Rhodes: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this six-hour catamaran cruise gives you a generous taste of the island’s east coast without packing you onto a large excursion boat. You stop for about an hour at beautiful bays, use the supplied snorkels and floats, and eat a proper Mediterranean buffet onboard.

I especially like the small maximum group of 24 passengers and the relaxed pace, with three substantial swimming stops rather than a quick photo pause. The Greek lunch, unlimited drinks, and helpful crew, including team members such as Andreas and Hope, also make the $83 price feel fair. The main catch is that the boat stays at anchor, so you must swim to shore, and the cruise is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

Key points at a glance

• Three long swim stops: Plan on roughly 45 to 60 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.
• Choose your boat carefully: The sailing catamaran visits three bays, while the power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and its caves.
• Lunch is more than a snack: Expect grilled chicken, salads, dips, feta, olives, bread, fruit, and a breakfast tortilla snack.
• Drinks keep flowing: Beer and wine are available from noon, along with juice, soft drinks, and bottled water.
• Swimming is part of the logistics: The boats anchor offshore, and reaching the shore requires a swim.
• Arrive early: Departure is at 10:00 from Mandraki Harbor, and missing the boat can mean a €25 rebooking fee.

Why this Rhodes boat trip works so well

A day on the water can easily become a crowded ride with one rushed swim and a basic sandwich. This cruise takes a different approach. The boat moves between several coves, then gives you enough time to actually enjoy each one.

The 24-passenger limit matters. You have room to sit, move around, find shade, or claim a place on the upper deck. Several people have especially liked the open feeling onboard, even when the catamaran was full. I would still arrive early if you want the best seat, since one person specifically recommended getting onboard promptly for an upper-deck spot.

You can choose between a sailing catamaran and a power catamaran. Sailing is the calmer, slower option, suited to a day built around the ride itself. The power boat covers more ground and adds Afandou Caves, so it is the better pick if you want one more sight and a slightly fuller route.

The crew handles the practical side well. Andreas is often singled out for being friendly and helpful, while Hope has been praised for going out of her way to assist passengers. Dimitri has also been noted for offering drinks and helping take photos from the water. The experience is in English, and the crew gives announcements about timings, so listen carefully before each stop.

Meeting the boat at Mandraki Harbor

You meet the crew at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes kiosk at Mandraki Harbor. The scheduled departure is 10:00, but do not treat that as a suggestion. Arrive early enough to find the kiosk, check in, and board without a sprint along the harbor.

The cruise lasts six hours. That sounds long until you break it down: about 70 minutes of the first outward cruise, three or four swim stops, lunch, and the return ride. The timing gives you a real day at sea rather than a short harbor outing.

If you miss the departure, the stated rebooking fee is €25 per ticket. That is an avoidable expense, so allow extra time for parking, walking, and finding the meeting point.

The catamaran has an outdoor shower and indoor toilets. The toilet is functional, though keeping it tidy can be harder during a full day at sea. Bring a towel, since the boat provides the water equipment but not your personal beach gear.

The first cruise to Anthony Quinn Bay

The initial cruise along the east coast is part of the attraction. You get views of Rhodes from a different angle, with the boat cutting across open water before reaching Anthony Quinn Bay.

Anthony Quinn Bay is usually the first proper swim stop and one of the most memorable. Its clear water and rocky setting make it well suited to snorkeling. The crew may scatter bread into the water, drawing colorful fish closer to swimmers. That gives beginners an easy introduction to seeing marine life without needing to swim far.

You get about an hour here. That is enough time to jump in, try the snorkel gear, use a pool noodle, or stay onboard and enjoy the view. The boat does not pull onto a beach, so you should be comfortable entering the water from the catamaran. If you expected a walk onto a sandy shore, adjust your expectations before booking.

Snorkels, floating noodles, and life jackets are supplied. You still need to bring swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a sun hat, and a towel. The sun can feel strong even when the breeze makes the deck comfortable.

Ladiko Bay and the pleasure of a quiet swim

A short cruise brings you to Ladiko Bay. Compared with the first stop, this one is valued for its quiet feel and clear water. Again, you have about an hour, which allows you to swim at an unhurried pace instead of checking the clock after ten minutes.

Ladiko is a good place to use the provided snorkeling equipment. You may see plenty of fish close to the boat, though the quality of marine life depends on the day and water conditions. The crew can point you toward the equipment and explain the arrangements, but this is not a formal scuba or marine-life lesson.

The best part of the stop is choice. I can picture spending the hour in the water, taking a few photos, or staying dry with a cold drink on deck. You do not have to swim at every stop. That flexibility helps make the cruise work for mixed groups, including families with children who may want alternating time in and out of the water.

Afandou Caves on the power catamaran

The power catamaran adds Afandou Beach and the Afandou Caves. This is the main reason to choose the powered option over the sailing boat.

The cave stop adds variety to a day otherwise focused on open bays. You can swim and snorkel near the caves, then return to the boat for lunch and more time on the water. The supplied details describe Afandou as an additional stop for the power catamaran, so confirm the selected boat when booking if this is important to you.

The route information can look slightly confusing because the sailing and power boats do not follow identical schedules. The sailing catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Bay. The power catamaran visits Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Caves, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.

If your priority is a gentle sailing day, choose the sailing boat. If you want the extra cave visit and more stops, choose power. Neither choice is automatically better. It depends on whether you value a slower ride or a fuller sightseeing route.

Lunch onboard, with Greek flavors instead of a packed sandwich

Lunch is one of the stronger parts of the value. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

This is simple Mediterranean food, but it suits a day at sea. You get familiar, filling choices rather than one heavy dish. Fresh fruit is served as well, and the day begins with a breakfast tortilla snack.

The food is not designed as a seafood feast. Grilled chicken is the main hot protein listed, and one passenger specifically would have preferred a fish option. If you are hoping for a fish lunch, this menu may feel limited. On the other hand, the salads, dips, bread, and vegetables give you several lighter choices.

If you have dietary needs, tell the crew in advance. A special dietary request was handled successfully during one cruise, but you should not assume every request can be met without notice.

Drinks are included. From noon, you can have unlimited Greek wine and beer, as well as juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. The crew keeps drinks cold and available through much of the day. Alcohol is served for enjoyment, not as a race. The crew can stop serving anyone who appears intoxicated, which is sensible on a boat where people are swimming.

Kallithea Springs, the final swim

Kallithea Springs is the final major stop, with about 45 to 60 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The setting gives the day a different finish, and the nearby lagoon can be reached by swimming from the anchored boat.

This stop works particularly well for families and casual swimmers because you can choose how active to be. Children have enjoyed jumping in, while others have stayed onboard or used the floats. As always, remember that you need to swim from the catamaran to reach the shore area.

The crew may alter the route or swimming stops if weather conditions change. That is not a flaw in the trip, but it is worth understanding before you set out. Sea conditions determine where the captain can safely anchor, and a promised bay may be replaced by another suitable stop.

One October cruise was affected by heavy rain. The captain waited with the group, explained the options, and tried to add another swim after the weather cleared. That is the sort of flexibility you want from a boat crew, but no company can control the weather. Pack a light cover-up and accept that the day is dependent on conditions.

What the $83 price really covers

At $83 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Rhodes from the water. It is also not just a boat ride. Your price includes the six-hour cruise, crew, several swim stops, snorkeling equipment, floats, life jackets, breakfast snack, fruit, full buffet lunch, and unlimited drinks.

That package makes the cost reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat outing, lunch, drinks, and water equipment. The small group size adds value too. You are paying for space and time, not simply transportation between two points.

The value drops if you do not swim, do not drink, or dislike spending a full day at sea. You can stay onboard during the stops, but the heart of the experience is swimming from the anchored catamaran. Someone looking for a short sightseeing cruise should choose a shorter harbor trip instead.

The cruise has earned a 4.8 rating from more than 2,000 bookings, with 90 percent of ratings at the highest level. The praise centers on the same practical points: clean boats, friendly crew, good food, well-timed stops, and enough room onboard. The recurring cautions are also clear: the toilets may need more attention, the menu is chicken rather than fish, and weather can disrupt the schedule.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend it to couples, families, solo visitors, and groups of friends who want a social but not oversized day on the water. It is particularly good for first-time snorkelers because the crew supplies the basic equipment and the stops give you time to learn at your own pace.

Families with young children have found the swim areas manageable, and the crew has been warm and helpful with kids. Still, parents need to be confident supervising children in open water. The boat provides life jackets, but this is not a shore-based beach day.

Solo visitors can also fit in easily. The shared catamaran setting gives you company without requiring you to book a private boat. The sailing option suits anyone who wants a quieter rhythm, while the power option fits people who want the caves and an extra stop.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you have limited mobility, cannot comfortably climb in and out of the water, or strongly dislike boats. The tour is specifically marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, and swimming to shore is part of the plan.

Book with some flexibility in April, May, or October. If a catamaran does not reach its minimum number of participants, the operator may move you to another catamaran and notify you by message. The captain can also change the route for safety.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Rhodes schedule is still shifting, but they do not remove the need to arrive on time on the day itself.

Should you book the Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you want a full, easygoing day with beautiful swimming spots, a real lunch, and drinks already covered. The strongest reasons are the long swim periods, modest passenger limit, and crew that pays attention to practical details.

Choose the power catamaran if Afandou Caves matters to you. Choose sailing if you care more about a relaxed ride and three well-spaced bays. Either way, bring sun protection, arrive early at Mandraki Harbor, and remember that the boat anchors offshore.

At $83, this is good value for an all-day outing, especially if you make use of the lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and three or four stops. It is not the right choice for a quick cruise or a fully accessible beach excursion, but for a classic Rhodes day at sea, it is an easy recommendation.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes catamaran cruise?

The cruise lasts six hours, including the coastal ride, swimming stops, lunch, and return to Mandraki Harbor.

Where does the cruise depart from?

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

What time does the catamaran leave?

The catamarans depart at 10:00. Arrive early because missing the departure can result in a €25 rebooking fee per ticket.

Which stops does the sailing catamaran visit?

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

Which stops does the power catamaran visit?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. The Mediterranean buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, fresh bread, and seasonal fruit. A breakfast tortilla snack is also included.

Are drinks and snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Unlimited wine and beer are available from noon, along with juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, and life jackets are provided.