Rhodes: Full Day East Coast Bay to Bay Boat Trip with Lunch

Rhodes’ east coast is at its best from the water, and this full-day cruise gives you four chances to swim without arranging taxis, beach buses, or separate boat trips. You’ll visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Caves, and Kallithea Bay, with the longest stop at Tsambika.

I like the easy all-in-one format: transport, a Greek buffet, life jackets for small children, and a full day of swimming are covered. I also like the variety, from Anthony Quinn’s rocky, fish-filled cove to Tsambika’s long golden beach. The main drawback is the large boat, which can carry up to 280 people, so this is a social cruise rather than a quiet private outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Four east coast swimming stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Caves, and Kallithea Bay.
• Two hours at Tsambika: The longest stop includes time for swimming, beach lounging, and the buffet lunch.
• A large three-deck boat: There is a snack bar, toilet, and room to sit in the sun or shade, but the trip is not intimate.
• Lunch is Greek and filling: Expect tzatziki, Greek salad, potatoes, moussaka, pasta, beans, meat, and chicken.
• Transfers cover key resort areas: Pickup is available from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki.
• Swimming ability matters: The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or wheelchair users.

The basic shape of the day

This is a long, active day on the sea, usually lasting 8 to 9 hours. Pickup from selected accommodation areas is scheduled between 7:30 and 8:15 in the morning, though your exact time depends on your accommodation.

If you make your own way to Rhodes Town, meet the Manos Going staff member at Mandraki Port. The meeting point is in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation on Elefterias Avenue. Look for the red Manos Going sign, arrive at 8:30, and have your booking confirmation ready. You’ll receive boarding cards and a map before heading to the boat.

Departure is scheduled for 9:00. The day ends at the same general meeting point at about 17:00, followed by transfers to the bus parking area in front of Rhodes Town Hall for those using the return service.

The first hour on the boat gives you a broad view of Rhodes from offshore. You’ll see the medieval town from a different angle, then watch the east coast unfold from the sea. I find this opening stretch useful because it turns the transport itself into part of the outing rather than a simple ride between stops.

Anthony Quinn Bay: rocky water and a short first swim

Your first swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most recognizable coves on Rhodes. The bay is sheltered by steep rocky sides, and the water is known for its clear emerald color.

You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough for a quick swim and a look beneath the surface, but not enough for a slow beach afternoon. The bay is known for marine life, including fish, sea urchins, and coral formations, so bring a mask if you have one, although snorkeling equipment is not listed as included.

This stop works well as an introduction to the day. The water is the main attraction, and the rocky setting gives you a sharper sense of the coast than a standard sandy beach. You should not expect a long stay or a relaxed walk along the shore. The schedule keeps you moving.

After Anthony Quinn Bay, the boat spends about 30 minutes cruising toward Tsambika Bay. Use this time to dry off, find a comfortable place on one of the three decks, or buy a drink from the onboard snack bar.

Tsambika Bay: the main stop and lunch break

Tsambika is the centerpiece of the trip. You have two hours here, giving you far more time than at the other swimming stops. The bay has an approximately 800-meter beach of fine golden sand, and you can swim toward the beach from the boat.

This is the stop where the schedule feels least rushed. You can swim, sunbathe, and spend time on the beach without watching the clock every few minutes. If you prefer not to swim the whole time, the two-hour pause gives you space to simply sit on the boat or enjoy the shore.

Lunch is served aboard the boat during this stop. The buffet includes tzatziki, Greek salad, oven-baked potatoes, moussaka, pasta with red sauce, beans, beef steaks, and chicken. Meatballs and vegetables are also listed among the available dishes.

The meal gives you a proper break after the first swim and is one of the stronger parts of the price. You are not paying separately for a restaurant meal at the beach, and you can return to your swimming plans after eating. Drinks are not included, so bring money for the snack bar. Snacks and beverages are available to buy onboard.

I would treat Tsambika as the main reason to bring a towel, sunscreen, and enough patience for a long beach stop. If you prefer constant sightseeing, two hours may feel slow. If you want real time in the water, it is the part of the day that makes the cruise worthwhile.

Afandou Caves: a quick look from the water

After lunch, the boat continues for about 30 minutes to Afandou Beach. The stop lasts around 30 minutes and centers on the rocky shore and a cave that you can explore directly from the water.

This is a different kind of swim from Tsambika. The coast here is rocky rather than a broad stretch of sand, and the cave gives the stop a clear focus. You can swim around the area and look into the cave, but the half-hour limit means you need to be ready to make the most of it.

Afandou is best approached as a short water excursion, not a full beach visit. Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel close so you do not waste time getting ready. The boat’s schedule is built around several stops, so none of the shorter visits allows for a leisurely change of pace.

Kallithea Bay: the final swim

The final stop is Kallithea Bay, a sheltered spot where you have about 20 minutes for one last swim or some time in the sun on the boat. After a full day in the water, that short pause can feel just right.

You may prefer to swim again, especially if you skipped part of an earlier stop. Or you can remain aboard, dry off, and enjoy the final coastal views. Since this is the shortest stop, I would not count on a long visit to the shore.

The boat then takes about 30 minutes to return toward Rhodes. The cruise back gives you one more view of the coastline before the group reaches the port at roughly 17:00.

What the boat is like

This is a large group boat with three decks and capacity for up to 280 people. That size brings useful comforts: more seating, a toilet, a snack bar, and space to move around during the longer crossings.

It also sets the mood. You should expect a shared excursion with many other people, not a quiet sail with a small crew. The boat may suit you if you like having options, social energy, and a clear daily schedule. If you want personal attention or a peaceful outing, a private group option is available, but the supplied price of $68 per person refers to the standard experience.

The boat has pool noodles and life jackets for small children. Still, the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, so the flotation equipment should not be treated as a replacement for swimming ability. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

You’ll want swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The information provided does not list snorkeling equipment as included, so bring your own mask if looking at fish and underwater formations is important to you.

Is $68 a fair price?

At $68 per person, the value comes from combining several costs into one day: transport from selected resort areas, a full boat trip, four swimming stops, and a buffet lunch. You also get the convenience of visiting bays that are spread along the east coast without arranging separate transport.

The lunch matters to the calculation. A buffet with Greek dishes, meat, salad, potatoes, pasta, and vegetables gives you a substantial meal during a long day out. You still need to budget for drinks and snacks, but the main food is covered.

The price is less compelling if you only want a short cruise or one beach stop. You will spend much of the day on a large boat, and the shorter swims can feel brief. For someone who wants a full day of sea views and repeated swims, though, $68 is a sensible package price.

I would compare it with the cost of getting to four separate bays on your own. Once you add transport, lunch, and the practical challenge of moving along the coast, the organized format becomes easier to justify.

Transfers and meeting points

Pickup is available from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki. The precise pickup time and location are sent by the operator, with service generally scheduled between 7:30 and 8:15. Be ready at least five minutes early.

If you are already in Rhodes Town, you can meet at Mandraki Port instead. The staff member uses a red Manos Going sign, and you need to show your booking confirmation to collect your boarding cards.

The return ends at the meeting point, while transfer passengers continue to the bus parking area in front of Rhodes Town Hall. Since there are many possible drop-off locations, check the exact option connected to your accommodation when booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day on the water and prefer having the practical details handled. Families with children who can swim may appreciate the life jackets and noodles, while couples and friends get a simple way to see several famous bays in one day.

It is also a good match if you want both rocky coves and a sandy beach. Anthony Quinn Bay and Afandou offer a more rugged setting, while Tsambika gives you the long, easy beach stop.

You may want another type of outing if you dislike large groups, have limited mobility, are pregnant, or are not comfortable swimming. The schedule also demands some energy. You will board and leave the boat several times, spend much of the day outdoors, and manage your own belongings around the swimming stops.

Private group booking is available if you want a more personal format. The standard cruise remains the more budget-friendly choice, but it comes with the normal tradeoff of a large shared boat.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. The activity start time shown during booking is not necessarily your pickup time, so wait for the precise message from Manos Going and check your spam folder if it does not appear.

Bring sunscreen and apply it throughout the day. There is no need to pack lunch, but you should carry money for drinks and snacks because those are sold separately at the snack bar.

The rating supplied for this experience is 4.6 out of 5 from 35 reviews. That score fits the trip’s strongest qualities: plenty of swimming, attractive coastal views, a generous main stop at Tsambika, and a meal included in the price. It also makes sense to keep the large group and fixed schedule in mind before booking.

Should you book the Rhodes east coast boat trip?

Book it if your ideal Rhodes day includes four swims, a Greek buffet, and a long stretch of open sea. The four-stop route gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer, and Tsambika’s two-hour pause prevents the day from becoming a rushed checklist.

Skip it if you want solitude, a small boat, or long visits at every bay. At $68, this is best value for an active day that would be awkward to organize alone, especially if you are staying in one of the included resort areas. Bring your swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and money for drinks, then expect a busy but practical day built around the water.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts about 8 to 9 hours. The planned schedule runs from a 9:00 departure to an arrival back in Rhodes at approximately 17:00.

Where does the tour start?

The main meeting point is Mandraki Port in Rhodes Town, in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation. Look for the red Manos Going sign.

Is hotel pickup included?

Transportation is included from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki. Pickup is generally scheduled between 7:30 and 8:15, but your exact time and place depend on your accommodation.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The route includes Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Beach and Caves, and Kallithea Bay.

How much time do you get at each swimming stop?

You get about 30 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, two hours at Tsambika Bay, 30 minutes at Afandou Beach, and 20 minutes at Kallithea Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet lunch includes Greek dishes such as tzatziki, Greek salad, oven-baked potatoes, moussaka, pasta with red sauce, beans, beef steaks, and chicken.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are available to purchase at the snack bar on the boat.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. You may also want to bring your own snorkeling mask, since snorkeling equipment is not listed as included.

Is the activity suitable for everyone?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or non-swimmers. Pool noodles and life jackets are available for small children.