Faliraki: Yellow Sub Cruise to Anthony Quinn Bay & the Caves

The best part of this yellow semi-submarine cruise is that it gives you two holidays in one: a relaxed boat ride along the Rhodes coast and a chance to look below the surface through the underwater cabin. I like the 40-minute swim at Anthony Quinn Bay, where the crew feeds the fish, and I like the 25-minute stop at Traganou Caves, where you can swim into the rock formations.

The unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks make the $51 price easier to swallow, especially in the hot Rhodes sun. The main thing to consider is that the boat does not take you ashore at Anthony Quinn Bay, so you swim from the boat rather than wander onto the beach. If you want a quiet sightseeing cruise, the lively swim stops and open bar may feel a bit busy.

The best parts of the cruise at a glance

• Fish feeding at Anthony Quinn Bay: The crew brings fish close to the underwater cabin, giving you a better look than a standard glass-bottom boat ride.
• Swimming inside Traganou Caves: The 25-minute stop lets you enter the caves by water, a memorable touch for confident swimmers.
• Two useful swim breaks: A 40-minute stop at Anthony Quinn Bay and a 25-minute stop at the caves give the trip a good balance.
• Unlimited drinks on board: Beer, water, and soft drinks are available from the fridge throughout the cruise.
• Air-conditioned underwater cabin: This is a welcome escape from the midday heat and helps families stay comfortable.
• Easy Faliraki beach pickup: A tender boat collects you from the red steps at several beach points near major hotels and Faliraki Harbor.

What this three-hour Rhodes cruise is really like

This is not a long sailing voyage or a formal sightseeing tour. It is a compact coastal outing built around swimming, fish watching, cold drinks, and the novelty of sitting below the waterline.

You board the yellow boat from the beach rather than from a conventional pier. A small tender collects you from the red steps at your chosen Faliraki pickup point and carries you out to the semi-submarine. That transfer is part of the fun, but you should be ready to wade or step into a tender from the beach.

The cruise lasts about three hours. That makes it easy to fit into a beach holiday, even if you do not want to lose a full day to a boat trip. You get enough time on the water to feel you have gone somewhere, but not so much that young children are likely to lose patience.

The crew, including Captain Mike, keeps the mood informal and friendly. This is a social boat rather than a silent nature outing. Music, conversation, drinks, and swimming are likely to be as important as the sightseeing.

The underwater cabin and the fish at Anthony Quinn Bay

The underwater cabin is the feature that separates this trip from a basic boat ride. Large glass windows below the waterline let you watch the sea from inside the vessel. You stay dry, out of the strongest sun, and still get a view of the marine life.

The most exciting viewing takes place at Anthony Quinn Bay. The crew feeds the fish, which brings a large number close to the boat. You might see schools gathering around the windows, and the enclosed cabin gives children a clear way to watch without needing to snorkel.

This is not a full marine biology program, and visibility will depend on the weather and the water. Still, the fish feeding gives you something specific to watch rather than simply hoping a fish passes by. The underwater cabin also provides a useful break from the heat. One especially practical detail is air conditioning inside, which can matter on a bright summer afternoon.

You can also snorkel or swim during the stop. Snorkeling equipment was provided during at least some departures described by passengers, but the supplied activity details do not clearly promise equipment for every booking. If snorkeling gear matters to you, confirm it before paying or bring your own.

Why Anthony Quinn Bay gets the longer swim stop

Anthony Quinn Bay receives about 40 minutes, making it the main swimming stop. The water is clear, the rocky setting is dramatic, and the fish gathering near the boat gives you a reason to spend time both in the water and below deck.

You will not be walking onto the famous beach during this stop. The boat remains offshore, so your experience is based on swimming, snorkeling, and looking back at the bay from the water. That is worth knowing if you were hoping to photograph the beach up close or settle on the sand.

The stop suits confident swimmers best, though the boat trip also works for people who prefer to remain aboard. Families can split their time between the underwater cabin and the swimming area. Parents should note that the activity information does not specify life jackets, ladders, or other swimming arrangements, so ask the crew if you need details for small children.

The fish feeding can create a lively scene around the boat. It is a highlight for many people, but it also means the experience is designed for spectacle rather than a quiet encounter with untouched sea life. If you like seeing plenty of fish at close range, this is a plus. If you prefer low-impact wildlife watching, you may feel less enthusiastic about the feeding.

Swimming into the Traganou Caves

The stop at Traganou Caves lasts about 25 minutes. It is shorter than the Anthony Quinn Bay stop, but it adds a different kind of experience. Instead of watching fish gather around the boat, you swim toward the rock formations and can enter the caves themselves.

This is the more active stop. You need to be comfortable in open water and able to swim toward the cave entrance. The caves are not simply scenery viewed from the deck. Their appeal comes from getting into the water and passing inside the formations.

The time goes quickly, especially if several people want to swim through the same area. You may prefer to spend the first few minutes looking around from the boat, then use the rest of the stop for a swim. Bring a secure way to handle sunglasses, cameras, and phones, since the activity is centered on being in the water.

The cave stop also helps balance the trip. Anthony Quinn Bay supplies the fish and snorkeling interest, while Traganou gives you a short coastal adventure. Together, the stops feel more varied than two ordinary swimming breaks.

What you get from the open bar

The open bar includes unlimited ice-cold beer, water, and soft drinks. There is no food included, so eat before boarding or plan a meal after returning to Faliraki.

The drinks are not a minor extra. Three hours in the Rhodes sun can make refreshments expensive if purchased separately, and the cold drinks help make the cruise feel like a proper holiday outing. The self-serve fridge also keeps things simple. You can help yourself instead of waiting for table service.

Beer is available, but you should still pace yourself. Swimming, hot weather, and alcohol are not a good mix when combined carelessly. Water and soft drinks are included, so use them generously, especially before and after the swim stops.

The bar also makes this a better fit for adults and mixed-age groups. Children can have soft drinks while adults enjoy beer, and everyone has something available during the cruise. Just remember that the boat does not include lunch, snacks, or a full meal.

Is the $51 price good value?

At $51 per person, this trip offers reasonable value if you plan to use all of its main features. You receive a three-hour boat excursion, underwater viewing, two swimming stops, and unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks. A simple boat ride with drinks can quickly approach this price, while the fish feeding and cave swim add extra interest.

The value is strongest for people who want an active half-day rather than a slow cruise. You are paying for several small experiences packed into one outing: the tender transfer, coastal views, underwater cabin, fish feeding, two swims, and the open bar.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike swimming from a boat, or mainly want to sit quietly and look at the coast. In that case, you may not use enough of what is included to justify the fare.

Prices can also vary by booking channel. One passenger found a cheaper rate by booking directly at the harbor than through an online seller. That does not guarantee the same price on your dates, but it is worth checking the Rhodes Sea Lines departure point if you are already nearby.

Pickup points, departure times, and practical planning

Pickup takes place from the red steps on the beach at several points in Faliraki. The listed locations include Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor, with the activity information also referring to several designated beach stops.

The published pickup times are:

• Amada Colossos beach: 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 3:30 PM
• Esperides and Calypso Hotel beach: 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, and 3:40 PM
• Apollo Hotel and Faliraki Harbor: 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, and 3:55 PM

Arrive early enough to find the red steps and wait at the water’s edge. The boat is yellow, but the tender transfer is the key detail. Do not wait for a large coach or search for a standard harbor ticket booth if you are boarding from a hotel beach.

Your chosen pickup point affects the actual time on the main boat. The later pickup points have slightly later collection times, but the total activity is still listed as three hours. If you are staying outside Faliraki, allow extra time to reach the beach. One passenger coming from the cruise terminal paid about 20 euros for a taxi, while a local bus was cheaper but took more planning.

The host language is English. The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later, useful if your Rhodes schedule is still changing.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would choose this cruise for families who want a manageable three-hour outing. The two swimming stops are short enough to keep the day moving, and the underwater cabin gives children something to do even if they do not want to swim. The air conditioning is another practical benefit during hot weather.

It also suits couples and groups of friends who want drinks, swimming, and good coastal scenery without committing to a full-day excursion. The open bar gives the cruise a relaxed holiday feel, while the caves provide a little adventure.

Swimmers will get the most from the trip. The key attractions are not only viewed from the deck. You are encouraged to get into the water at both stops, and the caves are best experienced by swimming inside.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking a quiet, highly educational nature trip. The crew speaks English, but the focus is enjoyment rather than detailed marine commentary. The fish feeding, open bar, and social atmosphere point to a fun outing, not a scientific survey of Rhodes’ sea life.

A few things to bring and remember

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. You will have two swim stops, and the boat transfer from the beach means you should avoid carrying anything you cannot keep dry.

Use a waterproof case for your phone and keep loose items secure. There is no food included, so have breakfast or carry any permitted snack you need before the cruise. The supplied details do not specify a meal service.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, but keep them secure around the water. Drink plenty of water even though beer is available. If you have small children, ask the crew about swimming support and the safest way to enter and leave the water before the first stop.

Should you book the yellow semi-submarine cruise?

Book it if you want a lively, good-value half-day with two swim stops, cold drinks, and an unusual underwater view. Anthony Quinn Bay is the main attraction, while Traganou Caves gives the trip its more adventurous edge.

The strongest reason to choose this tour is the combination. A standard glass-bottom boat may show you fish, but this cruise adds a long swim at one of Rhodes’ best-known bays, a cave swim, and an open bar. At $51, that is a fair package for a three-hour outing.

Skip it if your priority is a quiet boat ride, a beach landing, or a long day of sightseeing on land. For everyone else, especially families and groups staying in Faliraki, this is an easy way to put a little sea adventure into a beach holiday.

FAQ

How long does the yellow semi-submarine cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the semi-submarine cruise, a 40-minute swim stop at Anthony Quinn Bay, a 25-minute swim stop at Traganou Caves, and an open bar with beer, water, and soft drinks.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included.

How long is the swim stop at Anthony Quinn Bay?

The swim stop at Anthony Quinn Bay lasts 40 minutes.

How long is the stop at Traganou Caves?

The stop at Traganou Caves lasts 25 minutes, and you can swim inside the rock formations.

What drinks are available?

Unlimited ice-cold beer, water, and soft drinks are available on board.

Where do I board the boat?

A tender boat collects you from the red steps on the beach at a designated pickup point in Faliraki. Pickup points include beaches near Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor.

What language does the host speak?

The host or greeter speaks English.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.