Rhodes Day Cruise (with lunch & unlimited drinks) 5,5 Hours

Sea days are easy to love. This Rhodes cruise combines a traditional wooden boat, three pretty swimming spots, and a generous spread of Greek food and drinks. I especially like the small maximum group of 35 and the friendly service from Theodore and his crew. The main drawback is that the boat moves slowly, so some of your time goes into cruising rather than swimming.

You start at Royal Sailing Rhodes near Eleftherias Square at 10 a.m. and return to the same meeting point about five and a half hours later. I also like that snorkeling gear, lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, fruit, coffee, and water are included. Just remember to arrive early for a good seat and bring your own towel and flippers.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Three 50-minute swimming stops: Swim and snorkel at Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs.
• A traditional wooden boat: The classic vessel has padded seating and bean bags at the bow, according to detailed trip feedback.
• Greek-style lunch on board: Expect chicken, pasta, rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread.
• Drinks keep coming: Beer, red and white wine, bottled water, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and tea are included. Cocktails cost extra.
• Arrive around 9:30 a.m.: The listed start time is 10 a.m., but early arrival is wise if you want a better seat and an easy check-in.
• A slow, relaxed pace: The boat is made for enjoying the sea, not racing between bays.

What This Rhodes Boat Cruise Is Really Like

This is a relaxed day on the water rather than a fast sightseeing run. The boat leaves Rhodes and heads along the coast, stopping three times for swimming and snorkeling. Each swim stop is planned for about 50 minutes, which gives you enough time to get in the water without making the day feel rushed.

The wooden boat is part of the appeal. It offers a more traditional feel than a modern speedboat, with room to sit, chat, eat, and watch the coast pass by. Some seating is described as padded, with large bean bag chairs near the bow. The best seats may go early, so arriving about 30 minutes before departure is sensible.

The maximum group size is 35 people. That is not a private cruise, but it is far more manageable than a large excursion boat packed with dozens more people. You can expect a social atmosphere, especially once lunch and drinks are being served.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Theodore is repeatedly praised for being welcoming and attentive, while the wider crew keeps drinks topped up, offers snacks, and helps people feel comfortable. One account even describes live music on board, though entertainment should not be treated as a guaranteed part of every departure.

Afandou Beach: The First Swim and Lunch Stop

Afandou Beach is the first anchorage, with about 50 minutes set aside for swimming, snorkeling, or simply floating beside the boat. It is described as a quieter beach stop, which makes it a good opening to the day.

You can use the provided snorkeling equipment, though flippers are not included. The boat keeps your belongings on board while you swim, so you do not need to carry a beach bag into the water. That is a small but useful benefit, especially if you are traveling with phones, wallets, or cameras.

Lunch is served around this part of the cruise. The menu has a clear Greek touch without being overly complicated: chicken, pasta, rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread. Vegetarian choices are included, with pasta, rice, salads, dips, and side dishes providing alternatives to chicken.

The food is best viewed as a fresh, generous buffet rather than restaurant dining. Many people praise the meal, especially the chicken, salads, bread, and side dishes. One less positive account described the chicken as frozen nuggets and the noodles as plain, so expectations should stay reasonable. Food quality may also depend on the day and how it is served.

Red and white wine accompany lunch. Beer, water, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and tea are available through the cruise. If you want cocktails, budget extra, since they are not included in the standard price.

Anthony Quinn Bay: The Most Dramatic Swimming Stop

Anthony Quinn Bay is often the favorite stop of the day. The cove is known for clear water and a sheltered feel, and the trip makes time for another 50-minute swim and snorkeling session.

This is the stop where you will want your mask ready. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the clear water makes it easier to enjoy the rocky underwater setting. The exact water conditions can change with wind and boat traffic, but calm conditions have made this bay especially popular.

The cruise approaches Anthony Quinn Bay by wooden boat, adding to the sense that the journey itself is part of the outing. You are not simply being transported from one beach to another. You spend much of the day surrounded by sea, coastline, and the sound of the boat.

There is a practical point to keep in mind. A 50-minute stop passes quickly once you account for getting ready, climbing down, swimming, drying off, and returning to the boat. If swimming is your main reason for booking, use the full time and have your mask, swimsuit, and belongings organized before the anchor goes down.

Kallithea Springs: Clear Water for the Final Swim

The last stop is Kallithea Springs, where you get another 50 minutes to swim and snorkel. The water here is described as crystal clear, making it a fitting final stop before the return journey.

By this point, the cruise has a pleasant rhythm. You have had a swim, eaten lunch, relaxed with a drink, and spent time at Anthony Quinn Bay. Kallithea Springs gives you one last chance to get in the sea without needing to hurry to another attraction afterward.

The order and exact conditions can vary with weather and sea conditions, but the planned format is clear: three swim stops, each lasting about 50 minutes. One unhappy account felt the swimming stops were shorter than expected, while most of the positive feedback found the time enjoyable. If you want long, uninterrupted hours in the water, a dedicated beach day may suit you better. If you want a mix of swimming, scenery, food, and social time, this format works well.

Getting back onto the boat may be harder for some people. A ladder or staircase is used, and one person specifically wished it had a couple more steps. Most participants can take part, but anyone with limited mobility should think carefully about boarding, swimming access, and climbing back aboard. The tour does not list special mobility assistance.

Lunch, Drinks, and the All-Inclusive Value

At $72.56 per person, the cruise is priced as a full half-day outing rather than a simple boat transfer. Your fare covers the boat, three coastal stops, snorkeling equipment, food, and a broad range of drinks.

The meal includes:

• Chicken
• Pasta
• Rice
• Greek salad
• Tzatziki
• Dolmadakia
• Olives
• Bread

The drinks include beer, red and white wine, bottled water, Pepsi, orange and lemon Fanta, juice, coffee, and tea. Fruit is also served as a snack. Cocktails are the main extra cost mentioned.

I think the value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling gear. The cost also covers a full five and a half hours, not just a short coastal ride. You are paying for an easy day where the crew handles the food and refreshments while you focus on the sea.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not eat a buffet lunch, or mainly want fast transport between beaches. A speedboat or smaller private outing may give you more time at each stop, although it may not include the same meal and drinks.

The Slow Boat Question

The most important tradeoff is speed. One strongly negative account reported a top speed of about five knots and felt that the slow pace reduced time at the stops. That complaint matters because the boat has three destinations to reach within a five-and-a-half-hour schedule.

This is not a speedboat experience. The slow wooden boat is part of its charm, but it also means the cruise is less efficient. You will spend time traveling between bays, which is pleasant if you enjoy the ride and less appealing if you want maximum swimming time.

I would choose this cruise for the mood: sea air, music, a relaxed crew, lunch, and a drink while the coast slips by. I would not choose it if your priority is covering as much coastline as possible or racing to secluded coves.

The itinerary also depends on weather. Poor conditions can lead to a change of date or a full refund. Even in good weather, wind and waves can affect how comfortable the ride feels and how easy it is to climb back aboard.

Meeting Point, Timing, and Cruise Ship Planning

The meeting point is Royal Sailing Rhodes at Pl. Eleftherias in Rhodes Town. The cruise ends back where it begins, which makes it easy to combine with time in the medieval city before or after the boat trip.

The official start time is 10 a.m. I would aim to be at the harbor around 9:30 a.m. One detailed account specifically recommends arriving early for the good seats, and another person missed the boat after arriving late because of a taxi drop-off problem. That is a useful warning: do not cut it close.

Look for the Royal Sailing booth along the marina. If you are arriving from a cruise ship, allow time to walk from the port and find the correct check-in point. One cruise passenger reported returning around 3:45 p.m., which worked well for a ship schedule, but you should not treat that return time as a guarantee. Sea conditions and the boat’s pace can affect the schedule.

Private transportation is not included. The meeting point is near public transportation, but you arrange your own route to the marina. Mobile tickets are accepted, and booking confirmation is sent at the time of booking.

What to Bring and What Is Provided

The boat has a restroom, WiFi, and a shower. That makes the long day at sea more comfortable, especially after several swims.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but flippers are not. Towels are also not included, so bring one from your hotel or ship. You should also bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cover-up, although only the need for a towel and snorkeling items is specifically stated by the operator.

Your belongings can remain safely on the boat while you swim. Still, I would keep valuables to a minimum and use a small waterproof pouch for anything you need near the water.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The boat’s ladder deserves attention if you have knee, balance, or mobility concerns. The crew is described as helpful, but the information does not promise dedicated accessibility equipment or assistance.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

This trip suits you if you want a simple, sociable day at sea with the details handled for you. It works particularly well for couples, families, groups of friends, and cruise passengers who want swimming time without arranging separate transport and meals.

Families with teenagers may find the three stops and snorkeling equipment appealing. The water activities give the day a clear purpose, while the food and drinks keep non-swimmers occupied. The group size also helps the outing feel less chaotic than a very large boat excursion.

It is a good match for anyone who enjoys traditional boats and a relaxed pace. Theodore and the crew receive especially warm praise for their friendliness, and that personal service appears to shape the mood of the day.

I would be more cautious if you need easy step-free access, want a private setting, or expect a high-speed cruise. I would also look elsewhere if you want each swim stop to last much longer than 50 minutes. The trip is designed as a balanced day, not a pure snorkeling expedition.

Cancellation and Weather Rules

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Since this is a sea outing, check the forecast and keep some flexibility in your Rhodes plans.

Should You Book the Rhodes Day Cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want three beautiful coastal swim stops, a traditional wooden boat, a Greek buffet lunch, and drinks included in one straightforward price. The crew’s warmth, especially Theodore’s hosting, is a major reason this outing earns such strong marks.

I would skip it if speed, privacy, or long snorkeling sessions matter most. The boat can be slow, boarding involves a staircase, and the 50-minute swim periods may feel brief to serious swimmers.

For most people, the strongest plan is simple: arrive at the marina early, claim a comfortable seat, bring a towel and sunscreen, and treat the cruise as a relaxed social day on the Aegean. At $72.56, the combination of food, drinks, equipment, and three stops makes it a solid Rhodes value, with the slow pace as the price of the old-style boat experience.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes day cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at Royal Sailing Rhodes, Pl. Eleftherias, Rhodes 851 00, Greece, and returns to the same meeting point.

Which swimming stops are included?

The planned stops are Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs.

How long do you spend at each stop?

Each stop allows approximately 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, pasta, rice, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread. Vegetarian dishes are available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Beer, red and white wine, bottled water, Pepsi, orange and lemon Fanta, juice, coffee, and tea are included. Cocktails cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included, but flippers and towels are not.