Rhodes Exclusive Swim Cruise Cocktail Open bar & Gourmet Buffet

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the mix of beautiful swimming stops and a genuine party mood. You sail from Mandraki Harbour past the medieval city walls and the old Colossus site, then spend the day in clear water with snorkel gear, floaters, cocktails, and a freshly prepared buffet.

I like the limited capacity of 40 people, which helps avoid the packed-deck feeling common on coastal boat trips. I also like the practical extras: comfortable bean bags, shaded seating when available, life jackets, and food choices for vegan and gluten-free diets. The main thing to consider is the music. Captain Alexander and the crew often turn the cruise into a lively dance party, so this is not the right boat if you want six quiet hours at sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different swim stops: Kallithea Springs feels scenic and historic, Afandou gives you a long beach and caves, and Anthony Quinn Bay is the best spot for clear water and fish.
• A real open bar: Beer, wine, ouzo, cocktails, signature drinks, soft drinks, and water are included.
• Fresh Greek buffet: Expect dishes such as seafood, pasta, chicken, salad, bread, dips, and dessert, with vegan and gluten-free choices available.
• Comfortable, uncrowded setup: Seating is allocated on bean bags and sun benches, with a maximum of 40 people.
• Captain Alexander supplies the entertainment: Music and dancing are part of the experience, especially later in the cruise.
• Bring strong sun protection: You will spend much of the six hours outdoors, and the Aegean sun is not shy.

Setting out from Mandraki Harbour at 10 a.m.

The cruise begins at Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise in Mandraki Harbour, opposite the Bank of Greece. This is a useful starting point because Mandraki sits beside Rhodes Town, with the medieval old town close by.

As the boat leaves, you get a fine coastal view of the 7th-century medieval city walls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the water, the fortifications read as one long stone edge above the harbor. It is one of the best early photo opportunities, so keep your phone ready instead of packing it away immediately.

The route also passes the harbor entrance linked by legend to the Colossus of Rhodes. The giant statue of the sun god was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but there is no proof that it actually stood astride the harbor entrance. The cruise presents the story as part of the view, which is the right way to enjoy it: as a colorful legend rather than settled fact.

Mandraki itself has plenty to look at. Two Venetian-era columns carry statues of a Rhodian stag and doe, while the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos guards the opposite side. Three medieval windmills complete the scene. The harbor began as one of ancient Rhodes’ five ports and was once the naval harbor, known as the small harbor beside the larger commercial port.

Kallithea Springs for a first swim

The first main stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat remains for about an hour. You can swim from the boat and, if you wish, visit the spring area from the sea without paying an admission charge for that access.

Kallithea is more than a pretty cove. Reddish water once rose from rock formations in the Gulf of Kallithea, and the springs were valued for their healing properties in ancient times. The site later gained its distinctive Italian-designed buildings. Pietro Lombardi designed the main structures, while Armando Burnaby handled decorative work with care for the natural setting. A hydrological conference held here drew more than 200 scientists, adding another layer to the site’s story.

For you, the practical appeal is simple: this is an easy first swim in a scenic setting. You can use the boat’s snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets. The water may look inviting enough for confident swimmers, but the safety gear makes the stop friendlier for anyone who is less comfortable in open water.

The one-hour stop is long enough for a swim and a little exploring, but not long enough for a full visit to every part of the springs complex. If the historic buildings are your main reason for coming, a land visit would give you more time. On this cruise, Kallithea works best as a morning swim with a cultural backdrop.

Passing Faliraki and the Rhodes coast

After the first swim, the boat continues along the coast and passes Faliraki. The resort town is known for a long beach, clear water, nightlife, and a strong holiday atmosphere.

You will not be stopping for a town tour here, so treat this section as a moving coastal view. It helps you see how quickly Rhodes shifts from medieval fortifications to resort beaches. If you want nightlife or a land-based beach day in Faliraki, plan that separately.

The cruise is not presented as a sightseeing lecture from start to finish. One person seated on the upper deck found it hard to hear the commentary, so if you want the historical details, stay near the crew when information is being shared. The main focus is swimming, food, drinks, and the scenery.

Afandou Beach and its caves

Afandou is the second main stop, with more than an hour to enjoy the area. Its beach stretches for about six kilometers and is known for clear water, pebbles, and the nearby golf course. The beach is a different experience from the tighter coves later in the day.

The name Afandou comes from the Greek word for invisible. Coastal residents moved inland after repeated attacks by pirates and invading forces, choosing a settlement that was hidden from ships at sea. The area also has tombs, monument remains, and temple foundations. Even the pebbles have a local connection: they were used in the sidewalks of Rhodes Old Town.

The boat’s mention of caves is important. You can spend the stop swimming and exploring around the rocky edges, rather than simply sitting on board. Snorkeling gear is available, though the water and seabed here feel different from Anthony Quinn Bay.

Lunch is served back on board after this stop. That timing works well. You can swim first, dry off, and then sit down for a proper meal instead of trying to eat while wet and sandy on a beach.

The Greek buffet and open bar

The meal is one of the strongest reasons this cruise offers good value at $107.63 per person. You are paying for roughly six hours, three water stops, equipment, seating, a buffet, snacks, and drinks. Comparable boat outings can charge separately for food or limit drinks, so the all-inclusive format matters here.

The menu is described as a Greek gourmet buffet prepared by the onboard chef. Food served on different sailings has included mussels, prawn pasta, chicken, salad, bread, tzatziki, shrimp spaghetti, spanakorizo, dakos, and a brownie-style dessert with sauce. The exact dishes can change, but you should expect a broad Mediterranean spread rather than a basic sandwich lunch.

The dakos deserves a note. It is a Cretan dish made with a barley rusk, tomato, cheese, oregano, capers, and olive oil. The rusk is meant to be firm, so it is not stale bread. Vegan and gluten-free choices are also included, though you should tell the crew about your needs when you board so you can identify the suitable dishes.

The open bar is genuinely central to the cruise. You can expect local beer, wine, ouzo, water, soft drinks, and a selection of preset cocktails and signature drinks. Some drinks are kept cold in onboard coolers, while the bar serves mixed drinks.

Do not expect a specialist cocktail program with every spirit and custom recipe. One assessment found the cocktail choices somewhat limited and the alcohol light. That is a fair expectation to set: this is an open bar for a day cruise, not a cocktail lounge. If you enjoy a beer, glass of wine, ouzo, or easy mixed drink while looking at the coast, the arrangement works well.

Ladikos and Anthony Quinn Bay

The route also takes in Ladikos, a small bay behind Anthony Quinn Bay. The name relates to oil storage and shipping. In earlier times, ships used the area to load olive oil for Egypt and the Middle East, and local fishermen later found clay containers linked to shipwrecks in the area.

Today Ladikos is known for its caves and water activities. The stop adds another look at the coast, with rocky surroundings rather than a long open beach. The exact time spent here can depend on the day’s route and conditions, so treat it as part of the coastal sightseeing rather than a separate guaranteed hour-long landing.

The third main stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, and this is likely to be the highlight for anyone who loves snorkeling. High rocks surround the small bay, and the water is deep and clear. Small fish gather around swimmers, making the supplied masks and snorkels especially useful.

The bay received its name after Mexican actor Anthony Quinn filmed The Guns of Navarone in Rhodes during the 1960s. Quinn admired the place and tried to buy it, but the agreement was never completed. The Greek courts later ruled that it could not be enforced, yet the local name remained.

This is also the stop where the party mood can reach full speed. Swimmers may receive cold beers from a floating cooler, and some people jump from the top deck into the water. You do not have to join in. Life jackets and floaters are available, and you can simply swim, snorkel, or remain on the boat.

What the atmosphere is really like

The Romantika is designed for comfort, but comfort here comes with music. The boat has two decks, spacious seating, bean bags, sun benches, and double loungers. Seating is allocated, and the restricted number of people helps prevent the crowding found on many popular swim cruises.

The crew’s energy is a major part of the day. Captain Alexander is known for dancing, including playful performances that can get people up from their sunbeds. The playlist leans toward a fun holiday setting, and the atmosphere can shift from relaxed background music to a full dance session when the group is in the mood.

That is good news if you want an outgoing social day. It is less good if you want to read, nap, or have a quiet conversation with the person beside you. Music volume can make conversation difficult, particularly on the upper deck. I would book this for fun, swimming, and easy social energy, not for silent sailing.

The crew also receives strong praise for keeping drinks moving, helping people find comfortable seating, and paying attention to safety. The captain’s performance is entertaining, but the boat’s real value comes from the combination of service, space, food, and swimming access.

Is six hours and $107.63 good value?

For Rhodes, the price is reasonable if you will use most of what is included. Three swimming areas alone would make this a useful day on the water, and the buffet plus open bar removes the need to buy lunch and drinks separately.

The limited passenger count matters more than it may first appear. A cheaper boat packed with people can mean a fight for deck space, crowded swim ladders, and little room to stretch out. Here, the maximum of 40 people and allocated seating give you a better chance of having a proper place to sit throughout the trip.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, and families who want one organized day with food, drinks, swimming, and music. It is less compelling if you dislike alcohol-centered outings, prefer a guided history tour, or want long periods on shore. Hotel pickup is not included in the listed price and is available only as an optional extra, so you need to reach Mandraki Harbour yourself unless you arrange a transfer.

Book ahead if your dates are fixed. The cruise is often reserved about 30 days in advance, and its 4.8 rating from 1,230 reviews, along with a 96 percent recommendation rate, suggests strong demand.

Who should book this Rhodes cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a social day at sea with plenty included. It suits confident swimmers, first-time snorkelers, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who likes a captain who treats the boat as both a swim platform and a small party venue.

Families can make good use of the life jackets and floaters, though parents should judge the music and open-water setting for their children. Non-swimmers can still enjoy the views, food, and deck space, but the main reason to book is the water.

I would choose another outing if your top priority is quiet sailing, a serious cultural commentary, or extensive time ashore. Also remember that this is a weather-dependent trip. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can accept another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time.

Should you book the Romantika swim cruise?

Yes, if you want Rhodes in a relaxed but lively package. You get the city walls from the water, three distinct coastal stops, useful swimming gear, a full buffet, and an open bar for about six hours. The boat’s space and 40-person limit add real value.

Just set your expectations correctly. Captain Alexander’s dancing, lively music, and flowing drinks are part of the point. If that sounds like your kind of day, this is one of the better ways to spend a sunny stretch of your Rhodes holiday. If you want peace and quiet, choose a smaller sailing designed around silence rather than a fun-loving swim cruise.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes swim cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise in Mandraki Harbour, opposite the Bank of Greece in Rhodes Town.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The main stops are Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. The route also includes views of Ladikos and a pass by Faliraki.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Greek buffet is included, with vegan and gluten-free choices available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes cocktails, signature cocktails, wine, beer, ouzo, water, soft drinks, aperitifs, and snacks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available for use during the cruise.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 40 people, with allocated seating on bean bags and sun benches.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.