Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Three beautiful bays, one easy day at sea. This Rhodes catamaran cruise combines long swimming stops with a generous Greek buffet, cold drinks, and plenty of room to stretch out on a sailing or power catamaran. I like the sensible pace, with about an hour at each main bay, and I like that the boats carry snorkels, pool noodles, and life jackets at no extra cost.

The crew receives especially high praise for being friendly and attentive, with names such as Andreas and Hope repeatedly singled out for helpful service. The main drawback is simple: you must be comfortable getting into the water from an anchored boat, since the catamaran does not pull up to a beach. The experience also suits you poorly if you have mobility limitations.

Quick facts before you book

• Price: About $83 per person for six hours, including lunch, snacks, drinks, and equipment.
• Small-capacity feel: Each boat carries a maximum of 24 passengers plus crew, which helps avoid the packed-deck feeling common on large day boats.
• Sailing or power: The sailing catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay. The power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Swim time matters: The main stops usually allow 45 to 60 minutes in the water, not just a quick photo pause.
• Food and drinks included: Expect a breakfast tortilla snack, fresh fruit, a Mediterranean buffet, soft drinks, water, beer, and wine from noon.
• Meet early: Departure is at 10:00 AM from the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor at 10:00 AM

Your day begins at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor. The boat leaves at 10:00 AM, so arrive early rather than treating the meeting time as a suggestion. Missing the departure can mean a €25 rebooking fee for another day.

The first stretch is a sightseeing cruise along the east coast. It lasts roughly 70 minutes, giving you time to settle into your seat, take in the shoreline, and learn how the day will work. The crew speaks English and makes announcements about departure times, which is useful because each swimming stop has a firm schedule.

The 24-passenger maximum is one of the better features here. A full boat can still feel lively, but it should not have the packed, shoulder-to-shoulder quality of a large ferry excursion. Several people especially liked having enough room to sit comfortably, including on busy summer departures.

Seating choice matters. If you want a place near the front or on the upper deck, board early. The forward area gives you a better view while cruising, though it may offer less shade. For a quieter ride, choose a protected seat and bring a hat and sunscreen.

Anthony Quinn Bay, clear water and plenty of fish

Anthony Quinn Bay is usually the first swimming stop. The catamaran stays at anchor, and you enter the water from the boat rather than walking onto the beach. Plan on about one hour here.

The bay is famous for its rocky coves and clear water. Snorkeling is the main attraction. The crew may throw bread into the sea, bringing colorful fish close to swimmers. That makes this a particularly easy first snorkel, even if you are new to using a mask and snorkel.

Equipment is provided, including snorkels, floating noodles, and life jackets. You should still bring your own mask if you have one that fits well, but the supplied gear removes one more item from your packing list.

I would not treat the bread feeding as a natural wildlife encounter. It is a simple way to gather fish near the boat, and it gives you something interesting to see below the surface. The bay itself is the bigger reward: clear water, steep rocky sides, and a fine view from the catamaran.

If you are not swimming, you can remain onboard and enjoy the setting. Still, this cruise is built around water access, so you will get much more from the day if you are happy climbing down into the sea and back up the boat ladder.

Ladiko Bay, a quieter second water stop

After a short cruise, the boat reaches Ladiko Bay. This stop also lasts about an hour and is described as a calmer place for swimming and snorkeling.

Ladiko works well as a second stop because the day is not just a series of rushed photo opportunities. You get time to swim, float, use the snorkel gear, or simply sit on deck while the crew prepares the next part of the meal service.

The water is the star again. Several people particularly enjoyed seeing fish close to the boat, while others valued the sheltered feel of the bay. Conditions can change, though, and the captain may alter the route or swimming stops if the weather makes the planned locations unsuitable.

That flexibility is worth keeping in mind. You are buying a day on the sea, not a guarantee that every bay will look exactly as pictured. A sensible captain changes the plan when wind or waves call for it.

Afandou Beach and caves on the power catamaran

The power catamaran includes an extra stop at Afandou Beach and the nearby caves. This is the main difference between the power and sailing options, so check the vessel choice carefully when booking.

The Afandou stop combines lunch with time for swimming and snorkeling. The caves provide a different setting from the open coves, and several people considered them a highlight of the power-catamaran route.

The supplied schedule can describe Afandou and Ladiko as stops connected with lunch, but the practical point is simpler: the exact number and order of stops depend on the boat you choose. The sailing catamaran visits three main bays. The power catamaran adds Afandou, making four notable locations.

Choose the sailing option if you want a slower, quieter feel and prefer the classic three-bay route. Choose power if visiting the Afandou caves matters to you or if you want the added stop. Both options include the same general style of service: swimming, food, drinks, and time on deck.

A Greek buffet served at sea

Lunch is more substantial than the usual sandwich handed out on a boat. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

The food leans toward simple Mediterranean cooking rather than restaurant-style presentation. That is exactly right for a day at sea. You can build a plate from several cold salads, add chicken, and return for more if you are hungry after swimming.

Many people particularly liked the freshness and amount of food. One person hoped for a fish option instead of chicken, so seafood lovers should adjust expectations. This is a Greek-style buffet with chicken as the main hot item, not a seafood lunch.

The day begins with a breakfast tortilla snack, followed by a cup of seasonal fruit later on. Bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout. Beer and wine become available from 12:00 PM, with unlimited service while the crew considers passengers fit to drink responsibly.

That last point matters. The crew can stop alcohol service if someone appears intoxicated. It is a sensible rule on a boat where people are swimming, climbing ladders, and moving around a wet deck.

Kallithea Springs, the final swim

Kallithea Springs is generally the final stop, with about 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The area offers a different mood from Anthony Quinn Bay and Ladiko, and the spring and lagoon setting makes it a memorable last stop.

You may swim toward the lagoon area if conditions and access allow, but remember that the boat remains at anchor. The shore is not reached by simply stepping onto a gangway. You need to swim from the catamaran, so keep your towel and dry clothes safely onboard.

This final stop is well placed in the schedule. By this point you have had lunch, spent time on deck, and already enjoyed two or three water stops. Kallithea gives you one last chance to cool off before the return cruise.

The boat then spends about 45 minutes cruising back to Mandraki Harbor. That final ride is useful downtime. You can dry off, take photographs, finish a drink, and let the crew handle the return rather than trying to squeeze in another land activity.

Sailing catamaran or power catamaran?

The choice is not just about speed. It changes the feel and route of the day.

The sailing catamaran is the better match if you want a calm ride and three well-spaced bay stops. You may spend more time enjoying the movement of the boat and the open water between locations. People who chose this option liked its relaxed pace and comfortable deck.

The power catamaran is the better match if Afandou Beach and the caves are high on your list. It makes an additional stop, which gives you more variety but may also create a slightly busier day.

There are three catamaran options advertised, so the boat name can vary. People have referred to boats such as Bali and Freedom, but the key decision is still sailing or power. Ask the crew at the kiosk if you are unsure which route your booking covers.

In April, May, and October, low numbers can lead the operator to move you to another catamaran. You should receive a message if that happens. This is less likely to matter during the busiest summer period, but it is worth watching your phone in the shoulder seasons.

Comfort, facilities, and the small catches

The catamarans are described as clean, well kept, and spacious for their size. There is an outdoor shower for rinsing off salt water, indoor toilets, and enough seating to remain comfortable during the six-hour outing.

The toilet is the weakest point. It is functional, but it has not always been kept as clean as passengers would like. If you are sensitive to shared marine toilets, use facilities before boarding and keep expectations modest.

You should bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. The Greek sun can feel strong even when a sea breeze makes the air pleasant. Apply sunscreen before departure and again after swimming.

The boat provides life jackets and pool noodles, but you remain responsible for judging your own comfort in the water. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew for a life jacket or noodle before entering.

This is not a good choice for people with mobility impairments. You need to board the catamaran, move around a marine deck, climb down into the water, and use a ladder to return. Even if you plan to stay onboard, the boat setup may not be suitable.

Is $83 good value for six hours?

At about $83 per person, this is a strong value if you planned to pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Six hours is long enough to feel like a full day out, but the repeated swimming breaks prevent it from becoming six hours of sitting in one place.

The price includes more than transport. You receive a breakfast snack, fruit, a full buffet, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, beer and wine from noon, snorkeling equipment, flotation aids, and the services of a small crew.

I especially like that the swimming stops are not token ten-minute pauses. An hour gives you time to swim, snorkel, dry off, take photographs, and still feel unhurried. That is a major part of the value.

The price is less attractive if you dislike swimming or rarely drink. In that case, much of what you are paying for becomes less useful. A simple coastal sightseeing cruise might suit you better.

The high overall rating, 4.8 from more than 2,000 ratings, fits the pattern of the experience: friendly crew, good food, clean boats, attractive bays, and a relaxed schedule. The occasional problems are practical ones, mainly weather, the toilet, and the need to enter the sea from the boat.

Weather can change the day

Rhodes usually offers excellent conditions for a summer boat day, but no captain controls the weather. Wind, rain, and rough water can force a change of route or swimming stops.

One particularly difficult October outing encountered heavy rain for about an hour and a half. The crew explained the options, waited for the weather to pass, and tried to add extra swimming time afterward. That is the right response, but it also shows why you should bring a light cover-up and avoid treating the schedule as unchangeable.

The captain may replace a planned bay with a safer location. You should listen to announcements and ask a crew member if you are unsure about the next departure time. The day runs on a schedule, and the boat will not wait indefinitely at a swim stop.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want:

• A full but easy day away from town
• Several long swims in clear coastal water
• A small catamaran rather than a large excursion ship
• Lunch and drinks included in one price
• A family-friendly activity with flotation aids and a helpful crew
• A social outing that still leaves room to relax

It also works well for solo visitors. The boat creates a friendly setting without requiring you to arrange a private charter. Couples, groups of friends, and families with children over eight have all found the swimming stops manageable, provided everyone is comfortable in open water.

I would hesitate if you need step-free access, dislike boats, want to spend time walking on the beaches, or expect a seafood-focused lunch. The catamaran views are excellent, but this is a water-based outing, not a shore excursion.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want one dependable day of swimming, Greek food, and sea views without organizing each part yourself. The best reasons to book are the one-hour swim stops, small passenger limit, useful equipment, and crew members such as Andreas and Hope who are known for attentive service.

Choose the sailing catamaran for a gentler three-bay day. Choose the power catamaran if the Afandou caves are important to you. Arrive early at Mandraki Harbor, claim a good seat, pack sun protection, and accept that weather may change the route.

For $83, the package offers unusually good coverage: six hours, lunch, drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, and several of Rhodes’ best-known bays. If getting wet is part of your holiday plan, this is one of the easier ways to see the east coast from the water.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours, including the coastal sightseeing portions, swimming stops, lunch, and the return to Mandraki Harbor.

Where does the cruise start?

Meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor. Departure is at 10:00 AM, and you should arrive earlier.

Which bays does the sailing catamaran visit?

The sailing catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay.

Which stops are included on the power catamaran?

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

Can I go ashore at the swimming stops?

The boats remain anchored in each bay. To reach the shore, you need to swim from the catamaran.

What food and drinks are included?

The trip includes a breakfast tortilla snack, seasonal fruit, a Mediterranean buffet with grilled chicken and salads, local bread, feta, dips, olives, unlimited soft drinks, juice, bottled water, and unlimited beer and wine from noon.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are provided. The boats also have an outdoor shower and indoor toilets.