Rhodes Exclusive Swim Cruise Cocktail Open bar & Gourmet Buffet

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the mix of beautiful swimming spots and a lively boat atmosphere. You spend about six hours moving along the island’s east coast, stopping at three very different bays, with lunch, drinks, music, and water gear already included.

I like the spacious seating arrangement, which includes bean bags and sun benches rather than rows of cramped deck chairs. I also like the practical extras: snorkeling equipment, pool noodles, floaters, and life jackets are available at no added cost.

The main thing to consider is the mood. Captain Alexander and the crew bring plenty of energy, dancing, and music. That is a big part of the fun for many people, but if you want a quiet sail with soft background music and long stretches of silence, this may not be the right boat.

Key points to know before booking

• Three very different swim stops: Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay each offer a distinct setting.
• A proper onboard meal: The Greek buffet includes seafood, pasta, salads, bread, and dessert, with vegan and gluten-free choices available.
• Open bar included: Cocktails, wine, beer, signature drinks, soft drinks, and water are part of the package.
• Comfortable boat layout: The cruise limits attendance to a maximum of 40 people and provides allocated seating.
• A festive crew: Captain Alexander is known for dancing, music, and keeping the mood moving.
• Easy central departure: You meet at Romantika Rhodes Day Cruise in Mandraki Harbour at 10:00 a.m.

Starting at Mandraki Harbour with Rhodes behind you

The cruise begins and ends at Mandraki Harbour, one of the most scenic places to start a boat day in Rhodes. The meeting point is opposite the Bank of Greece, and the activity returns there after roughly six hours.

As the boat leaves, you get a fine view of the medieval walls of Rhodes Town. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and seeing its stone fortifications from the water gives you a different sense of the city. From shore, the walls can feel massive and closed off. From the sea, you can see how strongly the old city was tied to its harbor.

Mandraki was one of the five ports of ancient Rhodes. The name comes from mandri, a Greek word connected with a small enclosed harbor. Today, two columns topped with statues of a stag and doe mark the harbor entrance. Across the water is the Fortress of Agios Nikolaos, built from an earlier church and later strengthened by the Knights of St. John.

Three medieval windmills add another striking detail to the view. Keep your phone ready during this first stretch. The harbor departure is one of the best times to take photos, since you can frame the old city, fortress, windmills, and open sea in one sweep.

The boat also passes the area associated with the Colossus of Rhodes. The enormous statue of the sun god was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The popular story says it once straddled the harbor entrance, though there is no proof of that. The more useful thing to know is that the cruise takes you past the spot traditionally connected with this famous monument.

Kallithea Springs: the first swim in a historic cove

The first stop is Kallithea Springs, where the boat stays for about an hour. This is a good opening stop because it gives you time to get comfortable in the water before the busier parts of the day begin.

Kallithea has long been associated with natural springs. Reddish water once emerged from a rocky formation in the Gulf of Kallithea, drawing people here for its supposed healing qualities. The buildings around the springs were designed by Italian architect Pietro Lombardi, with decorative work by Armando Burnaby. A doctor named Alberto Mocci later organized an international hydrological conference here.

You do not need to pay an admission fee from the sea during this stop. The boat provides access to a scenic setting where you can swim, float, or look toward the shore. If you prefer not to swim, you can stay onboard and enjoy the view, though the main purpose of the stop is getting into the water.

The water is often clear enough to see your feet, and life jackets and floating aids make this stop workable even if you are not a confident swimmer. Snorkeling equipment is also available. Bring patience when fitting the gear, since the boat may have several people preparing at once.

One practical point: this is not a land tour of every part of the springs complex. The experience focuses on arriving by sea, swimming, and viewing the site from the coast. If you want a detailed architectural visit, you would need a separate land visit to Kallithea.

Passing Faliraki and reaching the long shore of Afandou

After Kallithea, the boat continues past Faliraki. This resort town is known for its long beaches, clear water, and nightlife. From the boat, you see its coastal side without needing to spend time in the resort itself.

The second swimming stop is Afandou Beach, a major change from the smaller coves. Afandou stretches for about six kilometers and is known for pebbles, clear water, and a nearby golf course. The beach is broad and open, so it feels less enclosed than Kallithea or Anthony Quinn Bay.

You get more than an hour here to explore the water and nearby caves. The caves are the interesting feature, but conditions can affect how much of them you can comfortably explore. You should bring sensible footwear for pebbly areas and take care around rocks.

Afandou also connects to the history of Rhodes in a practical way. Local stone and pebbles were used in parts of the old city, and the area contains tombs and foundations linked to earlier settlements. The name Afantou means invisible in Greek. After repeated attacks on the exposed coastal settlement, people moved inland behind the rocks, where the town was harder to see from the sea.

Lunch is served back onboard after this stop. That timing works well. You can swim or explore first, then return to a prepared meal rather than trying to eat while wet or standing on a beach.

Lunch, cocktails, and the real meaning of all-inclusive

The food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise at its price. The buffet is presented as a Greek meal, with choices that can include shrimp pasta, mussels, chicken, salads, bread, tzatziki, and a brownie-style dessert. Dishes can vary, but the meal is more substantial than a basic sandwich or snack box.

The package includes vegan and gluten-free choices. If you follow one of those diets, it is still sensible to confirm the available dishes when you board, but you are not limited to a single standard plate.

The bar is open throughout the cruise. You can choose from wine, beer, nonalcoholic drinks, sodas, water, aperitifs, and signature cocktails. Some drinks are preset rather than fully customized, and one account of the cruise found the cocktails limited and light. That is a fair expectation to set. This is an included boat bar, not a specialist cocktail lounge.

The value comes from the combination. A separate meal, drinks, water gear, and a coastal boat trip would add up quickly in Rhodes. At about $107.63 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to get into the sea, but it is reasonable if you expect to use the open bar, eat lunch, and spend most of the day onboard.

If you do not drink alcohol, the value depends more on the boat comfort, meal, and three swim stops. You still receive soft drinks, water, lunch, and access to the equipment, but much of the package pricing is built around the open bar.

Ladikos and Anthony Quinn Bay: the most memorable water

The cruise passes Ladikos, a small bay behind Anthony Quinn Bay. Its name comes from the Greek word for the container used to store oil. In earlier times, 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 old shipwrecks and trade routes.

The third stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, and this is likely to be the visual high point. The bay is smaller and more enclosed than Afandou, with high rocks around deep water. It is a natural place to use the snorkeling equipment because fish gather near the boat and the water is clear.

Bread may be offered to attract the fish. You can also use a noodle or floater if you prefer to relax rather than swim continuously. The boat carries life jackets, so even a weak swimmer can enter the water with more confidence.

The bay was named for actor Anthony Quinn, who filmed The Guns of Navarone in Rhodes during the 1960s. He wanted to buy the bay after being impressed by its beauty, but the agreement was never completed and later court action found it unenforceable. The local name remained as a tribute.

The setting is lovely, but there is one trade-off. Anthony Quinn Bay is popular, and its small size can make it feel busy when several boats arrive. This cruise tries to reach the stops ahead of other boats, but that is not something you can count on every day.

This is also the stop where the boat’s party spirit can be most obvious. Crew members may bring cold beers out to people in the water, and the upper deck can become a launch point for jumps. Do not jump unless the crew indicates it is safe and the water is suitable. The boat’s fun atmosphere should never replace basic care around rocks, swimmers, and deep water.

What the boat feels like during six hours

The boat limits the group to 40 people and provides allocated seating. That matters. Many Rhodes swim cruises pack people onto every available surface, leaving you to guard a narrow chair or stand during the trip.

Here, the seating includes bean bags and sun benches, with some double sunbeds. You can pick a comfortable place within the assigned arrangement, and the crew can help you find shade. The exact amount of shade changes with the position of the sun, so bring sun protection even if you choose a covered spot.

The boat has two decks. The upper deck gives you better views and a breezier ride, while the lower deck is where you find the bar. One practical drawback is that announcements may be harder to hear from the upper deck. If the history and route details matter to you, stay near the main information area when the crew is speaking.

Music is part of the experience. Captain Alexander is a lively presence, and his dancing has become part of the boat’s identity. The crew also encourages dancing and keeps the mood social. Some departures may feel like a relaxed sail with music, while others may turn into a small party.

That range is worth keeping in mind. The cruise is not designed as a silent sightseeing vessel. You can read, sunbathe, and swim, but the music and crew interaction are central to the day.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want one easy day that combines swimming, food, drinks, scenery, and a bit of entertainment. It suits couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage time in open water.

It is also useful for cruise ship passengers, since the departure point is central in Mandraki Harbour and the activity returns to the same place. Allow enough time to find the boat, since the meeting area can be confusing at first.

You should think twice if your ideal day means quiet sailing, a formal gourmet meal, or a long stay on land at one beach. The buffet is generous, but it is still buffet service. The music can be loud enough to make conversation difficult, especially during the livelier parts of the return trip.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour operates in good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Is the $107.63 price good value?

For a six-hour outing, the price is fair if you want the full package. You receive a boat seat, three swimming stops, lunch, unlimited listed drinks, snorkeling equipment, floating aids, and life jackets. The restricted group size also gives it an advantage over the most crowded coastal cruises.

The strongest value comes from the time saved. You do not need to arrange transport between beaches, find a lunch spot, rent snorkeling equipment, or decide where to buy drinks. The day has a clear rhythm: harbor views, swim, cruise, swim, lunch, swim, and return.

The price is less appealing if you plan to drink little, skip lunch, or spend most of the day on shore. In that case, a simpler swimming boat may cost less. But for a social, all-in-one day at sea, this cruise offers a lot for the money.

Should you book the Romantika cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable party-leaning swim cruise with strong scenery, a real buffet, and drinks included. The three bays give the day enough variety, and Anthony Quinn Bay is a memorable final swim.

I would not book it for complete peace and quiet. For everyone else, especially first-time visitors to Rhodes who want to see the coast without complicated planning, this is a practical and enjoyable way to spend a day on the water.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes swim cruise depart?

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

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

How long does the cruise last?

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

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 40 people.

Which swimming stops are included?

The route includes Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A freshly prepared Greek buffet is included, with vegan and gluten-free choices.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes an open bar with cocktails, wine, beer, signature cocktails, water, sodas, and other nonalcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.