Sun & Sea 6 Hour All Inclusive Swimming Cruise with Greek BBQ & Unlimited Drinks

The best Rhodes days happen offshore. This six-hour catamaran cruise links three lovely swimming spots with a Greek BBQ, steady drinks, and a friendly crew that keeps the day moving. I especially like the easy Mandraki Marina departure and the fact that snorkels, noodles, and life vests are supplied. The main catch is comfort: the upper deck bean bags can make a huge difference, while the lower deck may feel plain and the sun can be fierce.

At $78.60 per person, this is a fair package if you plan to eat, drink, swim, and spend most of the day on the water. I also like the generous food schedule, from coffee and donuts to hot dogs, souvlakia, salad, tzatziki, and waffles. Just remember that open bar means simple beer, wine, soft drinks, iced frappe, and basic cocktails, not a cocktail lounge at sea.

At a glance: what makes this cruise worth considering

• Three one-hour swimming stops: Visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, and Traganou Beach, with time to swim and use the onboard snorkel gear.
• Food arrives throughout the day: Coffee and sweet donuts start the outing, followed by hot dogs, a Greek BBQ lunch, and waffles with chocolate sauce.
• Mandraki Marina departure: The meeting point is Rhodes Sea Lines at Pl. Eleftherias, making the start fairly convenient from Rhodes Town.
• Upper deck comfort matters: Optional bean bags offer shade or sun and a much more relaxed place to spend the sailing time.
• Friendly, safety-minded crew: Staff help nervous swimmers, watch the water, and keep an eye on people using noodles or life vests.
• A social boat day: Music, swimming, food, and flowing drinks create a lively atmosphere, not a quiet sightseeing cruise.

A six-hour day built around swimming

This is not mainly a sightseeing cruise where you sit quietly and listen to a long talk about Rhodes. It is a sun-and-sea day, with the catamaran acting as your floating base between swimming stops.

You meet at Rhodes Sea Lines, Pl. Eleftherias, Rodos 851 00, at 10:00 a.m. The boat returns to the same meeting point after about six hours. Since the maximum group size is listed as 75 people, this is a fairly substantial outing rather than a tiny private sail.

The rhythm is simple. You sail out from Rhodes, stop for roughly an hour, return to the boat for food or drinks, then continue to another bay. The three hours of cruising time include the journeys between the harbor and the bays, so the day is not six straight hours of swimming.

I think that balance works well. You get enough time in the water to make the trip worthwhile, but you also have a proper lunch and plenty of relaxed time aboard. If you want a peaceful cruise with no music and very little activity, this is probably not your best match.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the scenic first impression

Anthony Quinn Bay is often treated as the star of the route, and it is easy to see why. It is named for actor Anthony Quinn, who appeared in The Guns of Navarone and Zorba the Greek. Some scenes from The Guns of Navarone were filmed in the area, adding a small piece of movie history to the stop.

You get about an hour here, including time for swimming. The water is clear, and the setting is especially attractive from the boat. One account of the day described seeing fish here with a snorkel, so this is a good place to try the provided equipment.

The bay is also a place where the crew’s safety work matters. You are swimming from the boat rather than simply walking into shallow water from a beach. If you are not a strong swimmer, take a noodle or life vest and stay within the area the crew indicates.

For me, the value of Anthony Quinn Bay is visual as much as aquatic. Even if you spend only part of the hour in the water, the rocky coast and clear sea give you one of the cruise’s strongest views.

Kallithea Springs: a quieter hour in the water

Kallithea Springs is described as similar to Anthony Quinn Bay but quieter. That makes it a useful contrast, especially after the more famous first stop.

The stop lasts about an hour and has no separate admission charge. The appeal is the combination of clear water, attractive coastal scenery, and a less hectic feel. You can swim, use the snorkel gear, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view if you are not keen to get wet.

The exact order of the bays may vary in practice, so pay attention to the crew’s instructions rather than expecting a rigid sequence. The food schedule may also be arranged around the route, but you can expect the crew to keep refreshments coming during the day.

This is a good stop for anyone who wants a little less fuss. The boat may still have music and a social atmosphere, but the setting itself offers a calmer break from the more famous bays.

Traganou Beach: caves and a small beach

Traganou Beach brings a different feature to the route. The main attraction is the chance to swim into caves said to reach about 30 metres deep, with a tiny beach at the far end.

You should treat this as a swimming adventure rather than a formal cave tour. The available information does not describe lighting, guided entry, or a walking route inside the caves. You will be entering from the water, so confidence in open-water swimming is useful.

Again, the supplied noodles and life vests can make a big difference. One particularly helpful crew member, Vamos, encouraged a nervous swimmer to try the sea with flotation noodles and checked back several times. That sort of personal attention is valuable, especially for anyone who feels unsure about jumping off a boat.

You do not need to leap from the top deck. Some people jump from the upper level, but swimming from the boat is the point, not performing a stunt. Use the ladder, take your time, and let the crew know if you need help.

Food is part of the value

The all-inclusive label is most useful here because food comes in stages rather than as one basic lunch. The day begins with sweet donuts and coffee, followed by a hot dog hour. Later comes the main Greek BBQ, with meat skewers, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread.

The souvlakia and tzatziki receive especially warm praise, and the meal sounds more substantial than the usual sandwich handed out on a boat excursion. At the end of the return journey, waffles with chocolate sauce provide a sweet finish.

This schedule helps justify the price. At $78.60, you are not paying only for transport to three bays. You are also covering breakfast, a snack, lunch, dessert, drinks, snorkel equipment, and six hours aboard a catamaran.

The food is not restaurant dining, and you should not expect a large choice of dishes. It is simple, filling Greek fare served in a busy boat setting. For most people, that is exactly what works here.

What unlimited drinks really means

Drinks include beer, wine, soft drinks, iced frappe, and alcoholic beverages. The practical meaning of unlimited is fairly straightforward: you can keep returning for the included choices during the cruise.

Keep your expectations sensible. The basic bar has been described as cans of the same beer, cask wine, and two simple cocktails that lean heavily toward juice. If you are booking for premium spirits or carefully mixed drinks, the package may disappoint.

For a hot day at sea, though, the cold drinks are useful. Remember that alcohol and strong sunshine are a poor team, especially when you are swimming. Drink water and soft drinks as well, even if the bar is open all day.

Upper deck or lower deck: choose carefully

The most important comfort decision is where you sit. The upper deck bean bags are an optional extra, and they appear to offer either sun or a little shade. Several people considered the upgrade worth paying for, comparing it to a first-class option on the boat.

The lower deck has tables and wooden benches. That gives you a solid place to sit, but it may feel less relaxing during the longer cruising periods. One account described the difference between the upper and lower areas as significant.

There is also a practical warning about shade. Arriving early does not necessarily guarantee the most comfortable shaded place. One poorly organized start led to some people sitting in direct sunlight for much of the day, with one person later suffering mild heatstroke.

I would budget for the upper deck if comfort matters to you, then still bring sun protection. A hat, high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cover-up are essential. The top deck can become extremely hot, while the lower deck gives you a useful place to cool down.

Music, mood, and the social side

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Staff are described as funny, welcoming, helpful, and alert around swimmers. They interact with people, celebrate birthdays, and help create the friendly mood that makes this more than a basic boat transfer.

The trade-off is the soundtrack. Music may play throughout the trip, and it can include explicit lyrics. One person hoping for a quiet sail found the constant music frustrating. If you want peaceful reading time or a silent view of the coast, this cruise may feel too lively.

For a group of friends, couples who like a social setting, or anyone keen to meet people on holiday, the atmosphere should work well. The boat is large enough that the outing does not necessarily feel cramped, but 75 people is still a crowd when everyone is moving around for food and swimming.

Swimming equipment and safety

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from packing or hiring a mask and snorkel. Noodles and life vests are also available, making the swimming stops more accessible to people who are comfortable in the water but not strong swimmers.

The crew gives safety instructions and watches swimmers near other boats and obstacles. That does not remove the need for caution. You remain responsible for judging your own ability, particularly at Traganou Beach and when entering the sea from the catamaran.

The reviews include praise for the way crew members check on nervous swimmers. That is reassuring, but it is still wise to tell staff early if you feel anxious. They can point you toward safer equipment and explain how to enter and leave the water.

If you use a particular type of snorkel, you may prefer to bring your own. One person specifically recommended a full-face snorkel after using the supplied equipment. That is a personal preference, not a requirement.

Getting to the marina without a scramble

The listed start point is Rhodes Sea Lines at Pl. Eleftherias in Rhodes Town, with a 10:00 a.m. departure. The meeting area has several booths, so finding the correct reception desk may not be immediately obvious.

I would arrive with time to spare and confirm the exact booth before boarding. A disorganized check-in caused serious trouble for one booking, including a missed departure after the meeting instructions proved unclear. If you need a hotel transfer, check that option when booking. If you do not select a transfer, the operator says you can arrange one by messaging through WhatsApp.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That makes it practical for a day in Rhodes Town and potentially useful for cruise passengers, but you should leave a sensible buffer after the advertised return time before arranging anything important.

Confirmation is provided at booking, mobile tickets are accepted, and the tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transport. Most people can participate, but the swimming format requires you to be comfortable taking part in open-water stops or staying aboard while others swim.

Price, cancellation, and who gets the best value

At $78.60 per person, this is good value for a full day on the water if you would otherwise pay separately for meals, drinks, a boat trip, and equipment. The repeated food service is a real advantage, and three swimming locations give the day a clear purpose.

The price feels less attractive if you do not drink, dislike swimming from boats, or plan to spend most of the day sitting in the shade. In that case, you are paying for several parts of the package you may barely use.

The cruise is especially suited to:

• Couples and friends who want a lively day at sea
• Families with confident swimmers and older children
• People who enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and jumping from a boat
• Visitors seeking an easy all-day activity from Rhodes Town
• Anyone who values included food and drinks over a quiet sailing experience

It is less suited to people prone to seasickness, those needing guaranteed shade, and anyone looking for a small, private sailing trip. Take motion sickness medicine if you normally need it, as the boat moves between bays and the sea may feel rough.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Rhodes catamaran cruise?

I would book it if you want three attractive swimming stops, a generous food plan, and a sociable boat atmosphere. Anthony Quinn Bay is the scenic prize, Traganou Beach offers the most unusual swimming setting, and Kallithea Springs gives the route a quieter middle note.

Before paying, decide if you want the optional upper deck bean bag. It can change the day from sitting on a basic bench to relaxing in a more comfortable spot with a choice of sun or shade. Also pack serious sun protection, expect energetic music, and do not mistake unlimited drinks for a premium bar.

For the right person, this is an easy, good-value way to spend six hours around Rhodes. It gives you a full day’s food, several chances to swim, and a crew that seems to care about making nervous swimmers feel safe. If that sounds better than a quiet cruise, this one deserves a place near the top of your Rhodes list.

FAQ

How long does the Sun & Sea cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, including sailing time between Rhodes harbor and the three swimming bays.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Rhodes Sea Lines at Pl. Eleftherias, Rodos 851 00, Greece, at 10:00 a.m. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

Which swimming locations are included?

The scheduled stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, and Traganou Beach. Each stop is planned for about one hour.

Is food included?

Yes. Included food consists of sweet donuts and coffee, a hot dog hour, a Greek BBQ with meat skewers, Greek salad, tzatziki and bread, plus waffles served on the way back.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are beer, wine, soft drinks, iced frappe, and other alcoholic beverages offered by the onboard bar.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.