Rhodes: Pleasure Cruise for Swimming and Snorkeling

Three blue-water stops make this an easy Rhodes day. This six-hour cruise follows the island’s east coast on a traditional Greek wooden boat, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling at Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. I like the generous time in the water and the relaxed rhythm, with music, shade, sun, noodles, fruit, and a small bar onboard. My main caution is the boat’s condition: this is a simple working excursion, not a polished yacht trip, and the lower toilet and general upkeep may disappoint you.

I also like the $47 price, especially because snorkeling gear and three separate water stops are included. The crew speaks English and Greek, and the route gives you a pleasant way to see several famous swimming spots without arranging separate transport. You need to arrive on time at Mandraki Harbour, though, and you should bring your own towel, swimwear, and camera.

Key points at a glance

• Three one-hour swimming stops: You get real time in the water, not just a quick swim from the boat.
• Kallithea Bay snorkeling: This is the stop with the strongest snorkeling reputation, though fish sightings are never guaranteed.
• Anthony Quinn Bay’s green-blue water: The famous cove is the visual highlight and a fine place for photos.
• Afandou Beach offers a calmer middle stop: Use it to swim, snorkel, or rest on deck before the final bay.
• Traditional boat atmosphere: Music, seasonal fruit, a swimming noodle, and open-air seating keep the mood casual.
• Basic boat, good price: At $47, the trip offers solid water time, but you should not expect luxury facilities.

A six-hour escape from Mandraki Harbour

The boat leaves from Mandraki Marina and Port at 10:00 and returns around 16:00. Your meeting point is near the Statue of Alexander, where you should look for the Alkmini boat. There is no hotel pickup or transfer, so you need to make your own way to the harbor.

That timing works well for a half-day on the water. You get a full morning and early afternoon cruise, yet you still have the evening free for Rhodes Town, dinner, or a second look at the old city. The trip is also useful if you have a late check-in, since one booking note praised the chance to leave a backpack onboard and spend time nearby before accommodation was ready. Still, keep your valuables with you and follow the crew’s instructions.

The first part of the outing is the cruise along Rhodes’ east coast. You are not simply being ferried between beaches. The boat ride itself gives you time to sit under the sun or in the shade, listen to music, watch the coast, and settle into the slower pace of a Greek summer day.

The exact order of the stops may vary. The main sailing plan describes Kallithea Bay first, Afandou Beach second, and Anthony Quinn Bay last, while the stop list presents Anthony Quinn Bay first. The important point is that all three locations are part of the day, and each includes roughly one hour for swimming or snorkeling.

Kallithea Bay: the best stop for snorkeling

Kallithea Bay is promoted as the famous snorkeling stop, and it makes sense as an early place to get into the water. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins unless you prefer using your own. A swimming noodle is also available, which helps if you want to float without working hard.

You can expect about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and a little free time. The clear water is the main attraction. The trip provider does not promise fish, and that matters. You may see some marine life, but conditions change with light, water movement, and the exact place where the boat anchors.

One piece of useful advice: treat snorkeling as a pleasant extra, not the entire reason to book. A recent assessment described seeing only one small fish during the day. If your goal is a serious underwater experience, this cruise may feel limited. If you mainly want clear water, a mask, and a chance to look below the surface, Kallithea should satisfy you.

This stop also sets the pattern for the rest of the outing. You swim, climb back aboard, dry off in the sun or shade, and let the crew handle the route. The pace is simple and unhurried, although three water stops can leave you pleasantly tired before the final return to Mandraki.

Afandou Beach: a relaxed middle break

After Kallithea, the boat continues to Afandou Beach. The stop lasts about an hour and includes time for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and rest. Afandou is useful as the middle part of the day because it gives you another chance to get into the water without making the whole excursion feel like one long swim at a single cove.

You can choose your own level of effort here. Swim for the full hour, try the provided snorkeling gear, or stay aboard and stretch out in the shade. That freedom is important for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can make the most of the water, while anyone who has had enough after the first stop can enjoy the boat ride and music.

The experience is not built around guided commentary or a packed sightseeing program. The guide speaks English and Greek, but the practical value is the route, the crew’s local handling of the boat, and the chance to reach three coastal swimming locations in one outing. If you want a detailed coastal lecture, this may feel light. If you want water, sun, and a low-pressure day, it fits.

Afandou is also a good time to use the onboard bar. Drinks and something to eat are available for purchase, and seasonal fruit is included. Watermelon was specifically appreciated as a refreshing snack after swimming. Food prices, however, may feel high, so I would bring a little extra patience and avoid assuming the bar is a bargain.

Anthony Quinn Bay and its famous green-blue water

Anthony Quinn Bay is the visual finale in the published sailing plan. The cove is known for its green-blue water, and this is the stop where you will probably want your camera ready. You get about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and free time beneath the bright Rhodes sky.

The color of the water is the strongest reason to save this stop for the end. It gives the day a memorable last swim, and the setting is different enough from the other two stops to keep the route from feeling repetitive. Several people described the sea as especially beautiful, with an aquamarine quality that made the cruise worthwhile.

Do not expect complete solitude. Anthony Quinn Bay is one of Rhodes’ recognized coastal sights, and the attraction is precisely that many people want to see it. The boat gives you a water-level view and a swim in the cove, rather than only a road stop or a quick photo from shore.

Again, snorkeling results can be uneven. The water may look perfect, but the provider accepts no responsibility for whether you see fish. I would focus on the swim, the color, and the setting first. Any fish or underwater views are a bonus.

What the wooden boat is really like

The traditional wooden boat is part of the appeal. It gives the excursion a local, old-fashioned feel that you will not get from a large modern ferry. Music adds to the holiday mood, and the choice of sun or shade makes it easier to manage a hot day.

But traditional does not mean luxurious. I would set modest expectations for cleanliness, seating, and facilities. One recent assessment described the boat as worn and dirty, with a particularly poor lower toilet. That concern is worth taking seriously if you are sensitive to basic onboard facilities.

The boat is best understood as transport and a swimming platform, not as a premium sailing vessel. You are paying for access to three coastal stops, crew service, equipment, music, fruit, and six hours on the sea. At $47, that can be good value, as long as you do not compare the boat with a private charter.

You should also expect a wet day. Bring swimwear, a towel, and a camera, and protect anything that should not get splashed. A scooter is not allowed, so do not plan to bring one aboard. The available information does not give a passenger capacity or specific accessibility details, so ask before booking if either point is important to you.

Is $47 good value for Rhodes?

For the price, the strongest value is the amount of swimming time. Three stops of about an hour each mean roughly three hours in the water, plus the coastal cruise between them. A land-based visit to all three areas would require more planning, and you would not get the same boat-based view.

The price also covers snorkeling equipment, a noodle, music, seasonal fruit, and the crew. Drinks and food cost extra, and the bar may not suit a tight budget. I would bring water and a small snack if permitted, then treat the bar as a convenience rather than part of the bargain.

The cruise is less attractive if your priority is comfort. A basic toilet, worn areas, and a simple boat can change how you feel about six hours at sea. For someone who values a clean, polished vessel and quiet service, paying more for a smaller or newer boat may be wiser.

For an active couple, a group of friends, or a family that wants several swims without renting a car, $47 is fair. It is also a practical choice for a first Rhodes visit because the route gathers three well-known east-coast spots into one outing.

The rhythm of the day

The schedule is easy to understand. Meet at Mandraki Harbour before the 10:00 departure, sail for roughly 40 minutes, stop for swimming, continue along the coast, and return to the harbor around 16:00.

Between stops, you can rest in the sun or shade. Music keeps the boat from feeling too quiet, while the fruit gives you a small refreshment after swimming. The crew’s role is mainly to keep the sailing and swimming stops moving on time, rather than provide a heavily narrated sightseeing tour.

You need to be punctual. The boat cannot wait for late arrivals, and there is no hotel transfer to simplify the morning. Plan extra time to reach the Statue of Alexander and identify the Alkmini boat at Mandraki Harbour.

The cruise has free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Rhodes schedule is still shifting, but they do not change the need to arrive on time on the day.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed day built around swimming rather than monuments. You get three different coastal settings, enough time to enjoy each one, and a simple route from central Rhodes.

It suits people who like:

• Several swims in one day
• Casual boat trips with music
• Snorkeling as a light holiday activity
• Sun and shade options
• A fixed six-hour schedule
• Good access to famous east-coast bays without arranging separate transport

I would think twice if you need a spotless boat, a high-end meal service, or guaranteed marine life. Snorkeling is available, but fish are not promised. The onboard food and drink service is convenient, yet it may cost more than you expect.

Families and less confident swimmers may appreciate the noodle and the choice to remain on deck. Still, the supplied details do not explain water depth, boarding assistance, or special accessibility arrangements. Ask the provider directly if you need that information.

Should you book the Rhodes swimming cruise?

Book it if your ideal Rhodes day means clear water, three proper swims, music on a wooden boat, and a reasonable price. The best parts are the generous water time, the striking color at Anthony Quinn Bay, and the simple chance to see Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn in one outing.

Skip it if boat condition and bathroom quality matter as much as the scenery. This is a practical, no-frills cruise. At $47, it delivers strong value for swimming and snorkeling, but you should board expecting a basic vessel, not a luxury yacht.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and finishes at Mandraki Marina and Port in Rhodes. The meeting point is near the Statue of Alexander, by the Alkmini boat.

How long is the cruise?

The experience lasts six hours. It starts at 10:00 and returns to Mandraki Harbour at about 16:00.

Which swimming stops are included?

The cruise includes Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. Each stop allows about one hour for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and free time.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a swimming noodle are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Seasonal fruit is included. The boat has a bar where you can buy drinks and something to eat.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and transfers are not included. You need to reach Mandraki Harbour yourself and arrive on time.