Sailing Catamaran day cruise – Rhodes with lunch & drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the freedom to make the day your own. Instead of following a crowded boat’s fixed schedule, you sail with only your group, stop for swims, and let the local skipper decide where the water looks most inviting. At Kallithea Springs and Anthony Quinn Bay, the boat becomes your floating base for a relaxed day at sea.

I like two things especially: the private group setup, which works well for families and friends, and the simple onboard plan of swimming, lunch, drinks, and coastal views. The food and drinks are included, and skipper Stefano has been singled out for taking good care of the people aboard.

The main consideration is the price. At $1,890.46 for up to 12 people, this makes the most sense for a full group. You also need to reach New Marina on your own, and the cruise depends on good weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Private catamaran for up to 12: You share the boat only with your own group, not with a large mixed party.
• Two swimming stops: The cruise passes Kallithea Springs and anchors at Anthony Quinn Bay for time in the water.
• Six hours on the sea: The 9:30 am start gives you most of the day for swimming, eating, and relaxing.
• Lunch and drinks included: Beer and wine are served with the meal, while water and soft drinks are available throughout the day.
• A skipper helps shape the day: The local skipper can offer practical advice on good places to swim and rest.
• Best value with a full group: Twelve people pay about $158 each, while six people pay about $315 each.

A private morning from Rhodes New Marina

You meet at ΝΕΑ ΜΑΡΙΝΑ, Rhodes 851 00, at 9:30 am. Hotel transfers are not included, so you’ll need to arrange your own way to the marina and allow enough time to find the departure point.

The six-hour format gives you a proper day on the water rather than a short harbor ride. You have time to settle in, take in the coast, stop for swims, and eat lunch without rushing from one stop to the next.

The key difference here is privacy. With a maximum of 12 people from your own party, you can spend more time doing what your group wants. If some people want to swim while others prefer to sit and enjoy a drink, the day does not need to feel like a race to keep up with strangers.

That flexibility is especially useful for a mixed group. A family with five children and four adults had plenty of room aboard, according to the details available for this cruise. That does not guarantee the same experience for every group, but it suggests the boat can handle a small family party without feeling tightly packed.

Your skipper is not just there to steer. The role includes helping you find the best places to swim and relax along the coast. Stefano is named as one of the people who has hosted this cruise, and the warm, attentive service associated with him is an important part of the experience.

Kallithea Springs, your first chance to swim

The cruise passes Kallithea Springs Bay, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. You have about 35 minutes at this first stop, so think of it as a pleasant introduction to the day rather than a long beach visit.

Kallithea Springs is one of the better-known coastal areas near Rhodes, and seeing the bay from the water gives you a different view than arriving by road. From the catamaran, you can focus on the water, the shoreline, and the simple pleasure of stepping in for a swim.

The available details do not specify whether the boat goes ashore or stays anchored in the bay. Plan on swimming from the boat unless your skipper tells you otherwise. That distinction matters if anyone in your group prefers a sandy beach, a promenade, or easy access to land.

Thirty-five minutes goes quickly. I would use this stop to swim, cool off, and take a few photos from the boat rather than trying to do everything. If you are not swimming, it is a good time to enjoy the views and get comfortable with the rhythm of the cruise.

There is no admission fee included for Kallithea Springs, and the tour information lists admission tickets as not included. Since the main activity here is a stop in the bay, ask the skipper if you need clarification about any shore access or fees before making plans.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the longer swim stop

The cruise then heads toward Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most recognizable coastal stops near Rhodes. The boat drops anchor in the bay, and you have about 40 minutes for a swim in the clear water.

This is the longer of the two listed swimming stops, though only by five minutes. The difference is small, but it gives you enough time for a more relaxed swim, especially if you have just dried off from the first stop.

Anthony Quinn Bay is famous, so you should not expect total solitude. The appeal is the chance to enjoy the water from your private boat rather than simply viewing the bay from land. Your skipper may also adjust the precise place or timing based on conditions and the needs of your group.

The tour description emphasizes quiet bays and a slower pace, but conditions at popular Rhodes spots can change. This is a private cruise, not a promise that every stop will be empty. The value lies in having your own boat and some control over how long you swim, sit, and eat.

Bring your swimming gear, but do not assume that towels or specialist water equipment are included, because those items are not specified. The practical choice is to wear something comfortable for getting in and out of the water and keep personal items secure on the boat.

Greek lunch, mezedes, and drinks on board

Lunch is part of the day, not an extra charge added after you book. You can expect Greek mezedes and other dishes, with beer and wine served at meal time.

Mezedes are designed for sharing, which suits a private group. Rather than stopping at a restaurant and losing time from the sea, you eat on board and keep the day moving at an easy pace. The available information does not give a set menu, so do not book this expecting a particular dish unless you confirm it directly.

Water and soft drinks are available all day. Beer and wine are included with lunch, while the wording about alcoholic drinks ties them to the meal rather than unlimited drinking throughout the cruise.

That arrangement is sensible for a six-hour outing. You can stay refreshed between swimming stops, then enjoy a drink when lunch is served. If anyone in your party has dietary restrictions, ask the provider before departure, as no special-diet details are provided.

The food received positive comments, but this is still a boat lunch. I would choose the cruise for the private sailing and swimming first, with lunch as a useful and enjoyable part of the package. If your priority is a formal meal with a wide menu, a land-based restaurant will offer more choice.

What the private format is really worth

The full price is $1,890.46 for up to 12 people. At capacity, that works out to about $158 per person. For nine people, the cost is about $210 per person, and for six people it is about $315 per person.

Those numbers make the group size the central value question. A group of 10 to 12 gets a private catamaran, a skipper, lunch, drinks, and six hours at sea for a cost that can compare well with several separate tickets for a premium boat experience.

For a small party, the same price becomes harder to justify. Two or three people may prefer a standard shared cruise or a shorter sailing, unless privacy and control over the day matter more than keeping the price low.

You are also paying for the space and time. A private boat means your group does not need to wait for a large crowd to board, gather for meals, or follow a fixed entertainment program. You can talk, swim, and rest without adapting to strangers.

I would book this for a celebration, a family reunion, or a group of friends who want one shared day rather than separate beach plans. I would think twice if your party is small or if you mainly want to visit beaches on land.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes cruise most

This cruise suits people who value time on the water more than a long list of sightseeing stops. You get two named swimming bays, a local skipper, lunch, drinks, and a private setting. The appeal is the pace, not a packed program.

Families may appreciate the ability to set their own rhythm. The example of nine people, including five children, shows that a larger family group can have room aboard. Still, the tour details do not spell out child safety equipment, swimming aids, or specific facilities, so ask about those needs in advance.

It also suits friends who want an easy social day. The sharing-style food and private boat create a natural setting for a group meal, and nobody has to split up between different tables or follow a stranger’s schedule.

Swimmers will get the most from the cruise. The two stops total about 75 minutes of listed swimming time, with the rest of the six hours used for cruising, lunch, and relaxing. If you do not want to swim, you can still enjoy the boat and views, but the experience is built around time in the water.

This is less suitable for someone seeking detailed historical guiding or many shore visits. Kallithea Springs and Anthony Quinn Bay are coastal stops, not long walking tours. You will spend most of the day aboard the catamaran.

A few practical points before you set sail

The activity starts and ends at New Marina, so plan both directions. Since transfers are not included, your group is responsible for reaching the marina at the scheduled start time.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, but the available information does not provide detailed accessibility notes for the catamaran, boarding process, or swimming stops. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, contact Daily Rhodes Cruises before paying.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:30 am start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Plan around the weather rather than treating this as a guaranteed beach day. A calm, sunny forecast will make a large difference to the comfort of the cruise, especially for children or anyone who gets seasick.

The activity has a five-star rating from nine reviews, which is a small sample but consistent with the main strengths of the trip: attentive care from the skipper, enough room for a family group, two swimming stops, and good food and drinks.

Should you book this private catamaran day?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a relaxed day built around swimming. The private format, local skipper, lunch, and drinks make this more than a simple boat transfer, and the two bays give the day a clear shape without making it feel rushed.

I would be most comfortable recommending it to groups of eight to 12. At that size, the price becomes easier to defend, and you get the full benefit of having the boat to yourselves.

For a small group, compare the per-person cost carefully. The cruise still offers privacy and convenience, but the value is less convincing if you are paying several hundred dollars each for a day with only two named stops.

If your ideal Rhodes outing is a quiet boat, clear water, shared food, and time with your own people, this is a strong choice. If you want extensive sightseeing, shore excursions, or a low-cost day at sea, choose a different type of cruise.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at ΝΕΑ ΜΑΡΙΝΑ, Rhodes 851 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point at New Marina.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The private activity is for up to 12 people in your group.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with beer and wine at meal time, plus soft drinks and water throughout the day.

Which swimming stops are included?

The cruise passes Kallithea Springs Bay and stops at Anthony Quinn Bay for swimming.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Transportation to and from your hotel is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather cancels the experience, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.