Rhodes: Cruise with 3 Stops, Lunch and Unlimited Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the easy mix of three beautiful swim stops and a full lunch on the boat. You sail from Mandraki Harbor to Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs, with about 50 minutes at each place for swimming, snorkeling, or simply drying off in the sun.

I like the friendly, attentive crew, especially host Theodore, and the fact that drinks keep coming without you reaching for your wallet. I also like the old wooden boat, which gives the day more character than a plain motor launch. The main catch is sun exposure: shade can be limited, so bring sunscreen and arrive early if you want one of the best seats.

Key points to know before you book

• Three swim stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs each offer a different setting for swimming and snorkeling.
• Lunch is included: You get a Greek-style buffet with vegetarian choices, fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks.
• Theodore and the crew: The English-speaking team is warm, attentive, and involved throughout the day.
• Traditional wooden boat: The boat has a relaxed, photogenic feel, with room to sunbathe and a shower on board.
• Arrive early for the best spot: The front pads offer excellent views, while shade may be limited.
• Good value at $70: The price covers the cruise, food, drinks, equipment, and all three stops, but cocktails cost extra.

A half-day sail along Rhodes’ calmer east coast

This is a leisurely five-and-a-half-hour boat day from Rhodes Town. You meet the Royal Sailing Rhodes team next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, then board near Mandraki Harbor.

The trip is built around simple pleasures: sun, salt water, cold drinks, easy music, and pretty coves. You are not racing from one sight to another. The boat takes about an hour to reach the first stop, giving you time to settle into the wooden deck and watch Rhodes recede behind you.

The experience is led in English. Theodore is named repeatedly as a warm and attentive host, and the wider crew keeps the day moving without making it feel stiff or over-planned. You can expect drinks to be offered throughout the cruise, with wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea included in the price.

The boat has free WiFi, though the real reason to come is to put your phone away for a while. Bring it back out for the scenery. The older wooden boat photographs well, and its traditional style gives the outing a more relaxed character than a large, modern excursion vessel.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the prettiest first swim

After roughly an hour of sailing, the boat reaches Anthony Quinn Bay. The stop lasts about 50 minutes, enough time to swim, snorkel, take photos, and enjoy an aperitif or drink before moving on.

The bay is known for emerald-green water and thick green vegetation around the rocky shore. From the boat, the setting is especially attractive because you see the cove from the water rather than from a crowded roadside viewpoint.

This is a boat-based stop, so you should be ready to get into the sea from the vessel. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the clear water gives you a chance to look for marine life close to the rocks. You can also stay aboard and enjoy the view if swimming is not your main goal.

I would treat this as the most scenic stop, but not necessarily the easiest place for everyone. Rocky bays can be less comfortable for people who prefer a sandy entrance, and the time passes quickly once you have taken photos, found equipment, and settled into the water.

The crew provides support and keeps the stop organized. Floats have also been available on trips, which can help less confident swimmers, though you should still bring your own sense of caution. The sea is the main attraction here, not a long visit on land.

Afandou Beach: the longest stop and lunch break

The boat makes a short crossing of about ten minutes to Afandou Beach. This is the longest part of the outing, with around 110 minutes set aside for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and free time.

Afandou is a useful change of pace after the rocky scenery of Anthony Quinn Bay. You can swim from the boat, relax on the quieter beach, or take part in the water activities listed for the stop, including kayaking. If you prefer not to spend the whole day in the sea, this is the point where you have the most room to slow down.

Lunch is served aboard as a buffet. The food includes local flavors and vegetarian dishes, with fruit as part of the meal. Wine, beer, and soft drinks are included, so you do not need to buy a separate drink package or pack a lunch.

The meal has been one of the strongest parts of the experience. Portions are described as generous, and the food has received plenty of praise for taste and freshness. One useful point of balance: not everyone will find it as traditionally Greek as they hoped. If you are expecting gyros or souvlaki, the menu may feel more like a broad buffet than a focused regional meal.

That said, lunch works well for a boat day. You can eat, refill your drink, and return to the water without losing time to a restaurant stop. Vegetarian choices also make the meal easier for mixed groups.

The boat’s shower is useful after swimming, especially before lunch or the return sail. Towels are not included, so bring one. A towel also gives you something to sit on if you plan to spend much of the day on the deck.

Kallithea Springs: a rocky cove for the final swim

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, reached after about an hour of sailing from Afandou. You get another 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling before the boat turns back toward Rhodes Town.

Here, the water sits in a long, clear-blue inlet bordered by rocks and ladders leading down to the sea. The ladders make the swimming area feel different from the open beach setting at Afandou, and the clear water is well suited to a final look beneath the surface.

Kallithea is a good last stop because it gives you one more chance to swim before the return trip. You can use the provided snorkeling gear, take photos from the boat, or simply sit with a drink and enjoy the rocky cove.

The stop is not a long visit to the historic spa complex itself. This experience focuses on the water and the coastal setting, so book it for swimming rather than for an in-depth visit to Kallithea Springs on land.

Once the 50 minutes are up, you settle in for the return to Mandraki Harbor. The return journey is part of the charm, but it can feel long if you have had enough sun. This is another reason to pace yourself early instead of treating every stop like a race.

What the $70 price really covers

At $70 per person, this is a solid value if you want a complete half-day on the water rather than a bare sightseeing cruise. The price includes the wooden-boat trip, three swim stops, snorkeling equipment, buffet lunch, fruit, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, tea, onboard WiFi, and a shower.

The drinks matter more than they might at first seem. You are in the sun for hours, and having water and soft drinks available throughout the day is practical. Beer and wine also help create the relaxed holiday atmosphere, especially during lunch.

Cocktails are not included. The provider offers them for separate purchase, so do not assume the phrase unlimited drinks covers the cocktail menu. The included package is already generous, but this distinction is worth knowing before you board.

You are also saving the time and cost of arranging separate visits to three coastal spots. A private boat would offer more control, but it would cost far more. A large party boat might be cheaper, but this wooden-boat format gives the day a more personal feel.

Group size can vary. One outing had about 18 people and felt close to a small charter, while another was sold out but still had enough space for people to move around. Arriving early is the safest move if you care about seating.

Finding a comfortable place on the boat

The boat is spacious enough for sunbathing, but seating choice matters. The front pads are popular because they offer a clear view ahead and a good position for photographs. If you want one of those spots, arrive before boarding becomes busy.

Shade may be limited. One of the few consistent criticisms is that more cover from the sun would improve the experience. You should bring high-factor sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a towel, then take breaks from direct sun when you can.

The deck can be a social place, especially with drinks and music, but you are not forced into constant activity. You can swim at every stop, use snorkeling gear, try the listed water activities at Afandou, or stay on board and watch the coves.

The sea can also become choppy. The route follows the calmer east coast of Rhodes, but calm is not guaranteed. If you are prone to seasickness, sit near the middle of the boat, watch the horizon, and avoid overdoing drinks before the boat reaches open water.

The crew’s attentiveness is a real advantage here. Theodore and the team have been praised for checking on people who felt unwell and for keeping the mood friendly without being overbearing.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes cruise most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and friends who want a full day on the sea without arranging every detail themselves. It is also a good choice if you want swimming to be the main event, with lunch and drinks built around it.

Children can enjoy the stops, floats, and simple boat atmosphere, though adults should supervise them around the water and ladders. The cruise suits confident swimmers, casual swimmers, and non-swimmers, since you can remain on deck instead of entering the sea.

It is less suitable if you want a quiet luxury yacht, a serious snorkeling expedition, or a long cultural visit at each destination. The focus is relaxation and fun, not expert marine instruction or detailed history.

You should also think about the timing. Each swim stop lasts about 50 minutes, which is enough for a good swim but not enough for a slow, unhurried beach afternoon. The 110-minute Afandou stop gives you the most breathing room.

Practical details that make the day easier

Meet the Royal Sailing Rhodes team next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks. The listed meeting desk is easy to identify as Royal Sailing Rhodes.

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours and runs in the morning, with exact start times depending on availability. The guide language is English. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve while paying later if that option is offered at booking.

Pack swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Add a hat, sunglasses, and a dry bag if you have one. Towels are not provided, but snorkeling gear and a first aid kit are available on board.

There is no need to pack lunch or a large supply of drinks. Fruit, wine, beer, and soft drinks are included. Bring extra money only if you want cocktails or other personal purchases.

Should you book this boat trip?

Book it if you want good value, three attractive swim stops, friendly service, and a generous food-and-drink package in one half-day. The traditional wooden boat, the clear water, and the easy rhythm make this a strong choice for a relaxed day on Rhodes.

Skip it if you dislike sun exposure, boat movement, or shared excursions. The shade can be limited, the sea may turn choppy, and the swim stops are timed rather than completely flexible.

For most people, the $70 price is justified by the combination of lunch, unlimited included drinks, snorkeling equipment, and three coastal stops. Arrive early for a better seat, bring your towel, and pace yourself in the sun. That small bit of planning should leave you free to enjoy the water and let Theodore’s crew handle the rest.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes cruise depart from?

Meet next to Evangelismos Church, opposite Starbucks, at the Royal Sailing Rhodes desk near Mandraki Harbor.

How long does the boat trip last?

The cruise lasts 5.5 hours, including the sailing time, three stops, lunch, and the return to Rhodes Town.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The boat stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch with vegetarian options is included, along with fruit.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included. Cocktails are available for an additional charge.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included for the swim stops.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own towel along with swimwear and sunscreen.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide and tour information are provided in English.