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

Three of Rhodes’ best-known swimming spots fit into one easy day aboard Romantika Dreams. You leave Mandraki Port, stop for about an hour at Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay, and return around 4:15pm with lunch and local wine included.

I like the three proper swimming stops, rather than one quick photo pause, and I like the simple all-in price: Greek food, water, snorkeling masks, pool noodles, life vests, and unlimited local white and rosé wine are included. The main thing to understand is that the boat stays at anchor. To reach a beach, cave, or rock shelf, you need to swim from the boat.

Key points

• Three one-hour water stops: Swim, snorkel, use a pool noodle, or stay on deck at Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay.
• Lunch is cooked onboard: Expect a Greek buffet with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available.
• Wine is included: Local white and rosé wine are served throughout the cruise. Other bar drinks cost extra.
• The boat has two spacious decks: You can find a quiet seat, watch the coast, or join the music and dancing.
• Afandou includes Traganou Caves: Swimming from the anchored boat gives you access to the beach and caves if you are comfortable in open water.
• Bring a warm layer: The boat can feel breezy, even on a sunny Rhodes day.

Leaving Mandraki Port at 10:15am

The meeting point is easy to identify at Mandraki Port, opposite the Nea Agora marketplace. Look for the crew in blue shorts and red-striped shirts. Boarding begins from 9:45am, giving you time to find a seat before Romantika Dreams leaves at 10:15.

The first part of the cruise is a pleasant introduction to Rhodes from the water. As you move along the east coast, you pass St. Nicholas Fortress, the medieval old city, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Fontana Grande, and Rams Rock.

I would arrive early if you want a particular place on deck. There is plenty of seating, but the best spots depend on whether you want sun, shade, a clear view, or a quick route to the water. The boat has two main decks, so you are not confined to one crowded sitting area.

The trip is designed for an easy-going day rather than a formal sightseeing cruise. The crew points out the main sights, music plays through the sound system, and you can settle into the rhythm of moving from bay to bay. The cruise works especially well if you want a break from driving, beach-hopping logistics, or arranging separate transport to three coastal spots.

Kallithea Bay and the Springs

Kallithea is the first swimming stop, with about an hour at anchor. The bay is known for Kallithea Springs, a seaside monument where natural scenery, architecture, and local history come together.

This is a good first stop because you can choose your level of activity. Take a mask and look for marine life, swim around the boat, use a pool noodle, or stay on deck with a drink and watch the water. You can also take photographs from the boat, though you will need a waterproof phone case or camera if you want pictures in the sea.

The boat does not pull up to a normal beach landing here. You swim from the anchored vessel, so this stop suits confident swimmers and beginners who are comfortable using a life vest or pool noodle. If you are nervous in deep water, tell the crew and use the flotation equipment. You can still enjoy the bay without going far from the boat.

Kallithea gives you a taste of the day’s pattern: short coastal cruising, a scenic bay, and enough time to actually get in the water. You are not rushed through a five-minute photo stop.

Passing Faliraki and Ladiko Bay

After Kallithea, Romantika Dreams continues south past Faliraki and Ladiko Bay. These are scenic parts of the east coast, but they are passing views rather than swimming stops.

That distinction matters when you plan your expectations. You will see more of Rhodes’ shoreline, but the scheduled time in the water is at Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay. The cruise gives you a broad look at the coast without trying to turn every bay into a separate landing.

The ride also gives the crew time to prepare lunch onboard. You can remain on deck, enjoy the breeze, and watch the coastline change as the boat heads toward Afandou.

Afandou Beach and the Traganou Caves

Afandou is the longest beach on this stretch of coast, extending about four kilometres, and the boat stops near the Caves of Traganou. You get roughly an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, photographs, and exploring if you choose to swim toward the beach or rocks.

This is probably the most active stop. You can jump from the lower or upper deck, use the provided mask and snorkel, or swim toward the caves. The water around the boat is also an option if you prefer not to go far.

Keep in mind that the boat remains offshore. You will not simply walk down a gangway onto Afandou Beach. Reaching the shore or caves means swimming, and you should carry only items that can handle getting wet. A waterproof bag for your phone is a smart addition.

Lunch is prepared during this stop and served as a Greek buffet. The exact dishes can vary, but the food includes traditional Greek recipes and vegetarian choices. Past meals have included roasted vegetables, Greek salad, bread rolls, and pasta with chicken and onion. Vegan and gluten-free choices are available, but tell the crew about dietary needs when you arrive.

I like the timing here. You can work up an appetite in the water, then return to the boat for lunch instead of losing time searching for a restaurant. Water is included, as is local white and rosé wine. The wine service is not just a single glass with lunch. It is available throughout the cruise.

Greek Lunch on the Upper Deck

Lunch is one of the stronger parts of the value. At $69 per person, the price covers a six-hour boat trip, three water stops, a prepared meal, equipment, water, and unlimited local wine. That makes the cost easier to justify than a basic sightseeing boat that charges separately for food and every drink.

You should not expect a restaurant menu or an elaborate tasting meal. This is a relaxed buffet served onboard. The appeal is eating Greek-style food while moving between coastal bays, with no need to leave the boat or organize a midday meal.

The upper deck has a bar with additional drinks available for purchase. Cocktails, champagne, lager, and other drinks are not part of the base price, though the bar is described as having affordable prices. If you want to keep spending predictable, stick with the included wine and water.

The meal also helps create the social side of the trip. Romantika Dreams presents itself as a parea cruise, meaning a day built around people sharing food, music, and time together. That atmosphere may turn into singing or a Greek Zorba dance on the return journey. It is a plus if you enjoy a friendly group setting, but less ideal if you want a silent, private yacht outing.

Anthony Quinn Bay as the Final Stop

Anthony Quinn Bay is the last swimming stop and often the visual highlight. The bay is named for actor Anthony Quinn, who acquired land there while filming The Guns of Navarone. The property was reclaimed by the Greek government in 1984, but the name remained.

The bay is smaller than Afandou and has a more enclosed feel, with striking rock formations around the water. You can swim, snorkel, watch marine life, or remain on deck for the scenery. Fish may gather close to the boat, especially when small pieces of bread enter the water.

You get about an hour here, which is long enough to enjoy the setting without turning the stop into a full beach afternoon. Again, reaching the shore is not guaranteed by simply stepping off the boat. You need to swim, so bring footwear only if you can secure it while in the water and avoid taking loose valuables.

This is also where the cruise can become livelier. After lunch and several stops, music, dancing, and the bar may take over. If you prefer a peaceful final hour, choose a seat away from the speakers or stay on the lower deck. If you want the social side of the day, this is a natural time to join in.

What the Six Hours Feel Like

The day has a clear rhythm:

• Board from 9:45am at Mandraki Port.
• Leave at 10:15am.
• Spend about an hour at Kallithea.
• Cruise past Faliraki and Ladiko Bay.
• Stop for about an hour at Afandou and the Traganou Caves.
• Eat the Greek buffet onboard.
• Spend about an hour at Anthony Quinn Bay.
• Return to Mandraki Port at approximately 4:15pm.

The crew uses three horn blasts to signal departure from each bay. That is useful because you can focus on swimming without constantly checking the time. Still, pay attention when the boat begins calling people back. The schedule depends on everyone returning promptly.

A little wind is part of the experience. One useful tip is to bring a cardigan or light cover-up, even if the forecast looks hot. The boat can feel breezy while moving, especially after you have been in the water.

Music is part of the package, not background decoration only. The sound system helps create the party mood, particularly on the way back. This makes the cruise a good match for couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people. It may not suit you if you want a quiet nature trip or a small private group.

Swimming, Snorkeling, and Comfort

Masks, snorkels, pool noodles, and life vests are available at no extra charge. The snorkeling equipment is kept behind the bar, so ask the crew for a mask rather than assuming it will be handed to you automatically.

The stops are suitable for different confidence levels. Strong swimmers can head toward rocks, beaches, or caves, while less confident swimmers can remain near the boat with a noodle or life vest. You do not have to swim at every stop. The two decks provide a comfortable alternative, with views, music, and drinks while others are in the water.

You should bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. A waterproof phone pouch is especially useful because some of the most memorable views are from the water, not just from the deck.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should consider the swimming arrangement when deciding if it meets your needs. The boat stays anchored offshore at the bays, and reaching the shore requires swimming. Accessibility to the boat and the ability to take part in the water stops are separate questions.

Who Gets the Best Value

At $69, this is strong value if you want a full day on the water with food and wine included. You would pay separately for transport, meals, drinks, and beach time on a self-organized version, and you would still need to move between three different coastal locations.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink wine, do not plan to swim, or dislike group cruises. You can still sit on deck and enjoy the scenery, but much of the activity is built around getting into the water and sharing a social meal.

This cruise suits you best if you want:

• Three chances to swim and snorkel in one day
• A casual Greek lunch without leaving the boat
• Local white and rosé wine included
• A friendly atmosphere with music
• Equipment provided for beginners
• A simple departure from central Rhodes

You may prefer another type of boat trip if you want a private setting, a quiet sailing experience, or direct beach access without swimming from the vessel.

Booking Advice for a Bay-Hopping Day

Book this cruise if you want Rhodes’ east-coast bays packaged into one relaxed, social outing. The strongest reasons are the three one-hour water stops, the onboard buffet, and the fact that wine, water, and snorkeling equipment are included.

Skip it if you want to spend the day walking on beaches, since the boat remains at anchor and shore access requires swimming. Also think twice if loud music and group energy are not your style.

For most people who are comfortable in the water, this is a well-priced way to see Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay without arranging the details yourself. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a waterproof phone case, and a light cardigan. Then let the crew handle the food, drinks, route, and return to Mandraki Port.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes Bay to Bay cruise depart?

Meet the crew at Mandraki Port, opposite the Nea Agora marketplace. The crew wears blue shorts and red-striped shirts.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Boarding begins from 9:45am, and the boat leaves at 10:15am. Arrival back at Mandraki Port is scheduled for about 4:15pm.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The swimming stops are Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach near the Traganou Caves, and Anthony Quinn Bay. The boat also passes Faliraki and Ladiko Bay.

Can I reach the beaches and caves from the boat?

The boat stays at anchor in each bay. To reach the shore, beaches, or caves, you need to swim from the boat.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

Local white wine, rosé wine, and water are included. Additional bar drinks, including cocktails and other options, cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, pool noodles, and life vests are available for use. Ask the crew for snorkeling equipment, which is kept behind the bar.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A waterproof case or bag for your phone is also useful if you want photographs in the water.