Rhodes: Cruise with 3 Stops, Lunch and Unlimited Drinks

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star of this cruise, with green water, pine-covered hills, and rocky coves that look made for a swim. From Rhodes Town, you spend the day moving between three very different coastal stops instead of committing to one beach.

I especially like the generous swim breaks and the friendly, attentive crew, often led by Theodore. Lunch, fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included, which makes $70 a fair price. The main catch is limited shade, and an early arrival helps if you want the best place to sit.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swim stops: Spend about 50 minutes each at Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea Springs, with a longer Afandou Beach stop that includes lunch.
• Traditional wooden boat: The boat has character and makes a fine platform for sunbathing, photos, and jumping into the sea.
• Food and drinks included: A buffet lunch with vegetarian choices comes with fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks. Cocktails cost extra.
• Small-boat feel: Several bookings describe a relaxed atmosphere with roughly 18 people aboard, though the boat can sell out.
• Arrive early for seating: The front pads offer the best views, while shade can be limited in strong sun.
• Bring your own towel: Snorkeling gear, floats, and an onboard shower are provided, but towels are not.

A relaxed day along Rhodes’ east coast

This is the kind of boat trip that works because it keeps things simple. You board near Mandraki Port, settle onto a wooden boat, and spend the next five and a half hours swimming, eating, sunbathing, and watching the coast slide past.

The route follows the calmer east coast of Rhodes. You are not racing through a long list of sights or spending the day on a crowded beach. Instead, each stop gives you time to get into the water, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or stay aboard with a drink.

I like the balance. There is enough activity for a fun family outing, but also enough open time for you to read, sunbathe, or simply listen to the music and watch the sea. The crew keeps drinks moving throughout the day, and the tone is friendly rather than formal.

The boat is a traditional wooden vessel, not a sleek modern yacht. That gives it more character in photos and creates a pleasant old-fashioned sailing feel. It also means seating matters. The boat can have plenty of room even when full, but the best front positions go quickly, so I would arrive early rather than trust a late boarding window.

Leaving Mandraki Port on a wooden boat

The meeting point is next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, at the Royal Sailing Rhodes desk. From there, you board for the first stretch of the cruise.

The opening ride takes about an hour, giving you time to find a comfortable place and learn the rhythm of the day. Free WiFi is available, although I would treat it as a useful extra rather than the reason to book. You are here for the water, the views, and the breaks from shore.

The crew speaks English, and Theodore is often singled out as a warm and attentive host. The staff’s role is important on a trip like this. They explain each stop, offer drinks, help with equipment, and keep lunch organized without turning the outing into a rigid group exercise.

The boat has an onboard shower and a first aid kit. Those are small details, but they matter after several saltwater swims. You can rinse off before lunch or on the return ride, though you still need to bring a towel.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the most striking first stop

After the morning cruise, the boat reaches Anthony Quinn Bay for about 50 minutes. This is one of the most scenic stops on the route, with clear green water, rocky edges, and thick vegetation around the cove.

The boat anchors in the bay, allowing you to swim and snorkel directly from the deck. The water is the main attraction here. You can look below the surface with the provided equipment, float near the boat, or stay on deck and enjoy the view.

This is also a good place for photos. The combination of dark rocks, green water, and shore-side vegetation gives the bay a stronger sense of place than a plain open beach. If you want the classic Rhodes coast picture, this is probably the stop that delivers it.

There is one practical limit: 50 minutes passes quickly. You have time for a swim and a little snorkeling, but not for a slow, extended visit to every corner of the bay. The boat is also likely to be the center of activity, so do not expect a quiet private cove.

I would use this first stop to get comfortable with the equipment. Put on your mask, test the fit, and take a steady look beneath the surface. If you are not a confident swimmer, floats are available, and you can remain close to the boat.

Afandou Beach: the longest stop and lunch break

A short cruise of about 10 minutes brings you to Afandou Beach. This stop lasts around 110 minutes, making it the most substantial break of the day.

You can swim from the boat, snorkel, relax on the beach, or try kayaking. The longer pause gives you room to choose your own pace. I like that you are not forced to spend every minute in the water. Afandou is the place to slow down, dry off, and enjoy the day rather than chase another photo.

Lunch is served aboard as a buffet. The meal includes local flavors and vegetarian options, along with fruit, red or white wine, beer, and soft drinks. The portions are described as generous, and the food receives strong praise overall. Still, expectations should be sensible. This is a boat buffet, not a meal at a serious Rhodes restaurant.

Some diners find the food delicious and Greek in character. One more critical view wished for more obvious specialties such as gyros or souvlaki. That is useful context: you should expect a satisfying, plentiful lunch with Greek touches, but not a carefully plated regional tasting menu.

The drink arrangement adds real value. Water and soft drinks are available, along with beer and wine, and the crew keeps refreshments coming during the day. Cocktails are not part of the $70 price, but you can buy them separately.

Afandou is also the best stop for anyone who wants a mix of water time and dry-land relaxation. You can swim for a while, return to the boat for lunch, and then take another short break without feeling rushed.

Kallithea Springs: clear water between rocks

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, reached after the lunch break and another cruise. You have about 50 minutes here.

The swimming area is a long, clear-water inlet surrounded by rocks, with ladders leading down into the sea. It has a different feel from Anthony Quinn Bay. Instead of a rounded green cove, Kallithea gives you a more enclosed rocky setting and easy access points for getting into the water.

Bring the snorkeling gear here, too. The water is described as crystal clear, so this is another good chance to look for marine life. If you have already spent the day swimming, you can make this a shorter dip and spend the rest of the stop taking photos from the boat or rocks.

The ladders are useful because they make entry simpler than climbing over rough rocks. Even so, you should take care when getting in and out, especially if the sea is moving. Conditions can vary, and one booking described a choppy day. The crew checked on people who felt unwell, which is reassuring, but motion-sensitive passengers should still prepare carefully.

Kallithea is a strong final stop because it gives the day a change of scenery. You are not looking at the same beach three times. Each bay has its own shape, water color, and way of getting into the sea.

What lunch and unlimited drinks really add

The food and drinks are not just a pleasant bonus. They make the price easier to judge.

At $70 per person, you are paying for a 5.5-hour cruise, three coastal stops, snorkeling equipment, a buffet lunch, fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks. If you would otherwise buy lunch and several drinks during a beach day, the package offers solid value.

The included drinks also help the day feel relaxed. You do not need to keep checking your wallet every time you want water, a beer, or a soft drink. Red and white wine are available with lunch, and the crew also brings out cold refreshments during the cruise.

Do keep the phrase unlimited drinks in perspective. Cocktails are excluded and sold separately. The included selection is practical rather than elaborate: fruit, wine, beer, water, and soft drinks. That is enough for most people, but not a full cocktail-bar service.

The lunch menu can vary, and the supplied details do not give a fixed list of dishes. Vegetarian choices are available. If you have strict dietary needs, ask before booking rather than relying on a general buffet description.

Seating, shade, and the feel aboard

The boat is praised for being spacious and comfortable, with good room for sunbathing. Some people prefer the front pads because they offer the best views. That advice is worth following if you care about photography or want an unobstructed look ahead.

There is a small seating tradeoff. The front can be the most exposed to the sun, while shaded areas may be limited. Bring sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and consider a hat. The boat does not appear to provide enough shade for everyone who wants it during the hottest part of the day.

The atmosphere is one of the tour’s strongest points. Music is used, but it has been described as easy listening rather than loud party music. That makes the cruise suitable for couples, families, and mixed-age groups who want fun without a floating nightclub.

Group size can feel fairly intimate. One especially positive account described about 18 people aboard and compared the experience to a private charter rather than a packed excursion boat. Numbers can vary, and the boat may sell out, but arriving early remains smart if you want a particular seat.

Is the cruise suitable for you?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full half-day on the sea with very little planning once you board. It suits couples, families, and friends who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and a casual lunch more than formal sightseeing.

It is especially good for people who want to see several famous coastal spots in one day. You do not have to arrange separate transport to Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs, and you get a boat ride between them.

Children can enjoy it, provided they are comfortable around open water and follow the crew’s instructions. Floats are available for less confident swimmers. Adults who prefer to stay dry can still enjoy the views, lunch, music, and deck space.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water swimming, strong sun, or boat movement. The trip includes three swim stops, so the sea is not an occasional side activity. If conditions turn choppy, passengers prone to seasickness may feel uncomfortable.

This is also not the right choice if your main goal is a quiet private charter. The boat can sell out, and seating is not reserved. You get a social day on a well-used wooden boat, not a completely private sailing experience.

Practical tips for getting more from the day

Arrive early at the Royal Sailing Rhodes desk beside Evangelismos Church. Early arrival gives you a better chance at the front pads or a shaded place.

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. Snorkeling equipment is provided, as are floats, but towels are not. A small dry bag could also help protect your phone and wallet, though the supplied information does not list one as included.

Wear footwear that is easy to remove before swimming. You will be moving between deck space, ladders, rocks, and beach areas. Take care on wet surfaces.

If you are prone to seasickness, prepare before departure. The coast is often calm, but one trip had choppy conditions. Sitting near the center of the boat may help, and you should tell the crew if you feel unwell.

Use the first stop to snorkel, the second to split your time between water and lunch, and the third to take one last swim. That simple plan prevents you from spending all your energy at Anthony Quinn Bay and arriving tired at Kallithea Springs.

The booking terms are flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Should you book this Rhodes boat trip?

At $70, this is a strong choice if you want three scenic swim stops, lunch, and drinks in one package. The crew’s friendly service, Theodore’s attentive hosting, comfortable wooden boat, and well-spaced stops give the day more warmth than a basic transfer cruise.

Book it if you like swimming, snorkeling, casual food, and a social boat atmosphere. Skip it if you need lots of shade, dislike open water, or want a fixed seat and a private vessel.

My advice is simple: arrive early, claim a good spot, pack a towel and sunscreen, and treat the included lunch as hearty boat food rather than fine dining. For a relaxed day along Rhodes’ east coast, the combination is hard to beat.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, at the Royal Sailing Rhodes desk near Mandraki Port.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 5.5 hours.

Which places does the boat visit?

The cruise stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch with vegetarian options is included, along with fruit.

Which drinks are included?

Wine, beer, soft drinks, and water are included. Cocktails are available for purchase separately.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and floats are also available. Towels are not provided.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and crew provide the experience in English.