Sailing tour around Lindos with food and drinks

Lindos looks best from the water, and this sailing trip gives you more than a quick coastal cruise. You can help raise the mainsail and jib, take the wheel under Georgios’s guidance, and stop at quiet coves, caves, and clear swimming spots along the Rhodes coast. The boat carries up to 13 people, though the usual number is closer to 10.

I like the hands-on sailing and the generous food and drink package. A Greek lunch, salad, fruit, water, and selected beer, wine, prosecco, or soft drinks turn this into a full day out rather than a short boat ride. The clean yacht has bed-like cushions and a broad swim platform, two small touches that matter when you spend hours aboard.

The main caution is that the route depends on wind and sea conditions. Swim stops can change, and the engine may be needed when the wind is weak. Last-minute bookings made less than 12 hours before departure may also not include lunch.

Key things to know before you book

• You can steer the yacht: Georgios invites willing passengers to help with the sails and take the wheel under his direction.
• Swim stops are the heart of the trip: Plan on at least two, with possible stops at Red Sand, Agathi, Lindos Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, Navarone Bay, Stegna, Haraki, or nearby caves.
• The boat is small enough to feel personal: Maximum capacity is 13, with numbers often limited to around 10.
• Lunch is part of the value: Expect Greek food, salad, fruit, water, and drinks included according to the package you choose.
• The schedule is flexible: Choose from several departures and trip styles, including sailing-only options and afternoon cruises.
• Bring a towel and follow boat rules: You must arrive sand-free, keep walkways clear, return snorkel gear properly, and follow the skipper’s safety instructions.

Why this Lindos sailing trip feels different

Many boat outings around Lindos are built around a fixed route and a large passenger list. This one aims for a more personal feel. Georgios operates the yacht, explains what he is doing, and lets you participate if you want to learn. You can simply stretch out on the cushions, or get involved with raising the sails, trimming them, and steering.

That choice is important. If you want a quiet day with a book and a swim, you can relax. If the idea of handling a sailing yacht appeals to you, this gives you a rare chance to try it without signing up for a formal sailing course.

The group size helps, too. The yacht takes no more than 13 people, and the usual number is about 10. That is still a shared excursion, not a private charter, but it leaves more room to move around than a crowded party boat. The large rear swim platform makes getting into the water easier, while the cushioned deck gives you a comfortable place to dry off and watch the coast.

Boarding at Gin Tonic Lindos

The meeting point is the large jetty near Pallas Beach, with the starting location given as Gin Tonic Lindos. Check your booking details carefully so you know exactly where to board. Hotel pickup and return are not included, though transport can be arranged for an extra charge depending on where you are staying.

Bring a towel. You should arrive free of loose beach sand, since sand can clog equipment and make the yacht uncomfortable for everyone. Passenger names and passport or identity card numbers are requested under local safety rules, so have those details available when booking.

Once aboard, you will find snorkeling equipment, noodle-style floats, and a waterproof camera. The camera is a useful extra for people who want photos from the water, though you should still handle all equipment carefully and return it to the proper basket after use.

The standard 10 a.m. route

The main daytime itinerary leaves at 10 a.m. and follows a series of swim stops, sailing stretches, and lunch. Exact timing can change with the weather, but the basic rhythm is easy to understand: sail out, stop for a swim, move to another cove, eat aboard or near a sheltered stop, then return by way of Lindos.

Red Sand Beach

The first listed swim stop is Red Sand, about 40 minutes in the standard route. This gives you an early chance to snorkel and settle into the boat’s pace.

The attraction here is the contrast between the open sea and the colored shore. You are not simply looking at Red Sand from a road or viewpoint. You reach it by water, swim, and see the coast from a low angle. Snorkeling equipment and floats are provided, so you can choose between active swimming and an easy float.

Agathi Beach and its caves

The yacht then moves toward Agathi, with another planned swim and snorkeling stop. Some schedules use the Agathi caves, and the cave setting gives this stop a different feel from a regular beach visit. You may be able to swim through or around rocky openings, depending on conditions.

Do not treat the timetable as a guarantee of a particular cave route. The skipper sets the day’s stops around wind, sea state, and safe anchoring. The useful promise is a minimum of two swim stops, not a fixed list of every cove named in the schedule.

Lunch on board

Lunch is listed as Greek food with salad and fruit. Past experience on the trip has included a filling Greek dish such as pastitsio, alongside salad and fresh fruit. The meal is practical rather than formal, and that suits a day when you are moving between swimming stops.

Food matters here because a full sailing day can leave you hungry. You will spend time in the sun, swim several times, and may take part in raising the sails. Fruit is also available during the day, and bottled water is included.

If you book less than 12 hours before departure, lunch may not be available. This is the one food detail I would confirm before making a last-minute reservation.

Lindos Bay

The route typically allows another 40-minute swim stop at Lindos Bay. This is the point where you get the classic view back toward the Lindos coast, but from the sea rather than from the hilltop village.

The water stop also breaks up the return journey. After swimming, you may have time to sit on the stern platform, dry in the sun, or watch the skipper set the boat up for a sailing stretch around the bay.

The sailing itself, not just the stops

The best part for many people is the quiet movement under sail. When the wind cooperates, Georgios raises the mainsail and jib, and the yacht travels without the steady noise of the engine. You can sit on the swim platform with your feet near the water, listen to the wind, and watch the coastline pass at a slower pace.

Georgios may show you how to raise the sails, trim them, and steer. One passenger described being allowed to captain the boat back toward Lindos after receiving guidance. That does not mean you are left in charge. It means you can try the wheel while the skipper remains responsible for the yacht.

The engine is still part of the day. It may be used while anchoring, when looking for suitable wind, or when there is not enough wind to make reasonable progress. If you are booking this mainly for pure sailing, choose the sailing-only option when conditions look promising, but understand that wind cannot be ordered to match a timetable.

Other route choices and departure times

The operator offers several formats, with departures and durations ranging from roughly three to eight hours. The route selected for you depends on the package and weather.

The three-caves option focuses on Agathi, Stegna, and Lindos. This is a good choice if your priority is swimming in rocky coastal settings rather than covering a broad stretch of shoreline. The 9 a.m. itinerary can include Stegna Caves, Red Sand, Agathi Caves, Haraki, and Navarone Bay or the Blue Lagoon and St. Paul’s Bay.

The sailing-only format leaves at 10 a.m. and raises the sails soon after departure. This is the clearest option for anyone who cares more about time under sail than a long list of swim locations. Swim stops are still possible, but the day is shaped around using the wind.

The 4 p.m. departure gives you a shorter late-day outing. It leaves Lindos at 4, stops at Navarone Bay from about 4:30 to 5:15, sails toward St. Paul’s Bay, then allows a longer swim and snorkeling stop there before returning around 7 p.m. This option makes sense if you want a taste of sailing without giving up your entire day.

Because the departure times and routes vary, check the exact package before booking. A three-hour afternoon cruise is not the same experience as an eight-hour daytime outing.

Swimming, snorkeling, and what to bring

At least two swim stops are planned, and the longer options may include several. You will have access to masks and snorkeling equipment, plus noodle floats. The waterproof camera can help you capture the rocky coves and time in the water.

The sea conditions determine how easy the stops feel. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the boat and use the floats. The yacht has a large swim platform, but this is still an open-water activity, not a supervised pool. Never enter the sea while the boat is moving with the engine on.

A towel is the one item specifically requested. I would also pack sun protection and a cover-up, but the essential instruction is simple: bring your towel, keep sand off the boat, and return equipment when finished. If a mask or float is faulty, hand it back to Georgios for replacement rather than trying to fix it yourself.

Food, drinks, and extra-cost equipment

The $76 starting price is strong value if you choose a package with the full food and drink allowance. You are paying for a skipper, fuel, insurance, snorkeling equipment, lunch, fruit, and use of a yacht for several hours. Comparable short boat trips may cost less at first glance, but they often do not include a meal or a hands-on sailing experience.

The drinks included depend on the option booked. The package information allows for complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, with either a limit of four per person or unlimited drinks. Beer, wine, prosecco, soda, and bottled water are listed. Confirm which allowance applies to your selected booking rather than assuming unlimited alcohol.

The following extras cost more:

• Stand-up paddleboard: 30 euros per day
• Seascooter: 70 euros per battery cycle
• Fishing rods: 30 euros per day

None of these extras is needed for the core trip. The snorkeling gear and floats are already included, so I would only add equipment if you have a clear reason to use it.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this trip for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want a relaxed day with some activity built in. It works especially well for people who like the idea of trying the wheel or helping with sails, but do not want a formal lesson.

It also suits anyone who wants to see Lindos from a different angle. The coastline, sea caves, Red Sand, Lindos Bay, and St. Paul’s Bay become the day’s main sights, with time to swim rather than simply photograph them from a moving boat.

This is less suitable if you dislike open water, want a guaranteed fixed route, or expect a luxury yacht crew with multiple staff members. Georgios is effectively the skipper and host in one, so he works hard to sail, anchor, serve food, explain the boat, and keep everyone safe. The personal service is a strength, but it also means the pace depends on one person and the conditions.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 80. You should also be comfortable moving around a boat, using a swim platform, and following safety instructions.

Small details that make the day better

Keep the aft section clear during mooring. This is where the crew needs room to work, and it is also the main access point for swimming. Keep pathways free, place rubbish in the proper bins, and use the toilet correctly to avoid blockages.

Alcohol is included, but this is still a sailing boat with slippery surfaces and open water nearby. Drink sensibly and follow the skipper’s instructions. Throwing rubbish into the sea is prohibited, and cigarette damage to cushions or other careless damage may lead to a charge.

The cancellation terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful when your Lindos plans depend on the weather.

Should you book it?

Book this sailing trip if you want more than a sightseeing cruise. The strongest reasons are the small group, Georgios’s personal approach, the chance to steer, and the combination of swimming, Greek food, and sailing time. The package offers a lot for $76, especially on the longer daytime departures.

Think twice if you need a guaranteed list of beaches or a strict timetable. Wind and sea conditions can change the route, and the engine may replace sailing when necessary. For most people who want an easygoing day on the water with real participation, this is one of the better-value ways to experience the coast around Lindos.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

Board at the big jetty near Pallas Beach. The starting location is listed as Gin Tonic Lindos.

How many people can join the yacht?

The maximum is 13 passengers, though the group is typically limited to around 10.

What food and drinks are included?

Food includes a Greek lunch, salad, and fruit. Drinks can include prosecco, beer, wine, soft drinks, and bottled water, depending on the package. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks may be limited to four per person or offered without that limit, so check your selected option.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and noodle-style floats are included. A waterproof camera is also available.

Can I steer the boat?

Yes. Georgios may let passengers help raise and trim the sails and steer the yacht under his instruction.

What happens if the weather changes?

The skipper adjusts the swim stops and route to suit the conditions. At least two swim stops are planned, but the exact locations may change. The engine may be used when anchoring, seeking suitable wind, or when the wind is too weak for reasonable progress.