Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this cruise gives you a full six hours of clear bays, open-sea views, and long swim stops. I especially like the small maximum group of 24 and the generous hour allotted at most bays, since you are not rushed back aboard after one quick swim.

The other strong point is the practical all-inclusive setup: snorkels, noodles, lunch, fruit, and drinks are ready to go. The main thing to consider is that the catamaran remains at anchor, so you must swim to shore if you want to reach land. This is not a good choice for anyone with limited mobility or who is uncomfortable getting in and out of the sea.

Key points at a glance

• Three or four swim stops: Sailing boats visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs. Power catamarans add Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Long stops in the water: Most swimming sessions last about an hour, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes at Kalithea.
• Maximum 24 passengers: The boats have room to spread out, although the feel depends on which catamaran you are assigned.
• Greek food served onboard: Expect grilled chicken, salads, feta, olives, hummus, tzatziki, aubergine salad, bread, fruit, and a breakfast tortilla snack.
• Drinks are included: Water, juice, soft drinks, beer, and wine are available, with beer and wine served from noon.
• The boat does not dock at the bays: You swim from the catamaran, so bring confidence in the water and listen carefully to the crew.

Why this Rhodes catamaran cruise works so well

The appeal is simple. You spend the day moving along Rhodes’ east coast, then stopping in sheltered bays for proper swim time rather than merely looking at the water from a boat.

The six-hour length is well judged. There is enough cruising to enjoy the coast, but the day is built around three or four stops of about an hour each. That gives you time to snorkel, float, take photos, or stay aboard and enjoy the view without feeling hurried.

I also like the passenger limit. A boat carrying no more than 24 people feels far more relaxed than a large excursion vessel. You still have a social atmosphere, but there should be room to find a comfortable seat. Several people have found the boats spacious even when full, and some recommend boarding early if you want a preferred place on the upper deck or at the front.

The exact boat varies. You can choose a sailing catamaran or a power catamaran, with three listed catamaran options. The sailing version offers a quieter, slower feel, while the power boat covers more ground and includes the extra stop at Afandou Caves. If the caves matter most to you, check that you have selected the power option.

Starting at Mandraki Harbor at 10:00

You meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor. The scheduled departure is 10:00, and you should arrive early rather than cutting it close. If you miss the boat, rebooking for another day carries a fee of 25 euros per ticket.

The opening part of the trip is a sightseeing cruise of about 70 minutes. This is not wasted time. It lets you settle into the boat, find your space, and watch the east coast open up before the swimming begins.

The crew speaks English and gives announcements during the day. Pay attention to these, especially when it is time to return from the water. The captain can change the route or swimming stops if the weather requires it, which is a sensible safety measure on an open-water trip.

The crew style is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Andreas is frequently singled out for being helpful and friendly, while Hope is noted for warm hospitality and a willingness to assist. Dimitri has also been praised for offering drinks and taking photos for people in the water. Names and staff assignments can change, but the service is clearly designed to be attentive without being formal.

Anthony Quinn Bay: your first hour in clear water

Anthony Quinn Bay is usually the first swimming stop, reached after the opening cruise. You get about an hour here, with time for swimming and snorkeling.

The bay is known for its clear water and rocky coastal setting. The crew may throw bread into the sea, attracting small colorful fish near swimmers. That makes this a particularly easy introduction to snorkeling, even if you have never used a mask and snorkel before.

Snorkeling equipment is supplied, along with pool noodles and life jackets. You can use the gear to look below the surface, or simply float and enjoy the water. The support is useful for families and first-time snorkelers, though children still need close supervision.

Do not expect the catamaran to pull up beside a beach and let you step ashore. The boat stays at anchor, and you swim from it. If you prefer to remain onboard, you can still enjoy the bay from the deck, but the real point of the stop is being in the water.

Ladiko Bay: a quieter second stop

After a short cruise of about 10 minutes, the boat reaches Ladiko Bay. The stop lasts around an hour and usually feels more peaceful than the first, giving you another chance to swim and snorkel without needing to rush.

Ladiko is valued for its calm, clear water. The change of bay matters because you get a different view and a fresh setting rather than repeating the same swim. If you enjoyed snorkeling at Anthony Quinn Bay, bring your mask back into the water here and compare the fish and underwater rocks.

Depending on the boat’s schedule, lunch may be served around this part of the day. The itinerary places lunch alongside the swimming stops, so the exact order can vary. You will not need to return to port for a meal, which keeps the day flowing and gives you more time along the coast.

Lunch onboard: simple Greek food that suits a day at sea

The buffet is not a restaurant tasting menu, but it is a substantial spread for a boat trip. Expect grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

There is also a breakfast tortilla snack early in the day and a cup of seasonal fruit later. The food is practical for swimming and sailing: familiar, filling, and easy to serve to a mixed group.

I like that the menu includes several meat-free dishes. A few people have requested dietary help and received assistance from the chef, but you should still raise any dietary needs before eating rather than assuming every requirement can be met.

The main limitation is choice. The hot main item is grilled chicken, so anyone hoping for fish or a broad selection of mains may find the lunch basic. Still, the salads, dips, feta, olives, and bread give the meal enough variety for most people.

Beer and wine are available without an extra charge from 12:00, while bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are available throughout the day. This is a real value point, especially if you would otherwise buy drinks at several beach stops. The crew may stop serving alcohol if someone appears intoxicated, which is fair on a boat where everyone shares a confined space.

Afandou Beach and Caves: the power catamaran advantage

The power catamaran makes an additional stop at Afandou Beach and its caves. This is the main reason to choose the powered option if you want the fullest route.

The stop combines lunch, swimming, and snorkeling and lasts about an hour. The caves add variety to a day that otherwise centers on open bays. You should check the exact route at booking, since the sailing catamaran does not include this stop.

The power boat also cuts down some travel time between locations. That can be useful if your priority is seeing more of the coast. The tradeoff is that a power catamaran may feel less quiet than a sailing boat, while the sailing option gives you a more relaxed pace and the pleasure of moving under sail when conditions allow.

Kalithea Springs: a memorable final swim

The final stop is Kalithea Springs, with about 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The setting gives the day a strong finish, with clear water and a sheltered area to enjoy before the return cruise.

You can swim toward the lagoon area if conditions and your ability allow. Families have found this stop especially enjoyable, and children often like the chance to jump into the water from the boat. As always, the crew’s instructions matter, and you should use a life jacket or noodle if you are not a confident swimmer.

After Kalithea, the catamaran spends roughly 45 minutes cruising back to Mandraki Harbor. That final stretch gives you time to dry off, have a last drink, and watch the coast recede. An outdoor shower is available, as are indoor toilets, though the toilet area has not always been kept as clean as passengers would like. It is a minor but fair consideration on a six-hour boat day.

What the $83 price really includes

At $83 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see a Rhodes beach. It is a strong value if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, lunch, snorkeling equipment, drinks, and several hours of swimming.

The price includes the catamaran cruise, a buffet lunch, breakfast snack, seasonal fruit, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, beer and wine from noon, snorkeling equipment, floating noodles, life jackets, and use of the outdoor shower and indoor toilet. The maximum of 24 passengers also gives the price more weight than a basic large-boat excursion.

You are paying for convenience as much as transport. There is no need to pack a picnic, rent snorkel gear, or find a beach bar at each stop. The tour also removes the hassle of deciding which bays to visit and how to reach them by road.

The value is less clear if you do not want to swim, drink, or spend a full day on a boat. Much of the appeal is active and water-based. If you prefer a short scenic cruise with a firm shoreline stop, this is not the right product.

Sailing or power catamaran?

Choose the sailing catamaran if you want a gentler pace and a relaxed day focused on three main bays: Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs. You still receive the full meal, drinks, gear, and swimming time.

Choose the power catamaran if Afandou Caves are high on your list or if you want four stops and a faster route between them. The power version visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach and caves, Kalithea Bay, and Ladiko Bay.

Neither choice guarantees a completely fixed route. Weather can change the captain’s decision, and in April, May, or October, a boat may be changed if it does not reach its minimum number of participants. You should watch for messages about any booking change during those months.

Who will enjoy this day most?

This cruise suits couples, families, solo visitors, and small groups who want a ready-made day on the sea. It has a family-friendly feel, and the crew provides flotation aids and life jackets for people who are new to snorkeling.

It also works well for solo visitors. You can choose a seat, join the shared atmosphere, and let the crew handle the practical details. The long stops mean you are not trapped in a constant schedule of brief photo opportunities.

You should think twice if you have a mobility impairment, cannot swim from an anchored boat, or dislike being around alcohol service. The cruise is also weather dependent, and a sudden shower can interrupt the swimming plan. In one case, heavy rain lasted about an hour and a half, but the captain waited for conditions to improve and tried to add extra water time. That shows the day can adapt, but no captain can guarantee perfect weather.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. Water reflects strong sunlight, and you will spend much of the day exposed on deck. Keep your belongings secure and listen for the crew’s return-time announcements at each stop.

Should you book this Rhodes cruise?

I would book it if you want an easy, social day built around beautiful water rather than a formal sightseeing tour. The best reasons are the long swim stops, small passenger limit, solid buffet, and drinks and snorkeling gear included in the price.

Choose the sailing boat for a calmer three-bay route. Choose the power catamaran for Afandou Caves and the extra stop. Just remember that the catamaran stays offshore, so the tour demands some comfort in the water.

For $83, this is a sensible full-day splurge in Rhodes, especially if you value having everything arranged from breakfast snack to return cruise. It is less suitable if you need a firm shore visit, a fish-based lunch, or an accessible boat setup.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes catamaran cruise depart from?

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

What time does the catamaran leave?

The catamarans depart at 10:00. Arrive earlier, since missing the departure can result in a 25 euro rebooking fee per ticket.

Which bays does the sailing catamaran visit?

The sailing catamaran stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Bay or Kalithea Springs.

Which additional stop is included on the power catamaran?

The power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and its caves to the route. It also visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Kalithea Bay, and Ladiko Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The Mediterranean buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread. A breakfast tortilla snack and seasonal fruit are also included.

Can I reach the beaches from the boat?

The catamarans stay at anchor in each bay. To reach the shore, you need to swim. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, and life jackets are provided.