Rhodes Day Cruise (with lunch & unlimited drinks) 5,5 Hours

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this 5.5-hour wooden boat cruise gives you three proper swim stops without making you pack and repack for a beach day. You’ll sail from Rhodes Town to Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs, with about 50 minutes at each stop.

I like the all-inclusive setup, especially the steady supply of water, soft drinks, beer, wine, coffee, fruit, and lunch. I also like the small group limit of 35 people and the friendly, attentive crew led by Theodore, also called Ted by some passengers. The main drawback is that the boat is not built for speed, so the time spent moving between bays can matter. Some people also found the swim stops shorter than expected.

Key details to know before booking

• Three swim stops: Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs each receive about 50 minutes.
• A traditional wooden boat: The classic vessel has padded seating and bean bags at the bow, according to the onboard setup described by passengers.
• Lunch is included: Expect chicken, pasta, rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread.
• Drinks keep flowing: Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, red wine, white wine, coffee, and tea are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• Bring your own towel and fins: Snorkel equipment is provided, but towels and flippers are not.
• Arrive early: Check-in is at the Royal Sailing Rhodes booth by the marina, with departure listed for 10:00 a.m.

What this Rhodes boat cruise is really like

This is a relaxed day at sea rather than a sightseeing cruise packed with facts about Rhodes. The main event is simple: sit on a wooden boat, enjoy the coastline, stop in clear water, eat a Greek lunch, and let the crew handle the drinks and equipment.

The boat leaves from Royal Sailing Rhodes at Plateia Eleftherias in Rhodes Town. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, the dock is walkable through or near the medieval city area, though you should allow time to find the correct booth. One useful tip is to look for the sign marked Royal Sailing along the marina, rather than assuming every boat office is the right one.

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m. I would arrive at least 30 minutes early. Several people specifically liked getting onboard early for better seating, and arriving late can be costly. One person reached the marina only 10 minutes after the stated start and found the boat had already departed. The information provided does not clearly explain a separate boarding deadline, so early arrival is the safest plan.

The group can include up to 35 people. That is not a private boat, but it is much more manageable than a large party vessel. You have enough people for a social atmosphere without the boat feeling like a floating crowd, at least when the full group is not packed into one area.

Afandou Beach: the first long swim

Afandou Beach is the first stop, with roughly 50 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. Starting with a quiet beach gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the day before lunch and before the more famous bays later on.

Snorkel equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring a mask and tube unless you prefer your own. Flippers are not included, and towels are also left to you. Pack a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes if you dislike sitting in damp clothing on the ride back.

Lunch is served around this part of the cruise. The food has a Greek, home-style feel rather than a restaurant menu. The spread includes roast-style chicken, pasta, rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread. Vegetarian dishes are included, particularly pasta, rice, salad, tzatziki, and the vegetable-based sides.

This is a useful inclusion at the price of $72.56 per person. A beach restaurant meal, drinks throughout the day, snorkel rental, and a boat trip would quickly add up separately. The value is strongest if you plan to drink beer or wine and would otherwise pay for lunch and equipment.

Food quality appears to be one of the strongest parts of the experience. Many people found it fresh and tasty, with particular appreciation for the chicken and Greek sides. One critical account described the chicken as frozen nuggets and the noodles as plain, so you should not book this expecting an elaborate Greek feast. The safer expectation is a generous buffet lunch that keeps the day convenient.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the scenic favorite

Anthony Quinn Bay is often the visual highlight of the cruise. The boat takes you to one of Rhodes’ most striking coves, where the water is clear and usually calm enough for swimming and snorkeling when conditions are good.

You get another 50-minute stop here. The bay’s appeal is the setting as much as the swim. From the boat, you can appreciate the rocky cove and the color of the sea without dealing with a full day on a crowded beach. The water is the main attraction, so bring a mask if you care about seeing below the surface.

Many passengers singled out Anthony Quinn Bay as their favorite stop. That makes sense for anyone who wants a pretty setting and a calm swim rather than a long stretch of sand. The boat remains your base, which means your belongings stay onboard while you are in the water. You also have access to floats, according to the equipment available on the boat.

The swimming is reached by a ladder from the boat. One useful caution is that getting back onboard can be awkward for some people. A passenger wished the ladder had one or two extra steps. If you have limited mobility, joint trouble, or difficulty climbing a wet ladder, ask the crew for help and consider carefully if this style of excursion suits you.

Kallithea Springs: a clear-water finish

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, where you have another 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The water here is described as crystal clear, making it a good final chance to use the provided equipment before the boat returns to Rhodes Town.

The stop is not a guided visit to the historic spa complex. The activity described here is a swim from the boat in the waters around Kallithea Springs. If you want to explore the springs on land, photograph the buildings, or learn about the site, this cruise will not replace a land visit.

Three 50-minute swim stops sound generous, but the total time in the water may feel different depending on sea conditions and the boat’s speed. One person felt the stops were shorter than advertised and had experienced a faster boat on another excursion. Another serious complaint said the boat moved at about five knots and returned late. These are individual reports, but they point to a real planning issue: this is a slow, easy-going cruise, not a high-speed bay-hopping trip.

Lunch, drinks, and the social side

The all-inclusive drinks are a major reason this cruise can offer good value. Included options are bottled water, Pepsi, orange and lemon Fanta, juice, coffee, tea, beer, and red or white wine. Fruit and snacks are also provided. Cocktails are not included and must be bought separately.

The crew regularly offers drinks and checks that people are comfortable. Theodore is repeatedly praised for being warm and welcoming, while the rest of the crew handles food, service, and the practical work behind the scenes. Some trips have had music onboard, and one account described live entertainment from a musician called Silas. Live music should not be treated as guaranteed, but the atmosphere can be more lively than a silent transfer between beaches.

The mood is generally social and informal. You may end up sharing lunch with people from several countries, and the boat layout encourages conversation. Padded seating and large bean bag chairs at the bow provide a more comfortable place to watch the coast, while the covered areas give you some shelter from the sun.

The boat has a restroom, WiFi, and a shower. Those extras matter on a half-day cruise, especially if you are swimming more than once. WiFi at sea can be variable, but having it listed onboard is useful for basic connection needs. The shower is particularly handy before returning to town, though you should not assume it replaces a full changing facility.

How the $72.56 price measures up

At $72.56 per person, the cost sits in a sensible range for a half-day boat trip with food and drinks. You are paying not only for the sailing time, but also for three swim locations, snorkel equipment, lunch, fruit, soft drinks, wine, beer, and onboard facilities.

The value depends on how you use the inclusions. If you only want a short boat ride and rarely drink, a cheaper sightseeing cruise might suit you better. If you want to swim several times, eat onboard, and have drinks available without counting every bottle of water, the package is more attractive.

The 35-person limit also affects the value. You are not buying a private charter, but you are getting a smaller setting than a large excursion ferry. That makes it easier to find a place to sit, speak with the crew, and get in and out of the water without a huge queue.

There are tradeoffs. The traditional wooden boat is part of the charm, but it is not a speedboat. You may spend more time cruising and less time swimming than you would on a faster vessel. You also need to bring towels and flippers, and cocktails are extra. Those are small costs, but they are worth knowing before you arrive.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want a comfortable, social day on the water with very little planning once you step aboard. Families with older children and teenagers should find plenty to do, especially with three swim stops and snorkeling equipment included. The cruise also suits couples and friends who prefer a relaxed boat day to a packed land itinerary.

It works well for cruise ship passengers because it starts and ends in Rhodes Town and takes about 5.5 hours. Still, leave a generous buffer before your ship’s departure. One person valued the return time because it matched a cruise schedule, while another reported returning late. The advertised duration is approximate, so do not plan a tight connection immediately afterward.

This is less suitable if you need step-free access, dislike climbing ladders, or want a fast boat with maximum swimming time. It is also not the right pick if you expect a private experience, a formal guided tour, or a detailed visit to Kallithea Springs itself.

The activity is described as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. No private transportation is included, so you must make your own way to the marina. Public transportation is nearby, but the practical meeting point is the Royal Sailing Rhodes booth at the port.

Weather, cancellations, and small practical details

The cruise depends on good weather. If conditions cause cancellation, you can be offered another date or a full refund. For a standard cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a swimsuit, a towel, and a dry layer for the ride back. Since flippers are not provided, bring your own if you like to snorkel with them. Keep valuables in a small waterproof bag, even though your belongings remain on the boat while you swim.

The boat has a restroom, but changing space is not specifically described. Wear swimwear under light clothing if you want the easiest change of clothes. Arrive early, find the correct Royal Sailing sign, and choose your seat before the boat fills.

Should you book the Royal Sailing Rhodes cruise?

Book it if you value an easy, good-value boat day more than speed. The best features are the three attractive swim locations, Theodore and the attentive crew, the generous drinks service, and a proper lunch included in the price. Anthony Quinn Bay is likely to be the scenic high point, while Afandou and Kallithea Springs give you two more chances to swim.

Think twice if you want long swim sessions, a fast boat, or guaranteed precision with the schedule. The vessel can move slowly, ladder access may be awkward, and the reports about swim time and return timing are not entirely consistent.

For most people who want a relaxed Rhodes sea outing with food and drinks already arranged, this is a strong choice. Just arrive early, carry a towel, keep your afternoon flexible, and treat the cruise as a leisurely day afloat rather than a race between beaches.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes day cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the cruise start?

The listed start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at Royal Sailing Rhodes, Plateia Eleftherias, Rhodes 851 00, Greece.

Where does the cruise finish?

The cruise returns to the original meeting point in Rhodes Town.

Which places does the boat visit?

The cruise stops at Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs.

How long do I have at each swimming stop?

The planned time is about 50 minutes at each location.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, rice, pasta, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread. Vegetarian dishes are also available.

Which drinks are included?

Included drinks are bottled water, beer, red wine, white wine, Pepsi, orange and lemon Fanta, juice, coffee, and tea. Cocktails are available for an additional charge.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included. Flippers and towels are not provided.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must travel to the meeting point independently.