Rhodes: Sailing Catamaran Day Cruise with food and drinks

Leave the harbor behind for a while. This private six-hour catamaran cruise follows Rhodes’ East Coast to three swimming areas, with lunch and drinks included along the way. I like the small private setup, which gives your group the boat instead of placing you among a large crowd, and I like that the crew actively looks for quieter parts of the bays.

The food and drink plan is also straightforward: soft drinks are available all day, while alcoholic drinks are served at lunchtime. With room for up to 11 people, the cruise suits families and groups of friends who want a relaxed day on the water. The main drawback is the fixed group price of $1,850, which is excellent value for a full group but expensive if only two or three people are sharing it.

The cruise leaves from Rhodes New Marina, about 1 kilometer from Rhodes Town, rather than from the busier Mandraki harbor. That means easier parking and a calmer start, though you need to arrange your own way to the marina and should skip this outing if you are prone to seasickness or have mobility limitations.

Key points to know before booking

• Private catamaran for up to 11 people: You get the boat for your own group, with enough seating for an eight-person party according to the onboard experience described.
• Three planned swimming areas: The route includes Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou, and Kallithea Springs, with stops adjusted if weather conditions change.
• Greek lunch at Afandou: The longest stop lasts 70 minutes and combines food with time in the water.
• Drinks are included, but alcohol is limited: Soft drinks are unlimited throughout the day, while alcoholic drinks are provided at lunchtime only.
• Departure from New Marina: The meeting point is outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant on the marina side, with free parking nearby.
• Six hours on the water: The schedule includes about five and a half hours of sailing and stops, allowing a little time for boarding and movement between activities.

Why this private Rhodes cruise feels different

A private boat day changes the rhythm of a Greek island outing. You are not following a large group from one stop to the next, and you are not spending the day trying to find a free patch of deck. The catamaran is reserved for your party, so you can settle into the day more easily.

The capacity is limited to 11 people. That is still a lively group, but it is small enough for everyone to have a place to sit. An eight-person group found the catamaran clean and spacious, with enough room for everybody. That detail matters more than it might sound. Six hours is a long time to spend on a boat if seating is cramped.

The appeal here is not a packed sightseeing schedule. It is the combination of sailing, swimming, food, and time to sit in the sun. Between the stops, you can relax on deck and feel the sea breeze rather than rush toward another attraction. The crew’s effort to find the quieter part of each bay also helps protect the day’s calm mood.

The cruise has a rating of 4.6 from three verified bookings, with especially strong praise for the crew, the cleanliness of the catamaran, the food, and the choice of less crowded swimming spots. That is a small sample, so I would not treat the number as a scientific score. Still, the praise is consistent in the areas that matter most on a private boat trip.

Starting at Rhodes New Marina

Your meeting point is outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side. The New Marina is roughly 1 kilometer from central Rhodes Town, so this is a practical departure point if you are already staying in or near town.

One useful advantage is free parking close to the meeting point. That makes the cruise easier for people with a rental car, especially compared with trying to navigate toward a busy central harbor. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the marina independently.

I would arrive with your towel and beachwear already packed and easy to reach. You will spend time in the water at several points, and there is no reason to turn a simple swim stop into a search through bags and clothing.

The marina departure also helps set expectations. This is a working boat outing, not a grand harbor departure with a long sightseeing narration. You meet the crew, board the catamaran, and get moving along the East Coast.

The first 75 minutes along Rhodes’ East Coast

The first sailing section lasts about 75 minutes. That gives you a generous opening stretch to settle into the boat, find a comfortable place, and enjoy the coast from the water.

The route follows the East Coast toward the first swimming stop at Anthony Quinn Bay. Sailing is part of the experience, not just transport between beaches. The catamaran gives you a place to sit in the open air, watch the water, and let the day unfold at a slower pace.

For some people, the first 75 minutes will be the perfect start. You can ease into the morning without immediately changing into swim gear or sitting down to lunch. For others, particularly anyone who dislikes long periods on a moving boat, this will be the most demanding part of the schedule.

If you are prone to seasickness, take that warning seriously. The experience is not recommended for people who commonly feel ill at sea. Weather affects the conditions, and the route or swimming stops can change on the day.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the first swim

The first stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, with about 50 minutes for swimming. The bay is known for clear water and dramatic rocky edges, making it a strong choice for the first chance to get in.

You can use this stop to cool off after the opening sail, swim, or simply remain on deck if you prefer not to enter the water. The private format means your group can enjoy the pause without the pressure of keeping up with a large excursion party.

The available time is long enough for a proper swim but not so long that the day loses momentum. You should still keep an eye on the schedule, because the boat continues to Afandou after this stop.

A key point is that the exact swimming conditions are not guaranteed. The crew may change stops according to weather on the day. That flexibility is sensible on a sailing trip, but it means you should think of Anthony Quinn Bay as part of the planned route rather than an absolute promise.

The short sail to Afandou

After Anthony Quinn Bay, the catamaran sails for about 20 minutes toward Afandou. This is the shortest travel section of the itinerary and gives you a quick change of setting before the main meal stop.

Afandou is where the day combines lunch and swimming. The stop lasts about 70 minutes, making it the most substantial pause of the trip. You are not simply grabbing food while the boat waits. Lunch is built into the stop, with time left for a swim and for relaxing on deck.

The crew provides a Greek lunch, which is an important part of the value. Eating on the boat gives the day a shared, easygoing feel, and you do not have to leave the water to find a restaurant. Alcoholic drinks are included at lunchtime, while soft drinks remain available throughout the day.

The drink arrangement is worth understanding before you book. This is not an all-day open bar. If you want alcoholic drinks, lunchtime is the designated period. Soft drinks are the dependable option during the sailing and swimming portions.

Lunch and swimming at Afandou

Afandou is the practical center of the cruise. With 70 minutes available, you can eat without rushing and still enjoy the water. I like this balance because a boat day can easily become too focused on swimming, leaving people hungry, or too focused on lunch, leaving little time for the sea.

Your group can use the stop in its own way. Strong swimmers may head straight into the water, while others may prefer to eat first and then take a shorter swim. The catamaran provides a base for anyone who wants a break from the water.

The food is described as a delicious Greek lunch, but the exact menu is not specified. If you have strict dietary needs, you should confirm the arrangements before booking rather than assume the meal will suit you.

Afandou is also a good point to judge the overall pace. The day does not require you to be active every minute. You can spend part of the stop sitting with a drink, watching the coast, and talking with your group. That is why the private setup matters. A shared excursion often sets one pace for everyone. Here, the crew can keep the mood relaxed while still maintaining the route.

The 75-minute sail toward Kallithea Springs

The second long sailing section lasts about 75 minutes. After lunch and swimming, you have another extended stretch on the water before the final stop.

This is likely to be the quietest part of the day for some people. You have already been swimming and eating, so the longer ride gives you time to rest. You can find a place on deck, enjoy the wind, and watch the shoreline pass without needing to do anything else.

It is also the part that may test anyone who wants constant sightseeing. This cruise is built around unhurried sailing, not a commentary-heavy tour with a new sight every few minutes. If you want a packed schedule, a private boat charter focused on swimming may feel too gentle.

The crew’s choice of quieter areas is useful here. The day is designed around finding a comfortable place in the bays rather than forcing your group into the busiest section. That will not remove all other boats from the sea, but it can make the stops feel less hectic.

Kallithea Springs for the final swim

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, with about 40 minutes for swimming. By this stage, you have had two earlier chances to get in the water, so the shorter final pause works well as a last swim before returning to the marina.

Kallithea Springs gives the itinerary a different name and setting from Anthony Quinn Bay and Afandou. The stop keeps the afternoon from feeling like a repeat of the same beach break. You can swim, cool down, and enjoy the last stretch of the outing before boarding again.

Forty minutes is enough for a refreshing final swim, but it is not a long beach visit. Plan on staying close to the catamaran and following the crew’s timing. As with the other stops, weather can change the plan.

After Kallithea Springs, the catamaran returns to the New Marina. The scheduled six-hour duration gives you a full half-day on the water without taking up an entire day and evening in Rhodes.

What the $1,850 group price really means

The price is $1,850 for a private group of up to 11 people. At the maximum capacity, that works out to about $168 per person. For a group of eight, the cost is roughly $231 per person. With only four people, it rises to about $463 per person.

That arithmetic tells you how to judge the value. This is not a budget boat ride for individual passengers. It makes the most sense for a full family group, a party of friends, or a special occasion where privacy and flexibility matter more than finding the lowest fare.

The price includes the catamaran, lunch, alcoholic drinks at lunchtime, unlimited soft drinks, and all fees and taxes. You are paying for exclusive use, a six-hour route, three swimming areas, and food already arranged. You also avoid the uncertainty of finding lunch during a busy beach day.

For a group of 10 or 11, the cost becomes far easier to justify. For two or three people, I would think carefully about the premium. The private format is the main reason to pay more, so you should only book if having the boat to yourselves is genuinely important.

Who will enjoy this day most

This cruise suits people who want a relaxed shared day with their own group. It works especially well for:

• Families who want a private setting and swimming time
• Friends splitting the cost across a larger group
• People celebrating a birthday or special occasion
• Visitors who prefer quiet sailing over a packed party boat
• Confident swimmers who want several chances to enter clear water

The catamaran also suits anyone who likes a mix of activity and rest. You swim at three points, but you also spend substantial time sailing and sitting on deck.

I would not choose it if you have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, or regularly suffer from seasickness. The boat-based format and swimming stops require comfort with boarding, moving around the vessel, and spending hours at sea. Intoxication, alcohol abuse, and drugs are not allowed, so the mood is relaxed rather than rowdy.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring a towel and beachwear. Those are the only specific items named, but you will want your swim things ready before boarding.

Arrive at the New Marina meeting point outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side. Free parking is available nearby, and the location is about 1 kilometer from Rhodes Town. Since there is no hotel pickup or drop-off, allow time to reach the marina on your own.

Keep in mind that the swimming stops can change with the weather. The crew may adjust the route for safety and better conditions. A flexible attitude will help you enjoy the day instead of treating the listed bays as fixed guarantees.

The crew speaks English and Greek. The experience is operated by Daily Rhodes Cruises, and the crew received the strongest praise for being friendly and helpful. The cleanliness of the catamaran and the amount of seating also received specific approval, which is reassuring for a six-hour private charter.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure options for your chosen date.

Should you book this Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and you want a peaceful private day rather than the cheapest way to reach the water. The strongest reasons are the small capacity, clean and comfortable catamaran, Greek lunch, drinks, and the chance to spend time in quieter parts of three well-known bays.

Think twice if only a few people are going, if you want alcohol throughout the day, or if you dislike long sailing periods. The $1,850 price rewards a full group, not a couple looking for a low-cost excursion.

For a family or group of friends, I would consider this a strong Rhodes splurge. It gives you swimming, food, sailing, and quiet time in one well-organized half-day. Just arrive prepared, accept that weather may change the route, and make sure everyone in your party is comfortable on a catamaran.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours. The schedule includes sailing and swimming stops along the East Coast of Rhodes.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private group can include up to 11 people.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from the New Marina in Rhodes. The meeting point is outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side.

Is parking available near the meeting point?

Yes. Many free parking spaces are available close to the New Marina meeting point.

What food and drinks are included?

A Greek lunch is included. Alcoholic drinks are provided at lunchtime only, while soft drinks are unlimited throughout the day.

Can the swimming stops change?

Yes. The swimming stops depend on the weather conditions on the day and may be changed by the crew.