Rhodes: Gulet Trip with Food, Drinks, SUP, Kayak & Swimming

The best part of this Rhodes boat trip is the two-hour stop at Fun Island in Ladiko Bay. The floating platforms, sofas, kayaks, SUP boards, and snorkeling gear turn a pretty cove into a relaxed water playground, while the traditional wooden gulet gives the day more character than a basic motorboat ride. Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea Springs add two very different coastal stops.

I like the generous food and drink arrangement: a homemade Greek lunch, fruit, water, soft drinks, and local wine are included in the $78 price. I also like the friendly crew, with Nikos and Stephanos singled out for attentive service, helpful advice, and a good atmosphere onboard. The main drawback is that the boat can fill quickly, so arrive about an hour early if you want a prime sunbed. Beer, cocktails, coffee, and slushies cost extra.

Key points

• Fun Island is the main attraction: Two hours of kayaking, SUP, snorkeling, swimming, and lounging on floating sofas.
• Three water stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs break up the sailing with time to cool off.
• A proper Greek lunch is included: Expect salad, fruit, and traditional dishes, with a vegan option available on request.
• Wine and soft drinks are unlimited: Beer and cocktails are not included, so budget a little extra if you want them.
• Arrive early for outdoor seating: The best sunbeds and deck positions are usually claimed well before departure.
• Good value for an active six-hour day: The price covers the boat, food, drinks, equipment, and all swimming stops.

A wooden gulet from Mandraki Port

You meet El Greco opposite Eleftherias Square in Rhodes Town’s Mandraki Port. Look for the traditional wooden gulet, a vessel with more charm than the usual modern excursion boat. The open decks and sunbeds make the boat itself part of the experience, not just transport between swimming spots.

The sailing portion lasts much of the day, with about an hour and a half at the start before the first major stop. That gives you time to settle in, take photographs of the eastern coastline, and choose your preferred place to sit. The boat offers sunbeds and other seating, but the best outdoor spots go early.

I would arrive around an hour before departure if you care about lying in the sun. Arriving 35 to 45 minutes early may still work, but arriving only 20 to 25 minutes before departure can leave you with an indoor chair and table rather than a deck bed. That matters on a six-hour trip, especially on a hot day.

The crew keeps the mood easygoing, with music playing during the cruise and drinks available throughout the day. Service is one of the strongest parts of the trip. Nikos and Stephanos are among the crew members praised for being especially friendly and helpful, and the staff generally keep an eye on passengers without making the trip feel formal.

Sailing the eastern coast of Rhodes

The opening cruise is a chance to enjoy the coast from the water rather than rush from one beach to another by road. You can photograph rocky coves, clear water, and the shoreline around Faliraki and Kallithea as the boat heads south.

This part of the trip is scenic, but it is also the least active. If you want constant swimming or watersports, the first stretch may feel long. I see it as useful breathing space before the stops begin. Find a comfortable place, apply sunscreen, and let the boat do the work.

Morning treats are included, along with water, soft drinks, and wine. You are not allowed to bring your own food or drinks, so plan to use the onboard service. Beer, cocktails, slushies, and coffee are available only at an additional charge, based on the practical details provided for the trip.

Anthony Quinn Bay and its green water

The first swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, for about 40 minutes. This is one of Rhodes’ most recognizable coves, framed by low rocky slopes and green vegetation. The setting is especially attractive from the water, where the bay’s emerald color becomes the star of the stop.

You can swim, snorkel, take photographs, or simply cool off. The water is the reason to come here, but the short stop means you should move promptly if you want both a swim and time for pictures.

Anthony Quinn Bay is not the place for a long, lazy afternoon. Forty minutes passes quickly, and the bay can feel busy during the main summer season. Still, as a first swim, it works well. The water gives you an early chance to cool down, and the scenery makes the boat ride feel worthwhile before reaching the main activity stop.

Two hours at Fun Island in Ladiko Bay

Ladiko Bay is the heart of the excursion. The boat reaches a floating area known as Fun Island, accessible to this cruise, where you spend about two hours. This extended stop gives you enough time to try several activities instead of choosing only one.

The equipment is included:

• Stand-up paddleboards
• Kayaks
• Snorkeling gear
• Floating sofas and platforms
• Swimming noodles

You can paddle around the cove, snorkel near the boat, or sit on the floating sofas with a cold drink. The setup is especially useful for mixed groups. Active members of your family can take a kayak or SUP board, while others can remain on the platform or sunbathe on the gulet.

You do not need advanced watersports skills to enjoy this section. The point is casual fun, not a guided athletic session. If you have never tried SUP, this is a forgiving place to give it a go, though the sea and wind can affect how easy it feels. One practical tip from the supplied comments is to ask for the fins when using snorkeling equipment, since they may not be handed out automatically.

The long stop also helps the day feel less rushed. You can swim, dry off, eat lunch, and return to the water without watching the clock every few minutes. The crew may also show you coastal caves, adding a small exploratory touch to the outing.

The main limitation is capacity. The boat is popular, and on a busy sailing the floating area, food service, and equipment can feel crowded. The gear is generally available, but you may need to wait briefly or share space. Arriving early will not change the number of people at Fun Island, but it does improve your position on the boat between activities.

Greek lunch, fruit, wine, and soft drinks

Lunch is served onboard during the Ladiko stop. The meal includes traditional Greek dishes, Greek salad, seasonal fruit, and unlimited soft drinks and wine. The food described includes chicken, gigantes beans in sauce, stuffed tomatoes and peppers with rice, salad, bread, and similar home-style fare.

This is not a restaurant tasting menu. It is a generous boat lunch designed to feed you after swimming. Portions are described as substantial, and the meal is a strong part of the value for anyone who likes familiar Greek food.

The vegan option is available, but you may need to ask for it rather than expect it to arrive automatically. The plant-based plate has been described as simpler, with vegetables, bread, and tzatziki. If you are vegan, bring your dietary needs to the crew’s attention early. You cannot bring outside food, so this is worth sorting out before lunch begins.

Food taste is personal, and not every dish will suit every eater. If you are a picky eater, the meal may be less appealing than the boat activities. For most people, though, the included lunch and open service of water, soft drinks, and wine make the $78 fare feel fair.

Beer is not part of the included drinks. That is easy to overlook when the trip is advertised with unlimited beverages, so remember that the included alcohol is wine. Cocktails, coffee, slushies, and beer require extra payment.

Kallithea Springs and the final swim

The return route includes a stop at Kallithea Springs for about 30 minutes. The site is known for its elegant architecture and the meeting of built structures with the sea. This stop is shorter and more visual than the long Ladiko visit.

You can take photographs, swim, snorkel, and enjoy local snacks before the boat heads back toward Rhodes Town. The architecture gives you a change of mood after the open water and floating platforms. Instead of another purely recreational cove, you get a place with a more polished coastal setting.

Thirty minutes is enough for a quick look and swim, but not enough for a detailed visit. Think of it as a scenic final stop rather than a full cultural excursion. If you want to focus on the architecture, take photographs early, then use the remaining time for the water.

The final sailing lasts about 45 minutes before returning to El Greco’s meeting point in Mandraki Port. After a full day in the sun, the ride back is a good time to dry off, have one last soft drink, and enjoy the coastline from the deck.

What the $78 price really covers

At $78 per person, this is a solid value if you plan to use the included features. A simple boat ride might cost less, but this price also covers a six-hour cruise, three swimming stops, a Greek lunch, fresh fruit, unlimited wine and soft drinks, and the use of kayaks, SUP boards, snorkeling gear, floating platforms, and sofas.

The value is strongest for families and groups with different interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddle, and someone else can stay on the deck with a glass of wine. You are paying for a full day of access rather than a short transfer to one bay.

The calculation changes if you do not drink wine, skip lunch, and have no interest in watersports. You may still enjoy the scenery and swimming, but a lower-cost sightseeing cruise could suit you better. Also remember to allow extra money for beer, cocktails, slushies, and coffee.

The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also be comfortable moving between the vessel, the water, and floating equipment. Bring a towel, swimwear, hat, and plenty of sunscreen. A waterproof phone pouch would be sensible for photographs, though it is not listed as a required item.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes cruise most?

I would recommend this trip to families with older children, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a social day on the water without arranging separate equipment rentals. Children, teenagers, and adults can all find something to do, although anyone who dislikes swimming or open-deck boat time may feel less enthusiastic.

It works particularly well for people staying in Rhodes Town, since the departure point is at Mandraki Port and the trip returns to the same place. The English and Greek-speaking crew can assist with the activities and onboard service.

This is also a good choice if you want a relaxed pace. The schedule includes long sailing sections, generous time at Ladiko, and several chances to get wet. You are not sprinting from one attraction to the next.

I would be more cautious if you need a quiet, uncrowded boat or a carefully designed vegetarian menu. The trip can be busy, and the food is traditional and practical rather than tailored to every preference. The best approach is to arrive early, ask about the vegan meal as soon as you board, and accept that the boat’s appeal comes from its lively shared atmosphere.

Should you book the El Greco gulet trip?

Book it if you want a full six-hour Rhodes outing with swimming, food, drinks, and simple watersports all bundled together. The strongest reasons are the two-hour Fun Island stop, the friendly crew, the attractive bays, and the amount included for $78.

Skip it if you want a small private boat, a quiet atmosphere, or a serious food-focused excursion. Also think twice if you are not comfortable with busy shared facilities or if you require wheelchair access.

For most visitors who want an easy day at sea, this is a sensible choice. Arrive about an hour early for a good deck spot, ask for snorkeling fins and any special meal needs, and save a little money for a beer or cocktail if wine is not your drink. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans are still moving around.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes gulet trip start?

You meet the boat opposite Eleftherias Square in Mandraki Port. Look for the traditional wooden gulet named El Greco.

How long does the boat trip last?

The excursion lasts six hours and returns to the same meeting point in Mandraki Port.

What swimming stops are included?

The trip includes about 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, two hours at Fun Island in Ladiko Bay, and about 30 minutes at Kallithea Springs.

Are kayaking, SUP, and snorkeling included?

Yes. Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, snorkeling gear, floating sofas, and platforms are included in the activity.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A traditional Greek lunch is served onboard, along with seasonal fruit and morning treats.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited soft drinks, water, and wine are included. Beer, cocktails, slushies, and coffee are not included.

Is there a vegan meal option?

Yes. Lunch is suitable for vegans and non-vegans, but you should ask the crew about the vegan option when you board.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a sun hat. You cannot bring your own food or drinks onboard.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.