Sun & Sea 6 Hour All Inclusive Swimming Cruise with Greek BBQ & Unlimited Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes outing is simple: you spend a full day moving between clear-water bays instead of trying to squeeze several beaches into a hot land tour. The catamaran leaves Mandraki Marina at 10 a.m., serves food and drinks throughout the day, and stops three times for swimming.

I like the three generous swim stops, each with a different setting, and the fact that snorkeling gear, noodles, and life vests are provided. I also like the cheerful crew, especially the personal attention from staff such as Thanos and Vamos, who help nervous swimmers feel at ease.

The main drawback is comfort on board. The upper deck beanbags are a major upgrade, while the lower deck has benches and tables. The top can become very hot, loud music plays for much of the day, and the swim stops are in open water rather than at a shallow beach.

Key points to know before booking

• Three one-hour swimming stops: Visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, and Traganou Beach, with time to swim and use the supplied snorkel equipment.
• Greek food all day: Expect donuts and coffee, hot dogs, souvlaki, Greek salad, tzatziki, bread, and waffles with chocolate sauce.
• Unlimited drinks included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, iced frappe, and two cocktail flavors are available during the cruise.
• Top-deck seating matters: Beanbags provide a more comfortable place to relax, with a choice of sun or shade.
• A social, lively atmosphere: The crew keeps the mood upbeat with music and friendly interaction, rather than offering a quiet sailing.
• Good value at $78.60: Six hours of cruising, meals, snacks, drinks, and equipment make this a strong choice for a full water day.

Three Rhodes bays in one six-hour cruise

This is a swimming day first and a sightseeing cruise second. The boat leaves Rhodes Sea Lines at Platia Eleftherias in Mandraki Marina at 10 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point after about six hours.

You will spend roughly three hours cruising between the harbor and the bays. That sounds like a lot of time, but it is part of the experience. The ride gives you a break between swims, a chance to eat, and time to sit in the sun or shade while the coastline slips by.

The group can reach up to 75 people, so this is not a private sailing. Still, the catamaran gives you more room than a small excursion boat, and the open deck helps keep the day from feeling too cramped. The atmosphere is social, with music, food service, and plenty of people in the water at each stop.

If you want quiet coastal contemplation, this may not be your best choice. If you want to meet people, swim several times, and have the practical details handled for you, it fits well.

Anthony Quinn Bay, the scenic first or second stop

Anthony Quinn Bay is the visual star of the route. The bay takes its name from actor Anthony Quinn, who appeared in The Guns of Navarone, filmed partly in the area, and Zorba the Greek. Its rocky setting and clear water make it a memorable place to swim.

The boat stays for about an hour, giving you enough time to get into the water without rushing straight back on board. You can use the provided mask, snorkel, and other flotation equipment. The water may offer a look at small fish, though this is not a dedicated marine-life trip.

The best way to enjoy the stop is to treat it as a swim in a striking coastal setting, not as a formal beach visit. You will be getting into the sea from the boat, so this suits confident swimmers and people willing to use a noodle or life vest. The crew keeps an eye on swimmers and gives safety instructions.

Anthony Quinn Bay can be the busiest-feeling stop because it is the most famous. Still, its scenery makes it worth including. Bring a waterproof phone pouch if you want pictures, since your main view of the bay will be from the water or the boat.

Kallithea Springs offers a quieter hour

Kallithea Springs provides a calmer contrast to Anthony Quinn Bay. The setting is another beautiful bay, but the mood is described as quieter. You still get about an hour for swimming, so this is a good point in the day to settle into the rhythm of the cruise.

The name may suggest that you will visit the spring facilities on land, but this excursion uses Kallithea as a water stop. You should expect to stay on the boat and swim from it rather than walk around a historic spa complex.

This stop works well for anyone who prefers a less famous setting. The water is the attraction, along with the open view back toward the coast. If you dislike jumping from a boat, you can use the swimming access in the way that feels comfortable, although the exact entry method can depend on the boat and sea conditions.

A few people find repeated open-water swimming less relaxing than a sandy beach. There is no place to lie on the shore during the stop, and you will need to return to the boat for shade, food, or a rest.

Traganou Beach and its 30-meter caves

Traganou Beach brings a different feature to the route: caves reported to reach about 30 meters into the rock. At the end of the cave system is a tiny beach, giving you something more to explore than a simple swim beside the boat.

The cave stop is the most active part of the day. You can swim toward the openings and see how the coastline changes from open water to rock. Snorkel equipment can help you look below the surface, but the main appeal here is the shape of the caves and the short trip toward the small beach.

Take the crew’s safety advice seriously. Cave swimming requires comfort in the water, and conditions can change with wind and waves. You do not need to force yourself into the cave to enjoy the stop. Staying near the boat, using a noodle, or swimming only as far as you feel comfortable are all sensible options.

The three stops work because they are not identical. Anthony Quinn Bay gives you the famous scenery, Kallithea offers a quieter bay, and Traganou adds the cave setting.

Food arrives from morning to afternoon

The included food is one of the strongest reasons this outing feels like a full-day activity rather than a basic boat transfer. The day begins with sweet donuts and coffee, followed by a hot dog serving later in the morning.

Lunch is the main meal: meat skewers, usually souvlaki, with Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread. That combination is filling without being fussy, and it fits the setting better than a packed sandwich would. Chicken skewers have been specifically enjoyed, while the fresh salad and tzatziki add a welcome break from the heat.

On the return leg, the crew serves waffles with chocolate sauce. Snacks arrive at useful points, especially after swimming when you may be ready for something sweet.

This is not a restaurant meal with a wide menu, and you should not book it expecting special dietary customization unless you arrange that directly. The food is casual, plentiful, and designed to keep you going through six hours in the sun.

What unlimited drinks really means

Beer, wine, soft drinks, and iced frappe are included, along with two cocktail flavors. The drinks are available throughout the cruise, so you do not need to budget for a bar tab after paying the ticket price.

Keep your expectations realistic. The beer is served in cans, the wine is cask wine, and the cocktails are juice-forward rather than crafted bar drinks. If you want premium spirits or a long cocktail menu, this is not that kind of open bar.

For most people, the value comes from convenience. You can have a cold drink after swimming, a soft drink with lunch, or coffee earlier in the day without carrying supplies or watching every purchase. Drink plenty of water as well, since sun, swimming, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly.

The food and drinks help explain the $78.60 price. Compared with paying separately for a boat outing, three swim stops, lunch, snacks, beverages, and snorkel rental, the package offers solid value for a full six-hour day.

Choose your seating carefully

Seating can make or break this cruise. The upper deck beanbags are an optional upgrade, and they give you a more comfortable place to stretch out. You can usually choose between a sunny spot and some shade, which is especially useful during a long summer day.

The lower deck has benches and tables. It gives you a place to sit and a break from the sun, but it is less relaxing for six hours. One important detail is that the top deck can become extremely hot, so even an upper-deck booking does not remove the need for sunscreen, water, a hat, and occasional shade.

The most practical plan is to use both levels. Enjoy the beanbag when cruising, move below when the heat becomes too strong, and return upstairs for views or a swim. One person reported feeling unwell from the heat after spending too much time in direct sun, so do not treat the upper deck as a test of endurance.

Music plays for much of the trip. That helps create a party mood, but it can be loud, and some songs may contain explicit lyrics. If you are hoping for a quiet sailing with only the sound of the sea, bring that expectation down.

The crew makes the difference

The crew is a major part of the experience. Staff members such as Thanos and Vamos are known for joking with people, checking on swimmers, and helping create an easygoing mood. The crew also gives safety instructions and watches the water around the boat.

That personal attention matters if you are not a strong swimmer. One useful example from the day is a crew member encouraging a nervous swimmer to try the water with a couple of noodles, then checking back several times and celebrating the achievement afterward. You can take part at your own pace without feeling pushed.

The boat has snorkels, masks, noodles, and life vests, so you do not need to bring all your own equipment. You may still prefer your own mask if you already have one, since a familiar fit is often more comfortable.

The crew is friendly, but the starting process may feel less polished. Several booths operate around the pier, and finding the correct reception point can take time. Arrive early, look for Rhodes Sea Lines, and ask staff where to check in rather than assuming the first booth is yours.

Getting there and managing the day

The meeting point is Rhodes Sea Lines at Platia Eleftherias, Rhodes 851 00. The cruise starts at 10 a.m. and ends back at the same point.

Hotel transfer is not automatically included unless you choose that option. If you do not select a transfer, the operator says you can arrange one by messaging through WhatsApp. Check this before the morning of your cruise, especially if you are staying outside central Rhodes.

Public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed. The outing is not designed for someone who needs a quiet, low-movement boat day, and open-water swimming requires you to judge your own comfort.

Sea conditions also matter. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions cancel the trip. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you receive the same choice of another date, another experience, or a refund.

If you are prone to motion sickness, bring appropriate medication. The boat moves between the harbor and several bays, and the ride can feel more demanding than staying on land.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this trip for a couple, group of friends, or solo visitor who wants a ready-made day on the water. It suits you if you like swimming, casual food, music, and meeting people without having to organize a boat, lunch, and equipment separately.

Families may enjoy it, provided everyone is comfortable around open water. Less confident swimmers can use flotation aids and ask the crew for help, but the stops are not pool-like. You will be swimming from a boat, often in water too deep to stand in.

It is less suitable if your priority is a silent cruise, a luxury yacht atmosphere, a sandy beach day, or a carefully controlled gourmet meal. You should also think twice if you dislike heat, loud music, or motion on the sea.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, so keep an eye on the local time and weather forecast.

Should you book it?

At $78.60, this is a good-value Rhodes day if you want plenty included: three swim stops, Greek barbecue, snacks, unlimited basic drinks, snorkel equipment, and a six-hour return from central Rhodes.

I would pay extra for the beanbag seating if comfort matters to you, but I would still spend part of the day below deck to escape the heat. Book this cruise for an active, social outing with friendly staff and beautiful bays. Skip it if you want silence, luxury, or a shallow beach where you can simply float without leaving the boat.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It departs from Rhodes Sea Lines at Platia Eleftherias in Rhodes, Greece.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the cruise finish?

It ends back at the same meeting point at Rhodes Sea Lines.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The swimming stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, and Traganou Beach.

Is food included?

Yes. Included food includes donuts and coffee, hot dogs, Greek barbecue with meat skewers, Greek salad, tzatziki and bread, plus waffles with chocolate sauce.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, wine, soft drinks, iced frappe, and two cocktail flavors are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with flotation equipment such as noodles and life vests.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 75 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded.