3-Hour Adventure With Hippo Submarine

The best part of the Hippo Submarine tour is its mix of easy sightseeing and time in the water. From St. Paul’s Bay, you look through large underwater windows, watch fish gather for feeding, and see Lindos and its Acropolis from a fresh angle without committing to a full day at sea.

I like the 45-minute swim at Navarone Bay, which gives the morning a proper break, and I like the friendly, chatty crew who explain the fish, bays, and local sights as you go. The main drawback is that the boat can carry up to 40 people, so this is a shared outing rather than a quiet private cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• The underwater deck is the main attraction: Stay below to watch the seabed and fish through large windows, then head upstairs for open-air views.
• Navarone Bay gets the longest stop: You have about 45 minutes for swimming in clear water.
• Fish feeding is part of the show: Sea bream, sea bass, and other fish gather close to the boat.
• Lindos looks different from the water: The Acropolis, Lindos Beach, and St. Paul’s Bay form the visual highlights.
• Pickup depends on your location and day: Transfers cover different Rhodes areas on alternating days.
• The price includes a drink: At $47.17 per person, you get the cruise, commentary, fish feeding, swimming stop, and one soda or bottle of water.

Seeing Lindos from below the Acropolis

Lindos is famous for its hilltop Acropolis, whitewashed village, and bright bays. Most people see it from land, often after climbing toward the ancient ruins. This cruise gives you a useful change of angle: the Acropolis rises above you while the boat moves along the coast below.

You begin at the dock in St. Paul’s Bay. Once aboard, the captain and crew show you the lower deck, where air conditioning, music, and large portholes make it possible to watch the seabed from inside. This is not a self-contained underwater vessel, but the lower viewing area gives the boat its submarine character.

I like this arrangement because it works for different comfort levels. You can sit inside if the sun feels strong, head upstairs for the breeze, or move between the two. The underwater windows are also handy for anyone who would rather watch the sea than swim.

As the boat leaves the bay, expect views of clear water and the rocky coast. The tone is relaxed rather than formal. The crew shares information about Lindos, local fish, and the best times to enjoy the Acropolis, so you can ask questions instead of simply listening to a set speech.

The Tomb of Kleoboulos and a short fish-feeding stop

One early stop focuses on the Tomb of Kleoboulos, associated with the ancient Greek philosopher Kleoboulos. The crew uses the site to discuss his idea that keeping balance is the key to happiness in life.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes and does not require an admission fee. Its value is less about entering a major archaeological site and more about seeing a coastal landmark while connecting it to a bit of ancient Greek thought.

Fish feeding follows. Sea bream, sea bass, and other fish gather near the boat when seafood is thrown into the water. You can help with the feeding if you like, which gives children a simple activity and brings the fish close to the viewing windows.

This is one of the more distinctive parts of the morning. You are not only looking at the coast from a boat. You are also watching marine life gather at close range. The downside is that fish feeding is a brief encounter, not a marine biology lesson, so keep your expectations in check. It is a lively extra that works especially well for families.

St. Paul’s Bay and the view toward the Acropolis

The boat continues around Lindos and gives you time to see the famous Acropolis from the sea. The crew can explain its history and offer practical advice about when to visit if you plan to go ashore later.

That advice can be useful because the Acropolis is exposed and the climb can feel demanding in the heat. A view from the water helps you understand the site’s position above the bays before you visit it on foot.

St. Paul’s Bay itself is one of the visual anchors of the trip. The boat begins there, and the route allows you to see the curve of the bay from the water rather than from a road or viewpoint. You will also pass the small church at Agios Pavlos Beach, described as one of the island’s most popular churches.

The stop at Agios Pavlos Beach is about 10 minutes. That is enough for a look and some photographs, but not enough for a long visit or a leisurely church tour. Treat it as a scenic pause, not a full cultural stop.

Navarone Bay: the part worth packing swimwear for

The longest pause takes place at Navarone Bay. You get about 45 minutes for swimming, although the overall stop is described as roughly 20 minutes in one part of the schedule, so check the day’s exact timing with the crew. The included details identify 45 minutes as the swimming period.

The water is described as crystal clear, and the bay is a good place to leave the boat’s lower deck and get in. You can swim while the crew prepares the next part of the outing, then return aboard for more views.

I would treat this as a real swimming stop, not a token photo pause. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and anything you need to feel comfortable after getting wet. The supplied details do not state whether towels or changing facilities are provided, so plan to manage with your own beach gear.

The bay also offers another chance to watch fish through the underwater section. Marine life gathers near the boat during feeding, giving you two ways to see the water: from inside through the portholes and from above while swimming.

If you do not want to swim, you can remain aboard and enjoy the bay from the deck. Still, the stop carries much of the tour’s value for anyone who wants more than a sightseeing cruise. Without swimming, the three-hour schedule may feel slower, particularly if you prefer a fast-moving boat ride.

Lindos Beach and the final photo stop

On the return route, the boat passes Lindos Beach. This is the main beach near town, known for its activity and crowds. From the water, you see the beach as part of the wider Lindos setting, with the Acropolis rising behind it.

The stop lasts around 10 minutes. Use it for photographs, especially a selfie with the Acropolis in the background. The crew can also provide information about activities at the beach and in Lindos itself.

This is a practical feature if you are planning to spend more time in town. You can ask about what to do after the cruise and use the boat ride to get oriented. The tour ends back at the starting point, so you are not left at a different beach or harbor.

What the $47.17 price really covers

At $47.17 per person, the tour sits in the reasonable middle range for a three-hour boat outing in Rhodes. You are paying for more than a short coastal transfer: the package includes the submarine-style viewing area, commentary from the captain and crew, several landmark stops, fish feeding, a swimming period, and one soft drink or bottle of water.

The 45-minute swim is important when judging the price. A cruise that only circles Lindos would offer less hands-on time. Here, you get a mixture of scenery, marine life, and swimming without booking separate activities.

The free drink is a small benefit, not a reason to book on its own. Snacks are not included, and alcoholic drinks can be bought at the bar. For a three-hour morning, you may want to eat beforehand or bring any permitted personal snacks, since the supplied information does not confirm that outside food is allowed.

The group limit is 40 people. That keeps the outing within a manageable size for a shared boat, but you should not expect the personal attention of a private charter. The best viewing positions may be popular, especially during fish feeding, so move around when the crew allows it.

Pickup rules can affect your planning

The meeting point is in Lindos, and the activity returns there at the end. The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Pickup is offered only from certain locations and on certain days. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, transfers are available from Lindos to the Plimmiri region. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, transfers cover the Vlycha to Kolymbia region.

If you select pickup, you need to provide your hotel’s full name. The local operator confirms the final pickup time at least one day before the tour. I would not build a tight connection around that transfer, since the exact time is confirmed later.

If your accommodation is outside the stated pickup areas, plan to reach the Lindos meeting point yourself. The tour listing notes public transportation nearby, but it does not give a specific bus route or timetable. Check your route before the morning of departure.

Who will enjoy this boat ride most

This outing suits you if you want a short, varied morning rather than a full-day sailing trip. It gives you the main coastal sights around Lindos, a chance to swim, and a way to see fish without needing specialist equipment.

Families should find plenty to hold attention, especially during fish feeding and the underwater viewing section. Children can watch fish through the windows, help feed them, and swim at Navarone Bay. Service animals are allowed, and the activity states that most people can participate.

It also works for couples and first-time visitors who want an introduction to Lindos from the sea. The crew’s friendly style has been a major strength, and the ability to ask about the Acropolis or beach activities adds useful local guidance.

You may want something else if you are looking for a quiet sailing experience, a serious archaeological tour, or a long snorkeling session. The boat can hold up to 40 people, the stops are fairly short apart from swimming, and the commentary is designed for a broad audience.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The tour lasts about three hours and starts at 9:30 a.m. Morning timing is useful in Rhodes because you finish with much of the day left for Lindos, the Acropolis, or the beach.

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. The operator also requires a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, you receive the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Confirmation arrives when you book. That makes the booking straightforward, but pickup details still need separate attention if you choose the transfer option.

Should you book the Hippo Submarine tour?

I would book this if you want an easy introduction to Lindos by water, especially if fish viewing and swimming appeal to you. The route packs several useful sights into three hours, and the 45-minute Navarone Bay stop gives the cruise enough substance to justify its price.

I would skip it if you dislike shared boat trips or want long, unhurried time at each landmark. The value is in the combination: underwater windows, fish feeding, coastal views, a swim, and friendly explanations. Pick it for variety, pack swimwear, confirm pickup carefully, and keep the rest of your morning flexible.

FAQ

How long does the Hippo Submarine tour last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours and starts at 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at the meeting point in Lindos, near St. Paul’s Bay, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from specific locations and on specific days. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday transfers cover Lindos to the Plimmiri region. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday transfers cover Vlycha to Kolymbia. Your final pickup time is confirmed at least one day before departure.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The tour includes a 45-minute swimming stop at Navarone Bay.

What can I see through the underwater windows?

You can look at the seabed and watch fish, including sea bream and sea bass. Fish feeding takes place during the trip.

Is food or a drink included?

One soda or bottle of water is included. Snacks are not included, and alcoholic drinks are available to buy at the bar.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to an alternative date or a full refund.