Kolymbia: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this five-hour cruise is the chance to see Rhodes from the water without spending the day on a packed excursion boat. You move between Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach, with time to swim, snorkel, or simply sit back while lunch and drinks are handled onboard. I especially like the small maximum of 25 passengers and the clear, simple plan: three swim stops, a Greek meal, and an easy return to Kolymbia.

I also like the all-inclusive drinks and the fact that the boat is a Lagoon catamaran rather than a large ferry. At $106 per person, the price makes the most sense if you will use the swim stops, eat lunch onboard, and enjoy several drinks. The main consideration is communication: one review found the boat comfortable and uncrowded but wanted clearer explanations from the skipper about upcoming stops and coastal sights. Also, hotel pickup is not included.

Key points to know before you book

• Tsambika Bay comes first: Start with broad coastal views and a swim or snorkel in a sheltered bay.
• The Hidden Caves allow about 30 minutes: This is the shortest stop, best for a quick swim and a look around the rock formations.
• Greek lunch is served onboard: You do not need to leave the boat to find food between swim stops.
• Stegna Beach gives you almost an hour: The longest stop offers the most relaxed time in the water.
• The group is capped at 25 people: That gives you more room than the large excursion boats common around Rhodes.
• Kolymbia Sea Lines is the meeting point: Arrange your own way to Kolymbia Harbour because transfers are not included.

What this Kolymbia catamaran day is really like

This is a coastal swimming cruise, not a sightseeing tour packed with monuments or long commentary. The appeal is the rhythm of the day: cruise along the Rhodes coast, stop in a beautiful bay, get back aboard for food and drinks, then stop again.

You have five hours in total. That is long enough to feel like a proper day on the water, but short enough to fit comfortably into a holiday based in Kolymbia. The timetable is built around three swimming stops, so you should think of the catamaran as your floating base rather than simply a way to reach one beach.

I would choose this trip if you want a relaxed sea day with some activity built in. You can swim and snorkel at every stop, but none of the information suggests that you must be in the water each time. If you prefer, you can stay aboard and enjoy the views, drinks, and lunch.

The English-speaking host or greeter keeps the experience straightforward for English-speaking visitors. The supplied details do not name individual guides or skippers, so do not book expecting a particular crew member.

Starting at Tsambika Bay

Tsambika Bay is the first swimming stop. It gives you an early chance to see the coast from the catamaran and get into the water before lunch.

The stop is suited to both active and quiet mornings. If you enjoy snorkeling, this is a good place to begin while your mask is dry and your energy is high. If you prefer a slower start, you can swim for a while and then return to the boat for a drink.

The appeal of a bay stop is the setting. You are not simply jumping off at an ordinary harbor beach. You are looking out at Rhodes from offshore, with the catamaran anchored near a coastal inlet. The provided information does not promise particular marine life or underwater sights, so keep expectations sensible. The attraction is clear water, coastal scenery, and a refreshing break from the heat.

Bring what you need for getting wet, including a swimsuit, towel, and sun protection. The tour information confirms swimming and snorkeling stops, but it does not say that snorkeling equipment is supplied. If gear matters to you, check with Kolymbia Sea Lines before departure.

Thirty minutes at the Hidden Caves

After Tsambika Bay, the catamaran heads to the Hidden Caves for a 30-minute swimming and snorkeling stop. The caves give this part of the route a little more character than a standard beach pause.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. You will have time for a swim, a look around the rock formations, and perhaps some snorkeling, but not an unhurried beach session. I would get ready before the boat arrives so you can use the whole stop rather than spending half of it gathering your things.

This is also the stop where conditions matter most. Cave and rocky-coast swimming can feel more adventurous than a sandy beach, though the available information does not provide details about water depth, access, or whether you can enter every cave. Follow the crew’s instructions and treat the caves as a viewing and swimming area, not a place to explore independently.

The short stop works well in the overall schedule. It breaks up the morning and adds variety before lunch. If you want long periods in one place, though, this is not the stop to count on. Stegna Beach is where you get the generous swimming time.

Greek lunch served on the catamaran

After the Hidden Caves, lunch is prepared and served onboard. This is one of the practical strengths of the trip. You do not lose time going ashore, looking for a table, or deciding where to eat in the middle of a swimming day.

The meal is described as a delicious Greek lunch, but no menu is provided. I would not book this expecting a particular dish or a restaurant-style spread. Instead, see it as a convenient Greek meal served while the boat remains part of the experience.

There is a sensible advantage to eating onboard: you can keep your sea-day routine simple. Swim, dry off, eat, and enjoy the coast without packing up for another location. The lunch also helps make the $106 price easier to assess, since food is included along with unlimited beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water.

The drinks are available throughout the cruise, not just with lunch. Ice-cold beer and white wine suit the relaxed setting, while soft drinks and water give you nonalcoholic choices. You should still use common sense in the sun. Unlimited alcohol is an inclusion, not a requirement, and water is particularly useful after swimming.

Stegna Beach gives you the longest swim

The final stop is Stegna Beach, where you have almost a full hour for swimming and snorkeling. This is the most generous water stop, and for many people it will be the easiest place to settle into the day.

A longer stop matters. You have time to swim without watching the clock every few minutes, and you can return to the boat for a drink before heading back into the water. If you are traveling with family or friends who move at different speeds, the extra time helps everyone enjoy the stop at their own pace.

Stegna is also a better fit for anyone who wants a less rushed end to the cruise. The Hidden Caves are brief and Tsambika Bay starts the day. At Stegna, you can make the final hour your main swim, snorkeling session, or quiet break.

The tour information does not describe beach facilities, shore access, or whether the catamaran docks beside the sand. Do not assume you will have time or permission to go ashore. The confirmed plan is swimming and snorkeling from the cruise stop.

Why the 25-passenger limit matters

The small group size is more than a marketing number. A boat carrying no more than 25 passengers should feel less cramped than a large day boat, especially when people are moving between seating, lunch, and the water.

One strong practical benefit is space. You are less likely to feel as though every seat, rail, or patch of shade is contested. A smaller group also makes the swim stops easier to manage, even though the experience is not private.

The catamaran itself is a Lagoon model. The supplied information does not give the exact layout, number of decks, or sun and shade arrangements, so I would not promise a particular seat. Still, a catamaran is a fitting platform for this kind of coastal trip, with room to cruise and pause between stops.

The boat was described as comfortable and not overloaded in the available comments. That matches the advertised passenger cap. If you dislike crowded excursions, this is one of the clearest reasons to choose this trip over a cheaper, larger boat.

The weak spot: limited coastal commentary

This cruise is designed around swimming, food, and drinks. It is not presented as a guided history trip, and commentary may be limited.

That matters if you want to know the names of every cove, the story behind the coastline, or details about Rhodes as you cruise. One useful criticism of the experience was that the skipper could have communicated more clearly about planned stops and points of interest. Several languages may need to be covered, but you should still expect the focus to remain on the practical running of the day rather than detailed narration.

I would handle this by treating the scenery as self-guided. Check a map of the east coast of Rhodes before you go, and ask the host or skipper directly when you want to know which bay you are approaching. The crew is described as friendly and attentive, but friendliness does not always mean a full commentary program.

Is $106 good value?

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a few hours near Rhodes. The value comes from what is bundled into the five-hour outing: a Lagoon catamaran, three swimming stops, lunch, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.

You get better value if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, a beach meal, and drinks. The passenger limit strengthens the case because you are paying for a smaller, more comfortable setting rather than just transport between beaches.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, do not plan to swim, or mainly want to see the coast from a moving boat. In that case, much of what you are paying for goes unused. The cruise is built for people who want to take advantage of the whole package.

I also like that you can reserve now and pay later, which gives you some flexibility while planning. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Check the available start time when booking, since the exact departure schedule can vary.

Getting to Kolymbia Harbour

The meeting point is Kolymbia Sea Lines on Google Maps. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport to Kolymbia Harbour.

This is an important detail for anyone staying outside Kolymbia. Leave enough time to find the meeting point and complete any check-in before departure. The activity information does not provide a pickup window, parking details, or public transport instructions, so use the map location supplied at booking and confirm anything unclear with the operator.

The return is to Kolymbia Harbour after the Stegna Beach stop. Since the trip lasts five hours, you can plan another activity later, but allow extra time if you have a fixed dinner reservation or onward transport.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and solo visitors who want a calm half-day on the water with reliable structure. The 25-person limit is especially useful if you want room to sit, eat, and move around without joining a huge crowd.

It also suits you if you want swimming stops but do not want to organize a private charter. The crew, lunch, and drinks are arranged, while you simply bring yourself to the harbor and follow the day’s schedule.

This is less suitable if you need hotel transfers, a detailed history lesson, a private boat, or a guaranteed specific menu. It may also disappoint you if you want long shore time at each location. Only Stegna offers almost an hour, while the Hidden Caves stop lasts about 30 minutes.

My booking verdict

I would book this if I wanted a well-paced swimming cruise from Kolymbia and planned to use the lunch and drinks. The smaller boat, three different coastal stops, and generous final swim make it a strong choice for a relaxed Rhodes sea day.

I would skip it if your main goal is sightseeing commentary or exploring beaches on foot. For everyone else, the $106 price is reasonable when you treat the catamaran, food, drinks, and swim stops as one package. Just arrive at Kolymbia Sea Lines independently, bring swimming essentials, and ask the crew about the route if you want more information about the coast.

FAQ

How long does the Kolymbia catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours. Check availability when booking for the exact starting time.

Where does the cruise depart from?

The meeting point is Kolymbia Sea Lines, shown on Google Maps. The cruise returns to Kolymbia Harbour.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

How many swimming stops are included?

Three swimming stops are included: Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach.

How long is the stop at the Hidden Caves?

The Hidden Caves stop lasts about 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the area.

How long do you have at Stegna Beach?

You have almost a full hour at Stegna Beach for swimming and snorkeling.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek lunch is prepared and served onboard the catamaran.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.