Kolymbia: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this cruise is its simple rhythm: three beautiful water stops, a Greek lunch on deck, and drinks flowing while Rhodes slips past. The 25-passenger limit matters, since you get room to stretch out instead of being packed onto a large excursion boat.

I especially like the clear plan of the day and the mix of stops. Tsambika Bay gives you a scenic first swim, the Hidden Caves add something unusual, and Stegna Beach allows nearly an hour in the water. The main drawback is that hotel pickup is not included, and the boat’s commentary may be limited, so you should be comfortable finding Kolymbia Sea Lines and enjoying the coast without a running history lesson.

Key points

• Three swimming stops: Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach each offer a different setting.
• Greek lunch onboard: You eat during the cruise rather than losing beach time to a restaurant stop.
• Unlimited drinks: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the outing.
• Small group size: The Lagoon catamaran carries a maximum of 25 passengers.
• Five-hour schedule: Long enough for several swims without taking up your entire day in Rhodes.
• Meeting point in Kolymbia: You arrange your own way to Kolymbia Sea Lines, since transfers are not included.

A relaxed five-hour cruise from Kolymbia

This is a good choice if you want to see the Rhodes coast from the water without committing to a full-day sailing trip. The outing lasts five hours and stays focused on swimming, snorkeling, food, and time in the sun.

You board a Lagoon catamaran at Kolymbia Harbour, then head along the coast toward three swimming locations. The English-speaking host or greeter keeps the experience accessible for English speakers, but the day is built more around the sea than formal guiding.

That distinction matters. If you want detailed commentary about every headland, cove, and historical site, this may feel quiet. If you would rather listen to the water, share lunch, and choose your own pace at each stop, the format works well.

The group cap of 25 is one of the strongest features. A smaller passenger list generally means fewer people competing for space on deck and a calmer feel when everyone enters the water. One direct account described the boat as comfortable and not overloaded, with enough room to spread out. That is exactly the advantage you are paying for compared with a crowded coastal cruise.

Tsambika Bay starts the swimming

The first stop is Tsambika Bay. You get views of the coast before the boat settles for swimming and snorkeling.

Starting here makes sense. You are fresh, the day is still ahead of you, and the first swim gives you time to get used to the boat and the water. The bay is presented as a clear-water stop with good conditions for looking below the surface, although the supplied details do not confirm whether snorkeling equipment is provided.

You can swim, snorkel, or remain onboard and enjoy the view. That flexibility is useful for a mixed group. One person can take to the water while another stays dry with a drink and watches from the catamaran.

Tsambika is also a scenic introduction to the coast. You are not simply being transported between ports. The point is to pause in places that are difficult to appreciate from the road, with the catamaran acting as a floating base.

The Hidden Caves add a change of mood

After Tsambika Bay, the catamaran continues to the Hidden Caves. This stop lasts about 30 minutes, making it the shortest swimming break of the day.

The caves give this cruise a little more character than a schedule made up only of standard beaches. You can swim near the formations, snorkel, and look around before returning to the boat. The stop is short enough that you should be ready to get into the water soon after the catamaran arrives.

This is also the point where practical planning helps. Keep anything you want for the swim easy to reach, and do not expect a long, unhurried beach visit. The Hidden Caves are a compact stop within a wider five-hour program, not a separate cave tour with extensive exploration.

Still, the variety works. Tsambika Bay provides a broad coastal setting, while the caves offer a more enclosed and unusual place to swim. That change keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

Greek lunch arrives onboard

After the second swim, lunch is prepared and served on the catamaran. This is a useful part of the schedule because you do not need to leave the boat, search for a restaurant, or cut into your swimming time to find food.

The meal is described as a Greek lunch, but no specific dishes are listed. You should therefore expect a Greek-style meal without planning around a particular menu. If you have dietary needs, ask the operator before booking, since the available information does not explain special-diet arrangements.

Eating onboard also keeps the mood informal. You can continue looking out over the coast, have a drink, and recover from the morning’s swimming without a hard change of scenery. The meal is included in the $106 price, along with the drinks, which makes the cost easier to judge.

Unlimited drinks include ice-cold beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water. This is not the same as unlimited premium alcohol or a full bar, but it covers the most useful choices for a warm day at sea. Water is especially important after swimming in the sun, so it is good that it is part of the package rather than an extra purchase.

Stegna Beach gives you the longest swim

The final stop is Stegna Beach, where you have almost a full hour for swimming and snorkeling. This is the longest water break and gives you the most time to settle into the beach setting.

By this stage, you have already had lunch and two earlier chances to swim. You can use Stegna as your main water session, take your time with snorkeling, or simply stay aboard and enjoy a slower final hour. The longer stop is helpful because it avoids the rushed feeling that can come with several short swims.

The beach also gives the itinerary a different finish. After the more scenic bay and the cave stop, Stegna offers a broader coastal pause before the return to Kolymbia Harbour.

You should keep an eye on the timing, though. The stop is described as almost a full hour, not an unlimited visit, and the boat must return to port within the five-hour schedule. Listen for instructions from the crew so you are back onboard when asked.

What the $106 price really includes

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time near Rhodes’ coast. The value comes from combining several paid elements into one organized outing: the catamaran ride, three stops, lunch, and unlimited drinks.

That package is strongest if you expect to drink something during the cruise and would otherwise buy lunch and refreshments separately. It is also useful if you value a smaller boat. A lower-priced trip with a much larger group may not feel as comfortable once everyone is on deck or in the water.

The price is less compelling if you plan to remain dry, do not drink alcohol, and mainly want a short boat ride. In that case, much of the package is not useful to you. The experience is designed for people who want the full combination of sea time, food, and drinks.

The five-hour duration helps the value. You get enough time for three stops without giving up an entire day of sightseeing in Rhodes. It works well as a half-day activity during a longer stay in Kolymbia.

A small boat makes a practical difference

The maximum of 25 passengers is more than a marketing detail. On a catamaran, comfort depends on how many people are sharing the seating, open deck, and entry points. A limited group should make it easier to find a comfortable place and move around between stops.

One account specifically praised the room to spread out and the fact that the boat did not feel overloaded. That is worth emphasizing because crowded sea trips can turn a pleasant swim into a queue for the ladder.

The boat is described as a well-maintained Lagoon catamaran in the supplied information. You should still expect a shared excursion rather than a private charter. The 25-person maximum improves the atmosphere, but you are not getting a completely personal itinerary or the freedom to change the route.

The main limitation is communication

The clearest criticism concerns the amount of information from the skipper. One passenger wanted better explanations of planned stops and coastal points of interest, while recognizing that several languages might need to be covered.

That is a fair expectation to set before you book. This cruise appears strongest as a leisure outing, not as a guided coastal lecture. You will know the main stops and the approximate flow of the day, but you may not receive detailed commentary about every place you pass.

For some people, that is a plus. You can enjoy the views without having to follow a constant stream of facts. For others, especially anyone interested in Rhodes’ geography or local history, the quiet stretches may feel like missed opportunities.

I would bring your own curiosity and treat the stop names as the structure of the day. If you want extensive interpretation, pair the cruise with a separate guided visit elsewhere on the island.

Getting to Kolymbia and planning your day

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Kolymbia Sea Lines, listed on Google Maps, and meet the boat there.

The exact departure time depends on availability, so check the selected date carefully. Since the cruise lasts five hours, leave enough room before and after it for getting to the harbour without rushing.

Wear clothing that can handle spray and swimming, and keep your important belongings protected from water. The supplied information does not say whether towels, snorkeling equipment, or changing facilities are included, so confirm those points before departure if they matter to you.

The English-speaking host makes the outing suitable for English speakers, but the day does not appear to offer hotel transport or a multilingual guiding program. That is easy to manage if you are staying near Kolymbia and can reach the harbour independently.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families, and solo visitors who want a social but not oversized boat experience. The smaller group, included meal, and steady supply of drinks make the day easy to enjoy without arranging each part yourself.

It also suits you if swimming is the main goal. You get three chances to enter the water, with the longest session at Stegna Beach and a shorter, more unusual stop at the Hidden Caves.

Families should consider the swimming focus carefully. The catamaran provides a comfortable base, but the schedule is centered on water activities rather than children’s entertainment or sightseeing ashore. The details do not state whether flotation equipment or child-specific facilities are available.

This is less suitable if you want a private sailing experience, a long beach stay, or detailed narration about Rhodes. It is also not the right pick if you need hotel transport included.

Should you book the Kolymbia catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a well-planned half-day on the water, especially if three swimming stops, lunch, and unlimited drinks sound worth more than a bare-bones boat ride. The small passenger limit is the strongest reason to choose it, while the Hidden Caves and long Stegna Beach stop give the route useful variety.

Think twice if you mainly want sightseeing commentary or need pickup from your hotel. You will have to reach Kolymbia Sea Lines yourself, and the guiding appears light.

For most people staying near Kolymbia who want a comfortable coastal outing, the $106 price is reasonable because it covers the boat, food, and drinks in one package. Just arrive ready for a relaxed sea day, not a history tour.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours, including the three swimming stops, lunch onboard, and the return to Kolymbia Harbour.

Where does the cruise meet?

The meeting point is Kolymbia Sea Lines, which you can find on Google Maps. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How many swimming stops are included?

Three swimming stops are included: Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach.

How long is the stop at the Hidden Caves?

The Hidden Caves stop lasts about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the area from the water.

Which stop offers the most swimming time?

Stegna Beach offers almost a full hour for swimming and snorkeling.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are included during the cruise.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek lunch is prepared and served onboard after the stop at the Hidden Caves.

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.