Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

Sunset works better from the water. This three-hour Rhodes cruise combines a swim at Kalithea Bay with a generous Greek-style dinner and a front-row view of the Aegean sunset. I especially like the small-boat feel reported on many departures, and the friendly crew, including a crew member named Eleni who has been praised for keeping drinks topped up and guests comfortable.

The main catch is that the catamaran anchors offshore, so you must swim to reach the shore, if you want to reach it at all. The swimming stop is the heart of the trip, but underwater scenery can be modest in places, and the boat leaves on time with little sympathy for late arrivals.

Key things to know before booking

• Kalithea Bay is a swim stop, not a shore excursion: The boat anchors in the bay, and reaching land requires swimming.
• Dinner is more than a token snack: Expect grilled chicken, several salads, dips, feta, olives, bread, and unlimited beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, and water.
• Small groups are possible: Some departures carry about 14 to 16 people, leaving plenty of room on deck.
• You can choose your boat style: The experience runs on sailing catamarans and powered catamarans, with up to three catamaran options.
• The sunset comes near the end: The boat returns toward Rhodes Town for the final sunset view, with music playing onboard.
• Arrive early: Check in at the Poseidon Submarine, Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks 30 to 15 minutes before departure.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor on a small catamaran

Your evening begins at Mandraki Harbor, one of the most convenient starting points in Rhodes Town. Look for the Poseidon Submarine and Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks, then arrive early enough to check in without a last-minute sprint along the waterfront.

I like the location because you start in the city and quickly trade harbor traffic for open sea. The boats leave on schedule, so arriving late is a real risk. If you miss the departure, the stated rebooking fee is 25 euros per ticket.

You choose between a sailing catamaran and a powered catamaran. The exact boat affects the mood more than the basic plan. A sailing catamaran may feel more leisurely, while a powered boat is likely to get you moving briskly between the harbor, swimming bay, and sunset position.

The catamarans vary in style, but the boats used for this experience are described as clean and well maintained. Several departures have carried only around 14 to 16 people, which gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable seat and avoiding the cramped feel of a large excursion boat.

That smaller scale matters. You can usually move around the deck, find a good angle for photographs, and speak with the crew without competing with a crowd. Group size can change, especially during the busier summer period, so I would not treat a tiny group as guaranteed.

The 45-minute ride along Rhodes east coast

The first stretch lasts about 45 minutes and takes you along the east coast of Rhodes. This is the time to settle into the boat, listen to the Greek-toned music, and watch the coastline recede behind you.

You will find several places to sit, both in the open air and inside the catamaran. The best seat depends on your priorities. Sit near the edge if you want an unobstructed view and an easy route to the swimming area. Choose a more sheltered spot if you are sensitive to wind or spray.

The crew usually keeps the atmosphere relaxed rather than formal. Food and drink service is part of the evening, but the main meal is served around the swimming stop, not immediately after departure. If you are hungry when you board, have a small snack beforehand.

The return ride is often the more scenic part. As the light softens, Rhodes takes on a warmer color, and the sea becomes the main event. I like that the cruise does not rush straight to the sunset. You get a swim, a meal, and time on the water before the evening show begins.

Kalithea Bay: swim first, dinner nearby

The catamaran anchors at Kalithea Bay for roughly 45 minutes. This is a proper water stop, not a guided walk around Kalithea Springs. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling gear, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view.

The water is clear, and the bay has rocks and small caves that you can swim toward. The bottom may be around six meters deep in the swimming area, according to one detailed account, so less confident swimmers should use a life jacket or stay close to the boat.

The supplied equipment includes snorkeling gear, life jackets, and floating pool noodles. An outdoor shower is available afterward, along with indoor toilets. These are practical touches that make a short swim much easier, especially if you do not want saltwater drying on your skin for the rest of the evening.

You need to understand the shore access before booking. The boat stays at anchor, and getting to the shore requires swimming. If you are expecting to step onto a beach, stroll around the springs, or explore dry land, this cruise will not meet that expectation.

The underwater scene can be pleasant but is not guaranteed to be spectacular. You may see fish around the rocks, and one account even noted a lionfish, but another described the area as mostly rocks with limited marine life. I would treat snorkeling as a nice extra, not the main reason to book.

There is also a timing detail worth knowing. Food may be put out while people are still swimming and snorkeling. If you want first choice from the buffet, return to the boat before the end of the stop. You can always go back into the water afterward if conditions and timing allow.

A Greek buffet with generous drinks

The meal is one of the strongest parts of the cruise. It is not a plated restaurant dinner, but it is a substantial buffet with enough variety to make a full meal.

The usual spread includes:

• Grilled chicken
• Pasta salad
• Potato salad
• Greek salad
• Green salad
• Tzatziki
• Hummus
• Aubergine salad
• Olives
• Feta
• Fresh local bread

I like the balance here. You get familiar Greek flavors, fresh salads, dips, cheese, and bread alongside grilled chicken. The food suits a casual evening at sea and is generally served in generous quantities.

Vegetarians have several workable choices, including hummus, salads, aubergine, feta, olives, and bread. Still, one account found the vegetarian and fish choices limited enough to skip the food option. If you do not eat meat, check the current arrangements before booking rather than assuming a separate vegetarian main course will be available.

Drinks are included throughout the cruise. You receive unlimited wine and beer, plus juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. Crew members serve drinks, and several accounts describe the service as attentive, with staff checking that everyone has what they need.

The alcohol policy is sensible. The crew can stop serving alcoholic drinks if someone appears intoxicated. That helps preserve the calm, friendly mood, especially on a smaller boat where one loud passenger can affect everyone.

Families should also check the fare details carefully. The cruise has worked well for parents with babies and toddlers, and the crew has been described as welcoming to young children. However, one parent objected to a baby being charged the full adult rate, so the $58 price is not necessarily the whole cost for every family member.

Watching the Aegean sunset near Rhodes Town

After dinner, the boat turns back toward Rhodes Town. The final sunset section lasts around 20 minutes, though the exact timing depends on the season and weather.

The crew chooses a position with a clear view across the sea and back toward Rhodes. You can stay on deck, listen to the music, and watch the sun lower over the water. This is the most romantic part of the evening, and it works especially well for couples, though families and solo passengers can enjoy it just as easily.

Music plays a useful role here. It gives the ride a gentle holiday mood without requiring anyone to join in. Some departures have had particularly good music, while the overall tone has ranged from quiet and romantic to more lively. If you are searching for a silent sailing trip, this may not be your ideal choice.

You will not have the sunset all to yourself. Other boats use the same coast, and Kalithea can be busy at the swimming stop. Still, the small catamaran setup can feel more personal than a large party boat, particularly when the group is limited to roughly 15 people.

The cruise finishes back at Mandraki Harbor. You return with the practical convenience of being close to Rhodes Town, rather than needing a separate transfer from a distant marina.

What the $58 price really buys you

At $58 per person, this is strong value if you want several evening activities bundled together. You are paying for about three hours on the water, a catamaran ride, a swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, dinner, and unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Many sunset cruises charge separately for food or offer only a small snack. Here, the grilled chicken, salads, dips, feta, bread, and drinks make the price easier to justify. I would see it as a combined dinner and sightseeing outing rather than simply a boat ride.

The value is best for couples and small groups who would otherwise pay for dinner and a separate sunset activity. It is also useful for a first evening in Rhodes because Mandraki Harbor is central and the route introduces you to the island from the sea.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not want dinner, or dislike swimming from a boat. You may still enjoy the views, but part of the price covers food and drinks that you might not use.

The score of 4.8 from 644 ratings reflects a very consistent experience, with especially strong praise for the crew, food, clean boats, sunset timing, and overall value. The few practical concerns are clear: limited vegetarian or fish choices, food being served while some people are still in the water, and the lack of direct shore access.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to couples looking for an easy romantic evening without arranging dinner separately. The sunset, music, open deck, and wine create the right setting, but you do not need to be on a honeymoon to enjoy it.

It also suits friends and families. Parents have taken babies and toddlers, and the crew has been described as helpful and accommodating. Young children should be supervised closely around the water, and parents should remember that the swimming stop is from an anchored boat.

Solo visitors can also feel comfortable here. One solo passenger described feeling safe, and the small group format makes it easier to chat with the crew or other people onboard.

I would think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also reconsider if you need a beach with easy shore access, a serious snorkeling site, or a quiet boat with no music.

Weather can change the plan. The captain may alter the route or swimming stop when sea conditions require it. That is normal for a water-based trip, but it means the exact view and stop are not guaranteed.

Practical tips for a smoother evening

Bring swimwear, even if you are not sure you will get in the water. You may change your mind once you see the bay and the floating pool noodles.

Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before departure at the Poseidon Submarine, Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks. Do not rely on arriving at the listed start time, because the catamarans leave on schedule.

Ask a crew member to confirm the departure time if you are unsure. Listen carefully to announcements, especially if the provider uses more than one catamaran that evening.

If snorkeling is important to you, return to the boat before the buffet is fully served. Food can appear during the swim stop, and you could miss some of the selection if you stay in the water for the whole break.

For April, May, and October, a catamaran may be changed if it does not reach the minimum number of participants. You should be notified if the operator needs to move your booking to another boat.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Those policies are useful if your Rhodes schedule depends on weather.

Should you book the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise?

I would book it if you want a friendly, good-value evening that combines swimming, dinner, drinks, music, and a sunset without a lot of planning. The crew service and food receive the strongest praise, and the smaller catamaran setting can feel pleasantly personal.

I would skip it if you need wheelchair access, want to walk ashore at Kalithea, or expect a major snorkeling site. For everyone else, $58 buys a well-rounded three-hour outing, with enough food and drink to make the price feel fair and a sunset that gives the evening a proper finish.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts about three hours, including the catamaran rides, the Kalithea Bay stop, dinner, and the sunset viewing period.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes Town. Meet at the Poseidon Submarine, Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks.

What food is included?

The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited wine and beer are included, along with juice, soft drinks, and bottled water.

Can I swim to the shore at Kalithea Bay?

The boat anchors in the bay, and reaching the shore requires swimming. The stop is primarily for swimming and snorkeling from the catamaran.

What should I bring, and is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Bring swimwear. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.