Rhodes: Gulet Trip with Food, Drinks, SUP, Kayak & Swimming

Rhodes’ eastern coast is best seen from the water, and this six-hour gulet cruise gives you plenty of time to enjoy it without rushing from one stop to the next. You sail from Mandraki Port to Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs, with long swimming breaks built into the day.

I especially like the free water sports at Fun Island and the generous setup of wine, soft drinks, fruit, and Greek food. The crew, including Nikos and Stephanos, gets high marks for being attentive and cheerful. Arrive early, though: the best sunbeds can go quickly, and a busy boat may leave latecomers with less desirable seating.

Key points to know before you book

• Anthony Quinn Bay gives you a first swim in emerald water, with about 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.
• Fun Island at Ladiko Bay is the main event, with SUPs, kayaks, snorkeling gear, floating sofas, and platforms.
• Lunch is served onboard, with Greek salad, seasonal fruit, wine, soft drinks, and traditional dishes.
• The wooden El Greco gulet has sunbeds and shaded seating, but arriving around an hour early improves your choice of spot.
• Kallithea Springs adds architecture and a final swim stop, not just another stretch of open sea.
• Beer, cocktails, slushies, and coffee cost extra, while wine, water, and soft drinks are included.

Six hours along Rhodes’ eastern coast

At $78 per person, this is more than a simple sightseeing cruise. You get a full half-day on the water, three swimming stops, lunch, drinks, and access to several activities that would cost extra on many boat outings.

The pace is one of the best features. You spend roughly an hour and a half cruising before the first main stop, then have about 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, two hours at Fun Island, and 30 minutes at Kallithea Springs. That gives you time to swim and play without feeling as if the crew is chasing the clock.

The cruise begins opposite Eleftherias Square at Mandraki Port. Look for the traditional wooden gulet El Greco. The boat returns to the same place, which makes the outing easy to fit into a day in Rhodes Town.

This is a shared boat trip, so the atmosphere depends partly on the day’s crowd. The boat has many places to sit, including sunbeds and more sheltered areas, but the most popular outdoor spots may be claimed early. A practical move is to arrive around 9:15 if departure is close to 10:00. Several people who did this found it easy to get a better sunbed.

What makes the El Greco gulet appealing

El Greco is not a sleek speedboat built only to get you from one cove to another. Its traditional wooden design gives the trip a more relaxed feel, with space to lie back, listen to music, and watch the coast pass by.

That slower style matters here. You are not booking a quick transfer with a few minutes in the water. You are booking a day afloat. The boat itself is part of the experience, especially when the sun is high and the best plan is simply to sit on deck with a cold soft drink or a glass of local wine.

The boat has open sunbathing areas, shaded seating, floating sofas, and water platforms at the main activity stop. Families can spread out, couples can find a quieter corner, and active swimmers can move between the boat and the floating equipment.

Still, do not expect unlimited personal space on a popular summer sailing. One account described the boat as overly busy, with some people holding onto prime areas rather than sharing them. If deck space is important to you, arrive early and be ready to move around during the day.

The crew is a strong part of the package. Nikos and Stephanos are specifically praised for being helpful and friendly, and the wider team is described as attentive. That matters when you need help with a paddleboard, want to find snorkeling gear, or are trying to understand where to swim.

The first stretch of coast and Anthony Quinn Bay

The opening sightseeing cruise lets you settle into the rhythm of the day. The boat heads along Rhodes’ eastern shoreline, giving you time to take photos and enjoy the sea before the swimming begins.

Anthony Quinn Bay is the first major stop. Its green water comes from the vegetation around the cove, giving it a striking color that looks especially good from the boat. You get about 40 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling.

This is a good first stop because it is long enough to cool off, but short enough to keep the day moving. You can swim, look below the surface with the provided snorkeling gear, or stay aboard and photograph the cove.

The water is the star here, not a long list of facilities. If you want a quiet beach day with a towel and a book, this is not that. The boat anchors for a swim, and your time is spent in or around the water rather than on a beach.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, sun hat, and sunscreen. You should also keep in mind that the boat is exposed to strong sun, even when a warm breeze makes the air feel comfortable. Several hours on deck can catch up with you.

Two hours at Fun Island in Ladiko Bay

The longest stop is at Fun Island, a floating water area in Ladiko Bay that is accessible only through the El Greco cruise. This is where the tour shifts from sightseeing to active play.

You can use the included canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkeling equipment. Floating sofas and platforms give you somewhere to rest between activities. The two-hour stop is long enough to try more than one option rather than choosing a single quick turn.

If you have never tried SUP, this is a useful place to start. You can paddle at your own pace, then switch to a kayak or snorkeling. One small practical tip from the day: ask for a fin if you want one for snorkeling, since they may not be handed out automatically.

The setup is particularly good for mixed groups. One person can paddle, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on a floating sofa with a drink. Children and teenagers have activities to occupy them, while adults who prefer not to exert themselves can use the platforms as a base.

The water sports are included in the $78 price, which is a real advantage. A boat trip with only one swim stop can feel thin after a few hours. Here, the floating area gives the middle of the cruise a clear purpose.

There is one tradeoff. If the boat is full, the equipment can feel busy even when there is enough gear overall. The floating island is a major reason to book this trip, so expect other people to want the same kayaks and boards. The two-hour window helps spread things out, and the activity selection means you are not all competing for one item.

Some crew members may also help you get started or point out places to explore. The friendly assistance is useful for first-time paddlers, though you should still follow the crew’s instructions and stay within the area they indicate.

Greek lunch, fruit, and drinks on deck

Lunch is served during the longer Ladiko Bay stop. The meal includes Greek salad, traditional dishes, seasonal fruit, and unlimited soft drinks and wine. Morning treats are also included, so you are not waiting until midday for the first food.

The meal is designed for a broad audience and is listed as suitable for vegan and non-vegan diners. The usual spread includes Greek salad, beans in sauce, stuffed tomatoes and peppers with rice, and other traditional items. A meat-based dish may also be offered.

Food quality can be a matter of taste. Many people find the lunch generous and enjoyable, while one account found the vegetarian plate plain and less satisfying than the other dishes. If you are vegan, vegetarian, or simply selective about food, tell the crew early rather than assuming the suitable option will appear automatically.

Portions are described as ample, and lunch is a useful part of the value. You are not paying separately for a restaurant meal after spending the day at sea. Fresh fruit also gives you something light after swimming in the sun.

Included drinks are water, soft drinks, juices, and local wine, including white and rosé options. Beer, coffee, spirits, cocktails, and slushies are not included. Beer and other paid drinks are available for an extra charge, so budget a little more if wine is not your drink of choice.

The unlimited wine is a bonus for adults who want a relaxed afternoon, but it is still wise to pace yourself. Sun, swimming, and alcohol make a poor combination when taken too quickly. Water and soft drinks are available, so use them.

Kallithea Springs and the return cruise

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, where the sea and architecture create a change of mood. After the open coves and floating equipment, this stop adds decorative buildings and a more formal setting for photographs.

You have about 30 minutes here for photos, swimming, snorkeling, local snacks, and food onboard. It is shorter than the Ladiko stop, so think of it as a final look and refresh rather than a full afternoon visit.

Kallithea Springs is worth including because it breaks up the repeated pattern of boat, swim, and sunbed. The architecture gives you something different to photograph, while the water provides one last chance to cool off.

The return cruise takes you back toward Mandraki Port. Music is part of the onboard atmosphere, and the ride gives you time to dry off, sit with a drink, and watch the coast from the deck.

If you are prone to seasickness, the longer cruising periods are worth considering. The schedule includes about 1.5 hours at the start, shorter sightseeing stretches between stops, and roughly 45 minutes on the way back. The supplied information does not specify sea conditions or a boat size, so bring any usual remedies if you need them.

Is the $78 price good value?

For a six-hour outing, $78 is a fair price, especially when you add up the included lunch, wine, soft drinks, fruit, three swim stops, and water-sports equipment.

The strongest value comes from Fun Island. You are not just looking at the water from a deck. You can use a kayak, SUP, snorkeling gear, floating sofas, and platforms without paying an activity fee each time.

The lunch and drinks also make the cost easier to justify. A separate meal, several drinks, and a paid kayak or paddleboard session could quickly push the price higher. Families should check their total budget for extra drinks, since beer and cocktails are not part of the advertised package.

This is not the cheapest way to see Rhodes by boat, but it offers more than a basic coastal cruise. It works best if you plan to use the included activities and enjoy spending a long period on the boat.

The main value concern is crowding. If you want a private charter, a quiet sailing, or complete control over your schedule, this is not the right product. If you are happy with a lively shared boat and want a full day of swimming and simple Greek food, the price makes sense.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes boat trip?

I would recommend it to families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who like a social day at sea. The activities suit different energy levels, so you can paddle for an hour, snorkel for a while, and then rest on the deck.

It is also a good choice for a first visit to Rhodes. You see several well-known coastal spots in one outing, without arranging separate transport to Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.

Children and teenagers should have plenty to do, provided they are comfortable around open water. Adults can enjoy the food, wine, music, scenery, and sunbeds even if they do not want to use the sports equipment.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you need wheelchair access, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also disappoint you if your priority is a quiet, uncrowded boat or a restaurant-quality lunch with a wide choice of dishes.

Arriving early is the single best practical tip. Aim for about an hour before departure if you want first choice of outdoor seating. Bring sun protection, a towel, and swimwear, and do not bring your own food or drinks, as they are not allowed onboard.

Should you book the El Greco cruise?

Book this trip if you want one easy, activity-filled day on the Rhodes coast. The combination of Anthony Quinn Bay, the two-hour Fun Island stop, Kallithea Springs, lunch, wine, and free water sports gives you a lot for the price.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a very quiet setting, or complete certainty about a special-diet meal. For most people who enjoy swimming, simple Greek food, music, and a friendly shared atmosphere, El Greco offers a relaxed and well-packed introduction to Rhodes from the sea.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The host or greeter speaks English and Greek.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes gulet cruise start?

Meet opposite Eleftherias Square at Mandraki Port. Look for the traditional wooden gulet named El Greco.

How long does the boat trip last?

The activity lasts six hours. Check availability for the exact starting time on your chosen date.

What swimming stops are included?

The cruise includes about 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, two hours at Fun Island in Ladiko Bay, and 30 minutes at Kallithea Springs.

Are kayaking, SUP, and snorkeling included?

Yes. Kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and snorkeling equipment are included, along with floating sofas and platforms at Fun Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek lunch, morning treats, and seasonal fresh fruit are included. The lunch is described as suitable for vegan and non-vegan diners.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited water, soft drinks, juices, and wine are included. Beer, slushies, cocktails, spirits, and coffee are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Food and drinks from outside are not allowed onboard.