Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this six-hour catamaran cruise gives you a full day of swimming without the fuss of packing and unpacking at several beaches. You stop at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs, with the power catamaran adding Afandou Beach and its caves.

I like the generous swim time, usually about an hour at each stop, and the genuinely useful onboard setup: snorkels, pool noodles, life jackets, an outdoor shower, toilets, lunch, and drinks. I also like the small-group feel, with no more than 24 passengers plus crew. The main catch is that you swim from the anchored boat to shore, so this is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility or anyone expecting a beach landing.

• Three long swimming stops: Plan on enough time to snorkel, float, or simply sit on the boat and enjoy the bay.
• Two boat styles: Choose a calmer sailing catamaran or a faster power catamaran with an extra Afandou Caves stop.
• Greek food at sea: The buffet includes chicken, salads, feta, hummus, tzatziki, olives, bread, and fresh fruit.
• Friendly hands-on crew: Andreas, Hope, Dimitri, and the wider team are often singled out for helpful service.
• Small capacity: The advertised maximum is 24 passengers plus crew, helping the boat feel spacious even when full.
• Important swimming detail: The catamaran stays at anchor, and you must swim to reach the shore.

A six-hour day along Rhodes’ east coast

This is not a quick harbor ride with one brief photo stop. At $83 per person, the cruise gives you about six hours on the water, several swimming sessions, a meal, and unlimited drinks. That makes the price reasonable if you want a complete day at sea rather than paying separately for beach transport, lunch, and equipment.

You meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor. Departure is at 10:00 AM, so arrive early. Missing the boat can mean a €25 rebooking fee for another day, and the crew asks passengers to pay attention to announcements about return times.

The boat leaves the harbor and spends roughly 70 minutes cruising toward the first swimming area. That opening stretch gives you time to settle in, find a seat, and enjoy the view of Rhodes from offshore. The sailing catamaran is the more relaxed choice, while the power catamaran covers more ground and adds an extra stop.

The advertised maximum of 24 passengers plus crew is worth noting. This is not a huge party boat, and the space matters during lunch, when people are moving between the seating areas and the buffet. Several people have found the catamarans comfortable even when full, with enough room to sit on the upper deck or near the front.

Anthony Quinn Bay, clear water and busy fish

Anthony Quinn Bay is the first major swimming stop, with about an hour in the water. The bay is known for steep rocky edges and clear water, so it makes a strong opening stop. From the boat, you get the best view of the cove before deciding how much time to spend swimming.

The crew provides snorkeling gear, and one memorable touch is the bread tossed into the water. Small colorful fish gather around swimmers, making this an easy introduction to snorkeling even if you are new to it. You do not need advanced skills, but you should be comfortable entering the sea from the boat.

The catamaran remains at anchor rather than pulling onto a beach. That means you can swim around the boat, use a pool noodle, or stay aboard and watch the water. If you want to reach the shore, you must swim there, so bring confidence in the water and listen carefully to the crew’s instructions.

Anthony Quinn Bay can be the most visually dramatic stop, but it may also feel more active than the quieter bays later in the day. Use the first hour well. The supplied snorkels are handy, and the water is clear enough to make looking beneath the surface worthwhile.

Afandou Caves and the power catamaran choice

The power catamaran makes an additional stop at Afandou Beach and the caves. The published route gives this option four named stops, while the sailing catamaran focuses on Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.

Choose the power boat if Afandou Caves is a major reason you want to book. The faster boat allows the crew to cover more of the east coast, and the caves add a different setting from the open swimming bays. You still receive lunch and swimming time during the stop.

Choose the sailing catamaran if you care more about a slower, quieter ride. The sailing option can feel more peaceful between stops, with the pleasure coming from the pace as much as the destinations. It is also a good fit if three substantial swimming sessions sound like enough for one day.

The exact route can change with weather conditions. The captain has the final say on swimming locations, and this is sensible on an exposed day at sea. In April, May, and October, a catamaran that does not reach its minimum number of passengers may be combined with another boat, with notification sent about any booking change.

Ladiko Bay, a calmer hour in the water

Ladiko Bay follows Anthony Quinn Bay, with another hour set aside for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as clear, and the bay often provides a quieter feel than the first stop.

This is a good point in the day to use the floating noodles. You can alternate between snorkeling and simply drifting beside the boat, which keeps the outing from feeling like a nonstop water activity. If you prefer not to swim, the catamaran remains available as a comfortable viewing platform.

The crew serves a breakfast tortilla snack earlier in the outing, then a Mediterranean buffet around the middle of the day. The timing makes sense: by Ladiko, you have already spent time in the water and are ready for a proper meal.

Food is simple, hearty, and suited to a boat. Expect grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread. A cup of seasonal fruit is also included. If you prefer fish or need a special diet, ask about options before booking or speak with the crew early. One passenger appreciated the crew taking care of dietary needs, while another would have preferred fish instead of chicken.

Lunch on deck, with Greek wine and cold drinks

Lunch is one of the strongest parts of the value. You are not searching for a restaurant between swim stops, and the buffet offers enough variety for a light eater or someone ready for a full plate.

The meal is not a fine-dining service, and it does not need to be. Salads, dips, bread, feta, olives, and chicken are practical food for a warm day on the water. Several people found the food fresh, plentiful, and better than expected for a boat excursion.

Unlimited bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. Wine and beer are available from noon, which places the alcoholic drinks around lunchtime and the afternoon cruise. The crew may stop serving alcohol if someone appears intoxicated, a sensible rule on a moving boat with open water nearby.

I would keep your first drink modest if you plan to snorkel. The day is long, the sun is strong, and the boat offers plenty of time to enjoy a drink without turning the cruise into a drinking event. Sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel are essential.

Kallithea Springs, the final swim

Kallithea Springs is the final swimming stop, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes in the water. The area gives the trip a different finish, with a lagoon and attractive coastal setting that can be explored from the water.

Families may especially like this stop. Children can use the noodles and life jackets, and the crew has been praised for being warm and helpful with younger passengers. Still, parents should remember that there is no beach transfer built into the cruise. Children must be supervised closely around the boat and while swimming toward shore.

You can use this last stop for a final snorkel, a quiet float, or photographs from the deck. By this point, you may be happy to stay dry and watch the coast pass by. The variety of options is part of what makes the six-hour length work.

After Kallithea Springs, the boat cruises back toward Mandraki Harbor. The return trip is another chance to sit in the sun, finish a drink, and enjoy the coastline from offshore. A fruit cup or fresh seasonal fruit rounds out the food service.

Sailing catamaran or power catamaran?

The choice is more than a minor booking detail.

The sailing catamaran suits you if you want a slower, more restful day. It visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay or Springs, with around an hour at each main stop. The sailing ride itself is part of the experience, especially if you prefer a gentle pace and do not need the extra cave stop.

The power catamaran is better if you want to cover more coast and see Afandou Caves. It adds a fourth named stop, but the day may feel more active because the boat spends less time simply sailing between destinations.

Neither choice removes the weather factor. Routes and swim stops can change if conditions make a planned bay unsuitable. That flexibility protects safety, but you should book this as a coastal day rather than a rigid sightseeing schedule.

What the boat provides, and what you should bring

The practical equipment is strong for the price. Snorkeling gear, pool noodles, life jackets, an outdoor shower, and indoor toilets are included. The shower is useful after swimming, especially before lunch or the ride back to port.

The boats are generally described as clean and comfortable, with seating on the front and upper deck. Arriving early can help if you want a particular place, especially a front or upper-deck seat. Do not assume every seat offers shade, so bring sun protection and be ready to move around.

The toilet is the one weak point raised in the feedback. It is available, but it may not always be as clean as you would like during a full day at sea. Use it with realistic expectations rather than expecting a hotel bathroom.

Bring:

• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen
• A secure bag for small personal items
• A waterproof case if you want to take photographs in the water

The meeting point is the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor, and the tour is conducted in English. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments because of the boat access and swimming-based shore visits.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families with confident swimmers, solo visitors, and small groups who want one easy day built around the sea. Solo passengers can fit in comfortably, and the crew helps create a sociable atmosphere without requiring you to join in.

It is also a good first boat trip. The crew gives instructions, equipment is supplied, and you can choose between active snorkeling and relaxed time on deck. Families with young children have enjoyed the swim stops, but parents need to supervise them closely because the boat anchors offshore.

I would think twice if you dislike swimming from a boat, need step-free access, or want to spend the day walking on beaches. This is a water-based outing first. The named bays are destinations to look at and swim beside, not places where you are guaranteed a long walk on shore.

The cruise also suits people who value all-inclusive simplicity. You pay once and receive lunch, snacks, fruit, nonalcoholic drinks, beer, wine, equipment, and six hours on the coast. At $83, that is good value if you make use of the swim stops and onboard food.

Booking advice and final verdict

Book this Rhodes catamaran cruise if you want a relaxed but active day with clear-water swimming, snorkeling, and a dependable meal. I especially like the one-hour stops, the small maximum capacity, and the choice between a peaceful sailing route and a faster power boat with Afandou Caves.

Arrive early for the 10:00 AM departure, pack serious sun protection, and choose the boat style based on your pace. Keep your schedule flexible because the captain may change the route for weather, and remember that the boat anchors offshore.

For most people who are comfortable in the water, this is a strong-value way to see Rhodes’ east coast. The only real drawbacks are the swimming access, the basic toilet, and the possibility of route changes. If those points suit you, I would put this near the top of your Rhodes day-trip list.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours, including the coastal sailing, swimming stops, lunch, and the return to Mandraki Harbor.

Where does the cruise start?

You meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor.

What time does the catamaran leave?

The catamarans depart at 10:00 AM. Arrive earlier so you do not risk missing the boat.

Which bays does the sailing catamaran visit?

The sailing catamaran stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay or Kallithea Springs, depending on the route used that day.

Which extra stop does the power catamaran include?

The power catamaran includes an additional stop at Afandou Beach and the Afandou Caves.

Can I walk onto the beaches during the stops?

The boats remain anchored in each bay. To reach the shore, you need to swim from the catamaran.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are provided.

What food is included?

The cruise includes a breakfast tortilla snack, a Mediterranean buffet with chicken, salads, dips, feta, olives, and bread, plus fresh seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are included. Unlimited wine and beer are available from 12:00 PM.

Can the route change?

Yes. The captain may change the route or swimming stops according to weather conditions. In April, May, and October, the provider may also move passengers to another catamaran if a boat does not reach its minimum number of participants.