Rhodes: Bay to Bay Swim Cruise with Greek Buffet and Wine

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this six-hour cruise gives you three very different swimming stops without asking you to arrange beach transport. Kallithea Springs, Afandou and the caves at Traganou, and Anthony Quinn Bay each bring a different setting, while the Romantika Dreams provides shaded and open deck space between swims.

I like the hour-long stops, which give you enough time to swim without feeling hurried, and the homemade Greek buffet with local white and rose wine included. The main consideration is simple: the boat stays offshore, so reaching a beach or cave means swimming. If you prefer a quiet sightseeing cruise, the music can also turn the return trip into a lively party.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming stops: Spend about an hour at Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay.
• Boat access to the shore: The Romantika Dreams anchors in each bay, so you need to swim to reach the beach, rocks, or caves.
• Greek lunch onboard: Expect homemade dishes, vegetarian choices, and options for vegan and gluten-free diets.
• Wine is included: Local white and rose wine, water, snorkel masks, pool noodles, and life vests are provided.
• A sociable atmosphere: Music, dancing, and even a Greek Zorba lesson may appear as the day goes on.
• Good value at $69: The price covers a six-hour cruise, three stops, lunch, equipment, and unlimited wine.

Starting from Mandraki Port at 10:15

Meet the crew at Mandraki Port, opposite the Nea Agora marketplace. Look for blue shorts and red striped shirts. Boarding begins from 9:45, giving you time to settle on one of the two decks before departure.

The boat leaves at 10:15 and heads south along Rhodes’s east coast. Keep your camera ready during this first stretch. You pass St. Nicholas Fortress, the medieval old city, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Fontana Grande, and Rams Rock.

This opening cruise is more than a transfer to the first swim. It gives you a useful view of Rhodes from the sea, with the old port and city walls appearing in a new way. The boat’s sound system plays music throughout the day, so the mood is relaxed rather than formal.

There is plenty of seating on the decks, according to the supplied experience details, though the best spots may be claimed early. I would board soon after opening if you want a particular place, especially during the busiest summer weeks. A light cardigan is sensible, too. The boat can feel breezy while moving, even on a warm day.

Kallithea Springs and the first swim

The first stop is Kallithea Bay, home to the famous Kallithea Springs. The springs are known for their seaside architecture and historical setting, giving this stop more visual interest than a simple swim from a boat.

You have around an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, taking photographs, or staying aboard with a drink and the music. The water is the main attraction, but look toward the shore for the monument and surrounding coves.

Snorkeling equipment is available onboard. One useful tip is to ask the crew for a mask rather than assuming it will be handed to you automatically. The masks are kept behind the bar, and pool noodles and life vests are also available.

The practical limitation is important. The boat remains at anchor, and you must swim to reach land. If you are not comfortable in open water, you can use a noodle or life vest, or simply enjoy Kallithea from the deck. One passenger who was nervous in deep water found the pool noodle useful, so beginners are not left without support.

Afandou, Traganou Caves, and lunch on deck

After passing Faliraki and Ladiko Bay, the boat continues toward Afandou. Afandou Beach stretches for about four kilometers, and nearby Traganou is known for its caves and rocky shoreline.

This is the most active stop for many people. You can swim, snorkel, jump from the boat’s upper or lower decks, walk along the beach if you reach shore, or explore around the caves. The water time is again about an hour, which is long enough to try more than one activity.

The boat’s crew prepares lunch while you swim. The buffet features traditional Greek recipes, with vegetarian dishes and choices available for vegan and gluten-free diets. The exact selection can vary, but the food described for one sailing included bread rolls, roasted vegetables, Greek salad, and chicken and onion pasta.

I like this arrangement because lunch arrives when you have worked up an appetite, not at the start of the day. It also saves you from buying food at a beach stop. Tell the crew about food restrictions when you arrive so they can direct you to suitable dishes.

Lunch is served onboard after the swimming period. Water is included, as are local white and rose wines. The wine service is generous, with carafes being brought to seats on quieter sailings. Additional bar drinks cost extra, with cocktails, champagne, and lager available from the bar at what the operator describes as reasonable prices.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the liveliest hour

The final stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, named for the actor who bought land here during the filming of The Guns of Navarone. The Greek government reclaimed the property in 1984, but the name stayed.

This is a small, dramatic bay with rock formations and clear water. It is also the best of the three stops for watching fish around the boat. Small pieces of bread in the water can attract large numbers of fish, though you should follow the crew’s guidance about feeding marine life.

You have about an hour for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and time on deck. The bay is compact, so the view from the water is part of the experience. You might choose to stay near the boat, or swim toward the rocks if conditions and your ability allow.

By this point, the mood may become more social. The music can turn the return sailing into a singalong, and the crew may lead a Greek Zorba dance. That is fun if you want an outgoing day. It is less suitable if you are hoping for a silent cruise with only the sound of the water.

What the boat day feels like between stops

Romantika Dreams has two spacious decks, giving you choices between sun, shade, seating, and a better view of the coast. The boat is designed as a social day out rather than a small, private sailing trip.

The phrase parea refers to people connecting and enjoying time together. That spirit is central to the experience. The crew keeps drinks moving, music playing, and the schedule on track. The atmosphere can shift from peaceful cruising to dancing by the afternoon.

You do not need to swim at every stop. If you would rather rest, eat, photograph the coast, or read on deck, you can do that while others use the water. The inclusion of pool noodles and life vests makes the day friendlier for cautious swimmers, though you should still be honest about your comfort level in open water.

Bring a towel, hat, swimwear, comfortable shoes, and sunscreen. A waterproof phone pouch or camera is especially useful. One person wished they had been able to take photographs while swimming to the caves and rocks, which is an easy mistake to avoid.

Food, wine, and the $69 value

At $69 per person, this is strong value if you plan to use the swimming stops, lunch, and included drinks. A six-hour boat outing with three scenic bays, snorkeling equipment, a Greek buffet, water, and unlimited local white and rose wine would otherwise require several separate purchases.

The value is less compelling if you do not drink wine or do not intend to swim. In that case, much of the package is built around features you may not use. You can still enjoy the scenery and food, but a simple sightseeing cruise might suit you better.

The lunch is not a restaurant meal with a long menu. It is a practical buffet prepared onboard, with Greek flavors and vegetarian choices. That is exactly what works here. You can eat promptly, return to the deck, and keep the day moving.

Bar drinks are not part of the main price. Cocktails, champagne, and other drinks can be bought separately. The experience information specifically includes local white and rose wine and water, so check with the crew before ordering if you want something beyond those options.

The schedule and what it means for your day

The full day runs from boarding at 9:45 to return at about 4:15. That makes it easy to fit into a Rhodes visit without sacrificing an entire evening.

The schedule is also long enough to feel like a proper outing rather than a short harbor trip. You get time to settle in, cruise along the coast, swim at three locations, eat lunch, and enjoy the ride back.

Three horn signals from the captain announce departure from each bay. Pay attention to them. The boat will not wait indefinitely for swimmers who stay in the water after the signal.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be available for an extra fee. The meeting point is central at Mandraki Port, opposite Nea Agora, so you should arrange your own way there unless you add the transfer option.

The activity is advertised as wheelchair accessible, but the shore access at each bay requires swimming. If you use a wheelchair, contact the provider before booking to confirm which parts of the boat and day will work for you.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a full day of swimming without renting a car or planning separate beach visits. It works particularly well for couples, friends, families with confident older children, and solo visitors who like a friendly group setting.

It is also a good choice for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel and jump from the decks, while less confident swimmers can use a noodle, wear a life vest, or remain onboard. People who do not enjoy swimming can still take in the bays, food, views, and music.

You may want another kind of boat trip if you dislike loud music, prefer a private setting, or cannot swim from an anchored boat. There is no promise of walking ashore at each stop. The beach and cave access depends on your ability to cover the distance through the water.

The cruise is also weather-sensitive in a practical sense. The schedule and swimming stops are central to the day, so conditions can affect how comfortable the water feels. Bring sun protection and a warm layer for the breezier sections.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps payment flexible. The host or greeter speaks English.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 187 published ratings, with repeated praise for the crew, food, swimming time, and value. The strongest pattern is consistency: people appreciate having around an hour at each stop, receiving regular wine service, and finding enough seating on the boat.

The best practical advice is to arrive ready for the water. Wear swimwear under your clothes, pack a towel and sunscreen, and bring a waterproof case for your phone. Ask for the snorkel equipment early, and tell the crew about dietary needs as soon as you board.

Should you book the Romantika Dreams cruise?

Book it if you want Rhodes beaches from the water, three proper swim stops, a generous Greek lunch, and a social atmosphere for $69. The hour at each bay is the strongest part of the plan, and the included wine makes the price particularly attractive for people who will use it.

Skip it if you need direct beach access, dislike open-water swimming, or want a quiet private cruise. For everyone else, this is a practical way to combine Rhodes scenery, swimming, food, and easygoing Greek hospitality in one well-paced day.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Mandraki Port, opposite the Nea Agora marketplace. The crew wears blue shorts and red striped shirts.

What time does the cruise run?

Boarding begins from 9:45 in the morning. The boat departs at 10:15 and returns to Mandraki Port at about 4:15, for a total duration of six hours.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The cruise stops at Kallithea Bay, Afandou near Traganou Caves, and Anthony Quinn Bay. It passes Faliraki and Ladiko Bay along the coast.

Can I reach the beaches and caves from the boat?

The boat anchors in each bay. You need to swim from the boat to reach the shore, beaches, rocks, or caves.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel masks, pool noodles, and life vests are available for use during the swimming stops.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek buffet prepared onboard is included. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available.

What drinks are included?

Water and local white and rose wine are included. Other bar drinks, such as cocktails and champagne, cost extra.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A waterproof phone case or camera is also useful for taking photographs near the rocks and caves.