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

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is simple: you spend a full day moving between beautiful bays instead of trying to choose just one. You swim from the catamaran, use the provided snorkel gear, and return to a plate of Greek food or a cold drink. The crew, including names such as Thanos and Vamos, adds a friendly, sociable feel.

I especially like the three separate swimming stops and the fact that lunch, snacks, coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails are included. The Greek BBQ, with souvlaki, salad, tzatziki, and bread, gives this more substance than a basic boat outing. The main drawback is comfort: the lower deck can feel plain, the upper deck gets very hot, and music plays for much of the day.

Key points before you book

• Three one-hour swim stops: Visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, and Traganou Beach, with time set aside for swimming at each.
• Food arrives throughout the cruise: Expect donuts and coffee, hot dogs, Greek BBQ, and waffles with chocolate sauce.
• Top-deck seating costs extra: Bean bags provide a more comfortable place to sunbathe, with some shade available.
• Snorkels, noodles, and life vests are available: You do not need to bring all your own swimming equipment.
• The atmosphere is lively: Music plays onboard, and the cruise suits people who enjoy a social day at sea.
• Allow time to find the check-in desk: Several booths operate around the pier, so arriving early helps avoid a rushed start.

Six hours between Rhodes bays

This is a full half-day on the water, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending back at the Rhodes Sea Lines meeting point at Mandraki Marina. Roughly three hours are spent moving between the harbor and the bays, while the other three hours are divided among the swimming stops.

That balance matters. You are not simply sitting on a boat looking at the coast. You get repeated chances to get into the sea, then time to dry off, eat, listen to music, and watch Rhodes slide past from the deck.

The maximum group size is 75 people, so this is not a private sailing. The boat can feel busy, especially around the food service and swimming equipment, but the length of the cruise gives people room to spread out at different points. If you want quiet and personal service, this is not the right format. If you want an easygoing day with food, drinks, music, and new company, it fits well.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the first swim

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star stop. The small bay is named after the actor who appeared in The Guns of Navarone and Zorba the Greek, with scenes from The Guns of Navarone filmed in the area. The setting is known for clear water and dramatic rocky edges, so it is a strong place to begin a day built around swimming.

You may be able to spot fish with the onboard masks and snorkels, though the underwater sights depend on water conditions and where the boat anchors. The supplied noodles and life vests are useful if you are not a confident swimmer. One especially thoughtful feature is that crew members keep an eye on people in the water and offer help when needed.

The stop lasts about an hour. That sounds generous, but it passes quickly once you have collected equipment, entered the sea, swum around, and climbed back aboard. Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel handy. You will not want to waste much of the stop changing.

Anthony Quinn Bay can also be the busiest-feeling stop because it is the most famous of the three. Its beauty makes the crowds understandable, but do not expect an empty cove or a peaceful private anchorage.

Kallithea Springs for a quieter hour

Kallithea Springs offers another attractive bay, with a calmer feel than Anthony Quinn Bay. The water is the main attraction here, and the hour gives you enough time for a relaxed swim rather than a quick dip.

The cruise plan may place Kallithea before or after Anthony Quinn Bay, depending on the day’s operation. Food service also runs on a schedule as the boat moves between stops, so do not worry if your first snack comes before the first swim or after it.

This is a good point in the day to use the snorkeling equipment. You might find clear water and fish, but the tour is not presented as a dedicated snorkeling trip. The main experience is swimming from the boat, with snorkeling as an added way to look around.

If you are anxious about getting into open water, start slowly. Crew members can help, and the available noodles and life vests make the water more approachable. You are not required to jump from the top deck. Some people enjoy jumping, but you can use the regular access point or simply remain aboard.

Traganou Beach and the sea caves

At Traganou Beach, the focus shifts from the open bay to the caves. The caves reach about 30 meters deep, and you have the chance to swim inside them, ending near a tiny beach.

This is the most unusual stop on the route. It gives the day a sense of discovery without requiring a long walk or a separate excursion. The cave swim also changes the rhythm of the trip after two open-water stops.

Take care with your energy here. Swimming into a cave is different from floating near the boat, and the water may feel more tiring after several hours in the sun. If you are not a strong swimmer, use a noodle or life vest and stay close to the crew’s instructions.

The exact order and naming of the final stop can vary in descriptions of the day. Some sailing details identify the third swimming area as Faliraki Bay, while the scheduled route names Traganou Beach. The practical point is the same: expect three swim opportunities, with one stop featuring sea caves.

Greek food from morning to afternoon

The food is one of the strongest reasons to compare this cruise with a cheaper sightseeing boat. You are fed at several points rather than receiving one small meal at midday.

The day begins with sweet donuts and coffee. Later comes a hot dog service, followed by the main Greek BBQ. Lunch includes meat skewers, usually souvlaki, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread. On the return journey, waffles with chocolate sauce provide a final sweet snack.

The BBQ is the heart of the meal. Chicken skewers, fresh salad, bread, and tzatziki make it feel like a proper lunch rather than a box of packaged food. Portions and timing can depend on the day, but the steady food service means you are unlikely to need a separate meal during the six-hour outing.

People with dietary needs should ask the operator before booking, since the supplied details do not list vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or gluten-free alternatives. The same applies to special drinks.

What unlimited drinks really means

Beer, wine, soft drinks, iced frappe, and cocktails are included. That is good value when you consider six hours at sea, especially on a hot Rhodes day when you will want water and other drinks regularly.

Keep your expectations sensible. The bar is not a premium cocktail lounge. The beer may be served from cans, the wine may be cask wine, and the cocktails are described as simple, juice-heavy drinks. For many people, that is perfectly fine. The benefit is having drinks available throughout the trip, not sampling a long list of carefully mixed spirits.

Drink water as well as alcohol. Swimming, sun, wind, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. The upper deck is particularly exposed, and one person became mildly overheated after sitting in direct sun for most of the cruise. Use the lower deck for a break, even if you paid for an upper-deck place.

Choosing between the lower deck and bean bags

The seating choice can shape your whole day. Standard seating is on the lower deck around tables and benches. It is more sheltered, but some people find it dull to remain there for the entire sailing.

An upper-deck bean bag is an extra purchase, not part of the basic price. It gives you a more comfortable place to lie back, and some bean bags have access to shade while others sit in full sun. Several people considered the upgrade worthwhile, especially for a six-hour cruise.

Do not assume the top deck is automatically better. It can become extremely hot, and shade may be limited. If you choose it, bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a cover-up. Use the lower deck when you need relief from the heat.

Arrive early and confirm how seating works at check-in. There have been reports of a disorganized boarding process, with people unsure where to queue and some shaded places going quickly. Booking ahead does not necessarily mean you should arrive at the last moment.

Music, crew, and the social mood

The crew is a major part of the experience. They serve food and drinks, explain safety points, help with swimming equipment, and keep watch around the boat. Crew members have also helped nervous swimmers enter the water at their own pace, checking on them afterward.

The tone is warm and playful. Birthdays have been celebrated onboard, and the crew may joke with people and encourage them to take part. This makes the trip easy for solo bookers and groups who want to meet others.

The tradeoff is noise. Music plays for much of the cruise, and some songs may include explicit lyrics. If you want a quiet sail with only the sound of the sea, choose another kind of boat trip. If you enjoy a party-like atmosphere, the music helps keep the day moving.

Is $78.60 a fair price?

At $78.60 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Rhodes coast, but it bundles a lot into six hours. You get the catamaran trip, three swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, a substantial Greek lunch, several snacks, and drinks throughout the day.

A basic boat outing may cost less, but you would then need to buy lunch, drinks, and perhaps equipment separately. The value here is strongest if you plan to use the food and drink service and expect to spend most of the day onboard.

The price does not include a hotel transfer unless you choose an available transfer option. If you do not select one, the operator says you can arrange transport by messaging through WhatsApp. The meeting point is Rhodes Sea Lines, at Plateia Eleftherias in Rhodes Town, and the boat returns there.

Public transportation is nearby. If you are coming from a cruise ship, the pier is described as roughly a 15-minute walk from the cruise dock, though you should allow extra time to locate the correct booth.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for you if you want a social day that combines swimming, scenery, food, and drinks without planning each part yourself. Families with older children, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people can all fit comfortably into the format.

It is especially suitable if you are not a strong swimmer but still want to enter the sea. Noodles, life vests, snorkels, and attentive crew support make the stops less intimidating. You still need to be comfortable around open water and able to follow safety instructions.

Think twice if you are prone to motion sickness. The boat spends about three hours moving between the harbor and bays, and the return journey can feel rough for some people. Bring suitable medication if you normally need it.

It is also a poor match for anyone seeking silence, shade all day, or a small private boat. The upper deck can be hot, the standard seats are functional rather than luxurious, and the music is part of the experience.

Booking details and cancellation

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, though swimming ability and comfort in open water still matter.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 10:00 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cruise depends on good weather and a minimum number of people. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book the Sun & Sea cruise?

Book it if you want value through convenience: three scenic swimming stops, a Greek BBQ, snacks, and drinks all handled in one six-hour outing. The friendly crew and safety support add real value, especially if someone in your group feels nervous about swimming.

Before paying, decide if you want the upper-deck bean bag and ask exactly where it will be. Arrive early at Mandraki Marina, bring sun protection and motion-sickness medication if needed, and expect music rather than quiet sailing.

I would recommend this cruise to anyone who sees a boat day as an active, social part of a Rhodes holiday. I would skip it only if you need a peaceful sail, a premium bar, or a private and uncrowded setting.

FAQ

How long is the Sun & Sea cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending back at the Rhodes Sea Lines meeting point.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Rhodes Sea Lines at Plateia Eleftherias, Rhodes 851 00, Greece, near Mandraki Marina.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point where the cruise begins.

What bays and beaches does the cruise visit?

The scheduled stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, and Traganou Beach. Some sailing details also identify the final swimming area as Faliraki Bay.

How long is each swimming stop?

Each listed stop is scheduled for about one hour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a Greek BBQ with meat skewers, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread.

What other food is provided?

The cruise includes sweet donuts and coffee, a hot dog service, and waffles with chocolate sauce on the way back.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are beer, wine, soft drinks, iced frappe, and cocktails.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and noodles and life vests are also available for use onboard.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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