Rhodes Exclusive Swim Cruise Cocktail Open bar & Gourmet Buffet

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the mix of clear-water swimming stops and a properly stocked open bar. You spend the day moving along the island’s east coast, with time to swim, snorkel, float, eat, and watch the medieval city slide past from the sea.

I especially like the comfortable allocated seating and the freshly prepared Greek buffet. You are not fighting for a sunbed on a packed boat, and the crew provides snorkel gear, noodles, floaters, and life jackets. The main thing to consider is the atmosphere: Captain Alexander is known for dancing and keeping the music going, so this suits a lively day on the water better than a quiet sailing retreat.

Key points

• Three swimming stops: Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay each offer a different setting.
• Captain Alexander brings the energy: Expect music, dancing, and a cheerful crew rather than a silent cruise.
• Food and drinks are included: The Greek buffet includes seafood, pasta, salad, bread, and dessert, with cocktails, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks.
• Comfort comes first: Seating is allocated, with bean bags and sun benches, and the boat is limited to 40 people.
• Swimming gear is supplied: Snorkels, floaters, pool noodles, and life jackets are available at no extra cost.
• Mandraki Harbour is part of the sightseeing: The cruise begins and ends beside Rhodes Old Town, the medieval walls, fortress, windmills, and the legendary site of the Colossus.

Why this six-hour Rhodes cruise is worth considering

At $107.63 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the coast. It is also not simply a boat ride from one beach to another. Your price covers a six-hour outing, a buffet lunch, unlimited drinks from the open bar, seating, swimming equipment, and three coastal stops.

That package makes the cost reasonable if you plan to eat, drink, and swim throughout the day. Buying lunch, cocktails, and a separate boat trip would add up quickly in Rhodes. The value is strongest for couples, friends, and families who want an easy day with most costs settled in advance.

The boat carries a maximum of 40 people. That matters. Popular Rhodes swim cruises can feel like floating crowds, but this experience is designed around enough space for everyone to have a place to sit. Seating is allocated on bean bags and sun benches, so you do not need to rush aboard to claim a good spot.

The word exclusive should not make you picture a private yacht. This is a shared cruise, but the limited capacity and spacious seating give it a more relaxed feel than a large excursion boat. You can choose a sunny or shady area, though shade may be limited on a warm summer day.

Leaving Mandraki Harbour beside Rhodes Old Town

The meeting point is Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece. Departure is at 10:00 in the morning, and the cruise returns to the same place after roughly six hours.

Mandraki is a fine place to begin. It was one of ancient Rhodes’ five ports and served as the naval harbor. Today, twin columns topped by Rhodian deer mark the harbor entrance, while the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos guards the opposite side. Three old medieval windmills add another memorable detail to the view.

As the boat leaves, you get a sea-level view of Rhodes Old Town. The medieval walls look especially impressive from the water, and you can take photographs of this UNESCO World Heritage Site without the usual street crowds. Keep your camera ready during the first part of the cruise.

The harbor is also linked to the story of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The huge statue of the sun god is traditionally said to have stood near the harbor entrance. Historians have no proof that it actually straddled the entrance, but the site remains part of the island’s most famous story.

This opening stretch is sightseeing rather than a guided historical tour. If you sit on the upper deck, you may not hear every announcement clearly. I would treat the views as the main event and read up on the harbor before departure if the history matters to you.

Kallithea Springs gives you the first swim

The first stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat stays for about an hour. You can swim from the boat and look toward the famous spring complex, which has drawn visitors for centuries.

Kallithea is known for reddish water emerging from rock formations in the Gulf of Kallithea. The site was developed in the early 20th century by Italian architects, including Pietro Lombardi and Armando Burnaby, whose work was intended to respect the natural setting. A hydrological conference held here once attracted more than 200 scientists.

You have free admission from the sea, and the stop gives you time to explore as well as swim. The water is the main reason to get off your seat, but the setting adds a little culture to the morning. This is more than a generic swim break.

The boat supplies snorkel equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets. If you are not a confident swimmer, the life jacket makes it easier to enjoy the stop without staying right beside the boat. If you prefer to float, the noodles and other floaters are useful in the open water.

Kallithea is also a good first test of the day’s rhythm. You get about an hour in the water, then return aboard for the next stretch. Bring sunscreen and reapply it often. You will spend much of the day exposed to sun and reflected glare from the sea.

Passing Faliraki on the way south

After Kallithea, the boat passes Faliraki Beach. Faliraki is one of Rhodes’ best-known resort areas, with a long beach, clear water, and a strong nightlife scene.

You do not get a dedicated stop here, so this is a passing view rather than a chance to explore the town. Still, it helps you see how quickly Rhodes changes from medieval harbor to resort coast. If you are staying near Faliraki, the view also gives you a useful sense of the shoreline from the water.

The cruise continues toward Afandou Beach, where the setting becomes more open and less tied to the resort strip.

Afandou Beach combines a long shoreline with caves

Afandou is famous for its large pebble beach, which stretches for about six kilometers. The clear water and rocky shoreline make this a good place to swim, look for sea life, and explore the coastal caves.

You have more than an hour here. That extra time is useful because you can spread out your activities. Swim for a while, use the snorkel gear, float near the boat, or head toward the shore and caves if conditions allow.

Afandou has an interesting name. The Greek word afando means invisible. After repeated attacks on the old coastal settlements by pirates, Persians, Arabs, and Turks, residents moved inland behind the rocks, where the settlement could not be seen easily from the sea.

The area also has links to ancient monuments, tombs, temple foundations, and the pebbles used in the sidewalks of Rhodes Old Town. You will not tour these inland sites during the cruise, but the background gives the beach more character than a simple swimming stop.

Lunch is served back aboard after this part of the cruise. The meal is described as a Greek gourmet buffet, with vegan and gluten-free choices. Food selections can vary, but the spread has included prawn pasta, mussels, chicken, salad, bread with tzatziki, and a brownie-style dessert. Other Greek dishes may appear as well.

The buffet is one of the strongest parts of the package. You can eat without leaving the beach stop early, and the food is freshly prepared by the onboard chef. If you have dietary needs, vegan and gluten-free choices are available, though you should still confirm the exact dishes with the crew before serving yourself.

Ladikos Bay and the story behind its name

The boat also passes Ladikos Bay, a small cove behind Anthony Quinn Bay. Its name comes from the Greek word for an oil container, since this area once served as a loading point for olive oil bound for Egypt and the Middle East.

Local fishermen have found clay containers from shipwrecks around the bay. The old trade gives Ladikos a useful connection to Rhodes’ working past, even though today it is better known for swimming and underwater activities.

Ladikos is not described as a separate timed stop in the schedule, so do not plan on an hour ashore here. You will see the bay from the water, and the boat may pass close enough for photographs. Its caves and tight shape make a sharp contrast with the broad beach at Afandou.

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star swimming stop

The final major stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, a small cove surrounded by high rocks. The water is deep, clear, and filled with small fish, making this the best stop for snorkeling.

The boat provides masks and snorkels, and you can watch fish gather near the surface. Some people even offer bread to attract them. The crew jokes that the fish have never bitten a swimmer, but you should still follow the crew’s instructions and avoid feeding wildlife if asked not to.

The bay takes its name from Mexican actor Anthony Quinn, who came to Rhodes while filming The Guns of Navarone in the 1960s. He loved the cove and sought to buy it, but the agreement was never completed. The beach kept his name, and the story has become part of Rhodes’ popular culture.

This stop is often the highlight because the scenery is compact and dramatic. High rocks surround the water, and the snorkeling feels more rewarding than at a broad, open beach. The water is deep, though, so anyone uncomfortable in deep water should use the provided life jacket or stay close to the boat.

The crew sometimes takes the fun up a notch here. A floating cooler of Zythos beer has been brought out to swimmers, and some people jump from the upper deck into the water. That sort of activity is not required, but it captures the tone of the cruise: playful, social, and more party-friendly than formal.

Food, cocktails, and the onboard mood

The open bar includes cocktails, signature cocktails, wine, beer, water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks. Aperitifs and snacks are also included, so you are not limited to drinks only at lunch.

Cocktail choices are set by the onboard menu rather than built from an unlimited list of every spirit and mixer. Most of the drinks are well received, though the alcohol can taste light and the bartender may not always adjust a preset cocktail. Beer and wine are the safer choice if you want something simple.

The Greek buffet is more substantial than the usual sandwich-and-fruit boat lunch. Expect Mediterranean flavors, seafood, pasta, salad, bread, dips, chicken, and dessert, with the exact menu subject to change. The meal is served on board, so you can eat in comfort rather than balancing a plate on the beach.

The mood depends on the crew and the group. Music plays during the day, and Captain Alexander is known for dancing, including playful performances that can get people out of their seats. The crew is friendly and active, and the atmosphere often turns into a small party on the return trip.

That can be a plus or a drawback. If you want music, dancing, cold drinks, and easy conversation with other people, you will probably enjoy it. If you want a quiet, meditative sail, the sound level may disappoint you. One useful tip is to choose your seating carefully. The upper deck may offer better views, but announcements can be harder to hear there.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want several things in one day:

• Swimming in clear Rhodes water without arranging separate transport
• Snorkeling equipment without paying an extra rental fee
• A full lunch and drinks included in the price
• A boat with room to sit comfortably
• A social atmosphere with music and dancing
• A mix of scenery, history, and beach time

It works particularly well for couples, groups of friends, and families with confident swimmers. Life jackets make the stops more approachable for weaker swimmers, though the water at Anthony Quinn Bay is deep.

This is less suitable if you want a small private charter, a silent sail, or long periods ashore. The stops are timed, and the whole day follows the boat’s schedule. You also need to be comfortable with sun, sea conditions, and getting in and out of the water.

Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra. Most people will need to make their own way to Mandraki Harbour. The boat returns to the same meeting point, which makes it easy to continue exploring Rhodes Old Town afterward.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

The cruise starts at 10:00 and lasts about six hours. Confirmation is provided at booking, and a mobile ticket is accepted. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cruise depends on good weather, so if poor conditions cause cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The experience is recommended by 96 percent of customers and carries a 4.8 rating from 1,230 ratings. Those numbers fit the most consistent strengths: the crew, the spacious seating, the food, the drinks, and the three attractive swim stops.

Should you book the Romantika day cruise?

Book it if you want a well-fed, well-watered day on the Rhodes coast with plenty of swimming and a crew that enjoys entertaining. The $107.63 price is fair once you count the buffet, open bar, allocated seating, snorkel equipment, and six hours on the water.

I would skip it if your ideal boat trip means silence, sailing under wind power, or a very intimate setting. This is a lively shared cruise, not a private escape. For most people looking for an easy Rhodes day with beautiful bays, good food, and a little dancing from Captain Alexander, it is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes swim cruise depart?

It departs from Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece in Rhodes Town.

What time does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at 10:00 in the morning.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and returns to Mandraki Harbour.

Which swimming stops are included?

The cruise stops at Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. It also passes Faliraki Beach and Ladikos Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek buffet prepared by the onboard chef is included, with vegan and gluten-free choices available.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. The package includes an open bar with cocktails, signature cocktails, wine, beer, water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available on the boat.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather may also lead to a different date or a full refund.