Rhodes: Beach Cruise with Swimming, Meal, & Unlimited Drinks

The best thing about this Rhodes cruise is the boat itself. The 20-meter Opera is a powerful, polished RIB with room for only 25 people, so you get the thrill of speed without being packed onto a large excursion vessel. It carries you along the east coast to three excellent swim stops, including the caves at Traganou and the famous water of Anthony Quinn Bay.

I like the generous hour at each stop, the easy mix of swimming and sitting in the sun, and the fact that lunch and drinks are included. I also like that the crew, including hosts such as Georgia, Carolina, and Violeta on different departures, tends to stay involved rather than simply steering the boat. The main consideration is the party atmosphere: music can become loud, and the boat may suit you less if you want a quiet nature cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• A rare boat experience: The Opera is a 20-meter luxury power RIB, with only seven such boats said to exist worldwide.
• Three one-hour water stops: You have time to swim and snorkel at Traganou Caves, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs.
• Small by excursion standards: The boat holds a maximum of 25 passengers, with sunny and shaded places to sit.
• All-inclusive onboard: Lunch, salad, fruit, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are part of the price.
• A social, music-led mood: Upbeat music, dancing, and friendly hosts make this partly a beach cruise and partly a boat party.
• Useful for cruise ship visitors: The boat leaves from Mandraki Marina, within walking distance of Rhodes cruise berths.

The Opera Boat from Mandraki Marina

You meet at the final kiosk in Mandraki Rhodes Marina, next to the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. This is an important detail because the marina has several boats and departure points. Allow enough time to find the kiosk rather than arriving at the last minute.

The cruise lasts four hours, normally returning to Mandraki Marina around the early afternoon on a morning departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are staying in Rhodes Town, you make your own way to the marina. If you arrive by cruise ship, the walk can take roughly 15 to 20 minutes, depending on your berth and pace.

Once aboard, you remove your shoes and place them in a crate. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The no-shoes rule helps keep the deck clean, but it also means you should board in footwear that is easy to remove.

The Opera is the star of the show. Its size gives you more room to move around than you usually get on a small speedboat, while its RIB design provides the fast, open-water ride. You have sunny and shaded spots, a toilet, Wi-Fi, and space for the included snorkeling equipment and floatation toys.

The boat is not silent. Music begins early, and the atmosphere can shift from relaxed lounge sounds to louder party tracks. That is a plus if you want a social outing, especially for couples, groups of friends, and celebrations. It is less ideal if you want to read quietly or hear only the sea.

Racing past Rhodes Old Town and Faliraki

The cruise begins with views toward Rhodes Old Town and the shoreline near Faliraki. You do not stop for a walking visit, so think of this part as a moving coastal view rather than a history tour.

The boat’s speed makes the transfer between stops fun rather than wasted time. You feel the wind, see the coast from the water, and reach coves that would be harder to visit during a short stay in Rhodes. The speed is also worth considering if you are prone to motion sickness. Wind and choppy water can make the ride uncomfortable at times, though the crew can help if you feel unwell.

The guide speaks English. The crew’s role is practical and social: helping people with equipment, checking on swimmers, serving drinks and food, and keeping the day moving. Names vary by departure, but Georgia, Carolina, Violeta, Charlie, and captain Giannis have all been singled out for friendly and attentive service. That personal touch matters on a boat, where a good crew can make the difference between an organized outing and a chaotic one.

Traganou Caves: the most active stop

The first main stop is Traganou Caves, where you have about an hour for a guided boat visit, photos, swimming, and snorkeling. This is the most adventurous part of the route.

You can enter the caves from the water and look back toward the bright sea through the rock openings. The stop gives you something different from a standard beach swim, and the clear water makes it a good place to use the provided goggles and snorkel.

Bring water shoes if you have them. The rocks around the cave can be sharp, particularly if you step out or walk in shallow water. Regular flip-flops may be awkward in the sea, while bare feet can be uncomfortable.

The snorkeling here is enjoyable for seeing the coastline and rock formations, but you should keep expectations reasonable. If you have snorkeled in places known for large numbers of fish, the underwater life around Rhodes may seem modest. The main reward is the clear blue water, the caves, and the chance to swim from the boat.

The crew supplies snorkeling equipment, but bringing your own mask can make sense if you care about fit. One passenger also found a waterproof phone cover useful, and water-friendly phone protection is a sensible way to take photos without risking your mobile.

Anthony Quinn Bay and lunch on the water

Anthony Quinn Bay is one of Rhodes’ most recognizable coastal stops. The cove is known for its striking water and rocky shoreline, and seeing it from the boat gives you a better sense of its shape than simply arriving on the beach.

You get another hour here for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and lunch aboard the Opera. The timing is well judged. You can get into the water, dry off in the sun, and eat without feeling rushed through a string of brief ten-minute stops.

Lunch includes a main dish, salad, and fruit, with a vegan option available. The exact menu has changed over time. Recent meals have included vegetarian dishes such as stuffed peppers and potatoes, while older departures served burgers and chips. Some people have found the food tasty and satisfying; others expected something more special or received food that was not as hot as they hoped.

I would treat lunch as a convenient, fresh meal rather than a restaurant event. It is included, it saves you from carrying a packed lunch, and fruit such as watermelon is welcome after swimming. If you have a strict diet, confirm the current menu and vegan arrangements before booking.

Drinks are one of the stronger value points. Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are included, which means you do not need to keep counting small purchases throughout the trip. The package helps justify the $94 price, particularly if you plan to enjoy several drinks and would otherwise pay separately on a boat.

Do remember that unlimited alcohol can change the mood quickly in a small group. The crew appears to keep the atmosphere friendly, but this is not a quiet sailing trip. Music, drinks, and dancing are part of the appeal.

Kallithea Springs for a final swim

The last scheduled stop is Kallithea Springs, with another hour for swimming, snorkeling, a guided visit, and photos. The name refers to the historic thermal springs area on the Rhodes coast, but this excursion focuses on the sea stop rather than a long land visit.

The water is the main attraction. You can cool off, use the floatation toys, and look back at the shore from the boat. After two earlier stops, this final hour gives you one more chance to swim without rushing straight back to port.

Water temperatures depend on the season. In late spring, the sea can still feel cold, even under warm sunshine. By summer, the swim is generally more inviting, but you should still bring a towel and a dry layer for the ride back.

Because each stop lasts about an hour, the day has a pleasing rhythm: fast ride, swim, sun, food or drinks, then another coastal run. You are not spending most of the four hours sitting in a harbor. The boat covers enough ground to show you several different sections of the east coast.

What the $94 price really covers

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a Rhodes beach. You are paying for the vessel, crew, fuel, three organized water stops, lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, Wi-Fi, and the smaller passenger count.

The value is strongest for you if you want several things in one half-day. A basic boat ride may cost less, but you might then pay extra for drinks, equipment, or food. A larger party boat may offer a similar route, but the Opera gives you more space per person and a faster ride.

The small group does not mean private. With up to 25 people, you still share the boat with other couples, families, solo passengers, and celebration groups. The benefit is that the boat feels less crowded than a large excursion vessel, not that you have a private charter.

The price also makes sense for a cruise ship stop. If Rhodes is one port on a longer itinerary, you can see several coastal highlights, swim three times, eat lunch, and return to the marina within four hours. You avoid the uncertainty of finding a beach taxi, locating equipment, and watching the clock at separate locations.

You should compare the value against your habits. If you do not drink alcohol, do not care about music, and prefer to spend a full day on one beach, a land-based outing may suit you better. If you want an easy, active half-day with a little celebration mixed in, the package is much more appealing.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend the Opera Boat for couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who can manage a boat day and swimming from the vessel. The crew has experience looking after both younger and older people, and the boat has a toilet and plenty of room for a four-hour outing.

It is especially good for a birthday, hen party, or other small celebration. The hosts have arranged birthday songs, cocktails, cake, and champagne on some departures. These extras should not be treated as guaranteed inclusions, but the crew clearly has a social approach.

Solo passengers can fit in well, too. The group format gives you an easy chance to meet people, and the crew makes an effort to include those traveling alone.

You may want another activity if you dislike loud music, are uncomfortable with fast boats, or want serious snorkeling. The water is beautiful, but the snorkeling is not the main reason to book this excursion. You are buying a coastal outing with swimming, scenery, food, drinks, and music.

The boat is advertised as wheelchair accessible, but swimming from a RIB and moving around a marine deck can still require personal assistance. Contact the provider before booking if you need specific mobility support.

Small details that make the day easier

Boarding early is useful if you want first choice of seating. The boat has sunny and shaded areas, but your preferred spot may go quickly.

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes. There are three water stops, and the ride between them may not leave you fully dry. A towel is essential, and a light cover-up can make the return ride more comfortable.

Use sunscreen often. The open deck gives you plenty of sun exposure, even when the breeze makes the temperature feel mild. Sunglasses with a secure fit are also helpful during the fast stretches.

If you plan to enter the caves, pack water shoes. The cave rocks can be rough, and the boat’s no-shoes rule applies indoors and aboard the vessel, not as a reason to leave all practical footwear at home.

The cruise includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date. These policies are useful when your Rhodes plans depend on ferry or cruise schedules, but you should still allow a sensible margin before any onward departure.

Should you book the Opera Boat?

Book it if you want a polished half-day on the sea, three proper swimming stops, a fast and unusual boat, and an all-inclusive social atmosphere. The strongest features are the spacious 25-passenger layout, the hour-long stops, the friendly crew, and the ease of combining food, drinks, snorkeling, and coastal views in one outing.

Think twice if you want peace and quiet, a gourmet lunch, or fish-filled snorkeling. Music can be loud, the menu can change, and rough water may cause discomfort. For most visitors with only part of a day in Rhodes, though, the Opera offers a lively and efficient way to see the east coast from the water.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes beach cruise leave from?

It leaves from the final kiosk in Mandraki Rhodes Marina, next to the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts four hours. Check the available starting times when selecting your date.

Which places does the boat visit?

The cruise includes Traganou Caves, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs. Each stop lasts about one hour and includes time for swimming, with snorkeling available.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. The price includes lunch, salad, fruit, and unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks. A vegan option is available, and the exact main dish can vary.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and sea toys are included. You may also bring your own mask if you prefer a particular fit.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You make your own way to Mandraki Marina.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Water shoes are also useful for the sharp rocks around Traganou Caves.