Rhodes: Anthony Quinn, Ladiko and Caves All-Inclusive Cruise

Anthony Quinn Bay is the headline act, but the real pleasure of this three-hour catamaran cruise is the mix of swimming, scenery, and unhurried time on board. You can snorkel in clear water, swim into the Traganou Caves, then stretch out on a sofa with a fresh strawberry cocktail in hand. I especially like the small 28-person limit, which matters on a boat licensed for 45, and the simple Greek snacks, including melekouni, a honey-and-sesame bar from Rhodes.

I also like the three different swimming settings: a famous rocky cove, a cave-filled stretch of Afandou Bay, and calm Ladiko Bay. The catch is that this is a swim-and-relax cruise, not a full sightseeing tour of Rhodes. The stops are short, and you will need to arrange your own way to Faliraki port unless you pay an extra €10 per person for a return transfer.

Key points at a glance

• Anthony Quinn Bay gets the longest swim stop: You have about 40 minutes to swim, snorkel, and enjoy the most photogenic cove on the route.
• You can swim inside Traganou Caves: This is more than a look from the boat, though the 30-minute stop passes quickly.
• Aphrodite is kept below full capacity: The 36-foot catamaran carries no more than 28 people for this cruise.
• The open bar is part of the experience: Expect fresh fruit cocktails, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks, plus fruit salad and melekouni.
• The crew keeps things relaxed: Hosts including Mike and George are known for friendly service, music, floating aids, and practical snorkeling tips.
• Transport is simple but not automatic: Meet Aphrodite beside the small church at Faliraki port, or arrange a €10 return transfer in advance from selected areas.

Why this cruise works so well in three hours

Rhodes has plenty of long boat excursions, but you do not always need a full day at sea. This trip gives you the essentials in a compact block: three swims, coastline views, drinks, snacks, and a comfortable place to sit between stops.

That timing is useful if you are staying in Faliraki, fitting a boat trip around a beach day, or visiting Rhodes on a cruise ship. You get out on the water without giving up the rest of your day. At $51 per person, the price also includes snorkeling equipment and unlimited drinks, which makes the fare easier to justify than a basic sightseeing cruise with every extra charged separately.

The mood is casual rather than formal. You are not signing up for a lecture about ancient Rhodes or a tightly scripted shore tour. You are getting a friendly outing where the crew points out good places to snorkel, keeps the drinks coming, and lets you choose between swimming and simply enjoying the ride.

Boarding Aphrodite at Faliraki port

The boat, Aphrodite, is a 36-foot catamaran moored beside the small church at Faliraki port. That landmark is useful because the meeting point is not described as a large terminal with obvious signs. Give yourself enough time to find the church and boat without rushing.

The vessel is licensed for 45 people, but this cruise limits the group to 28. That is one of the most important details in the whole experience. A catamaran can feel crowded when every seat is taken, especially when people are collecting drinks, drying off, or moving toward the swim platform. The lower passenger limit leaves more room for the sofas and makes the boat better suited to a laid-back afternoon.

The seating is a major part of the appeal. Instead of spending the whole cruise perched on a hard bench, you can settle onto a sofa and watch the coast pass by. The boat also has a toilet, a freshwater shower for rinsing off salt, snorkeling equipment, and flotation aids such as pool noodles.

This is a good setup for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head out with a mask and snorkel, while less confident swimmers can stay near the boat with a float. One first-time snorkeler described the experience as a comfortable introduction, and that makes sense given the available equipment and attentive crew.

Anthony Quinn Bay, Rhodes’ most photogenic stop

The first swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, and it gets the longest allocation at about 40 minutes. The cove is known for its rocky shoreline and clear blue water, with steep sides that make it feel more enclosed than a broad beach.

From the boat, you get a view that beach visitors do not. The water, rock formations, and small scale of the bay come together well from sea level. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard with a drink while the catamaran rests in the cove.

If you want good photos, have your phone or camera ready before the boat arrives. The cruise gives you time to enjoy the view, but 40 minutes is not a long session if you plan to swim, snorkel, take pictures, and dry off. I would put the camera away once you enter the water. The main reward here is seeing the rocks and fish from below the surface, not simply collecting another postcard view.

The bay can be the busiest-feeling part of the route because it is so well known. This cruise does not turn the stop into a private cove visit. Still, approaching by catamaran and swimming from the boat gives you a more direct experience of the place than stopping only for a quick photo from land.

Traganou Caves and the 200-meter cliff

The second swimming stop is at the Traganou Caves in Afandou Bay, with about 30 minutes in the water. This is the most unusual stop because you can actually swim inside the caves rather than only viewing them from a distance.

The caves provide shade, rock texture, and a change of mood from the open water around Anthony Quinn Bay. Your host can direct you toward the best place to snorkel and explain what to look for in each area. Snorkeling here is less about a formal underwater attraction and more about exploring the edge of the coast at your own pace.

The route also takes in a dramatic 200-meter cliff that drops toward the sea. From the boat, the scale is easier to appreciate than from a road or beach. You are looking up at rock and down into blue water at the same time, which gives this section more visual drama than a simple swim stop.

Thirty minutes is enough for a swim into the caves, but not enough for everyone to linger. If this is your favorite part, get ready to enter the water promptly. You might also find the water cooler or the cave entrance darker than expected, so a flotation aid can be useful if you are not a confident swimmer.

Ladiko Bay, a calm final swim

The final swimming stop is Ladiko Bay, where you spend about 30 minutes. The host shows you the best place to snorkel, which is helpful because a good entry point can make a difference when you have only half an hour.

Ladiko feels like a fitting final stop. By this point, you have had the famous cove and the caves, so the last swim gives you another chance to slow down, float, and enjoy the water without trying to see everything at once.

This is also when local snacks may be served, including a fruit platter and melekouni. Melekouni is a traditional Rhodian sweet made with honey and sesame. It is simple, portable, and a welcome change from the usual packaged snack found on boats.

The three locations are different enough to keep the short schedule interesting. Anthony Quinn Bay is the scenic star, Traganou offers the most distinctive activity, and Ladiko gives you another pleasant place to swim and snorkel. None of the stops is designed for a long beach stay, so choose this cruise for variety rather than extended time at one bay.

The open bar, fresh cocktails, and food

Drinks are available throughout the cruise. The included choices are fresh fruit cocktails, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. The cocktail of the day is made from fresh fruit on board, with frozen strawberry drinks receiving especially strong attention.

You can request the cocktail with or without alcohol. That flexibility is useful for families, anyone avoiding alcohol, and people who would rather not drink before snorkeling. One practical point: do not assume every cocktail will taste strongly alcoholic. The emphasis is on a cold, fruity drink, not on heavy pours.

The open bar adds real value to a three-hour outing. You are spending time in the sun, swimming, and drying off between stops, so having water and soft drinks readily available is more convenient than carrying everything yourself. Beer and wine suit the relaxed atmosphere, while the fresh strawberry cocktail feels like the signature treat.

The food is light. Expect fruit salad, a fruit platter, local produce, and melekouni rather than a full meal. Eat beforehand if you need lunch. The snacks are enough to take the edge off hunger, but they should not be mistaken for a buffet.

Music is also part of the atmosphere. The crew keeps a steady selection playing, which helps the boat feel social and holiday-focused. If you want a quiet nature cruise with no entertainment, this may feel more lively than you prefer. For most people looking for a sunny break, the music fits the setting.

Hosts who make the boat feel personal

The people working on board have a large effect on this type of cruise. The crew named across the available feedback includes Mike, George, Elena, James, and Thanasis, with Thanasis described as captain on one outing. Their role is more than serving drinks.

A good host helps first-time snorkelers, points out where to swim, brings flotation aids, and signals when it is time to return to the boat. The crew uses the boat horn to call people back, which is a useful system when swimmers spread out around a bay.

The service style is friendly and informal. Mike is especially associated with making the frozen strawberry cocktails in front of passengers, while George is noted for being warm and helpful. Staff names and crew combinations can change, so treat these as examples rather than a guarantee of who will be aboard on your date.

The best part of this approach is that you can ask for help without turning the outing into a formal lesson. If you have never snorkeled, ask where to look and how far to swim. If you are not comfortable in open water, ask for a noodle or another float before leaving the boat.

Who should book, and who should skip it

I would recommend this cruise to couples, friends, solo visitors, and families who want a short sea outing with very little planning once they reach the port. It suits people who value comfort as much as sightseeing, since the sofas and open bar are as central to the experience as the bays.

It is also a strong choice for cruise ship passengers. A €10-per-person return transfer can be arranged from the cruise terminal, and the total cost may compare well with a shore excursion sold through the ship. Arrange that transfer the day before by WhatsApp, between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM.

You should think twice if your main goal is a full meal, serious underwater exploration, or a long stop on a sandy beach. The itinerary moves steadily, and each swim is limited to 30 or 40 minutes. You will get variety, not hours at one location.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, but swimming from a catamaran still involves practical movement around the vessel. If accessibility is important for your party, confirm the arrangements before booking so the crew can explain what is possible at the meeting point and during the swim stops.

Practical details that improve the day

Bring sunglasses, a towel, and sunscreen. Apply sunscreen before boarding and bring it onto the boat for later use, since you will spend time in direct sun between swims.

Wear something comfortable for moving between the seating area and the water. Keep valuables limited, and use care with phones and cameras around the swim platform.

The cruise ends back at the same Faliraki port meeting point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the $51 price. Transfers from Ixia, Rhodes Town, cruise ships, Kremasti, and Kallithea cost an additional €10 per person and must be arranged in advance.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is offered with live guidance in English and Greek.

Is the Anthony Quinn and Ladiko cruise worth $51?

For $51, I think this is good value if you will use the inclusions. Three swimming stops, snorkeling gear, a smaller passenger load, unlimited drinks, fresh fruit cocktails, snacks, and a sofa seat add up to more than a basic boat ride.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a pleasant half-day activity rather than a serious excursion. You are paying for an easy package: reach the port, board Aphrodite, swim in three attractive places, and let the crew handle the drinks and equipment.

I would book it if Anthony Quinn Bay and the Traganou Caves are high on your Rhodes list, especially if you like swimming but do not want to spend a full day at sea. I would skip it only if you dislike open-bar party touches, need a substantial meal, or want long, quiet time at a single beach.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours and returns to the starting point at Agioi Apostoloi, near Faliraki port.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet Aphrodite beside the small church at Faliraki port, Faliraki 851 00, Greece.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The cruise stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Traganou Caves in Afandou Bay, and Ladiko Bay.

How long is each swimming stop?

Anthony Quinn Bay receives about 40 minutes. Traganou Caves and Ladiko Bay each receive about 30 minutes.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited fresh fruit cocktails, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are included.

Is food included?

Yes. The cruise includes fruit salad or a fruit platter, melekouni, and a selection of local produce. It does not include a full meal.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and flotation aids are available on board.

Can I arrange a transfer from my hotel or cruise ship?

A return transfer from Ixia, Rhodes Town, the cruise ships, Kremasti, or Kallithea costs €10 per person. Arrange it the day before through WhatsApp, when the office is open from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM.