Sailing Catamaran day cruise – Rhodes with lunch & drinks

Rhodes is best seen from the water, and this private catamaran cruise gives you six hours to do just that. Instead of following a packed group schedule, your party of up to 12 can settle into the boat, stop for swims, and enjoy the coast at an easier pace. Kallithea Springs and Anthony Quinn Bay provide the main swim stops.

I like the privacy and the food-and-drink setup. You have a local skipper, including Stefano on some departures, and lunch comes with beer and wine, while soft drinks and water are available all day. I also like that the boat has handled a group of nine, including five children, with enough room for everyone to relax.

The main drawback is the price: $1,890.46 per group is a serious outlay for a half-day cruise, especially for a small party. You also need to reach the New Marina in Rhodes yourself, and the trip depends on good weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Private sailing for up to 12: Your group does not share the catamaran with strangers or follow a fixed large-group program.
• Two famous swimming stops: You cruise past Kallithea Springs and anchor at Anthony Quinn Bay for time in the clear water.
• About six hours on the coast: The 9:30 a.m. start gives you a full morning and early afternoon at sea.
• Lunch with drinks included: Greek mezedes and other dishes are served with beer and wine at mealtime, plus soft drinks and water all day.
• A skipper who helps shape the day: Stefano is one named skipper associated with the experience and can guide your group toward good places to swim and rest.
• Best value for a larger party: The flat group price works far better when shared by eight to 12 people than by only two or three.

Setting out from Rhodes New Marina at 9:30

Your day begins at ΝΕΑ ΜΑΡΙΝΑ, Rhodes 851 00, and the cruise ends back at the same meeting point. Hotel transfers are not included, so you need to plan your own way to the marina and leave enough time to arrive before the 9:30 a.m. start.

The meeting point matters because this is not a door-to-door excursion. If you are staying in central Rhodes, you will need to arrange transport to the New Marina. The supplied information does not give a transfer service, parking details, or a pickup option, so confirm your marina plan before booking.

Once on board, the appeal is simple: you have a private boat, a skipper, and a coastline to explore without a rigid list of group-tour stops. The exact feel of the day can change with weather and sea conditions, but the planned route includes Kallithea Springs and Anthony Quinn Bay.

A mobile ticket is provided, which makes the booking easy to keep on your phone. Bring it with you along with anything else you normally need for a day on the water.

Kallithea Springs, your first chance to swim

The cruise passes Kallithea Springs Bay, where you can stop for a refreshing swim. The stated swimming time here is about 35 minutes, enough for a quick dip and a look around, though not a long beach stay.

Kallithea Springs is one of Rhodes’ better-known coastal spots, so the attraction here is the combination of sea views and a swim in a place with a recognizable name. From a catamaran, you get a different angle than you would from land. You can enjoy the bay without spending the whole morning walking around a resort area.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a swim stop, not a full cultural visit to the springs. No admission ticket is included in the stop details, and the cruise information does not promise time ashore or access to every part of the site. If your priority is swimming from the boat and enjoying the coast, that is fine. If you want a detailed visit to the springs themselves, this cruise may not give you enough time.

The 35-minute pause is also useful for families. You can get into the water, cool off, and return to the boat without committing to a long shore excursion. Since the activity is private, you have a better chance of keeping the stop comfortable for your own group, although the skipper still has to work with conditions at sea.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the main swim stop

The second planned stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, reached after cruising along the coast. The boat anchors there for about 40 minutes, giving you time to swim in the clear water.

This is likely the high point for anyone booking the cruise mainly for the sea. The bay is famous, scenic, and well suited to a swim from the boat. You can take in the view from the water, then cool off without having to organize beach chairs, towels, or a long walk from shore.

The tradeoff is that famous bays can attract other boats. The private format means your party has its own catamaran, but it does not mean you will have Anthony Quinn Bay to yourself. The quietest part of the day may come at another cove selected by the skipper, not necessarily at the best-known stop.

Forty minutes is a practical amount of time. It is long enough to swim properly, but the cruise remains a coastal outing rather than a full-day anchorage. If you would rather spend hours in one bay, ask about the pace before departure. The supplied details emphasize flexibility, but they do not promise that every stop can be extended.

A private boat changes the pace

The most important difference here is not a single landmark. It is the private setting. Your group can relax together, and the skipper can offer local advice on where to swim and where to pause.

That matters for mixed groups. One family has used the boat with nine people, including five children, and found plenty of room. The experience is also a good fit for friends who want a shared day without making conversation with a full boat of strangers.

Still, private does not mean unlimited customization. The cruise lasts about six hours, and the route specifically includes Kallithea Springs and Anthony Quinn Bay. Weather, sea conditions, and timing will affect how much freedom you have. Think of the tour as a private coastal outing with room for adjustment, not a blank sheet where you can sail anywhere.

The local skipper is another useful part of the setup. Stefano is specifically named in the available information, and the praise for his care suggests that the human side of the cruise is important. A good skipper can help your group choose a comfortable swim spot and make the day feel less mechanical.

Greek food, beer, wine, and soft drinks

Lunch is included, with Greek mezedes and other dishes served on board. Mezedes are small shared plates, so this style of meal suits a group that likes to sample several things instead of ordering one large dish per person.

Beer and wine are included at mealtime. Soft drinks and water are available all day, and alcoholic beverages are listed as part of the included package during lunch. This is a useful detail because drinks can add up quickly on a private boat, especially with a large party.

The food is not presented as a formal restaurant meal, and you should not book this expecting a long dining service or a specialized tasting menu. The value is in having a Greek-style lunch already arranged while you are on the water. You can eat, drink, and return to the view without stopping at a port.

If your group includes children, the all-day soft drinks and water are particularly practical. If anyone has dietary needs, ask the operator before departure. The supplied details do not list vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or other meal choices.

What the $1,890.46 price really means

The listed cost is $1,890.46 per group of up to 12. That sounds steep until you divide it among a full party. At 12 people, it works out to about $157.54 per person. At nine people, the cost is about $210.05 per person. For two people, it is $945.23 each, which makes this a poor fit unless privacy and a private boat are your top priorities.

The price includes lunch, beer and wine at mealtime, soft drinks and water all day, as well as fees and taxes. It does not include transport to or from your hotel. That package gives the cruise more value for a family group or a larger circle of friends, since the fixed cost is shared while the food and drinks cover everyone.

I would compare this with the price of several seats on a regular boat trip, but the key benefit is not only the boat itself. You are paying for control over the group setting, room to gather with your own party, and a skipper who can help adjust the day.

For a smaller party, the arithmetic is much harder to justify. A couple looking for a simple swim cruise may find a standard shared trip more sensible. A group celebrating together, traveling with children, or wanting a private day may consider the cost reasonable.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits you best if you want a relaxed day with your own group and care more about swimming and scenery than about a packed sightseeing schedule.

It is especially suitable for:

• Families who want space to stay together, including groups with children
• Friends sharing a private boat and a meal
• People who prefer swimming from a boat rather than spending the day on a beach
• Visitors who want a local skipper’s advice on quiet bays
• Larger groups that can divide the fixed price among eight to 12 people

It is less suitable if you want hotel pickup, a formal tour of Rhodes’ historic sights, or a long stay at one beach. It also may not work well for anyone who dislikes open-water travel or needs a guaranteed schedule regardless of weather.

The activity says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information. If you have mobility, boarding, or other access concerns, contact Daily Rhodes Cruises before paying.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, starting at 9:30 a.m. Since it ends back at the marina, you should expect to be finished around mid-afternoon, though the exact return time can vary.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from being locked into a rough day at sea, but it also means you should avoid scheduling an important connection immediately afterward.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. Keep the local time rule in mind if you are booking from another country.

The cruise has a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided when you book. Hotel transfers are not part of the price, so the marina is the main logistical detail you need to solve.

My verdict: book it for the right group

I would book this catamaran cruise for a group of eight to 12 people that wants a private, easygoing day on the Rhodes coast. The strongest features are the room to spend time together, the two swim stops, the skipper’s local input, and the included lunch and drinks.

I would think twice if only two or three people are sharing the cost. The price becomes hard to defend unless you place a high value on having your own boat and avoiding a shared group tour.

For families, the example of nine people including five children is encouraging, particularly because the boat had room for everyone. For couples, a smaller shared cruise may offer better value. For larger groups, though, this is a pleasant way to turn a half-day in Rhodes into a private sea outing, with enough structure to keep the day simple and enough flexibility to make it feel personal.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the experience start?

The start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the cruise begin?

It begins at ΝΕΑ ΜΑΡΙΝΑ, Rhodes 851 00, Greece.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point, the New Marina.

Is this a private cruise?

Yes. Only your group participates, with a maximum of 12 people.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The cruise passes Kallithea Springs Bay and stops at Anthony Quinn Bay for swimming.

How much time is allowed for swimming?

The stated time is about 35 minutes at Kallithea Springs and 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Greek mezedes and other dishes.

Which drinks are included?

Beer and wine are included at mealtime. Soft drinks and water are available all day.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. You need to arrange your own transport to and from the New Marina.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded or accepted.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the cruise is canceled because of bad weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.