Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes looks different from the water. This six-hour catamaran cruise links several of the island’s best swimming spots, with about an hour at each main bay for snorkeling, floating, or simply sitting in the sun. The boat carries no more than 24 passengers plus crew, so it feels more personal than a large sightseeing vessel.

I like the generous swim time and the useful all-inclusive setup. Snorkels, noodles, life jackets, lunch, fruit, and drinks are ready onboard, so you do not need to keep buying extras. The main thing to consider is that the catamaran stays at anchor. To reach the shore, you must swim, and this trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Quick take: what matters most

• Three or four swimming stops: Sailing boats visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs. The power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and its caves.
• A small-capacity boat: The maximum is 24 passengers plus crew, with outdoor seating, toilets, showers, and room to spread out.
• Real time in the water: Plan on roughly 45 to 60 minutes at Kalithea and about an hour at the other main stops.
• Food and drinks are covered: Expect a breakfast tortilla snack, Mediterranean buffet, fresh fruit, bottled water, soft drinks, and unlimited wine and beer from noon.
• A friendly, attentive crew: Andreas, Hope, Dimitri, and other crew members have been singled out for helpful service on different departures.
• Choose your boat carefully: Sailing gives you a quieter three-bay outing. Power adds the Afandou Caves and a fourth stop, but the ride is more motor-focused.

Why this cruise works so well for a day on Rhodes

At $83 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach. It is good value if you want transport between several hard-to-link bays, a full meal, drinks, swimming gear, and six hours on the water in one package.

I especially like the balance between movement and downtime. The sightseeing portions let you see the east coast from offshore, while the long stops give you enough time to swim instead of rushing in and out for a quick photo. If you are happy to spend much of the day in a swimsuit, the schedule feels well judged.

The boat leaves from the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor. Departure is at 10:00 AM, so arrive early. Missing the boat can mean a €25 rebooking fee for another day, which is a good reason not to cut the timing close.

The cruise is conducted in English. The captain can change the route or swimming locations if the sea or wind makes the planned stops unsuitable. In April, May, and October, a boat that does not reach its minimum number of passengers may be combined with another catamaran, with notice sent about any change.

Sailing or power catamaran: choose by the kind of day you want

The sailing catamaran follows a three-stop route: Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Bay or Kalithea Springs. This is the better choice if you want a calm, easygoing day with fewer stops and a quieter feel between them.

The sailing option has received especially warm comments for its relaxed pace. You still get the same basic food, drinks, swimming equipment, and crew service, but the route is less about covering extra ground. If three proper swims sound like enough, this is a sensible pick.

The power catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach and its caves, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs. It is the more varied option, especially if seeing the caves matters to you. You trade some of the sailing atmosphere for a faster motorized route and one additional stop.

Capacity is limited to 24 passengers plus crew, but the feel of a full boat can still depend on the departure date. Several people have found plenty of seating even when the boat was full, while early boarding may help if you want a particular place, especially on the upper deck or at the front.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor and settling into the morning

The cruise begins with a long sightseeing run of roughly 70 minutes before the first swimming stop. That gives you time to get comfortable, watch Rhodes recede, and see the coast from a useful angle rather than rushing straight into the water.

The morning food starts simply with a breakfast tortilla snack. Bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are available, and a cup of fresh seasonal fruit is served during the day. Bring sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The sun can feel strong even when the wind makes the boat seem cool.

The catamaran has an outdoor shower, indoor toilets, and safety equipment. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, and life jackets are supplied. The facilities are practical rather than luxurious in every detail. The toilets have been described as less clean later in the day, so keep expectations realistic on a busy boat.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the strongest first swim

Anthony Quinn Bay is usually the first main stop, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The water is clear, and the rocky setting gives you plenty to look at from the boat and below the surface.

A fun detail here is the crew scattering bread into the water. Fish gather around swimmers, making this one of the easiest stops for casual snorkeling. You do not need advanced skills to enjoy it, and first-time snorkelers can use the supplied equipment or stay close to the boat with a noodle.

The catamaran anchors offshore rather than pulling onto a beach. You must swim from the boat to reach the shore, so this stop suits confident swimmers and people comfortable entering open water. If you prefer not to swim far, you can stay beside the catamaran or use a floating aid.

The first stop also sets the pattern for the day: swim, snorkel, float, or remain onboard. You are not forced to get wet, but the best reason to book this trip is the chance to spend long stretches in the water.

Afandou Beach and caves: the power route’s extra stop

Afandou Beach and the nearby caves are part of the power catamaran route. This stop combines lunch, swimming, and snorkeling, though the exact order can depend on the captain and conditions.

The caves give the power option a point of difference. You get another setting beyond the open bays, with a chance to see the coast from close to the water. The stop is also useful for breaking up the day before or around lunch, rather than treating the meal as a quick pause between swims.

If you choose the sailing boat, Afandou is not part of your route. You will visit three main swimming areas instead. That is not necessarily a disadvantage. Three one-hour stops already make for a full day, and some people will prefer more time at each place rather than adding another location.

Lunch at anchor, with Greek flavors and cold drinks

The buffet is one of the strongest parts of the package. It includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

This is a practical meal for a day at sea. You can choose a light plate before swimming or eat more after spending time in the water. The selection leans toward familiar Mediterranean dishes rather than a fish-focused meal, so if you specifically want seafood, this menu may disappoint. A dietary request may be possible, but it is wise to raise it when booking.

Wine and beer become unlimited from 12:00 PM. Juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are available as well. The crew keeps drinks moving, but alcohol is not a free-for-all. They can stop serving anyone who appears intoxicated, which is sensible on a boat where people are swimming.

The food is not the reason to choose this over a restaurant on land, but it adds real value. You are getting a substantial lunch without leaving the water, plus snacks and fruit. For an $83 day, that makes the cost easier to justify.

Ladiko Bay: clear water and a quieter pause

Ladiko Bay usually offers another hour for swimming and snorkeling. The water is clear, and the stop tends to feel quieter than the more famous first bay.

This is a good point in the day to slow down. You can use the snorkel gear to look for fish, take a pool noodle, or remain on deck with a drink while the crew handles lunch service and tidying. The long stop means you do not have to choose between swimming and eating in a hurry.

Keep in mind that the boat remains at anchor here too. If you picture walking onto a sandy beach, adjust that expectation. The experience is built around swimming directly from the catamaran, not a conventional beach visit.

Kalithea Springs: the final swim near the coast

The last stop is Kalithea Springs, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. This is a memorable finish because you can swim toward the spring and lagoon area from the boat, conditions permitting.

The shorter window compared with the earlier stops is still enough for a final swim, especially after several hours in the sun. Families have found the sheltered water appealing, and children may enjoy jumping in and using the floats, provided they are confident in the water and supervised.

The captain controls the final stop based on weather and sea conditions. If wind or waves shift, the route may change. That flexibility matters more than following a fixed list of bays, since safe anchoring and comfortable swimming are the core of the outing.

What the six hours feel like onboard

Six hours can sound long when you first look at the duration. In practice, the time is divided between cruising, swimming, eating, and sitting in the sun. The repeated one-hour stops keep the day from becoming one long ride.

I would describe the mood as social but not party-focused. The small passenger limit helps, and the crew’s role is active without taking over the day. Crew members such as Andreas and Hope have been praised for being friendly and helpful, while Dimitri has been noted for offering drinks and taking photos for people in the water.

The catamaran provides enough space to find a seat, though the best spots can go early. If having a front or upper-deck position matters to you, arrive at the kiosk on time and board promptly. Bring a cover-up for the ride back, since wet swimwear and wind can feel chilly after the sun drops.

Families, couples, solo visitors, and small groups can all fit into this format. Children under eight have enjoyed the swimming stops, but the boat does not remove the basic demands of open-water swimming. Parents need to supervise closely, especially when children move away from the catamaran.

The practical drawbacks to weigh before booking

The biggest limitation is access. You need to enter the sea from the boat, and reaching the shore requires swimming. There is no information indicating a lift, ramp, or assisted shore transfer, so people with mobility impairments should choose another outing.

The toilets are functional, though cleanliness may decline during a long, busy day. The buffet is good for a boat meal, but it centers on chicken and salads rather than offering a broad choice of main courses.

Weather can also change the shape of the experience. A rainy spell or stronger wind may shorten, move, or replace a swimming stop. The crew may wait for conditions to improve, but the captain has the final say. One departure lost swimming time during heavy rain, then gained an extra opportunity once the sun returned. That is a useful reminder to judge the cruise as a day at sea, not a guaranteed checklist of beaches.

Finally, unlimited alcohol requires common sense. Drinking in the sun, then swimming, can catch up with you quickly. The crew can stop service if someone becomes intoxicated, and you should pace yourself.

Who should book this Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed full-day water outing with proper swimming time, a small boat, and most costs handled in advance. It suits people who enjoy clear water, casual snorkeling, Greek salads and dips, cold drinks, and views from offshore more than people who need a structured history tour.

Choose the power catamaran if Afandou Caves is a priority or you want four stops. Choose sailing if you prefer a slower, quieter rhythm and three substantial swims are enough.

I would skip it if you cannot swim from an anchored boat, dislike sharing space on a boat, need guaranteed weather, or want to spend the day visiting beaches on foot. For everyone else, the combination of attractive bays, friendly service, solid food, and included equipment makes $83 a fair price. The best reason to book is simple: you get to see several of Rhodes’ east-coast swimming spots without arranging separate transport, lunch, and gear.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes catamaran cruise leave from?

Meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor.

What time does the catamaran depart?

The catamarans depart at 10:00 AM. You should arrive earlier so you do not miss the boat.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours, though you should check the available starting time when booking.

Which bays does the sailing catamaran visit?

The sailing catamaran stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Bay or Kalithea Springs.

Which stops are included on the power catamaran?

The power catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach and its caves, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs.

Can I walk ashore at the swimming stops?

The boats stay at anchor in each bay. To reach the shore, you need to swim from the catamaran.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes a breakfast tortilla snack, a Mediterranean buffet with chicken, salads, dips, olives, feta, and bread, plus fresh seasonal fruit. Wine and beer are unlimited from noon, and juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are also provided.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are available onboard.

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.