Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

Sunset tastes better from the sea. This three-hour cruise combines a swim at Kallithea Bay with a buffet dinner, open drinks, music, and a front-row view of the sun dropping over the Aegean. I like the generous food and the friendly crew, especially since the evening feels more personal on the smaller boats. The main thing to consider is that the boat anchors offshore, so you need to swim to reach the water and any nearby caves.

I also like the simple timing. You leave Mandraki Harbor in the late afternoon, swim before dinner, then return toward Rhodes Town as the sky changes color. The $58 price is strong value if you plan to eat and have several drinks onboard, though vegetarians should note that the buffet has many salads and dips but no clearly listed fish or vegetarian main course.

Quick Take: What Makes This Cruise Worth It

• Kallithea Bay swim stop: The catamaran anchors in roughly six meters of water in one reported outing, with snorkeling gear and pool noodles available.
• Dinner is more than a token snack: Expect grilled chicken, Greek salad, pasta salad, potatoes, feta, olives, hummus, tzatziki, aubergine salad, green salad, and fresh local bread.
• Unlimited drinks are included: Wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are served throughout the trip.
• Small boats can feel intimate: Some departures have carried only about 14 to 16 people, leaving plenty of room to sit outside.
• The sunset is timed well: The boat pauses on the return toward Rhodes Town, giving you time to watch the sun from open water.
• Choose your boat carefully: Sailing and power catamarans are offered, with three catamaran options listed overall.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor in the Late Afternoon

Your evening begins at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks in front of the Poseidon Submarine. Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before departure. The boats leave on time, and missing the departure can mean a €25 rebooking fee per ticket on another day. That is an avoidable expense, so I would arrive early rather than cutting it close with a drink or a last-minute walk through Mandraki Harbor.

The first 45 minutes are about settling into the boat. From Mandraki, you travel along Rhodes’ east coast with the water opening out around you. The pace is relaxed, with music setting the mood while the crew serves drinks and helps people find comfortable places to sit.

You can choose between a sailing catamaran and a power catamaran, depending on availability. The power boat may appeal to you if you prefer a steadier, more direct ride, while the sailing option gives the outing a classic sailing feel. The exact boat matters because capacity and atmosphere can vary. Some departures have been particularly small, with around 14 to 16 people onboard, while you should not assume every sailing will have the same number.

The boats are described as clean and well maintained, with seating across the exterior and an indoor toilet. An outdoor shower is useful after swimming, especially when you want to settle down for dinner without carrying a coating of saltwater.

Swimming and Snorkeling at Kallithea Bay

After roughly 45 minutes, the catamaran anchors at Kallithea Bay. This is the active part of the evening, so bring swimwear and be ready to get into the water from the boat.

The boat does not take you directly onto the shore. If you want to reach the bay, caves, or rocky areas, you must swim from the anchored catamaran. Life jackets, snorkeling equipment, and floating pool noodles are provided. The noodles are helpful if you want to float without spending all your energy swimming, and the life jackets give less confident swimmers another option.

The water is clear, and the rocky seabed provides some marine life to look for. One outing included sightings of several fish, including a lionfish. At the same time, keep your expectations sensible. Kallithea Bay is a pleasant swim stop, not a major snorkeling expedition. One account found the underwater scenery fairly limited apart from rocks, while another described the water as excellent for snorkeling. Visibility and marine life will depend on conditions, your swimming area, and how many boats are using the bay.

This stop can be lively. Kallithea is a popular place for excursion boats, so you may share the area with other catamarans. That does not remove the pleasure of swimming in the Aegean, but it means you should not expect a private cove with nobody else around.

You usually have about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. That is enough time for a refreshing swim and a look underwater, but not enough for a long snorkel session. Keep an eye on the crew’s instructions and the departure time. The boat cannot wait indefinitely for someone still exploring the rocks.

One practical point is worth knowing: food may begin to appear while people are still in the water. If you spend the entire stop snorkeling, you could miss the first serving. I would take a quick swim, return for some food, then decide if you want another short session before departure.

A Greek Buffet Served on Deck

The dinner is one of the strongest parts of the experience. This is not a full restaurant meal cooked to order, but it is a substantial buffet with enough variety to make the $58 fare feel reasonable.

The usual selection includes:

• Grilled chicken
• Pasta salad
• Potato salad
• Greek salad
• Green salad
• Tzatziki
• Hummus
• Aubergine salad
• Olives
• Feta
• Fresh baked local bread

The chicken gives the meal a proper main dish, while the salads, dips, bread, feta, and olives create a distinctly Greek spread. Several people have especially enjoyed the chicken drumsticks, and the food is served in generous amounts. Crew members continue offering food and drinks, which makes the meal feel hospitable rather than rushed.

Vegetarians have useful choices, including hummus, tzatziki, salads, feta, aubergine salad, olives, bread, and pasta salad. Still, the menu does not list a vegetarian main course or fish. If you need a filling meat-free meal, you may find the selection adequate but not extensive. One person chose not to take the food option for exactly this reason.

The buffet works best after the swim. You can dry off, sit down, and eat while the boat moves along the coast. The simple food is also well suited to a boat. Salads, dips, bread, and grilled chicken are easier to enjoy outdoors than a complicated plated dinner that would demand a table and a knife-and-fork production.

Unlimited Drinks and the Evening Atmosphere

Wine and beer are unlimited, as are juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. That inclusion makes a noticeable difference in the value, especially if you would normally buy drinks separately on a three-hour outing.

The crew serves drinks during the cruise and is often praised for being attentive without making the evening feel formal. Eleni has been singled out for checking that everyone had enough to drink, while captains, first mates, and chefs have also been described as warm and willing to chat.

The music leans toward relaxed Greek and romantic evening sounds, though the exact playlist can vary. The music is part of the appeal, particularly during the sunset portion. The mood is generally easygoing rather than a loud party cruise, although some sailings may feel livelier depending on the group onboard.

Alcohol is included, but the crew can stop serving it if someone appears intoxicated. That is a sensible rule on a boat, and it helps keep the atmosphere comfortable for couples, families, solo passengers, and groups of friends sharing the same deck.

The Return Journey and Rhodes Sunset

The return leg lasts about 45 minutes, with the sunset viewing stop taking around 20 minutes near Rhodes Town. This is when the cruise shifts from swim outing to evening spectacle.

The captain positions the catamaran at a good viewing point offshore, and you watch the sun lower over the Aegean with Rhodes in the picture. The open-water setting gives you a broad view, without buildings blocking the horizon. The sea breeze can also make the ride back feel cooler and more comfortable after the heat of the afternoon.

Sunset times change through the season, so the departure time changes as well. The captain also has the right to alter the route or swimming stop if weather conditions require it. You should treat the exact bay and timing as flexible, while the main shape of the experience remains a swim, dinner, and sunset cruise.

Bring a light layer if you feel the cold easily. The information specifically asks you to bring swimwear, but the breeze on the return can feel cooler than expected after sunset. A towel is also sensible, even though it is not listed among the required items.

The boat eventually returns to Mandraki Harbor. You finish close to where you started, which keeps the evening simple if you are staying in or near Rhodes Town.

Is $58 Good Value?

At $58 per person, this is a good-value evening if you want several elements bundled together. You are paying for three hours on a catamaran, the Kallithea swim stop, snorkeling equipment, a full buffet, unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, music, and sunset views.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay separately for dinner and drinks. A couple can easily spend a fair amount on a meal and wine in Rhodes Town, while this outing adds the boat ride and swim without requiring another transfer.

It is less compelling if you do not drink, do not want dinner, or mainly want a quiet private cruise. This is a shared excursion, and the atmosphere depends partly on the size and personality of the group. Some departures feel intimate, but you are not guaranteed a small boat or a private experience.

Families should check the fare carefully. The cruise can work well with children, and the crew has been helpful with infants and toddlers. However, at least one family found it disappointing that a baby was charged the full adult fare. That policy may affect your calculation.

The 4.8 rating from 644 ratings reflects a very consistent experience, with the crew, food, boat cleanliness, swimming stop, and sunset receiving the most praise. The strongest pattern is not one spectacular feature alone. It is the way the pieces fit together for an easy evening out.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend this cruise to couples who want a romantic evening without arranging dinner afterward. The sunset, music, open deck, and drinks create the right setting, and several departures have been described as intimate and relaxing.

It also suits friends and families who want an activity with more variety than a standard boat ride. You can swim, eat, listen to music, and take photographs without spending the whole three hours doing just one thing.

Solo passengers should feel comfortable booking it too. The boat is shared, and the crew’s attentive approach can make it easy to settle in. One solo passenger found the experience safe, relaxed, and good value.

You may want to skip it if you use a wheelchair, since the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also a poor match if you cannot swim from the boat to the water. Since the catamaran anchors offshore, there is no promise of stepping directly onto a beach.

Vegetarians can eat from the buffet, but you should book with realistic expectations. Hummus, salads, dips, bread, feta, olives, and pasta salad are available, yet the menu does not include a clearly stated vegetarian or fish main dish.

Practical Tips for a Smoother Evening

• Arrive early: The meeting point is in front of the Poseidon Submarine at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks. The boat departs on time.
• Wear your swimwear: You will need to enter the water from the anchored catamaran.
• Pack a towel and light layer: These are practical additions for the swim and breezy ride back, even though only swimwear is specifically listed.
• Ask about the departure time: Listen for announcements and check with a crew member if you are unsure.
• Do not wait too long to eat: The buffet may be served during the swim stop.
• Choose your spot early: Outdoor seating is a major part of the appeal, especially for sunset.
• Expect route changes: Weather can alter the swimming bay or sailing route.
• Check seasonal arrangements: In April, May, and October, a boat that does not reach its minimum number may be replaced by another catamaran. The operator says passengers will be notified about changes.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The host or greeter speaks English, and a separate entrance is available for the activity.

Should You Book the Rhodes Sunset Catamaran Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-priced evening that combines a swim, dinner, drinks, and sunset in one outing. The strongest reasons are the attentive crew, generous buffet, clean boats, and the careful timing of the return for sunset.

I would not book it expecting a secluded bay, a serious snorkeling trip, or a private yacht charter. The swim stop can be busy, underwater sights are not guaranteed to be extensive, and boat size varies.

For most couples, families, solo passengers, and groups of friends staying around Rhodes Town, this is an easy recommendation. Arrive early, bring swimwear, take advantage of the water and buffet, then claim a good outdoor spot for the sunset. At $58, it gives you a full evening rather than just a short boat ride.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours, including the sailing time, the Kallithea Bay stop, dinner, swimming, snorkeling, and sunset viewing.

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Mandraki Harbor at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes meeting point, in front of the Poseidon Submarine desks.

Is dinner included in the ticket?

Yes. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh baked local bread.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine and beer are included, along with unlimited juice, soft drinks, and bottled water.

Can I swim directly to the shore at Kallithea Bay?

The catamaran stays anchored offshore. To reach the shore or nearby areas, you need to swim from the boat.

What happens if the weather changes?

The captain can change the route or swimming stop according to weather conditions. In April, May, and October, a boat may also be changed if it does not meet the minimum number of participants.