Rhodes: All inclusive Catamaran Escape with Lunch & Drinks

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this trip gives you a full six hours to enjoy it without worrying about steering, lunch, or carrying a cooler. The Cherry Catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs, with long swimming stops at each.

I especially like the generous food and drink setup, plus the small-group feel. The boat can hold more people, but many departures carry about 14 to 20 passengers, leaving room to move between the shaded seating, sun decks, and front netting. The main consideration is wind: rough conditions can make the ride uncomfortable, and the captain may change the route for safety.

Key points to know before booking

• Three east-coast swimming stops: Spend meaningful time at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs rather than rushing ashore for a quick photo.
• A proper Greek lunch: Expect chicken, rice, salads, bread, dips, dolmadakia, olives, feta, and fresh fruit.
• Drinks are included: Water, soft drinks, local wine, beer, and a welcome drink are available throughout the day.
• Good water equipment: Snorkels, masks, paddleboards, pool noodles, and life jackets are supplied.
• Comfortable group size: The catamaran is spacious, and departures often carry around 14 to 20 people.
• Pack water shoes: Some swimming areas have sharp rocks or awkward footing near caves and rocky edges.

Six hours on Rhodes’ east coast

At $82 per person, this is not simply a boat ride with a sandwich. You get a six-hour outing, three scenic bays, a full meal, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, water equipment, and crew service. Renting a self-drive boat for a shorter period can cost about the same before adding food and drinks, so the Cherry Catamaran makes good financial sense if you want a relaxed day rather than a boating project.

The trip begins at the Sea Rhodes Cruises and Daily Tours desk in Mandraki Harbour. Arrive 20 minutes before departure. The first stretch takes you away from the harbor and along the coast, with views best enjoyed from the open deck or the forward netting area.

The schedule gives you a useful mix of sailing and swimming. There is roughly 70 minutes of cruising before Anthony Quinn Bay, followed by about an hour and a half in the water. Ladiko Bay receives around 80 minutes, and Kallithea Springs about an hour. The return sailing includes another 20 minutes at sea, though the captain can adjust the route or stop times based on weather and safety.

Starting at Mandraki Harbour

Mandraki Harbour is a practical departure point for anyone staying in Rhodes Town or the northern part of the island. The early harbor segment includes a welcome drink, local snacks, and a small Rhodian sweet called melekouni, made with sesame and honey.

You may also get a short look toward Rhodes Old Town while the boat gets underway. The formal sightseeing portion is brief, about five minutes, but it adds a little local flavor before the day becomes mostly about open water and swimming.

The catamaran itself is one of the stronger parts of the outing. It is described as large, clean, and spacious, with shaded areas, open seating, front netting, and room to walk around. That matters on a six-hour trip. You can change position during the day instead of being stuck in one seat.

The atmosphere is social but not forced. Music, drinks, and a friendly crew create an easy holiday mood, while the open layout gives you places to sit quietly when you want a break from conversation.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the first big swim

Anthony Quinn Bay is usually the first major stop, after about 70 minutes of sightseeing from the harbor. Its steep, rocky setting and clear green-blue water make it one of the most striking coastal stops around Rhodes.

The bay became famous after parts of The Guns of Navarone were filmed in the area, and actor Anthony Quinn later became closely associated with the location. You do not visit for a film set or a formal tour. You visit to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and enjoy the view from the boat.

The 90-minute stop gives you enough time to try more than one activity. You can use the provided snorkeling equipment, take a paddleboard, float on a noodle, or simply swim beside the catamaran. Fish can often be seen around the rocky water, adding interest for anyone who enjoys a quick look below the surface.

This is a good first stop because it offers a clear sense of what the day is about: no long shore excursion, no shopping stop, and no pressure to stay dry. You can get straight into the water or remain aboard with a drink and enjoy the scenery.

A practical note: snorkeling equipment has not always been in perfect condition, so inspect your mask and snorkel before leaving the boat. If snorkeling is important to you, bring your own equipment if you have it. Paddleboards and float noodles provide easy alternatives.

Ladiko Bay and lunch on board

The short cruise to Ladiko Bay takes about five minutes, then you get around 80 minutes for lunch and swimming. This is where the outing shifts from a morning swim stop into a relaxed meal break.

The lunch is much more substantial than the usual excursion fare. The spread includes Greek salad, green salad, potato salad, pasta salad, dolmadakia, olives, feta, tzatziki, roasted eggplant spread, feta spread, chicken, rice, and fresh bread. Seasonal fruit is also served, along with local snacks during the day.

I like this arrangement because the food is served on board, not at a separate restaurant with a fixed seating rush. You can eat, swim, and return for another drink without losing much of your stop. The food is described as fresh and homemade, and dietary needs or allergies can be accommodated according to the information provided.

Vegetarians have salads, dips, dolmadakia, olives, feta, and pasta salad, but the main hot dish is chicken. If you need a fully vegetarian meal or have a serious allergy, tell the provider ahead of time rather than relying on the standard spread.

Ladiko Bay is smaller and quieter in feel than Anthony Quinn Bay. It is a pleasant place to slow down, though rocky edges can make getting in and out of the water less graceful than the photos suggest. Water shoes are a smart addition, especially if you plan to explore around a cave or rocky shoreline.

Kallithea Springs for the final swim

Kallithea Springs is the last major stop and has a different character from the first two bays. The area is known for its ornate, Vatican-style structures and a sheltered setting with clear blue water.

The catamaran allows about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, or paddleboarding. A cocktail is also included at this stop, adding a pleasant finish to the active part of the day.

Kallithea is especially good for people who want a mix of scenery and water time. You can admire the architecture from the bay, then cool off in the water. The snorkeling is appealing because the water is clear and the rocky setting gives you something to look at below the surface.

The swimming areas are not necessarily sandy beach conditions. You may encounter rock underfoot, so bring water shoes and move carefully. If you prefer not to climb into the water, the boat gives you a comfortable place to sit, take photographs, and watch others use the boards and floats.

After Kallithea Springs, the boat makes the return run to Mandraki Harbour. The final 20-minute cruise is a good time to dry off, finish fruit or drinks, and take in the coast without needing to plan anything else.

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

The all-inclusive wording here covers the parts that matter most on a boat trip. You receive a welcome drink, melekouni, snacks, lunch, fruit, water, soft drinks, local wine, and beer. The crew regularly offers drinks, and passengers can also help themselves to more during the day.

The selection is practical rather than extensive. Soft drinks include options such as cola and orange juice, so do not expect a full bar or a wide range of fizzy drinks. That is a minor point for most people, but it matters if you prefer a particular mixer or avoid alcohol.

The meal saves you from packing a picnic and keeps the day flowing. Chicken, rice, salads, bread, dips, and fruit are filling without being difficult to eat on a boat. I would still bring a small personal snack if you have strict dietary needs, but the standard food offering is far better than a basic packaged lunch.

Alcohol is available, but the crew can stop serving anyone who appears too intoxicated. That is sensible on a moving boat and helps keep the mood comfortable for families and passengers who are there to relax.

Crew service and the feel on board

The human side of this trip earns much of its appeal. Summer and Elli are named in the feedback as especially welcoming and attentive, and the crew’s role goes beyond pouring drinks. They check on passengers, help with equipment, and respond when someone feels unwell.

One passenger became seasick during the trip and received steady support from the staff. That does not guarantee calm seas, but it does show why a crewed catamaran can be a better choice than a self-drive rental if you are nervous about the water.

The boat is not advertised as an adults-only outing, and the trip suits families as well as couples and friends. Life jackets are available, and the water activities can be adjusted to different comfort levels. You can swim from the boat, use a float, paddleboard, snorkel, or stay on deck.

The group size can vary. The catamaran may carry up to 35 people, but several departures have had around 14 to 20 passengers. That smaller number makes a real difference. There is more room for sunbathing, less competition for equipment, and a better chance of getting help from the crew.

Weather, sea conditions, and small drawbacks

The captain has the final say on the route and swimming stops. Wind can make the departure from the harbor rough, and cooler months such as April, May, and October may bring colder water and less settled conditions.

One October outing was enjoyable despite cold and wind, but that is a reminder to pack a light layer as well as swimwear. The boat can be comfortable in the sun while still feeling chilly when moving between bays.

The provider may transfer passengers to another catamaran in April, May, or October if the Cherry Catamaran does not reach its minimum number. You should be informed by message if this happens. It is not a common-sounding concern for peak summer dates, but it is worth knowing when booking shoulder-season travel.

Snorkeling gear can also be hit or miss. Most of the equipment is supplied, but some masks or snorkels may need replacing. Bring your own set if you care about snorkeling quality.

Finally, the activity is designed around swimming. If you want a full day of walking through Rhodes’ archaeological sites, this is the wrong choice. The Old Town portion is only a short harbor sighting, not a land tour.

Who will enjoy the Cherry Catamaran most

I would choose this trip if you want to see several of Rhodes’ best coastal spots without organizing transport, food, equipment, and timing yourself. It works particularly well for couples, families, solo visitors who enjoy a social setting, and friends looking for an easy day on the water.

It is also a strong choice for people staying in northern Rhodes or near Rhodes Town. The departure from Mandraki Harbour keeps the logistics simple, and the six-hour format gives you a full half-day without taking over your entire holiday.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, get badly seasick, or want a sandy beach day with easy shore access. The captain can respond to weather, but no catamaran can remove wind, waves, or rocky swimming areas.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water shoes. A waterproof phone pouch would also be sensible, though it is not listed among the included items.

Should you book this Rhodes catamaran trip?

At $82, the Cherry Catamaran is a strong value for a six-hour day that combines three scenic stops, a full Greek lunch, drinks, fruit, water equipment, and an attentive crew. The best features are the spacious boat, the long swimming breaks, and the fact that you do not need to pack much beyond beach essentials.

Book it if you want Rhodes from the sea, prefer a guided outing to a self-drive rental, and like a relaxed group atmosphere. Skip it if you want extensive Old Town sightseeing, a quiet private charter, or guaranteed calm weather. For most visitors seeking an easy, active, food-included day, this is one of the more useful ways to spend six hours around Rhodes.

FAQ

Where does the Cherry Catamaran trip depart from?

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

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The activity lasts six hours, including cruising, swimming, sightseeing, lunch, and drinks.

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 for weather and safety reasons.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Greek salads, potato and pasta salads, dolmadakia, olives, feta, dips, chicken, rice, and fresh bread. Seasonal fruit is also included.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. The trip includes water, soft drinks, local wine, beer, a welcome drink, and a cocktail at Kallithea Springs.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are provided. Some equipment may not always be in perfect condition, so you can bring your own snorkeling gear if preferred.

Is the trip suitable for children?

The provided information states that life jackets are available and that the activities suit different abilities. It does not specify a minimum age, so check directly with the provider before booking for a child.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful around rocky swimming areas.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve now and pay later.