3-Hour Adventure With Hippo Submarine

See Lindos from the sea. This three-hour trip combines underwater viewing with a coastal cruise past the Acropolis, St. Paul’s Bay, several beaches, and Navarone Bay. I like the chance to watch sea bream and sea bass through the vessel’s large windows, and I like that the 45-minute swim stop gives you more than a quick look at the water.

The main thing to consider is the schedule. The boat leaves from St. Paul’s Bay at 9:30 a.m., and the pickup service runs only on set days and in particular Rhodes areas. If you want a quiet sightseeing ride without a long swim, the substantial stop at Navarone Bay may feel like more beach time than you need.

Quick take on the Hippo Submarine

• See fish below the boat: The air-conditioned lower deck has large portholes facing the seabed.
• Feed local sea life: At the Tomb of Kleoboulos and Navarone Bay, the crew throws seafood into the water so you can watch sea bream, sea bass, and other fish gather.
• View Lindos from a fresh angle: The Acropolis looks especially striking from offshore, with the town and beaches spread below it.
• Swim for 45 minutes: Navarone Bay provides the main bathing break in clear water.
• Enjoy an easy morning outing: The trip lasts about three hours, includes a soft drink or bottle of water, and returns to its starting point.
• Expect a friendly crew: The captain and staff are repeatedly praised for being warm, chatty, and helpful when plans need adjusting.

Why this boat trip works in Lindos

Lindos is often experienced from land, where you climb through narrow streets toward the Acropolis or settle onto the busy main beach. This boat ride changes the angle completely. You see the white town and ancient monument from the water, then move below deck to watch the seabed through the submarine-style windows.

That combination gives the trip a clear purpose. It is not just a short cruise around the bay, and it is not a serious scuba excursion. You get coastal views, a little local history, fish feeding, a swim, and time to ask the crew for tips about Lindos.

The boat has a maximum group size of 40 people. That is large enough to create a social outing, but not so large that the trip becomes a huge ferry ride. The supplied information describes a spacious vessel, with an air-conditioned lower deck where you can sit, listen to music, and look through the windows.

I would think of the experience as a relaxed sightseeing cruise with an added underwater feature. The word submarine describes the viewing deck, not a fully submerged submarine journey. You spend time both below the waterline and on the open upper deck.

Leaving St. Paul’s Bay at 9:30 a.m.

The meeting point is in Lindos, at St. Paul’s Bay, and the tour begins at 9:30 a.m. This bay is already one of the most attractive places around Lindos, so the setting does some of the work before the boat moves.

Once on board, the crew introduces you to the vessel and points out the submerged viewing area. The lower deck is air-conditioned, which matters on a sunny Rhodes morning. You can sit beside the large portholes and watch the water and seabed close to the hull.

As the boat leaves the bay, the mood changes from enclosed viewing to open sea. The description promises calm blue water and a quiet ride, while the crew provides information about Lindos, the coast, and the places you pass. You can also ask questions rather than simply listen to a fixed speech.

This is a useful feature for first-time visitors. The crew can suggest when to visit the Acropolis for better conditions, explain what you are seeing from offshore, and give information about activities in Lindos and at the beaches.

Tomb of Kleoboulos and the fish-feeding stop

The first named stop is the Tomb of Kleoboulos, connected with the ancient Greek philosopher Kleovoulos. The tour uses his idea that balance is the key to happiness as a small theme for the outing. It is a pleasant touch, especially since the trip itself balances sightseeing, swimming, and time on the boat.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes and does not require an admission ticket. The main attraction here is not a long visit on land. It is the fish-feeding session that follows.

The crew tosses seafood into the water, bringing sea bream, sea bass, and other fish toward the boat. You may help with the feeding if you like. This is one of the most appealing parts for children, though adults who enjoy watching marine life will also find it entertaining.

Keep your expectations in check. This is a brief, hands-on wildlife encounter, not a natural history presentation or a snorkeling session. Fish gather quickly around the food, so you get a lively view through the water, but the moment is built around feeding rather than observing undisturbed sea life.

Still, it gives the trip a point of contact with the water. You are not only looking at a beautiful bay from the deck. You are watching fish respond directly below you.

The Acropolis of Lindos from the boat

The cruise then turns attention back to Lindos. From the water, you can look up toward the ancient Acropolis and see how dramatically it rises above the town and coast.

This view is valuable because the monument’s setting becomes clearer offshore. From the narrow lanes of Lindos, you focus on walls, steps, and close views. From the boat, you see the Acropolis as part of the whole headland, with the sea and beaches framing it.

The crew is available to explain the site and share practical advice about visiting. If you have not yet been to the Acropolis, use this time to ask about the best time to go. If you have already visited, the offshore view gives you a useful second perspective.

You will want a camera ready here. The boat later passes Lindos Beach, and that return section offers another chance to photograph the Acropolis with the shoreline in the foreground. The crew specifically encourages a selfie from the water, which may sound simple, but it is a good way to capture the unusual angle this trip provides.

Agios Pavlos Beach and the church view

Agios Pavlos Beach is listed as the next stop, with about 10 minutes to see its well-known church. The short timing tells you what to expect: this is a scenic pause, not a long beach visit.

The church is one of the island’s most recognizable coastal sights, and the view from the boat lets you take it in without committing to a full stay on shore. For some people, this will be enough. You get the photograph and the coastal setting, then continue to the next part of the trip.

For others, 10 minutes may feel brief. If your main aim is to sit on the beach or explore the church area at leisure, this cruise will not replace a separate visit. The value here is the range of sights packed into one morning.

Navarone Bay and the 45-minute swim

Navarone Bay is the trip’s longest stop and its main break for swimming. Although one part of the schedule describes a 20-minute visit, the included details specify a 45-minute swimming stop, so you should plan on a proper pause in the water rather than a quick dip.

The bay is described as clear, and the water is one of the strongest parts of the experience. You can swim from the boat, then return to the lower deck to watch fish gather during another feeding session. This gives you two ways to enjoy the same setting: in the water and through the submarine windows.

I like the balance here. A sightseeing cruise can feel passive if you remain seated for three hours. The swim gives you a chance to move, cool off, and enjoy the coast directly.

You should also recognize the practical tradeoff. If you do not plan to swim, nearly three quarters of an hour at the bay may feel long. You can still watch the fish, enjoy the views, or remain on board, but the schedule is clearly designed for people who want time in the sea.

A free soft drink or bottle of water is included. Snacks are not, so you should not expect a meal or substantial refreshment. Alcoholic drinks can be bought at the bar, but they are not part of the ticket.

Passing Lindos Beach on the return

The route back passes Lindos Beach, the main beach in town. This section is described as more active and populated, with plenty of beach activity taking place along the shore.

The contrast with the quieter bays is part of the appeal. You see the polished postcard side of Lindos, then the more energetic beach scene where people are swimming and taking part in activities. The crew can provide information about what is available both at the beach and in town.

This is also your last strong opportunity for photos of the Acropolis. From the water, you can frame the ancient site above the beach, a view that is hard to duplicate from the streets of Lindos.

The boat returns to the same meeting point, making the outing easy to fit into a day based in Lindos. You do not need to arrange a second return transfer from another harbor.

What the crew adds to the experience

The staff are a major part of the trip’s appeal. The captain and crew are described as friendly, talkative, and willing to explain the fish, the bays, and their own experience on the water.

That matters on a small sightseeing boat. A silent ride would still offer good scenery, but conversation helps connect the stops. You can ask about the Acropolis, beach activities, fish, and the best times to visit Lindos.

The crew also appears willing to help when transport or timing goes wrong. One booking was moved to the following day after a taxi failed to arrive, and another party was accepted a day late. These examples do not guarantee that every change will be possible, but they suggest a human approach when problems arise.

The strongest praise focuses on the staff’s warmth and the quality of the swim. Several participants describe the sea as exceptionally beautiful, with clear water and an enjoyable bathing stop. The underwater windows also receive special attention, especially from families with children.

Is $47.17 a fair price?

At $47.17 per person, the cost is reasonable if you want several activities in one morning. You are paying for about three hours on the water, more than five sightseeing stops, commentary from the captain and crew, a 45-minute swim, underwater viewing, fish feeding, and a drink or bottle of water.

The value is strongest for anyone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride and a beach outing. You also save time by seeing Agios Pavlos Beach, Navarone Bay, Lindos Beach, and the Acropolis viewpoint in one route.

The price is less compelling if you want a quiet luxury cruise, a full meal, or an extended stay at one beach. Snacks are extra, alcohol costs extra, and the trip is shared with as many as 40 people.

I would consider it good value for families, couples, and first-time visitors who want a broad introduction to the Lindos coast. Swimmers will get the most from the fare, since the long stop at Navarone Bay is central to the program.

Pickup areas and planning the morning

Pickup is available only from certain locations and on specific days. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, transfers run from Lindos toward the Plimmiri region. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, they run from Vlycha toward Kolymbia.

You need to provide your hotel’s full name if you select pickup. The final pickup time is confirmed directly by the local operator at least one day before the tour, so do not assume the listed 9:30 a.m. start is your hotel pickup time.

If you are already in Lindos, meeting at St. Paul’s Bay may be simpler. If you are staying elsewhere, check the pickup zone and day before paying. The limited schedule is the clearest practical drawback, especially if you have a tightly planned Rhodes itinerary.

The tour is offered in English, includes a mobile ticket, and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The operator requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If conditions are poor or the minimum is not met, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, so keep the local start time in mind.

Who should book the Hippo Submarine?

I would recommend this trip if you want a friendly, varied morning rather than a single-purpose boat ride. It suits families particularly well because the fish-feeding and underwater windows give children something to watch between scenic stops.

It also fits couples and photographers who want offshore views of Lindos and the Acropolis. Swimmers should enjoy the 45-minute pause at Navarone Bay, while first-time visitors benefit from the crew’s local advice about the town and beaches.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group outings, do not swim, or want extended time at each stop. The schedule covers many sights, so each scenic pause is fairly short except for Navarone Bay.

Should you book it?

Book the Hippo Submarine if you want to combine Lindos views, fish feeding, and swimming for $47.17 in one outing. The warm crew, clear water, air-conditioned viewing deck, and offshore Acropolis photographs give the trip more substance than a basic coastal cruise.

Skip it if you want a private boat, a full meal, or a slow visit to one beach. For most people staying in or near Lindos, though, this is a well-priced way to see the coast from several angles and spend a refreshing morning on the water.

FAQ

How long is the Hippo Submarine tour?

The experience lasts approximately three hours and returns to the original meeting point at St. Paul’s Bay in Lindos.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is in Lindos, Greece, at St. Paul’s Bay. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is swimming included?

Yes. A 45-minute swimming stop at Navarone Bay is included.

Is a drink included in the price?

Yes. One soft drink or bottle of water is included. Snacks are not included, and alcoholic drinks are available to buy at the bar.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered only in specific areas and on specific days. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday transfers cover Lindos to the Plimmiri region. Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday transfers cover Vlycha to Kolymbia. The final pickup time is confirmed by the local operator at least one day before the tour.