Rhodes Exclusive Swim Cruise Cocktail Open bar & Gourmet Buffet

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is simple: you get three very different swimming spots, a full Greek lunch, and an open bar without having to keep reaching for your wallet. Captain Alexander and his crew keep the boat lively, while the limited group size leaves room for comfortable seating and easy access to the water.

I especially like the clear schedule of swimming stops and the fact that snorkel gear, floaters, noodles, and life jackets are supplied. The freshly prepared buffet is another strong point, with seafood, pasta, salads, bread, and dessert alongside vegan and gluten-free choices. The main thing to consider is the music. This is often a cheerful party boat, not a quiet sailing retreat.

Key points at a glance

• Three swimming stops: Spend about an hour at Kallithea Springs, more than an hour near Afandou Beach, and another hour at Anthony Quinn Bay.
• A real open bar: Cocktails, wine, beer, aperitifs, snacks, water, and soft drinks are included.
• Room to stretch out: The boat carries a maximum of 40 people and offers allocated seating on bean bags and sun benches.
• Strong water gear: Snorkels, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available at no extra cost.
• Historic harbor views: The route begins with Mandraki Harbour, Rhodes Old Town, the medieval walls, and the traditional site of the Colossus.
• A lively crew: Captain Alexander is known for his dancing and playful spirit, which suits a festive day at sea.

A six-hour day on the water from Mandraki Harbour

The cruise begins at 10 a.m. from Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece. This is a central and scenic starting point, but allow a little time to find the boat. The meeting point can be less obvious than expected, especially if several vessels are preparing to leave.

The boat returns to the same place after roughly six hours. Hotel pickup is not included, though it can be arranged for an additional cost. Public transportation is nearby, and a mobile ticket makes the reservation easy to keep on your phone.

The maximum group size is 40 people. That number matters. Many Rhodes boat trips pack people tightly onto every available seat, but this cruise uses bean bags, sun benches, and allocated seating to give you a proper place to settle in. If you want shade or a particular seating area, arrive ready to make your preference known to the crew.

Leaving Rhodes with the medieval city in view

The first part of the trip is a pleasant history lesson from the sea. As you leave Mandraki Harbour, you pass the medieval Old Town and its thick stone walls. From the water, Rhodes looks especially impressive, with the fortifications rising above the harbor and the city opening behind them.

Mandraki itself was one of the five ports of ancient Rhodes. Its name comes from the Greek word mandri, meaning a small enclosure or sheep pen. Today, the harbor entrance is marked by two columns topped with statues of a stag and a doe. Across the water, the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos and three preserved medieval windmills add more detail to the view.

This is also the moment to take photographs. The boat gives you a changing angle on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the view is much broader than what you get from the streets inside the Old Town.

You will also pass the entrance of the ancient harbor, traditionally linked with the Colossus of Rhodes. The famous statue of the sun god was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The popular story says it stood astride the harbor entrance, though there is no proof of that exact pose. The actual location is still the subject of much discussion, so enjoy this as a striking piece of local legend rather than a confirmed fact.

Kallithea Springs: a calm first swim

The first stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat stays for about an hour. You can swim from the boat and, if you wish, go ashore to look around the spring complex. Admission from the sea is free.

Kallithea has been valued for its mineral springs since ancient times. Reddish water once emerged from the rocks around the Gulf of Kallithea, drawing people who came for what they believed were healing and cleansing properties. The buildings you see today reflect Italian design from the early 20th century. Pietro Lombardi designed the main structures, while Armando Burnaby handled much of the decorative work with attention to the natural setting.

This stop works well as a first swim because it gives you time to get comfortable with the boat and the water. You can use the supplied snorkel equipment or simply float with a noodle. Life jackets are available, so you do not need to be a strong swimmer to take part.

The limitation is timing. An hour is enough for a swim and a quick look around, but not enough for a long visit to the full Kallithea site. If the springs are a major reason you want to come, you may prefer a land visit on another day.

Faliraki and the coast toward Afandou

After Kallithea, the boat follows the coast past Faliraki. This resort town is known for its beaches, clear water, and active nightlife. From the boat, you get a different view of the area, one that shows the long sweep of the coast without requiring you to spend time among the resort streets.

The next major stop is Afandou Beach. Afandou has a long pebble shore stretching for about six kilometers, and its water is often wonderfully clear. Bring or wear sturdy water shoes if your feet are sensitive to pebbles, although the supplied flotation equipment helps once you are in the water.

You have more than an hour here to swim and explore the area, including nearby caves. The coast also has an unusual historical story. The village moved inland after repeated attacks by pirates, Persians, Arabs, and Turks. Its name comes from afanto, meaning invisible, because the settlement could not easily be seen from the sea behind the rocks.

The beach is also linked to Rhodes Old Town in a practical way. Pebbles from Afandou were used in some of the Old Town sidewalks. This is the sort of small detail that makes the shoreline more interesting than a simple swim stop.

Lunch on board: Greek dishes with room for dietary needs

Lunch is served back on the boat after the Afandou stop. It is more than a snack spread, with a freshly prepared Greek buffet that can include mussels, prawn pasta, chicken, salads, bread with tzatziki, and dessert. Exact dishes can vary, but the menu is designed as a substantial midday meal rather than a light picnic.

The food is one of the strongest reasons the $107.63 price can make sense. You are not paying only for transport and swimming. The fare also covers a cooked lunch, snacks, and an open bar throughout the cruise, which can add up quickly if purchased separately on a boat or beach.

Vegan and gluten-free choices are included. If you have a serious allergy or a strict dietary requirement, it is still sensible to explain it before eating, since the available information confirms choices but does not promise a separate preparation area.

One small food note may help you know what to expect. Traditional items can look unfamiliar. Dakos, for example, uses a hard barley rusk topped with tomato, cheese, oregano, capers, and olive oil. Its firm texture is intentional, not stale bread. You may also encounter Greek spinach rice rather than a pastry-filled spinach pie.

Ladikos and Anthony Quinn Bay

The route continues past Ladikos, a small bay behind Anthony Quinn Bay. Its name is tied to the Greek word for an oil container. In earlier days, the area served as a loading point for olive oil headed toward Egypt and the Middle East. Clay containers found near the coast are linked to ships that carried this trade.

The main swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, where the scenery changes sharply. Instead of Afandou’s long open beach, you get a compact cove surrounded by steep rocks. The water is deep, clear, and filled with small fish, making this the best stop for snorkeling.

You can borrow snorkel gear from the boat and look for fish around the rocks. Pool noodles and floaters make it easy to stay in the water without constant swimming. One of the cruise’s playful traditions is bringing cold beer out to people in the water, though you can just as easily stick with water or a soft drink.

The bay takes its name from Mexican actor Anthony Quinn, who filmed The Guns of Navarone in Rhodes in the 1960s. Quinn admired the cove and sought to buy it, but the agreement was never completed and later legal decisions made it unenforceable. The name remains as a local tribute.

Anthony Quinn Bay is also the most likely place for a lively atmosphere. The upper deck can become a launch point for jumps into the sea, and the crew may encourage dancing once the boat is underway again. That is fun for some people and too noisy for others. The water itself is the star here, so claim a quiet corner if you want to enjoy it without joining the party.

Drinks, music, and the Captain Alexander factor

The open bar includes signature cocktails, preset mixed drinks, wine, beer, ouzo, aperitifs, snacks, bottled water, soda, and other nonalcoholic drinks. The supply is generous, and you can order throughout the cruise rather than receiving only one drink with lunch.

Cocktail choices are not completely unlimited. You select from the drinks offered on board, and one account found some cocktails weaker than expected. If you want a particular spirit or a strong custom drink, ask the bartender what is available rather than assuming every request can be made.

Music plays an important role in the mood. Captain Alexander is a key part of the entertainment, with dancing, jokes, and occasional group choreography. The crew may also invite you to dance on the way back to Rhodes.

This is why I would not book the cruise expecting six hours of silence, reading, and soft sea sounds. Music levels can rise when the group is enjoying itself, and conversation may be difficult near the speakers. On the other hand, if you want a social day with a bit of showmanship, the atmosphere is a major plus.

What the price includes, and who gets good value

At $107.63 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Rhodes beaches. It is also not merely a boat ride. The price includes the cruise, three swimming stops, a buffet lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks, seating, snorkeling equipment, floaters, noodles, and life jackets.

I see the best value for couples, friends, and cruise ship passengers who want one organized day that covers food, swimming, views, and entertainment. You avoid arranging transport to separate beaches, renting equipment, and paying for drinks one at a time.

Families can benefit from the flotation gear and the clear structure of the day, though parents should decide if the music and open-bar setting suit their group. Non-swimmers are welcome to use life jackets, but the core of the cruise remains water-based.

The trip also suits solo visitors who like meeting people. The shared seating and upbeat crew make it easier to join the general mood. If you want a private yacht charter, a quiet honeymoon outing, or a detailed guided history tour, spend your money elsewhere.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Bring plenty of sun protection. Much of the day is outdoors, and one account specifically stressed the need for lots of sunscreen. A hat, swimsuit, towel, and dry change of clothes are sensible choices.

Wear footwear that handles pebbles if you plan to swim near Afandou. Keep your phone secure around the water, especially if you use it for photos from the boat or while swimming.

Try to find the boat without rushing at 10 a.m. The departure point is clear once you are there, but locating the correct vessel can take a moment. Since seating is allocated, ask the crew for help if you need shade or a particular level of the boat.

The cruise requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For a full refund after changing your own plans, cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Changes made inside that window are not accepted.

Should you book the Rhodes swim cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want the easiest all-in-one day on Rhodes: three scenic swim stops, a filling Greek buffet, unlimited drinks, and a crew that treats entertainment as part of the job. The limited capacity and comfortable seating give it an advantage over packed beach boats.

I would skip it if your ideal day means quiet water, private conversation, or a carefully explained history tour. The music can be loud, the cocktails follow a set menu, and the stops are long enough for swimming but not for extended shore visits.

For most people who want fun, food, and clear Aegean water in one well-organized outing, the value is strong. Just book it for the right reason: this is a social cruise with swimming and Greek hospitality, not a silent sailing lesson.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes swim cruise depart?

It departs from Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port, opposite the Bank of Greece in Rhodes Town.

What time does the cruise start?

The cruise starts at 10 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and returns to Mandraki Harbour.

Which swimming stops are included?

The route includes Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. The cruise also passes Faliraki, Ladikos, Rhodes Old Town, and the traditional site of the Colossus.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Greek gourmet buffet is included, along with aperitifs and snacks. Vegan and gluten-free choices are available.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes cocktails, signature cocktails, wine, beer, ouzo, water, soft drinks, and other nonalcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available on board.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The cruise requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can select another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.