Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes is at its best from the water. This six-hour catamaran cruise strings together the island’s prettiest east-coast bays, giving you long swim stops instead of quick photo pauses. You can choose a sailing catamaran for a quieter ride or a power catamaran for an extra stop at Afandou Caves.

I like the generous swimming time, usually about an hour at each main stop, and the small-capacity setup of no more than 24 passengers plus crew. I also like the simple value: a buffet lunch, fruit, breakfast snack, soft drinks, water, wine, and beer are included in the $83 price.

The main thing to know is that the catamaran stays at anchor. You swim from the boat to shore rather than walking onto a beach, so this is not a good fit if you have limited mobility or dislike getting into open water.

Key points to know before you book

• Choose your boat carefully: The sailing catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. The power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Swimming is the heart of the day: Most stops allow about 45 to 60 minutes in clear water, with snorkeling gear, noodles, and life jackets available.
• Lunch is a proper buffet: Expect grilled chicken, salads, hummus, tzatziki, aubergine salad, olives, feta, bread, fruit, and drinks.
• The group stays fairly small: A maximum of 24 passengers helps the boat feel spacious, even when fully booked.
• Meet early at Mandraki Harbor: Departure is at 10:00 AM, and missing the boat can mean a €25 rebooking fee.
• Weather controls the plan: The captain may change the route or swimming stops if sea conditions turn rough.

What the six-hour Rhodes catamaran cruise is really like

You meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor. The boat leaves at 10:00 AM, so I would arrive early rather than trying to cut it close. A late arrival may cost you a €25 rebooking fee, and the boat will not wait indefinitely.

The first part of the trip is a long coastal cruise, roughly 70 minutes according to the planned schedule. That gives you time to settle in, find a seat, and watch Rhodes recede behind you. The east coast is lined with rocky coves and bright water, and seeing the island from offshore gives you a useful sense of its shape.

The crew speaks English and keeps the day moving with announcements. Pay attention to those announcements, especially before getting back aboard after a swim. Crew members named Andreas, Hope, and Dimitri have been singled out for friendly service, help with photos, drinks, and family needs, though the exact crew can vary.

You are not signing up for a formal history lecture. This is a relaxed sea day built around scenery, swimming, food, and time in the sun. That makes it easy to enjoy, but it also means you should not expect detailed archaeological or cultural commentary.

Sailing catamaran or power catamaran?

The choice affects both the mood and the route.

The sailing catamaran is the calmer option. It stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay, with a slower rhythm between swimming sessions. If you enjoy the sound of the water and want a less hurried day, this is likely the better pick.

The power catamaran covers more ground and includes Afandou Beach and the nearby caves. The extra stop gives you another setting for swimming and snorkeling, though the schedule can feel a little more active. The power boat is the stronger choice if seeing Afandou matters to you or if you prefer a quicker ride between stops.

The exact order can vary. One schedule places lunch and swimming at Afandou before Ladiko, while the general description presents Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko, lunch, and Kallithea. Treat the route as weather-dependent rather than fixed minute by minute.

Both boats provide outdoor showers, indoor toilets, snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles, and life jackets. The toilets are useful, though you should keep expectations modest. Keeping a marine toilet spotless all day is difficult, and the facilities may not feel as fresh as those on land.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the first swim and the fish

Anthony Quinn Bay is usually the first main stop, after the initial coastal cruise. You get about an hour to swim and snorkel, which is enough time to get comfortable in the water without feeling rushed.

The bay is known for clear water and rocky surroundings. The crew may throw bread into the sea, bringing colorful fish close to swimmers. That makes this stop especially good for first-time snorkelers and children who want to see marine life without heading far from the boat.

The boat remains anchored offshore. You do not step onto a sandy beach from the catamaran, so bring confidence in the water and use the provided noodle or life jacket if needed. You can also stay aboard and enjoy the view if swimming is not your thing.

Anthony Quinn Bay can be the busiest-feeling stop simply because it is one of Rhodes’ best-known coves. The advantage of arriving by catamaran is that you avoid the need to find a parking place or squeeze onto the shoreline. The tradeoff is that you share the water with other boats and swimmers.

Afandou Caves: the power boat’s extra feature

If you select the power catamaran, Afandou Beach and its caves are added to the route. This is one of the clearest reasons to pay attention to the boat type when booking.

Afandou offers another chance to swim and snorkel, and the cave setting adds variety to a day that could otherwise feel like a sequence of similar bays. The planned schedule allows about an hour here for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling.

The caves are viewed from the water, not as a land-based cave tour. You should also expect the captain to adjust the stop if conditions are unsuitable. The crew controls the anchor position, and you may need to swim to reach the most interesting areas.

Ladiko Bay: quiet water and room to relax

Ladiko is another hour-long stop, with clear water and a quieter feel. It is a good place to use the snorkeling gear, float on a noodle, or simply stay in the water without trying to pack every minute with activity.

I like the way the schedule gives each bay enough time to feel distinct. You can swim, return to the boat for a drink, and get back in without the usual shore-excursion rush. That flexibility matters if you are traveling with children or with people who have different energy levels.

The shore is not the focus here. You remain on the boat or in the water, and access to land requires swimming. If you want a beach walk, sunbed, or café stop, this cruise will not provide it.

Lunch on board, with Greek flavors and free-flowing drinks

Lunch is served as a Mediterranean buffet. The spread includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread. A breakfast tortilla snack comes earlier, and seasonal fruit is served later.

The food is simple rather than gourmet, but that is the right standard for a day at sea. You get enough variety to build a filling plate, and the salads, dips, olives, feta, and bread suit the warm weather. The grilled chicken is the main substantial item.

The meal works well for many tastes, but the information provided does not promise a fish option. If you strongly prefer seafood, this menu may feel limited. Dietary needs should be raised with the crew before or during the trip, since the team has accommodated special requests.

From noon, wine and beer are unlimited, along with juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. Drinks remain available through much of the cruise, which adds real value to the $83 price. The crew can stop alcohol service if someone appears intoxicated, a sensible rule on a boat with swimming and open water.

Kallithea Springs: the final swim

The final major stop is Kallithea Springs, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The setting gives the day a different finish, with a sheltered-feeling cove and a lagoon area that children may particularly enjoy.

You can use the last swim to snorkel, float, or simply cool off before the ride back. By this stage, the hour-long stops usually make the six-hour schedule feel well judged. You have enough time in the water, but the day is not so long that the boat ride becomes tiring.

After Kallithea, the catamaran returns to Mandraki Harbor. The final cruise gives you a chance to dry off, collect your belongings, and enjoy the coast from a different angle.

Is $83 good value?

At $83 per person, this is strong value if you plan to swim and drink on board. A basic boat trip may cost less, but you would need to add food, drinks, snorkeling rental, and the convenience of visiting several bays in one day.

The small maximum group size also matters. With up to 24 passengers plus crew, the boat is not a private charter, but it should feel less cramped than a large excursion vessel. Several people have found enough room to sit comfortably even when the catamaran was full.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, do not swim, or mainly want a sightseeing cruise. Much of the price pays for the swim stops, buffet, and all-inclusive drinks. If you plan to remain seated and dry, a shorter sightseeing cruise may suit you better.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to couples, families, solo visitors, and small groups who want a full day on the water without chartering a private boat. The crew has been particularly good with children, and the noodles and life jackets make the swimming stops more approachable for beginners.

It also works well for solo visitors. You can sit among other passengers, use the snorkeling equipment, and enjoy a structured day without needing to arrange a private activity.

You should think twice if you have mobility limitations. Boarding, moving around the boat, using the swim ladder, and reaching shore all involve physical effort. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A waterproof pouch for valuables would also be sensible, though it is not listed as a required item. Arrive early at the Mandraki Harbor kiosk, and listen closely for return-time instructions.

Weather, comfort, and small drawbacks

The captain can change the route or stops because of weather. That is normal for a sea trip, but it means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed sequence of bays. In one late-season case, heavy rain paused the day for about an hour and a half. The crew explained the options, waited for better conditions, and tried to add extra swim time.

The boat itself is described as clean, comfortable, and well kept. The upper deck can be a popular place to sit, so arriving early gives you a better chance of choosing your preferred spot. Shade, seating, and exposure to sun can vary by boat and position.

Snorkeling conditions will depend on visibility and weather. On a calm day, the clear water and fish around Anthony Quinn Bay can be a highlight. On a windy day, the captain may select a more sheltered bay or alter the route.

The only recurring comfort concern is the toilet, which may not be kept as clean as some passengers would like. That is worth knowing, but it does not change the main purpose of the trip: swimming, eating, and enjoying Rhodes from the sea.

Should you book the Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want the easiest way to combine three beautiful swim stops, a Greek-style buffet, unlimited drinks, and six hours of coastal scenery. I would choose the sailing catamaran for a gentler pace and the power catamaran if Afandou Caves is a priority.

Skip it if you want substantial time walking on beaches, a seafood-focused meal, or a detailed cultural tour. For everyone else, the long swim stops, helpful crew, comfortable boat, and included food make $83 a fair price for a full day out from Mandraki Harbor.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes catamaran cruise begin?

Meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor.

What time does the catamaran leave?

The catamarans depart at 10:00 AM. Arrive earlier so you have time to find the kiosk and board.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours.

How many people can join the cruise?

The catamaran carries a maximum of 24 passengers plus crew.

What is the difference between the sailing and power catamarans?

The sailing catamaran stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay. The power catamaran also visits Afandou Beach and the Afandou Caves.

Do I need to swim to reach the beaches?

Yes. The boats remain at anchor in each bay, and reaching shore requires swimming.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are provided.

What food is included?

You receive a breakfast tortilla snack, seasonal fruit, and a Mediterranean buffet with grilled chicken, salads, dips, olives, feta, bread, and other local foods.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are included. Unlimited wine and beer are available from 12:00 PM.

Can the route change because of weather?

Yes. The captain can change the route and swimming stops according to sea and weather conditions.