Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this six-hour catamaran cruise gives you a full day of clear bays, fish-filled shallows, and open-sea views without the work of planning several beach trips. You can choose a sailing catamaran or a powered boat, with a maximum of 24 passengers plus crew.

I like the hour-long swim stops, which give you time to snorkel instead of making you rush in and out. I also like the practical all-inclusive setup: Greek salads, chicken, hummus, feta, fresh fruit, cold drinks, and gear for the water are all handled for you. The main consideration is that the boats stay at anchor, so you must swim to shore, and this is not suitable for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points to know

• Three or four swimming bays: The sailing option visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. The power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Small by excursion-boat standards: Capacity is limited to 24 passengers plus crew, giving you more room than a large party boat.
• A proper buffet lunch: Expect grilled chicken, Greek and green salads, pasta salad, potatoes, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and local bread.
• Generous time in the water: Most stops last about an hour, with snorkels, life jackets, and floating noodles available.
• Two different boat styles: Sailing is quieter and more leisurely, while the power catamaran covers more ground and reaches Afandou Caves.
• Be early at Mandraki Harbor: Departure is at 10:00 AM, and missing the boat can mean a €25 rebooking fee.

A six-hour day along Rhodes’ east coast

The trip begins at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor. You should arrive before the 10:00 AM departure, not at the last minute. The harbor is easy to find, but an early arrival also gives you a better chance of choosing a comfortable place to sit.

The cruise then heads south along the east coast. The first sightseeing stretch lasts about 70 minutes, so the day begins with a fairly long period on the water before the first swim. That is useful if you want to settle into the boat, take photographs, and enjoy the coast from offshore.

The exact route depends on your boat and the weather. The sailing catamaran normally makes three swim stops. The power catamaran normally includes Afandou Beach and its caves, along with Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. The captain can change the order or replace a stop if sea conditions make it necessary.

Sailing catamaran or power catamaran?

The choice matters more than it may first appear.

The sailing catamaran is the better fit if you want a calm day with a relaxed pace. Its route focuses on Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. You spend less time trying to cover every possible stop and more time enjoying three main swimming areas.

The power catamaran is the practical choice if Afandou Caves are high on your list. It can add that stop, and the route includes four places according to the stated schedule. You will see more of the coast, though the day may feel a little more active because the boat is covering more ground.

Both options offer outdoor seating, an indoor toilet, an outdoor shower, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and floating pool noodles. The boats are described as clean and comfortable, with enough room to avoid feeling packed even when operating at capacity. Still, seating is not guaranteed to feel equally good for everyone, so arriving early is sensible if you care about a particular spot.

The cruise is limited to 24 passengers plus crew. That is not a private charter, but it is a manageable group size for a shared boat. It also helps explain why the price feels reasonable: you receive transport, food, drinks, equipment, and several hours at sea in one package.

Anthony Quinn Bay: your first swim

Anthony Quinn Bay is the first major stop, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The bay is known for its dramatic rocky edges and clear water, and it is one of the prettiest places on the route.

The crew may throw bread into the sea, which brings colorful fish close to swimmers. This makes the first snorkeling session especially easy for beginners. You do not need to be a strong snorkeler to see something here, though the fish are a bonus rather than a guarantee of a full reef experience.

The boat remains at anchor. You can swim toward the shore, but you do not simply walk off the catamaran onto a beach. That point is important for families, anyone nervous in open water, and anyone who cannot swim comfortably for a short distance. Life jackets and pool noodles are available, but you should still be honest about your swimming ability.

The hour gives you time to try the mask and snorkel, float, take photographs, or stay aboard. You are not forced into the water, which makes the cruise work for mixed groups where some people want to swim and others prefer the sun deck.

Ladiko Bay and the value of an unhurried stop

Ladiko Bay is usually the second swimming area, reached after a short cruise of around 10 minutes. It is a quieter setting than the busy harbor areas, with clear water and a sheltered feel that can make swimming more comfortable.

This is where the one-hour stop works well. You have enough time to swim, snorkel, return to the boat for a drink, and go back into the water without turning the stop into a race. Several people who tried the cruise more than once singled out the relaxed pace and the good balance between cruising and swimming.

Ladiko is also a useful place to simply float. The catamaran provides noodles and snorkeling gear, so you can enjoy the water without bringing a full kit of your own. Bring your own towel, though, along with sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses.

After the swimming, the crew serves lunch on board. The schedule places lunch around the middle of the day, and the food is more substantial than the usual packet of snacks found on short boat trips.

Lunch on board: simple Greek food that suits a day at sea

The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread. A breakfast tortilla snack is provided earlier, and a cup of seasonal fruit comes later in the day.

This is not a specialist food tour, and you should not expect an extensive menu of fish or multiple hot entrées. One passenger would have preferred a fish option. Still, the selection gives you enough choice for a filling lunch, including several vegetarian-friendly side dishes.

The food suits the setting. Cold salads, bread, dips, and chicken are easy to serve on a moving boat, and the buffet format lets you choose a small plate or a larger meal. Dietary needs may be accommodated if you tell the crew in advance. One crew member was specifically praised for helping with special food requirements.

Drinks are available throughout the day. Juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are included, while unlimited wine and beer are available from noon. The crew can stop serving alcohol if someone appears intoxicated, a sensible rule on a boat where swimming is part of the day.

Afandou Beach and caves on the power route

If you choose the power catamaran, Afandou Beach and its caves add another point of interest. The stop includes lunch, swimming, and snorkeling in the stated schedule, with around an hour allocated to it.

The caves give this option something the sailing route does not. You can see a different kind of coast, with rock formations and water-level scenery rather than only open bay swimming. The exact conditions and access can depend on the captain and the sea, so do not treat the caves as a guaranteed shore visit.

The added stop is useful for people who want variety. If you are mainly interested in long, quiet swims, the three-stop sailing plan may feel more relaxed. If you want to see as much of the east coast as possible in one day, the power route is the stronger choice.

Kallithea Springs: a final scenic swim

Kallithea Springs is the final major stop, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. It gives the day a change of mood, with a scenic bay and a lagoon area that can be reached by swimming.

Families may particularly enjoy this stop because the water access can feel playful and memorable. Children who are comfortable in the sea can use the noodles or life jackets, while adults can snorkel or remain on the boat.

The timing is slightly less fixed than the earlier one-hour stops. Your exact time may depend on the route, weather, and how the captain manages the day. After Kallithea, the boat makes the return trip to Mandraki Harbor, with about 45 minutes of sightseeing before arrival.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew is a major part of the experience. You receive safety instructions, route information, help with snorkeling equipment, and practical guidance about when to return to the boat. The crew also serves lunch and drinks, keeps the day moving, and can help take photographs.

Andreas is one of the crew members specifically associated with attentive service, and Hope has also been praised for being hospitable and willing to help. Dimitri is known for handing out drinks and offering to take photographs on the swimming stops. Crew names and assignments can vary, but the general service style is friendly and hands-on.

The team has also shown flexibility in difficult moments. On one rainy day, the captain waited out the weather and tried to add extra swimming time later. That does not mean bad weather will always be repaired with an extra stop, but it shows the captain has some room to adjust the schedule.

Is $83 good value?

At $83 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach a beach in Rhodes. You can visit many beaches independently for less if you are willing to arrange transport, bring your own food, and skip the time on the water.

The comparison changes once you count what is included. You receive a six-hour cruise, three or four coastal stops, lunch, breakfast snacks, fruit, unlimited soft drinks and water, wine and beer from noon, snorkeling equipment, flotation aids, and crew support. You also avoid the hassle of driving between beaches and finding parking during the busy season.

I consider the price fair for a full day on a clean, spacious catamaran. It is particularly good value if you plan to use the drinks, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. It is less attractive if you do not drink, dislike group excursions, or prefer to spend the whole day on one beach.

Weather, comfort, and practical limits

The east coast of Rhodes can be sunny and calm, but the captain still has to work around wind, rain, and sea conditions. The route and swimming stops can change. A rainy spell once lasted about 90 minutes, showing why you should bring a dry change of clothes and avoid treating the promotional route as an absolute promise.

The boat has an indoor toilet, but it may not always be as clean as you would hope during a full day at sea. This is a minor issue for many people, but it is worth knowing if you are sensitive to shared facilities.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Wear whatever you can manage comfortably on a boat, and keep valuables limited. The outdoor shower is useful after swimming, especially before lunch or the return cruise.

This activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. You need to board a boat, move around its decks, and swim from the anchored vessel if you want to reach the water or shore. Young children can enjoy it, and the crew is described as family-friendly, but parents should remain realistic about sea conditions and their children’s swimming ability.

The activity is conducted in English. It offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans are still shifting. In April, May, and October, a boat that does not reach its minimum number may be combined with another catamaran, with notice sent as soon as possible.

Who should book this Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want to combine scenery, swimming, lunch, and drinks in one easy day. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a gentle introduction to Rhodes from the sea.

Choose the sailing catamaran for a slower three-stop day. Choose the power boat if Afandou Caves and an extra coastal stop matter more to you. Arrive early for the 10:00 AM departure, and do not forget that the catamaran anchors offshore.

I would skip it if you need direct beach access, cannot swim, dislike shared boats, or want a quiet private charter. For everyone else, the combination of long swim stops, helpful crew, solid Greek food, and an all-in price makes this one of the more useful full-day sea trips from Rhodes.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise leave from?

Meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor.

What time does the cruise depart?

The catamarans depart at 10:00 AM. Arrive early because missing the departure can result in a €25 rebooking fee for another day.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts six hours, including sightseeing time, swimming stops, lunch, and the return to Mandraki Harbor.

How many people can join the cruise?

The catamarans carry a maximum of 24 passengers plus crew.

What is the difference between the sailing and power catamarans?

The sailing catamaran normally stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay. The power catamaran normally adds Afandou Beach and its caves.

Can I swim to the shore?

The boats stay at anchor in each bay. To reach the shore, you need to swim from the catamaran.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and floating pool noodles are provided.

What food is served?

The Mediterranean buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread. A tortilla snack and seasonal fruit are also included.

Which drinks are included?

Bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are included. Unlimited wine and beer are available from 12:00 PM.

Can the route change?

Yes. The captain can change the route or swimming stops according to weather conditions. In April, May, and October, the provider may also move you to another catamaran if a boat does not reach its minimum number of passengers.