Rhodes: Full Day East Coast Bay to Bay Boat Trip with Lunch

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star of this full-day Rhodes boat trip, but the real appeal is the variety. You swim in four famous spots along the east coast, from a rocky emerald cove to a long sandy beach and a cave reached from the water.

I like the generous two-hour stop at Tsambika and the included Greek buffet. I also like the simple transport plan, with pickup from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki. The main drawback is the large boat, which carries up to 280 people, so this is a social outing rather than a quiet sail.

Key points to know

• Four swimming stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Caves, and Kallithea Bay give you different coastal settings in one day.
• Two hours at Tsambika: This is the longest stop, with time for swimming, sun, and lunch.
• Greek buffet included: Expect moussaka, Greek salad, tzatziki, pasta, potatoes, beans, meatballs, beef steaks, and chicken.
• Large three-deck boat: There is a snack bar and toilet aboard, but drinks and snacks cost extra.
• Early start: Pickup runs roughly from 7:30 to 8:15 AM, with the boat leaving Mandraki Port at 9:00 AM.
• Good value at $68: Transport, the boat trip, and lunch are included, making the price reasonable for a full day on the coast.

Four famous bays in one long Rhodes day

This outing gives you a practical way to see much of Rhodes’ east coast from the water. Instead of arranging separate visits to Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika, Afandou, and Kallithea, you reach all four by boat and spend the day swimming between scenic stops.

The day lasts about eight to nine hours. That sounds long, but the schedule is broken into short cruises and swimming periods, with the longest pause at Tsambika. You can swim at every stop, relax on deck, or simply enjoy the coastline from the boat.

The price is $68 per person. For that, you receive transport from several resort areas, the boat ride, and lunch. You still need to buy drinks and snacks, but the included meal makes this better value than a boat trip where food is sold separately.

Getting from your hotel to Mandraki Port

If you select pickup, the service covers Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki. Pickup is scheduled between 7:30 and 8:15 AM, although your exact time depends on your accommodation. Be ready at least five minutes early, since the precise pickup details are sent separately by Manos Going.

If you make your own way to the port, meet the Manos Going staff member at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue. The meeting point is in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation, also called Evaggelismos Church.

Arrive around 8:30 AM. Look for the red Manos Going sign. You will show your booking confirmation, receive boarding cards, and get a map with information about the day.

The boat leaves at 9:00 AM. At the end of the trip, you return to the meeting point. If you used a transfer, the bus waits in the parking area in front of Rhodes Town Hall, where you will find the red Manos Going buses.

The boat ride and views from the water

The boat has three decks, a snack bar, and a toilet. With room for up to 280 people, it is built for a large group. That gives you plenty of company and facilities, but you should not expect a small yacht or a peaceful private cruise.

The first hour is spent cruising toward the east coast. From the water, you get broad views of Rhodes’ medieval town and the island’s coastline. This early stretch also gives you time to settle in, choose a place on deck, and get ready for the first swim.

I would bring a towel you can keep close, sunscreen, and a swimsuit worn under your clothes. Pool noodles and life jackets are available for small children, although the activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Drinks and snacks are sold at the onboard snack bar. Since the day begins early and includes several swims, buying a drink aboard may be useful. Lunch is included, but beverages are not.

Anthony Quinn Bay: a short swim in emerald water

The first swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most recognizable coves on Rhodes’ east coast. You get about 30 minutes here, so treat it as a quick swim rather than a full beach visit.

The bay is sheltered by rocky cliffs, with clear emerald water close to shore. The stop is especially appealing if you enjoy looking beneath the surface. Native fish, sea urchins, and coral formations are found in the water, so bring a mask if you have one, although a mask is not listed among the included items.

The short stop forces you to move quickly. You will not have much time for a long swim, extended sunbathing, or a leisurely walk on the shore. Still, the compact visit works well as an introduction to the coast and lets you see one of Rhodes’ most famous bays without spending the entire day in one place.

Afterward, the boat cruises for about 30 minutes toward Tsambika Bay.

Tsambika Bay: the day’s main swimming stop

Tsambika is the heart of the day. You spend two hours here, giving you enough time to swim, relax, and reach the long sandy beach. Tsambika Beach stretches for about 800 meters and has fine golden sand, a sharp contrast to the rocky coves visited elsewhere.

This is the stop where you can slow down. Swim directly from the boat, head toward the beach, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. The two-hour window matters because it leaves room for different energy levels. You can swim hard, take a break, and return to the water without feeling rushed.

Lunch is served aboard the boat during this stop. The buffet includes tzatziki, Greek salad, oven-baked potatoes, moussaka, pasta with red sauce, beans, beef steaks, chicken, vegetables, and meatballs. It is a substantial Greek-style meal after the morning swims, though drinks remain an extra purchase.

You should expect a busy lunch period because everyone is eating at roughly the same time. The advantage is convenience: you do not need to leave the boat searching for food, and you can get back to the water after eating.

Tsambika is also the easiest stop for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while anyone who mainly wants sun and scenery can stay on deck or walk toward the beach.

Afandou Caves: a rocky stop from the water

The next stop is Afandou, where the coast becomes rocky again. You have about 30 minutes to swim and explore an outstanding cave directly from the water.

This is not a land-based cave visit. The point is to reach the cave while swimming from the boat, so you need to be comfortable in open water. If you prefer not to swim far, you can stay near the boat or relax aboard, but the cave itself is best suited to confident swimmers.

The short timing keeps the day moving, though it also limits how long you can explore. Afandou works as a change of pace after the long Tsambika stop. Instead of a broad sandy beach, you get a more enclosed rocky setting and a clear objective for the swim.

Kallithea Bay: a final, easy-going swim

Kallithea Bay is the last swimming stop. You have about 20 minutes for a final swim or time on the boat before the return cruise.

Because it comes late in the day, this stop is less about fitting in another major beach visit and more about ending with a calm break. You can use it for one last swim, sit in the sun, or simply watch the coast before heading back toward Rhodes.

The short duration is worth noting. If you prefer longer swims, the main opportunities are Anthony Quinn Bay for scenery, Tsambika for time, and Afandou for the cave. Kallithea is a brief final stop.

The boat then cruises for roughly 30 minutes before the return transfer. The planned arrival back in Rhodes is around 5:00 PM.

What lunch and the onboard setup mean for you

A meal included in the ticket makes the day easier to manage. You do not need to pack a full lunch or interrupt the beach schedule to find a restaurant. The buffet also gives you a taste of familiar Greek dishes, with enough variety for a hearty meal after swimming.

You should still carry some spending money. Drinks and snacks are not part of the price and can be bought at the snack bar. Water, a cold drink, or a small snack may be useful during the long day, especially before lunch.

The three-deck design gives you choices. You can look for a sunny place, find a shaded area if available, or move around during the cruise. The boat’s size also means the experience can feel crowded at popular moments, especially when people board, eat, or line up for facilities.

This is a good setup if you want a straightforward day at sea with basic comforts. It is less suitable if your idea of a boat trip means quiet service, personal attention, or a small group.

How the $68 price compares with the day you get

At $68, the trip offers solid value for a full day. You receive transport in selected areas, a boat ride of about eight to nine hours, four swimming stops, and a buffet lunch. The number of stops is the main reason the price works well.

The cost covers a lot of coastline in one outing. You avoid paying for separate transport to each bay, and you do not need to plan where to eat at Tsambika. The four-stop format also gives you variety, which is useful if this is your main coastal day on Rhodes.

The tradeoff is scale. A boat for up to 280 people cannot offer the quiet feel of a small charter. You are paying for access, transport, food, and a full schedule, not exclusivity.

Private groups are available if you want a different arrangement, but the supplied details do not give a separate private-group price or explain how the schedule changes. Check those terms before booking.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would recommend this trip if you want to swim in Rhodes’ best-known east coast bays without renting a car or organizing several transfers. It suits couples, families with small children who can swim with support, and groups who enjoy a lively day with plenty of time on the water.

It also works well if you like variety. Anthony Quinn Bay offers marine life and cliffs, Tsambika gives you a long sandy beach and the main lunch break, Afandou adds a cave, and Kallithea finishes the day with a short swim.

You should think twice if you dislike large groups, need long quiet stretches, or want to spend most of the day on one beach. The schedule is fixed, several swim stops are short, and the boat carries many people.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or non-swimmers. The supplied information also recommends bringing swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, so plan this as an active day rather than a sightseeing cruise only.

Practical booking advice for a smoother day

Book only if you can handle an early morning. Pickup may begin at 7:30 AM, and even those meeting at the port should arrive around 8:30 AM for boarding cards and instructions.

Check your email and spam folder for the exact pickup place and time from Manos Going. The activity start time shown at booking is not necessarily your hotel pickup time.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans are still shifting.

The tour has a rating of 4.6 from 35 ratings, which fits the nature of the experience: a well-organized day built around scenery, swimming, food, and transport. Its strongest appeal is the amount you cover in one day, not luxury or privacy.

Should you book the Rhodes bay-to-bay boat trip?

Book it if you want four famous swimming spots, an included Greek lunch, and an easy transport plan for $68. The long Tsambika stop gives the day breathing room, while the shorter visits to Anthony Quinn, Afandou, and Kallithea keep the coast varied.

Skip it if a 280-person boat sounds tiring or if you want a quiet, private cruise. For most visitors who want an affordable full-day taste of Rhodes from the water, this is a practical choice. Bring sunscreen, allow for extra spending on drinks, and expect a busy but well-filled day.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes boat trip last?

The activity lasts about eight to nine hours. The planned schedule leaves Rhodes at 9:00 AM and returns at about 5:00 PM.

Where does the boat trip start?

The meeting point is at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation, also called Evaggelismos Church.

What time should I arrive at Mandraki Port?

You can arrive at 8:30 AM. Look for a Manos Going staff member with a red sign and bring your booking confirmation.

Is hotel pickup included?

Transportation is included from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki when you select the pickup option. Pickup is scheduled between 7:30 and 8:15 AM, with the exact time depending on your accommodation.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Beach and its cave, and Kallithea Bay.

How much time do I get at each swimming stop?

You get about 30 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, two hours at Tsambika, 30 minutes at Afandou, and 20 minutes at Kallithea.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes dishes such as tzatziki, Greek salad, oven-baked potatoes, moussaka, pasta with red sauce, beans, beef steaks, chicken, vegetables, and meatballs.

Are drinks included with lunch?

No. Drinks and snacks are available to buy at the snack bar aboard the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Pool noodles and life jackets are available for small children.

Is the activity suitable for everyone?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or non-swimmers. Private groups are available as an option.