Rhodes: Full Day East Coast Bay to Bay Boat Trip with Lunch

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star of this full-day Rhodes boat trip, with emerald water, rocky cliffs, fish, sea urchins, and coral formations close to shore. From there, you visit Tsambika, Afandou, and Kallithea, fitting four very different swimming stops into one easy day.

I like the generous two-hour stop at Tsambika Bay, which gives you time to swim, reach the long sandy beach, and eat lunch without rushing. I also like the simple value: transport, a buffet, and a full day at sea for $68. The catch is the size of the boat, which holds up to 280 people, so this is a shared outing rather than a quiet private cruise.

Key points to know

• Four East Coast swim stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Caves, and Kallithea Bay each offer a different setting.
• A large three-deck boat: You get toilets, a snack bar, and plenty of room, but not a small-boat atmosphere.
• Two hours at Tsambika: This is the main beach stop and includes the buffet lunch.
• Lunch is substantial: Expect tzatziki, Greek salad, potatoes, moussaka, pasta, beans, meat, chicken, and beef steaks.
• Early start: Pickup runs roughly from 7:30 to 8:15 AM, with the boat leaving Mandraki Port at 9:00 AM.
• Best for confident swimmers: The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or wheelchair users.

Starting at Mandraki Port in Rhodes Town

The day begins early. If you arrange a pickup, the provider schedules service between 7:30 and 8:15 AM from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, or Faliraki. Your exact time depends on your accommodation, so check the message from Manos Going and be ready at least five minutes early.

If you go directly to the port, meet the Manos Going staff member at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue. The meeting point is in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation, also called Evaggelismos. Look for the red sign with the Manos Going logo.

Arrive around 8:30 AM. You will show your booking confirmation, collect your boarding cards, and receive a map with tour information. After the boat returns, the bus transfer leaves from the parking area in front of Rhodes Town Hall. The activity ends back at the port meeting point.

This setup is useful if you are staying outside central Rhodes. You do not need to arrange a taxi to the harbor, and the return drop-off covers many hotels and public points around the east and west sides of the island. Still, treat this as a long day. Pickup, the boat ride, four stops, lunch, and the ride back take about eight to nine hours.

Seeing Rhodes from the water

The boat leaves Mandraki Port at 9:00 AM. During the first hour, you get open views of Rhodes Town, the medieval city walls, and the coast from the sea. This gives you a different angle on the island than a road tour does.

The vessel is large, with three decks, a toilet, and a snack bar. It carries up to 280 people. That size brings practical benefits: you have indoor and outdoor areas, more stable facilities than you might find on a tiny boat, and room to move around during the longer crossings.

The tradeoff is clear. You will share the boat with a large group, and the day has a fixed rhythm. If you want a quiet sailing trip with personal attention from a skipper, this is not the right format. If you want a simple way to reach four bays without renting a car or organizing separate beach trips, the large boat works well.

Bring a towel, swimwear, and sunscreen. The boat sells drinks and snacks, but they are not included in the price. A hat can also be useful, though the supplied information specifically lists the first three items as essentials.

Anthony Quinn Bay, 30 minutes in emerald water

The first swim is at Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the most scenic stops on the east coast. The bay is sheltered by steep rocky cliffs, and the water is known for its green-blue color and clear visibility.

You can swim near the rocks and look for fish, sea urchins, and coral formations. The setting suits a short first stop because the attraction is the water itself and the view from the boat. Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim, but not enough for a slow beach afternoon.

If you are not a strong swimmer, pay attention to the tour rules. This experience is not suitable for non-swimmers, and the stops are designed around getting into the sea. Small children can use the available life jackets and pool noodles, but an adult should still supervise them closely.

Anthony Quinn Bay is also the place where the group format becomes most noticeable. A popular cove can feel busy when a large boat arrives, and everyone has the same short window to swim. I would treat this stop as a quick sample, not the main event of the day.

Tsambika Bay, the two-hour centerpiece

After another 30-minute boat ride, you reach Tsambika Bay. This is the longest stop, lasting two hours, and it gives the day a more relaxed pace.

Tsambika is known for its fine golden sand and beach stretching about 800 meters. From the boat, you can swim toward the beach, spend time in the water, or stay aboard and sunbathe. The choice matters because you are not forced to spend the entire stop swimming. You can use the time to dry off, rest, and enjoy the view from the deck.

Lunch is served aboard the boat during this stop. The buffet includes tzatziki, Greek salad, oven-baked potatoes, moussaka, pasta with red sauce, beans, beef steaks, chicken, vegetables, and meatballs. That is a hearty meal for a day built around swimming, and the broad selection should suit people who want a proper plate rather than a snack.

Drinks are not included. You can buy them at the snack bar, so bring some money or be ready to purchase water and other refreshments onboard. It is worth thinking ahead here: two hours in the sun and salt water can leave you thirsty, and the lunch price does not cover beverages.

Tsambika is probably the most useful stop for people who want a mix of beach time and boat time. You get enough time to swim without watching the clock every few minutes, and the buffet breaks up the day. Families may also appreciate the longer pause, though the tour remains unsuitable for wheelchair users because the activity centers on boat access and swimming.

Afandou Beach and the sea cave

The third swimming stop is at Afandou Beach, reached after another 30-minute crossing. This area is rocky and known for a cave that you can explore directly from the water.

The cave adds a small sense of adventure without requiring a separate excursion. You swim from the boat toward the rock formations and look inside from the sea. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you should get ready before the boat reaches the bay and make the most of the short window.

This is not a land visit to Afandou Beach. The focus is water access, the rocky coast, and the cave. If you hoped to walk along the beach or visit nearby facilities, you will not have much time for that. Think of it as a swim and sightsee stop rather than a beach break.

The boat then spends another 30 minutes moving toward Kallithea Bay. Those crossings are part of the experience, not dead time. You can use them to dry off, find a shaded or sunny place on the deck, and watch the coastline pass by.

Kallithea Bay, the final swim

Kallithea Bay is the last stop, with about 20 minutes for a final swim or a rest on the boat. The bay is sheltered, which makes it a pleasant closing point after a full day in the water.

Twenty minutes is brief. You may prefer to stay aboard, take photos, or enjoy a final look at the coast instead of changing back into swimwear. If you still have energy, it is one last chance to get into the Mediterranean before the return journey.

The short stop also keeps the schedule moving. After Kallithea, the boat makes the trip back toward Rhodes, with an expected arrival around 5:00 PM. The day starts early, so you may be ready for a quiet evening by then.

What the $68 price really covers

At $68 per person, this boat trip offers a useful package for a full day. You receive transport from several Rhodes resort areas, the boat ride, four swimming stops, and buffet lunch. You also avoid paying separately for a rental car, fuel, parking, and several different beach visits.

The value is strongest if you want variety. A single beach day may give you more time in one place, but it will not take you to Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika, Afandou, and Kallithea in one outing. The tour handles the transport between them.

The price is less attractive if you dislike large groups or prefer a quiet boat with a flexible schedule. Food is included, but drinks and snacks cost extra. You should also remember that the most famous bays can be busy, particularly when a large boat arrives.

For many visitors, the practical savings are the main point. You get a full day on the water without needing to plan the route yourself, and the included meal keeps the day from turning into a series of extra purchases.

How to make the day more comfortable

A few small choices will make a big difference.

• Wear swimwear under your clothes, since the first swim comes after the opening boat ride.
• Bring a towel and enough sunscreen for repeated time in the sun.
• Keep your booking confirmation ready at Mandraki Port.
• Check your email, including the spam folder, for the precise pickup place and time.
• Bring money for drinks and snacks from the onboard bar.
• Use the longer Tsambika stop to eat, rest, and reapply sunscreen rather than trying to swim for two straight hours.
• If you have children, use the supplied pool noodles and life jackets, but stay close to them in the water.

The boat provides toilets, which is important on an eight to nine-hour outing. Its three decks also mean you can change your view during the day, though the precise seating arrangement is not specified.

Who should book this Rhodes boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several famous bays in one day, enjoy swimming in open water, and prefer a ready-made plan. It also suits people staying in Ialyssos, Ixia, Kallithea, Faliraki, or Rhodes Town, since transport is available from those areas.

Families with older children may find the format practical, especially with the pool noodles and small-child life jackets. The buffet also makes the day easier than arranging food at every stop.

I would think twice if you are pregnant, use a wheelchair, cannot swim, or want a small and peaceful cruise. The day involves boat boarding, repeated swimming stops, and a large shared vessel. A private group option is available if you want a more personal format, but the experience described here is built around a big boat and a fixed route.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if your priority is maximum bay coverage with minimum planning. Anthony Quinn Bay gives you striking water and rock scenery, Tsambika offers the best stretch of beach time, Afandou adds a cave, and Kallithea closes the day with one final swim.

Skip it if you want long, unhurried time at one beach or a quiet sailing experience. For $68, the combination of transport, lunch, four stops, and a full day at sea is solid value, as long as you accept the crowd, the early start, and the extra cost of drinks.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes boat trip last?

The experience lasts about eight to nine hours. The boat leaves Mandraki Port at 9:00 AM and is expected back in Rhodes around 5:00 PM.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet the Manos Going staff member at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation. Look for a red sign with the Manos Going logo.

Is hotel pickup included?

Transportation is available from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki. Pickup is scheduled between 7:30 and 8:15 AM, and the provider sends your precise time and location.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The boat stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Beach and its cave area, and Kallithea Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes Greek dishes such as tzatziki, Greek salad, oven-baked potatoes, moussaka, pasta with red sauce, beans, beef steaks, chicken, vegetables, and meatballs. Drinks and snacks cost extra.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the snack bar onboard.

Is the trip suitable for non-swimmers or wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or wheelchair users. Life jackets and pool noodles are available for small children.