Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this six-hour catamaran cruise makes a full day of the island’s famous east-coast bays. I like the generous one-hour swim stops and the small-group limit of 24 passengers, which gives you room to spread out instead of sitting shoulder to shoulder.

I also like the simple all-inclusive setup: Greek wine, beer, soft drinks, fruit, snacks, lunch, snorkels, and floating noodles are all ready onboard. The main drawback is that the boats stay at anchor, so you must swim to shore. This is not a good pick if you have limited mobility or do not feel comfortable entering open water.

Key points at a glance

• Three or four long swim stops: Sailing boats visit Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs. Power catamarans add Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Small passenger limit: The maximum is 24 passengers plus crew, a useful advantage on a six-hour outing.
• A proper buffet lunch: Expect grilled chicken, salads, hummus, tzatziki, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.
• Plenty of equipment: Snorkels, masks, life jackets, pool noodles, an outdoor shower, and indoor toilets are provided.
• Two boat styles: Choose a quieter sailing catamaran or a faster power catamaran with the extra cave stop.
• Strict departure timing: The boats leave at 10:00 from the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor, so arrive early.

A full day on Rhodes’ east coast

At $83 per person, this cruise is priced as a full day on the water rather than a short sightseeing ride. You get six hours, several swimming sessions, food, drinks, and equipment. That makes the cost reasonable if you plan to use the boat for most of the day and would otherwise pay separately for lunch, beach transport, snorkel hire, and drinks.

The experience is built around relaxation rather than a formal historical tour. You will see Rhodes from the sea, hear information in English, and receive instructions from the crew, but the main event is the water. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. You will spend a lot of time in direct sun.

The maximum group size is 24 passengers, though the actual number may be lower, especially outside the busiest summer months. That matters because a catamaran feels much more pleasant when you can find a decent seat, move around, and get to the swimming gear without a long wait.

Several people who have taken the cruise twice have returned for the same combination of boat space, swimming time, and friendly service. That fits the nature of this trip: it is easy to enjoy without needing to organize much yourself.

Meeting the crew at Mandraki Harbor

You begin at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor. The departure is at 10:00, and arriving early is important. If you miss the boat, rebooking for another day costs 25 euros per ticket.

The harbor is the practical starting point, not a resort-style pickup. Get there with enough time to find the kiosk, meet the crew, and settle onboard before departure. Listen carefully to announcements during the day, since the crew will give the correct return and stop times.

The crew speaks English. Names that come up often in the onboard service include Andreas and Hope, both noted for helping with drinks, photographs, family needs, and general questions. The tone is friendly and informal, with the crew taking an active role in making the day run smoothly.

Once the boat leaves, the first part of the route is a sightseeing cruise of roughly 70 minutes. This gives you time to settle in, look back toward Rhodes, and choose your preferred place on deck. If you want a seat on the upper deck or near the front, arriving early helps.

Sailing or power catamaran?

You have three catamaran options listed for this experience, with the main choice being sailing or power. The sailing catamaran offers a quieter, slower-feeling day. It suits you if the journey itself matters as much as the stops and you like the calm rhythm of moving under sail.

The power catamaran covers the coast more quickly and includes an additional stop at Afandou Beach and the caves. Choose this option if you want more variety and are especially interested in seeing the caves from the water.

Neither option guarantees the exact same route in every condition. The captain can change the route or swimming stops if the weather makes a planned location unsuitable. That is sensible at sea, but it means you should treat the advertised bays as the planned route rather than an absolute promise.

Both boat types are described as comfortable and clean, with indoor toilets and an outdoor shower. The toilets are useful, though keeping a marine toilet spotless during a full day can be difficult. Pack a little patience and use the facilities when needed rather than expecting a hotel bathroom.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the first clear-water stop

After the opening cruise, the catamaran anchors at Anthony Quinn Bay for about an hour. This is one of the strongest parts of the day, especially if you want to see fish close to the boat.

The crew may throw bread into the water, bringing colorful fish near swimmers. With the supplied snorkel equipment, you can look below the surface without arranging a separate hire. The bay is also a fine place to skip the snorkeling and simply float, use a pool noodle, or stay onboard and enjoy the view.

The important practical detail is that the catamaran does not pull onto a beach. You enter the water from the boat and swim toward shore if you want to reach land. The same pattern applies at the other stops, so this first visit is a useful test of your comfort level.

For confident swimmers, an hour is generous. You can snorkel, dry off, take photographs, and get back in without feeling rushed. For children, the crew provides life jackets and floating noodles, but parents still need to judge the water and supervise closely.

Afandou Caves on the power route

The power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and the nearby caves. This stop brings a different feel from Anthony Quinn Bay, with the attraction being the rock formations and the chance to swim and snorkel in another section of the coast.

Lunch is served during the middle part of the route, around the Afandou and Ladiko portion of the day. The exact order can vary with the boat and conditions, so follow the crew’s instructions rather than planning your meal around a precise minute.

The caves are a good reason to choose the power boat if you have already seen Rhodes’ best-known bays on other trips. They give you another setting for photographs and swimming, and they add variety to a day that could otherwise feel like three similar stops.

Still, do not choose the power option only because you expect a long shore visit. The boat remains anchored offshore, and the experience centers on swimming, snorkeling, and looking at the coast from the water.

Ladiko Bay and a relaxed lunch onboard

Ladiko Bay is scheduled for about an hour and is described as a quieter swimming area with clear water. It is a good place to slow down after the first stop, especially if you prefer a less active swim or want more time with the snorkel gear.

Lunch is a Mediterranean buffet served on the catamaran. The spread includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh baked local bread. A breakfast tortilla snack is available earlier, followed by a cup of seasonal fruit later in the day.

The food is not a restaurant tasting menu, and the main hot dish is chicken rather than fish. If you prefer seafood, this menu may feel limited. For most people, though, the mix of salads, dips, bread, and grilled meat is well suited to a hot day at sea. It is filling without being overly heavy before another swim.

Dietary needs should be raised with the crew. One family received special attention for its food requirements, but the provided information does not promise a set range of alternative meals. Ask before boarding if your diet is strict.

Drinks are part of the value. Unlimited bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are available, while wine and beer are served from noon. This is convenient, but the crew can stop alcohol service if someone appears intoxicated. That rule helps keep a small boat pleasant and safe for everyone.

Kalithea Springs: the final swim

The last main stop is Kalithea Springs, with roughly 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The area offers a different visual setting, and the lagoon is particularly appealing if you want a change from open-bay swimming.

Families can find this stop approachable, and children have enjoyed jumping into the water with crew support. Still, remember that there is no ordinary beach boarding here. You need to enter and exit through the water, so keep your towel and dry clothes accessible for the return trip.

By this point, you will probably have had enough time to swim even if you skipped one of the earlier stops. That is one reason the six-hour length works well. You are not forced to spend all day in the water, and you can alternate between swimming, sitting in the shade, eating, and watching the coast pass by.

After Kalithea Springs, the boat makes the final cruise back to Mandraki Harbor. The return journey gives you a last chance to enjoy the sea breeze, but keep track of the schedule and listen for announcements.

What the day feels like onboard

This is a social boat outing, but it is not designed as a loud party cruise. The main rhythm is simple: cruise, anchor, swim, dry off, eat, and cruise again. The crew keeps drinks available and offers practical help without turning every moment into a performance.

Space is a major advantage. The boats are reported to feel comfortable even when full, and the 24-person limit prevents the cramped feeling common on larger day boats. You can sit up top, find a place near the front, or stay closer to the center when the boat is moving.

The catamaran is also suitable for first-time boat passengers. Clear instructions, life jackets, pool noodles, and crew assistance make the day less intimidating. If you are prone to motion sickness, the provided information does not specify treatment or seating advice, so ask the crew where the smoothest place to sit is before leaving.

The boat is family-friendly, but the open-water format still requires active supervision. Young children can enjoy the swim stops, yet they must be comfortable with water entry from the boat or use suitable flotation equipment.

The practical drawbacks to consider

The biggest limitation is access. This experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it is not a shore-based beach tour. You must be able to climb onto and off the catamaran and swim from the anchored boat.

The route can change with weather. A rainy spell once interrupted a cruise for about 90 minutes, after which the captain offered an additional swim stop when conditions improved. That is a fair response, but it shows why you should keep expectations flexible outside the most settled summer weather.

April, May, and October bring another possibility. If one catamaran does not reach its minimum number of participants, the operator may move you to another catamaran and notify you by message. This is not necessarily a problem, but check your messages before departure.

The toilets are functional rather than luxurious, and one part of the facilities may need more frequent cleaning. The boat itself is generally kept in good shape, but a marine toilet receives heavy use during a six-hour trip.

Finally, the menu is generous but not highly varied for people who want fish or a special culinary experience. The strength here is reliable, easy buffet food served at sea, not gourmet dining.

Who should book this Rhodes catamaran cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want to see several famous bays in one day without renting a boat or arranging separate transport. It is especially good for couples, families with confident swimmers, solo visitors who want an easy social activity, and anyone who values long swim stops over a packed sightseeing schedule.

The sailing boat is the better fit for a slower, quieter ride. The power catamaran is better if Afandou Caves and an additional coastal stop matter to you. If the idea of swimming from an anchored boat makes you nervous, choose a beach excursion with direct shore access instead.

At $83, the package earns its price through time and inclusions. Six hours, lunch, snacks, unlimited nonalcoholic drinks, wine and beer from noon, snorkel equipment, flotation gear, and several stops add up quickly if purchased separately. I would not book it for a short taste of the coast, but I would consider it good value for a full day built around swimming.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a relaxed day at sea, clear swimming water, several scenic bays, and a crew that stays involved from the first departure to the final return. The most praised features are consistent: friendly service, plenty of space, good food, well-timed stops, and a clean, comfortable boat.

Skip it if you need wheelchair-friendly access, dislike entering open water, or want an exact route regardless of weather. For everyone else, this is one of the stronger ways to combine Rhodes’ east-coast views with swimming, snorkeling, and a no-fuss lunch.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes catamaran cruise start?

Meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor.

What time does the catamaran leave?

The catamarans depart at 10:00. You should arrive earlier so you have time to find the kiosk and board.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours, including sightseeing cruises, swim stops, lunch, and the return to Mandraki Harbor.

Which bays does the sailing catamaran visit?

The sailing catamaran stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Bay or Kalithea Springs, depending on the stated route and conditions.

Which places does the power catamaran visit?

The power catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach and its caves, Kalithea Bay or Kalithea Springs, and Ladiko Bay.

Do the boats reach the beaches?

The boats stay anchored in each bay. To reach the shore, you need to swim from the catamaran.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Mediterranean buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, juice, and soft drinks are unlimited. Wine and beer are available from 12:00 PM, subject to the crew’s alcohol policy.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and floating pool noodles are provided. The catamaran also has an outdoor shower and indoor toilets.