Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

Sunset looks better from the water. This three-hour cruise combines a swim at Kalithea Bay, a generous Greek buffet, and a front-row view of the sun dropping over the Aegean. I especially like the small-group feel reported on many sailings and the fact that wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and water are included. The main thing to consider is that the catamaran anchors offshore, so you need to swim from the boat to reach the bay.

At $58 per person, this is a strong deal if you want dinner and drinks as well as a boat trip. I also like the practical comforts: toilets, an outdoor shower, snorkeling gear, noodles, and life jackets. Just arrive early at Mandraki Harbor. The boats leave on time, and missing departure can mean a €25 rebooking fee.

Key points at a glance

• Kalithea Bay is a swim stop, not a beach landing: The catamaran drops anchor, and you enter the water directly from the boat.
• The buffet is more substantial than a snack: Expect grilled chicken, Greek salads, pasta salad, potato salad, dips, olives, feta, and local bread.
• Drinks are included throughout the cruise: Wine, beer, juice, bottled water, and soft drinks are available without extra charges.
• The sunset is saved for the return journey: After swimming and dinner, the crew positions the boat for views back toward Rhodes.
• Several catamaran choices are available: You may sail on a sailing catamaran or a powered catamaran, depending on your booking.
• Small boats can make a big difference: Some departures carry around 14 to 16 people, giving you more room than a large party boat.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor for the east coast

Your evening begins at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desk in front of the Poseidon Submarine. Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before departure, with the earlier end of that range being the safer choice. The boats leave on time, and this is not the sort of excursion where arriving at the last minute works well.

From Mandraki Harbor, the catamaran heads along Rhodes’ east coast. The first 45 minutes are mainly about settling in, finding a comfortable place to sit, and watching the harbor give way to open water. A catamaran gives you several ways to enjoy the ride. You can sit near the bow, choose a shaded area, or move around for photographs.

The exact boat depends on your booking. You may be assigned to a sailing catamaran or a power catamaran, with three catamaran options used for the experience. The sailing boat offers a quieter, more traditional feel when conditions allow. The powered boat may suit you better if you prefer a steadier, more direct ride.

Past passengers often describe the boats as clean, well-kept, and comfortably sized. Several groups report only about 14 to 16 people aboard, though the number can vary. That smaller scale matters. You are not simply one person in a crowd, and it is easier to get a drink, talk with the crew, and find a good position for sunset.

Kalithea Bay: a swim from the anchored boat

The main stop is Kalithea Bay, near the well-known Kalithea Springs area. The catamaran anchors offshore for around 45 minutes, giving you time to swim and use the snorkeling equipment.

This is a proper open-water stop. The boat does not pull onto a beach, and you do not step onto land. If you want to reach the shore or explore the rocky edges, you must swim from the catamaran. Life jackets and floating pool noodles are available, so you do not have to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the water, but you should feel comfortable entering the sea from a boat.

The water is described as clear, and one account puts the depth at about six meters near the swimming area. You can see fish and rocks below, though expectations should stay sensible. This is not a dedicated marine-life tour. The underwater scene may be pleasant rather than spectacular, and one person found there was not much to see beyond the rocks. Still, the chance to swim in the Aegean during the late afternoon adds something a land-based sunset dinner cannot provide.

Bring swimwear. You will also appreciate the outdoor shower after getting back aboard. The snorkeling equipment is included, and several people found it clean and good quality. Pool noodles are useful if you want to float without spending the whole stop swimming.

One practical point deserves attention: the food may be set out while some people are still in the water. If you spend the entire stop snorkeling, you could miss part of the first serving. I would swim early, rinse off, and then eat without rushing.

A Greek buffet with enough for a full dinner

After the swim, dinner is served aboard the catamaran. This is not a formal restaurant meal, but it is considerably more than a few sandwiches or a plate of crisps.

The buffet includes:

• Grilled chicken
• Pasta salad
• Potato salad
• Greek salad
• Green salad
• Tzatziki
• Hummus
• Aubergine salad
• Olives
• Feta
• Freshly baked local bread

The menu works well for a mixed group. Meat eaters have grilled chicken, while vegetarians can build a satisfying plate from the salads, bread, feta, hummus, tzatziki, and aubergine salad. One vegetarian party felt the choices were limited because there was no fish and did not take the food option, so you should not expect a specially designed vegetarian menu.

The meal is simple Greek buffet food, not a chef-led tasting menu. That is exactly right for this setting. You can eat on deck, keep watching the coast, and return for more without turning dinner into a long seated event. Several people found the portions generous, and chicken drumsticks, fresh bread, dips, and salads received especially warm praise.

Unlimited drinks are part of the price. You can request wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, or bottled water during the cruise. The crew generally serves the drinks, which keeps the evening relaxed and avoids a separate bar bill every time you want another glass.

Alcohol is served responsibly. The crew can stop alcoholic drinks if someone appears intoxicated. That is worth knowing on a boat, where good manners matter more than drinking contests.

Music, crew, and the feel of the evening

Greek-style music and relaxed background songs provide much of the mood. Some departures have a livelier soundtrack, while others feel more romantic and quiet. The music is part of the appeal, especially as the boat turns back toward Rhodes and the sky begins to change color.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. They are frequently described as friendly, attentive, and happy to help with drinks, swimming equipment, and general questions. Eleni is specifically praised for checking that everyone had enough to drink and felt looked after. The captain and first mate have also been noted for sharing interesting information about Rhodes and nearby areas.

That personal attention is easier to provide on a smaller boat. You are more likely to have a short conversation with a crew member than receive only a safety announcement and a plastic cup. Families, couples, solo passengers, and groups of friends all appear to fit comfortably into the atmosphere.

Music volume and passenger behavior can affect the mood. Most departures sound relaxed and social, but any shared cruise depends partly on the people aboard. One family found that a group of teenagers spent much of the sunset making videos on their phones. That is not a flaw in the boat itself, but it is a reminder that this is a public cruise, not a private charter.

Sunset from the Aegean Sea

The sunset portion lasts about 20 minutes near Rhodes Town, with the boat positioned on the return journey for open views across the sea and back toward the island.

This timing works well. You enjoy the swim before the evening cools, eat while there is still light, and then settle in for the final color show. The boat’s movement, the sea breeze, and the changing view of Rhodes make this feel more special than watching the sunset from a crowded waterfront.

Choose your viewing spot early if photographs matter to you. The catamaran has several seating areas, and the view can be enjoyed from much of the boat, but the best position may be claimed before the final stretch. Keep a light layer nearby if you are sailing outside. The sea breeze can feel cooler after swimming, even on a warm Rhodes evening.

The sunset is not guaranteed to be dramatic. Clouds, haze, and weather always have the final say. Still, the cruise is not dependent on the sunset alone. You have a swim stop, dinner, drinks, music, and a scenic boat ride even if the sky does not produce perfect orange and pink colors.

What $58 really gets you

At $58, the value is strong because several costs are bundled together. You are paying for three hours aboard a catamaran, a swimming stop, snorkeling equipment, dinner, and unlimited drinks. A separate restaurant dinner and drinks in Rhodes could quickly take up much of the same budget, before adding a boat trip.

The value is best for someone who wants an easy evening with no decisions once aboard. You do not need to arrange transport between a beach, restaurant, and sunset viewpoint. Everything happens in one outing, with the sea providing the setting.

The price may feel less attractive if you do not drink, do not want dinner, or dislike group boat trips. You are also paying for an experience rather than a long sightseeing itinerary. The cruise covers one swimming area and the coast near Rhodes, not many separate attractions.

Families should check the child pricing carefully before booking. One family traveling with a baby found that the infant was charged the full adult fare. The crew was accommodating, but the price structure may not be as favorable for very young children as for adults.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This is a natural choice for couples. The swim, buffet, sea breeze, music, and sunset create a romantic evening without requiring formal dress or an expensive restaurant.

It also works well for friends who want a social outing. Unlimited drinks and a shared swim stop make it easy to meet people, while the smaller boats help keep the atmosphere friendly rather than noisy and crowded.

Families can enjoy it too. The crew has been welcoming to babies and toddlers, and life jackets, noodles, toilets, and the shower make the boat more practical. Still, you should decide if your child is happy around water, on a moving boat, and at a three-hour evening activity.

Solo passengers should feel comfortable joining. The crew is attentive, and one solo passenger felt safe and relaxed throughout the trip. You can enjoy the view without needing a companion to make the evening worthwhile.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users. The offshore swimming stop also means you should think carefully about mobility and comfort before booking.

Important details before you reserve

The meeting point is in front of the Poseidon Submarine, at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks in Mandraki Harbor. Arrive early, since late arrival can lead to a €25 rebooking fee for another day.

Bring swimwear. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, pool noodles, an outdoor shower, and indoor toilets are provided. You do not need to bring your own mask or flotation aid unless you prefer your personal equipment.

The captain may change the route or swimming stop if weather conditions require it. In April, May, and October, the operator may move you to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum number of participants. You should receive a message if that happens.

English is the stated language for the host or greeter. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Rhodes sunset cruise?

I would book this if you want a well-priced evening that combines swimming, dinner, drinks, and sunset in one package. The strongest reasons are the attentive crew, the clean boats, the generous buffet, and the smaller group size often found on the catamarans.

I would skip it if you want a quiet private sail, a serious snorkeling trip, or a beach stop where you can walk ashore. The boat anchors offshore, the underwater sights are modest, and the mood depends partly on the people sharing the deck.

For most couples, families, solo passengers, and friends visiting Rhodes, this is a very easy evening to recommend. Arrive early, swim before dinner, save a good place for the return ride, and let the sunset do the rest.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours, including the boat rides, the Kalithea Bay stop, dinner, drinks, and sunset viewing.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Mandraki Harbor in front of the Poseidon Submarine, at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 to 15 minutes before the activity begins. Arriving earlier is safer because the catamarans leave on time.

Can I swim directly from the boat?

Yes. The catamaran anchors at Kalithea Bay, and you enter the water directly from the boat. To reach the shore, you need to swim.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and floating pool noodles are included.

What food and drinks are provided?

The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread. Wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are unlimited.

Can wheelchair users join the cruise?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.