Rhodes: Cruise with 3 Stops, Lunch and Unlimited Drinks

The best Rhodes days end in the sea. This 5.5-hour cruise from Rhodes Town combines three beautiful swimming spots, a traditional wooden boat, a Greek buffet lunch, and drinks served throughout the day. I especially like the friendly crew, with Theodore often praised for keeping the atmosphere warm and well organized, and the generous time allowed at each stop. The price of $70 is also strong value when lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, fruit, and snorkeling gear are included.

The main catch is sun exposure. The boat has room to sunbathe, but shade can be limited, and the best seats may go early. Food is plentiful and usually well liked, though one passenger hoped for more classic Greek items such as gyros or souvlaki. If you want a quiet sightseeing cruise without swimming, this is not the right fit. The day is built around getting into the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Three 50-minute swim stops: You get time at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs rather than a rushed photo stop.
• A small, social boat: The wooden vessel has been praised for feeling relaxed and uncrowded, with one account describing about 18 people onboard.
• Lunch and drinks included: The buffet includes vegetarian choices, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but towels are not.
• Arrive early for the best seat: The front pads and upper areas offer especially good views, but early boarding helps you claim them.
• Cocktails cost extra: Standard drinks are included, but the separate cocktail selection is available for purchase.

Leaving Mandraki Port on a traditional wooden boat

The meeting point is next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, at the Royal Sailing Rhodes desk. From there, you board a wooden boat for a full half-day on the calmer east coast of Rhodes.

The boat is part of the experience. It has old-fashioned character, open areas for sunbathing, a shower, and room to move around during the cruise. The wooden design also makes for better photographs than a plain modern ferry. Several people particularly liked the boat’s appearance and relaxed feel.

The group size can vary, but the strongest feedback describes a fairly intimate outing rather than a packed party boat. One account put the group at around 18 people and compared the mood to a private charter. That is worth keeping in mind if you dislike large excursion boats.

Still, seating matters. One passenger was told boarding would remain open until 9:30, then found that others were allowed on first and took the preferred places. Another specifically recommended the front pads for the best view. My practical advice is simple: arrive early, especially if you want a shaded place, a forward seat, or a good spot for photographs.

The cruise includes free WiFi, though the real attraction is putting your phone away and watching the coast slide past. The crew also plays easy-listening music, which helps keep the mood calm rather than turning the trip into a floating nightclub.

Anthony Quinn Bay: emerald water and a first swim

After roughly an hour on the water, the boat reaches Anthony Quinn Bay. This is one of the most scenic stops, with clear green water, rocky edges, and thick vegetation around the cove. The setting feels enclosed and sheltered, which helps explain why it is such a popular place for swimming.

You get about 50 minutes here. That is enough time to jump from the boat, swim along the rocky shore, and try the supplied snorkeling equipment. The water clarity makes this the strongest stop for looking below the surface, though the main pleasure is simply being in the bay.

The boat may serve an aperitif here, along with beer, wine, coffee, or tea. Drinks are available during the day, not just with lunch, so you can settle into the rhythm quickly: swim, dry off, find a drink, and watch the scenery.

Anthony Quinn Bay can feel compact compared with a long open beach. That is part of its charm, but it also means this stop is more about a striking cove and a swim from the boat than spreading out on sand. If you prefer a wide beach with plenty of room to walk, Afandou is the better stop later in the day.

The water may not always be perfectly calm. One passenger felt rough during a choppy outing but said the staff checked in and helped throughout the day. If you are prone to seasickness, consider sitting where you feel most stable and keep the swimming stops in mind as welcome breaks from the boat’s motion.

Afandou Beach: the longest stop and lunch break

The boat takes about 10 minutes to reach Afandou Beach. This is the longest part of the excursion, lasting about 110 minutes in total. You have time to swim, snorkel, relax on the beach, and, where available, try kayaking or other floating equipment.

Afandou works well as the middle stop because it gives you more freedom. Anthony Quinn Bay is a scenic cove, while Afandou offers a longer pause and a chance to spread out. You can stay in the water, sit on the beach, or return to the boat for lunch and a drink.

The buffet includes local-style dishes and vegetarian options. Fruit is also provided, along with red or white wine, beer, and soft drinks. The portions have been described as generous, and many people found the meal surprisingly good for a boat excursion.

Expect a relaxed buffet rather than a restaurant-style Greek feast. The food is generally a strong point, but tastes vary. One person felt the meal would have been even better with gyros or souvlaki, so you should not book this expecting a full taverna menu. You can, however, expect enough food for a proper midday meal, with vegetarian choices included.

This is also the point where the included drinks offer real value. A few drinks in a waterfront café can quickly add up, while this cruise covers wine, beer, soft drinks, and fruit as part of the $70 price. Cocktails are not included, so budget extra if you want one of those.

Families and mixed-age groups should find Afandou useful because the stop is not limited to strong swimmers. Floats have been provided on past trips, and you can choose between swimming, beach time, snorkeling, or simply sitting down for lunch. The boat also has a shower, useful after saltwater swims.

Kallithea Springs: clear water beside rocks and ladders

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, reached after the lunch break and another stretch of sailing. You get about 50 minutes here, with time to swim and snorkel in clear blue water surrounded by rocks and ladders leading into the sea.

This stop has a different feel from the first two. Anthony Quinn Bay is green and enclosed, Afandou is more open and flexible, and Kallithea Springs offers a dramatic swimming setting shaped by stone, steps, and rocky edges. The ladders make entry easier in some places, though you should still take care around wet surfaces.

The water is the star. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, and the clear conditions make it worthwhile to spend time looking around rather than simply taking a quick swim. You may also prefer this final stop for a quieter dip after lunch, before the return to Rhodes Town.

Fifty minutes passes quickly, especially if you want to swim, snorkel, take photographs, and dry off before sailing back. It is enough time for a good stop, but not enough for a long visit to the wider Kallithea Springs site. The excursion focuses on the water and coastline, not a land-based tour.

What the crew adds to the day

The staff receive the warmest praise. Theodore is singled out more than once for attentive hosting, and the crew is often described as friendly, funny, and eager to keep everyone comfortable. Drinks are offered regularly, the stops are explained, and the schedule is generally handled smoothly.

That matters on a boat trip. A good crew keeps lunch moving, watches the swimming areas, helps less confident swimmers, and makes the time between stops feel easy. The experience is not just transport between bays. It depends heavily on the people serving food, answering questions, and setting the tone.

The atmosphere seems more welcoming than formal. You can sunbathe, chat, listen to music, and move between swimming and relaxing without a strict program. At the same time, it is not a completely private outing. You share the boat, the buffet, the swimming areas, and the available shade.

Is $70 good value?

For five and a half hours, $70 is a fair price, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and beach transport. The three stops also give the cruise more substance than a short scenic sail.

The value is strongest for people who will use the inclusions. If you drink soft drinks, beer, or wine, eat lunch onboard, and snorkel at each stop, the package can save you from several smaller expenses. Fruit and occasional snacks also help make the day feel well supplied.

The value is weaker if you do not swim, do not drink, or prefer to explore beaches independently. You are paying for the boat, crew, food, and organized access to the three bays. Someone who wants a quiet beach day with no set timetable may prefer a land-based outing.

The food is enough to prevent the usual midday hunger, and the unlimited standard drinks are a real plus. Just remember that cocktails are separate. The price does not include towels either, so bring one from your hotel.

Sun, seating, and sea conditions

This is an outdoor day in full Greek sunshine. Sunscreen, swimwear, and a towel are essential. Shade may be limited, and one person specifically wished for more cover from the sun. If you burn easily, bring a hat and try to secure a shaded area early.

The trip can also feel choppy if the sea picks up. That does not cancel the fun, but it may affect how much you enjoy the longer sailing sections. Sit in a comfortable place, avoid drinking too quickly before the boat settles, and take advantage of the swim stops to get off the moving deck.

The experience is accessible in the everyday sense of being easy to join from central Rhodes Town, but the supplied details do not describe step-free access or specific arrangements for mobility needs. If that matters to you, ask Royal Sailing Rhodes before booking.

The cruise is offered in English with a live guide. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes schedule is still changing.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families, and small groups who want a full day on the sea without paying private-charter prices. It suits you if swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and casual social time sound better than a packed sightseeing schedule.

It is also a good choice for anyone who wants to see several famous coastal spots in one outing. You do not need to arrange separate transport to Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs, and you get food and drinks while moving between them.

You may want to skip it if you dislike boats, need lots of shade, or want a serious food-focused experience. The lunch is generous and widely enjoyed, but it is still a buffet served at sea. Also, the best seats may be claimed early, so arriving at the last moment can leave you with less attractive seating.

Should you book the Rhodes boat cruise?

Yes, if you want an easy, social day of swimming with strong value built into the price. The three stops are varied, the boat has character, and the crew seems to make a real effort to keep the mood friendly and organized.

Book early in the morning, bring a towel and sun protection, and aim to board promptly for a better seat. Keep your expectations sensible: this is not a private yacht, the shade may be limited, and cocktails cost extra. But at $70, with lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and nearly six hours on Rhodes’ east coast, it is a well-rounded choice for a sea day.

FAQ

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about 5.5 hours, including the sailing time and the three swimming stops.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the Royal Sailing Rhodes meeting point next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, at the Mandraki area of Rhodes Town.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The cruise stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs.

How long do you spend at each swimming stop?

You spend about 50 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, around 50 minutes at Kallithea Springs, and more time at Afandou Beach as part of a 110-minute stop that includes lunch.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch with vegetarian options is included, along with fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included. Cocktails are available to buy separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for use at the swimming stops.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

Is the cruise guided in English?

Yes. The activity includes a live English-speaking guide.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.