Sailing Catamaran day cruise – Rhodes with lunch & drinks

Rhodes looks best from the water. This private six-hour catamaran cruise lets you skip a fixed group schedule, stop for swims in clear bays, and enjoy lunch with Greek mezedes on board. I especially like the freedom to set the pace and the personal help of a local skipper such as Stefano, who has been praised for taking good care of his group. The main point to weigh is the high total price, especially if your party is smaller than the full group of 12.

I also like that drinks are simple and practical: water and soft drinks are available all day, with beer and wine served at lunch. A second plus is the generous room on board. One party of nine, including five children, found there was plenty of space. The tradeoff is that hotel transfers are not included, so you must reach the ΝΕΑ ΜΑΡΙΝΑ in Rhodes on your own.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat for up to 12 people: You share the catamaran only with your own group, not a large public tour.
• Two planned swim stops: The route passes Kallithea Springs and anchors at Anthony Quinn Bay.
• About six hours on the water: The cruise starts at 9:30 am and returns to the marina.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect Greek mezedes and other dishes, beer and wine with the meal, plus water and soft drinks throughout the day.
• A local skipper controls the pace: The skipper can offer advice on good places to swim and relax.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Setting out from Rhodes at 9:30 am

The day begins at ΝΕΑ ΜΑΡΙΝΑ, Rhodes 851 00, at 9:30 am. The cruise ends back at the same meeting point after roughly six hours, so plan on being finished around mid-afternoon, allowing for the exact sailing time and conditions.

The marina meeting point keeps the arrangement straightforward, but hotel pickup is not included. You will need to organize your own way there. That is a small task for people staying near Rhodes Town, but it deserves attention if you are based farther away or carrying swim gear for a full day afloat.

This is a private activity. Your group has the boat to itself, which changes the feel of the day. You are not working around dozens of other people or a rigid public-tour program. A family can keep the mood relaxed, while a group of friends can give more attention to swimming, lunch, or simply sitting on deck.

The catamaran can take up to 12 people. The price is listed as $1,890.46 per group, which works out to about $157.54 per person if you fill every place. For six people, the same boat costs about $315 per person, before considering any currency conversion. That makes the cruise most appealing for a larger family or friend group that values privacy.

Kallithea Springs Bay comes first

The first stop is Kallithea Springs Bay, which you cruise past before having the chance to swim. The listed stop lasts about 35 minutes, and admission to any land-based attraction is not included.

The appeal here is the water rather than a long shore visit. You get an early chance to cool off, settle into the boat, and see the bay from the sea. If your group wants a gentle start, this short stop gives you time to swim without using half the day at one location.

Do not book this cruise expecting a full visit to the springs complex itself. The route is described as cruising by the bay and offering a refreshing dip, not as a guided tour of the historic spa buildings or a land excursion. That distinction matters. You are buying a day on the water, not a sightseeing program with extensive time ashore.

The exact swimming conditions can depend on the day. The cruise requires good weather, and the skipper decides how the day works on the water. That flexibility is useful, since a local skipper can judge where it is most pleasant to stop rather than treating the timetable as unchangeable.

Anthony Quinn Bay gives you more swim time

The cruise then heads toward Anthony Quinn Bay, where the catamaran drops anchor for about 40 minutes. This is the more substantial of the two named swim stops, with time to get into the clear water and relax before lunch or the next part of the cruise.

Anthony Quinn Bay is famous for its dramatic coastal setting and clean water. From the boat, you get a different view than you would from a road or beach approach. The catamaran also lets you enjoy the bay without making the whole day about finding a patch of sand.

Forty minutes is enough for a proper swim, but it is not an all-afternoon beach stay. You should bring the right expectations. The charm is moving between coastal spots and having several parts to the day, not spending hours at one anchorage.

The supplied details also mention a quieter or hidden bay during the cruise. Since the skipper has room to advise on good places to swim and relax, the exact feel of the stops may vary. I would treat this as a useful benefit of a private boat, not a promise of a specific third stop. The named schedule clearly highlights Kallithea Springs Bay and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Lunch on board keeps the day easy

Lunch is included, along with beer and wine served at mealtime. Soft drinks and water are available all day, and the meal includes Greek mezedes and other dishes.

Mezedes are small Greek-style dishes meant to be shared. That format suits a private boat well. You can sample several flavors rather than ordering one large plate for yourself, and the meal naturally becomes part of the social side of the cruise.

I like the practical drink arrangement. You do not have to keep buying bottled water during the day, and the included soft drinks help families keep the outing simple. Beer and wine are limited to meal time, so do not assume alcoholic drinks are available continuously from departure to return.

The information does not specify the exact menu, dietary choices, or meal service time. If someone in your group has food restrictions, ask before booking rather than assuming the mezedes will cover every need. The safest reading is that lunch, drinks, and standard refreshments are part of the package, while special requests should be confirmed in advance.

One family group of nine, including five children, found the boat roomy enough for everyone. That is useful context for lunch. A group with children may appreciate having room to move around instead of sitting shoulder to shoulder at a crowded table. Still, the available details do not promise a particular seating plan or child-specific equipment.

Why the skipper matters on a private cruise

A private catamaran is only as good as the person running the day. Here, the local skipper is meant to offer advice about the best places to swim and relax, while managing the route and anchoring.

Stefano is specifically praised for taking great care of a group and bringing them to two different beaches with enough time to relax. That suggests the service has a personal side, not just a basic boat transfer. For a private booking, this kind of attention can make the price feel more reasonable.

You should also understand what a skipper does not guarantee. The provided information does not promise a fully guided history talk, a set number of beaches, or a particular route beyond the named bays. The main value is local judgment and flexible pacing, not a lecture-heavy sightseeing tour.

That flexibility is a strong reason to book privately. If your group wants to swim longer, sit quietly, or avoid rushing from one stop to the next, you have a better chance of shaping the day around those priorities. The cruise is less suitable if you want a detailed historical tour of Rhodes, because the focus is clearly on the coast, swimming, food, and time on board.

Space, comfort, and the family question

The catamaran is described as beautiful, and the available experience suggests it can handle a full party of 12. A group of nine, with five children, had plenty of room. That is one of the most helpful details when deciding if this works for your party.

A private boat can also reduce small tensions that build during a long day at sea. Your group chooses the atmosphere, and you are not sharing the deck with strangers. Parents may find that easier with children, while adults can enjoy lunch and swimming without following a large group’s timetable.

Still, six hours is a long time to spend on one boat. If someone in your group dislikes open-water trips or prefers regular land stops, this may not be the right choice. The two listed swim breaks are fairly short, and the rest of the day is spent cruising, eating, and relaxing on board.

The details do not state whether snorkeling gear, towels, changing facilities, or other equipment is included. Pack with the known facts in mind: swimwear, sun protection, and anything you personally need for a half-day on the water. Do not count on hotel transfers or unspecified extras being supplied.

Is $1,890.46 a fair price?

The price looks steep at first because it is charged per group. The calculation changes if you fill the boat. At the maximum of 12 people, the cost is about $157.54 each. For a smaller party, the private setting becomes much more expensive per person.

What are you paying for? You get a private catamaran, a six-hour outing, a skipper, lunch, beer and wine with the meal, soft drinks and water all day, and the freedom to spend the day with only your own group. All fees and taxes are included, which removes one common surprise from the final bill.

The real value lies in privacy and control. A public boat may cost less, but it may also have a fixed schedule and a larger crowd. If your group is celebrating something, has children, or simply wants a quiet day with its own people, that privacy can justify the premium.

If you are a couple or a small party, the arithmetic is less favorable. You are still paying for the whole boat, not for individual seats. I would compare the price against your group’s priorities, rather than judging it only by the length of the cruise.

What can change on the day

The cruise depends on good weather. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel and offer you a different date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it also means you should avoid building a tightly packed schedule around the cruise if the forecast looks uncertain.

The exact timing of the swim stops may also shift. The listed durations are about 35 minutes at Kallithea Springs Bay and 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, but a boat day is affected by sea conditions and local decisions. The skipper’s ability to choose suitable places is an advantage, although it means you should not expect every minute to run like a museum tour.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time, so check the deadline carefully if your plans are changing.

Who should book this Rhodes cruise?

I would recommend it most strongly to a group of friends or family members who can share the full cost. Twelve people get the best per-person value, and the private format gives you room to set the mood for the day.

It also suits people who want swimming and scenery more than formal sightseeing. You will see Rhodes from the water, stop at two well-known bays, eat Greek-style small plates, and spend the middle of the day at an easy pace.

Families should consider it seriously, especially if having room on board matters. The group with five children found the catamaran spacious, which is encouraging, though the available information does not list child equipment or special family facilities.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a full tour of Kallithea Springs, a long beach stay, or a history-focused excursion. I would also think twice if your party is small and price per person matters more than privacy.

Final verdict: a strong private option for larger groups

This sailing catamaran cruise offers a clear kind of holiday day: six hours of sea views, swimming, shared Greek food, and time with your own group. Its best features are the private setting, roomy boat, local skipper, and included refreshments.

The weak point is the price for small parties, plus the need to reach the marina without included transfers. For a full group of 12, the cost becomes easier to defend. For a couple, the experience may feel luxurious but hard to justify.

Book it if privacy and flexible swimming time matter most, especially for a larger family or group of friends. Skip it if you want a low-cost boat ride or a land-based tour of Rhodes. The cruise is at its best when you treat it as a relaxed private day on the Aegean, not as a packed sightseeing itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes catamaran cruise start?

It starts at ΝΕΑ ΜΑΡΙΝΑ, Rhodes 851 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise begin?

The start time is 9:30 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private cruise?

The private catamaran can accommodate up to 12 people, and only your group participates.

Which swimming stops are included?

The cruise passes Kallithea Springs Bay, where you can swim, and anchors at Anthony Quinn Bay for a swimming stop of about 40 minutes.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, beer and wine with the meal, soft drinks, and water are included. Soft drinks and water are available all day.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.