Rhodes: Anthony Quinn, Ladiko and Caves All-Inclusive Cruise

Three bays, one boat, and very little fuss. This three-hour catamaran cruise gives you a quick, scenic look at Rhodes from the water, with swimming at Anthony Quinn Bay, Traganou Caves, and Ladiko Bay. I especially like the comfortable sofas and the friendly service from hosts such as Elena, Mike, and Hristos.

The other big plus is the open bar, which includes beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and freshly made frozen fruit cocktails. The main drawback is time: 30 to 40 minutes at each stop goes quickly, and a few people found that the boat sometimes left a couple of minutes early.

The boat is licensed for 45 people but normally carries no more than 28. That makes this feel more like a relaxed social outing than a packed party boat. You should still expect music, shared seating, and a holiday mood rather than a quiet private charter.

Key points to know before you book

• Three swim stops in three hours: You visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Traganou Caves, and Ladiko Bay without giving up a full day.
• Fresh frozen cocktails: The fruit cocktail of the day is blended on board, with strawberry drinks receiving the most praise.
• Sofas instead of hard deck benches: Each couple can usually find a comfortable place to sit, with some shaded areas available.
• Snorkeling gear and pool noodles included: Equipment is provided, which is useful if you want to swim without packing your own gear.
• Small-group limit: The catamaran can carry 45 but is limited to 28 for comfort.
• Transfers cost extra: Pickup from Rhodes Town, Ixia, cruise ships, Kremasti, and Kallithea costs €10 per person when arranged in advance.

A short Rhodes cruise with a holiday feel

The Aphrodite is a 36-foot catamaran, and the setup is made for relaxed coastal cruising. You board beside the small church at Faliraki port, near Agioi Apostoloi, then settle into a sofa before the boat heads along the coast.

I like that the cruise does not try to fill an entire day. Three hours is enough to reach several striking bays, swim in clear water, and enjoy a drink without turning the outing into a major commitment. If you have only a few days in Rhodes, this is an efficient way to see the coast.

The mood is social but not described as a full party cruise. Music plays on board, drinks are available throughout, and the crew brings out fruit and local snacks. The smaller passenger limit matters here. You are not shoulder to shoulder with dozens of people, and solo visitors can join in without feeling stranded at a table.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Elena is repeatedly praised for attentive service, while Mike is noted for his welcoming manner and freshly blended strawberry cocktails. Captain Hristos and other crew members are also singled out for friendly, helpful service.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the most photogenic first stop

The first scheduled swim is Anthony Quinn Bay, with about 40 minutes in the water. This is the longest stop, and it makes sense. The bay is known for its dramatic rocky setting and clear water, giving you both a good photo stop and a strong place to snorkel.

From the boat, the bay feels different from a beach visit. You see the curved shoreline and rocky edges from the water, then jump or climb in for a swim. Snorkeling gear is included, and the clear water can reveal fish below the surface.

This is the place where you will want your camera ready, but protect it carefully around the water. The time passes quickly if you spend part of the stop taking photos, so choose your priority before you get in. If swimming and snorkeling matter most, go straight into the water and save the boat photos for the return journey.

The crew serves drinks and snacks during the outing, and a fruit platter is part of the food service. The combination of cold water, fruit, and a frozen strawberry cocktail gives this stop a pleasant rhythm. You can swim, return to the boat, and relax in the shade instead of sitting on a crowded beach.

Traganou Caves: a swim inside the rock

The next major stop is Traganou Caves in Afandou Bay, with around 30 minutes for swimming. The boat takes you to the caves, where you can swim inside one of them. That makes this more than a simple photo stop.

The caves are best suited to confident swimmers, although pool noodles are available for anyone who wants extra support. Snorkeling equipment is also provided. The experience is simple but memorable: you leave the open water, swim toward the dark opening, and look back at the bright sea outside.

The 30-minute window is enough to explore the cave and cool off, but it is not generous. If the sea is busy or you need time to get comfortable in the water, your actual cave time may feel shorter. Listen to the crew’s instructions and keep an eye on the boat, since the schedule continues even if you are still enjoying the water.

The route includes dramatic coastal scenery, including a cliff described as dropping roughly 200 meters into the sea. You will not spend the whole cruise next to this cliff, but it adds scale to the ride between stops. This is one reason sitting at the front or along an open side of the catamaran is useful.

Ladiko Bay: a calm finish for snorkeling

Ladiko Bay is the final swimming stop, with approximately 30 minutes in the water. The host points out a good snorkeling area, which helps if you are not sure where to start.

Ladiko is valued for its clear water and calm, sheltered feel. It is a good contrast to the more dramatic rocks around Anthony Quinn Bay and the enclosed cave swim at Traganou. You can use this stop to snorkel at an easy pace, float with a noodle, or simply enjoy the water.

The order of stops can matter to your energy level. By the time you reach Ladiko, you may already have spent time swimming twice, so do not feel obliged to use every minute in the water. The boat’s sofas and shaded spots give you a comfortable alternative.

Some passengers have found the shaded areas especially valuable during hot weather. Other parts of the boat are exposed to the sun, and one person noted that the cruise would feel hot if assigned to a sunny seat for the full trip. Bring sunscreen, a hat if you use one, and sunglasses. Shade is available, but it may not cover every seat at every point of the route.

What is included for the $64 price

The advertised price is $64 per person. For three hours, that is not the cheapest way to reach a beach, but it offers more than transport. You are paying for a catamaran ride, three coastal swim stops, snorkeling equipment, an open bar, fruit, local snacks, and crew service.

The drinks include fresh fruit cocktails, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. The frozen strawberry cocktail is the signature drink, made on the spot from fresh fruit. You can also request a nonalcoholic version, which is useful for children, nondrinkers, or anyone who wants to stay sharp while swimming.

Food is light rather than a full meal. Expect fruit salad or a fruit platter, plus melekouni, a traditional Rhodian bar made with honey and sesame. This is enough to keep you going during a short cruise, but you should eat a proper meal before or after if you need something substantial.

Pricing may vary by booking method. One person paid €35 when arranging the trip directly on the day, while the advertised online price is $64. That does not guarantee the lower rate will be available to you, but it is worth comparing the current direct price with the online total before you pay.

For cruise ship passengers, the value can be particularly good. A €10 return transfer from the cruise terminal can be arranged in advance, which may still cost less than a ship-organized shore outing. The transfer is not included, and arrangements must be made through WhatsApp the day before.

Comfort, shade, and the small-group setup

The Aphrodite is not a luxury yacht, but its seating is a real strength. Sofas replace the usual rows of rigid seats, and several people appreciated having a comfortable place to relax between swims.

The passenger cap of 28 is also important. The vessel is licensed for 45, but limiting the group leaves more room around the bar and swimming equipment. It also makes the crew’s personal service more practical.

Do not assume every seat has equal shade. Some areas are shaded, while other seats sit in full sun. If shade matters to you, arrive ready to choose a suitable place, and bring sunscreen even if the morning looks mild.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, swimming from a catamaran can involve steps, ladders, or uneven movement on deck. If you use a wheelchair and need help entering the water, contact the operator before booking so you know exactly what assistance is available.

Timing, transfers, and the meeting point

The boat Aphrodite is moored beside the small church at Faliraki port, Faliraki 851 00. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the basic cruise.

Return transfers from Rhodes Town, Ixia, cruise ships, Kremasti, and Kallithea cost €10 per person when arranged in advance. Pickup from Kolymbia is listed at €15 per person. You must arrange the transfer by WhatsApp the day before, during office hours from 9:00 in the morning to 10:00 at night.

This matters if you are staying outside Faliraki or arriving from a cruise ship. Do not leave the transfer question until the morning of the cruise. The service has worked well for some people, but a few have reported confusion about meeting and return arrangements. Get the pickup time and location confirmed in writing.

The cruise lasts three hours, including the travel between bays. That leaves roughly 100 minutes in the water if the advertised stop times are followed: 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay and 30 minutes each at Traganou Caves and Ladiko Bay. You should treat those times as approximate, since sea conditions and boat operations can affect the schedule.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want several beautiful swim locations without spending a full day at sea. It suits couples, groups of friends, solo visitors, and mixed-age families who can manage boat swimming.

It is especially good for people who like a little of everything: scenery, snorkeling, drinks, music, and time to relax. The crew can provide noodles for less confident swimmers, and one member of the team even helped beginners learn how to swim. Still, you should be comfortable with open-water swimming or tell the crew if you need support.

I would not choose it if you want long, quiet sessions at one bay, a full lunch, or a private boat. The stop times are fixed and fairly short. You also need to share the boat and accept some music and social activity.

Pack a towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Bring swimwear under your clothes, and consider a waterproof phone pouch if you want photos from the water. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you can bring your own mask if you prefer a familiar fit.

Should you book the Aphrodite cruise?

Book it if you want a well-paced three-hour outing with three attractive swim stops, comfortable seating, and generous drinks. The strongest reasons are the small passenger limit, helpful crew, fresh cocktails, and the chance to swim inside the Traganou Caves.

Think twice if you dislike sun exposure, short swim windows, or group activities. For most people who want a fun taste of Rhodes by sea, the $64 price offers solid value, especially when you count the drinks, fruit, equipment, and three separate bays. Just confirm the transfer cost, arrive with realistic expectations about timing, and try to claim a shaded seat.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

The Aphrodite is next to the small church at Faliraki port, Faliraki 851 00, Greece.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The cruise stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Traganou Caves in Afandou Bay, and Ladiko Bay.

How long do you stay at Anthony Quinn Bay?

The scheduled swimming time at Anthony Quinn Bay is 40 minutes.

Can you swim inside the Traganou Caves?

Yes. The cruise includes time to swim inside the Traganou Caves.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited drinks include fresh fruit cocktails, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.

Is food included?

Yes. Fruit salad or a fruit platter and melekouni, a traditional Rhodian honey and sesame bar, are included.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the basic price. Paid transfers can be arranged from listed areas.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.