Rhodes: Cruise with 4 Swim Stops, Lunch, Drinks & Transfers

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the variety packed into four hours. You swim at Anthony Quinn Bay, float near a 200-meter underwater cliff at Ladiko, visit the Traganou Caves, and finish with clear water at Afandou Bay. It is a good way to see several coves without renting a boat or planning your own route.

I like the small group limit of 35 passengers, even though the 38-foot boat is licensed for 49. I also like the practical comforts: bean-bag seating, a lower deck when the wind picks up, a restroom, snorkeling gear, and a Greek lunch served during the longest stop. The main thing to check before paying is the wording around drinks and transfers, since the supplied details conflict on both points.

Key points to know before booking

• Four named swim areas: Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, Afandou Bay, and the Traganou Caves each offer a different setting.
• A full hour at Anthony Quinn Bay: The other stops last about 30 minutes, so this is the main swim and lunch break.
• Comfortable boat setup: The 38-foot boat carries no more than 35 passengers for this cruise, with individual bean bags and a lower deck.
• Food is part of the plan: Expect a Greek lunch, with vegetarian and vegan meals available if requested at least one day ahead.
• Transfers need attention: Hotel pickup from Rhodes, Ixia, Kremasti, or Faliraki is available only when the €10 add-on is selected and arranged by WhatsApp.
• Confirm what is included: The main description says unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, while another section says drinks are not included and can be bought onboard.

A four-hour route through Rhodes coves

This cruise is built around water time rather than sightseeing from the boat. You visit four popular swimming areas, with roughly 30 minutes at three stops and a longer hour at Anthony Quinn Bay.

That timing matters. Thirty minutes is enough for a quick swim, some snorkeling, and a look around, but it will not feel leisurely if you need time to change, gather your things, or wait for a busy ladder. The one-hour stop gives you room to settle in, eat lunch, and enjoy the water without watching the clock every few minutes.

The boat leaves from Faliraki Harbour. If you arrange hotel pickup, the service covers Rhodes, Ixia, Kremasti, and Faliraki for an added €10. You need to message the office on WhatsApp the day before with your surname, trip date, and hotel name. If you do not arrange a pickup time, you should plan to meet the boat directly at Faliraki Harbour.

That small communication step is easy to miss, so set a reminder. The office operates from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the activity listing asks you to contact the office rather than simply assuming a transfer will happen.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the main event

Anthony Quinn Bay gets the longest stop, and that is sensible. It is described as the most photogenic bay on the route, with clear water and interesting views both above and below the surface.

You have about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch. Snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are available onboard, which means you do not need to pack all your own gear. The longer stop also lets you enjoy the setting instead of treating the bay as a quick photo stop.

The bay is likely to be the busiest-feeling part of the route simply because it is a famous Rhodes sight and receives the most attention in the schedule. Still, an hour gives you a fair chance to swim and take photographs. If you want quiet time, use the early part of the stop for the water and save lunch for later, or reverse that order if the sea is your priority.

Lunch is served during this stop. The exact dishes are not specified, but the food is described as a Greek lunch, and it receives some of the strongest praise connected with the cruise. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you give at least one day’s notice.

Ladiko Bay and the underwater cliff

Ladiko Bay offers a different reason to get in the water. The key feature here is a reported 200-meter underwater cliff, giving your swim a more dramatic underwater setting than a simple beach stop.

You get about 30 minutes at Ladiko. That is enough time to use the snorkeling equipment and look beneath the surface, but you should be ready to move efficiently. Keep your towel, shoes, and other belongings organized before the boat reaches the bay.

The cliff is the sort of feature that makes the snorkeling stops more than repeated swims in similar water. Conditions can affect visibility, and the short schedule means you may not get a long exploration period, but this is still one of the more distinctive stops on the route.

If you are not a confident swimmer, you can use the swimming noodles for extra support. The available information does not promise a guided snorkeling lesson, so you should be comfortable managing your own time in the water.

Traganou Caves: a short stop with a clear purpose

At the Traganou Caves, the boat gives you roughly 30 minutes to swim inside the caves. This is the most unusual setting of the four stops, and it breaks up the open-bay swimming with rock formations and shaded water.

The stop is short, so think of it as a focused visit rather than a long cave expedition. You will want to get into the water promptly and follow the crew’s instructions about where to swim. The provided details do not specify a walking route inside the caves, so the attraction here is entering the water and seeing the caves from sea level.

This stop may be especially appealing if you enjoy changing scenery. Anthony Quinn Bay is known for its appearance, Ladiko for its underwater drop, and Traganou for the cave setting. The four-stop format keeps the cruise from feeling repetitive.

Afandou Bay and its clear water

Afandou Bay is another roughly 30-minute swim stop. Its main appeal is the clear water, making it a good place to use the onboard masks and snorkels or simply float and cool off.

The schedule lists Afandou Bay among the four swimming locations, although one inclusion line refers to only three stops and leaves Afandou out. The detailed route description clearly includes Afandou, so I would confirm the final stop list when booking rather than relying on the shorter inclusion summary.

As with Ladiko and Traganou, 30 minutes passes quickly. You will get more from Afandou if you are already changed and ready before the boat stops. This is not a full beach day with long stretches on shore. It is a boat-based swim circuit.

A comfortable boat, but not a private outing

The 38-foot boat is licensed for 49 passengers, but the operator sets a top limit of 35 for this trip. That difference is important. You are still joining a shared cruise, but the lower passenger count should leave more room to move around and find a comfortable place to sit.

Individual bean bags are a notable touch. The seating gives you a soft place to settle between stops, and a lower deck provides shelter when the wind becomes stronger on the return journey. This matters more than it may sound. Four hours on a moving boat can feel tiring if you have nowhere comfortable to sit.

The boat also has an onboard restroom. That is useful on a route with several swim stops, especially because the cruise does not return to shore between bays.

Music is part of the atmosphere, and some of the strongest praise centers on the combination of music, food, dancing lessons, and a fun social mood. This is not a silent nature cruise. You should expect an upbeat outing with entertainment rather than a quiet, private sail.

Lunch, drinks, and the important wording problem

The cruise advertises a Greek lunch, and the food is one of its most praised features. It is a meaningful part of the value because you do not need to arrange a separate meal during a four-hour activity. Vegetarian and vegan options can be prepared if requested at least a day in advance.

The drink information needs a closer look. The main tour description says the open bar includes unlimited ice-cold beer, wine, and soft drinks. Yet the included and not-included sections say drinks are not included and can be purchased onboard.

That is a real inconsistency, not a minor wording issue. At $73 per person, unlimited drinks would change the value calculation considerably. I would send the provider a direct message before booking and ask whether beer, wine, and soft drinks are included in the current price. Save the answer with your booking details.

The same caution applies to snacks. Snacks are listed as not included, so do not count on extra food beyond the Greek lunch. If you need food between swimming stops, bring your own only if the operator allows it.

Is $73 a fair price?

At $73, this cruise can offer good value if lunch, snorkeling equipment, and the advertised drinks are included. You are paying for four hours on the water, four named swim areas, boat seating, a restroom, swimming noodles, and a meal. The itinerary also saves you the trouble of arranging a boat, fuel, route, and separate visits to the coves.

The price is less attractive if drinks cost extra and you also add the €10 hotel transfer. Even then, the cruise may suit you if you want a simple half-day outing with a set route and no boat-planning work.

I would compare the price with what you would spend on a private boat or a self-organized beach day, but keep the type of day in mind. This is a shared, social cruise. You are buying convenience and variety, not privacy or unlimited time at one cove.

The 35-passenger limit helps protect the value. A boat licensed for 49 could feel crowded at full capacity, while 35 allows more space for the bean bags and lower deck. It does not turn the outing into a private charter, but it should make the four-hour ride easier.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want several swims in one outing and enjoy a sociable boat atmosphere. It works well for couples, friends, and families who prefer an organized day on the water rather than a quiet beach schedule.

It is also a good fit if you like a little entertainment with your scenery. Music, dancing lessons, lunch, and an open-bar setup, if confirmed, point to a lively group outing.

You may want a different plan if you dislike short stops, shared boats, or loud entertainment. Thirty minutes is not long enough for a slow, unstructured visit at each bay. The cruise also may not suit you if you want detailed marine guidance, since no guided snorkeling instruction is promised.

Strong swimmers and confident snorkelers will get the most from the underwater features. If you are less comfortable in the water, the noodles help, but you should not assume that the crew provides close individual supervision.

Practical tips for a smoother day

• Arrange or confirm your pickup by WhatsApp the day before. Include your surname, hotel, and date.
• If you are not using the transfer, plan to meet the boat at Faliraki Harbour.
• Request a vegetarian or vegan lunch at least one day ahead.
• Ask in writing whether beer, wine, and soft drinks are included in your price.
• Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and a way to keep small items organized.
• Be ready to enter the water quickly at the 30-minute stops.
• If wind bothers you, use the lower deck on the return journey.
• Take advantage of the full hour at Anthony Quinn Bay, since it is the main swim and lunch stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but they do not remove the need to confirm the drink and pickup details.

Should you book this Rhodes cruise?

Book it if you want a well-packed half-day on the water, several different swimming settings, Greek lunch, and a friendly social mood. The combination of Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko’s underwater cliff, the Traganou Caves, and Afandou Bay gives you more variety than a single-bay boat trip.

I would make the booking after confirming two points: the final list of stops and whether drinks are included. If both match the main description, $73 is a reasonable price for the boat time, food, equipment, and four-stop route.

Skip it if you want a private boat, long unhurried swims, or a quiet trip without music and group entertainment. For everyone else, especially visitors with only part of a day to spare, this cruise offers an easy way to sample several of Rhodes’ best-known bays.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The route includes Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, Afandou Bay, and the Traganou Caves.

How long do you stay at each swimming stop?

The cruise provides about 30 minutes at Ladiko Bay, Afandou Bay, and the Traganou Caves. Anthony Quinn Bay gets about one hour.

Is lunch included?

Yes, a Greek lunch is included. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you inform the provider at least one day before the cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes, snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are available onboard.

Is hotel pickup available?

Return hotel transfer is available from Rhodes, Ixia, Kremasti, or Faliraki when you select the €10 add-on at checkout. You must message the office on WhatsApp the day before with your surname, travel date, and hotel name to arrange the pickup time.

Are drinks included?

The main description says unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included, but another section says drinks are not included and can be bought onboard. Confirm this detail with the provider before booking.