Rhodes: All inclusive Catamaran Escape with Lunch & Drinks

Clear water, good food, no packing lunch.

Rhodes’ Cherry Catamaran cruise combines a relaxed sailing day with three of the island’s best-known swimming spots. I like the generous time in the water, the spacious boat, and the fact that lunch, snacks, equipment, and drinks are included. The main consideration is the weather: wind can make the first part of the trip rough, and cooler months may not deliver perfect swimming conditions.

For $82 per person, this is a strong value if you want a simple day on the Aegean without arranging a boat, food, and gear separately. The crew, including staff members named Summer and Elli in recent feedback, gets high marks for attentive service. Still, snorkeling equipment may not always be in perfect condition, and vegetarian choices appear more limited than the meat-based lunch.

The trip at a glance

• Three famous swimming stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs Bay.
• A real meal at sea: Greek salad, potato salad, pasta salad, dolmadakia, dips, chicken, rice, bread, fruit, olives, and feta.
• Useful water equipment: Snorkels, masks, paddleboards, noodles, and life jackets are provided.
• Small-feeling boat experience: The catamaran can hold up to 35 people, but several departures had about 14 to 20 aboard.
• Six hours with a good rhythm: Sailing time is broken up by long stops for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing.
• Flexible booking: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund and reserve without paying immediately.

Starting from Mandraki Harbour

Your day begins at the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk in Mandraki Harbour. Arrive 20 minutes before departure so you can check in without turning the start of your holiday into a sprint.

Mandraki Harbour sits beside Rhodes Town and the Old Town, making this outing easy to pair with a hotel stay in the northern part of the island. The early part of the route includes a short five-minute look at the Old Town from the water, with a welcome drink and a traditional Rhodian sesame sweet with honey called melekouni.

That small snack is a nice local touch. It gives the trip some connection to Rhodes rather than making it feel like a generic boat party.

After leaving the harbour, expect about 70 minutes of sightseeing from the water before reaching Anthony Quinn Bay. This is a useful time to settle in, find a comfortable place, and learn how the boat works.

A spacious Cherry Catamaran, not a packed ferry

The boat is one of the strongest parts of this outing. It is described as large, clean, and spacious, with a shaded section and a netted area toward the front. That gives you several ways to spend the day: sit in the shade, stretch out in the sun, or lie near the front and watch the water pass below.

The boat’s stated maximum is 35 people, but several recent departures had roughly 14 to 20 people. That difference matters. A catamaran with 20 people feels far more comfortable when everyone wants a drink, a paddleboard, or a place near the rail than a boat loaded to its limit.

You should still expect a social setting. This is not a private yacht charter or a silent sailing lesson. Music, shared tables, swimming equipment, and a friendly crowd make it better suited to couples, families, and solo visitors who do not mind being around other people.

The crew’s service is another repeated strength. Drinks are offered regularly, and staff members are described as attentive without constantly interrupting the day. One particularly useful detail is the care shown to a passenger who became seasick. That does not remove the possibility of motion sickness, but it suggests the crew takes passenger comfort seriously.

The first departure from Mandraki can be windy and rough. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable, avoid a heavy meal before sailing, and keep water nearby. The crew can help, but calm seas are never guaranteed.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the best first swim

Anthony Quinn Bay is the first major stop, with about 90 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, and paddleboarding. The bay is famous for its green-blue water and rocky setting, and its connection to the film The Guns of Navarone adds a small piece of movie lore.

This is the stop where you will probably want your camera ready, but the real reward is getting into the water. Snorkeling around the boat can reveal fish in the clear shallows, and the supplied noodles make floating easy even if you are not a confident swimmer.

The paddleboard is a good option for active visitors, though sharing one board among a group means you may need to wait your turn. Life jackets are available, and the crew provides snorkeling equipment, but inspect your mask and snorkel before swimming. One passenger found that much of the snorkeling gear was worn or broken, so bringing your own mask is sensible if snorkeling is a major reason for booking.

Anthony Quinn Bay can also be visually busy because it is one of Rhodes’ most popular coastal stops. The catamaran gives you a different angle from the usual beach visit, but you will not have the bay to yourself.

Ladiko Bay: lunch with a swim

After a short five-minute cruise, the catamaran reaches Ladiko Bay. The stop lasts about 80 minutes and combines lunch, drinks, swimming, and snorkeling.

Ladiko has a quieter feel than Anthony Quinn Bay, with a sheltered-looking cove and attractive rocky scenery. It is a practical place for the main meal because you can eat, swim, and return to your seat without wasting much time moving between activities.

The onboard spread is more substantial than the usual sandwich-and-fruit boat lunch. You can expect Greek salad, green salad, potato salad, pasta salad, dolmadakia, olives, feta, tzatziki, roasted eggplant spread, feta spread, chicken, rice, and fresh bread. Seasonal fruit is also served.

The meal has a clear meat-based center, with chicken and rice as the main filling option. Salads, dips, dolmadakia, olives, and feta provide vegetarian food, but the selection may feel limited if you want a dedicated vegetarian or fish main course. If you have allergies or dietary needs, tell the provider in advance. Recent feedback indicates that dietary issues and allergies have been accommodated, but it is wise to confirm rather than assume.

Drinks include water, soft drinks, local wine, and beer. A welcome drink starts the day, and the crew keeps beverages available throughout the cruise. Soft drink choices may be limited, with Coke and orange juice specifically noted, so bring your own preferred option only if the operator allows it.

Kallithea Springs: the prettiest final stop

The route then continues for about 30 minutes to Kallithea Springs, where you have roughly an hour for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, cocktails, and sightseeing.

Kallithea is different from the two coves visited earlier. Its appeal is not only the water. The bay is known for its ornate, Vatican-style structures, which give the stop a more architectural feel. You get a chance to look around, take pictures, and then return to the sea.

For many people, this is the most memorable stop because it combines scenery with a final swim. The water is clear, and the rocky edges make snorkeling appealing. Water shoes are worth packing. One passenger found the rocks near a small cave sharp and awkward underfoot, and this is exactly the kind of minor problem that can spoil an otherwise easy swim.

The route ends with about 20 minutes of sailing back to Mandraki Harbour. In practice, the day includes around five hours on the water and a total outing of six hours, depending on the exact schedule and conditions.

What all-inclusive means here

The value comes from the number of extras already covered in the price. You are not paying separately for lunch, beer, wine, water, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, noodles, or life jackets.

At $82, the price compares well with arranging separate coastal activities. One recent comparison put a three-hour self-drive boat rental at about £170, without the same meal and drink package. That is not a direct price match, but it shows why this cruise can make financial sense for a couple or family.

You also avoid the work of navigating, fueling, shopping, and deciding which bay to visit. The tradeoff is freedom. You follow the captain’s route, share the boat, and stay within the planned swimming times.

Drinks are available freely, but the crew can stop serving alcohol to anyone who appears excessively intoxicated. That is a sensible safety rule on a moving boat, especially when people are swimming and using paddleboards.

Weather, timing, and small practical drawbacks

The captain can change the route or swimming stops for safety and weather reasons. This matters most in April, May, and October, when water and air temperatures can be less dependable and the boat may face stronger wind.

A recent October departure was enjoyable despite cold and windy conditions, but swimming was naturally less comfortable. Summer gives you the best chance of warm water and long, easy swims, although the popular bays may feel busier.

In the quieter months, if a catamaran does not reach its minimum number of passengers, the provider may transfer the booking to another catamaran. You should receive a message if that happens.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, towel, and sunscreen. Add water shoes if you plan to walk near the rocks, and consider bringing a personal snorkel mask if underwater time matters to you. An outdoor shower is available for rinsing off salt water.

The tour is guided in English and Greek. The supplied information does not list a hotel pickup, so plan to reach Mandraki Harbour independently.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend the Cherry Catamaran to anyone who wants a low-effort swimming day with food and drinks included. It works especially well for couples, families, and groups of friends who want a mix of sightseeing and time in the water.

It is also a good choice for mixed-ability groups. You can swim from the boat, use a noodle, try a paddleboard, or stay on deck and enjoy the view. The crew provides life jackets, and you do not need to organize your own water gear.

Families should note that the cruise is suitable for different ages according to the supplied information, but the sea can be choppy and the rocks can be sharp. Parents should keep an eye on children during swimming stops.

This is less suitable if you want complete privacy, a quiet sailing trip, or extensive snorkeling in untouched water. The stops are beautiful, but they are popular places, and the boat follows a fixed route.

Should you book the Cherry Catamaran?

Yes, if you want a well-priced, social day at sea with three attractive Rhodes bays, a proper Greek lunch, and drinks already covered. The strongest reasons to book are the spacious catamaran, attentive crew, long swimming stops, and unusually complete food package.

Think twice if you dislike group activities, get seasick easily, or are booking mainly for serious snorkeling. The weather can change the feel of the day, and the shared equipment may not always be in perfect shape.

For most visitors staying near Rhodes Town or the northern part of the island, this is an efficient way to see the east coast from the water. Pack a towel, sunscreen, water shoes, and your own mask if you have one. Then let the crew handle the route, lunch, and drinks.

FAQ

Where does the Cherry Catamaran cruise depart from?

It departs from the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk in Mandraki Harbour. You should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts six hours. The route includes sailing, sightseeing, swimming, snorkeling, and time at three coastal stops.

Which places does the catamaran visit?

The planned stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs Bay. The captain may change the route or swimming stops because of weather and safety conditions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes salads, dolmadakia, olives, feta, Greek dips, chicken, rice, freshly baked bread, and fresh seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes water, soft drinks, local wine, beer, and a welcome drink. The crew may stop serving alcohol to anyone who appears excessively intoxicated.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floating noodles, and life jackets are provided. Checking the condition of the equipment before swimming is a sensible precaution.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.