Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the timing: you swim in the late afternoon, eat as the boat heads along the east coast, then watch the sun drop over the Aegean from the water. It turns a short boat trip into a full evening out, without asking you to give up half a day of sightseeing.

I like the small-catamaran feel reported on many departures, with some boats carrying around 14 to 16 people. I also like the practical mix of swimming, food, drinks, and music. The main consideration is that the boat anchors offshore at Kallithea Bay, so you must swim from the catamaran rather than walk straight onto the beach.

• Swim from the anchored catamaran at Kallithea Bay, with snorkeling gear and pool noodles available.
• Eat a generous Greek buffet with chicken, salads, dips, feta, olives, bread, and vegetarian choices.
• Enjoy unlimited beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water during the cruise.
• Choose between a sailing catamaran and a power catamaran, depending on availability.
• Watch the sunset from the open sea on the return toward Rhodes Town.
• Expect a relaxed, social atmosphere, with Greek-style music and an attentive English-speaking crew.

A Three-Hour Evening on the Water

This cruise leaves from Mandraki Harbor, one of the most convenient departure points in Rhodes Town. You meet in front of the Poseidon Submarine and Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks, arriving 30 to 15 minutes before departure.

That early arrival matters. The catamarans leave on time, and missing the boat can mean a rebooking fee of €25 per ticket on another day. Listen carefully for announcements and ask a crew member if you are unsure about the departure time.

At around three hours, the trip is long enough to feel like a proper outing but short enough to fit around dinner plans, a walk through the Old Town, or an afternoon at the beach. The exact departure time changes with the season and availability, so check it when booking.

You may be placed on a sailing catamaran or a power catamaran. The exact boat can vary, and in the quieter months of April, May, and October, the operator may move you to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum number of passengers.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor for the East Coast

The first leg lasts about 45 minutes. From Mandraki, the catamaran heads along the Rhodes east coast toward Kallithea Bay.

This is a pleasant way to shift gears after a day on land. You have open views, sea air, and room to settle into the boat before the meal and sunset portion of the evening. The catamarans have outdoor seating, and you can move around to find a sunny or shaded place.

I would treat this first stretch as a chance to get comfortable rather than a formal sightseeing tour. The focus is on the sea, the coast, and the easy rhythm of the boat. The English-speaking host or greeter can help with practical questions, while the crew handles drinks and the route.

The boat may be sailing under wind power or moving by engine. A sailing catamaran offers a quieter, more traditional feel when conditions allow, while a power catamaran gives you a different ride and layout. The operator sells both as part of the same sunset experience, so do not assume you can always choose a particular vessel unless your booking clearly confirms it.

Kallithea Bay: Swim Before Dinner

The main swimming stop is Kallithea Bay, reached after roughly 45 minutes. The captain drops anchor, and the boat stays offshore.

This detail is important. You do not simply step onto the beach for a stroll. To reach the water, you use the boat’s access point and swim from the catamaran. An outdoor shower is available afterward, and indoor toilets are provided onboard.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to swim and use the snorkeling equipment. Pool noodles and life jackets are also available. One particularly useful point is the water depth. One passenger described the swimming area as about six meters deep, so the noodles and life jackets are helpful if you are not a confident swimmer.

Kallithea Bay is known for clear water and rocky coastal scenery. Some departures position near caves or rock formations that you can approach from the water. You might see fish close to the rocks, but keep your expectations sensible. The underwater setting is pleasant for a swim and light snorkeling, not a full marine-life expedition. At least one account found the fish life modest beyond the rocks, while another described seeing many fish, including a lionfish.

The bay can also be popular with other boats. You may share the swimming area with several nearby cruises, especially in the busy summer months. Even so, the stop gives the outing a useful physical break before the meal and sunset.

Bring swimwear. If you plan to snorkel, secure sunglasses and loose items before entering the water. A towel is not listed among the included items, so check what you need to bring before setting out.

The Buffet: Simple Greek Food, Plenty of It

Dinner is served onboard and is included in the ticket price. The spread includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

This is not a restaurant tasting menu, and it does not need to be. The food is designed for an evening on a boat: familiar, filling, easy to share, and suitable for a range of tastes. The salads, dips, feta, olives, and bread give vegetarians several choices, while the grilled chicken adds a heartier option.

The menu is especially useful for couples or families who do not want to arrange dinner after the cruise. You can eat while the catamaran continues along the coast, rather than losing another hour finding a restaurant. Several meals are served in generous quantities, and the crew may continue offering food and drinks throughout the evening.

Vegetarian diners should be comfortable with the listed options, but you should not expect a dedicated fish dish or a large selection of hot vegetarian food. One person chose not to take the food option because they wanted more vegetarian or fish choices. If your diet is strict, confirm the meal arrangements before booking.

The meal timing may overlap with the swimming stop. Food can be brought out while some people are still in the water, so do not spend the entire break snorkeling if you want first choice from the buffet. You can always return to the boat, dry off, and eat before the cruise continues.

Unlimited Drinks and a Relaxed Onboard Mood

The ticket includes unlimited wine and beer, along with juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. This has a real effect on the value of the evening. You are not watching the cost of every glass while the boat is out at sea.

The crew serves drinks rather than leaving you to manage a complicated bar setup. Wine and beer suit the sunset portion, while water and soft drinks make the cruise workable for families and anyone who does not drink alcohol.

The crew can stop serving alcohol if someone appears intoxicated. That is a sensible rule on a boat, especially when swimming is part of the plan. Keep your drinking moderate until you are safely back in Mandraki.

Music is part of the mood, with Greek tones and relaxed background tracks during the sunset run. The atmosphere can feel romantic, but it is not a private yacht charter. You may share the deck with couples, families, solo passengers, or a lively group of friends.

The smaller boats are a strong point. Departures with around 14 to 16 people leave enough room to sit comfortably and move around for views. Still, group size can vary, and you should not book on the assumption that every sailing will be equally intimate.

Sunset on the Return to Rhodes Town

After Kallithea Bay and dinner, the catamaran begins the return journey. The final part of the route is timed around sunset, with roughly 20 minutes set aside for the main sunset viewing near Rhodes Town.

This is when the pieces of the evening come together. You have already been in the sea, eaten dinner, and settled into the boat. Now you can choose an outdoor seat, lift your camera, or simply watch the colors change over the water.

Sunset timing depends on the season and weather. The captain can change the route or swimming stop when sea conditions require it, so no cruise can promise a particular bay or exact viewing angle. The operator does aim to place the boat at a good point in the sea for the sunset.

The return toward Mandraki also gives you a different view of Rhodes. Instead of seeing the coast from the road or a hotel terrace, you watch it from offshore. The combination of music, open water, and the fading light is the main emotional payoff of the trip.

If you want the best view, do not wait until the last second to move outside. Find your preferred spot before the sunset portion begins. Some people will want the front or upper deck, while others will prefer a less exposed seat near the center of the boat.

What the Price Means at $58

At $58 per person, the cruise is good value if you plan to eat and have several drinks onboard. A meal, unlimited listed drinks, a three-hour catamaran outing, snorkeling equipment, and the sunset viewing are all bundled together.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short boat ride and do not care about the buffet or drinks. You are paying for the whole evening package, not simply transportation to Kallithea Bay.

The value improves for couples and small groups who want one organized night with no extra planning. It also works well for solo passengers because the crew provides structure and the atmosphere is social without requiring you to join a group.

Families should check the fare carefully. One family found the cruise very accommodating with a baby and toddler, but noted that an infant was charged the full adult price. That can change the calculation for families with very young children.

The high overall rating, 4.8 from 644 ratings, reflects strong satisfaction with the food, crew, boat condition, sunset, and price. The most consistent strengths are not flashy extras. They are the basics done well: a clean boat, enough food, drinks served regularly, a friendly crew, and good timing for sunset.

Sailing Catamaran or Power Catamaran?

The booking allows a choice between a sailing catamaran and a power catamaran, though availability may affect the final assignment. Both types stop at Kallithea Bay and follow the same broad pattern of swimming, dinner, drinks, and sunset.

A sailing boat may appeal to you if you like the quiet feel of moving under sail when conditions permit. A power catamaran can suit you if you prefer a more direct ride and a different style of boat.

The catamarans described on this route include boats such as Wind and Boss, with some passengers receiving an upgrade to a more luxurious vessel when available. That kind of change is not guaranteed, so book for the overall experience rather than a particular boat name unless the operator confirms it.

All boats include practical facilities that matter after swimming: an outdoor shower, indoor toilets, snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, and life jackets. Those details make the cruise easier for families and anyone who does not want a bare-bones boat trip.

Who Will Enjoy This Rhodes Cruise Most?

I would recommend it most to couples who want a sunset evening without paying for a private charter. The music, open sea, buffet, and sunset create a romantic setting, though you will share it with other people.

It also suits friends who want a social outing, families with children who can manage a boat and a swim from the side, and solo visitors who prefer an organized evening. The crew has been described as attentive and welcoming, with Eleni specifically noted for checking that people had enough to drink.

You should think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also reconsider it if you cannot swim from an anchored boat or if you need direct beach access.

The trip is less suitable for anyone seeking a quiet, private sailing experience. Music, other catamarans, and the shared buffet give it a friendly group atmosphere. That is part of its appeal, but it is not solitude.

Booking Tips for a Smoother Evening

Arrive early at the Poseidon Submarine and Catamaran Cruises desks. The boat leaves on time, and late arrival can cost you a €25 rebooking fee per ticket.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring only what you need on deck. The water stop is central to the experience, and the boat has limited reason for you to carry bulky bags.

Pay attention to the crew’s announcements. Departure times can vary, and the captain may alter the route or swimming stop because of weather.

If you are visiting in April, May, or October, keep an eye on messages from the operator. Low numbers may lead to a change of catamaran, with notification sent as soon as possible.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if the weather forecast is unsettled, though the captain still controls the route on the day.

Should You Book the Sunset Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced evening that combines a swim, Greek food, drinks, music, and a sunset without separate planning. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, generous buffet, small-group feel on many departures, and the chance to watch the sunset from the water.

Skip it if you need wheelchair access, dislike swimming from a boat, or want a private and silent cruise. Also check the food arrangements if you need a strict vegetarian, vegan, or fish-based menu.

For most visitors staying in Rhodes Town, this is a sensible three-hour choice. It gives you a genuine taste of the island from the sea, with enough comfort and structure to make the evening easy.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise leave from?

It leaves from Mandraki Harbor, with meeting arrangements in front of the Poseidon Submarine and Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before the activity begins. The catamarans leave on time, and missing the departure can result in a €25 rebooking fee per ticket for another day.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts three hours, including the journey from Mandraki Harbor, the Kallithea Bay stop, dinner, and sunset viewing.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The catamaran anchors at Kallithea Bay for swimming and snorkeling. You enter the water from the boat, and reaching the shore requires swimming.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, and life jackets are provided. The boat also has an outdoor shower for rinsing off afterward.

What food is included?

The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, aubergine salad, and fresh local bread. Vegetarian choices are available, though there is no listed fish dish.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Unlimited wine and beer are included, as well as juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. The crew may stop alcohol service if a passenger appears intoxicated.

Can I choose between a sailing catamaran and a power catamaran?

The activity offers sailing and power catamaran options. The final boat can depend on availability, and in April, May, and October the operator may move passengers to another catamaran if a boat does not reach its minimum number.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It also requires you to swim from the anchored boat at Kallithea Bay.