Rhodes Exclusive Swim Cruise Cocktail Open bar & Gourmet Buffet

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is simple: you get a full day on clear Aegean water without being packed onto a floating sardine tin. The Romantika carries a maximum of 40 people, with bean bags and sun benches, then pauses at three very different bays for swimming and snorkeling.

I like the all-inclusive setup, especially the freshly prepared Greek buffet and open bar. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling gear, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are ready on board. The main thing to consider is the atmosphere. Music can become loud and festive, so this suits a fun half-day more than a quiet sailing retreat.

Key points at a glance

• Three swim stops: Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay each offer a different setting.
• Captain Alexander sets the tone: Expect music, dancing, and a playful party mood during the return ride.
• Food and drinks are included: The Greek buffet includes options for vegan and gluten-free diets, along with cocktails, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.
• Comfortable capacity: The boat takes no more than 40 people and provides allocated seating on bean bags and sun benches.
• Useful water equipment: Snorkels, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are supplied at no extra charge.
• Good value at $107.63: The price covers six hours, three swim stops, lunch, and unlimited drinks, though hotel transport costs extra.

Six hours from Mandraki Harbour to Rhodes’ best bays

The cruise starts at 10 a.m. from Mandraki Harbour, the historic port at the northern end of Rhodes Town. You meet the Romantika opposite the Bank of Greece, then return to the same spot at the end of the day.

Mandraki is a fine place to begin. Ancient Rhodes had five ports, and this one served as the naval harbor. Its name comes from mandri, a small enclosure or sheep pen. Today, deer statues on twin columns mark the harbor entrance, while the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos and three medieval windmills frame the view across the water.

As the boat leaves, you get a sea-level view of Rhodes’ medieval walls and Old Town. This is one of the cruise’s quieter pleasures. From the water, the city’s fortifications make more sense as a defensive ring, and the angle gives you photographs that are hard to get from the streets.

The route also passes the place traditionally linked with the Colossus of Rhodes. The huge statue of the sun god was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The popular story says it once straddled the harbor entrance, but there is no proof of that. A good guide should make this clear rather than present the legend as fact.

Kallithea Springs: a scenic first swim

The first stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat stays for about an hour. You can swim from the vessel and, since admission from the sea is free, spend time looking toward the spring complex and its distinctive architecture.

Kallithea has attracted people for centuries because of its reddish mineral water and rocky setting. The buildings were designed and decorated by Italian architects during the period of Italian rule, with careful attention to the natural surroundings. An international hydrological conference was also held here in the past, drawing more than 200 scientists to study the springs.

For you, the practical appeal is the combination of a pretty setting and an easy first swim. The water is inviting, and the supplied noodles and life jackets make it possible to get in even if you are not a confident swimmer.

The one-hour stop is enough for a refreshing swim, but not enough for an extended visit on land. Since the boat’s admission is free from the sea, you should not expect a full guided tour of the spring buildings. Think of Kallithea as a graceful opening stop, not the main cultural visit of the day.

On the way along the coast, the boat passes Faliraki Beach. This popular resort area is known for its long beaches, clear water, and nightlife. From the boat, you see its coastal setting without spending part of your day in the resort itself.

Afandou Beach: open water and caves

Afandou is a big change from Kallithea. Its beach runs for roughly six kilometers and is made of pebbles rather than fine sand. The water is clear, and the coast includes caves and rocky sections that you can explore during the stop.

You have more than an hour here, giving you time to swim, use the flotation equipment, and look toward the shore. The boat then serves the buffet back on board, which is a smart arrangement. You can return hungry from the water and eat without searching for a beach café.

Afandou also has an interesting story behind its name. The coastal settlement was attacked repeatedly by pirates and invading forces, so residents moved inland behind rocks where the town could not be seen from the sea. Afanto means invisible in Greek, a useful clue to the area’s past.

Do not expect a classic sandy beach day. Pebbles can be awkward under bare feet, and the stop is better for swimming and seeing the coast than for settling on shore with a towel. Bring footwear that you can use comfortably around pebbles if you plan to leave the boat.

A Greek buffet served at sea

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to compare this cruise with cheaper boat trips. The meal is described as a freshly prepared Greek buffet, with vegan and gluten-free choices. Food served during the cruise has included prawns with pasta, mussels, chicken, salads, bread, tzatziki, Greek-style vegetable dishes, and a brownie-like dessert with sauce.

The exact menu can vary, so I would not book it expecting one particular dish. The important point is that this is more substantial than a basic sandwich or packet of snacks. Aperitifs and snacks are also included, giving you something to eat before or after swimming.

Some of the traditional dishes may be unfamiliar. Dakos, for example, uses a firm barley rusk topped with tomato, cheese, herbs, capers, and olive oil. The rusk is meant to be crunchy, so it may seem hard if you expect soft bread. Spanakorizo, another Greek-style dish, is spinach rice rather than spinach pie.

The open bar includes signature cocktails, preset cocktails, wine, beer, water, soft drinks, and other nonalcoholic drinks. Beer is served chilled, and the bar can prepare several mixed drinks. One limitation is that the cocktail selection is not completely open-ended, and the strength of mixed drinks may vary.

If you do not drink alcohol, you still get water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic choices. If you do drink, remember that six hours of sun, swimming, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Alternate cocktails with water and use the shaded areas when you need a break.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the best snorkeling

The final major stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, a small cove surrounded by high rocks. The water is deeper here than at Afandou, and the enclosed shape of the bay gives it a more dramatic feel.

This is the best stop for snorkeling. Small fish gather near the boat, and the crew provides masks and snorkels. You can also use a pool noodle or life jacket to float comfortably while looking below the surface.

The bay’s name comes from actor Anthony Quinn, who filmed The Guns of Navarone in Rhodes during the 1960s. He reportedly wanted to buy the bay, but the agreement was never completed and later legal decisions left him without ownership. Locals continued using his name as a tribute.

Nearby Ladiko Bay adds another layer to the scenery. Its name relates to the olive-oil trade, since the cove once served as a loading point for oil shipped toward Egypt and the Middle East. Clay containers linked to old shipwrecks have been found in the area.

The stop is beautiful, but it can also be the liveliest. The water is deep, and the boat may become the focus of the activity, with music, swimming, and playful interaction from the crew. If you want a silent snorkeling session, choose an early time in the water before the party mood builds.

A memorable touch is the crew bringing cold beers out to people swimming near the boat. That is fun, but it also tells you exactly what kind of cruise this is: social, generous with drinks, and more festive than meditative.

The Romantika’s comfort and onboard mood

The boat’s restricted capacity is important. A maximum of 40 people means you have a better chance of finding space to sit, stretch out, or move between sun and shade. Allocated seating includes bean bags and sun benches, and some seating areas work well for couples or small groups.

The two-deck layout gives you choices. The upper deck offers more sun and views, while the lower deck is closer to the bar and may provide better shelter. If you want shade, ask the crew when you arrive. Staff have helped people choose a cooler place rather than leaving them to work it out alone.

The boat is not designed as a silent yacht charter. Captain Alexander is known for his dancing, jokes, and ability to turn the return trip into a small party. Music ranges from relaxed background tracks to louder rock and dance music when the mood picks up.

That will be a major plus for some people and a drawback for others. I would choose this cruise for a birthday, a couple’s day out, a family group with older children, or anyone who likes meeting people on holiday. I would not choose it if your main goal is reading in silence or having a long conversation on deck.

A few practical details matter. The boat has clean toilets, according to the information available, and crew members handle service and safety throughout the day. Commentary may be harder to hear from the upper deck, so stay near the main area when the route information is being given.

Is $107.63 a fair price?

At $107.63 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in Rhodes. It is also not a simple transport trip. Your price covers about six hours, three swim locations, seating, lunch, snacks, an open bar, and water equipment.

The value becomes clearer when you compare what you would pay separately for a meal, several drinks, snorkel rental, and a boat ride to three bays. You also avoid the common problem of overcrowded excursion boats, at least to the extent that a 40-person limit allows.

The price is strongest for people who will use the inclusions. If you plan to drink cocktails, eat lunch on board, snorkel, and swim at every stop, the package makes sense. If you avoid alcohol, eat very lightly, and mainly want a calm ride, a simpler sailing trip might offer better value for your priorities.

Hotel pickup is optional and costs extra. You need to reach Mandraki Harbour yourself unless you add the transfer. The meeting point is opposite the Bank of Greece, and one useful tip is to allow extra time to find the boat, since the harbor can be confusing.

Who should book this Rhodes cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a social day on the water with plenty included. The three stops give you a good range of Rhodes scenery, from the formal setting of Kallithea to the long pebble coast at Afandou and the rocky walls of Anthony Quinn Bay.

It also works well for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel and explore, while less confident swimmers can use life jackets and floaters. The crew supplies the basic equipment, so you do not need to pack a mask unless you prefer your own.

Families should note the deep water at Anthony Quinn Bay and the lively music. Couples should consider the same point. You can find a comfortable sun bed and enjoy the views, but the cruise may become energetic rather than romantic and quiet.

Bring strong sun protection, a swimsuit, a towel, and footwear suited to pebbles. Keep water in your routine even when the open bar is tempting. If you want shade, mention it early. If you want to hear the route information, stay near the deck where the crew is speaking.

Should you book the Romantika?

Book this cruise if you want good swimming, generous food and drinks, and a cheerful crew. The limited capacity, comfortable seating, and supplied water gear give it an advantage over basic crowded boat excursions.

Skip it if loud music would spoil your day or if you want a refined, quiet sailing experience. The best match is someone who sees a boat trip as part sightseeing, part swim day, and part party. At $107.63, it offers solid value when you make full use of the lunch, bar, and three coastal stops.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time. The cruise depends on good weather, so poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise in Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece in Rhodes Town. The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The main swim stops are Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. The route also passes Rhodes Old Town, the traditional site of the Colossus of Rhodes, Faliraki Beach, and Ladiko Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek buffet freshly prepared by the chef is included, with vegan and gluten-free choices. Aperitifs and snacks are also provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes an open bar with cocktails, signature cocktails, wine, beer, water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available for use during the cruise.