Rhodes Town: Scenic Cruise to Lindos with Swim Stops

Lindos looks best from the sea. This full-day cruise gives you two things I especially like: refreshing swim stops at Anthony Quinn Bay and Tsambika Bay, plus three hours to explore Lindos without being tied to a guide. The main tradeoff is time. Three hours sounds generous, but it can feel short if you want the Acropolis, a beach, lunch, and a proper wander through the village.

The trip is also easy to arrange because pickup and drop-off are available from Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki. I like that practical touch. The boat carries up to 280 people, so this is not a quiet little sailing trip, but the three decks give you room to move, and the onboard bar and snack counter make the long return journey more comfortable.

Key points before you book

• Two 20-minute swim stops: You swim directly from the boat at Anthony Quinn Bay and Tsambika Bay, so bring a towel, sandals, and sunscreen.
• Three hours in Lindos: You have time for the village, a meal, a beach, or the Acropolis, but probably not everything at a leisurely pace.
• A large three-deck boat: It holds about 280 passengers and has a bathroom, snack bar, and several viewing areas.
• Hotel pickup is a real advantage: Transport covers several resort areas and removes the need to arrange your own way to Mandraki Port.
• Grab a good seat early: The front and upper deck offer the best chance of open views, according to repeated practical advice from people who enjoyed the trip.
• Bring your own swimming kit: Food, drinks, towels, and entrance tickets are not included.

Why this cruise works for a Lindos day

Lindos is one of Rhodes’s essential stops, but getting there by road gives you only one part of the experience. From the boat, you see the island’s eastern shore, pass resort areas such as Kallithea and Faliraki, and approach Lindos from the water. That arrival gives you a better sense of the village’s dramatic setting.

At around $50.82 per person, the price is strong if you need transportation as well as sightseeing. You are paying for the boat ride, hotel transfers, two swim stops, a map, and several hours in Lindos. A separate taxi or bus trip would not give you the same coastal views or swimming time.

I would not choose this trip if you want a small, personal sailing experience. With a maximum capacity of 280 passengers, it has the feel of a busy excursion boat. But if you want a straightforward day out that combines swimming, scenery, and Lindos for one reasonable price, it offers a lot.

Starting at Mandraki Port in Rhodes Town

The central meeting point is at Mandraki Port, on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation. A Manos Going staff member waits there with a red sign and the company logo.

You should arrive by 8:30 AM when using the port meeting point. Have your booking confirmation ready. Staff provide boarding cards and a map of Lindos with useful directions and information.

If you choose hotel pickup, do not assume the listed activity start time is your pickup time. Your precise collection point and time depend on your accommodation. The provider sends those details separately, so check your email and spam folder before the day of the cruise.

Pickup is offered in Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki. The long list of drop-off points includes hotels, gates, taxi stations, and named meeting spots. If you are staying outside the stated zone, you need to arrange your own transport.

The transfer service received particularly strong praise for being punctual and well organized. One useful detail is that a luxury minibus may be used for the return transfer. That matters after a full day in the sun, especially if you have spent your last energy climbing around Lindos.

Sailing past Rhodes landmarks

Once aboard, the boat heads along the eastern coast of Rhodes. The first part of the journey is as much about settling into the day as sightseeing. You can find a place on one of the three decks, watch the shore, and let the sea breeze do some of the work.

Near Mandraki, you can see the Dama Dama deer statues, St. Nicholas Lighthouse, and the Church of the Annunciation. These are familiar Rhodes sights from a different angle, and the boat gives you a quick coastal introduction before the swim stops begin.

The route passes Kallithea and Faliraki. Some stretches of coast are more striking than others. If your main aim is dramatic scenery from the first minute, you may find the early section pleasant rather than spectacular. Several comments about the trip praised the overall views but described parts before Lindos as fairly ordinary.

That is a useful expectation to set. This is not a nonstop parade of famous landmarks. It is a relaxed sea journey with a few clear highlights, and Lindos is the big one.

Anthony Quinn Bay: your first swim

The first swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, where the boat pauses for about 20 minutes. You jump straight into the sea from the boat, rather than walking onto a beach.

This cove is one of the most attractive swim locations on the eastern side of Rhodes. The water is clear, and the rocky setting makes snorkeling worthwhile. You may spot small marine life close to the boat, although the experience is primarily a short swim rather than a structured snorkeling tour.

Twenty minutes goes quickly. If you want photos, a swim, and a look below the surface, organize your things before the boat stops. Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel where you can reach it.

The stop also breaks up the journey at exactly the right moment. Rhodes can be very hot, and the sea gives you a chance to cool down before the longer run toward Lindos. If you are not a confident swimmer, remember that you are entering open water from the boat. The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, pregnant women, or people with heart problems.

After the swim, you return to the boat and continue toward Lindos. A bar and snack counter are available onboard, with food and drinks sold separately. The onboard prices were considered reasonable, but you should still bring what you need if you prefer not to buy refreshments.

Three hours to find your own Lindos

The boat reaches Lindos for approximately three hours of free time. This is the strongest feature of the excursion because you are not pushed through the village as part of a guided walking group.

You receive a map with directions and information. Use the first few minutes to decide what matters most to you. Lindos offers several competing pleasures:

• The Acropolis and its views over the coast
• The whitewashed village streets and alleyways
• Lindos’s beaches
• Taverns and cafés
• St. Paul’s Bay, which can be reached on foot
• Shopping and unhurried wandering

If you want to visit the Acropolis, head there early. The walk uphill can be hot, and long queues may reduce the time you have for everything else. One useful experience from the trip was that the entrance line could take more than an hour during a busy period. A queue-jump or fast-pass option was recommended by one person, but entrance tickets are not included in the cruise price.

Three hours can work well for the Acropolis and a quick meal, or for the village and a beach. It is harder to do the Acropolis, St. Paul’s Bay, lunch, and a relaxed wander without watching the clock.

Lindos itself rewards slow walking. The narrow lanes are a pleasant contrast to the open sea, and you get a sense of local life simply by moving through the village at your own pace. The white buildings and steep setting are especially memorable when viewed from higher ground.

The beaches offer a cooler alternative if you do not want to climb. You can also eat at a beachside restaurant, as some people did, then paddle your feet before returning to the boat. Just keep track of time. The boat will not wait for late arrivals.

Tsambika Bay and the second swim

After Lindos, the boat heads to Tsambika Bay for the second 20-minute swim stop. This is another jump-from-the-boat swim in clear water, with time to snorkel and look for colorful marine life.

The second stop is useful because it gives you a proper reset after three hours ashore. Lindos can mean walking, heat, and crowded paths, especially if you visit the Acropolis. A quick swim turns the final part of the cruise into a calm wind-down.

The two swimming stops are spaced on either side of the Lindos visit, which makes the day feel varied. You are not spending the entire excursion sitting on a boat, nor are you spending it all on land.

Still, the stops are short. If you prefer long beach time, this may not satisfy you. You cannot settle onto a beach chair or spend an hour snorkeling. This format is better for a quick swim and a refreshing break.

Choosing your seat on a 280-passenger boat

The boat has three decks, a bathroom, and a snack bar. That makes the long sailing sections practical, particularly for families and anyone who prefers not to spend a whole day on a small vessel.

The compromise is crowd size. Many people wanted the best views, so arriving early and moving quickly to the front or upper deck was repeatedly useful advice. Those spots offer better open-air views and are more enjoyable for photographs.

On a windy day, the upper deck can be breezy. One person described strong winds during the crossing, even while calling the overall day one of the best experiences of the holiday. Pack a light layer if you are sensitive to wind, but do not forget sun protection. You can easily get burned while sitting on deck.

The large boat also means you can usually move around rather than being fixed in one seat. If one deck feels too exposed, try another. The arrangement makes this excursion more flexible than a small boat with limited seating, though it cannot provide the quiet atmosphere of a private charter.

What is included, and what costs extra

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within the specified areas
• The boat ride
• A Lindos map
• About three hours of free time in Lindos
• Two 20-minute swim stops

You pay separately for food and drinks, Acropolis entrance, and other site tickets. Towels are also not supplied, so bring one from your accommodation.

This is good value for an independent day trip. The transport alone has practical worth, especially if you are staying in Faliraki, Ixia, or another resort area and would otherwise need to coordinate a bus or taxi. The swimming stops add something you would not get from a standard land transfer.

The value is less clear if you only want to visit the Acropolis. In that case, a direct land excursion may give you more time at the site. This cruise is best when you want Lindos as part of a broader day on the water.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend the cruise to you if you want a mix of sightseeing and swimming, prefer free time over a guided schedule, and like the convenience of hotel transport.

It suits couples, families with older children, and independent visitors who want to explore Lindos at their own pace. Teenagers may especially enjoy jumping from the boat and snorkeling, while adults can use the sailing sections for photographs and a rest.

I would think twice if you have limited mobility, serious heart problems, or are pregnant, since the activity is specifically unsuitable in those cases. It may also disappoint you if you dislike large group excursions or want long, quiet time on a beach.

You should also consider the heat. Lindos involves walking, steps, and exposed paths. Comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and light clothing are the right kit.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The total duration is about eight to nine and a half hours, depending on the selected option and the day’s conditions. Visit lengths may shift slightly because of the weather.

The trip offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps when your Rhodes plans depend on weather, especially since the best part of the day involves swimming and sitting outside.

The day operates in a clear rhythm: pickup or port check-in, boat travel, Anthony Quinn Bay, Lindos, Tsambika Bay, and the return journey. You should allow some patience for the transfer at the end, since drop-off locations vary across the resort areas.

Should you book the Rhodes to Lindos cruise?

Book it if you want Lindos, two sea swims, and simple transportation in one day. The strongest parts are the clear water at the two coves, the freedom to plan your own three hours in Lindos, and the reliable pickup service.

Do not book it expecting a small yacht, a quiet voyage, or enough time to see every corner of Lindos. Arrive early for the best seat, prioritize the Acropolis if it matters to you, and keep the swim kit close.

For roughly $50.82, this is a well-priced way to see Rhodes from the water while still getting a meaningful visit to its most famous hilltop village. It is an active, full day, but the mix of sea, history, food, and free time makes the long schedule worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

The central meeting point is Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation.

What time should I arrive at Mandraki Port?

You can arrive at 8:30 AM at the port meeting point. Look for a Manos Going staff member holding a red sign with the company logo.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available in Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki.

How long is the whole experience?

The activity lasts about eight to nine and a half hours. The exact duration depends on the selected option and conditions on the day.

How much free time do I get in Lindos?

You get approximately three hours to explore Lindos independently.

Are entrance tickets to the Acropolis included?

No. Tickets to Lindos sites are not included in the price.

How many swimming stops are there?

There are two swimming stops, one at Anthony Quinn Bay and one at Tsambika Bay. Each stop lasts about 20 minutes.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though the boat has a snack bar where you can purchase refreshments.

How large is the boat?

The boat can carry up to 280 passengers and has three decks, a bathroom, and a snack bar.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes.