Faliraki: Yellow Sub Cruise to Anthony Quinn Bay & the Caves

The most unusual part of this Faliraki boat trip is the underwater cabin. You can sit below the surface behind large glass windows, watch fish gather as the crew feeds them, then head upstairs for a swim in two of Rhodes’ best-known coastal spots. It is part sightseeing cruise, part easygoing beach break.

I especially like the two proper swim stops, including time to swim inside the Traganou Caves, and the simple open bar of cold beer, water, and soft drinks. The main consideration is that Anthony Quinn Bay can be busy, and the boat stays offshore rather than taking you right onto the beach.

Key points at a glance

• Fish feeding from the underwater cabin: See marine life close to the boat at Anthony Quinn Bay.
• Two swim stops: Spend about 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay and 25 minutes at the Traganou Caves.
• Swim inside the caves: The Traganou stop lets you enter the rock formations by water.
• Unlimited drinks included: Beer, water, and soft drinks are available from the onboard fridge.
• Short three-hour outing: A good fit if you want a sea trip without giving up a full day.
• Beach pickup in Faliraki: Board from the red steps near your selected hotel or harbor stop.

What this yellow semi-submarine cruise is really like

This is not a formal sightseeing boat with a long lecture about Rhodes. It is a relaxed coastal cruise built around swimming, fish watching, and cold drinks. You board a yellow semi-submarine from the beach area in Faliraki, ride along the coast, and split your three hours between cruising and time in the water.

The boat has a glass-sided cabin below the waterline. That gives you a better view than a standard glass-bottom boat because you are seated alongside the water rather than simply peering through a small panel in the deck. The cabin is also air-conditioned, a useful detail when the Rhodes sun is strong.

The crew feeds fish at Anthony Quinn Bay, creating a close-up gathering around the underwater windows. You might see a large fish among the smaller schools, and one outing even produced a sighting of a seal near the caves. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but the feeding makes this part of the trip more active than simply waiting for fish to pass.

Above deck, the mood is casual. You can sit in the sun, watch the shoreline, or reach into the fridge for beer, water, and soft drinks. Food is not included, so eat before you go or bring whatever is permitted by the operator.

The beach pickup at Faliraki

The boat does not use a conventional pier for every departure. A tender boat picks you up from the red steps on the beach at one of the Faliraki stops and takes you out to the yellow semi-submarine. This matters if you are carrying bags or have difficulty stepping from beach to boat.

The published pickup times are:

• Amada Colossos beach: 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:30 PM
• Esperides and Calypso Hotel beach: 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, and 3:40 PM
• Apollo Hotel and Faliraki Harbor: 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, and 3:55 PM

The information lists several beach pickup points, with some descriptions referring to five stops and others to six. Use the stop nearest your hotel and confirm the exact red steps before departure. The yellow boat is the key landmark.

The tender transfer adds a small boat ride before the main cruise. It is part of the fun for many people, but it also means you should arrive ready to get into a smaller boat from the beach. Families with young children have found the 25 and 40-minute swim periods manageable, including families with children aged three and five.

The first cruise along the Rhodes coast

After pickup, allow roughly 30 minutes for the first sightseeing section. You get a moving view of the Faliraki coast and the rocky shoreline leading toward the swimming locations.

This part is less about a narrated tour and more about settling into the boat. Take time to find the best place for your interests. The lower cabin works best when you want to watch the sea and fish. The upper area gives you open air, sun, and a wider view of the coast.

The boat trip is short enough to suit people who are not keen on spending an entire day at sea. You get the feeling of a proper coastal excursion without committing to a six or eight-hour schedule. At the same time, anyone expecting constant sightseeing may find the cruise sections fairly simple. The main attractions are the two stops, not a long list of landmarks.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the fish feeding

Anthony Quinn Bay is the headline stop, and the schedule allows about 40 minutes for swimming. The bay is known for its clear water, rocky edges, and attractive setting. From the boat, you get a view that you cannot have from the beach alone.

This is the best place to use the underwater cabin. When the crew feeds the fish, they gather close to the windows, giving you a lively view of the marine life. You can watch from below, then use the swim stop to see the water from above. Bring a mask if you have one, although some outings have included snorkeling equipment. Equipment details can vary, so do not rely on rental gear unless it has been confirmed for your departure.

The 40 minutes gives you enough time to swim and still spend a few minutes at the glass windows. If snorkeling is your priority, move quickly when the crew announces the stop. Swimming directly from a larger boat is different from walking onto a beach. One point to keep in mind is that the boat may remain some distance from the sand, so this is not a beach landing.

Anthony Quinn Bay can also feel crowded, especially in the popular middle of the day. The boat provides a good view of the bay, but you should not expect a private cove experience. The water and fish are the attraction, and the stop is long enough to make the trip worthwhile even when the bay is lively.

Traganou Caves and the 25-minute swim

The Traganou Caves stop lasts about 25 minutes. Here, the main pleasure is not just swimming beside the rocks. You can swim into the cave formations themselves, which gives this stop a more active feel than a standard open-water pause.

The shorter time works well because the cave visit is focused. Swim toward the formations, look around, and return to the boat without spending half the day in the same place. Conditions in the water can vary, so stay within your comfort level and follow the crew’s directions.

The caves also give the trip some variety. Anthony Quinn Bay is best for the fish and clear swimming water. Traganou is about the rock formations and the simple thrill of entering them. The two stops do not feel like repeats of one another.

The underwater cabin can also be useful here, particularly when the boat is near the rocks. A seal has been seen from the cabin on one outing, but treat that as a lucky possibility rather than part of the promised program. The reliable experience is the cave swim itself.

The open bar and what is included

The open bar is one of the strongest practical benefits of this cruise. Beer, water, and soft drinks are available from an onboard fridge, and the drinks are included in the $51 price. On a hot Rhodes afternoon, unlimited cold water matters just as much as the beer.

This setup keeps the trip easy. You do not need to bring money for each drink, and you can cool down after swimming without waiting for a stop at a beach cafe. The beer is especially welcome once you are back on deck, though you should pace yourself in the sun and keep drinking water.

Food is not included. The trip lasts three hours, so most people can manage by eating beforehand, but do not confuse the open bar with an all-inclusive meal service. If you need snacks, check what you may bring onboard.

The value is strongest if you plan to swim and will use the drinks. A simple boat ride with two short swimming stops might be cheaper elsewhere, but this price also covers the semi-submarine cabin and unlimited beverages. It is less compelling if you want a quiet, luxury cruise or a full meal at sea.

How much time is spent cruising?

The total duration is three hours. The schedule gives you approximately 30 minutes for one sightseeing cruise section and 20 minutes for another, alongside the 40-minute Anthony Quinn Bay stop and 25-minute Traganou Caves stop. The remaining time covers transfers, movement between locations, and the pace of the outing.

That balance is worth understanding before you book. You are not swimming for the entire three hours. You are also not spending most of the trip looking through the underwater windows. It is a mixed program, and that is exactly why it suits families and people who want several small experiences in one morning or afternoon.

The tour runs at several times each day, with departures in the morning, around midday, and in the afternoon. The afternoon option can work as a break from a hotel pool or beach day. The morning departure gives you a cooler start, though you should check the current schedule when booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip for families, couples, and groups who want a low-effort look at the coast. The short duration is friendly to children, and the underwater cabin gives non-swimmers something to enjoy while others are in the water.

It also works well for anyone staying in Faliraki who does not want to arrange a longer excursion. The beach pickups remove the need to travel to a distant marina, and the return is made to the same pickup area.

The cruise is a good match for you if you like:

• Short boat trips with a clear schedule
• Swimming in rocky bays
• Casual snorkeling and fish watching
• Cold drinks included in the fare
• A mix of time below deck and outdoors
• Family-friendly activities without a full-day commitment

I would choose something else if you want a secluded beach landing, a long snorkeling session, a meal onboard, or a polished luxury yacht. The semi-submarine is practical and entertaining, not intimate or exclusive.

Practical tips for a smoother outing

Arrive at the correct red steps on the beach rather than looking for a large harbor check-in desk. The pickup points are spread along Faliraki, so allow time to walk from your hotel and confirm the nearest stop.

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes and bring a towel. You will be boarding from the beach, swimming twice, and returning to the boat between stops. Sun protection is also important because parts of the trip take place on the open deck.

If you want the best chance to watch fish through the glass, be ready when the crew points out the underwater viewing area. The feeding usually creates the most action at Anthony Quinn Bay, and waiting until the end may mean a more crowded view.

Keep expectations sensible about marine life. The fish feeding makes sightings more likely, but a boat trip cannot promise a particular species. The seal sighting is a fortunate extra, not a scheduled feature.

The activity is conducted in English, and the crew, including Captain Mike, is described as friendly, attentive, and good-humored. That helps keep the trip relaxed, especially during the beach transfer and swimming stops.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Rhodes plans are still moving, but check the final booking details for your selected departure.

Is $51 a fair price?

At $51 per person, I see this as a fair midrange price for a three-hour coastal outing. You are paying for two swim stops, the semi-submarine cabin, the boat transfer from the beach, and unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks.

The value improves for a family or group that would otherwise buy several drinks during a beach day. It also makes sense if you specifically want the underwater cabin, since a normal boat tour would not provide that view.

Price comparisons are still worthwhile. One account noted a large difference between an online booking price and booking directly at the harbor, so check the local operator’s current rate before you commit. The listed online price is $51, but prices and booking channels can change.

Should you book the Faliraki yellow submarine?

Book it if you want an easy three-hour outing with two real swimming stops, a fun underwater viewing cabin, and drinks included. The Anthony Quinn Bay fish feeding is the most distinctive part, while the Traganou Caves add a welcome chance to swim into the rocks.

Skip it if your idea of a perfect boat day means silence, privacy, a full meal, or hours of serious snorkeling. For everyone else, this is a well-priced way to get off the beach for a few hours without turning the day into a major expedition.

FAQ

How long is the yellow semi-submarine cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours.

Where do I board the boat?

You board from the red steps on the beach at your selected Faliraki pickup point. A tender boat takes you from the beach to the yellow semi-submarine.

What are the pickup times?

Pickup from Amada Colossos is at 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:30 PM. Pickup from Esperides and Calypso Hotel is at 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, and 3:40 PM. Pickup from Apollo Hotel and Faliraki Harbor is at 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, and 3:55 PM.

How long is the swim at Anthony Quinn Bay?

The swim stop at Anthony Quinn Bay lasts 40 minutes.

How long is the Traganou Caves stop?

The swim stop at the Traganou Caves lasts 25 minutes.

Can I swim inside the Traganou Caves?

Yes. The tour includes time to swim inside the rock formations at the Traganou Caves.

What drinks are included?

Beer, water, and soft drinks are included through the open bar onboard.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the activity price.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The host or greeter speaks English.