Rhodes Town: Scenic Cruise to Lindos with Swim Stops

Rhodes looks best from the water. This full-day cruise links two excellent swim stops with three hours in Lindos, giving you a relaxed way to see the island’s east coast without arranging buses, taxis, and beach visits yourself. I especially like the clear plan: swim at Anthony Quinn Bay, explore Lindos at your own pace, then cool off again at Tsambika Bay.

I also like the included hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes much of the day’s transport fuss. The main drawback is time in Lindos. Three hours sounds generous, but it can feel tight if you want to climb to the Acropolis, eat a proper meal, visit the beaches, and wander the village lanes.

At $50.82 per person, this is strong value if you want a full day at sea with two swims and transport included. It is less ideal if your main goal is a long, unhurried visit to Lindos or a small, quiet sailing boat.

Key Points Before You Book

• Two 20-minute swim stops: Swim from the boat at Anthony Quinn Bay and Tsambika Bay, with snorkeling possible in the clear water.
• Three hours in Lindos: Enough for a focused visit, but you will need to choose between the Acropolis, village, beaches, and lunch.
• Large boat with useful facilities: The vessel holds about 280 people across three decks and has a bathroom, snack bar, and drinks for purchase.
• Pickup covers a wide Rhodes resort area: Transfers are available from Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki.
• Best seats go early: The front and upper decks offer the nicest views, so arrive promptly if seating matters to you.
• Good weather matters: Wind, clouds, and sea conditions can affect comfort and the exact timing of stops.

Why This Rhodes Cruise Works So Well

This outing gives you three different experiences in one day. You get a coastal boat ride, two chances to swim in inviting coves, and a self-guided visit to Lindos, one of Rhodes’ most attractive villages.

That combination is the real value. A simple boat ride can become repetitive after a few hours, while a land-only trip to Lindos misses the pleasure of seeing the coast from offshore. Here, the day changes pace several times. You watch the island slide past, jump into the sea, walk through whitewashed lanes, and return to the water.

The price of $50.82 also covers round-trip transport in the main pickup zone. That matters because Rhodes spreads its hotels across several resort districts. If you are staying in Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, or Faliraki, you do not need to solve the morning and evening transport separately.

This is not a private yacht outing. The boat can carry around 280 people, with three decks, a snack bar, and a bathroom. Some people may find that scale a little daunting, especially if they normally choose small group excursions. The advantage is space, several seating areas, and a well-organized operation rather than an intimate sailing atmosphere.

Morning Pickup and the Route to Mandraki Port

Your day begins with pickup from your accommodation or a nearby meeting point, depending on your location. The exact pickup time is not necessarily the start time shown during booking. The operator sends the precise time and place, so check your messages and spam folder before the excursion.

If you make your own way to the port, meet a Manos Going staff member at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue. The meeting point is in front of the fountain outside the Church of Evangelismos, also called the Church of the Annunciation. Look for the red Manos Going sign.

Arriving at 8:30 AM is advised for the port meeting. Have your booking confirmation ready. Staff exchange it for boarding cards and a complimentary Lindos map with directions and useful information.

Mandraki is a fitting departure point. As the boat leaves, you can see the Dama Dama deer statues, St. Nicholas Lighthouse, and the Church of Evangelismos. These sights give you an immediate introduction to Rhodes before the open-water portion begins.

The boat then passes the coastal resorts of Kallithea and Faliraki. The early sailing periods last about one hour and one and a half hours in the published schedule, though the full day can run from eight to nine and a half hours depending on the chosen option and conditions.

Anthony Quinn Bay: Your First Swim

The first major stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most attractive coves on Rhodes. The boat pauses for about 20 minutes, giving you a quick but refreshing swim in the sea.

The water is described as clear, and this is a good place to bring a mask if you enjoy looking beneath the surface. The stop is not designed for a long beach visit. You swim directly from the boat, then return aboard when the crew signals that it is time to leave.

That short limit is both useful and frustrating. It gives you enough time to cool off without making the whole day a series of slow stops, but you will not have time for a relaxed float, extended snorkeling, or a proper shore visit. I would treat this as a brisk swim break, not a full beach excursion.

Bring your towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. The sun can be strong, and the boat’s upper decks may offer little shade depending on where you sit. Comfortable clothes and shoes are also sensible for the walking portion in Lindos.

After the swim, the boat continues south toward Lindos. This is a good time to move around the decks and enjoy the views. People who want the best photo positions should arrive early and head toward the front or upper deck. Once the boat fills, the most desirable seats go quickly.

Three Hours in Lindos, With Choices to Make

Lindos is the centerpiece of the day. You have about three hours on land, with a village map provided to help you find your way.

The village is known for its whitewashed buildings, narrow lanes, small shops, tavernas, and access to beaches. Walking through the lanes is easy to combine with a meal or a short stop at the shore, but the Acropolis requires more planning.

If you want to visit the Acropolis, head there soon after arriving. Lines can be long in hot weather, and one experience included a wait of more than an hour just to enter. That can consume a large share of your free time.

The Acropolis is worth prioritizing if ancient sites are important to you. The views over Lindos and the coast are a major reward, and the height gives you a much better sense of the setting than a walk through the village alone. You may need to accept a shorter meal or beach visit in return.

You can also walk toward St. Paul’s Bay, another appealing viewpoint and coastal stop. Some people fit in the Acropolis and St. Paul’s Bay, but doing both requires an efficient pace and favorable conditions.

If you prefer a gentler visit, stay in the village. Wander the lanes, use the map to get your bearings, stop for food, and make time for one of the nearby beaches. This option suits you if heat, steep walking, or queues are a concern.

The three-hour limit is the most common tradeoff in the program. Several comments praised Lindos but wished for an extra hour. I agree that the village offers enough to fill a longer visit. Still, the fixed time allows the cruise to include two swim stops and a return transfer within one day.

A practical plan looks like this:

• Arrive and walk directly toward the Acropolis if you want to visit it.
• Allow time for queues and the walk back down.
• Use the remaining time for a village meal, a short beach visit, or St. Paul’s Bay.
• Keep your return route in mind. Lindos’ lanes can be confusing when you are watching the clock.

Do not plan every minute too tightly. Weather and local conditions can shift the timing slightly, and you need to return to the boat on time.

Tsambika Bay: The Second Water Break

After Lindos, you return to the boat and sail to Tsambika Bay. This is the second 20-minute swim stop and another chance to jump into clear water.

The two swim stops are spaced well through the day. Anthony Quinn Bay breaks up the morning cruise, while Tsambika Bay gives you a final chance to cool down after walking in Lindos. The pause also changes the mood before the return journey.

Bring snorkeling equipment if you have it. The program encourages you to look for colorful marine life, though the time in the water remains short. If you are not a confident swimmer, remember that both stops involve entering the sea from the boat rather than walking from a beach.

One point is worth making clearly: the advertised plan includes two swim stops total, one at Anthony Quinn Bay and one at Tsambika Bay. Some people initially expected more stops on each part of the route, so it helps to set your expectations correctly before boarding.

Wind can affect this part of the day. Strong gusts may make the ride rougher or reduce comfort on the open decks. Conditions can also change the precise visit lengths. If you are prone to seasickness, choose a stable seat closer to the center of the boat and avoid reading while underway.

The Boat, Seating, Food, and Group Size

The boat has three decks and room for approximately 280 passengers. That tells you what kind of outing this is: a large shared excursion, not a quiet private charter.

I see the size as a mixed point. You get a bathroom, a snack bar, several decks, and enough capacity to serve a popular route. Staff can move a large group through pickup, boarding, swim stops, and return transport in an organized way. On the other hand, the boat may feel busy, particularly when everyone heads outside for the best views or prepares to enter the water.

Get on early if you care about seating. The front and roof areas are popular because they provide better sight lines and a stronger sense of open sea. If you prefer shelter from sun or wind, another deck may suit you better.

Food and drinks are not included, but purchases are available at the onboard bar. Prices were described as reasonable, which makes this convenient if you do not want to carry a full picnic. I would still bring water, since you will spend a long day in the sun and the included price does not cover refreshments.

The boat ride itself is scenic, but not every stretch of coast is equally dramatic. The most memorable views tend to come around the bays, Lindos, and the named port sights. Some sections between stops are simply pleasant time at sea. That is fine if you enjoy the journey, but less satisfying if you want constant sightseeing.

Transfers Make the Long Day Easier

The included transportation is one of the strongest features. Pickup and return service covers Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki, with specific hotels and nearby points used for the service.

The provider lists many drop-off locations, including hotels, gates, taxi stations, and meeting points. Your exact place depends on the selected option and your accommodation, so do not assume the boat’s departure time is your pickup time.

The return transfer can be especially welcome. After a day that includes sea air, swimming, sun, and several hours on foot in Lindos, you may not want to arrange a taxi or navigate a bus connection. The transport also helps make the $50.82 price more attractive.

Transfers outside the specified zone are not included. If you are staying elsewhere, check this before paying. Hotel pickup is optional, and the Mandraki Port meeting point remains the clear alternative.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see Lindos but also want a day on the water. It works well for couples, families with older children, and anyone who prefers a planned day with plenty of freedom once ashore.

It is particularly good for:

• First-time visitors who want several Rhodes highlights in one day.
• Swimmers who like jumping from a boat into clear coves.
• People who value hotel transport.
• Visitors who want to choose their own Lindos route rather than follow a guide.
• Anyone looking for a reasonably priced full-day excursion.

It is less suitable if you want a small boat, a quiet atmosphere, a long stop at every bay, or a fully guided historical tour. There is no tour guide included, so the Lindos visit is self-directed. The map helps, but you are responsible for managing your three hours.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, or people with heart problems. The boat, swimming stops, and walking in Lindos require a reasonable level of physical comfort.

What to Pack for a Comfortable Day

Pack lightly, but do not leave out the basics. You should bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat
• Comfortable shoes for Lindos
• Comfortable clothes
• A booking confirmation, either printed or on your phone
• Snorkeling equipment if you want to look for marine life

A dry bag or waterproof pouch would be useful for valuables, though it is not specifically listed as required. Keep your phone protected during the swim stops and have your return instructions available before leaving the boat.

If you plan to visit the Acropolis, wear shoes suitable for walking and allow time for possible queues. The heat can be intense, so choose your Lindos priorities before arrival rather than deciding only after you step ashore.

Should You Book the Rhodes to Lindos Cruise?

Yes, if you want a well-priced combination of coastal scenery, two swims, and a self-guided Lindos visit. The smooth pickup, friendly staff, comfortable large boat, onboard refreshments, and clear schedule make this an easy day to add to a Rhodes holiday.

Book it with realistic expectations. You will share the boat with a large group, the swim stops last only 20 minutes each, and three hours in Lindos may force you to choose between the Acropolis, beaches, food, and wandering.

My best advice is simple: arrive early for better seats, prioritize the Acropolis if it matters to you, bring sun protection and a towel, and treat the boat ride as part of the experience rather than only transportation. At this price, the cruise offers a lot in one day, especially when hotel transfers are included.

FAQ

How long does the cruise from Rhodes Town to Lindos last?

The activity lasts approximately 8 to 9.5 hours. The exact duration and starting time depend on the selected option and local conditions.

What swim stops are included?

The cruise includes two 20-minute swim stops. One is at Anthony Quinn Bay and the other is at Tsambika Bay.

How much free time do I get in Lindos?

You get approximately three hours of free time in Lindos Village. A village map with directions and information is provided.

Is food included on the boat?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price, but the boat has a snack bar where you can purchase refreshments.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of Evangelismos. Look for a red Manos Going sign and arrive at 8:30 AM if using this meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available in Rhodes Town, Ixia, Ialyssos, Kallithea, and Faliraki. The provider sends the precise pickup time and location based on your accommodation.