Sun & Sea All Inclusive 3 Hour Swimming Cruise (WITH PICK UP SERVICE)

Rhodes saves some of its best swimming for the water, and this three-hour cruise takes you straight to three famous coves. You board at Faliraki Harbor, swim from the boat, and return with time left for dinner or more sightseeing.

I like the short format and the generous drink service. I also like the simple pleasures: clear water, cave snorkeling at Traganou, comfortable couch seating, fresh fruit, and a local honey-and-sesame bar called melekouni.

The main catch is that this is a swim-from-the-boat trip, not a beach outing. The boat and service can also vary from the polished description, so you should book it for the coves and swimming rather than for a narrated island tour.

Key points before you book

• Three swim stops: Afandou, Ladiko, and Anthony Quinn Bay, with roughly 30, 30, and 45 minutes at each location.
• Boat access only: You normally enter the sea directly from the boat, not from a sandy beach.
• Drinks included: Beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and a fresh-fruit cocktail are offered during the cruise.
• Snacks are light: Expect cut fruit and a small portion of melekouni, not a meal.
• Pickup is useful but must be arranged: Faliraki hotel transfers are available if organized the day before. Rhodes Town, Ixia, and cruise-port transfers cost extra.
• Small-group format: The stated maximum is 28 people, although some departures may feel crowded.

What this Rhodes cruise is really about

This is a relaxed water outing, not a sightseeing lecture. You spend most of the time moving between coves and swimming in the sea, with the crew providing drinks, basic equipment, and directions about the next stop.

The advertised boat is a 36-foot catamaran with outdoor couch seating. That setup sounds ideal for a short cruise because you can sit facing the water instead of balancing on a narrow bench. Several accounts describe the seating as comfortable, but other passengers found an older boat, and some said it did not resemble the boat shown in the promotional pictures.

That difference matters. If you are choosing this trip for a sleek catamaran, keep your expectations modest. If you are choosing it for three attractive swimming locations at a reasonable price, the boat itself becomes less important.

At $66.51 per person, the price is fair for a three-hour outing that includes drinks, snacks, snorkel equipment, noodles, and transport from Faliraki. You are not paying for a full meal, a private charter, or a detailed guided tour. You are paying for easy access to coves that can be awkward to visit from land.

The strongest value comes from the combination of location and convenience. You do not need to rent a car, find parking near each bay, or carry beach gear from one stop to the next. The weaker value appears if you expect a lively host, lengthy commentary, or a polished luxury boat.

Faliraki pickup and the short trip to the harbor

If you are staying in Faliraki, hotel pickup is available by luxury minibus. Arrange it at least a day before the cruise. Do not treat the phrase pickup service as automatic, since the transfer needs to be confirmed.

The pickup is especially helpful if you are not near Faliraki Harbor. Some accounts describe the driver as prompt and excellent, while a few complaints concern cramped or hot transport for people coming from the cruise port. Those passengers are not using the standard Faliraki hotel arrangement, so confirm exactly where you will be collected.

A transfer from Rhodes Town or Ixia, including cruise-ship passengers who need transport, carries a €10 per-person charge. The information supplied for the cruise also says that transfers must be arranged the day before. Put that request on your booking checklist, along with your hotel or ship details.

The meeting point is Faliraki Harbor, and the cruise finishes there. Since the outing lasts about three hours, it fits neatly into a morning or afternoon. You can pair it with time in Faliraki, though you should leave room for pickup and return delays if you have a firm dinner, bus, or ship departure.

Afandou and the Traganou Caves

The first stop is Afandou Beach, with the boat anchoring near the Traganou Caves. You have about 30 minutes here.

The interesting part is the cave access. You can swim from the boat toward the openings and look around inside, giving this stop more character than an ordinary open-water swim. The blue water and rocky setting make it a good first taste of what the trip offers.

Do not picture a beach break with umbrellas and a stroll along the shore. The supplied details and passenger accounts make clear that the swimming is boat-based. You enter from the stern or side steps, swim around the cove, and climb back aboard.

Thirty minutes is enough for a look around, but not for a long snorkeling session if several people are waiting to use the steps. Bring your own mask if you care about fit and clarity. Equipment is supplied, yet its condition can vary, with occasional complaints about broken or poorly maintained snorkels.

Ladiko Bay and its calm-water appeal

The second stop is Ladiko Bay, where you have another 30 minutes in the water. The bay’s name comes from the Greek word ladi, meaning oil, a reference to the calm, smooth character traditionally associated with the water.

The appeal here is quiet swimming in a sheltered cove. On a calm day, this may be the easiest stop for simply floating, looking down through the clear water, and cooling off without a long swim to a cave.

Conditions are not guaranteed. One account describes Afandou and Ladiko as rougher than expected, which made them less comfortable for swimming. That is a useful warning for families and anyone who is not a confident swimmer. The captain may choose a safe anchorage, but wind and waves can change the feel of a bay from one day to the next.

You should also remember that 30 minutes includes entering the water, swimming, using any snorkeling equipment, and getting back aboard. It is a taste of Ladiko, not a full beach day there.

Anthony Quinn Bay, the highlight for many swimmers

The final stop lasts about 45 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, giving you the longest swim of the outing. Pine-covered slopes surround the cove, and the clear water gives it the dramatic look that has made it one of Rhodes’ most photographed bays.

This is also the place connected with The Guns of Navarone. The film connection adds a little context, but the real reason to look forward to this stop is the water and rocky shoreline.

The boat anchors offshore, so you still do not walk onto a beach. You swim from the boat toward the cove and, conditions permitting, toward a cave. Many people consider this the best part of the cruise, and the longer 45-minute stop gives you time to enjoy it without rushing quite as much as at Afandou or Ladiko.

Even here, the boat steps matter. One account described the reboarding steps as awkward, and another raised concerns about safety equipment. The operator states that snorkel equipment and noodles are supplied, but you should be comfortable getting in and out of the water from a boat. If you need a traditional beach entry, this is not the right excursion.

Drinks, fruit, and the practical meaning of all-inclusive

The open bar includes beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and a cocktail of the day made with fresh fruit. Strawberry daiquiris received special praise, and the fresh-fruit cocktail can be a pleasant touch after swimming in the sun.

The drink selection is limited rather than cocktail-bar extensive. You should expect a few straightforward options, not a long menu of spirits and mixed drinks.

The snacks are modest but fitting for a short cruise. You get a fruit platter featuring local produce and melekouni, a Rhodian honey-and-sesame bar. It is a nice local detail and better suited to a swim outing than a heavy meal, but it will not replace lunch.

Some accounts describe the fruit as delicious and generous enough for a snack. Others found the portion small, with only a few pieces of basic fruit and a tiny packaged sweet. I would plan to eat before boarding, especially if you are traveling with hungry children or intend to drink alcohol.

That is the sensible way to read all inclusive here: drinks and a light snack are covered. It does not mean a buffet, a full lunch, or premium beverages.

Equipment, seating, and comfort on board

Snorkel equipment and swimming noodles are included. The noodles are useful if you want support while looking into the water, but they are simple pool floats, not proper flotation devices. Some passengers found them old but usable.

Masks and snorkels are shared equipment. If you have your own mask, bringing it is worthwhile for comfort and hygiene. The supplied accounts include complaints about a broken snorkel and uncertainty about how well equipment was disinfected, so personal gear is the safer choice for serious snorkeling.

The boat is described as having couch-style outdoor seating, which is a major advantage on a three-hour trip. You can relax between stops instead of standing. Still, arrive ready for a busy boat. The stated maximum is 28 people, and one particularly negative account described a departure as too crowded for comfortable seating.

The boat’s condition is the most inconsistent part of the experience. Some people found it comfortable and perfectly suitable for a relaxed swim outing. Others said it looked older than expected, had wet cushions, or was not the catamaran shown in the pictures. I would wear a swimsuit under your clothes and carry a small towel, since wet seating is possible.

The sun is intense on open water. Pack strong sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a dry bag or waterproof pouch for valuables. There is little point in bringing bulky beach luggage when you will be swimming directly from the boat.

Crew style and the level of information

The crew is generally described as friendly and safety-conscious, with particular praise for the drink service and helpful attitude. The trip is easygoing, and you are told when the boat reaches each swimming location.

Do not book this as an island education tour. The crew may give only brief information about the stops, and some accounts describe them as quiet. You may hear the name of the bay and basic instructions, but you should not expect a running explanation of Rhodes, local geology, or the film history of Anthony Quinn Bay.

That low-key approach suits you if you want to listen to music, enjoy a drink, and swim without a formal presentation. It may disappoint you if the stories behind the coves are a major reason for booking.

The mood can also depend on the group. Most departures sound relaxed, but one account described loud club music and a young, crowded crowd. The cruise is not designed as a private, quiet yacht charter, so expect a social outing with other people aboard.

Who should book this swimming cruise?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers, couples, families with older children, and anyone who wants a simple break from ruins and town sightseeing. The three-hour length is excellent when you want sea time without surrendering a full day.

It also suits visitors staying in Faliraki who value hotel pickup. The transfer removes much of the fuss, provided you arrange it ahead of time.

You should think twice if you want to sit on a beach, need a calm and spacious boat, dislike shared snorkeling equipment, or expect polished guiding. The short swim periods may also feel rushed if you want to spend a long time exploring each cave and bay.

Children can participate because most people can take part, but the outing still requires comfort with open-water entry and boat ladders. The supplied information says service animals are allowed and that the meeting point is near public transport.

The cruise is offered in English, with mobile tickets and confirmation at booking. It is capped at 28 people according to the stated conditions, but because crowding has been a concern on at least one departure, I would contact the operator if seating is important to you.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

The cruise requires suitable weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Rhodes time.

For the smoothest day, confirm three things the day before: your pickup time, your exact meeting point, and whether transport is included or carries the €10 charge. This is particularly important for cruise-ship passengers and anyone staying outside Faliraki.

My verdict: book it for the water, not the show

At $66.51, this is a good-value swimming cruise when you want clear water, three coves, drinks, and a short schedule. Anthony Quinn Bay and the Traganou Caves give the trip real appeal, while the fruit, melekouni, and open bar make the price easier to justify.

I would book it if your main goal is to swim from a boat and see attractive bays without organizing transport yourself. I would skip it if you need a beach, a guaranteed modern catamaran, substantial food, or a talkative guide.

Bring your own mask, sunscreen, towel, and realistic expectations. Do that, and this can be a pleasant, uncomplicated way to spend three hours on the Rhodes coast.

FAQ

How long is the swimming cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours, including the three swimming stops and the boat rides between them.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Faliraki Harbor and ends back at the same meeting point.

Which places does the boat visit?

The stops are Afandou Beach near the Traganou Caves, Ladiko Bay, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from Faliraki hotels for the three-hour cruise, but you must arrange it at least one day in advance. Transfers for cruise-ship passengers and visitors from Rhodes Town or Ixia cost €10 per person.

Are drinks and food included?

Yes. The open bar includes beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and a fresh-fruit cocktail of the day. Snacks include a fruit platter and melekouni, a traditional Rhodian honey-and-sesame bar.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.