Sun & Sea All Inclusive 3 Hour Swimming Cruise (WITH PICK UP SERVICE)

Three beautiful bays, one easy afternoon at sea. This short cruise from Faliraki takes you to Afandou Beach, Ladiko Bay, and Anthony Quinn Bay, with time to swim at each stop. I like the crystal-clear coves and cave swimming, and I like that beer, wine, soft drinks, fruit, local sweets, snorkel gear, and pool noodles are included.

The $66.51 price is fair if you want a simple swim outing rather than a full sightseeing cruise. The main catch is that this is a water activity, not a beach trip. You leave the boat directly from the swim stops, and the boat and service can feel more basic than the polished description suggests.

The cruise has a 4.8 rating from 817 ratings, with 95 percent of people recommending it. Still, you should confirm your pickup details carefully, especially if you are staying outside Faliraki or arriving by cruise ship.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swim stops in about three hours: You get roughly 30 minutes at Afandou, 30 minutes at Ladiko, and 45 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay.
• The water access is boat-based: There are no planned beach landings, so you should be comfortable climbing down into the sea and back aboard.
• Anthony Quinn Bay is the highlight: Pine-covered hills, clear water, and a cave you can swim toward make the final stop the most memorable.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, water, soft drinks, and a fresh-fruit cocktail of the day are available during the cruise.
• Pickup has limits: Hotel transportation is offered from Faliraki, but pickup from Rhodes Town, Ixia, and cruise ships costs an extra $10 per person.
• Expect a casual group outing: The maximum group size is 28, though the boat may feel full and the level of commentary can be limited.

What this Rhodes cruise is really about

This is not a guided tour of Rhodes by sea. It is a straightforward swimming outing with three scenic stops, a few drinks, simple snacks, and transport to and from the harbor if arranged in time.

That focus can be a strength. You do not spend the morning listening to a long lecture or visiting places unrelated to swimming. Instead, you get into the water several times and enjoy the coast from a low, open boat.

The experience is also short enough to fit around other plans. Three hours leaves room for Rhodes Old Town, a hotel afternoon, or dinner in Faliraki. I see this as a useful choice for anyone who has already spent time among ancient ruins and wants a change of pace.

The cruise is sold as a group outing aboard a 36-foot catamaran with couch seating. Some people found the couch-style seating comfortable, but several described the boat as older than expected, and some said it did not look like the catamaran shown in the promotional material. One person even reported that the boat was not a catamaran at all.

That difference matters if the boat itself is part of your reason for booking. If your main goal is swimming in attractive bays, the vessel may be perfectly adequate. If you expect a sleek sailing boat, polished facilities, or a special onboard atmosphere, keep expectations modest.

Getting from Faliraki hotels to the harbor

The advertised pickup service is useful, but it needs advance attention. Hotel transfers from Faliraki are offered for the three-hour cruise and must be arranged the day before. The meeting point is Faliraki Harbor, and the cruise returns there at the end.

A prompt pickup and drop-off can make this experience pleasantly easy. One account specifically praised the driver and the transfer service. Other transport experiences were less comfortable, with a small, crowded van and little air conditioning reported by someone coming from a cruise ship.

If you are staying in Rhodes Town or Ixia, the transfer costs an additional $10 per person. Cruise ship passengers also face that charge. More important, you should not assume transport is automatic just because the title says pickup service. Contact the operator and arrange it the day before.

This is especially important for people arriving in port. One failed pickup was linked to a request for confirmation that was not seen in time. You should have a working way to check messages before the excursion and make sure the pickup is confirmed.

Afandou Beach and the Traganou Caves

The first stop is Afandou Beach, where the boat anchors near the Traganou Caves. You get about 30 minutes here, with the chance to swim in the blue water and enter the caves from the sea.

This stop gives you a quick introduction to the format. You are not walking onto the beach for a stroll or setting up a towel. You are climbing into the water from the boat, swimming near the caves, and returning aboard when the crew calls time.

The caves are the main reason this stop is more than a routine swim. Their rocky openings add something to explore, though the short stop means you should move efficiently if you want to see them. Bring your mask if you have one. Snorkel equipment is supplied, but the quality and condition of individual items may vary, and one person found a snorkel broken.

Water conditions can also change the experience. One account described rougher water at two of the three stops, with Anthony Quinn Bay offering the best conditions that day. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the conditions before entering and use the supplied noodle if helpful.

Ladiko Bay and its calm-water setting

Ladiko Bay is the second stop, also for about 30 minutes. The bay’s name is linked to the Greek word λάδι, meaning oil, a reference to the calm, smooth quality traditionally associated with its water.

The stop is best treated as another chance to swim, float, and look back at the shore from the sea. You will not have much time for a slow visit, so avoid expecting a full beach break or a long snorkeling session.

Some people found the first two bays less appealing when waves picked up. That is a fair warning: this is a nature-based outing, and the water may not be equally calm at every stop. The attraction is the variety of coves along the coast, not a guarantee of identical conditions.

The 30-minute limit can actually suit families and anyone who tires quickly in the water. One family appreciated that the stops lasted no more than about 40 minutes, since a nine-year-old could manage the schedule comfortably. On the other hand, strong swimmers may wish for more time at the best location.

Anthony Quinn Bay, the final and strongest stop

Anthony Quinn Bay gets about 45 minutes, making it the longest stop. It is also the place most likely to justify the trip on its own.

The bay is framed by pine-covered slopes and clear water. From the boat, you can swim toward the rocky edges and the cave area. Several people singled out the cave swimming as the best part of the outing, while others wished they had been given a little more time there.

The bay also has a film connection. Scenes from The Guns of Navarone were filmed in this part of Rhodes, adding a small piece of movie history to the setting. You do not need to be a film fan to enjoy the bay, but the connection makes it more fun to know where you are.

Anthony Quinn Bay can be popular and visually striking, so the appeal is not solitude. Its value is the combination of clear water, rock formations, green hills, and a longer swim period than at the first two stops.

If you are choosing this cruise mainly for photography, this is the stop to plan around. Keep your phone protected from water, since you will be entering the sea directly from the boat. The intense sun is another practical concern. Apply sunscreen before boarding and bring more for later, as there is little time to deal with sunburn once the boat is moving.

Drinks, fruit, and Rhodian snacks

The all-inclusive drinks are one of the better features for the price. You can choose from beer, wine, water, soft drinks, and a cocktail of the day made with fresh fruit. A strawberry daiquiri received especially strong praise, and the open-bar setup adds a relaxed holiday feel to the return between stops.

The food is lighter than the word all-inclusive might suggest. You receive a fruit platter and local snacks, including melekouni, a Rhodian honey and sesame bar. These are pleasant additions, but they are not a meal.

The amount of fruit can be modest. You might receive small pieces of orange, banana, kiwi, or apple rather than a large serving. I would eat beforehand if you need a proper lunch, especially if you plan to swim hard.

The crew cuts or prepares the fruit onboard, which gives the snack service a fresher touch than a packaged bar alone. Still, the food should be viewed as a light refreshment, not a reason to skip breakfast or lunch.

Comfort, equipment, and the boat itself

The couch seating is a welcome idea for a short cruise. Several people found the seats comfortable and liked having an outdoor place to sit between swims. For a three-hour trip, that can be more pleasant than hard benches.

The boat’s condition is less consistent with the polished image suggested by the description. Some people called it dated or older, and one person sat on a wet cushion. That is not a major problem if you already plan to get wet, but it can be an unpleasant surprise when boarding.

Snorkel equipment and swimming noodles are included. The noodles work as simple flotation aids, though some appeared worn. If you care about snorkeling, bringing your own mask and snorkel may give you more confidence, provided you can pack them easily.

There are also conflicting accounts about seating and capacity. The official maximum is 28 people, but one person felt the boat was packed and had difficulty finding a seat. Another person described the boat as full but still comfortable. This suggests that comfort may depend on the day, the group, and where you board.

One serious complaint described poor reboarding steps and a lack of life jackets. The supplied information does not establish that this is standard, but it is reasonable to ask the crew where safety equipment is kept before swimming. You should be comfortable with ladder access and sea entry before booking.

Crew, atmosphere, and amount of information

The onboard staff are often described as friendly, helpful, and safety-minded. That basic service matters when you are climbing into open water, using unfamiliar equipment, and returning to a moving boat.

The atmosphere is generally laid-back rather than highly organized. Some people liked the easygoing mood and friendly service. Others found the crew quiet and wished for more information about Rhodes, the bays, and the film connection at Anthony Quinn Bay.

You should not book this expecting a full narration of the island. The crew may announce the next stop and handle drinks, snacks, and safety, but the amount of commentary can be limited. If you want facts about Rhodes, bring your own guidebook or listen for the brief announcements.

Music and crowd mood can vary. One very negative account described loud club music and a packed boat, while many others found the outing relaxed. This is a group cruise, so it may feel more social and lively on some departures than on others.

Is $66.51 a fair price?

At $66.51 per person, the value depends on how much you use the included extras. Three swim stops, harbor transport from Faliraki, unlimited listed drinks, fruit, a local snack, snorkel gear, and noodles make the price reasonable for a half-day activity.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to sit quietly on a boat. The cruise is short, the boat may be older, the snacks are small, and the stops give you limited time in the water. You are paying for convenience and access to several scenic bays, not a luxury sailing experience.

The included drinks also matter more than they might seem. Buying drinks separately on a boat can add up quickly, and the cocktail of the day gives the outing a festive touch. Still, do not let all-inclusive make you expect a buffet. This is a swim cruise with refreshments.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for confident swimmers, couples, friends, and families who want a simple sea outing without committing a full day. It is also useful for cruise ship passengers who can arrange the paid transfer properly and have enough time in port.

Families should consider the direct water entry, ladder access, sun, and changing sea conditions. The short swim periods may work well for older children, but the outing is not a beach day with shallow water and sand.

You may want another option if you dislike crowded boats, need guaranteed comfortable seating, want detailed island commentary, or expect a new catamaran in excellent condition. It is also not the right pick if you want to spend time walking along each beach, since the stops are made from the water.

Should you book the Sun & Sea cruise?

Book it if your priority is three attractive Rhodes swim locations in one short outing, with drinks included and a transfer option from Faliraki. Anthony Quinn Bay and the Traganou Caves give the trip real visual appeal, and the overall rating suggests that many people find it fun and worthwhile.

Before paying, confirm the exact boat, pickup arrangement, and extra transfer charge if you are outside Faliraki. Bring sunscreen, consider your own snorkeling mask, eat before boarding, and expect a casual group cruise rather than luxury service.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and bad weather or an unmet minimum may lead to a new date or full refund. For the right kind of swimmer, this is a good-value way to trade ruins for clear water for an afternoon.

FAQ

How long is the Sun & Sea swimming cruise?

The cruise lasts about three hours and returns to Faliraki Harbor, the starting point.

Which swimming locations does the cruise visit?

The route includes Afandou Beach near the Traganou Caves, Ladiko Bay, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. The cruise includes beer, wine, water, soft drinks, a cocktail of the day, fruit, and local snacks such as melekouni honey and sesame bars.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered from Faliraki hotels and must be arranged the day before. Pickup from Rhodes Town, Ixia, and cruise ships requires an additional $10 per person.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are included. The condition of individual equipment may vary.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather or an unmet minimum number of participants may also result in a different date or a full refund.