Review · SAILING

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes – 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE

★ 4.5 · 220 reviews 6 hours (approx.) From $107 Operated by Catamaran Cruises Rhodes · Bookable on Viator
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Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this cruise gives you a full day of swimming without the feel of a crowded party boat. You spend roughly an hour at each stop, with crystal-clear coves, a shaded catamaran, and plenty of time to cool off.

I especially like the small group limit of 25 and the fact that lunch, fruit, beer, wine, and soft drinks are included. The crew, including people named Theo, Andreas, and Hope, has been praised for warm, attentive service. The main drawback is that snorkeling is more about swimming in beautiful water than seeing a busy underwater world, and a broken ladder on one boat made getting in and out slower.

Key points to know before booking

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - Key points to know before booking

  • Three named swimming stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs each get about an hour.
  • A proper six-hour outing: The cruise starts at 10:00 a.m. and returns to Mandraki port.
  • Food is part of the deal: You receive a small breakfast item, a filling lunch, fresh fruit, and drinks.
  • Not a party boat: Music is played, but the mood is mainly relaxed and social.
  • Useful onboard comforts: Snorkeling gear, life jackets, floating noodles, shade, and a restroom are available.
  • Good cruise-port option: Mandraki port is about a 15-minute walk from the cruise ship area, according to one account.

A relaxed way to see Rhodes from the sea

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - A relaxed way to see Rhodes from the sea

At $107.68 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Rhodes. It is, however, a fairly easy value calculation. You get about six hours on the water, three scheduled swim stops, breakfast, lunch, snacks, fruit, nonalcoholic drinks, beer, wine, snorkeling equipment, and a restroom.

I would compare it with the cost of arranging separate transport to several beaches, buying lunch and drinks, and renting or carrying your own swim gear. The price makes more sense if you want a complete day rather than simply a short boat ride.

The boat holds no more than 25 people, which matters. You are not signing up for a giant excursion vessel where every swim stop turns into a queue. The group is still large enough to feel social, but small enough that the crew can keep an eye on the boat and help with food, drinks, and water access.

The cruise is also a good match for a day in port. It begins at 10:00 a.m. at Mandraki port and ends at the same place. If you are arriving on a cruise ship, the walk is reported to be around 15 minutes, though you should still allow extra time to find the exact meeting point and return to your ship.

Leaving Mandraki port at 10:00 a.m.

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - Leaving Mandraki port at 10:00 a.m.

The day starts at Catamaran Cruises Rhodes at Mandraki port. Once aboard, you can expect seating in both sun and shade. That mix is useful in Rhodes, where six hours outside can become tiring even on a pleasant day.

The cruise is designed around swimming rather than nonstop sightseeing. You will see the Rhodes coastline from the water, but the main point is to stop in attractive coves, get in the sea, and enjoy a slow day aboard the catamaran.

A small breakfast item is served early in the trip. One account describes it as a breakfast wrap. Water and soft drinks are available, and the atmosphere includes music, mostly calm tracks with a few livelier choices. This helps set the tone: social and cheerful, but not a floating nightclub.

You should expect a practical boat rather than a luxury yacht. The catamaran has a restroom, seating, shade, and room to move around. It is described as clean and comfortable, with floating noodles and life jackets available if you want extra support in the water.

Anthony Quinn Bay: your first hour in the water

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - Anthony Quinn Bay: your first hour in the water

The first listed stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, where you have about 60 minutes to swim. The bay is one of the most scenic places on this route, with clear water and rocky edges that make it attractive for a first swim.

This stop gives you time to settle into the day. You can swim, float, use the available snorkeling equipment, or simply stay aboard and enjoy the view. The crew may offer help with equipment and access to the water, but you should be prepared for a boat swim rather than a sandy beach visit.

That distinction matters. You are not being dropped at a beach with shops, changing rooms, or a promenade. You enter the sea from the catamaran, then climb back aboard using a ladder. A previous problem with one rear ladder left only one usable ladder for a period of time, which caused delays when many people wanted to get in or out. The issue may not apply to every departure, but it is worth knowing if you have limited mobility or dislike ladder access.

The water can also feel cool, even in warm weather. Bring a towel, use sunscreen, and keep a dry layer handy for the ride between stops.

Afandou Beach and a Greek lunch

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - Afandou Beach and a Greek lunch

The second stop is Afandou Beach, with about an hour for swimming and lunch. This is the practical center of the day. After your first swim, you can eat without losing time looking for a beach café.

Lunch is described as a generous spread with chicken, salads, sauces, bread, and fresh fruit. It is not a formal restaurant meal, but it sounds more substantial than the snack-style food served on many boat trips. Beer, wine, water, and soft drinks are included, making the meal part of the package rather than an extra expense.

I like the timing. A swim before lunch wakes you up, and a meal in the middle of the cruise gives you a break from the water. You can eat, sit in the shade, and enjoy the coastline before the final swimming stop.

The one limitation is that the listed schedule gives Afandou one hour for both swimming and lunch. If you want a leisurely meal and a long swim, that may feel tight. Keep an eye on the crew’s timing so you do not spend the entire stop at the buffet and miss your chance to get in the water.

Kallithea Springs and the final swim

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - Kallithea Springs and the final swim

The final named stop is Kallithea Springs, also scheduled for about 60 minutes. This is another chance to swim in clear water, but the area may also offer small rocky sections and cave-like places to explore near the water.

A cave visit is mentioned in the feedback, with a warning that the rocks can be slippery. Take that seriously. Water shoes would be useful if you have them, though they are not listed as included. Move slowly on wet rock, use the provided ladder where possible, and do not treat the cave area like a paved attraction.

The final stop can feel short if you want to swim, snorkel, float, and explore the rocks. One account wished for more time, especially at the last stop. That is a fair criticism of any six-hour cruise with several planned stops: every hour sounds generous until you include boarding, lunch, and moving between areas.

Some descriptions of the day refer to four swimming locations, while the formal route names three stops. The exact number may vary by conditions or the captain’s plan. The dependable expectation is three named stops, each with roughly an hour in the water.

What the snorkeling is really like

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - What the snorkeling is really like

Snorkeling equipment is available, which is a useful inclusion if you do not want to pack your own mask and snorkel. The water is repeatedly described as clear, and fish may be visible near the boat, especially when bread is placed in the water.

Still, you should set realistic expectations. This is not a dedicated marine-life trip, and the swimming spots may not have much to see beneath the surface on a given day. You are booking this for clear Mediterranean water, swimming, floating, and coastal scenery first. Snorkeling is an added pleasure, not the central attraction.

There is also a hygiene point to consider. The equipment is rinsed between uses, but it is not necessarily sanitized between every person. Antibacterial soap is available at a sink area, so you can wash the mouthpiece yourself if that matters to you. If you prefer complete control over hygiene, bring your own mask and snorkel.

Food, drinks, shade, and the onboard mood

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - Food, drinks, shade, and the onboard mood

The all-inclusive wording is useful here because it covers more than a basic lunch. You receive a breakfast item, lunch, fruit, water, soft drinks, beer, and wine. That reduces the small costs that add up on a day at sea.

The food is simple but filling. Expect a casual spread rather than a plated meal. Chicken, salads, sauces, bread, and fruit give you enough choice for a midday meal, and the help-yourself drink setup keeps the day easy.

The boat offers both sun and shade, so you can choose based on the weather and your energy. I would not stay in full sun for six hours. Shade is especially valuable after swimming, when wet skin can make the heat feel stronger.

The mood is generally relaxed. Music plays during the day, with a mix of calm songs and a few party tracks. You may find some people chatting over drinks, but this is not presented as a booze cruise. That makes it a better choice for families, couples, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a pleasant day at sea without loud party games.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

Catamaran Cruises Rhodes - 6 Hours Day Cruise ALL INCLUSIVE - Who will enjoy this cruise most

This cruise suits you if you want swimming to be the main activity and prefer a ready-made day with food and drinks included. Families with older children and teenagers should find plenty to do, especially if they enjoy snorkeling and floating. The boat has life jackets and noodles, but you should still be comfortable with sea access from a ladder.

It also works well for solo visitors. The crew has been described as welcoming and attentive, and the group size is small enough to make conversation possible without feeling anonymous.

Cruise ship passengers are another strong match. The port location, 10:00 a.m. start, and return to the same meeting point simplify the day. Still, check your ship’s all-aboard time carefully. The tour lasts about six hours, and you need time to walk back, pass security, and return to the ship.

I would be more cautious about booking it for anyone who cannot comfortably climb a boat ladder or swim from open water. The tour is not described as having a beach transfer or an accessible water-entry system. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the physical nature of the stops remains important.

Weather, cancellation, and what to bring

The cruise depends on good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light cover-up. A waterproof phone case is sensible if you want pictures from the boat or near the water. Water shoes could help around slippery rocks, especially near the cave area at Kallithea Springs.

Do not assume the water will feel warm simply because Rhodes is hot. One account found it refreshing but cold. That is normal for a sea-swimming day, but it is useful to know before you step down the ladder.

Should you book Catamaran Cruises Rhodes?

I would book this cruise if you want a calm, well-organized day on the water with several swim stops and food already handled. The strongest reasons are the small group, clean catamaran, helpful crew, good lunch, included beer and wine, and the chance to see several parts of the Rhodes coast without arranging transport.

I would skip it if your main goal is serious snorkeling, a private boat, or long stretches of quiet sailing with no schedule. The stops are timed, the snorkeling can be modest, and the boat is shared with up to 25 people.

For most families, couples, solo visitors, and cruise ship passengers, the package offers solid value at $107.68. Book it for swimming, scenery, and an easy social day, not for a luxury yacht experience or a major underwater adventure.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Catamaran Cruises Rhodes at Mandraki port, Rhodes 851 00, Greece.

What time does the cruise begin?

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

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point.

Which swimming stops are included?

The listed stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Springs. Each stop is scheduled for about one hour.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Breakfast, lunch, fruit, soft drinks, beer, and wine are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is available to use during the cruise. Life jackets and floating noodles are also available.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes the cruise to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the start time.

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Somewhere to begin the week

A port, a ruin or a mountain road.