Rhodes: Sailing Catamaran Day Cruise with food and drinks

Rhodes’ east coast is best enjoyed from the water, and this private catamaran cruise gives you six unhurried hours to do just that. You sail away from the crowded Mandraki harbour, stop at three well-known bays, and have the boat to yourselves, up to 11 people.

I love the private setting, which lets your group spread out instead of sharing deck space with a large crowd. I also like the quiet-bay approach, plus the included lunch and unlimited soft drinks. The main consideration is the price: at $1,850 per group, it makes the most sense when shared by a larger party.

Key points at a glance

• Private catamaran for up to 11: You share the boat only with your own group.
• Three swimming stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou, and Kallithea Springs each bring a different setting.
• Greek lunch at Afandou: Food is included, with alcoholic drinks served at lunchtime.
• Quiet sections of the bays: The crew aims to find calmer spots away from the thickest crowds.
• Easy New Marina departure: The meeting point is about 1 kilometre from Rhodes Town, with free parking nearby.
• Weather shapes the day: Swimming locations can change according to conditions.

Why a private catamaran makes sense on Rhodes

Many boat trips around Rhodes begin at Mandraki harbour, close to the Old Town and the island’s busiest visitor areas. This cruise leaves from the New Marina instead, at a meeting point outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant on the marina side. That small change matters. You avoid the feel of a crowded harbour departure, and the marina is easy to reach by car.

The boat is reserved for your own party. That makes this a useful choice for a family group, a birthday, or friends who want a shared day without strangers listening to every conversation. You can relax on the deck between stops, sit together for lunch, and enjoy the sailing at your own pace within the fixed six-hour schedule.

The capacity is up to 11 people, so the cost needs to be judged as a group price rather than a per-person fare. For 10 or 11 people, the amount works out to about $168 to $185 per person. For four people, it is roughly $463 each, which is a much bigger commitment.

That calculation is the key to deciding if this is good value for you. A private boat, crew, lunch, drinks, fuel-related fees, and three planned swimming stops are all covered, but a small group will pay a premium for privacy.

Leaving Rhodes New Marina

Plan to arrive at the New Marina meeting point outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side. The marina is around 1 kilometre from central Rhodes Town and has plenty of free parking spaces close to the meeting point.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way there. This is simple if you have a car or are staying close to Rhodes Town, but it adds one small task if you are based farther away.

The cruise lasts six hours, with about 170 minutes of the schedule devoted to sailing between stops. That leaves plenty of time to sit in the sun, enjoy the wind, and take in the coast rather than rushing from one swim to the next.

You should bring a towel and beachwear. The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and it is also a poor match if you are prone to seasickness. Anyone who feels unwell on boats should think carefully before paying for a full day at sea.

The first 75 minutes on the catamaran

The opening sailing lasts about 75 minutes. This is a good part of the day to settle into the boat, find a comfortable place to sit, and enjoy the east coast from offshore.

A catamaran gives you several ways to relax, including open deck space and room to sit together. One party of eight found there was a place for everyone, which is useful information for larger groups. You are not booking a small open motorboat where space can quickly feel tight.

The first sailing is long enough to make the boat itself part of the experience, not just a ride between swimming stops. If you like the feeling of being out on the water, this time is a real benefit. If you mainly want beach time, keep in mind that the total schedule includes several sailing sections.

Soft drinks are available without limit throughout the day. Alcoholic drinks are included at lunchtime only, so do not read the drinks package as an open bar from departure to return. You can enjoy a cold soft drink while sailing and have alcoholic options with the meal.

Anthony Quinn Bay after 75 minutes

Your first stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, where you have about 50 minutes for swimming. The bay is one of the best-known coastal stops around Rhodes, so its setting is attractive, but it is not a secret corner of the island.

The useful detail here is that the crew tries to find the quietest part of each bay. That does not guarantee an empty stop, especially during the busy summer season, but it can make a noticeable difference. You get the scenery associated with a popular Rhodes bay without necessarily being placed in the thickest group of boats.

Fifty minutes is enough for a proper swim and a little time on deck. It is not a long beach visit, and the experience is centered on swimming from the catamaran rather than walking ashore or exploring the coast.

Bring beachwear that is comfortable for getting in and out of the water, and keep your towel ready for the return to the deck. Crystal-clear water is part of the appeal of these stops, but the exact conditions depend on the day.

Afandou for lunch and a longer swim

After about 20 minutes of sailing, the catamaran reaches Afandou. This is the longest stop, with around 70 minutes set aside for lunch and swimming.

That longer pause gives the middle of the day a better rhythm. You are not forced to eat quickly before getting back underway, and you have time to enjoy the meal, take a swim, and return to the deck without watching every minute.

Lunch is included and is described as a Greek meal. Alcoholic drinks are available at lunchtime, while soft drinks remain available throughout the cruise. If food matters to you, this is one of the strongest practical advantages of booking a private cruise instead of arranging separate meals around a beach day.

The information provided does not specify the exact dishes, so you should not book expecting a particular menu. The useful promise is a prepared Greek lunch included in the price, not a separate restaurant stop with your own menu choices.

Afandou is also the most generous swimming break in the schedule. At 70 minutes, it gives you time to cool off after lunch and enjoy the sea without the short-stop feeling of a quick photo pause. Still, the stop is tied to the sailing schedule, so you will need to return to the boat when the crew calls time.

The 75-minute return sail toward Kallithea

After Afandou, you have another 75-minute sailing section. This is the longest stretch after the first departure and gives you a substantial block of time on the catamaran before the final stop.

For me, this is where the private format earns its keep. You can talk with your own group, stretch out on deck, or simply watch the coast pass without having to fit into a noisy shared-tour routine. The boat becomes a place to spend the day, not just transport.

The tradeoff is clear. A six-hour cruise cannot offer long visits at every bay, so a good part of the day is spent moving between stops. If you want a beach-hopping schedule with very little sailing, this may not suit you. If you enjoy the time between destinations, the pace feels more relaxed.

The English- and Greek-speaking crew handles the day, and the route can change if the weather requires it. That flexibility is sensible at sea, but it means the exact order or choice of swimming areas is not guaranteed.

Kallithea Springs and the final swim

The last planned stop is Kallithea Springs, with about 40 minutes for swimming. This gives you one more chance to get into the water before the return to the New Marina.

Kallithea Springs is a familiar Rhodes name, but this cruise focuses on the sea stop rather than promising a full visit to the spring complex. Do not expect a long land-based walk or a detailed cultural tour. Your time here is mainly about swimming and enjoying the coastal setting from the boat.

Forty minutes is enough for a final dip, though it is shorter than the Afandou stop. That makes it a good closing swim rather than the main event of the afternoon. Afterward, the catamaran returns to the New Marina.

The route totals three swimming stops, but weather remains the deciding factor. Strong wind or rougher conditions can lead to changes. That is worth accepting before you book, since sea conditions are not something the crew can control.

Food, drinks, and the real value of the package

The price includes lunch, all fees and taxes, unlimited soft drinks all day, and alcoholic drinks at lunchtime. Those inclusions simplify the day. You do not need to carry a full supply of drinks or arrange a separate lunch after returning to shore.

The value improves as your group gets closer to the maximum of 11 people. At full capacity, the private boat becomes a practical way for a large family or friend group to share a special day. With only two or three people, you are paying heavily for the same boat, crew, and food.

I would also factor in the convenience of a private departure. The New Marina is close to Rhodes Town, parking is available nearby, and there is no hotel transfer to coordinate. You do need to get yourself to the marina, but the meeting point is straightforward.

The included alcohol is limited to lunchtime. That is not a problem for most people, but it is important if you are comparing this with a party-style sailing trip. Intoxication, alcohol misuse, and drugs are not allowed, and the experience is designed as a relaxed day on the water rather than a drinking cruise.

What the strongest feedback tells you

The most consistent praise centers on the crew, the clean catamaran, the food, and the room available for a group of eight. One group specifically appreciated being taken to a bay that was not too crowded, which matches the stated aim of finding quieter parts of the stops.

Another group described the day as a comfortable choice for people seeking a little luxury, with two beautiful swimming stops, time on the deck, food, and drinks. Their experience also points to an important truth about the schedule: the day passes quickly because the sailing, meals, swimming, and rest periods fit together without long gaps.

The rating is 4.6 from three reviews, so the feedback is encouraging but limited. I would put the most weight on the repeated practical points rather than treating the rating as a guarantee: the crew receives strong praise, the boat works well for eight people, and the quieter swimming location can improve the experience.

No individual crew names are provided, so you should not expect to book a specific guide. The crew speaks English and Greek.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. Families with older children, couples traveling with friends, and groups marking a special occasion can make good use of the boat and the included meal.

It also suits people who want a gentle day with a mix of sailing and swimming. You get three water stops, but you also get long sailing periods, particularly at the start and after lunch. Bring a book, sun protection, or simply plan to enjoy time on deck.

This is less suitable for anyone who wants a detailed land tour of Rhodes, a long stay at one beach, or a high-energy party. It is also not the right pick for wheelchair users, people with mobility limitations, or anyone who regularly suffers from seasickness.

You should also think about the weather. The crew may change the swimming stops according to conditions, so book this for the overall sailing day rather than for one specific bay alone.

Practical details before you book

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps the payment flexible. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

At the meeting point, have your towel and beachwear ready. Since the activity is on a catamaran, it is wise to arrive prepared to swim without relying on a shore changing room.

The group is private, with a maximum of 11 people. The driver and crew speak English and Greek. Hotel transportation is not included, but free parking is available near the New Marina meeting point.

Should you book the Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you have a reasonably large group and want a private day built around swimming, food, and time on the water. The crew, clean boat, quieter swimming spots, and room for eight or more people are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Think twice if your party is small, your budget is tight, or you want more time on land. At $1,850, this is not a casual budget boat trip. For a full group of 11, though, it can be a comfortable and memorable way to see Rhodes’ east coast without spending the day in a crowded harbour or on a packed shared boat.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours, including sailing, swimming stops, lunch, and the return to the New Marina.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the New Marina in Rhodes. The meeting point is outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The catamaran is available for a private group of up to 11 people.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is included. Soft drinks are available without limit all day, and alcoholic drinks are included at lunchtime only.

Which swimming stops are planned?

The planned stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou, and Kallithea Springs. Swimming locations can change according to weather conditions.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The New Marina is about 1 kilometre from Rhodes Town, with free parking available nearby.