Rhodes Day Cruise (with lunch & unlimited drinks) 5,5 Hours

Sea, sun, and three beautiful bays. This 5.5-hour Rhodes cruise combines swimming at Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs with a local lunch and drinks served throughout the day. I like the small maximum group of 35 and the relaxed wooden boat, which feels more personal than a large party vessel. I also like the clear value: lunch, wine, beer, soft drinks, fruit, coffee, water, and snorkeling equipment are included.

The main drawback is the schedule. Each swimming stop is set at about 50 minutes, and the boat moves at a leisurely pace. That leaves less time in the water than you may expect, especially if the cruise runs behind. You should also arrive early and confirm the exact boarding time, since some people have found the practical departure time earlier than the stated 10:00 am start.

Key Points Before You Book

• Three 50-minute swimming stops: Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs each offer a different setting for swimming and snorkeling.
• Traditional wooden boat: The vessel has padded seating and bean bags at the bow, plus a restroom, shower, WiFi, and plenty of open-air space.
• Food and drinks included: Expect Greek salad, tzatziki, olives, dolmadakia, bread, pasta, chicken, rice, fruit, water, wine, beer, soft drinks, juice, tea, and coffee.
• Snorkeling gear provided: Masks and snorkels are included, but flippers and towels are not.
• Friendly service: Theodore and the crew receive the strongest praise for keeping drinks topped up and helping people feel welcome.
• Good port-day timing: The cruise returns to the Royal Sailing Rhodes meeting point, with one booking noting a return around 3:45 pm.

Setting Out From Rhodes Town Harbor

The meeting point is Royal Sailing Rhodes at Plateia Eleftherias in Rhodes Town. It is close to the harbor and within an easy walk of the medieval city, making this a useful outing if you are staying in town or arriving by cruise ship.

The boat leaves at 10:00 am according to the published schedule. I would arrive at least 30 minutes early. One person missed the boat after arriving 10 minutes late, and another booking specifically advised getting there early to claim better seating. The check-in booth is marked Royal Sailing along the marina, so keep your eyes open rather than simply walking to the nearest boat.

The boat carries no more than 35 people. That is not an intimate private charter, but it is a sensible size for a shared day cruise. You can meet people without being packed into a floating crowd. Several comments praise the friendly atmosphere, with Theodore often singled out as a warm and attentive host.

The boat itself is part of the appeal. It is a classic wooden vessel with padded cushions and large bean bag chairs near the bow. You can sit in the sun, find some shade, or move around as the cruise continues. Music may be part of the atmosphere, and one trip included live entertainment, but the overall mood is described as relaxed rather than rowdy.

Afandou Beach: The First Swim and Lunch

Afandou Beach is the first stop, with about 50 minutes to swim, snorkel, or float. The stop is described as quieter than some of Rhodes’ better-known bays, which makes it a good opening to the day. You have time to get used to the water and try the provided snorkeling equipment before lunch.

This is not a sightseeing stop where you walk ashore and explore a village. The attraction is the sea itself. You remain near the boat, with your belongings safely onboard, and use the pause to cool off. If you dislike carrying a beach bag from place to place, that simplicity is useful.

Lunch is served around this part of the cruise and has a Greek home-style feel. The spread includes chicken, rice, pasta, Greek salad, tzatziki, olives, dolmadakia, and bread. Fruit is available as a snack. The food receives mostly warm praise, with many people calling it fresh and filling.

There is one important qualification. One harsh account described frozen chicken pieces and plain noodles, so the meal may not satisfy someone expecting a restaurant-quality feast. The more favorable descriptions mention juicy chicken, good salad, fresh bread, and plentiful portions. I would treat lunch as a generous boat buffet, not a gourmet meal.

Red and white wine are included with the meal. Beer, Pepsi, orange and lemon Fanta, juice, bottled water, coffee, and tea are also available. Cocktails are not included, though you can buy them separately.

Anthony Quinn Bay: The Scenic Favorite

Anthony Quinn Bay is likely to be the visual highlight. The boat takes you to one of Rhodes’ most famous coastal spots, where the water is clear and calm in favorable conditions. You get another 50-minute swimming and snorkeling stop, with equipment supplied onboard.

This bay is especially good for people who want to see fish and rock formations below the surface without arranging a separate snorkeling trip. You can also skip the mask and simply swim, sit on a float, or enjoy the view from the boat.

The bay can be popular, so do not expect complete solitude. Its appeal comes from the color of the water and the dramatic setting, not from being an untouched secret. Several people rate this as their favorite stop, particularly when the sea is calm.

Getting back onto the boat may require some effort. One person found the boarding staircase a little short and wished it had an extra step or two. If you have limited mobility, ask the crew for help and consider this detail carefully before booking. The activity is listed as suitable for most people, but swimming from a boat and climbing a ladder are still part of the day.

Kallithea Springs: A Clear-Water Finale

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, where you have another 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The water here is described as especially clear, making it a fitting last stop before the return to Rhodes Town.

The schedule gives you three equal water breaks. That is fair for a half-day cruise, but it also means you need to manage your time. Fifteen minutes can disappear while you collect snorkeling gear, wait for a safe moment to enter, and climb back aboard. If swimming is your main reason for booking, go into the water promptly at each stop.

Some people have found the stops shorter in practice than expected, particularly when the boat is moving slowly or running late. Another account described the vessel as traveling at around five knots, leaving less time at the bays. Most bookings still found the day enjoyable, but this is not a speedboat tour built around covering large stretches of coast.

What the All-Inclusive Drinks Really Add

The included drinks are more useful than they may first sound. On a sunny boat day, water matters, and you do not have to keep reaching for your wallet every time you need a bottle. Beer and white or red wine are included, along with soft drinks, fruit juice, tea, and coffee.

The crew regularly offers drinks and checks that people are comfortable. That service is one of the strongest parts of the experience. It helps the cruise feel like a hosted day out rather than a simple boat transfer with swimming stops.

Still, drink responsibly. Unlimited alcohol can sound like the main attraction, but the sea, sun, and swimming are the real reasons to book. Cocktails cost extra, and flippers are not supplied, so bring or arrange those if you prefer them.

Towels are also not included. Pack your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a change of clothes. The boat has a shower, which is useful after swimming, but the supplied information does not specify how private or spacious it is.

The Crew Makes the Difference

Theodore is repeatedly praised by name, along with the rest of the crew. The service style is hands-on without being formal. Drinks are topped up, food is served, and the crew helps people feel included.

That human touch matters on a shared boat. The group may include families, couples, solo visitors, and cruise passengers, but the atmosphere often becomes social by the end. One account describes people knowing one another before returning to port, while another praises the staff for helping during a difficult moment in choppy water.

At the same time, one serious complaint raised concern about a host drinking during the trip. It is a single negative account among many positive ones, but safety and professional conduct matter on any boat excursion. I would not ignore it, even though the overall feedback on the crew is strongly favorable.

The provider has a 4.8 rating from 523 reviews, with 96 percent of people recommending the experience. That is a strong record, but it does not erase the need to check the weather, arrive early, and understand that the boat is designed for a relaxed pace.

Price and Value at $72.56

At $72.56 per person, this is good value if you plan to use the included food and drinks. You receive roughly five and a half hours on the water, three swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch, fruit, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, a restroom, shower, and return to the same meeting point.

Buying lunch and several drinks separately in Rhodes could quickly add up. The value is strongest for people who want a full half-day outing rather than a short boat ride. It is also useful for cruise passengers who want a shore activity with a stated return to the port area.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want maximum swimming time. A faster boat may reach more bays or let you spend longer in the water, though it may not include the same meal, seating, and relaxed service. This cruise sells comfort and an easy all-in-one day, not speed.

Private transportation is not included. You need to make your own way to Plateia Eleftherias. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the old city is within walking distance, but the tour does not collect you from your hotel.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with older children, friends, and cruise passengers who want swimming, food, and a social atmosphere in one package. It suits you if you prefer a traditional wooden boat and friendly hosting to a loud party boat or a fast, bare-bones excursion.

It also works well for people who want to snorkel without bringing every piece of equipment. The masks and snorkels are included, your bags stay on the boat, and you can return to the same harbor after the final stop.

You should think twice if you need step-free access, have difficulty climbing a short boat ladder, or want long, uninterrupted swimming sessions. It may also disappoint you if you expect a luxury lunch or a high-speed coastal tour.

Weather matters. The cruise requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

Should You Book the Rhodes Day Cruise?

Yes, if you want a friendly, good-value day on the water with three attractive swim stops, a satisfying Greek buffet, and drinks included. The crew, especially Theodore, appears to be the heart of the experience, and the wooden boat gives the outing more character than a basic harbor excursion.

Book it with realistic expectations. Arrive early, bring a towel and sunscreen, do not expect flippers, and understand that the 50-minute stops may feel short if swimming is your sole priority. If those limits suit you, this is an easy way to add sun, sea, and a taste of Greek hospitality to a Rhodes visit.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes day cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. It starts at 10:00 am and returns to the Royal Sailing Rhodes meeting point.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Royal Sailing Rhodes, Plateia Eleftherias, Rhodes 851 00, Greece. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Which places does the boat visit?

The cruise stops at Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs. Each swimming and snorkeling stop lasts about 50 minutes.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes chicken, rice, pasta, Greek salad, tzatziki, dolmadakia, olives, and bread. Red and white wine are also included with the meal.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks include beer, white and red wine, bottled water, Pepsi, orange and lemon Fanta, juice, coffee, and tea. Cocktails cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Masks and snorkels are provided. Flippers and towels are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For personal cancellations, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.