Rhodes Town: Anthony Quinn, Kalithea & Afandou Boat Cruise

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star of this six-hour Rhodes boat cruise, but the real pleasure is the rhythm of the day: sail, anchor, swim, snorkel, sunbathe, then move on. You visit three coastal spots, with about an hour at each, rather than spending the whole trip on a crowded beach.

I like the easy meeting point by the Alexander Statue in Mandraki Harbor, especially if you are arriving from a cruise ship and can walk from the port. I also like the friendly, family-run feel linked with Markos and his family, along with the roomy boat and crew who explain the beaches and Rhodes as you go. The main drawback is simple: food, drinks, and hotel pickup are not included, so you need to plan those yourself.

Key points to know before booking

• Three separate swim stops: You get about one hour at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Bay.
• The Alkmini leaves from Mandraki Harbor: Find the boat near the Alexander Statue, not at a hotel or beach.
• Snorkeling gear is included: You can look for fish, squid, and other sea life without bringing your own equipment.
• A traditional Greek boat creates a relaxed setting: There is music on board, open water, and time to enjoy the coast between stops.
• The price is useful for a half-day on the water: At $32.57 per person, the cruise includes the boat, crew, three swim stops, equipment, and music.
• Wind can change the plan: From September 20 through October 15, rough conditions may lead to changes in the swimming stops.

Setting out from Mandraki Harbor

Your meeting point is easy to identify. Look for the Alexander Statue at Mandraki Harbor and find the boat named Alkmini. The activity begins and ends at this same point, which keeps the day straightforward if you are staying in Rhodes Town or arriving by cruise ship.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. That is less convenient if you are staying well outside town, but it is a plus if you are already near Mandraki Port. One useful detail from the cruise ship experience is that the departure point is within walking distance of the port, with enough time for a six-hour outing.

Be on time. The boat cannot wait for late arrivals, and the instructions specifically require everyone to be ready when the cruise starts. Bring a towel, swimwear, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You may also want a small bag for dry clothes, though the supplied information does not specify storage arrangements, so keep your belongings compact.

The crew speaks English, German, and Greek. Markos and his family are associated with the boat operation, and the personal style is part of the appeal. You are not simply being dropped at a beach and left alone. The crew gives information about the beaches and Rhodes itself, then lets you enjoy the water at your own pace.

Anthony Quinn Bay, the first swim stop

The cruise heads first toward Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most recognizable coastal stops around Rhodes. Sailing there gives you time to see the island from offshore, with broad views of the coast and the Aegean around you.

Once the boat anchors, you have roughly an hour for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and free time. The water is described as clear and blue, making this the best place to start if you want to see beneath the surface. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins unless you prefer using your own.

Anthony Quinn Bay is especially good for people who would rather swim from the boat than spend the day sitting on sand. You can get into the water, look around, and then climb back aboard when you want a rest. The stop also gives you a fine photo setting, with the boat, rocky shore, and open sky all in the same view.

The hour passes quickly. If you want photographs, swimming, and snorkeling, do not spend the first half of the stop standing around deciding what to do. Put on sunscreen before boarding, listen for the crew’s instructions, and use the stop for the activity you value most.

Afandou Beach brings a change of pace

The second stop is Afandou Beach, where you get another hour for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and relaxation. This stop adds a more traditional beach feel to the day, giving you a chance to lie back in the sun rather than spending every stop in the water.

I like this middle section because it breaks up the cruise. After the first swim, you can dry off, listen to music on the way, and settle into a slower hour at the beach. The warm shore and open coastal views make it a good place for anyone who wants a quieter pause.

The activity details also mention an option for scuba activity at Afandou, but the included package specifically covers snorkeling gear, not a separate scuba session. If that matters to you, ask the provider before booking so you know exactly what is available.

Afandou is also a practical stop for families. The cruise has been described as suitable for children of different ages, and the mix of swimming, music, beach time, and easy conversation gives younger children several ways to enjoy the day. Still, you should be comfortable supervising children around the boat and in open water, since the experience is built around swimming stops rather than a land-based beach program.

Kallithea Bay and its underwater life

After Afandou, the boat continues toward Kallithea Bay. The route includes music on board, so this part of the cruise works as a natural rest period before the final swim.

Kallithea is the last one-hour stop and focuses on swimming and snorkeling. The water may offer views of colorful fish, squid, and other marine life. That makes it a good final stop for people who enjoy looking beneath the surface rather than simply floating or sunbathing.

The stop is called Kallithea Bay in the main description and Kallithea Springs in the schedule. The supplied information does not say that you take a land tour of the springs, so do not book this expecting an extended visit to a spa or historic spring complex. The advertised experience here is a photo stop, free time, swimming, and snorkeling.

Because this is the third swim stop, you can choose how much energy to spend. If you have had enough water by then, you can focus on photos and the views from the boat. If snorkeling is your priority, save some enthusiasm for Kallithea, where the marine life is one of the main reasons to get in.

What the six-hour format feels like

Six hours is long enough to make the cruise feel like a proper day on the water, but the three one-hour stops keep the program moving. You are not tied to one beach, and each location offers a slightly different mix of swimming, shore views, and snorkeling.

The schedule is also active without being packed with land visits. The boat does the transporting, and the crew handles the route while you enjoy the sea. That makes this a good match for you if your ideal Rhodes outing involves water, sun, and a few scenic stops rather than museums or long guided walks.

The trade-off is that you have limited time at each location. One hour sounds generous until you allow time to prepare, swim, snorkel, take photographs, and dry off. You will get a taste of three places, not an entire beach day at each one.

The traditional Greek boat adds character to the ride. The experience is not described as a luxury yacht cruise, and you should not expect a private charter. The useful point is that the boat has been described as spacious rather than over-packed, which matters on a six-hour trip. You have room to relax between swims and enjoy the coastal views.

What is included and what you need to bring

The price includes the boat cruise, the crew, three swim and snorkeling stops, snorkeling equipment, and music on board. Those inclusions make the $32.57 cost reasonable for a half-day outing, especially if you plan to use all three stops.

Food and drinks are not included. There is no lunch, and the activity does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. Bring water and snacks unless you plan to arrange them separately. The supplied information does not say that food is sold on board, so do not count on buying a full meal during the cruise.

Your basic packing list is short:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

A hat could also be useful, though it is not listed as a required item. Keep loose items secure on the boat. Bikes are not allowed, so this is not an activity to combine with bringing a bicycle to the meeting point.

The boat has music, which adds a holiday mood during the sailing sections. If you prefer a quiet sightseeing cruise, music may be a consideration. If you like a social, relaxed atmosphere, it fits the outing well.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want to see several coastal spots without arranging transport between them. It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, families with children of different ages, and cruise ship passengers looking for an outing close to the port.

It also works for people who want a friendly crew and some local explanation without signing up for a full historical tour. The guides speak English, German, and Greek, and the crew shares information about the beaches and Rhodes during the day.

You may want to choose another activity if you need wheelchair access, since the cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike open-water swimming, want a quiet boat, or expect lunch and drinks to be part of the price.

The cruise is not designed around long walks or sightseeing on land. Its value comes from seeing Rhodes from the sea and having several chances to get into the water. That focus is useful to understand before booking.

Weather and seasonal changes

The cruise is built around swimming, so wind matters. From September 20 through October 15, the program may change if wind makes the planned swimming stops unsafe or uncomfortable. The boat may use different stops during the voyage.

That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should not treat the three named bays as an absolute guarantee during that period. You still get a boat trip and swimming opportunities, but the order or locations may change.

In any season, arrive prepared for sun and time on the water. The bright conditions can feel stronger than they do on land, especially when reflected off the sea. Sunscreen and sunglasses are not minor extras here.

Is $32.57 a fair price?

At $32.57 per person, the cruise offers a strong amount of time for the money. You receive six hours on the water, transport between three coastal stops, a crew, snorkeling gear, music, and the chance to swim at each location.

The value depends on how much of the day you use. If you swim and snorkel at all three bays, the price compares well with arranging separate beach transport and equipment. If you mainly want a short scenic boat ride and plan to stay seated, a shorter cruise might suit you better.

Remember to add the cost of your own snacks and drinks, plus transportation to Mandraki Harbor if you are not already nearby. Even with those extras, the outing remains a reasonably priced way to spend a half-day around Rhodes.

The experience has an overall rating of 4.1 from 49 reviews, with particular praise for the friendly family crew, open space on the boat, scenic swim locations, and suitability for children. Those points match the strongest practical reasons to book: the day is social but not described as overcrowded, and the route offers more variety than a single beach visit.

Should you book the Anthony Quinn cruise?

Book it if you want three chances to swim and snorkel, a traditional boat, scenic sailing, and an easy departure from Rhodes Town. The friendly Markos family operation, roomy boat, included snorkeling gear, and good fit for families add real value.

Think twice if you need hotel transport, a meal, wheelchair access, or guaranteed stops in windy autumn weather. Also remember that one hour per bay is enough for a good taste, not an unhurried full-day stay.

For a modest price, this is a practical way to make the sea the main event of your Rhodes day. I would choose it for swimming, coastal views, and relaxed company, not for a formal history tour or a luxury yacht experience.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes boat cruise start?

The cruise starts at Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes Town. Look for the Alexander Statue and the boat named Alkmini.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Mandraki Harbor.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Which places does the boat visit?

The planned stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Bay, also listed as Kallithea Springs in the schedule.

How long do you spend at each swimming stop?

You have about one hour at Anthony Quinn Bay, one hour at Afandou Beach, and one hour at Kallithea Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included in the activity price.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks, drinks, and lunch are not included.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach Mandraki Harbor yourself.

What languages does the crew speak?

The crew and live tour guide service are available in English, German, and Greek.