Explore Lindos Aboard the Hippo Submarine

Watch Lindos from the water. The Hippo Submarine combines glass-bottom sea views with an easy coastal cruise around St. Paul’s Bay, the Acropolis, and Navarone Bay. I especially like the air-conditioned viewing cabin and the chance to swim before returning to harbor.

I also like the friendly, hands-on feel: children may get a chance to help feed the fish, and the crew welcomes questions about Lindos. The main consideration is timing. The advertised trip lasts about two hours, but the listed stops total roughly one hour, so much of the outing is spent cruising between them.

Key points to know before booking

• The underwater cabin has large viewing windows, air-conditioning, music, and a direct view of the seabed.
• The Acropolis of Lindos looks terrific from the sea, offering a different angle from the usual uphill visit.
• Fish-feeding at the Tomb of Kleoboulos lasts about 20 minutes, with sea bream, sea bass, and other fish close to the boat.
• A 30-minute swim in Navarone Bay is the longest scheduled stop.
• The $35 fare includes one soft drink or bottle of water, but not snacks or snorkeling gear.
• The boat carries up to 40 people, and pickup is available only on certain days and in certain areas.

Why the Hippo Submarine works for an easy afternoon

Lindos is famous for its hilltop Acropolis, whitewashed streets, and packed beach scene. But the water gives you a cooler, calmer way to understand the setting. From the Hippo Submarine, you see the steep coast, bright water, and ancient sites without walking uphill in the heat.

This is not a serious submarine expedition. Think of it as a glass-bottom boat ride with a submerged viewing room, a little sightseeing, a little fish-feeding, and a proper swim stop. That mix explains its broad appeal. Children have something to watch below the water, adults get good coastal views, and anyone who wants a relaxed afternoon can enjoy the ride without a full day commitment.

The tour starts at 4:40 pm from Paralia Agios Pavlos, also known as St. Paul’s Bay. That later time can be useful if you have spent the morning exploring Lindos or prefer to avoid the strongest midday heat. The trip returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from the coast.

The operator is Hippo Submarine, and the experience is offered in English. The crew describes the stops and points of interest as you go, so you can ask about the Acropolis, local beaches, or the best time to visit Lindos on foot.

Boarding at St. Paul’s Bay

Your first task is reaching the dock at Paralia Agios Pavlos. This is an attractive starting point, but you should pay attention to the exact meeting instructions because the boat does not simply collect everyone from anywhere on Rhodes.

Pickup is offered only in selected areas and on particular days. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, transfers run from the Vlycha to Kolymbia region. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, they cover the Lindos to Plimmiri region. You need to provide your hotel’s full name if you request pickup, and the operator confirms the exact time at least one day before departure.

If you make your own way to the dock, allow enough time to locate the meeting point. The boat returns there at the end, which keeps the outing simple for anyone staying near Lindos.

Once aboard, you can move between the upper deck and the submerged cabin. The lower viewing area has air-conditioning, music, and large portholes. That is an important comfort feature in Rhodes, where a sunny afternoon on open water can feel hot. The cabin also gives you a place to sit quietly while watching the seabed pass close to the boat.

Seeing Lindos from the submerged cabin

The underwater windows are the main reason to choose this boat instead of a standard coastal cruise. You do not need to put on a mask or spend the whole time swimming to see marine life. Sit inside, look through the large portholes, and watch the water below.

The view depends on the conditions and where the boat is moving, so you should not expect a constant parade of fish. Still, the setup gives children and less confident swimmers a way to see beneath the surface. One drink or bottle of water is included, and the boat has a toilet, details that make the ride more comfortable for families.

As the boat leaves St. Paul’s Bay, the water becomes a major part of the experience. The change from the sheltered bay to deeper blue water gives the trip a quiet rhythm. You can stay below for the seabed views, then return to the upper deck when the crew points out the coast.

The boat has room for up to 40 people. That is a moderate group size, not a private cruise. The positive side is that the vessel is described as spacious, with enough room for people to use the submarine windows. If you want an uninterrupted window position, it makes sense to board promptly and take your turn rather than waiting until the last few minutes.

The Acropolis of Lindos from the sea

One of the best moments comes when you look back toward the ancient Acropolis of Lindos from the water. From land, you see the monument above the village after a steep climb. From the boat, you get a wider sense of its position above the coast.

This is also a good time to ask the crew about the Acropolis and about the best time to visit it on foot. The boat ride cannot replace a visit to the site, since you will not go ashore, but it provides a useful preview. If the Acropolis is on your plans, use this view to understand the scale of the climb and to pick up practical timing advice.

Keep your camera ready as the boat passes the coast near Lindos Beach. A photograph with the Acropolis behind you is one of the clearest reasons to spend time on the upper deck. The sea-level angle is different from the usual village or hilltop view, and the boat gives you time to frame it without rushing through a land excursion.

Fish-feeding near the Tomb of Kleoboulos

The first major stop is the Tomb of Kleoboulos, also written as Kleovoulos in the tour description. The crew connects the site with an ancient Greek philosopher and his teaching about balance in life. You do not need to know the history in advance, since the crew explains the point of interest during the cruise.

Here, the boat feeds seafood to the fish. Sea bream, sea bass, and other fish gather near the vessel, creating the most active underwater viewing of the trip. You may also help throw food if you wish.

This stop lasts about 20 minutes and has no extra admission charge. It is a simple activity, but it works well for families. Children can watch the fish arrive, then shift between the upper deck and the glass-bottom cabin. Adults who prefer not to handle the food can simply observe through the windows.

The fish-feeding also shows the limits of the experience. This is a short, organized encounter, not a natural snorkeling site where you explore at your own pace. If your main goal is marine life, the included swim in Navarone Bay gives you more freedom, but you will need to bring or arrange your own snorkeling equipment.

Passing Lindos Beach and framing the photo

The return route passes the main beach of Lindos. It is a popular beach with plenty of activity, and the contrast with the quieter water around the Tomb of Kleoboulos is part of the appeal.

This stop lasts about 10 minutes, so you should be ready when the boat arrives. Ask the crew about beach activities and things to do in town. Their advice may help you plan another visit to Lindos after the boat trip, especially if you are deciding between more beach time and a walk through the village.

The best use of this short pause is probably the photograph. From the water, you can line up Lindos Beach, the coastline, and the Acropolis in one view. Since the stop is brief, avoid waiting until the last moment to head upstairs.

Swimming in Navarone Bay

The final stop is Navarone Bay, where you get about 30 minutes to swim in clear water. This is the longest scheduled stop and gives the trip a welcome change of pace after the sightseeing and fish-feeding.

You can leave the boat and enjoy the water, or remain aboard if swimming is not your priority. The information provided does not include snorkeling equipment, so bring your own if you want to look below the surface during the swim. The boat includes a soft drink or bottled water, but snacks are not included, so consider eating before departure.

The bay is a practical place for a swim because the stop is long enough to feel worthwhile without turning the outing into a beach day. Still, you should think of 30 minutes as a refreshing break rather than a long water session. If you need lots of time in the sea, a dedicated beach trip will suit you better.

For families, the swim works particularly well because everyone can choose their own level of activity. One person can swim, another can sit in the air-conditioned cabin, and someone else can stay on deck for the view. That flexibility is one of the boat’s strongest features.

What the $35 price gets you

At $35 per person, the Hippo Submarine offers a fair mix of activities. You get roughly two hours on or around the water, a glass-bottom cabin, coastal sightseeing, a fish-feeding stop, the Acropolis view, and a 30-minute swim. One soft drink or bottle of water is included as well.

The value is strongest if you want variety. A standard boat ride might give you coastal views, while a beach outing gives you swimming. This trip combines both and adds the underwater cabin. You are paying for an easy, guided afternoon rather than a specialist snorkeling or diving program.

The price is less compelling if you already plan to spend the day swimming from Lindos Beach or if you want a quiet private boat. The boat can carry up to 40 people, so you should expect a shared outing. It also does not include food or snorkeling gear.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 63 ratings, with 97 percent recommending it. The most praised features are consistent: friendly crew, plenty of room around the submarine windows, helpful attention to families, and a strong sense that the trip is good value. A particularly nice family detail is that the youngest child in one group was allowed to steer the boat out to sea. That may not be guaranteed, but it reflects the relaxed, welcoming tone of the crew.

Who should book this boat

I would recommend this outing to families with children, mixed-age groups, couples wanting a short sea trip, and anyone who likes sightseeing without committing to a full-day cruise. It is also useful for people who want to see marine life but do not want to snorkel for the whole excursion.

The air-conditioned cabin is a real plus for young children and older relatives. The toilet and included drink add comfort, while the upper deck keeps the trip from feeling confined. The combination of fish-feeding and swimming gives children clear activities instead of asking them to sit through a long narrated cruise.

You should choose something else if you want extensive snorkeling, a private boat, a quiet sail, or a detailed archaeological visit. The Acropolis is viewed from the sea, not entered. The Tomb of Kleoboulos is seen as a coastal stop, not explored as a full land excursion.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The boat is near public transportation. The activity is offered in English, and the operator confirms bookings at the time of reservation.

Weather, cancellations, and useful timing advice

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times use local Rhodes time.

For the smoothest afternoon, arrive ready to switch between the cabin, upper deck, and water. Wear swimwear under your clothes if you plan to use the Navarone Bay stop. Bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want it, since it is not supplied.

Should you book the Hippo Submarine?

Book it if you want a low-effort mix of views, fish, and swimming for $35. The crew’s friendly approach, spacious viewing area, air-conditioning, and family-friendly activities give it more substance than a simple sightseeing boat.

Skip it if your priority is a long swim, serious snorkeling, or a private experience. For most families and casual visitors staying near Lindos, though, the Hippo Submarine is a sensible afternoon outing with enough variety to keep both children and adults happy.

FAQ

How much does the Hippo Submarine tour cost?

The fare is $35 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Paralia Agios Pavlos, 851 07, Greece, at St. Paul’s Bay.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 4:40 pm.

Where does the boat trip end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at St. Paul’s Bay.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is available from specific locations and on specific days. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, transfers cover the Vlycha to Kolymbia region. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, transfers cover the Lindos to Plimmiri region.

Is a drink included?

Yes. One soft drink or bottle of water is included in the fare.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

No. Snorkeling equipment is not included.

How many people can join the boat?

The maximum group size is 40 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.