Lindos,Pefkos: All inclusive Swim & Snorkel Boat Cruise

Crystal-clear water is only the beginning. This three-hour cruise from Vlicha Bay links three beautiful swimming spots near Lindos with a comfortable boat ride, basic snorkeling gear, fresh fruit, and an open drinks service. I especially like the cave swim and the generous time in the water, rather than a rushed photo stop. The views around Navarone Bay and St. Paul’s Bay are excellent too.

The price is $64 per person, which is fair for three swim stops, snorkeling equipment, drinks, fruit, and optional hotel pickup. Captain Michael and the rest of the crew receive especially warm praise for their friendly manner and careful safety briefings. The main thing to consider is that the boat can feel a little busy on some departures, and a requested departure time may change if numbers are low.

If you want a short, active outing rather than a long sightseeing cruise, this is a strong choice. You will spend much of the trip in the sea, with just enough time aboard to admire the cliffs, enjoy a drink, and dry off before the next stop.

Quick Reasons to Book This Rhodes Boat Trip

• Swim into a Lindos cave: You can enter the water and swim directly into a cave, with around 30 minutes to look at the rock formations and snorkel nearby.
• Three proper swim stops: The cruise includes swimming at a cave near Lindos, Navarone Bay, and St. Paul’s Bay.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and cocktails are available during the trip, including a watermelon cocktail.
• Fresh fruit on board: A Rhodian fruit bowl or fruit salad provides a welcome snack after time in the sea.
• Friendly, safety-minded crew: Michael is frequently praised for clear instructions, local information, and helping swimmers feel at ease.
• Useful for families: Children and less confident swimmers can use the provided swimming noodles, masks, and snorkels.

What the Three Hours Actually Feel Like

This is a swim cruise first and a sightseeing cruise second. The boat leaves the middle of Vlycha Beach, then follows the coast toward the bays around Lindos. You get several stretches of cruising between the stops, but the main purpose is to get into the water.

The planned swimming time is about 30 minutes at each location. That is enough for a proper swim, some snorkeling, and a look inside the cave without making the day feel exhausting. If you want to spend an hour exploring one bay, this is not that kind of trip. If you want several different settings in one morning or afternoon, the format works well.

The boat ride itself includes views of the coast, the cliffs near Lindos, and the rock formations around the bays. A guide gives information about the places you visit, but the tone is relaxed rather than lecture-heavy. Music may play during the cruise, and there is room to sit, rest, and have a drink between swims.

The cruise lasts three hours, with sightseeing sections of roughly 15 to 30 minutes between the swimming areas. The exact order and timing can vary slightly, but the advertised route includes a cave near Lindos, Navarone Bay, and St. Paul’s Bay.

Starting at Vlicha Beach

The meeting point is in the middle of Vlycha Beach. Look for the red stairs and the hut with seats marked for the Lindos boat cruise. This detail matters because the beach meeting area can be confusing, especially if you arrive early and see several boats or beach facilities nearby.

Pickup is optional. The pickup version includes transport from Kiotari hotels, and several passengers found the transfer clean and well maintained. Drop-off options include Lindos, Kiotari, and Lindos Sea Cruises, depending on the option selected.

If you are arranging your own way to the beach, allow extra time to find the exact meeting point. I would not arrive at the general beach entrance and assume you are finished. Go to the middle section and confirm the red stairs or the cruise hut.

The Lindos Cave Swim

The first stop is a hidden cave near Lindos. This is the most distinctive part of the outing, and it gives the cruise something more than a standard bay swim. You enter the sea from the boat, then swim toward the cave and look at the rock formations from the water.

The water is described as very clear, which helps when you are looking below the surface. Snorkels and masks are supplied, and swimming noodles are available. The noodles are useful even if you are a competent swimmer because they let you float comfortably while looking down or turning toward the cave entrance.

You should be comfortable getting into open water from the boat. The crew provides safety instructions and helps people who need support, but this is not a walk-in beach stop. Children can take part, and the trip has worked well for families with younger children, but parents should judge their children’s confidence in the sea.

The cave is also the place where a waterproof phone pouch earns its keep. One passenger dropped a phone into the water and the guide retrieved it, but that is not a storage plan I would recommend. Keep bags and electronics secure, since the boat can get wet.

Navarone Bay and Its High Cliffs

After the cave, the boat cruises toward Navarone Bay. This stop is known for its clear turquoise water and the cliffs rising above the bay. From the boat, you get a better sense of the scale of the rocks than you would from shore.

The swimming here feels more open than the cave stop. You can use the snorkeling gear, float with a noodle, or simply swim and look back at the cliffs. The route allows roughly 30 minutes in the water, so you have time to settle into the stop instead of jumping in for a quick dip.

Navarone Bay is a good place to think about what you want from the cruise. If you love taking photographs, use the approach and the first few minutes after anchoring. Once you are in the water, the best view is often back toward the boat and the cliffs.

There may be marine life, but sightings are not guaranteed. One family saw puffer fish, cornet fish, and other fish during snorkeling, while another passenger hoped to see more. Come for the clear water and setting first, with fish as a welcome extra.

Fresh Fruit, Watermelon Cocktails, and Time to Rest

The food and drink service is a real part of the value here. The cruise includes fresh fruit, often served as a fruit bowl or fruit salad, along with wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and cocktails. A watermelon cocktail is one of the recurring highlights.

The fruit is especially welcome after swimming. Saltwater, sun, and repeated trips into the sea can leave you more tired than expected, and a bowl of fresh fruit gives you a light snack without turning the outing into a formal meal.

The food supply can vary. On one Sunday departure, fruit was not available because the supplier was closed. That did not ruin the trip, but it is worth treating the fruit as an included extra rather than the main reason to book.

Drinks are available throughout the cruise, which makes the trip feel relaxed rather than tightly programmed. If you are traveling with children, soft drinks and water are included as well. Since alcohol is served, the atmosphere can be livelier than a quiet nature cruise, though the overall tone described is still easygoing and family-friendly.

St. Paul’s Bay: The Final Swim

The cruise finishes with a swim at St. Paul’s Bay. The bay is framed by rugged rock formations and rich blue water, and the final stop gives you a scenic place to spend another 30 minutes in the sea.

This is a good final swim because you already know how the equipment works and how confident you feel in the water. You can use the remaining time for snorkeling, floating, or a last look at the coast before returning to Vlicha Beach.

St. Paul’s Bay is also one of the most photogenic parts of the route. The boat offers a water-level view that you cannot get from the road above. If you are not swimming, this is a pleasant place to stay aboard, enjoy a drink, and take in the cliffs and sheltered water.

The route includes about 30 minutes of cruising after the final stop. That gives you a chance to dry off and enjoy the coastal views before drop-off.

How Good Is the Value at $64?

At $64, I consider this good value if you plan to use the swimming stops. You are paying for three hours on the water, three separate opportunities to swim, snorkeling equipment, drinks, fruit, and possibly hotel transport. Buying those pieces separately would quickly cost more, and you would lose the convenience of moving between the bays by boat.

The value is strongest for families, couples, and small groups who want an activity that fills half a day without taking over the whole holiday. A three-hour cruise leaves room for lunch, beach time, or a visit to Lindos afterward.

It is less compelling if you dislike swimming from boats or want a history-focused tour. The guide offers local information and some history, but this is not a guided visit to the Acropolis of Lindos. You will see the coast from the sea, not spend time walking through the town.

A few practical details affect the value. A departure time can be moved earlier if there are not enough bookings for a later trip. There can also be an occasional wait for a return transfer after the boat arrives. These are minor issues, but you should leave some flexibility in your schedule.

Family Suitability and Swimming Confidence

This cruise works for a wide age range. Families have taken children as young as four and five, as well as teenagers, and the crew has helped people get on and off the boat when needed.

The supplied masks, snorkels, and noodles are useful. The noodles are not just toys for children. Less confident swimmers can relax more easily, and stronger swimmers may find them handy for staying still while looking beneath the surface.

You still need to be comfortable in open water. The boat does not turn the sea into a swimming pool, and the stops are built around getting in from the boat. The crew gives safety instructions at each area and has been praised for watching out for passengers.

One passenger with a disability received careful assistance, including help getting on and off the boat. That is encouraging, but the available information does not promise formal accessible facilities. If you have specific mobility needs, contact the provider before booking and explain what support you require.

What the Crew Adds

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Captain Michael is repeatedly singled out for his friendly approach, clear communication, and local information. Captain Kostas and crew members such as George are also associated with smooth, reassuring trips.

Michael’s style seems to suit this kind of outing. He explains where to swim, gives a safety briefing for each stop, points out features along the coast, then allows people to enjoy the water at their own pace. That balance matters. Too much commentary would get in the way of the swimming, while too little would leave you unsure about where to go.

The crew also helps with equipment, drinks, and practical problems. That includes assisting nervous swimmers and helping people board safely. The care shown by the staff is a major reason this cruise works for mixed groups, where some people want to snorkel and others mainly want to float and enjoy the view.

What to Bring and What to Expect

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a secure waterproof case for your phone. The boat gets wet, so do not leave a bag or electronics on the floor.

You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment, but you may prefer your own mask if you already have one that fits well. A noodle is worth trying, even if you normally swim without one.

The cruise includes drinks and fruit, but the information does not describe a full meal. Eat beforehand if you need something substantial. Also remember that the water and sun may make the three hours feel more active than the short duration suggests.

The meeting area is at Vlycha Beach, not in the center of Lindos village. If you choose pickup, check that your hotel is covered, since the stated transfer option specifically includes Kiotari hotels.

Who Should Book This Cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want three beautiful sea stops, a chance to swim into a cave, and an easygoing day on the water. It suits families, couples, solo visitors, and groups with mixed swimming ability.

It is particularly useful for a short holiday because three hours is enough to see several coastal locations without committing to a full-day boat trip. The included drinks, fruit, equipment, and optional transfer also keep the planning simple.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet luxury yacht, a full lunch, extensive snorkeling instruction, or a long historical tour. The boat can feel crowded on some departures, fruit is not guaranteed on every day, and the best parts of the trip require you to get into the water.

For most visitors staying around Lindos, Pefkos, or Kiotari, I think the balance is right. Book it for the cave, the clear bays, the friendly crew, and the chance to see Rhodes from sea level. At $64, it offers plenty of activity and scenery without swallowing an entire day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is in the middle of Vlycha Beach. The area is near the red stairs and a hut with seats marked for the Lindos boat cruise.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts three hours. It includes sightseeing by boat and three swimming stops of about 30 minutes each.

Which places does the boat visit?

The route includes a hidden cave near Lindos, Navarone Bay, and St. Paul’s Bay.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, and swimming noodles are also available for use on board.

What drinks are included?

Included drinks are wine, beer, soft drinks, water, and cocktails. A watermelon cocktail is available during the cruise.

Is food included?

Fresh fruit is included, usually as a Rhodian fruit bowl or fruit salad. Fruit availability can vary, and it was not provided on one Sunday trip because the supplier was closed.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional. The stated pickup option includes transport from Kiotari hotels.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience also offers a reserve now and pay later option.