Rhodes: Pleasure Cruise for Swimming and Snorkeling

Rhodes shows its best side from the water, where a traditional wooden boat carries you along the east coast to three clear-water swimming spots. Kallithea Bay is the snorkeling stop, while Afandou Beach and Anthony Quinn Bay add different colors and settings to the day.

I like the simple plan: three one-hour swimming stops and no long lecture between them. I also like that snorkeling gear, swim noodles, music, and seasonal fruit are included, which makes the $47 price feel fair for a six-hour outing. The main caution is the boat itself. One recent account found it dirty and in poor condition, and also found the onboard food prices high.

• Three swimming stops: Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay each get about an hour.
• A real wooden boat: This is a traditional Greek vessel, not a sleek modern yacht.
• Snorkeling gear included: You do not need to bring your own mask or equipment.
• Mandraki departure: Meet at the Alexander statue near Alkmini boat in Mandraki Harbour.
• A relaxed six-hour pace: The cruise leaves at 10:00 and returns around 16:00.
• Good value with limits: Fruit and a noodle are included, but drinks and food cost extra.

Three Rhodes bays in one six-hour cruise

This is a swimming day first and a sightseeing cruise second. The boat leaves Mandraki Harbour at 10:00 and follows Rhodes’ east coast, giving you time to sit in the sun or shade, listen to music, and watch the shoreline pass.

The first stop comes after about 40 minutes. You then get roughly an hour in the water, followed by another sailing stretch and two more swimming stops. The boat returns to Mandraki at about 16:00.

That rhythm works well if you want a holiday day with little planning. You do not need to arrange several beach transfers, find parking, or carry snorkeling equipment from place to place. You simply bring a swimsuit and towel, then let the crew handle the route.

The cruise is not designed for nonstop sightseeing. The focus is water time, with about three hours set aside for swimming and snorkeling. If you want a detailed history tour of Rhodes, this is not the right choice. If you want to get wet, relax, and see several famous bays in one outing, it makes much more sense.

Leaving Mandraki Harbour at 10:00

Your meeting point is Mandraki Harbour, at the Alexander statue near the Alkmini boat. Hotel pickup and transfers are not included, so you need to make your own way to the port and arrive on time.

That timing matters. The boat operator says all customers must be aboard promptly, and a harbor cruise cannot wait for late arrivals without affecting the whole group. Give yourself enough time to locate the statue and boat before departure.

The boat is a traditional Greek wooden vessel, an appealing choice if you prefer a local-feeling ride to a standard excursion catamaran. It also means you should keep expectations practical. This is a working excursion boat with a bar, toilet, sun and shaded areas, not a luxury yacht.

Music plays during the cruise. You can sit back between stops, stretch out in the shade, or enjoy the open air. The atmosphere is meant to be easygoing rather than formal, and the live guide service is available in English and Greek.

Kallithea Bay and the first swim

The published description places Kallithea Bay first, after roughly 40 minutes of sailing. The stop lasts about an hour and is the main snorkeling-focused part of the day.

Kallithea is known for its clear water and attractive coastal setting. With the provided snorkeling equipment, you can look beneath the surface without packing your own mask and fins. Still, keep expectations sensible: the operator does not promise that you will see fish. Water conditions and marine life change from day to day.

This is also a good place to settle into the boat’s routine. You will need to move from the deck into the water, climb back aboard, dry off, and prepare for the next sailing period. A towel, swimsuit, and camera are the key items to bring.

A swimming noodle is included. That is useful if you want extra support while floating, or if you prefer to spend part of the stop simply looking around from the surface rather than snorkeling continuously.

Afandou Beach for another hour in the water

Afandou is the second stated swimming stop, with about another hour for swimming and snorkeling. The longer stretch of water time is one of the strongest parts of this excursion. You are not rushed through a quick photo stop, then hurried back aboard.

The stop gives you another chance to snorkel if the first bay was busy or the water conditions were not ideal. It also lets you choose your own pace. You can swim, use the noodle, take photographs, or remain on the boat in the shade.

You should not expect the same experience at every stop. The appeal of this route is the change of setting along the east coast, not three identical beach visits. Afandou gives the day a different middle chapter before the final bay.

Bring a secure way to hold your camera. The description specifically encourages bringing one, but the water stops are active, and anything loose can become a problem. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, but personal waterproof cases or straps are your responsibility.

Anthony Quinn Bay and its green-blue water

Anthony Quinn Bay is the best-known stop on the route and the one most likely to dominate your photographs. The water is described as green-blue and especially clear, with a bright sky above the rocky coast.

You get about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and free time. The setting is the final highlight of the cruise, especially if you want a memorable swim rather than a long explanation of local history.

The bay’s fame also means you should not expect solitude. The tour description calls it a famous place, so the stop is about enjoying the water and view, not finding an empty cove. If you want a quieter experience, the earlier stops may suit you better.

One useful detail from the day’s pattern is that the third swim can still feel worthwhile even after two earlier stops. You may be ready to rest by then, but the water and setting can tempt you back in. The crew also serves seasonal fruit, including refreshing watermelon, which is a welcome break after repeated swims.

What the $47 price really covers

At $47 per person, this is priced as an affordable full-day boat outing rather than a luxury cruise. The fare includes the traditional wooden boat, crew, music, three swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, a noodle for swimming, and seasonal fruit.

That package has real value. A six-hour cruise with three separate bays would cost more if you paid for several beach transfers or hired equipment at each stop. You also avoid the effort of planning a route along the east coast.

The onboard bar sells drinks and something to eat, but those purchases are extra. Prices can feel high, so bring your own expectations and budget. Food is not included, and one account specifically found the prices too steep to justify eating aboard.

The value is strongest for people who plan to spend most of the day in the water. If you do not enjoy swimming or snorkeling, you may find that much of the six hours passes slowly. The boat ride, music, and views fill the gaps, but the cruise is built around the stops.

The published score is 4.3 out of 5 from 99 ratings. That fits the experience as described: the route and swimming time are the main strengths, while the boat’s condition and onboard facilities may not satisfy everyone.

The boat, facilities, and comfort level

The wooden boat gives the trip character, but it also deserves a clear warning. A recent account described the vessel as dirty and poorly maintained, with a very unpleasant lower toilet. That is a specific concern, not a minor detail, especially during a six-hour outing.

You should think of this as a basic day boat. The crew provides the essentials, and you have sun and shaded areas, but you should not book it expecting polished furnishings or hotel-quality facilities.

The boat has a bar, which is convenient for buying a drink or snack without waiting until the return to Rhodes. Still, the extra prices may be higher than you prefer. Bring water if the booking rules allow it, or plan to budget for bar purchases.

Music adds to the holiday mood, though it also means this is not a quiet sailing trip. The tone suits people who like a social boat day. If you want silence, reading time, or a private charter feel, choose a different kind of cruise.

Snorkeling without unrealistic promises

Snorkeling equipment is included, which keeps the packing list short and saves you a rental fee. You can use it at Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

The operator makes an important point: it is not responsible for whether you see fish. That is fair. A snorkeling stop does not guarantee marine life, and several people may report seeing very little, including only one small fish. The clear water can still make swimming enjoyable, but you should not book this as a wildlife trip.

I would treat snorkeling as an optional extra rather than the sole reason to pay for the cruise. The dependable part is access to three attractive swimming places. Fish sightings are a bonus.

The best approach is to bring patience. Look near rocks and along the edges of the bays, but do not expect a reef aquarium. Water clarity, sunlight, crowds, and natural conditions all affect what you see.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits you if you want a low-planning beach day from Rhodes Town. It is especially useful for couples, friends, and families who can swim and want several water stops without arranging transport.

It can also work well on a day between hotel stays. One person used the boat outing before check-in and was able to leave a backpack aboard while getting coffee, though you should confirm luggage arrangements directly with the provider before relying on this.

You may also like it if you want a mix of activity and rest. Each stop gives you a choice: swim, snorkel, take photos, float with the noodle, or remain on deck. The crew speaks English and Greek, so basic communication about the schedule should be manageable.

This is less suitable if you want a luxury vessel, a quiet cruise, a serious marine ecology lesson, or guaranteed fish sightings. It is also a poor fit if you dislike basic toilets, variable boat conditions, or extra charges for food and drinks.

Scooters are not allowed. That restriction is worth noting if you are planning to bring one to the meeting point or use the boat as part of a scooter day.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Arrive early at Mandraki Harbour and find the Alexander statue near the Alkmini boat. The operator requires everyone to be on time, and hotel pickup is not included.

Pack swimwear, a towel, and a camera. I would also bring sun protection and a small dry bag, though only the first three items are specifically required in the tour information.

Keep your expectations focused on swimming. The three stops are each about an hour, but the exact order may be confirmed by the crew on the day. The route description gives Kallithea first, then Afandou, followed by Anthony Quinn Bay, while the stop list presents a different order. That inconsistency is a good reason to listen carefully to the onboard schedule.

For the best value, plan to use all three stops. The cruise costs less to justify if you spend the day sitting on deck and skip the water. On the other hand, do not force yourself to swim at every stop if you are tired. You can rest in the shade and enjoy the ride.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time when booking, since the standard schedule described here is 10:00 to 16:00.

Should you book the Rhodes swimming cruise?

Book it if you want three famous Rhodes swimming spots in one affordable six-hour outing, and you are comfortable with a basic wooden boat. The included snorkeling gear, fruit, music, and long water stops give the $47 fare solid value.

Skip it if boat condition, toilet quality, or onboard food prices are major concerns. You should also choose another activity if your main goal is fish watching or a peaceful luxury sail.

For most people, the decision comes down to priorities. This cruise delivers clear water, repeated swims, and an easy east-coast route. It does not promise refined facilities or a carefully managed snorkeling habitat. Go for the sea, not the ship.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Mandraki Harbour, at the Alexander statue near the Alkmini boat.

What time does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at 10:00 and returns to Mandraki Harbour at about 16:00.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts six hours.

Which swimming stops are included?

The cruise stops at Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay for swimming and snorkeling.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Is a swimming float provided?

Yes. A swimming noodle is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Seasonal fruit is included. The boat has a bar where you can buy drinks and something to eat, but those purchases are not included.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and transfers are not included, so you need to reach Mandraki Harbour yourself.

What languages are spoken?

The live guide service is available in English and Greek.