Rhodes Town: Scenic Cruise to Lindos with Swim Stops

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star of this Rhodes to Lindos cruise, with a 20-minute swim in clear water before you reach the famous hilltop village. I like the easy hotel pickup and the chance to see Rhodes from the sea, rather than spending the whole day on a coach.

I also like the two swim stops and the generous three hours in Lindos, enough for the village lanes, a meal, and possibly the Acropolis. The main drawback is the boat’s size, with room for up to 280 passengers, and many people wish Lindos time lasted longer.

Key points to know before booking

• Anthony Quinn Bay swim stop: Enjoy about 20 minutes in one of Rhodes’ most striking coves.
• Three hours in Lindos: Walk the lanes, visit the Acropolis, eat by the sea, or relax on a beach.
• Tsambika Bay swim stop: Finish the day with another 20-minute swim and snorkeling opportunity.
• Large three-deck boat: There is a bathroom, snack bar, and several places to sit, but the best seats go early.
• Hotel transfers included: Pickup and drop-off cover Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki.
• Good value at $50.82: The price covers transport, the boat, swim stops, and free time, but not food, drinks, or site tickets.

A full day on Rhodes from the water

This outing works because it combines three things that are often sold separately: a coastal cruise, two swims, and a visit to Lindos. You are not tied to a guide for the whole day, so you can choose how much time to spend in the village, at the beach, or at the archaeological site.

The total day lasts about eight to nine and a half hours. That range matters. Your exact start time depends on your pickup point, and weather can slightly change the timing of the stops. Plan on giving the tour most of your day rather than trying to fit another major activity around it.

The boat carries up to 280 people across three decks. That is not an intimate sailing trip with a quiet little crew. It is a well-equipped day boat designed to move a large group along Rhodes’ busy east coast. You get a bathroom and a snack bar, which makes the long return journey easier, but you should expect a shared excursion rather than a private charter.

Getting to Mandraki Port

If you book hotel pickup, the day begins at your accommodation or a nearby pickup point. The covered area includes Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki. The provider sends your precise pickup time and meeting place, so do not rely only on the general tour start time. Check your email and spam folder before the morning of the trip.

If you are making your own way to the port, staff wait at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of Evangelismos, also known as the Church of the Annunciation. Look for the red Manos Going sign and arrive from 8:30 AM.

Have your booking confirmation ready. Staff exchange it for boarding cards and a complimentary map of Lindos. That map is useful because your time in the village is independent, with no guide leading you from stop to stop.

The pickup and drop-off service is one of the strongest practical features here. Rhodes resorts are spread along the coast, and arranging a taxi to the port can add cost and stress. One of the drivers, Manos, has been especially praised for being pleasant and accommodating. Still, allow for a pickup run that may involve several hotels before you reach the boat.

Mandraki views before the open coast

The cruise begins with views of Mandraki Harbor and several familiar Rhodes Town sights. From the water, you pass the Dama Dama deer statues, St. Nicholas Lighthouse, and the Church of Evangelismos.

These sights are quick glimpses rather than formal stops. Keep your camera ready, but do not expect a guided explanation of every building. There is no tour guide included, and the experience is built around looking, swimming, and exploring on your own.

As the boat continues south along the east coast, you pass Kallithea and Faliraki. Some of the early scenery may feel less dramatic than the coves closer to Lindos. The real reward is the change in viewpoint: resorts, cliffs, beaches, and small bays look different from the deck than they do from a road.

For the best view, board early and head toward the front or upper deck. Several people have found that the prime seats go quickly. The upper deck gives you a wider view and more sun, while a lower deck may be more comfortable if the wind picks up.

Swimming at Anthony Quinn Bay

The first swim stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most appealing coves on this route. You get about 20 minutes in the water, enough for a cooling swim but not enough for a long beach session.

The stop is made for getting off the boat and enjoying the sea. You can swim and, if you bring suitable equipment, look for marine life in the clear water. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The Greek sun can be strong even when a breeze makes the deck feel cool.

Do not treat this as a full beach visit. The schedule does not give you time to settle onto the shore, and the stop is short. You are swimming from the boat, then returning when the crew calls you back.

That brief pause is still valuable. After the port departure and the first stretch of sailing, a swim breaks up the journey and gives you a chance to cool down before Lindos. Anthony Quinn Bay is also one of the most memorable parts of the day for many people, especially when the water is calm and clear.

Weather can change the feel of the stop. Windy conditions may make the boat ride rougher and the open deck less comfortable. The schedule may also shift slightly because of weather, so bring practical clothing rather than dressing only for photographs.

Three hours to make sense of Lindos

Lindos is the main event. The village is known for its white buildings, narrow lanes, beaches, and the Acropolis rising above it. You have approximately three hours to explore without a guide.

That sounds generous, but Lindos can demand quick decisions. If you want to visit the Acropolis, walk through the village, eat, and see the bays, you need a plan. The climb to the Acropolis brings impressive views, but queues can be long in hot weather. One person reported waiting more than 70 minutes just to enter, leaving too little time for the rest of the village.

If the Acropolis is your priority, head there first. A fast-pass or queue-jumper option may help when available, though site admission is not included in the cruise price. Check the arrangements at the entrance rather than assuming your boat ticket covers it.

If you prefer a slower visit, use the map to find your way through the lanes. Lindos is well suited to wandering, but the streets can be confusing and the stone surfaces uneven. Wear comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to climb toward the Acropolis.

You can also spend part of the stop at the beach. The village has white sandy beaches, and the water offers a welcome break from sightseeing. A meal in one of the tavernas is another sensible use of the time, but remember that food and drinks are not included.

I would divide the three hours according to your main interest:

• For history and views, go straight to the Acropolis.
• For a relaxed visit, explore the lanes, eat, and walk to the beach.
• For a mix, visit the Acropolis first, then return downhill for food or a swim.
• For families with older children, combine the village walk with beach time rather than trying to see every sight.

The repeated request for more Lindos time is understandable. Three hours lets you see the place, but it can feel short if you want the Acropolis, St. Paul’s Bay, lunch, and a beach break. One person managed the Acropolis and St. Paul’s Bay, but that sort of schedule requires moving along. If Lindos is your only reason for booking, a land-based excursion with more village time may suit you better.

Returning to the boat and Tsambika Bay

After Lindos, you return to the boat and continue toward Tsambika Bay. This is the second swim stop, again lasting about 20 minutes.

The stop gives you another chance to get into the water after walking Lindos in the heat. It is also described as a snorkeling stop, with clear water and the possibility of seeing colorful marine life. Bring your own snorkeling gear if you want to be certain you can use it, since the included equipment is not specified.

The sequence works well. Anthony Quinn Bay refreshes you before Lindos, while Tsambika Bay offers a final swim after sightseeing. You get two short water breaks instead of one long interruption, and that keeps the day moving.

Once the second swim ends, the boat heads back to Rhodes. The return sailing lasts about one and a half hours, followed by roughly another hour before the final drop-off sequence, according to the published timing. Use the snack bar if you need something, but budget separately because food and drinks are not part of the ticket.

The return can be breezy. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels gentler and avoid arriving without water or food. The trip is not described as a small, quiet sail, and strong winds can make the open decks lively.

Boat comfort, seating, and group size

The boat’s three decks give you choices. You can move around for different views, sit in the sun, or find a more sheltered spot. The bathroom is a practical advantage on a day with several long sailing sections.

The snack bar is also useful. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase, and the onboard prices have been described as reasonable. Since lunch in Lindos is also at your own expense, carry a little spending money or a payment method that works for onboard purchases.

The most useful seating advice is simple: board early. The front and roof areas offer the best views, and they fill first. If you value a particular seat, do not linger on the dock after receiving your boarding card.

A large boat can be a plus or a minus. It offers stability, multiple decks, and room to move, but it cannot provide the quiet feel of a small sailing boat. You should book this with the right expectation: it is a social, organized day cruise, not a private coastal escape.

Is $50.82 good value?

At $50.82 per person, I consider this a strong value if you want to combine Lindos with swimming and transport. The fare includes hotel pickup and drop-off within the listed zones, the boat trip, two swim stops, a Lindos map, and about three hours in the village.

You still pay separately for food, drinks, and entrance tickets. The Acropolis can also consume much of your free time if the queue is long, so add any site admission and possible fast-pass cost to your budget.

The price is especially useful for people staying outside Rhodes Old Town. A separate taxi to Mandraki Port and transport back from Lindos could quickly reduce the savings. Here, the provider handles the main movements, and you get a full day of coastal views without arranging several separate rides.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet boat, a detailed guide, or a long Lindos visit. There is no guide included, and the group can reach 280 passengers. For most people, though, the combination of transport, scenery, swimming, and free exploration gives the fare plenty of substance.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy way to see Lindos and enjoy the sea in the same day. It suits couples, families with older children, and independent sightseers who prefer a map and free time to a guide’s running commentary.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, or Faliraki. The included transfer removes one of the annoying parts of planning a port departure.

You may want another option if you dislike large group excursions or need a fully accessible boat. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, pregnant women, or people with heart problems. Uneven streets and uphill walking in Lindos add another reason to consider your comfort before booking.

Pack light but sensibly: comfortable clothes and shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. If you want to snorkel, bring the gear you prefer, since the tour information does not confirm that equipment is supplied.

Should you book this Lindos day trip?

Book it if your ideal Rhodes day includes two swims, a scenic boat ride, and independent time in Lindos. The organization, hotel transfers, boat facilities, and price make it an efficient choice, and the swim stops add something you would miss on a standard coach trip.

Do not book it expecting a small vessel, a guided history tour, or enough time to take Lindos slowly. If you want the Acropolis, go there first and accept that lunch and beach time may be shorter. If you mainly want to relax at sea, grab an early seat on the upper or front deck.

For most visitors, this is a well-balanced day out. Its best moments are the swim from the boat at Anthony Quinn Bay, the first sight of Lindos from the coast, and the final cooling stop at Tsambika Bay. At $50.82, it gives you a lot of Rhodes in one day, as long as you are comfortable sharing the boat and keeping an eye on the clock.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Lindos cruise last?

The activity lasts about eight to nine and a half hours. The exact duration and start time can vary according to your pickup location and weather conditions.

Where does the cruise start?

The meeting point is Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of Evangelismos. Look for a red sign with the Manos Going logo. You can arrive from 8:30 AM.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations in Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki. The provider sends your exact pickup time and location.

How long do I have in Lindos?

You have approximately three hours of free time in Lindos Village. The time can vary slightly because of weather and operating conditions.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket. The boat has a snack bar, and you can also buy food and drinks during your time in Lindos.

Are entrance tickets to the Acropolis included?

No. Tickets to Lindos sites are not included. You need to allow time and budget for admission separately.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothing, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and it is also not recommended for pregnant women or people with heart problems.