Boat Trip to Anthony Quinn’s Bay (Food & Drinks Included)

Anthony Quinn’s Bay is the star of this six-hour Rhodes cruise, but the real appeal is the chance to reach three famous swimming spots in one relaxed day. You can jump from the boat, snorkel in clear water, stretch out on a bean bag, or simply watch the coast slide by. I especially like the large wooden boat and the Greek buffet, which make this feel more like a full day on the sea than a quick swim transfer.

The crew, clean boat and plentiful places to sit or lie down earn strong praise, and the cruise includes swimming equipment, snacks, lunch and drinks. The main caution is clarity: the advertised route names Anthony Quinn’s, Ladiko and Kallithea, while another route description lists Traganou Caves, and one booking reported that only two glasses of wine were included. Confirm the exact route and drink policy before paying.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming stops: The published program includes Anthony Quinn’s Bay, Ladiko Bay and Kallithea Springs, with roughly an hour at each stop.
• A big wooden boat: This is a roomy cruise boat with bean bags, shaded and sunny areas, jumping points and snorkeling gear, not a quiet little sailboat.
• Food is part of the day: The buffet is based on Greek Mediterranean dishes and includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices.
• Drinks need checking: Wine and beer are advertised as included, but the exact amount and selection may be limited.
• You must reach the harbor on your own unless you add a transfer: Self-check-in is at Gallias Street 6 by Mandraki Harbor between 9:10 and 9:40 a.m.
• Good value for a full seaside day: At $102 per person, the package can make sense if you want lunch, swimming and transport by boat in one booking.

What this Rhodes boat trip is really like

This is a social day on a sizable wooden boat rather than a private sailing outing. The boat is described as well cared for, with plenty of room to sit in the sun or shade. Bean bags add a casual touch, especially during the long stops when you may want to dry off, eat, or read instead of getting back into the water.

The published departure is around 10 a.m., with a return to Rhodes Harbor at about 4 p.m. That gives you six hours on the water, including sightseeing between the coves and roughly one hour at each swimming stop. The pace is easy, but it is not a short scenic cruise. You will spend much of the day with the same group, music playing, and people moving between the deck and sea.

The atmosphere suits a group outing, couples who enjoy a lively boat day, and families with swimmers who like variety. It is less suited to anyone seeking silence, a small-group sailing experience, or a carefully guided snorkeling trip. One booking described the boat as full and noisy, so keep that in mind if your ideal day is peaceful and private.

Starting at Mandraki Harbor

If you do not add hotel pickup, check in at the operator’s office at Gallias Street 6, beside the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor. The stated check-in window is 9:10 to 9:40 a.m., so do not cut it close. You receive your boarding pass at the office before heading to the boat.

Pickup is listed as an optional extra for many areas around Rhodes, including places such as Lindos, Pefki, Faliraki, Ialysos, Ixia, Kallithea and Kolympia. If your hotel is not on the pickup list, you are told to send the hotel name after booking and wait for the pickup details. For a distant hotel, the transfer may be worth the added cost and trouble saved, but the basic $102 option requires you to reach the meeting point yourself.

The route information is not perfectly consistent. The main description names Anthony Quinn’s Bay, Ladiko Bay and Kallithea Springs, while another schedule lists Traganou Caves. Since the exact stop matters, especially if you have your heart set on Ladiko, ask Half Price Tours to confirm the day’s route before departure.

The cruise from Rhodes Town

Once underway, the first part is a sightseeing cruise along the Rhodes coast. The listed timetable allows about 40 minutes for the scenic ride before the first swimming stop. This is a useful part of the day because it gives you views from the water rather than another road transfer through the island.

You can settle into a bean bag, find a place in the sun, or choose shade if the heat is strong. The boat has special jumping points from the lower or upper deck, and the setup invites you to get into the water without waiting for a tender or beach landing.

The word sailing appears in the program, but one booking specifically noted that the boat was not a sailing ship. I would book this for the boat ride, deck space and swimming stops, not for the expectation of sails rising in the wind. If the style of vessel is important to you, ask for a current photo or a precise description before booking.

Anthony Quinn’s Bay and its clear water

Anthony Quinn’s Bay is listed as the first main stop, reached at about 11:40 in the published schedule. The boat remains at anchor for roughly an hour, giving you time to swim, snorkel, or stay on deck and enjoy the view.

The water here is the kind of clear, green-blue sea that makes a boat stop worthwhile. The rocky setting is best appreciated from offshore, where you can see the shape of the cove without dealing with a crowded beach. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins.

The jumping points are a major part of the fun. You can choose a simple entry from the lower deck or use the upper-deck spot if you are comfortable with a higher jump. Use sensible judgment, especially if the sea is moving or you are traveling with children. This is a boat-based swim stop, not a supervised water park.

An hour goes quickly. If you want photographs, snorkel, swim and jump, plan your time rather than spending the first 20 minutes deciding what to do. A towel and change of clothes are useful afterward because you have more stops ahead.

Ladiko Bay, lunch and a longer pause

The published schedule places Ladiko Bay at about 12:30, after another sightseeing cruise. This stop combines swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and the main meal onboard. The program gives you about an hour, though the more detailed timing suggests the lunch service may overlap with the stop and later activities.

Ladiko is a good place to split your time. You can get into the sea first, then return to the boat for food, or eat early and enjoy the water while others are at the buffet. Kayaking is listed here, but the supplied details do not explain how many kayaks are available or how long you may use them, so do not plan the whole day around that activity.

The buffet is presented as Greek Mediterranean food, with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices. That makes the package easier for mixed groups, especially when not everyone eats meat or wheat. Expect practical buffet food rather than a restaurant meal prepared to order. One booking described the food as excellent and tasty, while another found it basic and not very varied. I would see lunch as a useful part of the fare, not the main reason to choose the cruise.

Fruit and local snacks are also listed. Food service can be a welcome break from swimming, but take care in the sun and do not rush back into the water immediately after eating.

Kallithea Springs and the final swim

Kallithea Springs is listed as the next stop, with swimming and snorkeling from around 2:50 p.m. The boat then leaves at about 3:10 and returns to the harbor around 4 p.m. This final stop is shorter in the stated schedule than the earlier ones, so you may want to swim rather than wait too long before getting in.

Kallithea is a useful final stop because it breaks up the return trip. You still get another chance to snorkel, but you can also stay onboard and enjoy the coast if you are tired. By this point, the boat may feel more crowded, with people drying off, eating, collecting belongings and finding seats for the ride back.

The itinerary details also refer to Traganou Caves as a one-hour swimming and snorkeling stop. Since that does not match the three-bay program exactly, confirm if the caves are part of your departure. The operator may use different routes or different descriptions, but you should know which places you are actually paying to see.

Food, wine and beer onboard

Food and drinks are included in the main tour description. The listed refreshments include welcome drinks, lunch, local snacks, fruit, white and rosé wine, and cold beer. For a six-hour cruise, that adds real value compared with paying separately for a boat ticket and buying lunch at a beach stop.

There is one important qualification. A booking from May reported that the included drinks amounted to two glasses of local wine, with other drinks charged separately. That conflicts with the broader wording about beer, wine and drinks being included. I would ask one direct question before booking: exactly which drinks, and how much of each, are included in the $102 price?

Do not assume an open bar. The safest expectation is that some wine and beer are included, with limits or paid upgrades possible. If you do not drink alcohol, the meal and soft refreshments still matter, but you should verify what nonalcoholic choices are available.

Is $102 good value?

At $102 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time at the beach. The value comes from combining a boat ride, three potential swimming areas, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks and at least some drinks into one six-hour package.

I think the price is reasonable for someone who wants a complete day with little planning. You avoid arranging separate transport to Anthony Quinn’s Bay, finding a beach chair, carrying lunch, and paying for each small item along the way. The boat also gives you access to swimming spots from the sea, which is a different experience from visiting one beach by road.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one quiet swim at Anthony Quinn’s Bay. You may spend part of the day waiting through group boarding, food service and longer stops than you need. The complaint about noisy conditions and a full boat is worth taking seriously, especially in the high season.

A comparison with the cost of a beach day is simple: if you would otherwise rent a sunbed, buy lunch and drinks, and pay for transport, the cruise may be competitive. If you already have a rental car, prefer secluded beaches, or dislike group activities, $102 may feel steep.

Who will enjoy this boat day?

I would recommend it to you if you want several swims without changing hotels or arranging island transport. It works especially well for:

• Couples who want a relaxed day at sea with food included
• Families with confident swimmers who enjoy jumping and snorkeling
• Friends looking for music, drinks and a social boat setting
• Visitors staying away from the main beaches who want optional hotel pickup
• Anyone who prefers a scheduled outing over planning a coastal day alone

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet sailing trip, a small boat, or a food-focused excursion. The boat can be full, the music may make conversation harder, and the buffet may seem plain if you expect a long Greek lunch. Non-swimmers can stay onboard and enjoy the scenery, but much of the tour is built around time in the water.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and dry clothes. You will want protection during the cruise and something comfortable for the ride home. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if fit matters to you.

Booking details and final advice

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking terms allow you to reserve now and pay later. Starting times should be checked when selecting your date. These flexible terms are useful, but they do not solve the route and drinks questions, so ask those before the cancellation window closes.

The overall score is 4.5 from 14 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the crew, boat condition, food, swimming stops and deck space. The less favorable comments focus on noise, crowding, basic food, limited included drinks and uncertainty about the vessel.

Should you book the Anthony Quinn’s Bay cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, full-day-style boat outing with several clear-water swims, a cared-for wooden boat, a friendly crew and lunch already arranged. The strongest part is the mix of swimming, deck time and scenery. You can make the day as active or lazy as you like.

Skip it if you want a genuine sailboat, quiet coves with few other people, or guaranteed unlimited drinks. Before committing, confirm whether your departure includes Ladiko or Traganou Caves, and ask exactly what drinks are included. With those details settled, this is a practical way to turn six hours in Rhodes into a sea day rather than another afternoon on a crowded beach.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The activity lasts about six hours. The published schedule leaves Rhodes Harbor around 10 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m.

Where do I check in if I do not book hotel pickup?

Check in at the Half Price Tours office at Gallias Street 6, next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor. The stated check-in time is between 9:10 and 9:40 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. The basic option includes cruise tickets and requires you to reach the meeting point yourself. Pickup and drop-off are available as another option, depending on your hotel location.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The main program lists Anthony Quinn’s Bay, Ladiko Bay and Kallithea Springs. Another route description lists Traganou Caves, so confirm the exact stops for your departure before booking.

Is food included?

Yes. The activity includes a buffet based on Mediterranean Greek cuisine, along with local snacks and fruit. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free choices are listed.

Are beer and wine included?

The tour information says that drinks, including white and rosé wine and beer, are included. One booking reported that only two glasses of local wine were included, so ask the operator about the exact drink allowance before departure.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is listed as included, and the swimming stops are intended for snorkeling and swimming.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen and a change of clothes. These items are especially useful because the cruise includes several water stops and time in the sun.