Rhodes: Pleasure Cruise for Swimming and Snorkeling

Rhodes’ east coast is at its best from the water, and this cruise gives you three different places to swim in one easy day. You’ll move from the famous Anthony Quinn Bay to the open shoreline at Afandou and the clear waters of Kallithea, with time to swim, snorkel, or simply lie in the sun.

I like the simple plan: three one-hour water stops and no long lecture between them. I also like the practical extras, especially the included snorkel gear, swimming noodle, music, and fresh fruit. The main concern is the boat itself. One recent passenger found it dirty and poorly maintained, and the lower toilet was described as unpleasant. Food and drink prices onboard may also feel high.

Key points

• Three swimming stops: Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay.
• About three hours in the water: Each stop lasts roughly one hour.
• Traditional wooden boat: A classic Greek vessel rather than a fast modern motorboat.
• Snorkel gear included: You do not need to bring your own mask and equipment.
• Mandraki departure: Meet at the Alexander Statue beside the Alkmini boat.
• Best for water time: This is a swimming day with music and scenery, not a history tour.

A six-hour swim day from Mandraki Harbour

The boat leaves Mandraki Marina and Port at 10:00 and returns around 16:00. That timing makes this an easy choice if you want a full morning and afternoon on the water without arranging a car, taxi, or beach transfer.

You meet at Mandraki Harbour near the Statue of Alexander, beside the Alkmini boat. Hotel pickup is not provided, so you need to reach the port yourself and arrive on time. The boat will not wait for late passengers.

The cruise follows Rhodes’ east coast. The day is built around swimming stops, not sightseeing from the deck. You get music, views of the coast, and time to sit in sun or shade, but the main reason to book is the water.

I see the pace as the strongest part of the plan. Each stop lasts about an hour, which is long enough for a proper swim rather than a quick photo stop. At the same time, three swims can leave you tired by the last stop, especially in strong sun. Bring water, use the shade when you need it, and do not feel obliged to stay in the sea for the full hour.

First stop at Kallithea Bay

After about 40 minutes of sailing, the boat reaches Kallithea Bay. This is the first chance to get into the water, and the stop lasts about an hour.

Kallithea is known for clear water and good conditions for snorkeling. The boat provides snorkeling equipment, so you can go straight from the deck into the sea without packing a mask and fins of your own. A swimming noodle is also available if you prefer to float rather than swim hard.

I would treat this first stop as your chance to test the water, equipment, and sea conditions. If you are eager to snorkel, get your gear early. If you are less confident in open water, the noodle gives you extra support.

The snorkeling experience can vary. The operator makes clear that it cannot guarantee fish sightings, and one passenger saw only a single small fish. That is useful to know before booking. The sea may look perfect for snorkeling, but fish are not promised, and this is not a dedicated marine-life trip.

Kallithea also gives you one of the better chances to enjoy the water before the boat becomes the focus of the day. You can swim, take photos from the deck, or relax in the shade. Remember that the tour does not include a guided underwater lesson, so you are using the gear independently with crew support around the boat.

Afandou Beach for a second swim

The cruise then continues to Afandou Beach for another stop of about one hour. This gives the day a different feel from Kallithea, with a broader beach setting and another chance to swim or snorkel.

The value of stopping at three locations is variety. You are not tied to one crowded beach, and you do not have to spend time finding parking, carrying beach gear, or moving between coves by road. You simply return to the boat after each swim and let the crew handle the route.

At Afandou, you can choose your own pace. Swim for a while, try the snorkeling equipment, relax on a noodle, or stay onboard in the sun or shade. Music continues during the cruise, adding a casual holiday mood rather than a quiet, formal boat excursion.

I would not book this trip expecting a secluded beach experience. The boat is the base, and the stop is structured around open swimming time. You may find the water more important than the shore itself. If your ideal beach day means a long walk on sand, a private lounger, or a quiet cove with no music, this may not suit you.

For most people, though, the second stop is useful because it breaks up the day. You have already had one swim, but you are not spending hours sitting on a moving boat. You can dry off, find some shade, and then get back into the water when you feel ready.

Anthony Quinn Bay and its green-blue water

The final swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the best-known coastal spots on Rhodes. The water here is described as green-blue and clear, with the bright sky and rocky setting making it the most photogenic part of the route.

You get about one hour at the bay for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and free time. I would save some energy for this stop, even if you feel ready to call it a day after Kallithea and Afandou. One passenger expected to be finished after two swims but found the third stop special enough to get back into the water.

Anthony Quinn Bay is also the place where your camera earns its keep. Take photos from the boat before you swim, then secure your camera carefully if you bring it into the water. The instructions specifically suggest bringing a camera, swimwear, and a towel, but they do not state that waterproof storage is provided.

The bay’s fame is part of its appeal, but it also means this is not a secret spot known only to the boat crew. The cruise gives you a water-level view and a swim, which is different from simply visiting an overlook by car. You get to see the color of the water from the deck and then experience it directly.

Snorkeling remains optional. The water may be clear, but the operator does not promise fish, so think of the equipment as a useful extra rather than the main event. You are booking a scenic swimming cruise first.

The traditional wooden boat experience

The boat is a traditional Greek wooden vessel, which gives the outing more character than a basic transport boat. You sail at a relaxed pace along the east coast, with music playing and room to sit in the sun or shade.

The trade-off is comfort and condition. A positive impression of a traditional boat can quickly change if maintenance is poor. One recent account described the vessel as dirty and in bad condition, with a particularly unpleasant lower toilet. That is the clearest practical warning I would keep in mind.

I would book this for the route and swimming time, not for polished onboard comfort. If you need a spotless boat, modern fittings, or a pleasant bathroom, you may be disappointed. If you can accept a basic excursion boat and plan to spend most of your time in the water or on deck, the shortcomings may matter less.

The onboard bar sells drinks and something to eat, and seasonal fruit is included. Fresh watermelon was a welcome touch for one passenger, especially after several swims. Food and drink prices may be higher than what you would pay on land, so I would bring what the tour allows or budget for the bar rather than assuming a full meal is included.

What the price gives you at $47

At $47 per person, the main value is the amount of organized water time. You get six hours on the boat, three planned swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, a noodle, music, crew, and fruit. You also avoid arranging separate transport to Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

That makes the price reasonable for someone who wants a full day at sea with little planning. You are paying for access to three coastal locations in one outing, plus the boat and crew. The price would feel less attractive if you do not plan to swim, since the tour has limited land sightseeing and no hotel transfer.

I would also factor in extra spending. Drinks and food are available but not included, and one passenger found the prices too high. Carry your own towel, swimwear, and camera. The provided snorkel gear means you can save space in your luggage, although you may prefer to bring a personal mask if you already own one.

The rating of 4.3 from 99 ratings suggests a generally positive experience with some clear limits. The strongest part is the route and swimming schedule. The weaker points are onboard cleanliness, the basic toilet, and uncertain fish sightings.

Crew, music, and the pace onboard

The crew speaks English and Greek, and a live guide is provided in those languages. The information does not identify individual crew members by name, so you should not expect a named guide-led tour with detailed commentary throughout the day.

This is better understood as a hosted pleasure cruise than a formal guided excursion. The crew gets you to the stops, provides the equipment, and keeps the schedule moving. You have free time rather than a long program of explanations.

Music helps create a relaxed holiday mood, though it also means this may not be the right choice if you want a silent nature cruise. The boat offers both sun and shade, which matters during a six-hour outing. Try to claim a comfortable place early, then move between deck, shade, and water as needed.

The fresh seasonal fruit is a small but useful touch. After three swims, watermelon or similar fruit can be more appealing than a heavy meal. Still, fruit is a snack, not a substitute for lunch, so plan your food carefully.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want:

• A straightforward day on the sea from Rhodes Town.
• Several chances to swim without arranging beach transfers.
• A casual boat with music rather than a quiet sightseeing vessel.
• Snorkeling equipment included in the price.
• A flexible mix of swimming, sun, shade, photos, and fruit.
• A good option before hotel check-in, since one passenger used the boat day while keeping a backpack onboard.

It is also a good fit for people who prefer one organized outing to several separate beach visits. You see three well-known stops and spend roughly an hour at each.

I would think twice if you want luxury, excellent onboard facilities, or a strong marine-life experience. The boat may feel worn, the lower toilet has drawn a serious complaint, and seeing fish is not guaranteed. You should also skip it if you are likely to arrive late, since everyone must be onboard on time.

The trip is not designed around history, hiking, or extensive time ashore. You will not get hotel pickup, and the main activities are swimming and snorkeling. That focus is a strength for water lovers and a limitation for anyone seeking a broad Rhodes sightseeing day.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring swimwear, a towel, and a camera. I would also carry sun protection and any personal snacks or drinks allowed by the operator, since the onboard bar may cost more than land-based shops.

Wear something easy to change in and keep your belongings secure around the swimming areas. The provided noodle can help you relax, but it does not replace careful swimming. You are responsible for judging your own comfort in the sea.

Arrive at Mandraki Harbour early enough to find the Alexander Statue and the Alkmini boat without rushing. The meeting point is at the port, not your hotel, and late arrival could mean missing the departure.

The cruise offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting time when booking, since the stated schedule begins at 10:00 and returns around 16:00.

Should you book the Rhodes swimming cruise?

Book it if your ideal Rhodes day means three swims, clear coastal water, music, and an easy route from Mandraki Harbour. At $47, the combination of boat transport, three stops, snorkel equipment, a noodle, and fruit gives you solid value when you plan to use the water time.

Skip it if onboard cleanliness, a modern toilet, low-cost food, or guaranteed fish sightings matter most. I would choose this cruise for the three-stop swimming route, while keeping expectations modest about the boat and snorkeling. Bring your own towel, arrive early, save energy for Anthony Quinn Bay, and treat the bar as optional.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes swimming cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours. It starts at about 10:00 and returns to Mandraki Harbour around 16:00.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Mandraki Harbour near the Statue of Alexander, beside the Alkmini boat.

Which swimming stops are included?

The cruise stops at Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

How long do you stay at each stop?

You get about one hour at each swimming location for swimming, snorkeling, photos, and free time.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and a swimming noodle are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Seasonal fruit is included. The boat has a bar where you can buy drinks and something to eat, but those purchases are not included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and transfers are not included. You must make your own way to Mandraki Harbour and arrive on time.