Faliraki: Boat Trip to Anthony Quinn & The Caves with Drinks

The best part of this Faliraki boat trip is the combination of two proper swim stops and a glass-windowed cabin below deck. You can watch fish from the air-conditioned underwater section, then climb into the clear Rhodes water yourself. At Anthony Quinn Bay, the crew feeds the fish beside the boat, creating a memorable swirl of silver bodies.

I especially like the 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, which gives you time to swim without rushing, and the 25-minute stop at Traganou Caves, where you can paddle into the rock formations. The open bar is another practical touch, with cold beer, water, and soft drinks available throughout.

The main drawback is the pickup system. The boat serves several beach stops in Faliraki, so boarding and return transfers can eat into the three-hour outing. If you want a quiet sail with no stops, this is not that sort of cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• The underwater cabin is air-conditioned, making it useful for anyone who wants to see marine life without getting into the water.
• Anthony Quinn Bay gets the longest swim stop, 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and watching the fish-feeding session.
• Traganou Caves offer a swim-through experience, with 25 minutes to explore the rock formations from the water.
• Beer, water, and soft drinks are unlimited, but food is not included.
• Pickup is from red beach steps, with several Faliraki locations and three departure times.
• The crew is a major part of the experience, with Captain Mike and Niko often singled out for their humor, safety briefing, and friendly help.

What the yellow semi-submarine actually offers

This is not a traditional submarine ride. It is a yellow boat with a below-deck viewing cabin fitted with large glass panels. You sit beneath the waterline and watch fish pass alongside the hull while the boat is stopped or moving slowly near the bays.

That setup gives you two ways to enjoy the sea. You can swim and snorkel during the stops, or stay dry downstairs and still see marine life. This makes the trip a good choice for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can jump in, while a nervous parent or child can watch from the cabin.

The underwater room has air conditioning, a detail that matters on a hot Rhodes afternoon. The cabin can become the natural gathering point when the sun is strong or when you need a break from swimming.

The fish-feeding session at Anthony Quinn Bay is the main underwater show. Staff feed the fish near the boat, so you can see large numbers gathering below the windows. It is a simple idea, but it gives you a much better chance of seeing marine life than a quick look through a standard glass-bottom panel.

Snorkeling equipment is available, and pool noodles are recommended for the cave stop. You should still bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and anything you need for the beach. Food is not included, so eat before boarding if you know three hours on the water will leave you hungry.

Boarding from Faliraki beach

You do not board from one single central pier. A tender boat collects you from the red steps on the beach at one of the Faliraki stops, then takes you out to the yellow semi-submarine. This is important to understand before you set off for the meeting point.

The published pickup times are:

• Amada Colossos beach: 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, or 3:30 PM
• Esperides and Calypso Hotel beach: 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, or 3:40 PM
• Apollo Hotel and Faliraki Harbor: 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, or 3:55 PM

The information gives several beach pickup points, so check the exact location attached to your booking. Look for the red steps and the yellow boat or tender connection. If you are staying at a hotel away from these beaches, you need to make your own way to the selected beach stop unless your booking specifically confirms another arrangement.

The multiple stops help people staying along the Faliraki shore, but they also slow the start and finish. One family estimated that around an hour of the total outing could be tied to moving between pickup points. That is not the experience on every departure, but you should factor it into your expectations.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the fish-feeding stop

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star of the trip. The rocky shore closes around clear water, and the boat stops offshore rather than taking you onto a beach. The 40-minute break gives you time to swim, use the snorkeling gear, or simply float near the boat.

You may not be brought right up to the sand. One useful point from the practical side of the experience is that the boat can remain offshore, so anyone expecting a beach landing should adjust plans. The reward is the water itself, with the cliffs and bright sea forming the setting for the longest stop.

The crew feeds fish beside the underwater cabin. From downstairs, you can watch large schools gather around the boat. This is where the semi-submarine format earns its keep. You are not relying only on a quick glance into the water while the boat moves. You get a stationary view and a clear reason for the fish to gather.

If you are uneasy in the sea, this stop still works. You can remain inside and watch through the windows. If you are comfortable swimming, you can use the full 40 minutes outside. Children often get the best of both options, switching between the cabin and the water.

The bay is also the busiest part of the program in terms of activity. People may be swimming, snorkeling, watching the fish, and collecting drinks at the same time. That is part of the fun, but it is not a private cove experience.

Traganou Caves and swimming inside the rocks

Traganou Caves provide a different setting from Anthony Quinn Bay. Instead of focusing on fish around the boat, this stop is about the rocky formations and the chance to swim inside the caves.

You get about 25 minutes here. That is enough for a short swim into the openings, a look at the rock walls, and some time floating near the boat. Pool noodles are recommended, which is useful for anyone who wants support while moving through the cave area.

The stop is shorter than the one at Anthony Quinn Bay, so keep your first look efficient. Have your mask ready, listen to the crew, and do not spend the whole break deciding whether to enter the water. You can always return to the boat early if the cave swim is not for you.

The caves are a strong reason to choose this cruise over a simple coastal sightseeing ride. You get to experience the formations from the water level rather than only seeing them from the deck. The setting is also more active and hands-on, though anyone who dislikes swimming from a boat may find this stop less appealing.

The supplied schedule presents Anthony Quinn Bay before Traganou Caves, with sightseeing runs between the two. The general description also describes the caves as an early swimming stop, so the exact order may depend on the departure. The important point is that both stops are part of the three-hour program.

Drinks, crew, and the feel on board

The open bar includes unlimited ice-cold beer, water, and soft drinks. You help yourself from the onboard fridge, which is especially welcome after time in the sun and salt water. Food is not included, so think of the drinks as refreshment rather than a meal.

The bar changes the mood of the cruise. This is not a formal sightseeing boat with quiet commentary all the way along the coast. It feels more like a relaxed swimming outing, with people moving between the deck, cabin, water, and fridge.

Crew members have received strong praise for making the trip comfortable. Captain Mike is mentioned by name, as is Niko, and the staff are described as funny, attentive, and careful with safety. The safety talk seems more detailed than some people expect from a short boat excursion, which is a good thing when children and less confident swimmers are aboard.

The English-speaking host or greeter can explain the stops and safety arrangements. Commentary includes facts about the coast and the places you visit, but this is not primarily a history tour. You come for the sea, caves, fish, and swimming.

One especially useful service is help with photographs. A crew member may offer to take pictures while you are in the water, saving you from keeping your phone in hand. You should still protect your phone from spray and avoid assuming that every photograph service is guaranteed on every departure.

Is three hours good value at $58?

At $58 per person, I see this as a solid value if you want several holiday ingredients in one outing. The price includes the semi-submarine cruise, two swimming stops, the underwater viewing cabin, snorkeling equipment, and unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks.

A separate boat ride, drinks, and a visit to two well-known coastal spots could easily cost more when booked individually. The value improves for families because children can switch between swimming and watching fish through the windows. It also works well for couples who want a compact sea excursion rather than a full-day charter.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not plan to swim, and mainly want a calm scenic cruise. A large part of the appeal comes from the swim stops and the open bar. If you remain seated for the whole trip, you are paying for features you may not use.

The time lost to beach pickups is the other factor. The advertised duration is three hours, but the cruise itself includes boarding transfers and movement along the coast. That is normal for a shared boat trip, but it means you should not compare the price with three full hours spent at one bay.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add useful flexibility. Starting times are offered in the morning, around midday, and in the afternoon, so you can fit the cruise around a beach day or another Rhodes plan.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it first to families. The underwater cabin gives children something to watch even if they are not ready to swim, while the two stops provide enough action to keep older children interested. The crew’s safety focus and playful manner also help make the boat feel less intimidating.

It suits couples who want a straightforward three-hour outing with scenery, swimming, and a drink in hand. The cruise is not secluded or luxurious, but it is easygoing and offers more variety than a plain transfer along the coast.

It also works for mixed-ability groups. A strong swimmer can snorkel at Anthony Quinn Bay, while someone nervous about open water can stay in the cabin. Pool noodles at the caves add another layer of support.

You should think twice if you want a quiet, small-group sailing experience, a beach landing at Anthony Quinn Bay, or a full meal included. This is a shared activity with several pickup points, an open bar, and a lively holiday atmosphere.

Wear swimwear under your clothes, bring a towel, and arrive ready to find the red beach steps. If you are prone to motion sickness, keep the included drinks sensible and spend some time in the fresh air rather than only below deck. Children should follow the crew’s instructions around the boat and caves.

Should you book the Faliraki semi-submarine?

Book this cruise if you want to see Rhodes from the water without giving up the chance to swim. The strongest combination is the underwater cabin at Anthony Quinn Bay, the fish-feeding session, the 40-minute swim, and the second stop inside Traganou Caves.

I would choose it over a basic glass-bottom ride because you get more time in the water and a more varied route. I would skip it only if multiple beach pickups, shared space, or swimming from the boat sound like annoyances.

For $58, the package is particularly good for families and groups who will use the drinks, snorkeling gear, cabin, and both swim stops. Check your nearest pickup point carefully, then expect a cheerful, practical sea outing rather than a polished luxury cruise.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The experience lasts three hours, including sightseeing, the two swimming stops, and transfers between the Faliraki beach pickup points.

What are the swimming stops?

The cruise stops at Anthony Quinn Bay for about 40 minutes and at the Traganou Caves for about 25 minutes. The schedule can present the stops in different order.

Can I swim inside the Traganou Caves?

Yes. The tour allows you to swim into the rock formations at Traganou Caves. Pool noodles are recommended for this stop.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available during the swimming stops.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks are included from the onboard open bar.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the tour price.

Can I see fish without swimming?

Yes. The below-deck underwater cabin has glass viewing panels, and the crew feeds fish near the boat at Anthony Quinn Bay.

Is the underwater cabin air-conditioned?

Yes. The underwater section has air conditioning, which provides a cooler place to watch the marine life.

Where do I board the boat?

Pickup is from the red steps on the beach at one of several Faliraki stops, including Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.