Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

The best part of Rhodes may be offshore. This six-hour catamaran cruise links Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, Afandou, and Kallithea Springs with long swim stops, a Greek buffet, and unlimited drinks. I especially like the small maximum group of 24 passengers and the generous time in the water. I also like that snorkeling gear, floating noodles, breakfast, fruit, lunch, and drinks are included.

The main point to consider is simple: the boats stay at anchor, so you must swim to reach the bays rather than walk ashore. The toilet area may also need more attention, and the route can change with weather. Still, at $83 per person, this is a strong-value day on the water for anyone who wants Rhodes scenery without paying separately for every snack, drink, and activity.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three or four swim stops: Sailing catamarans visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. Power catamarans add Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Six hours at sea: The schedule gives you about an hour at the main swimming stops, with cruising time between them.
• Maximum 24 passengers: That is a more comfortable setup than a large excursion boat, especially during the busy summer season.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect breakfast tortilla, fresh fruit, a Mediterranean buffet, unlimited soft drinks, water, wine, and beer from noon.
• You swim from the boat: The catamaran anchors in each bay. This is not a shore excursion with easy beach access.
• Choose your boat carefully: Sailing is quieter and more relaxed. The power catamaran offers the extra Afandou caves stop.

Meeting the Catamaran at Mandraki Harbor

You meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor. The boats leave at 10:00 AM, so arrive early. Missing the departure can mean a €25 rebooking fee per ticket, and this is not the sort of morning when you want to sprint down the pier in flip-flops.

The meeting point is reported to be easy to find, but you should still allow time to locate the kiosk and board without stress. One useful detail from the experience is that the crew has sometimes waited briefly for delayed passengers who called ahead. Do not rely on that, but if trouble strikes, contact the company rather than simply arriving late.

The cruise lasts six hours. That sounds long on paper, but the time is broken into sailing, swimming, lunch, and sightseeing. You are not sitting in one place all day. The pace works particularly well for a first boat trip because you get enough time to settle in before the first swim.

There are indoor toilets and an outdoor shower. The toilet is functional, though cleanliness may not always be perfect. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. The open deck offers fine exposure to the Greek sun, which is lovely until you realize you have forgotten your hat.

Choosing Sailing or Power Catamaran

You have three catamaran options, according to availability. The key choice is between a sailing boat and a power catamaran.

The sailing catamaran follows a route with Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. This option suits you if you want a calmer ride and a leisurely day. The sailing itself becomes part of the experience, with less emphasis on covering extra ground and more on enjoying the boat and the sea.

The power catamaran includes Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach and its caves, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. If seeing the caves matters to you, choose this option. The extra stop gives you another setting and makes the power boat appealing for anyone who wants the fullest sightseeing schedule.

The boats are designed for no more than 24 passengers plus crew. That does not mean every departure will be lightly booked, but the size helps. Several people found the boat comfortable even when full, with enough room to sit, move around, and enjoy the upper deck. If you want a prime seat, arrive early. The front and upper deck are popular for good reason.

First Stop: Fish at Anthony Quinn Bay

After roughly 70 minutes of coastal cruising, the first major stop is Anthony Quinn Bay. You get about an hour to swim and snorkel.

The bay is known for clear water and rocky coastal scenery. The crew provides masks and snorkels, and a memorable touch is the bread tossed into the water, which attracts colorful fish close to swimmers. This makes the first stop particularly good for beginners and children who want to see fish without committing to a formal snorkeling excursion.

The boat remains at anchor, so you enter the water from the catamaran. Floating noodles and life jackets are available, which helps if you are not a confident swimmer. You still need to be comfortable getting into open water and climbing back onto the boat.

Anthony Quinn Bay can be the most exciting stop because it combines the first swim of the day with the clearest sense of being away from the road. The limitation is that you do not stroll onto the beach or explore the shoreline on foot. Think of it as a swimming stop with views, not a beach visit.

Afandou Caves on the Power Route

The power catamaran makes an additional stop at Afandou Beach and the caves. Lunch, swimming, and snorkeling are connected with this part of the day in the stated schedule.

The caves give the power route a little more variety. Instead of seeing three bays that all center on swimming, you get a different coastal feature to look at and explore from the water. Exact stop conditions depend on the captain and the sea, so do not expect a fixed shore-based cave tour.

This option is a good match for you if variety matters more than a slower sailing mood. The power boat also makes sense for families and active swimmers who want another chance to get into the water. If you prefer a quiet, unhurried ride, the sailing catamaran may feel more appealing.

Ladiko Bay and Its Clear Water

Ladiko Bay follows a short cruise from the earlier stop, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The water is clear, and the bay is often described as a quieter place to enjoy the sea.

By this point, you have had time to get comfortable with the boat, the equipment, and the process of climbing in and out of the water. That makes Ladiko a good second swim. You can use the snorkel equipment, float on a noodle, or remain aboard and enjoy the view.

The one-hour timing is well judged. It gives you time to swim without making the entire day feel like a race from one stop to the next. Several people found that the scheduled swim periods passed quickly, so bring your mask into the water early rather than waiting until the final minutes.

Lunch is served on board around this part of the route. The exact order of lunch and swimming can vary with the boat and conditions, but the day includes time for both.

A Mediterranean Lunch Served at Sea

The buffet is more substantial than a token boat-trip meal. It includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

Breakfast begins the food service with a tortilla snack. Later, you get a cup of seasonal fruit. This matters because a day of swimming and sun can make you hungry well before the boat returns to Rhodes.

The food is simple rather than restaurant-style, but that is exactly right for a catamaran. You can build a plate from familiar Greek dishes, take what you want, and return for more if needed. The chicken received particularly warm praise, while one person wished there were a fish option. If you do not eat chicken or have special dietary needs, contact the provider in advance. The crew has accommodated dietary requests, but that should be arranged rather than assumed.

Drinks include bottled water, juice, soft drinks, and unlimited wine and beer from 12:00 PM. The crew keeps drinks available throughout the afternoon. Alcohol is part of the package, but the crew can stop serving anyone who appears intoxicated. That is sensible on a moving boat, especially when swimming is involved.

Kallithea Springs for the Final Swim

The final major stop is Kallithea Springs, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. It gives the day a different finish and is often a favorite stop for families.

You can swim from the boat toward the lagoon area, depending on conditions and the precise anchorage. Children have enjoyed the calm, accessible water, and the stop gives you another chance to use the noodles and snorkeling gear before heading back.

Kallithea is not just another open-water stop. The setting has a more sheltered feel, and the water and nearby formations offer something different from Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko. Still, you should remember that the catamaran does not necessarily take you ashore to visit the springs themselves. The attraction here is the water access and the view from offshore.

After the final swim, the boat cruises back to Mandraki Harbor. The return run can last around 45 minutes, depending on the route and conditions. It is a good time to dry off, enjoy the last drink, and watch Rhodes from the sea.

What the Day Feels Like on Board

The strongest part of this experience is the crew. Andreas is frequently singled out for being attentive and helpful, while Hope has also been praised for warm service and making an effort to meet passenger needs. Crew members explain the stops, help with equipment, offer drinks, and sometimes take photos for people in the water.

The atmosphere is friendly without needing to be formal. You can sit quietly, chat with other passengers, or join the easy social mood around lunch. The boat has enough room for the cruise to feel relaxed rather than packed, even during high season.

The experience is also family-friendly. Children under eight have enjoyed jumping into the bays, and a six-year-old reportedly had a great time with the crew. Life jackets and pool noodles help, but parents should still judge their child’s comfort in open water. There is no simple walk-on beach option if a child decides swimming is not for them.

Solo visitors can enjoy this cruise too. The group size, shared lunch, and friendly crew make it easy to feel part of the day without needing a private booking.

The Practical Drawbacks to Keep in Mind

The first drawback is access. You need to swim from the anchored catamaran to enjoy the bays. This experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments and may not suit anyone who dislikes ladders, open water, or getting in and out of the sea.

The second is weather. The captain can change the route or swimming stops for safety. Heavy rain has occasionally interrupted a day, though the crew may wait for conditions to improve and try to add another swim stop when possible. A weather change can affect the schedule even when the company has organized everything well.

The third is the toilet. It is available, but cleanliness may not always match the standard of the boat, food, or crew service. Use it when needed, but do not expect a land-based bathroom.

Finally, sailing departures in April, May, and October can be consolidated if a boat does not reach its minimum number of passengers. The provider says it will notify you about changes. If your dates are tight, check messages before leaving for the harbor.

Is $83 Good Value for Rhodes?

At $83 per person, the price covers a full six-hour outing rather than just transportation. You get a catamaran seat, three or four coastal stops, snorkeling equipment, flotation aids, breakfast, fruit, lunch, water, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks from noon.

That makes the value strong if you plan to swim and enjoy the food. Buying drinks and a meal separately during a long day on the coast could quickly narrow the price difference. You are also paying for the chance to see several famous bays in one outing without arranging separate transport.

The value is weaker if you want a quiet private sailing trip, a proper beach day, or extensive time on land. This is a shared boat experience, and the route is built around anchoring and swimming. You are paying for variety, service, and convenience rather than solitude.

Who Should Book This Cruise?

You should book it if you want an easy day on the water with well-timed swim stops, good food, and a friendly crew. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, solo visitors, and first-time boat passengers.

Choose the sailing catamaran for a gentler mood and three strong swimming locations. Choose the power catamaran if Afandou caves and an extra stop matter more to you.

I would skip it if you need wheelchair-friendly access, dislike open-water swimming, or want to spend the day walking on beaches. For everyone else, the mix of clear bays, useful equipment, Greek food, and drinks makes this one of the better ways to see Rhodes from offshore. Arrive early, claim a good seat, bring sun protection, and listen carefully for the crew’s return-time announcements.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes catamaran cruise start?

The meeting point is the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor.

What time does the catamaran depart?

The catamarans depart at 10:00 AM. You should arrive earlier so you have time to find the kiosk and board.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours.

Which bays does the sailing catamaran visit?

The sailing catamaran stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay or Kallithea Springs, depending on the route and conditions.

Which stops are included on the power catamaran?

The power catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach and its caves, Kallithea Bay or Kallithea Springs, and Ladiko Bay.

Can I walk ashore at the swimming stops?

No. The catamarans stay at anchor, and you need to swim from the boat to reach the shore or nearby swimming areas.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a breakfast tortilla snack, seasonal fruit, a Mediterranean lunch buffet, unlimited juice, soft drinks, bottled water, and unlimited wine and beer from noon.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are provided. There is also an outdoor shower and an indoor toilet on board.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The captain can change the route or swimming stops according to weather conditions.