Faliraki: Yellow Sub Cruise to Anthony Quinn Bay & the Caves

The best part of this yellow semi-submarine cruise is the mix of easy swimming and underwater viewing. You can watch fish through the glass cabin, then climb into the clear Rhodes water at Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay. I especially like the 40-minute stop at Anthony Quinn Bay and the simple open bar, with cold beer, water, and soft drinks ready on board.

I also like that the trip lasts only three hours, so it fits neatly into a beach holiday. Captain Mike and his crew are praised for friendly service and a good sense of fun. The main thing to consider is that this is a shared boat outing, not a quiet private cruise, and the underwater viewing depends on sea conditions and where the fish gather.

Key points to know before you book

• Two proper swim stops: You get 25 minutes at Traganou Caves and about 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay.
• A real underwater cabin: Large glass windows let you watch marine life below the boat, especially when the crew feeds fish.
• Open bar included: Beer, water, and soft drinks are available throughout the trip. Food is not included.
• Short and easy to fit in: The full cruise takes three hours, making it useful between hotel time and other Rhodes plans.
• Beach pickup is important: You board from red steps on the beach, not necessarily from a conventional harbor pier.
• Strong value at $51: Two swim stops, the semi-submarine experience, and unlimited drinks make the price reasonable for a relaxed half-day outing.

What this Faliraki boat trip actually feels like

This is a leisure cruise rather than a serious sightseeing expedition. You spend part of the time moving along the Rhodes coast, part of the time looking through the underwater cabin, and the rest swimming in two attractive bays.

The boat is a yellow semi-submarine, which means the lower cabin sits below the waterline while the upper deck remains open to the sun and sea air. You can move between the two areas, so you are not stuck underground for the whole ride. That matters on a hot day, especially if children want to see the fish but adults want a breeze and a cold drink.

The boat trip is built around fun and convenience. You do not need to plan a full day around it, carry food, or arrange separate snorkeling stops. The crew handles the route, serves drinks, and gives you time in the water.

I would not book this expecting a silent nature trip or a detailed marine biology talk. The English-speaking host or greeter keeps things straightforward, but the focus is on swimming, views, music or conversation, and an easy holiday mood.

Leaving Faliraki from the red beach steps

The pickup arrangement is one of the details you need to get right. You board a tender boat from red steps on the beach at one of the Faliraki pickup points. The tender takes you out to the yellow semi-submarine, rather than having you walk straight onto the main boat from a standard dock.

The listed beach areas include Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor. Pickup times are staggered:

• Amada Colossos beach: 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:30 PM
• Esperides and Calypso Hotel beach: 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, and 3:40 PM
• Apollo Hotel and Faliraki Harbor: 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, and 3:55 PM

The information describes several beach stops, with one note referring to five stops and another referring to six. I would check your exact meeting point carefully after booking, especially if you are staying outside central Faliraki. Look for the red beach steps and allow enough time to find them.

This setup can be fun for children because the small tender ride feels like an extra part of the outing. It can also be less convenient for anyone who finds getting from sand or shallow water into a boat difficult. The available information does not promise a step-free boarding arrangement, so ask before booking if mobility is a concern.

The first swim at Traganou Caves

Traganou Caves gives you the shorter water stop, about 25 minutes. The special feature is simple: you can swim inside the rock formations rather than only looking at them from offshore.

That makes this stop different from a normal beach break. You are not just jumping in for a quick splash. You can swim toward the cave openings, look back at the rock walls, and enjoy the cool shade and clear water around the formations.

Twenty-five minutes is enough for a swim and a look around, but it passes quickly. If you want long snorkeling sessions, you may find this stop brief. The trip gives you two separate swims instead of one long stop, so bring your priorities in mind. I would get ready to enter the water promptly rather than spending half the stop deciding where to go.

The caves are also a good reason to bring a waterproof phone case if you have one, although the supplied details do not confirm whether the boat provides lockers or storage. Keep personal items secure and avoid carrying anything into the water that you cannot afford to lose.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the fish-feeding show

Anthony Quinn Bay is the main attraction for many people on this cruise. You have roughly 40 minutes to swim and snorkel, longer than at Traganou Caves. The bay is described as one of the most beautiful on Rhodes, and the stop gives you time to enjoy the water rather than just take a quick photograph from the boat.

The most memorable feature is the fish feeding beside the underwater cabin. When the crew puts food into the water, fish gather around the glass windows. You may see a busy cluster of smaller fish, and one account even describes a much larger fish, about a meter long, near the entrance to the bay. Marine life is never guaranteed, but this is the stop where the underwater cabin has its best chance to shine.

I like the way this combines two views of the bay. You can swim in the open water and see it from the surface, then go below to watch fish through the windows. Children often get more from this than from a standard glass-bottom boat because the viewing area feels closer to the action.

There is one practical limitation. The boat may remain some distance from the beach, so you should not expect to walk ashore or reach the sand easily. The stop is for swimming and snorkeling from the boat. If your ideal day means sitting on the beach at Anthony Quinn Bay, this is the wrong format. If you want to see the bay from the water, it works well.

How good is the underwater cabin?

The underwater cabin is the feature that separates this trip from a basic boat ride. You can sit below the waterline and watch the seabed and fish through the glass. Several details make it more comfortable than you might expect, including air conditioning in the cabin.

That cooling matters in Rhodes, where a sunny boat deck can feel intense. You can move below for a break from the heat, then return upstairs for open air and better views of the coast. The cabin is especially useful for children or anyone who does not want to snorkel but still wants to see marine life.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is not an aquarium with guaranteed animals and perfect visibility. The best viewing comes when the boat is stopped in a suitable area, and the fish-feeding session at Anthony Quinn Bay helps bring marine life close to the windows.

You will probably get the most from the cabin by visiting it during the fish feeding, then spending the rest of the cruise outside. If you stay below for the entire trip, you miss much of the sunlit coast and the sense of being on the water.

Unlimited drinks, but bring your own food

The open bar is a major part of the value. You can help yourself to ice-cold beer, water, and soft drinks from the refrigerator during the cruise. The drinks are included in the $51 price, and the supply is described as unlimited.

This is particularly useful after swimming. You do not need to wait for a single scheduled drink service, and you can cool down without buying refreshments on board. The cold beer is a welcome extra for adults, while water and soft drinks make the arrangement more useful for families.

Food is not included. The cruise lasts three hours, so most people can manage without a full meal, but you may want to eat before boarding or bring a permitted snack. The available information does not specify onboard food rules, so do not assume you can buy lunch on the boat.

The open bar also shapes the mood. This is a social holiday cruise, not a formal excursion. If you like chatting with other passengers and enjoying a drink between swims, it adds real value. If you prefer a quiet boat with no party atmosphere, you may find the setup less appealing.

Is $51 a fair price?

At $51 per person, I consider this good value if you plan to use all the main features. A basic coastal boat trip can offer views and one swim, but this outing adds the semi-submarine cabin, two stops, fish feeding, and an open bar.

The value is strongest for people who want several activities without committing to a full-day cruise. Three hours is long enough to feel like a proper outing, yet short enough to leave time for a hotel pool, Faliraki beach, or an evening meal.

Families may find the price easier to justify because different people can enjoy different parts of the trip. One person can snorkel, another can stay in the underwater cabin, and someone else can relax upstairs with a soft drink. The 25-minute and 40-minute swim stops are also manageable for children who might tire during a longer boat day.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, do not care about the underwater cabin, and mainly want a long beach stop. In that case, you are paying for features you may not use. I would also compare the direct price at the harbor with online booking prices, since one account found a notable difference between booking channels.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this cruise to families, couples, and first-time visitors who want an uncomplicated taste of the Rhodes coast. It suits you if you like swimming but do not want to organize boat transfers, snorkeling gear, refreshments, and timing yourself.

It is also a good choice for a short break from a resort. Several pickup points are close to major hotel beaches, and the three departure windows give you a morning, midday, or afternoon option. Check the available starting time before booking, since the schedule affects how it fits around meals and other plans.

Children aged three and five were reported as managing the two swim stops well, which suggests the short format can work for young families. Still, supervise children closely around the boat, the tender transfer, and the water. The supplied details do not state age limits, flotation equipment, or child pricing, so confirm those points if they matter to your group.

You may want something else if you dislike shared excursions, need guaranteed snorkeling conditions, or want to spend a long time onshore. The cruise visits the bays from the water and does not function as a beach transfer.

Practical tips for a smoother three hours

• Confirm the exact red-step pickup point, especially if your hotel is not directly beside one of the named beaches.
• Arrive ready to board from the beach. The tender transfer is part of the pickup arrangement.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to protect your phone.
• Eat before boarding if you need more than drinks, because food is not included.
• Use the underwater cabin during the fish-feeding session at Anthony Quinn Bay for the best chance of seeing marine life close to the windows.
• Do not spend the full Anthony Quinn Bay stop taking photographs. Forty minutes sounds generous, but it goes quickly once you swim and visit the cabin.
• If you are sensitive to heat, use the air-conditioned underwater cabin as a cooling break.
• Check the cancellation terms when booking. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available.

Should you book the yellow semi-submarine cruise?

I would book this if you want a short, good-value water outing with two swim stops and no complicated planning. The combination of Anthony Quinn Bay, Traganou Caves, fish viewing, and unlimited cold drinks gives the three hours plenty of variety.

I would skip it only if you want a private boat, a long beach stay, or a serious snorkeling trip. For most people staying around Faliraki, it is an easy way to see the coast from above and below the waterline, with Captain Mike and the crew adding a friendly touch.

FAQ

How long is the yellow semi-submarine cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours. Check the available departure times when booking, since morning, midday, and afternoon options are listed.

Where do I board the boat?

You board from the red steps on the beach at a Faliraki pickup point. A tender boat takes you from the beach to the yellow semi-submarine.

Which pickup points are available?

The listed pickup areas include Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor. Check your booking for the exact stop, since the information refers to several beach pickup points.

What time does pickup take place?

Amada Colossos pickup is listed at 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. Esperides and Calypso Hotel pickup is at 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, and 3:40 PM. Apollo Hotel and Faliraki Harbor pickup is at 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, and 3:55 PM.

How long is the swim stop at Traganou Caves?

You have about 25 minutes to swim at Traganou Caves. You can swim inside the rock formations.

How long is the swim stop at Anthony Quinn Bay?

You have about 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay for swimming and snorkeling.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes beer, water, and soft drinks. Food is not included.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.