Rhodes Town: Scenic Cruise to Lindos with Swim Stops

Lindos is the star here, but the best surprise is how much of the east coast you see from the water. This full-day cruise links Rhodes Town with Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, and three unhurried hours in Lindos, all for about $50.82 per person.

I like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to swim straight from the boat in clear water. I also like the freedom in Lindos: you get a map, then choose between the Acropolis, the lanes of the village, a beach, or a long lunch. The main drawback is simple: three hours can feel short, especially if you want to see the Acropolis and enjoy the waterfront.

Key points at a glance

• Two 20-minute swim stops: Cool off at Anthony Quinn Bay and Tsambika Bay, with snorkeling possible from the boat.
• Three hours in Lindos: Enough for a focused visit, but you will need to choose your priorities.
• Mandraki Port departure: Meet the Manos Ggoing staff by the fountain outside the Church of Evangelismos.
• Large three-deck boat: The vessel holds up to 280 people and has a snack bar, toilets, and several areas for views.
• Hotel pickup included: Transport covers Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki.
• Independent touring: There is no tour guide in Lindos, so you set your own pace and pay separately for food and site tickets.

Why this cruise works for a first look at Rhodes

Rhodes is a big island, and reaching Lindos by road can take time in the heat. This trip turns the journey into part of the day. You sail south along the east coast, pass familiar resort areas, stop for swims, and arrive in Lindos from the sea rather than simply being dropped at a bus parking area.

That change of viewpoint matters. From the boat, you can see coves and stretches of coast that are easy to miss from a coach. The trip also gives you a taste of several sides of Rhodes in one day: port scenery, open water, swimming, a whitewashed village, beaches, and an ancient hilltop site.

This is not a small sailing yacht or a private boat trip. The vessel carries up to 280 passengers across three decks. That makes the price attractive, but it also means a busy boarding process and competition for the best seats. If you want a spot at the front or on the upper deck, arrive early.

Starting at Mandraki Port

If you arrange your own way to the harbor, the meeting point is in front of the fountain outside the Church of Evangelismos, also called the Church of the Annunciation, on Elefterias Avenue. A Manos Ggoing staff member waits there with a red sign and provides your boarding card and village map.

You can arrive from 8:30 AM. If you use hotel pickup, do not assume the advertised start time is your collection time. The operator sends the exact pickup point and time based on your accommodation, and it is worth checking your spam folder for that message.

Pickup and return service covers Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki. This is especially useful if you are staying outside the old town and do not want to arrange a taxi before a long day. The return vehicle can be a minibus, and the drop-off network includes many hotels and several public meeting points.

The port itself is a worthwhile opening scene. As the boat leaves, you get views of the Dama Dama deer statues, St. Nicholas Lighthouse, and the Church of Evangelismos. These sights pass quickly, so keep your camera ready rather than waiting until you are fully out at sea.

The east coast by boat

The first stretches of the cruise pass the resorts of Kallithea and Faliraki. The scenery becomes more interesting when you look back toward the shore and watch the built-up areas give way to coves and open coastline.

The crossing takes a good part of the day, with the outward and return boat sections listed at roughly one hour and one and a half hours each. That is a lot of time on board, so your comfort matters. The three decks let you move around, and the upper levels offer better views, though wind can be strong. One practical tip is to bring a light layer even on a hot day.

The onboard snack bar sells food and drinks, and prices are described as reasonable. Still, food and drinks are not included, so you should budget for them or bring what you need if permitted. The boat also has a bathroom, which is useful during the longer sailing sections.

There is no regular tour guide leading the day. You receive information and directions for Lindos, but the experience is mainly about scenery and free time rather than commentary. If you want detailed explanations of Rhodes history or the sites in Lindos, you will need to arrange that separately.

Swimming at Anthony Quinn Bay

The first swim stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the prettiest coves on this side of Rhodes. The boat pauses for about 20 minutes, giving you time to get into the water, cool down, and look around from sea level.

You generally jump from the boat rather than walk down a beach. That makes the stop feel lively and direct, but it may not suit anyone who is uncomfortable climbing a ladder or entering open water. The boat does not turn this into a long beach stay. Twenty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim, not enough for a relaxed shore picnic.

Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel easy to reach. Sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing are essential on the open deck. Snorkeling is possible, so pack your own equipment if you have it. The clear water may offer glimpses of marine life, but this is a casual swim stop rather than a dedicated snorkeling excursion.

The bay is also a good reason to choose this cruise instead of a standard land transfer to Lindos. You get a short but memorable break from sightseeing, and the water provides welcome relief during a hot Rhodes day.

Three hours to choose your Lindos

Lindos is the main event, and you have approximately three hours to explore on your own. The village is known for its white buildings, narrow lanes, beaches, and views from the hilltop Acropolis. The map provided at the port helps you get your bearings quickly.

You need to make a plan before leaving the boat. Three hours sounds generous, but Lindos offers several competing choices. You can walk through the village, climb to the Acropolis, visit St. Paul’s Bay, sit on a beach, and stop for a meal. Doing all of that is possible only with a tight schedule, and queues can change the calculation.

If the Acropolis is your priority, head there first. The climb and the lines at the entrance can consume much of your free time, particularly in hot weather. One useful suggestion is to consider a fast pass or queue-jumping ticket if available for the date of your visit, though entrance tickets are not included in this cruise.

The Acropolis gives you the broadest views, but it requires walking uphill and coping with heat. Comfortable shoes are a must. If you prefer a gentler visit, stay in the village lanes, browse at your own pace, and choose a taverna or beach instead.

St. Paul’s Bay is another strong option if you want scenery without spending all your time inside the village. It is especially appealing if you like combining a short walk with a swim or a view over a sheltered bay. Just keep an eye on the clock. The boat will not wait for late arrivals.

Lindos can also be crowded and warm. The free-time format is a benefit because you can avoid the busiest streets for a while, but it is a limitation if you hoped for a detailed guided visit. You are responsible for finding your way back to the boat on time.

Returning through Tsambika Bay

After Lindos, the boat heads toward Tsambika Bay for the second 20-minute swim stop. This gives you another chance to get in the water after walking around Lindos, and it breaks up the return journey nicely.

The water is described as clear, and snorkeling is encouraged. As at Anthony Quinn Bay, this is a short stop from the boat, not a full beach excursion. Use the first few minutes to get into the water and the last few minutes to dry off and return to your seat.

The return sailing offers a final chance to enjoy the coastline from the upper deck or front of the boat. Windy conditions are possible, and one account describes strong gusts on board, so do not leave your hat loose or place valuables where they can blow away. If you are prone to seasickness, choose a stable lower area and bring any personal remedy you normally use. The supplied information does not identify a specific seasickness program or equipment.

What the $50.82 price really buys

At about $50.82 per person, this is good value if you want transport, a boat outing, two swims, and free time in Lindos in one package. Hotel pickup and drop-off add real value, particularly when you are staying in Faliraki, Kallithea, Ixia, or Ialyssos.

The price does not include meals, drinks, or tickets to Lindos attractions. That is fair for an independent day trip, but you should add those costs before comparing it with a coach excursion or a private boat. A restaurant meal, drinks, and an Acropolis ticket can make the day noticeably more expensive.

You are also paying for scale. A boat carrying 280 people cannot offer the quiet feel of a small-group sailing trip. In return, you get a lower price, a proper snack bar and bathroom, three decks, and a dependable route that covers the island’s most requested east-coast stops.

The strongest value is for someone who wants variety. If you only want a dedicated Lindos visit, a direct transfer may give you more time in the village. If you want swimming and coastal views as well, this cruise makes better use of the day.

Who should book this day out

I would choose this cruise for couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want a broad Rhodes experience without planning every connection. The hotel pickup removes early-morning stress, and the free-time format lets you choose the parts of Lindos that matter most.

It also suits confident independent sightseers. You need to manage your own time, choose your route, and return to the boat promptly. That freedom is useful if you dislike being led from one stop to another.

I would think twice if you use a wheelchair, have a mobility impairment, are pregnant, or have heart problems. The activity is specifically not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility and heart-related limitations. Boat boarding, ladders, swimming from the vessel, and walking in Lindos all require care.

This is also not the best choice if you want a quiet, intimate cruise or a detailed historical presentation. The boat is large, and no tour guide is included. The appeal is the combination of transport, scenery, swimming, and independent exploration.

Practical ways to make the day better

Arrive early at Mandraki Port if you want a better choice of seats. The upper deck and front of the boat provide the strongest views, but they can be breezy. A shaded or lower seat may be more comfortable during the long sailing sections.

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes, bring a towel, and pack sunscreen that you can reapply. Comfortable shoes matter twice: first for boarding and walking around the boat, then for Lindos’s lanes and the climb toward the Acropolis.

Before you reach Lindos, decide what your top priority is. I would use this simple approach:

• Choose the Acropolis first if the site matters most.
• Choose the village and a meal if you prefer a slower cultural stop.
• Choose the beach or St. Paul’s Bay if swimming and views are more important.
• Keep enough time to return to the boat without rushing.

The map is helpful, but it cannot solve a crowded day or a long ticket queue. Give yourself a clear return time and treat the final 20 minutes as non-negotiable.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful when your Rhodes schedule depends on weather, though swim times and visit lengths can change slightly in poor conditions.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want Lindos plus swimming, not Lindos alone. The two bay stops, coastal views, and included transport give you a full day for a reasonable price, and the independent three-hour stop lets you shape the visit around your own interests.

Skip it if the Acropolis is your sole reason for visiting Lindos and you want maximum time there, or if a small boat and quiet atmosphere matter more than price. For most visitors who want a practical introduction to Rhodes’s east coast, this is a well-organized day with enough variety to justify the long hours on board.

FAQ

How long does the cruise from Rhodes Town to Lindos take?

The activity lasts about 8 to 9.5 hours. The exact duration and starting time depend on the selected option and pickup arrangements.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet a Manos Ggoing staff member at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of Evangelismos. Look for a red sign with the Manos Ggoing logo.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available in Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki. The exact pickup time and location depend on your accommodation.

How much time do I get in Lindos?

You get approximately three hours of free time in Lindos Village. A map with directions and information is provided, but no tour guide is included.

Are food, drinks, and attraction tickets included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase from the boat’s snack bar, but they are not included. Tickets to Lindos attractions are also separate.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. Snorkeling is possible during the swim stops.