Rhodes: Lindos Cruise with 2 Swim Stops

Lindos looks best from the sea. This full-day cruise from Rhodes combines two lovely swimming stops with three hours to explore Lindos, making it a good choice if you want both beach time and the island’s famous hilltop Acropolis. I especially like the clean, spacious boat and the freedom to explore Lindos without being tied to a guide.

The swimming stops at Anthony Quinn Bay and Tsambika are the other big attraction. The main drawback is time: three hours in Lindos is useful, but it can feel tight if you want the Acropolis, lunch, shopping, and the beach.

At $47 per person, this is strong value for an eight to eight-and-a-half-hour outing. You get the boat ride, two swim stops, sunbeds, toilets, WiFi, floats, and an air-conditioned area, but you pay separately for food, drinks, towels, and the Acropolis.

Five Things to Know Before You Book

• Anthony Quinn Bay comes first: You get about 30 minutes to swim from the boat in clear emerald water surrounded by rocky scenery.
• Lindos is self-guided: Three hours gives you room for the Acropolis, whitewashed lanes, lunch, shopping, or time at the beach, but probably not everything at a relaxed pace.
• Tsambika is the final swim stop: The turquoise water is a refreshing way to break up the journey back to Rhodes.
• Top-deck sunbeds are limited: Arrive early if you want one. They are popular, and the upper deck can feel windy when the boat is moving.
• The onboard bar is genuinely useful: Cold drinks, coffee, cocktails, snacks, ice cream, and simple food are available at reasonable prices.
• Hotel transfers are optional: If you arrange a pickup, keep your phone number accurate and wait at the stated point, since the transfer vehicles may leave after a short wait.

Setting Out From Mandraki Port

The cruise begins at Mandraki Port in Rhodes City. Look for the DISCOVERY boat almost opposite the Nea Agora Building, near the Roda bus stop, and arrive 30 minutes early. This matters if you want a good place to sit, especially one of the limited sunbeds on the open top deck.

The boat has several seating areas rather than one single passenger deck. You can choose an outdoor spot for sea air, a shaded area, or the air-conditioned section below. The upper deck is pleasant in warm weather, though the wind picks up once the boat gets moving. In spring and autumn, pack a light jacket even if the day begins sunny.

If you choose hotel pickup, the transfer service covers a long list of hotels and meeting points around Rhodes. The bus or minivan carries the RIZOS CRUISES logo on the windscreen. You are asked to wait 10 minutes before your scheduled time, and drivers may wait no longer than two minutes after it, although traffic can cause a delay of up to 15 minutes.

The boat journey to Lindos takes just under two hours, with sightseeing stretches before and after the first swim stop. That is a fair amount of time at sea, so bring something to read or simply settle in with a drink. The views of the east coast are part of the experience, but this is not a fast transfer. You are spending the day on the water.

First Stop: Swimming at Anthony Quinn Bay

The first major stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, reached after roughly 45 minutes of cruising. The boat pauses for about 30 minutes, giving you time to swim directly from the vessel in clear water framed by rugged rocks.

This is a swim from the boat, not a shore visit. You will need to be comfortable using a ladder or entering the water from the boat, although floats are available. Noodle floats are especially helpful if you are not a confident swimmer, and life jackets are available for children.

Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach. The crew gives advance notice before swimming stops, with around 20 minutes’ warning according to the operating routine, so you have time to prepare rather than scramble for your bag.

Anthony Quinn Bay is a fine introduction to the day because it gets you into the water early. Thirty minutes passes quickly, particularly if you want to swim, take photographs, and wait your turn at the boarding ladder. Snorkeling gear is not included, so bring your own if you want to look beneath the surface.

After the stop, the crew cleans the boat before continuing. That small detail matters on a day when wet passengers, dripping towels, and sandy feet could quickly make a boat feel untidy.

Three Hours to Explore Lindos

The cruise reaches Lindos after the next sailing section, with about three hours of free time. This is the heart of the excursion, and the flexible format works well if you dislike being marched through a town in a large group.

Lindos is famous for its white buildings, narrow lanes, sandy beach, tavernas, and the Acropolis rising above it all. The town and harbor area are attractive, but the climb toward the Acropolis can be hot. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water, and plan your route before wandering too far.

The Acropolis is the obvious priority if this is your first visit. The views from the top are impressive, but admission is not included in the cruise price. Allow enough time for the uphill walk, the visit itself, and the return to the meeting point. The boat will leave on schedule, so do not cut the return too close.

Three hours can cover the main sights if you move with purpose. You can usually combine the Acropolis with lunch or a short look around the village. If you want a proper beach break, long shopping time, and a relaxed meal as well, you may find the schedule restrictive.

One sensible plan is to visit the Acropolis first, before the strongest heat and before spending money in the village. Then return through the lanes for lunch or a drink. Another plan is to skip the Acropolis and enjoy Lindos at street level, perhaps adding time at the beach. You need to choose, since doing everything can turn the visit into a race.

The harbor area offers tavernas and places to stop for food or drinks. You can also leave bags on the boat while exploring, which means you do not need to carry beach gear up the hill. Keep valuables with you, and make sure you know exactly where and when to return.

Lindos can feel crowded around the Acropolis, especially when several groups arrive at the same time. The cruise gives you independence, but it does not give you special access or skip-the-line entry. The real benefit is control over your three hours.

The Return Journey and Tsambika Blue Lagoon

After Lindos, the boat heads back toward Rhodes, with another sightseeing stretch before the second swim. The final stop is at Tsambika Beach, described for the cruise as the Blue Lagoon, where you get around 30 minutes in turquoise water.

Like Anthony Quinn Bay, this is a boat-based swim. You do not need to haul your things ashore, and you can choose to remain on deck if you would rather watch the water than swim. Floats make the stop easier for children and less confident swimmers.

The two stops have a useful rhythm. Anthony Quinn Bay breaks up the outward journey, while Tsambika offers a cool finish after a hot few hours in Lindos. The water stops are short, but they add much more than a standard sightseeing transfer would provide.

Some people may want longer swimming periods. Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing dip, but not enough for a leisurely snorkel, extended floating, and a long session in the sun. If swimming is your main reason for booking, keep that limit in mind.

The boat usually returns to Rhodes Harbor at about 17:30. The complete day lasts around eight to eight-and-a-half hours, depending on the departure time and operating conditions.

A Boat Built for a Long Day

The boat’s condition is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise. It is described as clean, well maintained, stable, and spacious, with comfortable seating across different decks. The toilets are onboard and kept in good order, which is not a minor matter on a full-day sailing.

The sunbeds on the top deck are the prize seats. They give you a place to stretch out during the longer sailing sections, but there are only a limited number and no shade there. Arrive early if they matter to you. If you use hotel transport, you may arrive after other passengers have already claimed them.

There is still plenty of ordinary seating, including shaded areas and an air-conditioned section. You do not need a sunbed to have a comfortable day, but you should not assume one will be available.

The bar serves cold drinks, coffee, cocktails, snacks, ice cream, and simple food such as sandwiches. A sandwich priced around €3 was specifically noted as a practical option, and onboard food and drinks are generally considered reasonable rather than inflated. Still, bring cash for easy purchases, and do not expect meals to be included.

WiFi is listed onboard, along with insurance and floats. Pack your own towel, sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, and snorkeling equipment. A waterproof bag is also sensible for small items, although you can leave larger bags on the boat while exploring Lindos.

How Much Value Do You Get for $47?

At $47, the cruise offers a lot of sightseeing time for the cost. A separate journey to Lindos, local transport, two paid beach visits, and a boat experience could easily become more complicated and expensive. Here, the transportation, swimming stops, facilities, and Lindos visit are bundled together.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You are not paying for an Acropolis tour with a specialist guide, and you are not getting a full beach day in one place. You are paying for a relaxed combination of coastline views, swimming, independent sightseeing, and a comfortable ride.

The price does not include hotel pickup unless you select that option, food, drinks, towels, or Acropolis admission. Add those costs before deciding. Even with lunch and the Acropolis ticket, the day can still make sense for someone who wants to see Lindos without arranging separate transport.

The main tradeoff is time. You spend close to two hours reaching Lindos and another long stretch returning to Rhodes. That is reasonable for a cruise, but not ideal if you want maximum time on land.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this experience to couples, families, and anyone visiting Rhodes for the first time who wants to combine the island’s most famous village with a swim day. Children can use life jackets or noodle floats, and the calm organization makes the day manageable for families.

It also suits independent sightseers. You get clear instructions and a fixed return time, but no requirement to follow a guide around Lindos. You can choose the Acropolis, the beach, lunch, shopping, or a simple wander.

Confident swimmers will appreciate the chance to enter the water from the boat. Less confident swimmers can use the floats, but you should still be comfortable swimming in open water with the boat nearby. If you prefer a shallow beach entry, Lindos beach gives you that option during free time.

This may not suit you if you dislike long boat rides, need extensive time at historical sites, or want a quiet, uncrowded sunbed all day. The boat is spacious, but the popular top-deck loungers go quickly, and Lindos can be busy.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

Arrive early at Mandraki Port. This improves your chance of choosing a good seat and one of the sunbeds, and it gives you time to find the DISCOVERY boat without stress.

Pack a light jacket even in warm months if you plan to sit outside during the sailing sections. The wind can feel surprisingly cool, especially in the morning or near the end of the season.

Keep your swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses easy to reach. You may want to use the first swimming stop without opening your main bag.

For Lindos, wear comfortable shoes and carry water. Visit the Acropolis first if it is important to you, then use the remaining time for food, shopping, or the beach.

Return to the boat early. One useful approach is to head back about 40 minutes before departure, especially if you want to reclaim a sunbed or avoid a rushed walk through Lindos.

If you use the optional transfer, check the pickup message carefully and keep your phone available for WhatsApp or calls. Transfer vehicles may arrive early or be delayed by up to 15 minutes, but the waiting time after the stated pickup is short.

The experience has a 4.6 rating from 1,404 reviews, with especially strong praise for the crew, boat cleanliness, organization, swim stops, and onboard bar. That matches the practical strengths of the day: it is not fancy or highly guided, but it is well structured and easy to enjoy.

Should You Book the Lindos Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced full-day mix of Lindos and swimming, with a clean boat, useful facilities, and plenty of independence. The two swim stops turn what could be a long transfer into part of the holiday, and the three hours in Lindos are enough to see the main sights if you plan well.

Skip it if your priority is a slow, detailed visit to the Acropolis or a long, quiet beach day. For most first-time visitors to Rhodes, though, the combination is hard to beat at $47. Arrive early, bring a towel and light jacket, save your energy for the Acropolis climb, and treat the swim stops as the day’s reward.

FAQ

How long does the Lindos cruise take?

The experience lasts approximately eight to eight-and-a-half hours. The boat usually returns to Rhodes Harbor at about 17:30.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Mandraki Port in Rhodes City. Look for the DISCOVERY boat almost opposite the Nea Agora Building, near the Roda bus stop.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure at the port. This also gives you a better chance of finding a preferred seat or top-deck sunbed.

Are hotel transfers available?

Yes. Pickup is optional and is available from selected hotels and meeting points. You should wait at the pickup point 10 minutes early and keep your phone number correct for WhatsApp or calls.

How much free time do you get in Lindos?

You get approximately three hours of free time in Lindos. You can use it to visit the Acropolis, explore the village, eat at a taverna, visit the beach, or shop.

Are the Acropolis entrance fees included?

No. Acropolis entrance fees are not included in the cruise price.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, a sun hat, cash, and snorkeling equipment if you want to use it. A light jacket is useful at the beginning and end of the season.

Is food available on the boat?

Yes. The onboard bar serves cold drinks, cocktails, coffee, snacks, ice cream, and simple food. Food and drinks are not included in the cruise price.