Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

The best part of this three-hour catamaran cruise is its simple rhythm: leave Mandraki Harbor, swim in Kalithea Bay, eat a Greek buffet, then watch the sun drop over the Aegean on the return to Rhodes Town. It gives you a proper evening at sea without taking up a whole day.

I like the small-boat feel, with many departures carrying roughly 14 to 16 people, and I like that food, wine, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water are included. The main thing to consider is that the boat anchors offshore, so you need to swim to reach the water, and the route can change with the weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Kalithea Bay is the active stop: You can swim and snorkel in water reported to be about six meters deep, with rocks, caves, and fish.
• The meal is more substantial than a snack: Expect grilled chicken, salads, dips, feta, olives, bread, and several vegetarian choices.
• The return trip is timed for sunset: The boat pauses at sea near Rhodes Town for about 20 minutes to give you a clear sunset view.
• You choose your catamaran: Sailing and power catamarans are offered, with three boat options listed.
• Drinks are included throughout: Wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are served without an extra charge.
• Small groups are possible, but not guaranteed: Some departures have had around 14 to 16 passengers, while boat assignments and group sizes can vary.

From Mandraki Harbor to open water

Your evening begins at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks, in front of the Poseidon Submarine. Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before departure. This is not a boat you can casually chase down the quay after stopping for a last-minute coffee. The catamarans leave on time, and missing the departure can mean a 25 euro rebooking fee per ticket.

Once aboard, you choose a place on the deck and settle into the first 45-minute run along Rhodes’ east coast. The exact feel depends on your boat. A sailing catamaran gives you the classic canvas-and-wind experience when conditions allow, while a power catamaran offers a more motor-driven ride. Three catamaran options are available, though the specific boat assigned to you can depend on the date and passenger numbers.

The boats have outdoor seating, an indoor toilet, an outdoor shower, life jackets, pool noodles, and snorkeling gear. That mix matters. You are not signing up for a bare-bones fishing boat, but this is still an active outing on the sea. Bring swimwear, and keep a dry layer handy if you are sensitive to wind after sunset.

The mood is generally relaxed, with Greek-toned music and enough open deck space to enjoy the coast. Some departures feel intimate, with around 14 to 16 people aboard. That makes it easier to find a good seat, speak with the crew, and avoid the packed-boat feeling that can spoil a sunset cruise.

Kalithea Bay: a swim stop, not a beach visit

After about 45 minutes, the catamaran anchors at Kalithea Bay, also called Kalithea Springs Bay in the tour description. This is the main activity stop, lasting roughly 45 minutes. You can swim, use the floating noodles, or try the provided snorkeling equipment.

Here is the important practical detail: the boat stays at anchor offshore. You do not walk ashore from the catamaran. To reach the water, you enter directly from the boat and swim around the bay. If you are not a confident swimmer, this may be the part that gives you pause. Life jackets are available, but the stop is built around getting into open water rather than strolling onto a sandy beach.

The water is clear, and the setting includes rocky edges and caves you can swim toward. Some people have seen plenty of fish, including a lionfish, while others have found the underwater scene modest, with rocks as the main attraction. I would frame this as a pleasant Mediterranean swim and light snorkeling session, not a dedicated marine-life excursion.

The reported depth at the swimming point is about six meters. That makes the noodles useful for anyone who wants to float without constant effort. Snorkeling gear is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and tube, though you may prefer your own equipment for fit and comfort.

There is one timing point worth knowing. Food may be brought out while people are still swimming and snorkeling. If you stay in the water for the entire stop, you could miss the first serving or have less time to eat before the boat leaves. I would swim early, return for food, then spend a few extra minutes on deck rather than treating the whole 45 minutes as water time.

A Greek buffet with plenty of choice

Dinner is served aboard the catamaran, either around the swimming stop or shortly afterward. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

This is a useful menu for a mixed group. Meat eaters have grilled chicken, while vegetarians can make a full plate from the salads, dips, feta, olives, bread, and aubergine salad. One vegetarian passenger felt the choices were not enough and chose not to take the food option, so I would not book this expecting a special vegetarian or fish menu. If you have a strict diet, check the current arrangements before paying.

The food is not fine dining, and the setting is not a restaurant. That is not the point. You are eating a generous, easygoing meal on a moving boat, with the coast passing by and the sunset still ahead. Several passengers found the portions plentiful, and the buffet format lets you return for more without turning the evening into a formal affair.

Drinks are one of the strongest parts of the value. Unlimited local wine and beer are included, along with juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. The crew serves drinks during the cruise, rather than making you line up at a bar. You can enjoy the evening without watching every extra charge appear on a tab.

The crew can stop serving alcohol if someone appears intoxicated. That is sensible on a boat, especially one carrying people who may be swimming. The better approach is to enjoy the included drinks at a steady pace and save your most energetic dancing for land.

Sunset on the return to Rhodes Town

The final 45-minute boat ride brings you back toward Rhodes Town. The sunset portion is timed near the end, with about 20 minutes set aside around the Rhodes Town area for the main view.

This is where the cruise earns its romantic reputation. You are out on the water, the boat is positioned for a wide view, and music plays as the sky changes color. The open deck gives you a better chance of finding an unobstructed sightline than you would have from a crowded waterfront restaurant.

The east coast of Rhodes looks especially good from the sea. You see the shoreline as a long sweep rather than a collection of separate roads, hotels, and buildings. The boat ride also gives you a different angle on the island than a land-based evening offers.

Sunset timing changes with the season, so check the exact departure time when you book. The start time is not fixed year-round. In April, May, and October, the operator may move you to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum passenger number. You should watch for messages about any change and listen carefully to the departure announcements.

Music is part of the experience, not just background noise. The selection has been described as Greek-toned and romantic, though the mood can vary by crew and group. Some evenings will feel quiet and gentle; others may become more social, with music, laughter, and a little movement on deck.

What the $58 price really covers

At $58 per person, this is good value if you plan to eat dinner and have drinks during the evening anyway. You are paying for three hours on a catamaran, the Kalithea Bay stop, snorkeling equipment, a buffet, unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and the sunset setting. Buying those parts separately would quickly narrow the price difference.

The value is strongest for couples and small groups who want one polished evening activity. You get transport on the water, a meal, entertainment, and a memorable view in one booking. It is also useful early in a Rhodes visit because it helps you see the coastline from a different angle without arranging your own boat hire.

Families can enjoy it too. A six-month-old baby and a 19-month-old child were taken aboard, and the crew made efforts to help the families feel comfortable. Still, infants may be charged the full adult fare, which makes the price less attractive for very young children. A toddler who dislikes sitting still may also find a three-hour boat ride long, even with food and open deck space.

The cruise is less compelling if you do not drink alcohol, do not want the buffet, or are mainly looking for a serious snorkeling trip. The swim stop is enjoyable, but the focus is the full evening package, not underwater exploration. You are paying for the combination of sea time, dinner, drinks, music, and sunset.

The crew and the small-boat atmosphere

The crew is a major part of the evening. Service is described as friendly and attentive, with staff offering drinks, helping people with the swim stop, and answering questions about Rhodes and nearby areas. Eleni is one crew member specifically noted for checking that people had enough to drink.

You should expect a hosted experience rather than a self-service boat outing. The captain and crew handle the route, anchoring, food, drinks, equipment, and timing. That lets you relax, though it also means you need to follow announcements closely when the boat is preparing to leave the bay or return to port.

Boat size makes a real difference. Several departures had no more than 15 or 16 people, leaving room to sit in different areas and move around for photos. However, you should not assume every departure will have exactly that number. The experience may feel more intimate on a quieter date and more social when demand is higher.

The boat itself has been kept clean and well maintained, with seating available around the deck. You can choose a sunny spot for the coast, a shaded place for dinner, or a position with a clear view during sunset. Seating preferences are not guaranteed, so arriving early is useful for anyone who wants a particular area.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes cruise most

I would recommend this trip to:

• Couples seeking an easy romantic evening
• Friends who want swimming, food, drinks, and music in one outing
• Families comfortable with a boat and an offshore swim stop
• Solo visitors who want a social but organized activity
• Anyone who enjoys sunsets more than long sightseeing talks
• People who value an all-inclusive price for a short evening

I would think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also be cautious if you cannot swim from an anchored boat, have strong motion sensitivity, or need a highly specialized meal.

The trip can work for a solo visitor because the crew creates a friendly setting, but it is not a quiet private charter. Music, conversation, and the group atmosphere are part of the deal. If you want total privacy, book a private boat instead.

Practical advice for a smoother evening

Arrive early at the Poseidon Submarine meeting point. The desks are in front of the submarine, and the catamaran departs from there. Confirm the departure time with a crew member if you are unsure, especially if you received a message about a boat change.

Wear swimwear under your clothes. The swim stop comes before sunset, so you will want an easy way to change or dry off. Bring a towel if one is not confirmed as included, and take a light layer for the ride back when the air cools.

Use the swim stop in two stages. Get in early, enjoy the clear water and rocks, then return for dinner before the buffet has been cleared. This is especially important if snorkeling is your priority, since food may be served during the swimming period.

Keep your phone protected from spray and hold onto hats or loose items. The sea can be calm, but the captain may change the route or swimming stop if conditions require it. The sunset is the fixed idea, not necessarily every exact bay on the way there.

If you want the best sunset view, stay on deck during the return rather than settling inside for dinner. You may need to shift position as the boat turns, but that is part of finding the open view.

Should you book the sunset catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced evening at sea with a real meal, unlimited drinks, a swim stop, and a sunset timed into the return journey. The strongest reasons are the friendly crew, the small-group feel on many departures, the generous buffet, and the chance to enjoy Rhodes from the water without paying for a full-day charter.

Skip it if you need easy shore access, a wheelchair-friendly boat, a serious snorkeling program, or a carefully designed vegetarian menu. The bay stop requires swimming from the anchored boat, and the itinerary can change with weather.

For most couples and small groups, this is one of the better ways to turn a standard sunset into a complete evening. At $58, the package makes sense because dinner and drinks are not afterthoughts. Just arrive early, bring swimwear, listen for announcements, and remember that the best sunset seat is usually outside.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours, including the boat rides, the Kalithea Bay stop, dinner, drinks, and the sunset viewing period near Rhodes Town.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is in front of the Poseidon Submarine, at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks in Mandraki Harbor.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before the scheduled activity begins. The catamarans leave on time.

Is dinner included?

Yes. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited wine and beer are included, as well as juice, soft drinks, and bottled water.

Can I swim at Kalithea Bay?

Yes. The catamaran anchors at Kalithea Bay for swimming and snorkeling. You enter the water from the boat and need to swim because the boat does not take you directly to shore.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are provided. The boat also has an outdoor shower and indoor toilets.

Can I choose a sailing or power catamaran?

Yes. The activity offers a choice between sailing and power catamarans, with three catamaran options listed. In April, May, and October, the provider may rebook you onto another catamaran if a boat does not meet its minimum passenger number.

What happens if the weather changes?

The captain can change the route or swimming stop according to weather conditions. Check announcements and ask a crew member if you are unsure about the departure or updated route.