Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the timing: you swim in the sea while the afternoon is still warm, eat dinner as the boat moves along the east coast, then watch the sky change color from the water. It is a simple plan, but a very good one. Kalithea Bay gives the trip an active start, while the sunset provides the big finish.

I like two things here. First, the dinner is more substantial than the usual boat-trip snack, with grilled chicken, Greek salads, dips, feta, olives, bread, and pasta salad. Second, the boats can feel pleasantly small, with some trips carrying around 14 to 16 people. That makes it easier to find a good seat and speak with the crew.

The main thing to consider is the swimming stop. The catamaran anchors offshore, so you need to swim to reach the bay or nearby rocks. There is no shore landing, and the boat leaves on time, so this is not the right choice if you want a gentle harbor cruise with no swimming or if you have limited mobility.

Key points at a glance

• Swim at Kalithea Bay: The boat anchors in water reported at about 6 meters deep, with snorkeling gear and floating noodles available.
• Dinner is a real buffet: Expect grilled chicken, several salads, hummus, tzatziki, aubergine salad, feta, olives, and fresh local bread.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are served without a separate bill during the cruise.
• The sunset is the finale: The return toward Rhodes Town is timed for sunset views from the sea, with Greek-style music and a relaxed atmosphere.
• You have a boat choice: Book a sailing catamaran or a power catamaran, with three catamaran options used by the operator.
• Small groups are possible: Some departures have had roughly 14 to 16 people, though group size can vary.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor for the east coast

You meet in front of the Poseidon Submarine and Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks, arriving 30 to 15 minutes before departure. Take that timing seriously. The catamarans leave on schedule, and missing the boat can mean a 25 euro rebooking fee for another day.

From Mandraki Harbor, the cruise begins with about 45 minutes on the catamaran. This is the quiet orientation part of the trip. Find a seat, look over the boat, and get comfortable before the swimming stop. The exact feel depends on your vessel. A sailing catamaran gives you the classic pleasure of being on a sailboat, while a power catamaran offers a different ride and does not depend on wind for movement.

The boats have outdoor seating, indoor toilets, an outdoor shower, life jackets, and space to move around. You can usually choose between sitting in the sun and finding a more sheltered spot, though the best seats are naturally claimed early.

I like this first stretch because it gives the cruise room to breathe. You are not being rushed from one activity to the next. You have time to watch Rhodes recede and see the east coast from the water, which gives you a different view from the roads and beaches.

Swimming and snorkeling at Kalithea Bay

The catamaran anchors at Kalithea Bay for around 45 minutes. This is the most active part of the evening, and you should arrive ready in swimwear rather than planning to change at the last minute.

You enter the water from the boat. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and pool noodles, while the outdoor shower is useful afterward. One account of the stop described water about 6 meters deep, so confident swimmers can enjoy more freedom, while less confident swimmers should use a life jacket or noodle and stay close to the boat.

The bay is attractive for a swim, and there may be rocks and small caves to explore from the water. Snorkeling can reveal fish and marine life, though you should keep expectations sensible. This is not a specialist snorkeling excursion, and conditions vary. Some people may see plenty of fish, while others may find mostly rocks and clear water.

The main practical point is that the boat remains at anchor. You do not simply step onto a beach for a walk. If you want to reach the shore, you must swim, and the stop is not suitable for anyone who cannot safely enter and exit the water.

Dinner may be laid out while people are still swimming. That means you might miss the first serving if you stay in the water for the whole break. I would take a short swim, look around with the mask, then return in time to eat. You can always use the remaining time to swim again.

What you actually eat on board

The buffet is one of the strongest parts of the package because it is broad enough to work for different tastes. The spread includes:

• Grilled chicken
• Pasta salad
• Potato salad
• Greek salad
• Green salad
• Tzatziki
• Hummus
• Aubergine salad
• Olives
• Feta
• Fresh baked local bread

This is not a fine-dining meal, but it is much more useful than a plate of sandwiches. You get familiar Greek flavors, filling food, and several meat-free choices. If you eat vegetarian food, hummus, salads, dips, bread, feta, and aubergine salad give you a reasonable meal. Still, the menu is not centered on fish or a fully vegetarian selection, so diners with specific dietary needs should check before booking.

The grilled chicken is a good choice if you want something hearty after swimming. The salads and dips keep the meal light enough for a warm evening, and the bread helps make the buffet filling. The food is served during a moving boat trip, so a plate with manageable portions is easier to handle than an overloaded one.

You also get unlimited beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. This matters at the advertised price of $58 per person. A similar evening with dinner and drinks purchased separately can add up quickly, especially in a popular harbor area. The value is strongest if you plan to have dinner and a few drinks anyway.

Alcohol is available for adults, but the crew can stop serving anyone who appears intoxicated. That is sensible on a moving boat, especially after dark.

Sunset from the water near Rhodes Town

After the swim and dinner, the boat spends another roughly 45 minutes underway before the sunset viewing portion near Rhodes Town. The sunset itself is scheduled for about 20 minutes, though the overall light show depends on the season and weather.

This is when the cruise changes character. The swimming stop is social and active, with people getting in the water, borrowing equipment, and drying off. The return journey is calmer. Music plays, drinks continue, and the crew chooses a point with an open view toward the setting sun.

The east coast of Rhodes looks different from the water, and the boat gives you a wide view without buildings blocking every angle. You can sit back, take photographs, or move around the deck as the sky changes. The crew has been praised for choosing a good sunset position and for keeping the atmosphere relaxed rather than turning the evening into a loud party.

The music matters more than you might expect. Greek-toned music helps the evening feel connected to the place, while some departures have used a wider mix with a more upbeat mood. The tone can vary with the group, but the setting remains romantic enough for couples and easygoing enough for families or friends.

If sunset photography is important to you, keep your phone or camera ready before the final stop. Wiping spray from the lens and choosing a dry place to sit are small details that save frustration.

Boat comfort and group size

The operator uses three catamaran options, including sailing and powered boats. You may not know the exact feel of your vessel until your booking is confirmed, especially in quieter months when the provider may move guests to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum number.

Some departures have been intimate, with about 14 to 16 people on board and plenty of room to sit. That is a major advantage over large sunset boats where the view can be blocked and every movement feels crowded. But you should not treat a small group as guaranteed for every date.

Cleanliness and upkeep are important on a three-hour boat trip. The catamarans have indoor toilets and an outdoor shower, and the equipment is provided for you. The crew handles drinks and food, which means you do not need to keep returning to a bar or carry supplies around the deck.

The crew is another strong part of the experience. They serve drinks, help with snorkeling equipment, explain departure times, and keep an eye on the group. Eleni was specifically noted for checking that people had enough to drink and felt looked after. Crew members have also been described as friendly, willing to talk, and attentive without hovering.

Is $58 a good price?

At $58 per person, this is good value if you use the full package. You get three hours on the water, a swim stop, snorkeling equipment, a buffet dinner, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, wine, and beer. The sunset view is included rather than treated as an extra add-on.

The value is less clear if you do not drink, do not eat much, or only want to see the sunset. In that case, a simpler harbor cruise could cost less. But if you would normally pay for dinner and drinks in Rhodes Town, the catamaran combines those costs with a swim and a view that is difficult to reproduce from land.

Families should check the fare carefully. One family found the trip welcoming for a baby and a toddler, but noted that an infant was charged the full adult price. That can change the calculation for families with very young children.

The cruise is also useful for solo visitors. The boat setting gives you something to do without requiring you to organize a group, and the crew has been described as welcoming to people traveling alone. Couples get the romantic setting, while friends can make the most of the swim, food, and open-air music.

Who should book this cruise?

I would book this if you want an evening that mixes several things without becoming a full-day excursion. You get a little activity, a proper meal, drinks, music, and sunset views in one compact outing.

It suits:

• Couples looking for a relaxed evening on the water
• Solo visitors who want an easy social activity
• Families comfortable with swimming from a boat
• Friends who want food and drinks without planning dinner
• People staying in Rhodes Town who want a different view of the coast

I would think twice if you need step-free access, cannot swim from an anchored boat, or want a guided tour packed with historical commentary. The crew may share information about Rhodes, but the main purpose is leisure, not sightseeing instruction.

The cruise is also weather dependent. The captain can change the route or swimming stop when conditions require it. That is a normal safety measure, but it means you should treat the exact bay and sunset position as flexible.

Book ahead for popular summer evenings, and arrive early enough to avoid a last-minute dash. Bring swimwear, and consider a light layer for the return ride if you are sensitive to the evening breeze.

Should you book the Rhodes sunset catamaran?

Yes, if you want strong value and a relaxed three-hour evening rather than a formal sailing lesson or a major sightseeing tour. The combination of Kalithea Bay swimming, a generous Greek buffet, included drinks, and a well-timed sunset makes the price easy to justify.

The best reason to choose it is the balance. You are not stuck at a dinner table for the whole evening, and you are not spending the entire trip swimming. The schedule gives you time in the water, time to eat, and time to watch Rhodes from a quiet point offshore.

Skip it if swimming from a boat is a problem, if you need guaranteed vegetarian or special-diet catering, or if you dislike the idea of sharing the sea with other boats at a popular bay. For everyone else, this is one of the more enjoyable ways to turn dinner into an evening out.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise depart?

It departs from Mandraki Harbor at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes meeting point, in front of the Poseidon Submarine and Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before the activity starts. The catamarans leave on time.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts three hours.

Is dinner included?

Yes. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh baked local bread.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.

Where does the swimming stop take place?

The catamaran stops at Kalithea Bay, also referred to as Kalithea Springs Bay.

Can I swim directly to the shore?

The boat stays at anchor, and reaching the shore requires swimming. There is no direct shore landing from the catamaran.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and floating pool noodles are provided.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Can the route or swimming stop change?

Yes. The captain can change the route or swimming stop because of weather conditions.