Faliraki: Boat Trip to Anthony Quinn & The Caves with Drinks

The best part of this yellow semi-submarine cruise is that you get two very different ways to enjoy the sea. You can swim and snorkel in clear water, or stay dry in the glass cabin and watch fish pass beneath the boat. At Anthony Quinn Bay, the crew feeds the fish, creating a lively underwater show.

I like the generous swimming time, with 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay and another 25 minutes at the Traganou Caves. I also like the open fridge of cold beer, water, and soft drinks, a practical touch on a hot Rhodes day. The main drawback is the multiple beach pickup points, which can make the trip feel slower before the swimming begins.

At a glance

• Fish-feeding show at Anthony Quinn Bay: The crew brings fish close to the underwater windows, where you can see them from the air-conditioned glass cabin.
• Two proper swim stops: You get 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay and 25 minutes at Traganou Caves, rather than one rushed stop.
• Swimming inside the caves: Pool noodles and snorkeling equipment are available, and the cave stop lets you enter the rock formations by water.
• Open bar included: Beer, water, and soft drinks are available throughout the cruise, but food is not included.
• Easy beach boarding: You meet the tender boat at the red steps on the beach near your selected Faliraki pickup point.
• Good family appeal: The underwater windows give children something to watch even if they are not ready to swim in open water.

A yellow boat with two ways to see the sea

This is not a long sightseeing cruise built around lectures or grand historical monuments. It is a compact, three-hour outing focused on water, fish, swimming, and the rocky coast east of Faliraki.

The boat’s semi-submarine section is the feature that changes the mood. Large underwater windows let you sit below deck and watch the sea without getting wet. Several families found this especially useful for younger children, and it also works well if you are nervous about swimming in open water.

The cabin has air conditioning, which matters in the Greek summer heat. You can cool off below deck, then come back upstairs for sun, sea views, and a drink. I would not book this expecting a full-scale submarine expedition. The underwater viewing is a fun part of a swimming cruise, not a long scientific presentation.

The crew adds much of the character. Captains called Niko, Nikos, and Mike are praised for humor, clear safety instructions, and a welcoming manner. The exact crew depends on the departure, but the setup is consistent: an English-speaking host or greeter, safety guidance, help with boarding, and staff who keep an eye on swimmers.

Boarding from Faliraki beach

You do not walk straight onto the large boat from a normal harbor berth. At your selected beach stop, look for the red steps and meet the tender boat there. The tender carries you out to the yellow semi-submarine.

This arrangement is worth understanding before you set off, especially if you are carrying bags or have small children. The beach pickup points include the areas near Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor. Pickup times are listed at roughly 9:30, 12:30, and 3:30 from Amada Colossos; 9:40, 12:40, and 3:40 from Esperides and Calypso; and 9:55, 12:55, and 3:55 from Apollo Hotel and Faliraki Harbor.

The boat collects people from several beach stops, so the sightseeing portion may not begin immediately. One particularly useful piece of advice is to choose the pickup nearest your hotel. It saves you a walk and may shorten the time spent collecting other passengers.

The tender transfer is part of the outing rather than a flaw, but it does mean the three hours include boarding, transfers, and movement between stops. If you want nonstop swimming, a private boat would offer more time in the water. If you want an easy shared trip with drinks and two famous locations, this format works well.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the fish below the boat

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star of the trip. Its rocky sides and clear water make it one of the most attractive swimming spots near Faliraki, and the 40-minute stop gives you enough time to do more than take one quick jump from the boat.

You can swim, snorkel, float, or remain in the underwater cabin. The crew feeds fish near the boat, so the view through the glass becomes especially active. Large schools gather around the hull, giving you a better chance of seeing marine life than you might during a casual swim from shore.

This is also the strongest part of the cruise for non-swimmers. You still get a view of the water below without having to enter it. One child reportedly gained enough confidence during the outing to swim without touching the bottom, but you should not feel pressured to follow that example. The boat provides a useful choice between watching and getting wet.

Snorkeling equipment is available, according to the activity details and direct trip accounts. The fish-feeding moment is entertaining, but it is worth treating it as a short show rather than a natural-history lesson. The appeal is the sight of many fish close to the windows and swimmers, not detailed marine interpretation.

The bay can be busy with boats, and one account wished the vessel could get closer to the beach. That is a fair point. The cruise gives you a water-level view of Anthony Quinn Bay, but it is not a beach visit with time to sit on the sand. You swim from the boat.

Traganou Caves and the 25-minute swim

Traganou Caves offers a different setting. Instead of open water and fish gathering around the boat, you get dramatic rock formations and the chance to swim into the caves themselves.

The stop lasts 25 minutes. That is enough for a quick look inside, a swim around the entrance, and some snorkeling, but you will want to move promptly if you hope to do all three. Pool noodles are available and are particularly useful in the cave area. Use one if you are not a confident swimmer or simply want to relax while looking at the rock.

The caves add variety to the trip. Anthony Quinn Bay is the place for the clearest underwater fish viewing and the longer swim. Traganou is the place for rock, shade, and a sense of exploring along the coast. The stops complement each other well.

The published route information gives the two stops in different orders, while the most detailed trip descriptions put Anthony Quinn Bay first and Traganou Caves second. Because the sequence can differ, confirm the order when you board. Either way, the total swimming time remains about 65 minutes.

What the open bar really adds

The included drinks are simple but useful: beer, water, and soft drinks from the onboard fridge. You help yourself, so there is no need to buy a drink each time you return from the water.

At $58 per person, the open bar helps the price feel reasonable, particularly if you would otherwise buy several cold drinks during a three-hour boat trip. It also removes one small nuisance from a hot day. You can grab water after snorkeling and a beer when you settle back into the boat.

Food is not included. Bring or buy something separately if you need a meal, but do not expect a lunch cruise. The activity is short enough that many people will manage with a snack before or after, yet the supplied information does not specify whether outside food is permitted onboard, so ask the crew if that matters to you.

The drinks are part of the social atmosphere, but they should not distract from the water stops. I would value the cruise mainly for Anthony Quinn Bay, Traganou Caves, and the glass cabin. The beer is a welcome extra, not the reason to book.

Is $58 good value for three hours?

The price makes the most sense when you use several parts of the package. You receive the semi-submarine cruise, two swimming stops, an underwater viewing cabin, snorkeling equipment, and unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks.

A simple glass-bottom boat ride might give you underwater views but not two swimming stops. A private charter could offer more space and control but would cost much more per person. This shared cruise sits between those options: more structured than hiring a small boat, but more active than a basic sightseeing trip.

The main value comes from the balance. You get 40 minutes at the bay, 25 minutes at the caves, and time to sit in the sun or air-conditioned cabin between them. The cruise is not packed with extra attractions, but it gives you a complete half-day-sized outing without taking over your day.

The repeated high marks for service and transport are also significant. Staff such as Niko and Mike are praised for making nervous swimmers feel safe, explaining procedures, and keeping children entertained. A good captain matters on a swimming trip because clear instructions make it easier to relax.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it most strongly to families, couples, and groups of friends who want a light activity rather than a serious sailing trip.

Families get short, manageable stops, an underwater cabin, drinks, and a crew that pays attention to safety. Children can look for fish below the boat even if they do not want to swim. The 25-minute cave stop is also short enough to hold their interest.

Couples and friends get a scenic outing with cold drinks and two attractive swimming locations. The cruise offers plenty of time to talk, sunbathe, snorkel, and take photographs, without requiring a full-day commitment.

It also suits people who are unsure about open-water swimming. You can stay in the cabin, use a pool noodle, or enter the water for only as long as you feel comfortable. The crew’s safety briefing is repeatedly praised, and that reassurance can make a real difference.

You should think twice if you dislike shared tours, want a quiet private boat, or expect long, detailed commentary about Rhodes. The English-speaking host can explain the sights and sea life, but this is primarily a recreational cruise. Also remember that the boat uses beach transfers and several pickup points, so some of the three hours will be spent moving people rather than swimming.

Practical tips for a smoother trip

Choose the pickup point closest to your hotel and arrive at the red beach steps. The yellow boat is the key marker, but the tender collects you from shore, so do not wait for a standard harbor boarding arrangement.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry bag for valuables. Snorkeling equipment and pool noodles are available, but you may prefer to bring your own mask if you want a familiar fit.

If you are traveling with young children, explain that the boat has both an underwater viewing area and open-water swim stops. That gives them a choice and avoids making the whole outing depend on one child feeling brave.

Keep your expectations realistic about the glass cabin. Fish may be plentiful, especially when the crew feeds them at Anthony Quinn Bay, but underwater visibility depends on the sea. The cabin is an enjoyable extra, not a guarantee of constant marine life.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. That is useful if your Rhodes plans may shift, though you should still check the available departure time before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want two attractive swimming stops, an easy way to see fish without staying in the water, and drinks included in a short Faliraki outing. It is especially strong for families and mixed groups where some people swim eagerly and others prefer to watch from below deck.

Skip it if you want a private charter, a quiet sailing trip, or a full meal onboard. For most people looking for a three-hour break from the hotel, the combination of Anthony Quinn Bay, Traganou Caves, the glass cabin, and the open bar gives the $58 price solid value.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip?

The activity lasts three hours, including the cruise, transfers between beach pickup points, sightseeing, and the two swimming stops.

Where do I board the boat?

You meet the tender boat at the red steps on the beach at your selected Faliraki pickup point. The tender then takes you to the yellow semi-submarine.

What are the swimming stops?

The cruise stops at Anthony Quinn Bay for 40 minutes and Traganou Caves for 25 minutes. The route order may vary, so confirm it when you board.

Can I swim inside Traganou Caves?

Yes. The cave stop allows you to swim into the rock formations. Pool noodles are available for this section.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks are included. Food is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for the swimming stops.

Is the tour suitable if I do not want to swim?

Yes. You can watch the underwater world through the glass cabin beneath the boat. The cabin has air conditioning, and swimming is optional.