Rhodes Bay to Bay Swim Cruise-Greek Buffet w/wine included

Rhodes looks especially good from the water, and this cruise turns the island’s eastern coast into a string of swim breaks. You’ll leave Mandraki Port with views of the Medieval Walls, pass the site of the ancient Colossus, and stop at Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

I like the comfortable seating, two bars, clean bathroom, and generous supply of wine, water, and lemonade. I also like the freedom of each stop: swim, use the provided mask and snorkel, jump from the boat, or simply stay aboard in the shade. The main drawback is that the food is good Greek buffet fare rather than a special restaurant meal, and the sightseeing commentary appears limited.

Key points

• Three very different swim stops: Kallithea has reddish spring water and historic buildings, Afandou offers a long pebble beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay is a rocky cove filled with small fish.
• Good value at $71.38: The price includes lunch, white and rosé wine, bottled water, lemonade, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, and flotation aids.
• Easy from Rhodes Old Town: The boat leaves Mandraki Port, about a 15-minute walk from the cruise ship area according to the meeting information provided.
• Comfort beyond the swimming: Cushioned seats, shaded areas, two bars, a shower, and a clean bathroom make this suitable even if you do not want to get in the water.
• Allow six hours: The trip starts at 10:15 a.m. and returns to Mandraki Port, with roughly one hour at each main stop.
• Music shapes the mood: Expect a relaxed, social cruise that becomes livelier on the return journey.

Leaving Mandraki Port beneath Rhodes Old Town

Meet at Romantika Dreams Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, Nea Agora, with departure set for 10:15 a.m. The boat returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point at the end.

The opening cruise is one of the best sightseeing parts of the day. From the water, you get a clean view of Rhodes’ Medieval Walls, the Old Town, and the castle area. This is a useful angle on Rhodes because the fortifications make more sense when you see how the harbor sits beside them.

The route also passes the entrance to the ancient harbor, traditionally identified as the location where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. The statue was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a huge image of the sun god Helios. You will not see the Colossus itself, of course, but this is the place to look toward the harbor entrance and picture the scale of the lost monument.

Bring a phone or camera for this first stretch. Once the swimming starts, your attention will be on towels, masks, and finding a good place to sit, so the early harbor views are the easiest photographs to get.

Kallithea Springs and the Gulf’s red water

The first major stop is Kallithea Springs, about 45 minutes from Mandraki. You get around an hour here, with time for a morning swim and a look at the spring area from the sea.

Kallithea is known for reddish water coming from a rocky formation in the Gulf. Ancient visitors valued the springs for their supposed healing qualities, and the site later gained an elaborate architectural setting. Italian architect Pietro Lombardi designed the main buildings, while Armando Burnaby handled decorative work that respected the natural rock and water.

The setting is more than a standard beach stop. You can swim in the clear sea, look toward the rock formations, and take in the old spring buildings. Admission from the sea is free, so you are not paying an extra entrance charge during the cruise.

The limitation is time. One hour gives you a pleasant swim and a quick look around, but not a slow visit to every part of the site. If Kallithea is a major reason for your trip, a land visit would allow more time. On this cruise, it works best as a scenic first swim with a bit of history attached.

Afandou Beach, pebbles, caves, and a long swim

The published route gives Afandou about 45 minutes of sailing from Kallithea and around an hour and 15 minutes at the stop. Afandou is very different from the smaller coves later in the day. Its beach stretches for roughly six kilometers and is known for clear water and pebbles.

The name Afandou comes from the Greek word for invisible. The original settlement was moved inland after repeated attacks because it could not be seen easily from the sea. The area also has tombs and temple foundations, while local pebbles were used in the sidewalks of Rhodes Old Town.

You will have time to swim and look toward the caves and shoreline before lunch is served back on the boat. The long stop gives this part of the trip a more open, spacious feel than Anthony Quinn Bay. It is a good place to use a pool noodle or float, stretch out on deck, or simply enjoy the coast without rushing from one photo stop to the next.

Pebbles are worth noting. They can be less comfortable underfoot than sand, so water shoes may be useful if you already own a pair. The supplied information does not state that water shoes are provided, so plan around the fact that this is not a soft sandy beach experience.

Anthony Quinn Bay and snorkeling with small fish

Anthony Quinn Bay is the most enclosed and dramatic of the three swimming spots. High rocks wrap around the small cove, and the water is deep close to the boat. The cruise allows about an hour here, reached by roughly 15 minutes of sailing from Afandou in the stated route.

The bay is particularly good for snorkeling. The boat provides masks and snorkels, and the clear water attracts thousands of small fish. You may see them gather near the boat, especially if food is thrown into the water. The crew makes a light joke about the fish not biting people, but you should still follow the crew’s instructions and avoid feeding marine life if asked not to.

The bay takes its name from Mexican actor Anthony Quinn, who filmed The Guns of Navarone in Rhodes in the 1960s. He reportedly wanted to buy the cove, but the agreement was never completed and later legal action found it unenforceable. The local name remained.

This is the stop for people who want to jump from the boat, snorkel, and swim in a compact rocky setting. It is not as suitable for someone looking for a broad beach stroll. You are mainly enjoying the water and the view from the boat.

The cruise also passes Ladiko Bay, just behind Anthony Quinn Bay. Its name is linked to olive oil, since the area served as a loading point for oil shipped toward Egypt and the Middle East. Fishermen have found clay containers connected to old shipwrecks in the area. Today, Ladiko is known for its caves, beach, and water activities.

The return past Faliraki and the Rhodes coast

After the final swim, the boat takes about an hour to return to Mandraki Port, passing Faliraki Beach on the way. Faliraki is one of Rhodes’ best-known seaside resorts, with a long beach, clear water, and a busy nightlife scene.

This final cruise is less about structured sightseeing and more about relaxing after the swim stops. Music often becomes a bigger part of the mood, and the atmosphere can feel more like a casual boat party than a quiet heritage tour. If you prefer peace and quiet, use the shaded seating area or move away from the bar and speakers when possible.

The boat has cushioned seats and room to walk around. Several people have found it comfortable even when they did not swim, which is important because a swim cruise can otherwise feel like six hours of waiting for everyone else. The covered deck is useful in strong sun, and a second bar gives you another place to sit.

Greek buffet lunch, wine, and what to expect

Lunch is included and served as a Greek buffet. The exact menu can vary, but the food described includes items such as chicken, pasta, salads, and briam, a Greek-style vegetable dish. Vegetarian choices are available, and gluten-free options are included.

I would set your expectations at solid, convenient boat lunch rather than fine dining. The meal has been praised for its flavor and generous portions, while some diners found it basic. That difference makes sense: the value here comes from combining food with a boat day, not from creating a destination meal.

White and rosé wine are included throughout the cruise. Bottled water, lemonade, and soft drinks are also provided. Beer is not included, so keep that in mind if you do not drink wine. The two-bar setup is a useful comfort on a long outing, and the included drinks help the $71.38 price feel reasonable.

The wine service also affects the character of the cruise. The atmosphere is usually relaxed during the swim stops, then more social as the boat heads back. Families, couples, friends, and solo passengers can all fit into the experience, but anyone seeking a quiet sailing tour should know that music and conversation are part of the package.

Comfort, equipment, and practical details

You receive a mask and snorkel, life jacket, floaters, and pool noodles. The equipment means you can try snorkeling without bringing your own gear, though bringing a personal mask may still be preferable if you are particular about fit.

A shower is available, which is useful after swimming in several bays. The bathroom has been kept clean and comfortable, an easily missed detail that matters on a six-hour boat ride. Cushioned seating and both sun and shaded areas give you choices throughout the day.

Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra. If you are staying near Rhodes Old Town, the port meeting point is straightforward. The boat is also practical for cruise ship passengers: the walk from the cruise port area is about 15 minutes according to the supplied meeting information.

The maximum group size is 100 people. That is not an intimate sailing trip, but the boat has been described as having plenty of space, including room to move around and areas where you can sit apart from the main activity. The actual feel will depend on the day’s booking level.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Because this is a swimming cruise with deep water at Anthony Quinn Bay and pebble access at Afandou, you should choose it for the boat facilities rather than expect easy, level access to every beach.

Is six hours enough for Rhodes?

The cruise is advertised at approximately six hours, starting at 10:15 a.m. and returning to Mandraki. That is enough time for three swim stops, lunch, and a useful look at the coast without giving up a whole day on land.

You should not book it if your main goal is to tour Rhodes Old Town, visit museums, or spend hours at Kallithea Springs. You will see the Old Town from the water and pass the Colossus site, but the main activity is swimming and coastal cruising.

You should book it if you want a simple day with little planning. The crew handles the route, the boat provides equipment, lunch is ready, and drinks are available. You can decide each time whether to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, or remain on deck.

The price is strong for what is included. At $71.38, you are paying for six hours on the water, three stops, lunch, snorkeling equipment, nonalcoholic drinks, and wine. Separate boat trips can cost much more once meals and drinks are added. The value is weaker if you will not drink wine, eat the buffet, or use the swim stops, but it remains a fair sightseeing option for a relaxed day at sea.

Who should book this Rhodes boat cruise?

I would choose this cruise for families, couples, friends, and cruise ship passengers who want an easy Rhodes shore activity. It also suits people who do not swim but enjoy music, sea views, food, and sitting in the shade.

It is especially good for you if you want three different coastal settings rather than one long beach visit. Kallithea gives you history and spring water, Afandou gives you an open pebble coast, and Anthony Quinn Bay provides the best snorkeling setting.

I would think twice if you want detailed guiding. The boat passes major sights, but the supplied experience does not promise ongoing commentary. One practical improvement would be clearer explanations about exactly where the Colossus stood and what other landmarks are visible from the boat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. The cruise depends on good weather, and a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this Rhodes Bay to Bay Swim Cruise if you want a good-value mix of swimming, snorkeling, Greek food, wine, music, and coastal views. The strongest reasons are the three contrasting bays, the comfortable boat, and the fact that lunch and drinks are already covered.

Skip it if you want a quiet, highly narrated sightseeing cruise or a gourmet meal. For most people who want an easy, sociable day away from the city, this is a practical choice that makes the most of Rhodes’ clear water and eastern coast.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes Bay to Bay Swim Cruise depart?

It departs from Romantika Dreams Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, Nea Agora, Rhodes 851 31, Greece.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:15 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the Mandraki meeting point.

Which bays and beaches does the cruise visit?

The main stops are Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. The boat also passes Ladiko Bay and Faliraki Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek buffet lunch is included, with vegetarian and gluten-free choices.

Are drinks included?

White wine, rosé wine, bottled water, lemonade, and soft drinks are included. Beer is not listed as included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, along with life jackets, floaters, and pool noodles.

Does the price include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.