Rhodes Exclusive Swim Cruise Cocktail Open bar & Gourmet Buffet

The best Rhodes days happen offshore. This six-hour cruise combines three beautiful swimming stops with a freshly prepared Greek buffet, cocktails, and a comfortable boat limited to 40 people. I especially like the spacious bean-bag and sun-bed seating and the simple fact that snorkeling gear, floaters, noodles, and life jackets are already on board.

The main thing to consider is the mood. Music can become quite loud when the captain and crew get the party going, so this is not always a quiet sailing trip. If you want swimming, food, drinks, dancing, and a sociable boat, it is a strong choice. If you want a peaceful day of reading at sea, look elsewhere.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Three different swimming stops: Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay each offer a different setting, from rocky coves to a long pebble beach.
• A real open bar is included: You get beer, wine, ouzo, cocktails, water, soft drinks, and snacks, although cocktail choices may be set in advance.
• Lunch is more than a basic sandwich: The buffet includes Greek dishes, seafood, salad, bread, dessert, and vegan and gluten-free choices.
• The boat avoids the packed-party-boat feel: Seating is allocated, and the maximum group size is 40 people.
• Captain Alexander brings the fun: His dancing and playful energy are a major part of the atmosphere.
• Mandraki Harbour gives you a memorable start and finish: You cruise past Rhodes Old Town, the medieval walls, the deer statues, the windmills, and the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos.

Starting at Mandraki Harbour with Rhodes Old Town in View

The cruise leaves at 10:00 a.m. from Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece. Allow a little extra time to find the boat, since one passenger specifically found the meeting point difficult to locate. A mobile ticket is accepted, and the cruise returns to the same harbour.

Mandraki is a fine place to begin. The harbour was one of ancient Rhodes’ five ports and once served as the island’s naval port. Its name comes from mandri, meaning a small enclosure or sheep pen. Today, the entrance is marked by two columns topped with Rhodian deer, a stag and doe.

As you leave, you get a fine view of the medieval Old Town and its sea-facing walls. This is one of the better photo moments of the day, especially because the UNESCO-listed city looks different from the water. You also pass the harbour entrance traditionally linked with the Colossus of Rhodes, the enormous statue of the sun god and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

A useful bit of caution: the story that the Colossus once stood with its legs across the harbour is a legend, not an established fact. Still, it is a great place to think about ancient Rhodes as you sail away.

On the opposite side of the harbour, keep an eye out for the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos and three well-preserved medieval windmills. The return view is just as appealing, so do not use all your camera storage in the first ten minutes.

Kallithea Springs: A Gentle First Swim

The first stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat stays for about an hour. The water here is clear and inviting, and you can swim directly from the boat. You also have the option of visiting the springs and their historic buildings from the sea without paying an admission fee.

Kallithea became famous for its reddish mineral water, which rises from rock in the Gulf of Kallithea. People valued the springs for their supposed healing qualities in ancient times, and the site later became a carefully designed spa complex.

Italian architect Pietro Lombardi designed the buildings, while Armando Burnaby handled the decorative work. A hydrological conference held here drew more than 200 scientists, giving the place a curious mix of seaside beauty, medical history, and Italian design.

For you, the practical appeal is easy: this is an uncomplicated first stop. You can swim, use a pool noodle, try the provided snorkeling equipment, or remain on the boat and enjoy the view. Life jackets are available, which helps if you are not a confident swimmer.

The hour is enough for a refreshing swim, but not enough for a long exploration of every corner of the springs. If you want a slow morning at one beach, the schedule will feel brisk. The point of this cruise is variety.

Passing Faliraki and Reaching Afandou Beach

After Kallithea, the boat continues along the coast and passes Faliraki. This resort town is known for its broad beaches, clear water, nightlife, and large summer crowd. From the water, you see Rhodes’ popular holiday coast without needing to spend your day in the middle of it.

The second major stop is Afandou Beach, a long pebble shore stretching for about six kilometres. The coastline feels more open here than at Kallithea or Anthony Quinn Bay, and the water is especially good for a swim.

You have more than an hour to explore the area and its caves before lunch is served back on board. That timing gives you a chance to swim toward shore, look around the rocks, or simply stay near the boat with the flotation gear.

Afandou also has an interesting connection to Rhodes Town. Pebbles from the area were used in parts of the Old Town sidewalks. The name Afantou comes from the Greek word afando, meaning invisible. The original settlement was moved inland behind rocks so it would be less visible to pirates and attacking forces.

This stop is less sheltered than Anthony Quinn Bay, so conditions can feel different depending on the wind. That is part of the appeal of seeing several bays in one day: the crew can choose a comfortable place for swimming, and you get more than one kind of coastal scenery.

Greek Buffet Lunch with Seafood and Local Flavours

Lunch is served on board after the Afandou stop. The exact selection can vary, but the meal has included shrimp or prawn pasta, mussels, chicken, salad, bread, tzatziki, spinach rice, and a brownie-style dessert with sauce.

That is a generous meal for a half-day cruise. You are not left with a small snack and expected to buy lunch later. The food is freshly prepared by the onboard chef, and vegan and gluten-free choices are included.

Some dishes may be unfamiliar if your idea of Greek food begins and ends with souvlaki. Dakos, for example, uses a firm barley rusk topped with tomato, cheese, oregano, capers, and olive oil. The rusk is meant to be sturdy, so do not mistake its texture for stale bread.

The food is one of the strongest parts of the value here, though you should keep expectations sensible. This is an attractive buffet served on a moving boat, not a formal restaurant meal. The quality can be very good, but individual dishes may not suit everyone. One person found some items too salty and the preset cocktails too weak, while most of the available feedback praised both the meal and the drinks.

Ladikos Bay and the Story Behind Its Name

The route also passes Ladikos Bay, a small cove behind Anthony Quinn Bay. The name is linked to olive oil, which was once loaded and unloaded here for shipment toward Egypt and the Middle East.

Local fishermen have found clay containers around Ladikos that are believed to come from shipwrecks connected with this old trade. You may not spend much time at the bay itself, but the story adds useful context to what can otherwise look like just another photogenic cove.

Ladikos is now used for swimming and underwater activities. It is surrounded by rocks and caves, and the coastline becomes increasingly dramatic as you approach Anthony Quinn Bay.

Anthony Quinn Bay: The Best Spot for Snorkeling

The final swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, and this is likely to be the highlight for you if you enjoy snorkeling. The bay is small, enclosed by high rocks, and known for deep, clear water packed with small fish.

The boat provides snorkeling gear, and you can use it directly from the deck. You may also see fish gather if bread is tossed into the water. The crew makes a joke that the fish have never bitten a passenger, which is reassuring but hardly necessary in such a calm setting.

The bay was named for Mexican actor Anthony Quinn, who came to Rhodes while filming The Guns of Navarone in the 1960s. He reportedly wanted to buy the bay, but the agreement was never completed and later legal action found it unenforceable. The local name remained as a tribute.

This is also where the cruise can become most playful. Passengers have jumped from the upper deck, and the captain has sometimes sent cold beers out to people swimming. You should only use the water access that feels safe for you, but the boat provides life jackets and floaters for less confident swimmers.

The stop lasts about an hour. That is enough time for a good swim and some snorkeling, but the bay can feel busy when several boats arrive. The cruise aims to reach the stops ahead of some other boats, which can help with photos and water space, but crowd levels depend on the day.

The Boat, Seating, and Atmosphere

The boat has two decks and allocated seating on comfortable bean bags and sun benches. That arrangement matters. You are not scrambling for a lounger the moment you board, and the maximum group size is 40 people.

Several passengers have found the boat spacious even when it was fully booked. Some seating is in the sun, while other areas offer shade. If shade matters to you, ask the crew early. They have helped people choose a suitable spot.

The phrase exclusive should not make you expect a private charter. You share the boat with other passengers, and the atmosphere is social. Still, a limit of 40 people and a generous seating layout make this feel less cramped than many large swim cruises.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Captain Alexander is known for dancing, joking, and keeping the energy high. His performances can turn the ride home into a small deck party, with passengers joining in.

That energy is a strength for some and a drawback for others. Music is part of the program, and when the mood rises, it may become hard to hold a conversation. On the upper deck, you may also find it harder to hear spoken information. If you want commentary about every landmark, ask for details when the boat is quieter.

Open Bar, Cocktails, and What You Actually Get

The open bar includes wines, beer, ouzo, signature cocktails, aperitifs, snacks, water, and soft drinks. Bottled water and cold local beer are available, and the bartender prepares cocktails during the cruise.

This makes the $107.63 price easier to justify. A six-hour boat outing with three swimming stops, lunch, equipment, and drinks would quickly become expensive if each item were charged separately.

The bar is generous, but do not assume an unlimited custom cocktail menu. The available choices may be limited to preset cocktails, and one person found the alcohol in some drinks weak. Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks offer simpler options if the mixed drinks are not to your taste.

You should also use restraint. Six hours in the sun with alcohol can catch up with you quickly, even when the water is calling. Drink water between cocktails, use the supplied life jacket if needed, and bring plenty of sun protection.

Is $107.63 Good Value for Six Hours?

At $107.63 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Rhodes coast. Its value comes from what is bundled into the day.

You receive:

• About six hours on the water
• Three swimming stops
• A Greek buffet lunch
• Beer, wine, cocktails, water, and soft drinks
• Snorkeling equipment
• Pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets
• Allocated seating
• A group capped at 40 people

If you would otherwise pay for a boat trip, a restaurant lunch, several drinks, and snorkeling equipment, the total could easily approach this price. The food and open bar are particularly useful for anyone who wants a simple, all-in-one day without planning each expense.

Hotel transfer is not included. You need to reach Mandraki Harbour yourself or pay extra for an optional transfer. Since the meeting point is opposite the Bank of Greece, check your route carefully before departure.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Poor weather can also cause a cancellation, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who Will Enjoy This Rhodes Cruise Most?

I would choose this cruise for couples, friends, families with confident swimmers, and anyone staying in Rhodes who wants to combine sightseeing with a proper day in the sea.

It is especially good for you if:

• You like swimming in several different settings
• You want drinks and lunch included
• You prefer a boat with room to sit comfortably
• You enjoy music, dancing, and a friendly social mood
• You want snorkeling equipment without packing your own
• You are not a strong swimmer but still want safe flotation options

I would be more cautious if you need quiet. The captain’s dancing and the upbeat music are part of the charm, but the atmosphere can become loud. The stops are also scheduled, so you will not have unlimited time at any one bay.

Should You Book the Romantika Swim Cruise?

Book it if your ideal Rhodes day includes clear water, three coastal stops, Greek food, cold drinks, and a crew that likes to have fun. The strongest reasons to go are the spacious seating, useful swimming equipment, generous inclusions, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Skip it if you want a silent sailing experience, a private yacht, or a long, unhurried visit to one beach. For most people who want good value and a lively day on the water, this cruise delivers a satisfying mix of scenery, swimming, food, and entertainment.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes swim cruise leave from?

It leaves from Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece in Rhodes Town.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the cruise end?

It returns to Mandraki Harbour, the same meeting point where it begins.

How many swimming stops are included?

The cruise visits three main swimming stops: Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek gourmet buffet is included, with choices that include vegan and gluten-free options.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes an open bar with cocktails, wine, beer, aperitifs, snacks, water, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available on board.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the cruise is canceled because of poor weather.