Rhodes: All inclusive Catamaran Escape with Lunch & Drinks

Rhodes is best seen from the water, and this catamaran trip makes a full day of it. You sail along the east coast, stop at three handsome bays, and have enough time at each one to swim, snorkel, or simply stretch out with a drink. The boat is spacious, and the usual group size appears to stay around 14 to 20 people rather than filling every available seat.

I especially like the long swimming stops and the fact that lunch is more than a token sandwich: expect chicken, rice, salads, dips, bread, fruit, and Greek specialties. I also like the easygoing mix of paddleboards, noodles, snorkels, and shaded seating. The main thing to weigh is the weather. Wind can make the first part of the cruise rough, and some snorkeling gear has reportedly needed repair.

Key points to know before booking

• Three famous east-coast bays: Swim at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.
• A proper Greek meal on board: Chicken, rice, several salads, dolmadakia, olives, feta, dips, bread, and fruit are included.
• Drinks stay simple and generous: Water, soft drinks, local wine, and beer are available, with a welcome drink and local snacks.
• Room to move around: The catamaran has shaded areas, front netting, and enough deck space for a small group to spread out.
• Useful water gear included: Snorkels, masks, paddleboards, floating noodles, life jackets, and an outdoor shower are provided.
• Good value at $82: Six hours with food, drinks, equipment, and three swimming stops compares well with hiring a boat separately.

Setting sail from Mandraki Harbour

You meet at the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk in Mandraki Harbour, arriving 20 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because the harbor can be busy, and you do not want to begin a relaxed sailing day by hurrying down the quay.

The outing begins with a short look around Rhodes Old Town area, along with local snacks and a welcome drink. The welcome treat is melekouni, a traditional Rhodian sesame sweet made with honey. It is a small detail, but a good one: the trip starts with something local rather than only packaged boat food.

Once the Cherry Catamaran leaves the harbor, allow about 70 minutes before the first main swimming stop. That gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the day. You can sit in the shaded area, claim a place near the front netting, or watch Rhodes recede as the boat follows the east coast.

The boat is described as large and spacious, with a maximum capacity of about 35 people, though many departures run closer to 20. That difference is important. A catamaran can feel cramped when every seat is taken, but a smaller group gives you more room to move between the shaded deck, open sun areas, and front netting.

The trip is not silent or formal. There is music, conversation, and regular service from the crew. Summer and Elli are praised for being especially welcoming and attentive, though the wider crew handles the day as a team. You can expect staff to offer drinks and check that everyone is comfortable without making the outing feel like a constant sales pitch.

Anthony Quinn Bay: beautiful water and a busy name

The first major stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of Rhodes’ most famous coves. Green vegetation presses close around the small bay, giving the water a strong emerald color. The place became known internationally after scenes from The Guns of Navarone were filmed in the area, and actor Anthony Quinn later became associated with the beach.

The name brings plenty of attention, but the real reason to stop is the water. The bay is well suited to swimming and snorkeling, and fish can often be seen around the boat. You have about 90 minutes here, which is enough time to get into the water without feeling rushed.

Snorkeling gear is provided, and paddleboards and floating noodles are available. If you are not a confident swimmer, the noodles and life jackets make it easier to enjoy the water at your own pace. Stronger swimmers can paddle away from the boat or use the board standing up, assuming the sea is calm enough.

There is one practical point to remember: Anthony Quinn Bay is a popular place, and the cove itself is not large. The catamaran lets you enjoy the setting from the water rather than promising a quiet, empty beach. Bring water shoes if you are sensitive to sharp rocks, especially at the entry points around the coves.

Ladiko Bay: the lunch stop

A short sightseeing cruise connects Anthony Quinn Bay with Ladiko Bay. The next stop lasts about 80 minutes and combines swimming with lunch, making it the most useful pause in the middle of the day.

Ladiko is smaller and calmer in feel, with attractive rock formations and clear water. It is a good place to swim without trying to pack too many activities into the same stop. You can get in the water, use the snorkel gear, or stay on deck while lunch is prepared and served.

The meal is one of the strongest parts of the package. You get Greek salad, green salad, potato salad, pasta salad, dolmadakia, olives, feta, tzatziki, roasted eggplant spread, feta spread, chicken, rice, and fresh bread. Seasonal fruit follows, along with local snacks served at other points in the trip.

That is a substantial spread for a boat excursion. It also gives you choices, though the menu is not built around a wide range of vegetarian or fish dishes. One person specifically wanted more vegetarian options, so if you do not eat chicken or prefer a plant-based meal, confirm what can be arranged before booking. The supplied information indicates that dietary needs and allergies have been catered for, but it is still sensible to raise yours in advance.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, local wine, and beer. The selection of soft drinks is limited, with Coke and orange juice specifically noted, but the basic arrangement works well on a warm day. Alcohol is available throughout the cruise, though the crew can stop serving anyone who appears too intoxicated. That is a sensible safety rule on a moving boat.

Kallithea Springs: the prettiest final swim

After roughly 30 minutes of sailing, the catamaran reaches Kallithea Springs. The stop lasts about an hour and adds a different look to the day. The bay is known for its old buildings with Italian and Vatican-style touches, as well as clear water that works well for snorkeling.

The setting feels more architectural than Anthony Quinn Bay and more open than Ladiko. You can swim, snorkel, use a paddleboard, or take a cocktail while looking back toward the shore. The stop also includes time for sightseeing, so you do not have to treat every minute as a water-sports session.

The rocks around some swimming areas can be awkward underfoot. Water shoes are useful here, especially if you plan to climb in or out near a rocky edge. The water may look inviting, but the safest approach is to use the boat’s designated access points and follow the crew’s instructions.

Kallithea Springs is a good final stop because it gives you something to do even if you have had enough swimming by then. You can enjoy the buildings and the bay, take photographs, or relax with a drink before the final cruise back to Mandraki Harbour.

Food, drinks, and the value of an all-inclusive day

At $82 per person, this trip earns its price through the combination of time, meals, drinks, and equipment. You are not paying only for transport between bays. The outing lasts six hours and includes a welcome drink, snacks, a full lunch, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, wine, and use of water equipment.

That matters in Rhodes, where a self-drive boat or private rental can quickly become more expensive once you add fuel, food, drinks, and equipment. One comparison put a three-hour self-drive boat at about £170, while this catamaran offered twice the time plus lunch and drinks for a similar amount. The comparison is not exact, but it shows why this works well for people who want a boat day without managing the boat themselves.

The meal also saves you from packing a full picnic. You should still bring a bottle of water if you prefer having one beside you, but water is included. Fresh fruit and local snacks help break up the lunch service, and the honey sesame melekouni is a nice Rhodian touch.

The food is served on board and has been described as fresh and filling. Do not expect restaurant plating or a long menu. This is practical boat food, prepared to serve a group, and it does that job well.

What the boat feels like for six hours

A six-hour boat trip can be tiring if you have nowhere to escape the sun or if the group is packed shoulder to shoulder. The Cherry Catamaran appears to avoid both problems on many departures. You have shaded seating, open deck space, front netting, and room to move around when the boat is carrying around 20 people.

The front nets are popular for lying back above the water, though they are exposed to spray and sun. If you burn easily, use the shaded area and apply sunscreen often. Sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen are all specifically worth bringing.

Music and a friendly crew give the trip a social feel. You can chat with people from different countries, but there is also plenty of time to sit quietly and watch the coast. The balance suits couples, families, and solo visitors who want some company without joining a large party boat.

Families can use the shallow-water equipment and life jackets, and the stops offer activities for different abilities. Still, children need close supervision around the deck and in the water. This is a sailing trip, not a supervised kids’ program.

Weather, seasickness, and small drawbacks

The captain can change the route or swimming stops for safety and weather. That is important on the east coast, where wind can make the departure from the harbor rough. Some people find the catamaran comfortable even when they are usually prone to seasickness, but no boat can promise perfectly calm water.

If you are worried about motion sickness, sit near the center of the boat, look toward the horizon, and avoid drinking alcohol before you know how the sea affects you. The crew has been praised for helping passengers who felt unwell, but you should still bring any medication you normally use.

The other weak point is the snorkeling equipment. Most of it is usable, but one departure had several broken pieces. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, bring your own mask if you have one. That way, you are not relying entirely on shared gear.

You may also see older descriptions or promotional material referring to drone photographs. Do not book solely expecting a drone photo package. The included items clearly cover food, drinks, swimming equipment, and safety gear, while drone photos are not guaranteed.

Who should book this Rhodes catamaran trip?

I would choose this for anyone who wants to see the east coast without renting a boat or planning several separate stops. It is especially good for couples, families with older children, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a social but not overcrowded setting.

It also suits mixed-ability groups. One person can snorkel, another can use a noodle, and someone else can remain on the shaded deck with a drink. The crew handles the practical work, leaving you to enjoy the bays.

You may want a different outing if you need a very quiet, private cruise, want a strong focus on scuba or serious snorkeling, or require a wide vegetarian menu. You should also think twice if you dislike six hours in the sun or are highly sensitive to windy conditions.

English and Greek are spoken by the live crew. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which is useful when your Rhodes schedule is still shifting. Be at the Mandraki Harbour meeting desk 20 minutes early.

Should you book the Cherry Catamaran?

Yes, if you want a well-priced day on the water with three attractive bays, a real lunch, and drinks included. The strongest reasons are the small-group feel on many departures, the long swimming stops, and the caring service from the crew, including Summer and Elli.

Bring water shoes, sunscreen, and your own snorkeling mask if you have one. Accept that the route can change with weather, the soft-drink choice is basic, and the sea may be choppy at the start. With those limits in mind, the Cherry Catamaran gives you a relaxed and active way to see Rhodes from the water without the cost or work of arranging a private boat.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

The meeting point is the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk at Mandraki Harbour. You should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran trip lasts six hours, including sailing time, sightseeing, meals, drinks, and stops for swimming and snorkeling.

Which bays does the catamaran visit?

The planned stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs Bay. The captain may change the route or swimming stops because of weather and safety conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Greek salad, green salad, potato salad, pasta salad, dolmadakia, olives, feta, Greek dips, chicken, rice, fresh bread, and seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, local wine, and beer are included, along with a welcome drink. The crew can stop serving alcohol to anyone who appears excessively intoxicated.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floating noodles, life jackets, and an outdoor shower are provided. You may still prefer to bring your own mask if snorkeling is important to you.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Water shoes are also a useful choice for rocky swimming areas, although they are not listed as a required item.