Rhodes Exclusive Swim Cruise Cocktail Open bar & Gourmet Buffet

Rhodes’ best day on the water may be less about sailing than about what happens between the stops: a cold drink in hand, clear Aegean water below, and Captain Alexander dancing on deck. This six-hour cruise visits three very different bays, with lunch and an open bar included.

I like the generous space aboard the boat and the fact that seating is allocated, rather than leaving you to fight for a sunbed. I also like the practical extras: snorkel gear, noodles, floaters, and life jackets are ready for you. The main caution is the music. This can turn into a lively party, so it is not the best pick if you want a quiet, meditative sail.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming stops: Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay each offer a different setting.
• Open bar included: Expect beer, wine, soft drinks, water, aperitifs, and a selection of cocktails.
• Room for 40 people: The limited capacity helps keep the boat from feeling packed.
• Fresh Greek buffet: The meal includes meat and seafood dishes, salads, bread, and vegan and gluten-free choices.
• Captain Alexander brings the party: Music and dancing are part of the atmosphere on many sailings.
• Mandraki Harbour departure: You meet opposite the Bank of Greece at 10 a.m. and return to the same point.

Sailing out of Mandraki Harbour

The cruise begins at Mandraki Harbour, the handsome port beside Rhodes Town. Look for Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise opposite the Bank of Greece. The meeting point can take a little finding, so I would arrive early rather than rush down the waterfront at 9:59.

Mandraki is a fine place to start. Medieval windmills line the harbor, and the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos guards the opposite side. At the entrance, two columns carry the familiar Rhodian deer, a stag and doe. Ancient Mandraki was one of Rhodes’ five ports, though the popular story that the Colossus stood astride its entrance has never been proven.

As the boat leaves, you get a sea-level view of Rhodes’ medieval walls and Old Town. This is one of the strongest sightseeing moments of the morning because the city looks quite different from the water. Have your phone ready as the boat passes the area linked with the Colossus of Rhodes, the enormous statue of the sun god counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The cruise is designed for about six hours, beginning at 10 a.m. It is an easy fit for a half-day plan, though the food, swimming, and music can easily fill most of your day. Hotel pickup is not included. You can arrange a transfer for an added fee, or make your own way to Mandraki Harbour.

What the boat is like onboard

The boat has two decks, with bean bags and sun benches rather than rows of hard seats. Allocated seating is a useful feature. You can settle in at the start and leave your belongings in one place while you swim.

Capacity is limited to 40 people. That does not make the boat private, but it does give you a better chance of finding room to stretch out. Several people describe the seating as spacious, with double sunbeds and enough space for everyone even when the cruise is full. If shade matters to you, ask the crew to help you choose a suitable spot before the boat gets underway.

The lower deck holds the bar, and drinks are available throughout the cruise. You can expect local beer, wine, water, sodas, aperitifs, and signature cocktails. One useful detail from the experience onboard is that beer and water are kept chilled, while the bartender prepares drinks from a set cocktail menu.

The drinks are a major part of the value, but keep your expectations sensible. The cocktails are included and plentiful, yet the selection is preset, and one account found some drinks weaker than expected. If you want a particular combination or a strong cocktail, ask the bartender what is available rather than assuming the full range of a cocktail lounge.

Music also shapes the day. The program may begin as background music, but the mood often grows louder and more playful. Captain Alexander is known for dancing on deck and getting people involved. That is a delight for anyone looking for a cheerful party boat. It can be a drawback if you want to chat quietly or read in the sun.

Kallithea Springs and the first swim

The first stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat pauses for about an hour. You can swim from the boat and, if you wish, go ashore to see the spring complex.

Kallithea has been associated with healing waters since ancient times. Reddish water once rose from the rocks in the Gulf of Kallithea, drawing people who came for physical and mental cleansing. The buildings were designed by Italian architects Pietro Lombardi and Alberto Mocci, with decorative work by Armando Burnaby. The setting combines stone, sea, and carefully designed architecture, so it is more than a basic swimming stop.

Admission from the sea is free. You have enough time for a swim and a short look around, but not an extended visit. If you want photographs of the buildings, do that early. If swimming is your priority, stay near the boat and use the supplied equipment.

The water is clear enough for an enjoyable first swim, and the boat provides life jackets and floating aids for people who are not strong swimmers. You do not need to bring your own snorkeling equipment, though you should pack sun protection and a towel.

After Kallithea, the boat passes Faliraki on the return route. Faliraki is known for its long beaches, clear water, resorts, and nightlife. From the sea, you get a quick coastal view rather than a full visit to the town.

Afandou Beach, caves, and lunch

Afandou is a change of pace. Its beach stretches for about six kilometers and is made of pebbles rather than sand. The water is clear, and the coastline includes caves and rocky areas to explore.

The name Afandou is linked with the Greek word for invisible. After repeated attacks on the coastal settlement, residents moved farther inland, behind rocks where the village could not be seen easily from the sea. It is a useful bit of local context because the coast can look open and exposed, while the older settlement sits out of sight.

You have more than an hour here. You can swim, examine the caves, or stay aboard and enjoy the boat. The pebbles are worth noting. They are not ideal for bare feet, so water shoes would be useful if you have them, though no special footwear is listed as included.

Afandou is also connected with Rhodes’ golf course and with archaeological remains, including tombs and temple foundations in the surrounding area. The cruise does not provide a land tour of those sites, so think of this stop as coastal exploration rather than a formal history visit.

Lunch follows back aboard. The food is one of the strongest parts of the experience, and the menu is more substantial than a basic boat snack. Dishes described onboard include prawn or shrimp pasta, mussels, chicken, salad, bread with tzatziki, and a brownie-style dessert. Greek items may include dakos, a barley rusk topped with tomato, cheese, oregano, capers, and olive oil, as well as spinach rice.

The menu can vary, but the important point is that lunch is a proper buffet, freshly prepared by the onboard chef. Vegan and gluten-free choices are included. If you have a dietary need, the presence of these choices is helpful, though it is still wise to ask the crew what is suitable when you board.

Ladiko and the approach to Anthony Quinn Bay

Between Afandou and Anthony Quinn Bay, the route passes Ladiko, a small cove surrounded by rocks and caves. Its name is tied to the Greek word for an oil container. The bay once served as a loading point for olive oil bound for Egypt and the Middle East, and fishermen have found clay containers from old shipwrecks in the area.

You may not get a long separate stop at Ladiko. Its value is in the view from the boat and in the way the coast changes from a broad pebble beach to tight, rocky coves. Several boat tours use this area for swimming and underwater activities, so the water is the main attraction.

Anthony Quinn Bay is the final listed swimming stop and often the most memorable. The bay is small, enclosed by high rocks, and much deeper than Afandou. The water is clear, and small fish gather near swimmers. Use the provided mask and snorkel to look below the surface, or take a noodle or floater if you prefer a gentler swim.

The bay took its name from actor Anthony Quinn, who came to Rhodes to film The Guns of Navarone in the 1960s. He admired the setting and tried to buy it, but the agreement was never completed. The bay still carries his name as a local tribute.

This is a popular stop, and the space in the cove feels more limited than at Afandou. The boat’s restricted capacity helps, but you should not expect complete solitude. The upside is the dramatic water and rock scenery. The downside is that people who dislike deep water may feel more comfortable using a life jacket or staying close to the boat.

The crew sometimes adds a playful touch here by taking cold beers out to swimmers. That is exactly the sort of small moment that makes this cruise feel more social than a simple transport boat.

How much value do you get for $107.63?

At $107.63 per person, the price is not just paying for a boat ride. It covers roughly six hours on the water, three swim locations, allocated seating, the buffet, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling gear, floaters, and safety equipment.

You would pay separately for food, cocktails, and a boat excursion if you arranged those pieces yourself. The included bar is especially important to the calculation. If you plan to have several drinks, the package can be good value. If you do not drink alcohol, you may see less benefit because the value shifts toward the meal, the boat space, and the swimming stops.

The maximum of 40 people also matters. Many coastal cruises pack people tightly to keep the headline price low. Here, the combination of a limited group and comfortable seating is one of the reasons the fare feels justified.

I would not book this solely for a luxurious yacht experience. The boat is comfortable and spacious, but the day has a casual, social feel. You are paying for a well-equipped swim cruise with food, drinks, and entertainment, not for silence or formal sailing.

Who will enjoy the Romantika cruise?

I would recommend this outing to couples, friends, families with confident swimmers, and anyone staying in Rhodes Town who wants to combine sightseeing with a day at sea. Life jackets and floaters make the swimming less intimidating, and you can choose how active you want to be at each bay.

It also suits cruise ship passengers because the meeting point is in Mandraki Harbour and the activity returns there. Still, check your own ship schedule carefully before booking, since the excursion lasts about six hours and begins at 10 a.m.

You will probably enjoy it if you like:

• Swimming in clear water rather than spending the day on a beach
• Cocktails, beer, wine, and music included in the fare
• A casual buffet with Greek dishes and several food choices
• A social boat with dancing and a playful crew
• Comfortable seating without a tightly packed passenger load

I would choose something else if your main goal is a quiet sail, detailed guided commentary, or a long stay ashore. One person seated upstairs found it hard to hear the information from the crew, and the music can become loud. The cruise gives you a good taste of the coast, but it does not provide extensive time at any single location.

Booking details and practical advice

The cruise runs with mobile tickets, and confirmation is provided when you book. The starting point is Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece, with a 10 a.m. departure and return to the same meeting point.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The boat is near public transportation. Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra, so check the meeting arrangement before you pay.

I would bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, and footwear that can handle pebbles. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want photographs from the water. You can use the boat’s snorkels, floaters, noodles, and life jackets, so there is no need to carry your own gear unless you prefer it.

The weather matters. If poor conditions force cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes and cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Should you book this Rhodes boat trip?

Book it if you want an easy, all-in-one day of swimming, Greek food, open-bar drinks, coastal views, and music. The strongest reasons are the limited passenger count, comfortable seating, generous inclusions, and the chance to swim at Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea Springs without arranging separate transport.

Skip it if your ideal day means quiet water, low music, or a carefully narrated sightseeing cruise. The Romantika is at its best when you join the social mood, accept the dancing, and treat the boat as part swim outing and part floating lunch party. At $107.63, it offers solid value for that particular kind of Rhodes day.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes swim cruise depart?

It departs from Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece in Rhodes Town.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and returns to the same meeting point.

Which swimming locations does the boat visit?

The route includes Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. It also passes Faliraki and the Ladiko area.

Is food included?

Yes. A Greek gourmet buffet prepared by the onboard chef is included, with vegan and gluten-free choices available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes an open bar with cocktails, wine, beer, signature cocktails, aperitifs, snacks, water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available for use.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra. You need to reach the Mandraki Harbour meeting point unless you arrange the additional transfer.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the cruise is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.