Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

Rhodes looks especially good from the water, and this cruise gets the timing right: a swim in Kalithea Bay first, dinner and drinks on board, then a sunset view on the return to Mandraki Harbor. I like the small-group feel reported on many departures, with around 14 to 16 people on some boats, and I like that snorkeling gear, pool noodles, and an outdoor shower are included. The one thing to weigh is that the boat anchors offshore, so reaching the bay means swimming rather than walking onto a beach.

I also like the simple, useful pricing. At $58, you get three hours on the water, a full buffet, and unlimited beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, and water. Just arrive early: the boats leave on time, and missing departure can mean a €25 rebooking fee.

Key points at a glance

• Kalithea Bay swim stop: The catamaran anchors in water reported at about 6 meters deep, with rocks, caves, and some fish to see while snorkeling.
• Dinner with drinks included: Expect grilled chicken, Greek salads, pasta and potato salads, dips, olives, feta, and fresh local bread, with drinks served throughout the cruise.
• Small boats can make a difference: Some sailings carry only about 14 to 16 people, leaving more room to sit, move around, and enjoy the view.
• Two main boat styles: You can choose a sailing catamaran or a powered catamaran, with the exact boat subject to availability and weather.
• Sunset timing is the centerpiece: The return journey is planned around a sunset stop near Rhodes Town, with music adding to the evening mood.
• A swim, not a shore visit: You do not walk into Kalithea Bay from the boat. Bring swimwear and be comfortable entering open water.

Leaving Mandraki Harbor for the east coast

Your evening begins at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks in front of the Poseidon Submarine. Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before departure, and I would choose the earlier end of that window. The boats leave on time, and the operator states that missing the departure can lead to a €25 fee to rebook on another day.

From Mandraki Harbor, the catamaran heads along the east coast of Rhodes. The first 45 minutes give you time to settle in, find a seat, and enjoy the changing view of the shoreline. You can choose from outdoor seating areas, and the boats have indoor toilets, an outdoor shower, life jackets, and floating pool noodles.

You may book a sailing catamaran or a power catamaran. The available boats can differ, and some departures use boats known as Wind or Boss. In quieter periods such as April, May, and October, the operator may move you to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum number of passengers. That is worth knowing if you have your heart set on one particular vessel.

The catamarans are not giant party boats. Several departures have had roughly 14 to 16 people, which gives the evening a more personal feel. Capacity can vary, though, so do not assume every sailing will be equally quiet. If you want the calmest experience, an earlier booking may help, but the supplied information does not promise a fixed group size.

Swimming at Kalithea Bay

The first major stop is Kalithea Bay, also associated with the Kalithea Springs area. The catamaran anchors for about 45 minutes, giving you time to swim and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

This is not a traditional beach stop. The boat remains offshore, and you swim from the catamaran toward the water around the bay. That makes the stop fun for confident swimmers, but less convenient if you want an easy stroll onto the sand or rocky shore. The crew provides life jackets and pool noodles, which can help people who prefer extra support in the water.

The water is clear, and the setting includes rocks and caves that you can swim toward. Some people have seen a good number of fish, including one reported sighting of a lionfish. Keep your expectations sensible, though. The underwater view is mainly rocky coastal scenery and marine life rather than a formal reef or major snorkeling site. One account found the underwater sights fairly modest, while still enjoying the swim itself.

At about 6 meters deep in parts of the swimming area, this is not a shallow wading stop. If you are traveling with children, check that everyone is comfortable with the conditions and follow the crew’s instructions. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and anyone with limited mobility should consider the need to enter the water directly from the boat.

The timing also matters. Food may be brought out while the swimming stop is still underway. If you stay in the water for the full break, you could miss part of the buffet. I would take a quick look at the food before swimming, then return to the boat in time to eat.

A Greek buffet served on deck

After the swim, the crew serves a buffet that is substantial for a three-hour cruise. The spread includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

This is not a fine-dining meal, but it is the right kind of food for a boat evening. You get familiar Greek flavors, plenty of salads and dips, and a filling main item. Several dishes suit vegetarians, especially hummus, tzatziki, salads, olives, feta, and bread. Still, one booking account found the vegetarian and fish choices limited, so do not choose this trip expecting a dedicated vegetarian menu or seafood dinner.

The food has been one of the most consistently praised parts of the experience. The grilled chicken, fresh bread, salads, and dips are particularly useful after swimming. Portions are generous, and the crew may continue offering food and drinks as the evening goes on.

Drinks are included without a separate charge once you are on board. The package covers unlimited wine and beer, plus juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. The crew serves drinks rather than leaving you to fend for yourself, and several departures have been noted for attentive service. Alcohol is available for adults, but the crew can stop serving anyone who appears intoxicated.

I like this setup because it removes the usual small costs that can make a sunset cruise less attractive. At $58, dinner and drinks are already part of the price, not optional add-ons that appear after you have booked. If you do not drink alcohol, the soft drinks, juice, and water still give you useful choices.

Sailing back toward the Rhodes sunset

The return journey is the most atmospheric part of the evening. After the swimming and meal, the catamaran moves back toward Rhodes Town, with about 45 minutes of cruising before the planned sunset view.

The crew chooses a position in the sea where you can watch the sun drop over the Aegean. The final sunset portion is listed at around 20 minutes, although the exact timing depends on the season and weather. Music, often with Greek tones and relaxed evening tracks, plays in the background.

You can enjoy the view from different parts of the boat rather than being assigned to one fixed seat. On a calm evening, the breeze on the return trip is part of the appeal. The east coast of Rhodes looks different from the water, and the lights and harbor approach give the final part of the cruise a clear sense of place.

This is a good trip for couples, but it is not limited to romantic occasions. Friends can enjoy the food and swim, families can make use of the noodles and life jackets, and solo passengers can join a social but not necessarily rowdy outing. One solo passenger found the atmosphere comfortable and safe, while families with young children received helpful attention from the crew.

The music is a matter of taste. Many people enjoy it as part of the sunset mood, but if you want a silent sailing with only the sound of the sea, this may not be the right choice. The experience aims for relaxed holiday atmosphere rather than a quiet nature trip.

What the crew adds to the experience

The English-speaking crew is an important part of the evening. The captain and first mate handle the boat, while crew members serve food and drinks, explain departure information, and help with swimming equipment.

Eleni has been singled out for making sure people had enough to drink and felt looked after. Other accounts describe the crew as friendly, attentive, and happy to answer questions. The tone appears warm without being overly formal, which suits a three-hour evening cruise.

The crew can also change the route or swimming stop if weather conditions require it. That is standard good practice at sea, but it means Kalithea Bay and the exact sunset position cannot be treated as an absolute guarantee. Listen carefully to announcements, especially if the departure time or meeting instructions are repeated on board.

The trip has earned a 4.8 rating from 644 reviews, with 90 percent of users giving the transport a perfect score. That high rating fits the strongest points: pleasant staff, a clean boat, plenty of food, included drinks, and reliable sunset timing. It does not mean every departure will have identical weather, group size, or swimming conditions.

Is $58 good value?

I consider $58 a strong price for what is included. You receive three hours on a catamaran, a swimming and snorkeling stop, dinner, unlimited drinks, equipment, an outdoor shower, and a sunset cruise. Comparable boat outings can become expensive once you add meals and beverages, so the inclusive format makes budgeting easy.

The value is strongest if you plan to eat dinner on board and expect to have several drinks. It is less compelling if you do not swim, do not drink the included beverages, or mainly want a short boat ride with no meal. In that case, much of the package will not matter to you.

Families should check the fare before booking. One family found the cruise very accommodating with a baby and toddler, but noted that an infant was charged the full adult price. The provided information does not state a child discount, so confirm the current child and infant pricing before you commit.

You also receive free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and can reserve now while paying later. Keep in mind that those flexible booking terms do not make it wise to arrive late. The departure rule is firm.

Practical advice for a smoother evening

Bring swimwear. You may also want a towel and a dry change of clothes, although only swimwear is specifically required in the activity information.

Arrive at the Poseidon Submarine meeting point at least 30 minutes early. That gives you time to find the desks, hear any updates, and board without a last-minute rush.

Listen for announcements about the exact departure and return times. If you are unsure, ask a crew member. The operator specifically advises passengers to confirm the timing, and this matters because the boat will not wait for late arrivals.

Expect the route and swimming stop to change if the weather turns poor. The captain has the final say on safety. In April, May, and October, you may also be moved to another catamaran if passenger numbers are low.

The boat has indoor toilets and an outdoor shower, useful after swimming. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are supplied, so you do not need to bring your own gear.

Who should book this Rhodes cruise?

I would book this for a couple wanting an easy sunset evening, a small group of friends looking for a swim and dinner, or a family whose children are comfortable entering the water from a boat. It also suits solo visitors who prefer an organized evening with friendly crew and a clear schedule.

I would hesitate if you need step-free access, dislike open-water swimming, want a sandy beach stop, or expect a serious snorkeling site. The food is generous and well suited to a casual boat meal, but vegetarians may find the choices adequate rather than extensive.

The trip is also a good choice if you want your evening planned without giving up time at sea. You leave from central Rhodes, spend time in Kalithea Bay, eat while cruising, and finish with a sunset near town. There is no separate transfer or complicated schedule to manage.

Should you book the sunset catamaran?

Yes, if you want a well-priced Rhodes evening that combines swimming, food, drinks, music, and a dependable sunset setting. The best features are practical ones: small boats on some departures, attentive service, a filling Greek buffet, and no need to pay separately for drinks.

Book with realistic expectations. The boat anchors offshore, the underwater sights are modest rather than spectacular, and the exact catamaran and route can change. If those limits suit you, this is one of the easiest ways to add a few hours on the Aegean to a Rhodes holiday without spending a full day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise leave from?

It leaves from Mandraki Harbor at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks in front of the Poseidon Submarine.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before the activity begins. Arriving earlier is wise because the catamarans depart on time.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts three hours. The schedule includes about 45 minutes to Kalithea Bay, a 45-minute swimming and snorkeling stop, about 45 minutes cruising back, and around 20 minutes for the sunset view.

Is dinner included?

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

What drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.

Can I choose between different boats?

You can choose between a sailing catamaran and a powered catamaran. Three catamaran options are available, but the specific boat may change due to passenger numbers or other operating conditions.

Do I swim to the shore at Kalithea Bay?

Yes. The boat anchors in the bay, and you need to swim to reach the shore. The stop is mainly for swimming and snorkeling from the catamaran.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and floating pool noodles are included.

Can wheelchair users take this cruise?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.