Choose your boat: The sailing catamaran visits three main bays; the power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Small passenger limit: The boat carries a maximum of 24 passengers, plus crew, so it should feel less crowded than a large excursion boat.
• Food is more than a snack: Expect a Mediterranean buffet with grilled chicken, salads, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and local bread.
• Water gear is provided: Snorkels, floating noodles, and life jackets are available, along with an outdoor shower and indoor toilet.
• Plan around a 10 a.m. departure: Meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor before departure time.

Why this Rhodes boat trip works so well

The eastern coast of Rhodes is lined with coves that look attractive from land but are even better from the sea. A catamaran lets you reach several of them in one outing, while the wide deck gives you room to sit, stretch out, and watch the coast slide past.

This is not a fast sightseeing ride with a quick photo stop. The day is built around swimming. You get roughly three hours in the water, split between different bays, with cruising time in between. That rhythm matters. You can swim hard at one stop, dry off and eat, then settle into a quieter stretch of sailing before the next bay.

The group limit of 24 is another real advantage. The boat can still feel lively, but you are not dealing with hundreds of people filing toward the same buffet or competing for every piece of deck space. Several passengers found the catamaran spacious even when it was full, and the front and upper deck seats were especially popular.

If you want a calm, social day with simple pleasures, this is the right idea: warm sun, cold drinks, a plate of Greek food, and a swim in a beautiful cove. If you want a serious sailing lesson, a private charter, or time walking through seaside villages, choose another outing.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor at 10 a.m.

Your day begins at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor. The departure is at 10 a.m., so arrive early rather than trying to cut it close. Missing the boat can mean paying a 25 euro rebooking fee for another day.

The cruise starts with about 70 minutes of sightseeing from the harbor toward the first swimming area. This opening stretch gives you time to settle into the boat, find a seat, and take in Rhodes from a new angle. It also means the activity is not three straight hours of swimming. There is a proper balance of open-water cruising and time at anchor.

Listen carefully to the crew’s announcements during the day. Departure times from each bay matter, and it is easy to lose track of time when you are floating in clear water with a mask on. The crew speaks English and gives instructions about when to return to the catamaran.

There are three catamaran choices. The sailing option is the more relaxed pick, with stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay or Springs. The power catamaran follows a broader route and includes Afandou Beach and the caves, along with the other bays. Check the exact option you are booking, since the route is not identical.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the first swim

Anthony Quinn Bay is usually the first major stop, after the initial cruise. You get about an hour to swim and snorkel, which is enough time to get comfortable in the water without feeling rushed.

The crew provides snorkeling equipment, and bread is thrown into the sea so colorful fish gather around swimmers. This is a simple touch, but it gives first-time snorkelers something to look for right away. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy it, though you should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat.

The bay is known for its rocky setting and clear water. From the deck, you get the best broad view. In the water, the appeal is more immediate: fish around you, sun on the surface, and the unusual feeling of exploring a famous Rhodes cove without standing on a beach packed with sunbeds.

Remember that the boat does not pull onto shore. You swim from the catamaran, and you can also stay aboard if you prefer not to enter the water. Floating noodles and life jackets help make this stop friendlier for cautious swimmers and children.

Afandou Caves and the power catamaran route

The power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and its caves to the day. This is the route to consider if visiting the caves is high on your list or if you prefer a quicker boat between stops.

Afandou is also associated with lunch and swimming in the day’s schedule. The exact order can vary, since the captain may change the route or swimming stops according to weather. Do not treat the published sequence as fixed.

The added stop gives the power boat a little more variety, but it can also make the day feel busier. You gain another setting and cave views, while the sailing catamaran offers a simpler three-bay plan with fewer changes. I would choose the power option for variety and the sailing option for a slower pace.

The boat remains at anchor here too. You will not be dropped at a beach entrance, and reaching the caves or nearby shore areas depends on the swimming arrangement and conditions that day. Ask the crew for clear instructions before setting off from the boat.

Ladiko Bay: clear water and an easy hour

Ladiko Bay follows the first stop, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as particularly clear, making this one of the better places to use the provided mask and snorkel.

I like the way this stop breaks up the day. Anthony Quinn Bay gives you a dramatic first look at the coast, while Ladiko offers a quieter spell in the water. You can swim, use a noodle, or simply stay on deck and watch other people enjoy the bay.

The boat’s staff keep drinks available, and the crew is generally attentive about helping people get settled. If you want photos, this is also a good time to ask a crew member to take one while you are in the water. Staff members have been praised for helping with pictures and looking after children.

The practical drawback is shared equipment. Snorkels and floats are supplied, but they are used by many people throughout the day. If you prefer your own mask, bring it. A towel is not listed among the included items, so pack one.

Lunch on deck, with Greek staples

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran, usually around the middle of the day. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

This is the kind of meal that suits a day on the water. You get plenty of familiar Mediterranean flavors, and the salads and dips are easy to eat from a plate without making a mess on a moving boat. Fresh seasonal fruit is served later, and a breakfast tortilla snack helps cover the early part of the morning.

The meal is substantial for an excursion, though do not book this expecting a seafood feast. Chicken is the main hot option listed, and one passenger specifically wished for fish or more alternatives. If you have dietary needs, tell the provider in advance. The crew has accommodated special requirements when notified.

Drinks are one of the stronger parts of the package. Bottled water, juice, soft drinks, wine, and beer are included, with unlimited wine and beer available from noon. The crew can stop serving alcohol if someone appears intoxicated, which is sensible on a boat where safety matters.

Kallithea Springs: the final water stop

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. This is a popular finish because the setting offers a different feel from the earlier bays, including a lagoon area that children particularly enjoyed.

You can spend this last hour in the water or remain aboard and enjoy the view. By this point, you may be happy simply to sit in the shade, rinse off in the outdoor shower, and let the day wind down.

The outdoor shower is useful after three saltwater stops, especially if you are heading somewhere else in Rhodes after the cruise. An indoor toilet is also available. Keep expectations realistic: the toilet has not always been kept as clean as passengers would like, so it is best treated as a basic boat facility, not a marina restroom.

After Kallithea, the boat cruises back toward Mandraki Harbor. The return includes more sightseeing and gives you time to dry out, have another drink, and compare your favorite bay with the others.

Sailing or power: which should you pick?

The sailing catamaran is the better choice if you want a gentle day with three strong swimming stops. The ride is likely to feel more relaxed, and the route keeps the focus on Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko, and Kallithea.

The power catamaran is better for people who want to cover more of the coast and include Afandou Caves. It adds another stop and may suit families or first-time visitors who want several different sights in one outing.

Neither choice removes the basic realities of the trip. You still need to swim from the boat, and weather can change the route. The captain has final say on swimming locations and may alter the plan for safety.

For the best seat, arrive early. One passenger particularly recommended getting aboard near the start to claim a place on the upper deck. The front can be pleasant for views, though a shaded spot may matter more than the exact location during the warmest part of the day.

Is $83 a fair price?

At $83 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a Rhodes beach. It is a good value if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and several coastal stops.

You are getting six hours on the water, a small passenger limit, three or four swimming locations, a buffet lunch, breakfast food, fruit, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, and wine and beer from midday. The included equipment also saves you from renting a mask or buying a float.

The value is strongest for people who want a full day rather than a short boat ride. A six-hour outing can sound long before you book, but the day is divided into cruising, swimming, lunch, and relaxed time aboard. Several passengers initially worried that six hours would drag, then found the length worked well.

It is less convincing value if you do not drink, dislike swimming from boats, or would rather spend the day on a sandy beach. In that case, you are paying for inclusions you may not use.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this cruise to couples, families with confident swimmers, solo visitors, and friends looking for an easy social day. Children have enjoyed the calm bays, noodles, life jackets, and friendly crew, including a six-year-old who had a particularly good time.

It also suits solo travelers. The shared boat creates an easy atmosphere without requiring you to arrange a private charter, and the crew can help with practical matters such as photographs and equipment.

It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around a catamaran, and entering the sea from an anchored boat all require physical ability. It is also not ideal if you need a step-free beach entrance or want to walk ashore at each stop.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Bring your own snorkel mask if you prefer a personal fit. Keep valuables to a minimum, and listen to the safety instructions before entering the water.

Weather deserves some respect. A rainy spell can interrupt swimming and change the mood of the day, even when the crew handles the situation well. The captain may wait, add a stop, or change the route, but the sea always gets the final vote.

Should you book this catamaran cruise?

Book it if your ideal Rhodes day includes clear water, long swims, a good lunch, and a drink while the coast passes by. The combination of small numbers, attentive crew, generous food, and three substantial swimming stops makes this one of the stronger all-day boat choices at this price.

Choose the sailing catamaran for a calmer three-bay route. Choose the power catamaran if Afandou Caves and an extra stop matter more to you than a slower pace.

Skip it if you cannot swim from an anchored boat, need accessible facilities, or want a land-based beach tour. For everyone else, arrive early at Mandraki Harbor, claim a comfortable seat, and let the crew handle the schedule. Andreas and the wider team have been singled out for being friendly and helpful, which is exactly what you want when your only job is to swim, eat, and enjoy Rhodes from the sea.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes catamaran cruise leave from?

Meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor.

What time does the catamaran depart?

The catamarans depart at 10 a.m. Arrive before departure, since missing the boat can result in a 25 euro rebooking fee for another day.

How long is the cruise?

The activity lasts six hours, including cruising, swimming stops, lunch, and the return to Mandraki Harbor.

How many people can join the cruise?

The catamaran carries a maximum of 24 passengers plus crew.

Which bays does the sailing catamaran visit?

The sailing catamaran stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay or Springs.

Which extra stop does the power catamaran include?

The power catamaran includes Afandou Beach and the Afandou Caves, as well as Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.

Can I walk onto the beaches during the stops?

The boats remain at anchor in each bay. To reach the shore, you need to swim from the catamaran.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are provided.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a breakfast tortilla snack, a Mediterranean buffet lunch, fresh seasonal fruit, bottled water, juice, soft drinks, wine, and beer. Unlimited wine and beer are available from noon.

Is the cruise suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because the boats anchor offshore and access to the water or shore requires swimming.