Lindos: Rhodes South-East Coast Cruise with Swim Stops

The best part of this six-hour Lindos cruise is the balance: you get four proper swim stops, a Greek lunch served to your seat, and plenty of time to simply sit back and watch Rhodes slide past. The stop at Kamares Pirate Caves is the star for many people, since you can swim into the caves with a mask or noodle float.

I especially like the comfortable Calypso Boat, with sunny deck space, shaded seating, cushions, and regular chairs. I also like the low-cost drinks on board and the kind, attentive crew, especially hosts such as Mia, Rady, and Eleni. The main consideration is that the boat can carry more people in peak season, and smoking on board may bother some passengers.

Key points

• Four well-spaced swim stops: Visit Guns of Navarone Bay, Charaki, Kamares Pirate Caves, and Agathi Beach.
• Lunch comes to your seat: Expect an individual Greek meal rather than a crowded buffet line.
• Kamares Caves are the highlight: Bring your camera, mask, and confidence for a swim into the cave entrance.
• Comfortable spaces on board: Choose from a sun deck, shaded lower deck, cushions, or standard seats.
• Good value at $76: The fare includes the cruise, lunch, fruit, one drink, and snorkeling equipment.
• Helpful transport option: Hotel pickup may be available, and some guests arrange a low-cost transfer to Lindos.

Four Swim Stops Along Rhodes’ South-East Coast

This is not a sightseeing cruise with one quick photo stop. The day is built around swimming, with four stops that give you different views of the coast and enough time in the water.

The route begins at the docks of Saint Paul’s Bay, near Lindos. As the boat leaves, you get a fine view of Lindos from the water, including the white village and ancient Acropolis above it. This is one of the strongest opening views in Rhodes, since the town’s steep setting makes more sense from offshore.

The exact order of the stops can vary, but the advertised route includes Guns of Navarone Bay, Charaki, Kamares Pirate Caves, and Agathi Beach. You should bring swimwear under your clothes if possible. Four stops add up to a lot of time in the water, and changing on a boat is never the easiest part of the day.

Guns of Navarone Bay and the Lindos View

Guns of Navarone Bay, in the Lindos area, offers a first proper swim in clear, bright water. It is the sort of stop that quickly tells you what this trip is about: less talking, more floating, swimming, and sitting in the sun.

The water is a major reason to bring the provided masks and goggles. You may spot fish close to the boat, though this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling trip. The free noodles are useful too, particularly if you are not a strong swimmer or simply want to float without effort.

The cruise also passes the coastline around Lindos and gives you time to photograph Saint Paul’s Bay and the Acropolis. Take these pictures early, while everyone is still fresh and the light is good. On the return journey, you may be more interested in finding a shaded seat.

Kamares Pirate Caves, the Most Memorable Stop

Kamares Pirate Caves is the unusual stop on the route. Instead of only swimming beside a beach, you can head toward the cave entrance and see the rock formations from the water.

This is where the snorkeling equipment earns its place. A mask lets you look below the surface as you approach the cave, while a noodle gives you extra support. The caves are also a good reason to choose this cruise over a simple beach boat trip, especially if you want a small sense of adventure without committing to a demanding activity.

Take care near the rocks and follow the crew’s instructions. The supplied information does not promise a guided cave swim or special safety equipment beyond masks, goggles, noodles, and life jackets. You should be comfortable in open water, although the float aids help less confident swimmers feel more at ease.

Charaki and Agathi Beach

Charaki Bay gives the itinerary another change of mood. The bay is known here as a swimming stop, so your focus is the water and the view from the boat rather than a long visit ashore.

Agathi Beach is another calm-looking coastal stop on the route. Together, Charaki and Agathi help break up the day. Four similar stops could feel repetitive, but the different bays, caves, and beach settings keep the cruise moving.

The supplied details do not say that you get a long shore visit at each beach. Think of this as a boat-based swimming day, not a beach-hopping tour where you walk around villages or settle into a beach chair. If your ideal outing involves exploring on land, a dedicated Rhodes driving tour will suit you better.

Lunch Served Without the Usual Buffet Scramble

Lunch is included, and the way it is served matters. Food comes in individual portions rather than requiring everyone to queue around a buffet. That is tidier, faster, and much more pleasant when you are wearing swimwear and the boat is moving.

The menu is described as Greek food, with examples from the trip including moussaka, Greek salad, Greek pasta, bread, fruit, and other prepared meals. One passenger received homemade beef lasagne, while children were offered chicken nuggets. The exact meal can vary, so do not book this expecting one fixed dish every time.

You must tell the operator about vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or intolerance needs at least 24 hours before departure. Vegetarian and vegan meals have been provided, but the advance notice is important. Do not leave this request until boarding.

Fruit platters add a useful lighter option after swimming. One soft drink or alcoholic drink per person is included. Additional drinks can be bought at the bar, and prices are repeatedly described as reasonable. Water has been available for as little as 50 cents, with canned soft drinks around 3 euros in one account, though prices can change.

The Calypso Boat: Shade, Cushions, and Room to Spread Out

The boat is called Calypso, and its layout is one of the experience’s strongest practical points. You can sit on the upper sun deck, choose ordinary seating, or retreat to the shaded lower deck when the Rhodes sun becomes too strong.

Floor cushions and large beanbag-style loungers are available on some areas of the deck. Arriving early may help if you want a favorite front sunbed, but the boat is generally described as having enough seating for everyone. In quieter periods, groups as small as around 22 people have been aboard. In peak season, capacity may rise to about 60.

That difference matters. A half-full boat gives you more space and a quieter feel. A full departure will naturally feel busier, even with a good layout. The boat is often described as clean and well maintained, with a relaxed soundtrack on the upper deck. Music has included mostly 1970s and 1980s songs at a moderate volume.

The lower deck is the sensible refuge at midday. Use it for lunch, a rest in the shade, or a break if you start feeling overheated. One passenger also noted smoking on board as a drawback, so this may matter if you are sensitive to smoke.

A Friendly Crew That Keeps the Day Moving

The crew’s role is more than serving lunch and selling drinks. They help set expectations, explain the schedule, provide swimming equipment, and assist passengers who need a little extra help.

Mia is frequently singled out as a warm and capable host. Rady and Eleni are also named for their helpful service before or during the trip. The crew has assisted people who felt seasick, helped families with children, and supported less confident swimmers with noodles and life jackets.

Do not expect a formal historical lecture throughout the cruise. The main appeal is the scenery, swimming, and easygoing service. You will get views of Lindos and the Acropolis, but this is not a full archaeological tour. If you want detailed information about ancient Rhodes, visit the Acropolis separately with a guide or an audio guide.

Is $76 Good Value for Six Hours?

At $76 per person, the price is fair for what is included. You receive six hours on the water, four swimming stops, lunch, fruit, one drink, and use of snorkeling equipment. Many boat trips charge extra for food, masks, or drinks, so this package keeps the costs clear.

The value improves if you make use of the equipment and included meal. Bring your own towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and a change of clothes, but you do not need to rent snorkeling gear on top of the fare.

The bar is another small saving. You may want to buy extra water or a soft drink, yet the prices are reported as modest. You are not forced to bring a full supply of drinks from town.

Optional pickup can make the cost work better for couples or small groups. Hotel pickup details depend on your accommodation, and one account describes a transfer costing 10 euros for two people. Confirm the pickup time and exact vehicle instructions in advance. A useful practical point: one passenger found the transfer coach hard to identify because it was shared between different trips. Ask clearly which vehicle is yours.

How the Six Hours Feel

The schedule has a natural rhythm. You board at Saint Paul’s Bay, cruise along the coast, stop for swimming, return to the boat for lunch and drinks, then continue to more bays before heading back.

Four stops sound like a lot, but the timing appears to be well judged. You have enough time to swim rather than jumping in for a rushed ten-minute dip. By the fourth stop, some people may be ready to dry off and head home, which is a sign that six hours is a sensible length for this type of day.

This is a better fit for you if you want a relaxed day with activity built in. You can swim hard at one stop, float with a noodle at the next, then stay in the shade while others use the water. Families, couples, and mixed-ability groups can all find their own pace.

It is less suited to anyone who dislikes boats, wants a quiet private charter, or expects long periods ashore. The boat has music, other passengers, and some peak-season crowding. Weather can also affect the schedule. One departure was cancelled and moved to the next day because of conditions, while another experienced an unexpected storm.

What to Pack for the Calypso Cruise

Keep the packing list simple but complete:

• Swimwear and a towel
• A change of clothes
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Waterproof protection for your phone
• A small bag that stays secure on deck

Bring your own mask only if you prefer a particular fit. Snorkels, goggles, noodles, and life jackets are available to use. The provided equipment is especially helpful for children and adults who are not confident swimmers.

A cover-up or dry shirt is useful after the final stop. The sun deck can feel wonderfully warm, but wet swimwear and wind during the return trip may make you cold.

Who Should Book This Rhodes Cruise?

I would recommend this cruise to anyone staying around Lindos who wants to see the coast without hiring a boat or organizing several beach transfers. It works particularly well for families, since children can swim, snorkel, use float noodles, and choose between sun and shade.

It also suits couples looking for an easy day with attractive views and little planning. The individually served lunch, low-cost bar, and clean boat remove several small hassles that can spoil a full-day outing.

Confident swimmers will appreciate the cave stop and open-water swimming. Less confident swimmers can still enjoy the day, but should use the noodles or life jackets and follow crew directions.

You may want to skip it if you prefer a small private boat, dislike shared music and passengers, or want serious archaeological commentary. You should also check the weather forecast and keep some flexibility in your schedule, especially early or late in the season.

Should You Book the Lindos South-East Coast Cruise?

Yes, if you want a good-value swimming day with a comfortable boat, four attractive stops, and food included. The strongest reasons to book are the Kamares Pirate Caves, the generous swim time, the helpful crew, and the choice of shade or sun on board.

Book with realistic expectations. This is not a private yacht, a full Lindos history tour, or a series of long beach visits. It is a social, well-organized day at sea, and at $76 the combination of lunch, equipment, drinks, and six hours makes a strong case.

Tell the operator about dietary needs at least 24 hours ahead, confirm pickup details, arrive ready to swim, and claim a shaded seat when the sun gets fierce. If that sounds like your kind of Rhodes day, the Calypso cruise is an easy choice.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is at the docks of Saint Paul’s Bay near Lindos.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours.

How many swimming stops are included?

Four swimming stops are included: Guns of Navarone Bay, Charaki, Kamares Pirate Caves, and Agathi Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek lunch is included, along with fruit platters.

Is a drink included?

Each person receives one soft drink or alcoholic drink. Extra drinks can be purchased at the onboard bar.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available, including masks and goggles. Noodles and life jackets are also available to use.

Can I request a special meal?

Yes. You should provide details of vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or intolerance needs at least 24 hours before the trip.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional. Select your hotel when booking, and the operator will provide the pickup time and location.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter service is available in English and Greek.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.