Rhodes: Beach Cruise with Swimming, Meal, & Unlimited Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the boat itself. The 20-meter Opera is a powerful luxury RIB, one of only seven in the world, and carries no more than 25 passengers. You get the speed and open-water feel of a fast boat without being packed onto a large excursion vessel.

I like the three one-hour swim stops, which give you enough time to enjoy the water instead of rushing through a photo stop. I also like the easy all-inclusive setup: lunch, fruit, salad, drinks, snorkeling gear, sea toys, Wi-Fi, and a toilet are all on board.

The main consideration is the mood. Music, dancing, and unlimited alcohol can make this feel like a party boat, especially in summer. If you want a quiet sightseeing cruise or serious snorkeling with abundant marine life, this may not be your best match.

Key points at a glance

• Only 25 passengers: The Opera Boat gives you far more room than a standard large-group cruise.
• Three swimming locations: You stop for about an hour at Traganou Caves, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs.
• A fast, spacious powerboat: The 20-meter Opera offers speed, open-air seating, sunny areas, and shade.
• Food and drinks included: Expect lunch, salad, fruit, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks.
• A social atmosphere: Upbeat music and crew-led fun can turn the ride into a floating party.
• Useful extras: Snorkeling equipment, float toys, Wi-Fi, and a toilet are provided.

What the four-hour Opera Boat cruise is really like

This is a half-day trip built around swimming, music, food, and coastline views. You meet at the final kiosk in Mandraki Marina, next to the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. From there, the boat passes Rhodes Old Town and Faliraki before reaching the first swimming area.

The group is capped at 25 people, though some departures have fewer passengers. That difference matters. You have room to move around, find a sunny or shaded place to sit, and get in and out of the water without the usual crowding found on big party boats.

The crew welcomes you aboard with drinks, and shoes are not allowed inside the boat. You place them in a crate before setting off, so wear something easy to remove. Bring a towel, swimsuit, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Water shoes are especially useful at the cave stop because the rocks can be sharp.

The boat ride itself is part of the attraction. The Opera is described as the world’s largest power RIB, measuring 20 meters, with enough power to cover the east coast efficiently. You get the thrill of speed, but the four-hour schedule still leaves about an hour at each main stop.

Leaving Mandraki Marina beside Rhodes Old Town

Mandraki Marina is a practical starting point if you are staying in Rhodes Town or arriving by cruise ship. The meeting kiosk is at the marina’s final kiosk, beside the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. You do not get hotel pickup or drop-off, so you must make your own way there.

That is not a major problem for many people. One cruise passenger walked from the ship to the marina in about 15 to 20 minutes, while another reached the boat from the cruise port in roughly 20 minutes. Still, check your ship’s exact docking point and allow time to find the kiosk.

As the Opera leaves port, you get passing views of the medieval town and the coast near Faliraki. This is not a history tour, so the sightseeing is informal. The focus is on the sea and the ride rather than detailed commentary about Rhodes.

The English-speaking guide gives the basic information and manages the stops. The crew members named in past departures include Georgia, Carolina, Violeta, Charlie, and Captain Giannis, but the exact team can vary. The strongest part of the service is its personal touch: crew members have helped older passengers, children, and solo participants feel included.

Traganou Caves: the most hands-on stop

Traganou Caves is usually the first major stop and offers a change from simply swimming off the boat. You have about an hour for a boat visit, photographs, swimming, and snorkeling around the caves.

The caves are the most physical part of the outing. You may swim toward the openings and explore the rocky area, but the footing can be uneven and sharp. I would pack water shoes if you plan to walk into the cave area. Regular sandals may not be secure enough, and bare feet can be uncomfortable.

Snorkeling gear is supplied, along with float toys such as noodle floats. You can also bring your own mask and snorkel if you prefer a familiar fit. The water is clear and attractive, but do not expect the kind of abundant fish life found in the Caribbean or Hawaii. This stop is more about the rock formations, bright water, and chance to swim through a memorable setting.

The hour is useful because you are not forced to choose between taking photos and getting in the water. You can do both at a relaxed pace, depending on sea conditions and the group.

Anthony Quinn Bay: blue water and lunch on board

Anthony Quinn Bay is the most scenic stop for many people. The boat pauses for photographs, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch. The bay is known for its striking water and rocky shoreline, so this is a good place to bring a phone case or underwater cover if you want pictures from the water.

You spend around an hour here, with the meal served on board. The food includes a main dish, salad, and fruit, with vegan choices available. The menu has changed over time. Past meals have included burgers and chips, while other departures served rice, chicken, watermelon, stuffed peppers, and potatoes. Some meals have been fully vegetarian.

That means you should treat lunch as a convenient included meal rather than a fixed restaurant menu. Some people find it tasty and generous, while one practical criticism concerned food arriving cold. If you have dietary needs, check the current meal details before booking.

Lunch works well in the middle of a swimming trip. You can dry off, eat without leaving the boat, and return to the water quickly. Drinks are available throughout the cruise, including wine, beer, and soft drinks. Water is also available, and the crew offers drinks as the trip gets underway.

The unlimited drinks are a large part of the price calculation, but they also shape the mood. This is a social outing, with music playing and occasional dancing. You can relax quietly, but you should not expect a silent boat.

Kallithea Springs: a calm final swim

Kallithea Springs is the third main stop, with about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, and photos. The water here provides another chance to cool off after the boat ride and earlier stops.

The schedule is well judged for a half-day outing. Three separate swimming sessions give you variety without turning the trip into a long day. You can skip one stop if you want to stay dry, though the experience is designed around spending much of the time in the water.

The order of stops can depend on conditions and operations, so do not assume Kallithea will always be last. What matters is that you get three substantial pauses rather than several short swims.

By the time the boat returns to Mandraki Marina, you may be partly dry from the sun and wind. The trip normally lasts four hours, with departures set according to availability. Some reported departures ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., making this a useful choice for a cruise ship port day or a morning away from the hotel.

Food, drinks, music, and the social side

The Opera Boat is sold as an all-inclusive cruise, and the inclusions are meaningful. You receive lunch, salad, fruit, unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks, plus snorkeling gear and float toys. Wi-Fi and a toilet add comfort on a boat where you spend four hours.

The food is not the main reason to book. It can be enjoyable, but the menu and quality appear to vary. You should book this for the coastline, swimming, boat design, and easy drinks package, with lunch as a useful extra.

The music is more important than you might expect. Several departures had upbeat playlists, and the crew encouraged people to dance. The tone can move from relaxed to lively, and one person specifically found the shift from lounge music to loud rap less appealing.

I would choose this cruise if you like meeting people and want an easygoing party atmosphere. Couples, groups of friends, solo passengers, and families have all fit into the format. It is not aimed at people seeking a quiet sailing trip.

The crew seems to make a real difference. Georgia and Carolina were praised for joining the group and keeping the mood friendly, while Captain Giannis has helped with special occasions such as birthday celebrations. That does not guarantee the same staff on your departure, but it gives you a sense of the service style to expect.

Is $94 good value for four hours?

At $94 per person, this costs more than a basic beach transfer or a simple sightseeing boat. The value comes from combining several expenses in one half-day: a luxury high-speed boat, three swimming stops, lunch, unlimited drinks, equipment, Wi-Fi, and a smaller passenger limit.

The 25-person maximum is especially important. You are paying for space and comfort, not just transport. A larger boat may offer a lower fare, but you could spend more time waiting, queuing, or sharing crowded swim platforms.

The drinks package also matters if you plan to have wine or beer during the ride. If you do not drink alcohol, the price may feel less attractive, although soft drinks, lunch, equipment, and the boat itself still add value.

For cruise passengers, the short duration is another advantage. You can see several parts of Rhodes’ east coast and return to the port in time for other plans. The lack of hotel pickup is the main logistical weakness, but the marina is walkable from Rhodes cruise terminals for many people.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Rhodes from the water without giving up comfort. It suits people who enjoy swimming, clear bays, fast boat rides, casual food, and a friendly social setting.

It is also a good choice for a celebration. Birthday groups and hen parties can make use of the music and drinks, while couples can find quieter seating when the boat is not in full party mode. Solo passengers can also fit in well because the crew makes an effort to include the whole group.

Families may appreciate the spacious boat, toilet, float toys, and attentive staff. Still, adults should decide if the alcohol and music level suits their children. The trip is wheelchair accessible, but swimming from a boat and entering the caves are separate physical activities, so check what support you need before booking.

I would not choose this outing if your priority is serious marine-life snorkeling, a quiet sail, or a carefully presented gourmet lunch. The sea can also feel cold, especially outside the hottest summer period, and windy days may make some people feel dizzy. The crew can help, but the boat remains a fast open-water ride.

Practical details that make the day easier

Arrive at the final kiosk in Mandraki Marina, beside the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your route before the day.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and bring a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Pack water shoes for Traganou Caves, and remember that shoes are removed before boarding and stored in a crate.

Snorkeling equipment, float toys, Wi-Fi, and a toilet are included. You can bring your own snorkel if you prefer, and an underwater phone case is useful for photographs.

The activity is offered in English and is wheelchair accessible. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Should you book the Opera Boat?

Book it if you want a polished half-day on Rhodes with three good swim stops, a fast and unusual boat, and a built-in drinks-and-lunch package. The strongest reasons are the small passenger limit, the generous time in the water, and the friendly crew-led atmosphere.

Skip it if you want silence, fixed gourmet dining, or exceptional snorkeling wildlife. For most people who want an active, social way to see the east coast, $94 is a fair price, especially when you use the included drinks, equipment, and three one-hour stops.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes Opera Boat cruise leave from?

It leaves from the final kiosk in Mandraki Rhodes Marina, next to the Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes Traganou Caves, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs, with scenic views passing Rhodes Old Town and Faliraki.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes salad and fruit, and a vegan option is available. The exact menu can change.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited wine, beer, and soft drinks are included during the cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and sea toys are included. You should bring water shoes if you plan to explore the rocky cave area.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to Mandraki Marina. The cruise does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.