Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes looks best from the water. This six-hour catamaran cruise follows the island’s east coast, stopping at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs for long swims in clear water. You can choose a sailing catamaran for a quieter ride or a power catamaran that adds the Afandou caves.

I especially like the generous swimming time and the small maximum group of 24 passengers plus crew. The buffet is another strong point: grilled chicken, salads, hummus, tzatziki, feta, bread, fruit, and unlimited soft drinks, water, wine, and beer from noon. The main consideration is simple but important: the boat stays at anchor, so you must swim to shore rather than walk onto a beach.

The crew gets frequent praise for being warm and helpful. Andreas and Hope are names that come up often, and the staff have helped with dietary needs, family groups, late arrivals who called ahead, and even a car problem. Still, this is a day built around swimming. If you are not comfortable entering the sea from a boat, it may not be your best Rhodes outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Three long swim stops: Plan on about an hour at the main bays, with shorter cruising periods between them.
• Two boat styles: Sailing catamarans offer a relaxed ride, while the power catamaran can include Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Maximum 24 passengers: The boats are designed to feel spacious rather than like large excursion ferries.
• Full food and drink service: Breakfast tortilla, buffet lunch, seasonal fruit, water, soft drinks, juice, wine, and beer are included.
• Boat access only: The catamaran anchors offshore, and reaching the water or shore requires a swim.
• A 10:00 AM departure: Arrive early at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk in Mandraki Harbor.

Starting at Mandraki Harbor at 10:00 AM

The meeting point is the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor. The boat leaves at 10:00 AM, so I would arrive with time to spare rather than treating this like a flexible beach day. Missing the departure can mean a €25 rebooking fee for another day.

The six-hour schedule includes roughly 70 minutes of scenic cruising before the first swim stop. That sounds like a long opening ride, but it gives you time to settle into the boat, find a good seat, and see Rhodes from a fresh angle. Some passengers prefer the upper deck or front area, and arriving early improves your chances of choosing a favorite spot.

The maximum capacity is 24 passengers plus crew. That is a useful number to know. You are not booking a private yacht, but you also are not joining a huge vessel with hundreds of people. The catamaran has seating areas, an outdoor shower, indoor toilets, snorkeling equipment, floating noodles, and life jackets.

The crew speaks English, and announcements matter during the day. Listen carefully for the return-to-boat time at each stop. The schedule is relaxed, but the captain still needs to keep the boat moving.

Choosing sailing or power

The sailing catamaran is the better fit if you want a calm day with the gentle motion of a sailboat. Its route focuses on Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay. You get three main swimming areas, each with plenty of time in the water.

The power catamaran is the more sightseeing-focused choice. It can include Afandou Beach and the Afandou caves, along with Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. The extra stop may appeal to you if caves are a priority or if you want a slightly faster ride between locations.

The exact route can change with weather and sea conditions. The captain may replace a swimming stop or adjust the order for safety. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should book for the overall day on the water rather than for one exact bay alone.

The boats can be referred to by individual names, including Bali and Freedom, depending on the option and date. The important point is not the name of the vessel but the type of day you want: quiet sailing or a faster powered route with the possibility of Afandou caves.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the first hour in clear water

After the opening cruise, the boat reaches Anthony Quinn Bay for about one hour. This is one of the strongest parts of the trip, with rocky surroundings and clear water suited to swimming and snorkeling.

You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel. Equipment is provided, along with noodles and life jackets. The crew may toss bread into the sea, which attracts colorful fish around swimmers. It is a simple touch, but it makes the first water stop more engaging, especially for children and first-time snorkelers.

The key practical detail is that the catamaran anchors offshore. You are not being delivered to a regular beach with an easy path from the deck to the sand. You enter the water from the boat, so bring confidence, a life jacket, or a noodle if you need extra support.

An hour is a good amount of time here. You can swim, look for fish, take photographs from the deck, or remain aboard and enjoy the view. The crew has been praised for helping people feel safe and for supporting families with young children.

Afandou Beach and caves on the power route

The Afandou stop is tied to the power catamaran option. It may include swimming, snorkeling, lunch, and a look at the caves. For many people, this is the feature that tips the decision toward the powered boat.

Afandou adds a different setting to the day. Instead of repeating the same kind of bay, you get another stretch of coast and the chance to see the caves from the water. The precise experience depends on sea conditions and the route chosen that day, so treat it as a likely part of the power option rather than an absolute promise of every detail.

Lunch may be served around this portion of the cruise. The meal is practical, generous, and suited to a day when you have been swimming. Expect grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

This is not a formal restaurant meal, and it does not try to be one. It is a filling Mediterranean buffet served aboard a moving boat, with enough choice for different tastes. One person may want chicken and salads, while another can build a plate around bread, dips, feta, and vegetables.

If you need a special diet, tell the crew in advance. The staff have made an effort with dietary needs, but advance notice is still the sensible approach.

Ladiko Bay: a quieter swim stop

Ladiko Bay follows Anthony Quinn Bay, with about an hour for swimming and snorkeling. The water is clear, and the setting often feels more sheltered than an exposed stretch of coast. That makes it a pleasant stop for anyone who wants to swim without rushing.

I like the rhythm of this part of the cruise. You are not given ten minutes to jump in, take one photograph, and climb back aboard. An hour lets you swim properly, try the snorkel equipment, use a floating noodle, or simply sit on deck while others go into the water.

The boat’s anchored position remains important. If you imagine walking onto the beach, adjust your expectations. The day is about floating in the bay and enjoying the coast from the catamaran, not spending time ashore at beach facilities.

The crew continues drink service throughout the day. Water and soft drinks are available, while wine and beer become available from 12:00 PM. The crew can stop alcohol service if someone appears intoxicated, which is a reasonable safety rule on a boat.

Kallithea Springs and the final swim

The final main stop is Kallithea Springs, usually allowing 45 to 60 minutes in the water. The area is known for its attractive rocky coast and sheltered swimming spaces, and the stop gives the day a strong finish.

The water stop here can feel different from the earlier bays. You may swim toward a lagoon-like area, depending on the route and conditions. Families have found the stop approachable, and children often enjoy the chance to jump into the water from the boat.

By this point, you have had plenty of time to swim, so you can choose your energy level. I would use the final stop for a last snorkel, a quiet float, or photographs from the deck rather than trying to force yourself into another full session.

After Kallithea Springs, the boat cruises back toward Mandraki Harbor. The return portion can take around 45 minutes, giving you time to dry off, shower, finish a drink, and enjoy the coast before arriving.

What the food and drinks are really worth

At $83 per person, the cruise offers more than a simple boat ride. You are paying for six hours on the water, several swim stops, crew service, equipment, food, and drinks. Comparable outings can quickly become less attractive once you add a separate lunch, snorkel rental, and beverages.

The food is one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience. The menu is not fancy, but it is broad enough to work well for a group. The grilled chicken provides a substantial main dish, while salads, dips, olives, feta, and bread give you lighter choices.

There is also a breakfast tortilla snack and a cup of fresh seasonal fruit. These small additions matter because the boat leaves in the morning and the first swim stop comes before lunch. You are not expected to wait half the day for food.

Cold drinks are available during the cruise. Water, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are included, with unlimited wine and beer from noon. That makes the price easier to justify, particularly if you would otherwise buy drinks at a marina or beach café.

Comfort, space, and the small drawbacks

The catamaran setup provides more room than a narrow single-hull boat. You can move around, find shade or sun, and watch the water from different positions. Many people have found the boat comfortable even when it was full.

The toilet is the weak point. It is an indoor facility, which is useful at sea, but it has not always been kept as clean as passengers would like. Use it when needed, but do not expect the polish of a hotel bathroom.

The outdoor shower is helpful after swimming. You can rinse off salt water before sitting down for lunch or the return cruise. Towels are not listed as included, so bring your own.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. The Greek sun can feel strong even when a breeze makes the air comfortable. Keep sunscreen close rather than buried in a bag below deck.

The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Getting into the water and back aboard requires physical movement, and reaching shore means swimming. It is also less suitable for anyone who wants a land-based beach day.

Weather, timing, and family suitability

The captain can change the route and swimming stops when weather conditions require it. That is worth accepting as part of a responsible sea excursion. A day with fewer stops can still be worthwhile if the alternative is an unsafe crossing.

One late-season account involved heavy rain that interrupted the schedule. The crew explained the options, waited for conditions to improve, and tried to provide an extra swim stop afterward. That kind of flexibility is encouraging, but weather can still affect your enjoyment.

The cruise works well for families, including children under eight, as long as they are comfortable around water and supervised. Life jackets and noodles are available, and the crew has been described as friendly with children. You should still bring your own judgment about swimming ability.

It can also suit solo visitors. The boat offers shared company without requiring you to book a private group, and the long stops give you an easy way to enjoy the coast at your own pace.

For April, May, and October bookings, the provider may move you to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum number of participants. You should watch for messages about any change. In high summer, the cruise may feel livelier, while the shoulder months can bring more variable weather.

Is the six-hour cruise good value at $83?

I think the price is fair if you plan to use the inclusions. Three or four coastal stops, six hours aboard, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, and drinks add up quickly when purchased separately.

The best value comes from the amount of time spent in the bays. You are not paying for a short harbor trip with one quick swim. The schedule gives you about an hour at several locations, plus time to see the east coast from the boat.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink alcohol, do not plan to swim, or prefer spending the day on land. You are paying for the boat service and food regardless, so the cruise works best when you want the full package.

The rating of 4.8 from about 2,002 ratings supports the idea that the operation is usually well organized. I would still keep expectations realistic: weather can change the route, the toilet is basic, and the boat remains a shared experience rather than a private yacht.

Should you book this Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed day of swimming, snorkeling, Greek food, and open-water views without arranging each part yourself. It is especially suitable for couples, families with confident swimmers, solo visitors, and anyone who values friendly service and a generous schedule.

Choose the sailing catamaran for a quieter ride and three principal bays. Choose the power catamaran if Afandou Beach and the caves are a major reason for booking.

Skip it if you need easy shore access, have limited mobility, dislike entering the water from a boat, or want a tour centered on historic sites. For everyone else, the mix of beautiful bays, attentive crew, solid lunch, and unlimited drinks makes this one of the stronger full-day sea outings from Rhodes.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes catamaran cruise start?

Meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor.

What time does the catamaran leave?

The catamarans depart at 10:00 AM. Arrive early because missing the departure can result in a €25 rebooking fee for another day.

Which bays does the sailing catamaran visit?

The sailing catamaran stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay.

Which places does the power catamaran visit?

The power catamaran can stop at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach and its caves, Kallithea Bay, and Ladiko Bay.

Do I need to swim to reach the shore?

Yes. The boats stay at anchor in each bay, and you need to swim to reach shore.

What food and drinks are included?

You receive a breakfast tortilla snack, Mediterranean buffet lunch, seasonal fruit, bottled water, juice, soft drinks, and unlimited wine and beer from 12:00 PM.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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