Rhodes: Boat Tour with Snorkeling, Gourmet Buffet & Open Bar

Rhodes looks best from the water. This six-hour cruise aboard the classic wooden Romantika combines coastline views, three swim stops, a Greek buffet, and drinks served throughout the day. I especially like the allocated seating, which removes the usual scramble for a place on deck, and the generous food and drink package, including seafood and vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices.

The main consideration is that the boat anchors offshore at each bay. If you want to reach the beach, you need to swim. That works well for confident swimmers, but it may limit the experience for anyone who cannot comfortably enter the water from a boat. Music can also become fairly lively, so this is more of a friendly day cruise than a quiet sailing trip.

Quick facts about the Romantika day cruise

• Three swim stops: Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach near the Traganou Caves, and Anthony Quinn Bay.
• Allocated seating: Your place is reserved, so you do not need to rush aboard for a decent seat.
• Greek lunch cooked onboard: Expect a buffet of traditional dishes and signature recipes, with special-diet options.
• Open bar included: Wine, beer, ouzo, cocktails, signature drinks, water, juices, and other nonalcoholic drinks are available.
• Six hours for $104: The price covers the cruise, food, drinks, snorkeling masks, swim aids, and onboard entertainment.
• Morning departure from Mandraki: Meet the crew at the Romantika boat opposite the Bank of Greece building, then return around 4 p.m.

Boarding at Mandraki and settling into your seat

The Romantika leaves from Mandraki Old Port in Rhodes Town. Look for the wooden boat opposite the Bank of Greece building. The crew wears blue shorts and red striped shirts, which makes the meeting point easier to spot in the busy harbor.

The information gives a morning welcome from about 9:30 and a 10 a.m. departure. I would arrive with enough time to find the boat, confirm your seat, and get settled without stress. Hotel pickup is not included, though it may be available for an extra charge depending on how far your hotel is from the port.

The seating plan is one of the best practical features. You are not forced into a morning race for a lounger, and the boat is not sold on an overbooked basis. That matters on a six-hour outing. You can leave your place to swim or take photographs and still know where you belong when you return.

The boat has comfortable deck seating, including beanbag-style places noted by several people who enjoyed the upper deck. The best seat depends on your preference. The front deck gives you a clear view and a little more excitement as the boat moves through the water, while other parts of the boat may offer more shade or shelter. The tour does not promise a private table or a quiet corner, so expect a social setting.

The first 45 minutes along Rhodes’ east coast

Once Romantika leaves Mandraki, the cruise follows the east coast. The first part is as much sightseeing as transportation. From the water, you get views toward St. Nicholas Fortress, Rhodes’ medieval old city, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Fontana Grande, and Rams Rock.

This view gives the day a useful sense of place. You are not simply being carried to swimming spots. You see the port and old city from a different angle, then watch the built-up part of Rhodes give way to open sea and rocky coves.

The crew serves aperitifs and small snacks during the day. This is a good time to enjoy the view and avoid filling up before lunch. One practical point: bring sunscreen and use it often. Even on a cloudy day, the combination of open deck, reflected light, and sea breeze can catch you out. One past rider specifically noted getting sunburned without realizing it.

Kallithea Springs: a scenic first stop

After about 45 minutes, Romantika anchors at Kallithea Bay for roughly an hour. The bay is known for its seaside monument, where nature, architecture, and history meet. From the boat, you can photograph the dramatic setting and swim in the clear water around the anchorage.

This first stop sets the rhythm for the day. You can use the provided snorkeling masks, take a swim, use a pool noodle or other swim aid, or remain on deck with an aperitif. The crew gives you time rather than rushing you through a quick photo stop.

The important limitation is access. The boat remains anchored offshore, so you reach the shore only by swimming. If you are hoping to walk around the Kallithea site, you should clarify that this cruise is mainly a water-level visit. The stop is best for swimming, photographs, and views of the bay, not for a full land visit to the springs.

Three horn blasts signal the return to the boat. That is a simple system, but pay attention to the departure time. You do not want to be the person making the crew wait while everyone else is ready for lunch.

Afandou and the Traganou Caves

The second sailing period lasts about 45 minutes, taking you south past Faliraki toward Afandou. During this stretch, the crew continues serving snacks, wine, and aperitifs while the coast passes by.

Afandou offers a longer beach setting, with about four kilometers of shoreline and the Traganou Caves nearby. The stop lasts around an hour. You can swim, snorkel, jump from the boat’s higher or lower decks, or swim toward the beach if you are comfortable in open water.

This is likely the most active stop. The boat gives you several ways to enjoy it, but none of them require you to be athletic. You can simply sit on deck and watch the water. For anyone who wants to jump from a boat, the higher and lower decks provide different levels of height, though you should follow the crew’s instructions and use care.

Lunch is prepared onboard while you swim. When the horns sound, return to the boat for the main meal. The buffet is one of the strongest parts of this experience. It includes Greek recipes and signature dishes prepared with local ingredients, plus vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. Seafood is included among the offerings, although the exact menu changes with the ingredients of the day.

The food has earned unusually strong praise for a boat excursion. I would not book this expecting a restaurant tasting menu, but the meal is clearly more substantial than the standard sandwich or boxed lunch often found on day cruises. After swimming and sitting in the sun, a proper buffet makes the $104 price easier to justify.

Wine from selected Rhodes wineries, cold beer, juices, water, and other drinks accompany lunch. The open bar also includes ouzo, cocktails, and signature cocktails made with Greek spirits. Nonalcoholic choices mean you do not need to drink alcohol to enjoy the package.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the final swim

After lunch, the boat cruises for about 20 minutes beside large rock formations before reaching Anthony Quinn Bay. This small bay takes its name from actor Anthony Quinn, who became attached to it while filming The Guns of Navarone. He bought the land, though the Greek government reclaimed it in 1984.

The bay is the most famous setting on the route, and its compact shape makes it a striking final stop. You get about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and time on the deck. Wildlife viewing is also listed as part of the stop, though the exact animals you see will depend on conditions.

This is where the tour shifts from lunch-hour energy to a more festive finish. Dessert and signature cocktails are served, and the atmosphere can turn into singing, dancing, and lessons in the Greek Zorba dance. The captain and crew are a big part of that mood. Several people singled out crew members such as Hara, Alexander, George, Jacques, and Alexandra for being attentive, funny, or especially helpful on different departures.

If you prefer peace and quiet, Anthony Quinn Bay may be the loudest part of the day. Music comes through the boat’s sound system, and one person found it too loud at times, though still enjoyable. Other departures were praised for music at just the right volume. The mood seems to depend on the group, the crew, and the moment.

The return trip to Mandraki

The final cruise back to Mandraki takes about an hour. By this point, you have had three water stops, lunch, snacks, and a full range of drinks. The return is less about sightseeing and more about enjoying the boat, the music, and the company around you.

The six-hour length feels sensible for this kind of outing. You get enough time to swim without spending the entire day at sea. A shorter trip would feel rushed, while a much longer one might become repetitive for anyone who is not keen on swimming or sunbathing.

The boat has a toilet and shower, according to the details provided by the operator and past use of the service. Bring a towel, since the tour requires swimwear but does not list towels among the included items. Comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are also recommended.

What the $104 price really covers

At $104 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water around Rhodes. Its value comes from how much is bundled into the day:

• Six hours aboard a classic wooden boat
• Reserved seating
• Three scenic stops
• Greek buffet lunch
• Snacks and aperitifs
• Wine, beer, cocktails, ouzo, water, juices, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling masks and swim aids
• Music and onboard entertainment

If you only want a quick swim and a short boat ride, you can probably find a cheaper option. But if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a longer cruise, the package becomes competitive.

The strongest value is for people who plan to stay onboard for most of the six hours. You are paying for the full day, not simply the transport between bays. Families, couples, solo visitors, and groups who enjoy a sociable setting can all make good use of it, provided everyone is comfortable with boat access rather than easy beach landings.

Food, service, and the mood onboard

The service receives consistent praise for being warm and attentive. Drinks are brought around regularly, and the crew has been described as helpful without making the day feel formal. One especially memorable detail from a past outing was the captain serving drinks to people in the water.

Food quality is the other major strength. The buffet is described as generous, fresh, and well above basic excursion fare. It is also useful that dietary needs are addressed with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. You should still communicate any serious allergy directly before booking, since the supplied information does not promise a separate allergy-safe preparation area.

The mood is friendly and relaxed, but not silent. Music plays through the sound system, and dancing may break out after lunch or on the return trip. I would choose this tour for convivial fun, not for reading quietly in a secluded cove.

Who should book this Rhodes cruise?

You should consider Romantika if you want:

• A full day on the sea without arranging meals and drinks separately
• Several chances to swim and snorkel
• Reserved seating instead of a first-come seating scramble
• A social boat with music and a playful crew
• A substantial Greek lunch with dietary choices
• Views of Rhodes’ east coast from the water
• A comfortable option for couples, friends, and families with confident swimmers

You may prefer another type of excursion if you need frequent beach access, dislike onboard music, or want a small private boat. The boat stays offshore, and swimming is the way to reach land at the bays. That detail is easy to overlook and should guide your decision.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Availability and starting times should be checked when booking, since the listed departure is 10 a.m. and the return is around 4 p.m.

Should you book the Romantika?

For most people who enjoy swimming, Greek food, and a lively day at sea, I would book it. The combination of allocated seating, three attractive bays, a serious buffet, and an open bar gives you more than a standard sightseeing cruise.

The best reason to choose Romantika is the balance. You can be active in the water, then return to a comfortable seat, a plate of Greek food, and a cold drink. Just bring sun protection, a towel, and realistic expectations about the boat-based access. If that suits you, this is one of the stronger all-day values for seeing the Rhodes coastline.

FAQ

Where does the Romantika boat tour leave from?

The boat leaves from Mandraki Port in Rhodes, opposite the Bank of Greece building. The crew wears blue shorts and red striped shirts.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

The stated departure time is 10 a.m., with arrival back at Mandraki Port around 4 p.m. The activity lasts about six hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The cruise stops at Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach near the Traganou Caves, and Anthony Quinn Bay. It also passes coastal sights and rock formations along Rhodes’ east coast.

Can I walk onto the beaches at the stops?

The boat remains anchored in each bay. To reach the shore, you need to swim.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek gourmet buffet is included, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Seafood may be included among the dishes, depending on the ingredients of the day.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes wine, beer, ouzo, cocktails, signature cocktails, water, juices, and other nonalcoholic drinks. Aperitifs are also included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, pool noodles, and other swim aids are provided for use during the stops.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price, though an optional service may be available for an additional cost depending on the distance.