Faliraki : Transfer & Cruise to Lindos with 3 Swimming Stops

Lindos, three swims, and one easy day. This full-day outing combines a direct cruise from Kolympia with 2.5 hours in Lindos, then adds three short swims along the Rhodes coast. I like the smart routing: you reach Lindos before the return stops, when your energy is still good, and I like the low $56 price for transport, the cruise, and swimming time. The main drawback is the tight schedule in Lindos, especially if you want both the Acropolis and the beach.

The day also works well if you want to see Rhodes from the water instead of sitting on a coach for hours. Just remember that drinks, snacks, cocktails, beer, snorkeling equipment, and the Acropolis ticket cost extra. If rough water bothers you, this is not the right outing.

Key points at a glance

• Lindos comes first: You arrive at about 10:15 and get 2.5 hours for the Acropolis, village lanes, shopping, photos, or the beach.
• Three swimming stops follow: Navarone Bay, Stegna Beach, and Tsampika Beach each receive about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Hotel pickup is included: Pickup is available from 21 listed hotels around Faliraki and nearby resort areas.
• The price covers the main day: At $56 per person, the cruise, coach transfer, Lindos time, and three swim stops are included.
• The onboard bar is extra: You can buy drinks, snacks, beer, and cocktails during the cruise.
• The boat returns to Kolympia at 16:00: The advertised day lasts about eight hours, including transfers and the cruise.

Why this cruise works well for a Lindos day

Lindos is one of Rhodes’s easiest places to appreciate from both land and sea. Its white buildings, steep setting, and ancient Acropolis make it a strong choice for a first day trip. This outing avoids a long inland transfer by taking you from Kolympia Harbor along the coast.

You begin with a coach transfer from one of the listed pickup hotels. The transfer takes about 30 minutes, then the sightseeing cruise takes roughly 55 minutes before reaching Lindos. That combination is useful if you are staying in Faliraki, since you get hotel pickup without needing to arrange a taxi to the harbor.

The cruise starts from Kolympia at 9:00 each day. You reach Lindos at approximately 10:15 and remain there until 13:00. That timing gives you a clear block of free time rather than scattering short visits throughout the morning.

I especially like the order of the day. Lindos is the main cultural stop, so you see it before the swimming. After two and a half hours of walking, climbing, and sightseeing, the bays offer an easy change of pace. You can cool off, sit on the boat, or buy something from the bar.

Getting from Faliraki hotels to Kolympia Harbor

Pickup is offered from a long list of hotels, including Esperos Palace Resort, Apollo Blue Hotel, Amada Colossos Resort, Mitsis Alila Resort & Spa, Mitsis Faliraki Beach Hotel & Spa, Grecotel Lux Me Dama Dama, Apollo Beach Hotel, and Blue Sea Beach Resort.

Other listed pickup points include Calypso Beach, Helea Lifestyle Beach Resort, Hotel Cathrin, Evita Bay Hotel, Sun Palace Hotel, Rodos Palladium Leisure & Wellness, Esperos Village Blue & Spa, Kresten Palace, La Marquise Luxury Resort Complex, and Amira Hotel.

The exact pickup time is sent by WhatsApp or email the day before. I would check those messages carefully and contact the operator if you need help finding the pickup point. The wide hotel coverage is convenient, but it also means you should not assume every hotel leaves at precisely the same time.

After the coach reaches Kolympia Harbor, you board the boat for the cruise to Lindos. The trip is described as a pirate boat excursion, which gives the outing a casual, family-friendly feel rather than the tone of a formal sightseeing vessel.

Reaching Lindos by boat at 10:15

The first sea journey takes about 55 minutes. This is more than a transfer. It gives you a coastal view of Rhodes and lets you settle into the day before the walking begins.

At Lindos, you have 2.5 hours for your own plans. The included time is flexible, which is one of the better features of this outing. You can visit the ancient Acropolis, walk through the village, shop, stop for photos, or spend some time at Lindos Beach.

The tradeoff is simple: two and a half hours goes quickly. If the Acropolis is your priority, head there first. The climb and sightseeing will use much of your visit, and the Acropolis entry ticket is not included in the tour price. If you prefer a slower visit, you can skip the ruins and focus on the village and beach.

Lindos is also the place where a little planning helps. You do not have an open-ended afternoon, so decide before arrival if you want history, shopping, swimming, or a mix. Trying to do everything may leave you rushing back to the boat.

For a first look at Lindos, the time is workable. You get a direct visit without spending the whole day on land transport. I would not choose this cruise if your goal is a detailed archaeological visit, but it is a good fit if you want a taste of Lindos alongside a relaxed coastal day.

The Acropolis, village, and beach choice

The Acropolis is the main cultural reason to choose Lindos. The tour includes free time to visit it, but not the entrance ticket, so bring extra money if you want to go inside.

You can also use your time for the village itself. Lindos gives you photo opportunities, shopping, and a change from the resort areas around Faliraki. The outing does not provide a long guided walking tour, so you should expect to explore independently.

Swimming at Lindos Beach is included in the experience. That is useful because you do not have to choose between the village and the sea entirely. Still, with the boat leaving at 13:00, keep an eye on the time and allow enough minutes to return to the meeting point.

The best plan depends on your priorities:

• Choose the Acropolis first if this is your main reason for visiting Lindos.
• Choose the village and photos if you want a lighter visit with less walking.
• Choose the beach if you would rather save your swimming for Lindos and enjoy the setting.
• Try a short combination only if you are comfortable keeping track of the departure time.

Navarone Bay: the first 25-minute swim

The boat leaves Lindos at 13:00 and makes its first swimming stop at Navarone Bay. The stop lasts about 25 minutes and includes time for swimming and snorkeling.

Navarone Bay is a good first pause after the morning in Lindos. You can get into the clear water, cool down, and enjoy the fact that the boat comes directly to the swimming area. The short stop keeps the day moving, but it also means you need to be ready when the crew signals that it is time to board again.

Snorkeling equipment is not included. Bring your own if you want to look beneath the surface, or plan to swim without it. A hat, swimsuit, camera, and sunscreen are specifically useful for this outing, and sunscreen matters even when you are spending time on the boat rather than the beach.

Stegna Beach: a second coastal pause

The second stop is Stegna Beach, with about 25 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The return route includes a sightseeing cruise of roughly 45 minutes between Navarone Bay and Stegna, so this section gives you another chance to watch the coast from the boat.

Stegna is a beach stop rather than a long land visit. You should not expect time to explore the wider area. The value is the water break and the variety of seeing another bay after Navarone.

Short swim stops suit you if you want several views and several chances to get in the sea. They are less suitable if you prefer to settle into one beach for an hour or more. The 20 to 25-minute format means you should have your swimwear ready and avoid treating each stop like a full beach afternoon.

Tsampika Beach: the final swim

Tsampika Beach is the last scheduled swimming stop. It also lasts about 25 minutes, followed by the final cruise back toward Kolympia.

The final swim can be a pleasant finish because you have already completed the main sightseeing portion. You can choose to get in the water again or simply stay aboard and enjoy the ride. The tour does not require you to swim at every stop, so the boat remains useful even if you become tired.

The repeated pattern is easy to understand: cruise, swim, return to the boat, cruise again. That simplicity is part of the appeal. You do not need to manage several separate transfers or search for beaches on your own.

At the same time, three stops may feel repetitive if your interest is mainly Lindos. This is a swimming-focused day, not a long cultural tour with a little sea time added on.

What you can buy aboard the pirate boat

The bar sells drinks, snacks, beer, and cocktails. None of these purchases are included in the $56 price, so plan for extra spending if you want refreshments during the cruise.

The onboard bar is handy because the schedule leaves little time for a proper food stop after leaving Lindos. You can buy something while moving between the bays instead of looking for a shop at each beach.

I would still bring the essentials allowed by the tour, especially sunscreen and water if you prefer to carry your own. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed as personal items, and bicycles are not permitted.

The cruise itself is included, along with three swimming stops and 2.5 hours in Lindos. That keeps the base price clear. You pay extra only for the optional items and the Acropolis entrance.

Is $56 good value?

At $56 per person, this is a strong value if you want several experiences in one day. The price includes the hotel pickup, coach transfer, full-day cruise, Lindos visit, swimming at Lindos Beach, and three additional swim stops.

Comparable value here comes from convenience as much as from the boat ride. You do not need to arrange your own transport to Kolympia, find a separate boat to Lindos, or work out how to reach several bays. The day has a fixed structure, which can save both time and planning effort.

The price is less attractive if you do not enjoy swimming or if you want a long, guided visit to Lindos. You would still pay for an excursion built around three water stops that you might not use.

Extra costs are easy to overlook. Add money for the Acropolis ticket, drinks, snacks, beer, cocktails, or rented snorkeling equipment if available. Since snorkeling equipment is not included, bringing your own may help keep the total cost down.

The 4.4 rating from 40 bookings suggests a generally positive experience, and the strongest praise centers on the helpful staff, the beauty of Lindos, and the value for money. A particularly useful example comes from a 23-person hen and stag group. Captain Sparrow arranged for the coach to collect and return the full group, which shows practical flexibility when a larger party needs help with transport.

Who should book this Lindos cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying near Faliraki and want to combine Rhodes sightseeing with a proper day on the water. It is especially useful for first-time visitors who want to see Lindos without giving up the chance to swim.

Families and groups may appreciate the clear timetable and hotel pickup. The long list of pickup and drop-off hotels also makes the day easier if you are staying in one of the main resort areas.

It can suit a mixed group, too. One person can explore the Acropolis, another can shop in Lindos, and others can focus on the beach and swimming stops. The main requirement is that everyone returns to the boat on time.

I would be more cautious if you are prone to seasickness. The day includes several hours on the water, and the experience is not considered suitable for people who regularly feel unwell at sea.

You should also think twice if you want a quiet, slow beach day. Three stops sound generous, but each lasts only 20 to 25 minutes. This is a moving coastal tour with short swims, not a full afternoon at one beach.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is helpful, though you should still contact the operator about your specific needs before booking. English is the stated language for the host or greeter.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you are ready for the first bay. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a camera, and consider packing your own snorkeling equipment since it is not included.

Keep your belongings simple. You will be moving between coach, boat, Lindos, and swimming stops, so a small day bag is easier than bulky luggage.

At Lindos, decide your priority before arriving. The Acropolis ticket is extra, and 2.5 hours is enough for a focused visit but not for a leisurely attempt at every activity.

Watch the departure time closely. The boat leaves Lindos at 13:00, and the three swim stops are short. A phone alarm can help if you are exploring independently.

Check your pickup message the day before through WhatsApp or email. If the information is unclear, contact the operator rather than waiting at the wrong hotel entrance.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful if your Rhodes plans may change, but you should still check the exact availability and pickup details when booking.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want Lindos plus three swims in one well-priced day, especially from a Faliraki-area hotel. The direct morning route to Lindos, flexible free time, helpful transport arrangements, and coastal swimming stops make it a practical choice for a first visit to the area.

Skip it if you dislike boats, want a long guided Acropolis visit, or prefer one unhurried beach. For everyone else, $56 buys a busy but enjoyable Rhodes day, with enough variety to keep the cruise from feeling like simple transport.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Kolympia Harbor at 9:00 each day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from 21 listed hotels in and around Faliraki. The exact pickup time is sent by WhatsApp or email the day before.

How long do I have in Lindos?

You have 2.5 hours in Lindos, arriving at approximately 10:15 and leaving at 13:00.

Are the three swimming stops included?

Yes. Swimming stops at Navarone Bay, Stegna Beach, and Tsampika Beach are included. Each stop lasts about 20 to 25 minutes.

Is the Acropolis entrance ticket included?

No. The Acropolis ticket is not included in the tour price.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

No. Cocktails, snacks, beer, and snorkeling equipment cost extra.

Is the tour suitable for people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for people prone to seasickness because several hours are spent on the boat.