Kolymbia: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

The best thing about this five-hour catamaran cruise is its simple rhythm: a scenic ride, three swim stops, lunch on deck, and plenty of time to sit back with a cold drink. You visit Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach rather than spending the whole trip racing from one place to the next.

I like the small maximum of 25 passengers, which gives you more room than the packed boats common along Rhodes. I also like the clear value: Greek lunch and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. The main consideration is that hotel pickup is not provided, and commentary about the coast may be limited.

Key points

• Three distinct swim stops: Visit Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach, with time for swimming, snorkeling, or floating.
• A 25-passenger limit: The Lagoon catamaran is designed for a more comfortable outing, with less crowding on deck.
• Lunch served onboard: Your Greek meal comes during the cruise, so you do not lose beach time looking for a restaurant.
• Drinks included throughout: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are available at no extra charge.
• A useful five-hour pace: The cruise is long enough for several stops without taking up an entire day.
• Simple meeting point: You make your own way to Kolymbia Sea Lines in Kolymbia Harbour.

Three swim stops along Rhodes’ east coast

This cruise works because it gives you several chances to get into the water. You are not tied to one beach for the whole day, and each stop has a slightly different feel.

The first stop is Tsambika Bay, known for clear water and broad views along the coast. This is a good place to settle into the day. You can swim, snorkel, or remain aboard and enjoy the setting if you prefer not to get wet right away.

The second stop is the Hidden Caves, where the boat pauses for about 30 minutes. That is enough time for a brisk swim and a look around the rocky shoreline, but it is not a long beach visit. Bring a sense of proportion: this is a short water stop, not an extended cave expedition.

After lunch, the cruise reaches Stegna Beach for almost a full hour. This is the longest swimming break and gives you the most relaxed chance to snorkel or simply drift in the sea. If you want one stop where you can take your time, Stegna is it.

The order matters. You get your first water break before lunch, a shorter cave stop in the middle, and then a generous final pause. That pattern keeps the day moving without making it feel hurried.

What the Lagoon catamaran adds

The boat is a Lagoon catamaran, a practical choice for a coastal cruise. Its twin-hull design provides a broad platform for sitting, moving around, and taking in the views. The advertised limit of 25 passengers is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a larger excursion boat.

A smaller group does not turn the cruise into a private charter, but it can make a real difference. You are less likely to spend the day shoulder to shoulder, and you should have more freedom to find a comfortable place on deck. One particularly useful detail is that the boat has been described as comfortable and not overloaded.

That said, no exact seating arrangement is provided. You may find that the best spots are claimed early, so arrive with enough time to get oriented at Kolymbia Harbour. The experience is built around open-air cruising, swimming, and informal relaxation rather than luxury service.

Tsambika Bay: an easy first water stop

Tsambika Bay is the first chance to swim and snorkel. The stop gives you a view of Rhodes from the water, with the shore and surrounding coves forming the backdrop as you cool off.

I would treat this as your warm-up stop. You can test the water, get used to boarding and leaving the catamaran, and decide how much activity you want for the rest of the day. If snorkeling is your priority, this is a sensible time to begin rather than waiting until the final stop.

The details do not state that snorkeling equipment is supplied, so check before departure if you need gear. The same applies to towels. Pack the basics you know you will use, including swimwear, sun protection, and a cover-up for the ride back.

You do not need to swim at every stop. The boat remains part of the experience, and you can use the time to enjoy a drink and watch the coastline. That flexibility helps make the cruise suitable for mixed groups, including people who want to swim and people who would rather stay dry.

The Hidden Caves and a short 30-minute pause

The Hidden Caves are the most unusual stop on the route. The catamaran pauses for around 30 minutes, giving you time to swim near the rocky formations and look into the caves from the water.

This stop has a different character from Tsambika Bay and Stegna Beach. It is less about settling in and more about seeing a particular coastal feature. You will want to keep an eye on the time, since half an hour passes quickly once you are in the water.

The caves are best approached with sensible expectations. The supplied details do not promise a guided cave tour, a shore landing, or a long exploration on foot. Think of this as a boat-accessible swim stop where you can view the formations from the sea.

If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the safest way to enter the water and stay near the catamaran. The cruise is designed for swimming and snorkeling, but your comfort should set the pace.

Greek lunch served at sea

Lunch comes onboard after the Hidden Caves. This is one of the most useful inclusions because it keeps the schedule intact. You do not have to leave the boat, find a table, order food, and hurry back before the next stop.

The meal is described as a Greek lunch prepared and served onboard. That gives the day a local touch without turning it into a formal food tour. Expect the meal to be part of the cruise rather than the main attraction. The supplied details do not specify the exact dishes, so anyone with dietary needs should ask the operator before booking.

Eating at sea also changes the mood of the trip. You can sit with your food, take in the coast, and enjoy a drink while the boat is underway or paused. Since unlimited water, soft drinks, beer, and white wine are included, you do not need to keep buying refreshments along the way.

There is one practical point here: alcohol and swimming do not mix well. If you plan to drink, keep it modest until you are finished in the water. The best use of the included drinks is to enjoy them gradually during lunch and the return cruise.

Stegna Beach gives you the longest swim

The final stop is Stegna Beach, with almost a full hour for swimming and snorkeling. That longer pause is helpful because you have time to get in, explore at an easy pace, and return to the boat without rushing.

Stegna works well as the closing stop because you already know the boat and the day’s rhythm. You can make this your main swim, spend time looking through the water, or stay onboard with a drink while others go ashore or into the sea.

The word beach should not lead you to expect a long land-based visit. The cruise is still a boat outing, and the emphasis is on water access. If you want several hours on a beach with a towel and umbrella, this is not a substitute for a dedicated beach day.

For many people, though, the short visit is exactly the point. You see more of Rhodes’ eastern coast without giving up the comfort of returning to the catamaran. The final ride back to Kolymbia Harbour completes the five-hour outing.

Unlimited drinks make the $106 price easier to judge

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the water. The price makes more sense when you count what is included: a five-hour catamaran cruise, three swim stops, lunch, and unlimited beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water.

You are also paying for a smaller passenger limit. A large boat may offer a lower headline price, but a crowded deck can reduce the pleasure of a day built around relaxation. Here, the 25-person cap is part of the value.

The price is strongest for people who would otherwise spend money on lunch, drinks, and separate beach transport. It is less compelling if you do not drink, plan to eat very little, or mainly want one particular beach for the entire day.

I would compare the cost with the kind of day you want, not just with other boat fares. If you want a social, comfortable outing with food and refreshments already handled, the package is straightforward. If you want privacy, a dedicated guide, or a full day at sea, you may need a different type of charter.

What the crew and commentary are like

The host language is English, and the crew’s role is mainly practical: helping with the cruise, serving lunch and drinks, and keeping the stops organized. The crew has been described as friendly, cheerful, helpful, and attentive.

Do not book this as a history lesson or a guided coastal tour. One useful criticism is that explanations about the planned stops and points of interest may be brief. That can be a drawback if you want detailed information about every bay, rock formation, or cave.

On the other hand, limited narration suits people who prefer a quiet boat day. You can talk, read, eat, swim, or simply watch the shoreline without a running commentary. The trade-off is clear: more relaxation, less interpretation.

No individual guide names are provided, so I would not choose this experience based on a particular host. Choose it for the boat, the route, the small group size, and the included food and drinks.

Meeting point, timing, and what to bring

You meet at Kolymbia Sea Lines on Google Maps, at Kolymbia Harbour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point.

The cruise lasts five hours, but starting times depend on availability. Check the exact departure time when you book and leave enough margin to find the harbour. A late arrival can be especially stressful when the boat is working to a fixed route and meal schedule.

I would pack:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sun protection
• A light cover-up for the boat ride
• Waterproof storage for valuables
• Snorkeling equipment if you prefer to use your own

The activity information confirms swimming and snorkeling, but it does not specify equipment rental or storage facilities. Ask the operator if you need either. Keep your belongings compact, since a catamaran deck is shared space even with only 25 passengers.

Cancellation is flexible enough for normal holiday planning: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your schedule is still taking shape.

Who will enjoy this five-hour cruise

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, solo visitors, and friends who want a relaxed day on the water without committing to a full-day charter.

It suits you especially well if:

• You want several swim locations rather than one beach
• You like having lunch and drinks arranged in advance
• You prefer a smaller boat to a crowded excursion vessel
• You are happy with informal English-language hosting
• You want a half-day activity that leaves part of the day free

It may not suit you if you want a long stay on land, detailed guiding, hotel transportation, or a tightly planned snorkeling program. The Hidden Caves stop is only about 30 minutes, and the route is designed for variety rather than extended time at one site.

Families should consider the swimming focus and the need to supervise children around the water. The supplied information does not give age limits, flotation equipment details, or accessibility information, so ask the operator before booking if those points matter to your group.

Should you book the Kolymbia catamaran cruise?

I would book it if you want a comfortable, well-paced half-day on the Rhodes coast, especially if a crowded boat would spoil the experience. The 25-passenger limit, three swim stops, Greek lunch, and unlimited drinks give the $106 price a reasonable foundation.

Go in expecting a scenic swimming cruise, not a full guided tour or a beach holiday. You will get the best value by enjoying the whole package: swim at Tsambika Bay, take the shorter cave stop, eat onboard, make the most of the long Stegna pause, and use the quiet return ride to relax.

If that sounds like your kind of day, this is an easy choice from Kolymbia.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Kolymbia Sea Lines in Kolymbia Harbour, located through Google Maps.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts five hours.

How many swimming stops are included?

You have three swimming stops: Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach.

How long is the stop at the Hidden Caves?

The Hidden Caves stop lasts about 30 minutes.

How long do you spend at Stegna Beach?

You have almost a full hour at Stegna Beach for swimming and snorkeling.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek lunch is prepared and served onboard.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Kolymbia Harbour.