Sun & Sea 6 Hour All Inclusive Swimming Cruise with Greek BBQ & Unlimited Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is simple: you spend a full day moving between beautiful bays instead of trying to reach them one by one by road. The boat gives you a floating base for swimming, sunbathing, eating, and meeting people, with three substantial swim stops built into the six-hour outing.

I like the easy departure from Mandraki Marina and the fact that food and drinks keep appearing throughout the day. I also like the crew’s friendly, safety-conscious approach, especially for nervous swimmers. The main catch is that the top deck can become fiercely hot, while the lower deck is more practical but less relaxing. Loud music and occasional disorganization at check-in may also bother you.

Quick take: what matters most

• Three one-hour swimming stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, and Traganou Beach are the core of the day.
• Food arrives in stages: Expect donuts and coffee, hot dogs, Greek BBQ, drinks, and waffles with chocolate sauce.
• Snorkeling equipment is provided: You can use masks, snorkels, noodles, and life vests during the swimming breaks.
• The top deck changes the experience: Beanbags, some shade, and more room can be worth paying extra for.
• The crew gets high marks: Staff members such as Thanos and Vamos are remembered for being upbeat and attentive.
• Bring sun and motion-sickness protection: The boat spends long stretches in open sun, and the sea can feel rough between bays.

Six hours on the water from Mandraki Marina

This is a full half-day cruise, not a quick harbor outing. You meet at Rhodes Sea Lines near Eleftherias Square in Mandraki Marina for a 10 a.m. departure, then return to the same meeting point after roughly six hours.

That simple start and finish works well if you are staying in Rhodes Town or arriving by cruise ship. One account describes an easy walk of about 15 minutes from the cruise ship dock. Still, allow extra time to find the correct reception desk. Several booths operate around the pier, and the check-in setup has caused confusion for some people.

The catamaran can carry up to 75 people. That is not a tiny private sail, but the boat has different seating areas and the day is built around movement between sun, shade, food, and water. If you want the best seating, arrive early and confirm exactly what you have booked.

The strongest practical tip is to consider the upper deck beanbag option. It is not part of the basic inclusions, but it can give you a more comfortable place to stretch out, with a choice of sun or some shade. The lower deck has tables and wooden benches. That area is useful when the sun becomes too strong, yet it feels less like a carefree beach day.

Anthony Quinn Bay: famous scenery and clear water

Anthony Quinn Bay is described as the first or second stop depending on the day’s running order. It is named for the actor who appeared in The Guns of Navarone and Zorba the Greek, with scenes from The Guns of Navarone filmed in the area.

The appeal here is the setting. The bay is compact, rocky, and known for clear water. You can swim from the boat and use the supplied snorkel equipment to look below the surface. Some people report seeing fish here, though you should not expect a full reef experience.

The one-hour stop gives you enough time to get in, swim, try the mask and snorkel, and return to the boat without feeling rushed. You are swimming from the catamaran rather than walking onto a broad sandy beach, so this stop suits confident swimmers and people comfortable using a noodle or life vest.

If you are nervous in open water, tell the crew. One crew member, remembered as Vamos, encouraged a hesitant swimmer with a promise and checked on her several times in the water. That kind of personal attention is useful, but you should still judge the conditions honestly and use the flotation equipment provided.

Kallithea Springs: a quieter swimming stop

Kallithea Springs offers another attractive bay, described as similar to Anthony Quinn Bay but quieter. The cruise schedule gives you about an hour here, with time for a swim and a chance to enjoy the water away from the roads and buildings of Rhodes.

The exact order can vary in how the day is described. Some accounts place Kallithea first, with donuts served around the opening swim, while the route also identifies it as one of the main bay stops. Either way, it is one of the prettier places to get into the sea.

This stop is a good match for you if you prefer a slower start. You can settle into the boat, work out where the snorkels and noodles are kept, and take your first swim without feeling that you must see everything at once.

The water is not a shallow resort pool. You will be getting in from the boat, and the swimming area can feel deep beneath you. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay close to the boat, use a flotation aid, and listen to the crew’s instructions.

Traganou Beach and its sea caves

Traganou Beach brings a different kind of scenery. The key feature is a set of caves said to reach about 30 meters into the rock, ending at a tiny beach. You can swim into the caves during the stop, provided conditions and your comfort level allow it.

This is the most distinctive swimming section of the route because you are not only floating in a bay. You get a short adventure with a clear goal: swim into the cave, look around, and return to the boat or beach area.

Again, this is not a dry-land cave tour. The cave is reached by water, so you need to be comfortable swimming and following the crew’s guidance. The boat supplies snorkel gear and flotation aids, but you should bring your own mask if you already have one you prefer.

Some accounts use Faliraki Bay when describing the third swimming stop rather than Traganou Beach. That difference is worth noting when you book, since the day’s precise stop names or order may not always be presented in the same way. The important point is that you should expect three swim breaks at scenic coastal locations, with the boat returning to Mandraki Marina afterward.

A Greek BBQ with food arriving all day

The food is one of the better reasons to choose this cruise over a bare-bones boat trip. You are not simply handed a sandwich at lunchtime. Food appears at several points during the day.

The schedule includes:

• Sweet donuts and coffee in the morning
• A hot dog service
• Greek BBQ with meat skewers, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread
• Waffles with chocolate sauce on the way back

The main meal is the Greek BBQ. Chicken souvlakia, fresh salad, bread, and tzatziki make it a proper lunch rather than a token snack. The food is served onboard, so you can eat without giving up much of your time at the bays.

The extra food matters because six hours in strong sun and salt water can leave you hungry. The hot dog and waffle stops also give the day a playful rhythm. You can swim, dry off, eat, and settle back into your seat before the next bay.

This is not a restaurant meal with a long menu. You should expect a set selection, and the drinks are straightforward. Still, the quantity and timing make the price easier to justify, especially if you would otherwise spend money on lunch, coffee, soft drinks, and snacks during a separate beach outing.

What unlimited drinks really means

Included drinks cover beer, wine, soft drinks, and iced frappe. You can keep drinking throughout the cruise, which is convenient on a hot day and removes the need to carry a large supply of beverages.

Set your expectations sensibly. The drinks are not an upscale cocktail program. The available alcohol has been described as cans of the same beer, cask wine, and two simple cocktails that lean heavily toward juice. If you want variety or premium spirits, this is not that kind of bar.

For many people, the value is in the convenience. You can have a beer after swimming, a soft drink with lunch, coffee in the morning, and something sweet with the waffles without paying each time. Remember to drink water as well, especially if you spend hours on the upper deck.

The upper deck, lower deck, and heat

The seating decision can shape your whole day. Upper-deck beanbags provide a more relaxed place to lie back, and you may be able to choose between sun and partial shade. Several people consider this upgrade money well spent.

The lower deck gives you tables, benches, and a cooler retreat when the sun becomes too intense. It is less comfortable for lounging, but it is important during a hot Rhodes afternoon. One person became mildly ill from the heat after spending too long in direct sun, so do not treat shade as a luxury only.

Pack a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a cover-up. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, and take breaks below deck even if you paid for an upper-deck seat. The boat has space for both social time and quieter breaks, but the music may continue throughout the cruise.

The music creates a lively party mood and helps keep the group engaged. It can also be a drawback if you hoped for a quiet sail. Some songs may contain explicit lyrics, so this is not the best choice for anyone seeking a peaceful, low-noise boat ride.

Friendly crew and sensible safety

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Thanos and other staff members are described as warm, funny, and active with the group. The crew also keeps an eye on swimmers, points out hazards, and helps people who are uneasy in open water.

That does not turn the cruise into a swimming lesson. You remain responsible for your own ability and comfort, and the water is deep around the catamaran. But the presence of noodles, life vests, snorkels, and attentive staff makes the swimming stops more approachable.

You can also expect a social atmosphere. Birthday celebrations, jokes, music, and conversation are part of the day. If you enjoy meeting people and having the crew join in, this is a plus. If you prefer a private charter feel, a group of up to 75 people will feel too busy.

Is $78.60 good value?

At $78.60 per person, the cruise is priced above a simple sightseeing boat ride, but it includes much more than transport. You receive about six hours on the water, three swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, a BBQ lunch, several snacks, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks.

The value is strongest if you plan to eat and drink onboard and want a complete day without organizing separate beach transfers. You also avoid the trouble of reaching three coastal locations yourself. The crew, equipment, and fixed schedule add convenience.

The value is weaker if you mainly want quiet scenery or a short swim. You will spend about three hours cruising between the harbor and bays, and the boat’s music and group setting may not suit you. An added upper-deck fee can also push the final cost higher.

The high rating of 4.8 from 671 ratings, with 95 percent recommending the experience, fits the main pattern: people tend to praise the crew, food, drinks, swim time, and relaxed social mood. The less positive experiences center on check-in confusion, heat, lower-deck seating, music, or an expectation of a more refined open bar.

Who should book this Rhodes cruise?

I would choose this for couples, friends, families with confident swimmers, and solo visitors who enjoy a friendly group outing. It is especially useful for a last full day in Rhodes when you want food, swimming, and scenery handled in one package.

It also suits cruise ship passengers, since the departure is near the harbor and the boat returns to the same meeting point. If you need a hotel transfer, check that option when booking. If you do not choose a transfer, the operator says you can arrange one by contacting them on WhatsApp.

I would think twice if you get seasick, dislike loud music, need guaranteed shade, or want sandy beaches and shallow water. The cruise requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the 10 a.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, so keep the local cut-off time in mind.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want an easy, social day with three scenic swims, plentiful food, and drinks included. The crew and the practical extras make this more than a simple boat transfer, and the Greek BBQ gives the day real substance.

Choose the upper deck if comfort matters, but plan to use the lower deck for shade and recovery. Arrive early at the marina, confirm the check-in desk, bring sun protection, and pack motion-sickness medicine if you are prone to it.

Skip it if your ideal day means silence, privacy, or a polished cocktail experience. For an active Rhodes day on the sea, though, this is a strong-value option with enough swimming and food to fill the hours.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at Rhodes Sea Lines, Pl. Eleftherias, Rodos 851 00, Greece. The activity returns to the original meeting point.

What time does the cruise depart?

The scheduled start time is 10 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, including cruising time and the three swimming stops.

Which bays and beaches does the cruise visit?

The route includes Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, and Traganou Beach. Some descriptions also refer to Faliraki Bay during the third swimming stop, so the exact stop naming or order may vary.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Greek BBQ with meat skewers, Greek salad, tzatziki, and bread.

What other food is included?

The food service includes sweet donuts and coffee, a hot dog hour, and waffles with chocolate sauce on the return journey.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Included drinks are beer, wine, soft drinks, and iced frappe.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the boat also has noodles and life vests for the swimming stops.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants cancels the cruise, you can receive a different date or a full refund.