Rhodes Exclusive Swim Cruise Cocktail Open bar & Gourmet Buffet

The best thing about this Rhodes cruise is the mix of clear-water swimming and a proper lunch on board. You spend the day moving along the east coast, stopping at three very different bays, then return to Mandraki Harbour with cocktails, beer, wine, and soft drinks included. Captain Alexander is known for turning the ride into a cheerful party, complete with dancing.

I like the limited capacity of 40 people and the reserved bean-bag or sun-bed seating. You are not fighting for a patch of deck every time the boat moves. I also like the useful swimming kit: snorkels, floaters, pool noodles, and life jackets are supplied.

The main thing to consider is the mood. Music can become loud and the captain may encourage dancing, so this is not always a quiet, romantic cruise. If your ideal day means silence and a book, choose carefully. If you want swimming, food, drinks, and a social atmosphere, it fits well.

Key points at a glance

• Three different swim stops: Kallithea Springs, long Afandou Beach, and rocky Anthony Quinn Bay each offer a different setting.
• Open bar included: Cocktails, signature drinks, wine, beer, water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks are part of the package.
• Reserved seating: A maximum of 40 people and allocated bean bags or sun benches give the boat a less crowded feel.
• Greek buffet lunch: Expect freshly prepared dishes, with vegan and gluten-free choices available.
• Useful equipment on board: Snorkels, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets make the swimming stops easier for mixed groups.
• Mandraki Harbour setting: The cruise begins and ends beside Rhodes Old Town, the medieval walls, deer statues, windmills, and the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos.

A six-hour day on the east coast of Rhodes

This is a full half-day on the water, beginning at 10:00 am at Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise in Mandraki Port. The meeting point is opposite the Bank of Greece, and the cruise returns to the same place.

The boat carries no more than 40 people. That number matters. Rhodes has plenty of boat outings where the deck becomes a contest for space, but this experience uses allocated seating with comfortable bean bags and sun benches. Several people have also enjoyed the two-deck layout and the option of choosing a shady place with help from the crew.

You can expect an easygoing holiday atmosphere rather than a formal sailing lesson. The crew serves a drink soon after boarding, and the open bar remains available during the day. Captain Alexander often keeps the energy up with music and dance routines. His Michael Jackson-style performance and enthusiastic dancing have become part of the character of the cruise.

That entertainment will suit some people more than others. The music may be relaxed at first, but it can grow louder as the day develops. You may find it hard to chat across the deck during the livelier stretches. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people should fit in well. Those looking for a calm, quiet boat ride should sit away from the main sound and ask the crew about the best available spot.

Leaving Mandraki Harbour beside the Old Town

Mandraki is a fine place to begin. As the boat leaves port, you get a sea-level view of Rhodes Old Town and its medieval walls. The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the view from the water gives you a different angle from the usual walk along the ramparts.

The harbour itself has an appealing mix of legend and surviving monuments. Two columns topped with Rhodian deer mark the entrance, while the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos sits across the water. Three old medieval windmills add another memorable detail.

The Colossus of Rhodes once stood near the harbour entrance, according to a long-held legend. The statue, a huge image of the sun god, was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. There is no proof that it actually straddled the entrance, but passing the site gives you a chance to picture the scale of ancient Rhodes before the swimming begins.

Keep your camera ready as the boat moves out. The first views of the city walls, harbour monuments, and coastline are among the best photo moments of the day. After that, the focus shifts from history to sun, sea, food, and swimming.

Kallithea Springs: the first hour in the water

The first stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat stays for about an hour. The bay is known for reddish mineral water that rises from rocky ground, as well as its elegant Italian-designed buildings. The springs were valued for their supposed healing qualities in ancient times, and the site later became a center for hydrological study.

Admission from the sea is free, so you can swim and, if you wish, spend part of the stop looking around the spring complex. You do not have to pay an extra entry fee for access from the boat.

This is a good first stop because it gives you time to settle into the day. The water is the main attraction, and the supplied snorkeling equipment, noodles, floaters, and life jackets mean you can choose how active to be. Strong swimmers can use the snorkel gear, while less confident swimmers can rely on a life jacket or floating aid.

One practical point: an hour goes quickly once you factor in getting into the water, swimming, drying off, and returning to the boat. If the spring buildings interest you, do not spend the entire stop far from shore. If swimming is your priority, stay near the boat and make the most of the clear water.

Passing Faliraki on the way south

After Kallithea, the boat passes Faliraki Beach. Faliraki is one of Rhodes’ best-known resort areas, with a long shore, clear water, and a strong nightlife reputation.

You will not have a separate scheduled visit here, but the coastal view helps show how quickly Rhodes changes from medieval city to resort strip to quieter coves. It is also a useful reminder that this cruise is about seeing the coast from the sea, not spending the day touring towns by land.

Afandou Beach and the lunch break

Afandou is a very different stop. Its beach runs for about six kilometers and is made up largely of pebbles rather than sand. The water is clear, and you have more than an hour to explore the area, swim, and look toward the caves.

The name Afandou comes from the Greek word for invisible. The original settlement was moved inland and behind rocks after repeated attacks on the coastal villages, making it less visible from the sea. The area also has links to old tombs, temple foundations, and the pebbles used in parts of Rhodes Old Town.

The pebble shore can be hard on bare feet, so bring sturdy water shoes if you have them. This is a useful difference from a sandy beach day. Afandou works best for swimming, exploring the edges of the bay, and seeing the coast’s natural features rather than for a long barefoot stroll.

Lunch is served back on the boat after this stop. The exact menu can change, but dishes served on board have included prawn pasta, mussels, chicken, salad, bread with tzatziki, spanakorizo, dakos, and a brownie-style dessert. That is a more substantial meal than the usual sandwich or snack box offered on a boat trip.

The food is intended to feel Greek and freshly prepared, not merely functional. The package also includes vegan and gluten-free choices, but you should make your needs clear when booking or before departure if you require a specific option.

The lunch timing makes sense. You have worked up an appetite after the first two swims, and eating on board gives you a chance to sit in the shade, dry off, and enjoy the coastal view without giving up another swimming stop.

Ladikos and Anthony Quinn Bay

The cruise also passes the Ladikos area, a small bay behind Anthony Quinn Bay. Its name is tied to the trade in olive oil. Ships once loaded oil there for Egypt and the Middle East, and clay containers from old shipwrecks have been found in the area.

The scenery becomes more enclosed here, with rocky sides and caves. Ladikos is used by boat outings and underwater activity providers, so you may see other boats in the area. The point is not a long shore visit, but the setting prepares you for the final and most distinctive swimming stop.

Anthony Quinn Bay is smaller and more dramatic than Afandou. High rocks surround the deep water, and the bay is known for its schools of small fish. This is the best stop for using the complimentary snorkel equipment. You can also feed the fish small pieces of bread near the boat, though the crew’s playful warning is clear: the fish are interested in the food, not the people.

The bay takes its name from actor Anthony Quinn, who filmed The Guns of Navarone in Rhodes in the 1960s. He liked the setting and sought to buy it, but the deal was never completed. The local name remained as a tribute.

The water here is deep, so use the life jackets or floaters if you are not a confident swimmer. The boat’s upper deck also gives adventurous swimmers a chance to jump into the bay, but you should follow the crew’s instructions and use sensible judgment. The stop lasts about an hour, enough time for snorkeling, floating, and enjoying the rocky view.

This is likely to be the highlight if you care most about water color, fish, and unusual coastal scenery. It is less suitable if you want a broad sandy beach or an easy walk ashore.

Food, drinks, and the open-bar value

At $107.63 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Rhodes coast. It is also not just a boat transfer with a swim stop. Your price covers about six hours, reserved seating, a buffet lunch, snacks and aperitifs, an open bar, swimming equipment, and three coastal stops.

The drink package is a major part of the value. You can order cocktails and signature cocktails, as well as wine, beer, bottled water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks. Some drinks may be preset choices rather than a fully custom cocktail menu, and one account found the alcohol in certain mixed drinks light. That is worth knowing if you are expecting a cocktail bar with unlimited personalized orders.

For most people, the package works best when you think of it as a complete day out. Buying lunch, several drinks, and a separate boat trip would quickly add up around Rhodes. If you do not drink alcohol, the value is less obvious, though the food, reserved seating, and swimming access still matter.

The buffet has received particularly strong praise for variety and freshness. Do not expect a fine-dining restaurant at sea, but you can expect more than basic picnic food. The meal is one reason this cruise works well for people who want a full day without arranging several separate activities.

Comfort, space, and what to pack

The limited number of people is one of the strongest practical features. Allocated bean bags and sun benches mean you have a place to return to after swimming. The two-deck design gives you a choice between sun and shade, though your preferred area may depend on availability.

Pack sunblock and apply it repeatedly. You will spend much of the day exposed to strong Greek sun, even if you move between shaded and sunny seating. A hat, swimsuit, towel, sunglasses, and a waterproof phone pouch are useful additions.

Water shoes are helpful at Afandou because the beach is pebbly. You do not need to bring snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, or a life jacket, since these are supplied on board.

The boat has clean toilets, according to the available details, which matters on a six-hour outing. Hotel transfers are not included unless you arrange the optional paid service, so you need to reach Mandraki Port yourself. The location is near public transportation, but give yourself time to find Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise, since the exact boat can be easy to miss among the harbour activity.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this for a couple, family, or group of friends who want swimming and a social party atmosphere in one package. It is especially useful if you prefer not to organize lunch, drinks, beach transport, and snorkeling separately.

It also suits mixed-ability groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel at Anthony Quinn Bay, while less confident swimmers can use life jackets and floaters. The crew’s friendly style and the captain’s dancing help keep the mood light, and the seating arrangement gives people room to relax between stops.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a peaceful, quiet cruise. Music is part of the experience, and the volume may rise. I would also avoid booking it if you want long visits ashore, since the schedule focuses on swimming from the boat rather than extended beach time.

The cruise is recommended by 96 percent of people who rated it, with a 4.8 rating from 1,230 reviews. Those numbers match the strongest features: the crew, food, open bar, spacious boat, and three beautiful swimming locations. One practical weakness is that commentary can be hard to hear from the upper deck, so do not choose this mainly as a guided history tour.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a lively and well-fed day on the Rhodes coast, with enough space to avoid the usual crowded-boat feeling. The combination of three swim stops, a Greek buffet, unlimited listed drinks, and supplied equipment makes the $107.63 fare reasonable for a full six-hour outing.

Skip it if quiet is more important than entertainment, or if you want to spend your day walking ashore. For everyone else, especially people who rate Anthony Quinn Bay, cold beer, good food, and a dancing captain as a successful holiday formula, this is a strong choice.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 10:00 am start. The cruise depends on good weather, and poor conditions can result in a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes swim cruise start and finish?

It starts and ends at Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise in Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece in Rhodes Town.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Which swimming locations does the cruise visit?

The main stops are Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. The boat also passes Rhodes Old Town, the site associated with the Colossus of Rhodes, Faliraki, and the Ladikos area.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek gourmet buffet prepared by the onboard chef is included, with vegan and gluten-free choices available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes an open bar with cocktails, signature cocktails, wine, beer, water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available for use during the cruise.