Three swims, one seriously scenic day.

This Rhodes bay-to-bay swim cruise mixes classic Rhodes sights (including the Colossus of Rhodes port-area pass) with real swimming time in multiple bays, plus a Greek buffet lunch paired with included wine. It’s the kind of day that feels like a vacation even while you’re moving, not a checklist.

The only real drawback is the pace: you’re on a set route with set stops, so if you love lingering in one place for hours, plan to add extra time in Rhodes Old Town on another day.

Key Takeaways

• Colossus of Rhodes sighting from the water as you cruise the harbor entrance area near where the statue stood
• Kallithea Springs stop includes time ashore and a chance to swim near the famous reddish water
• Anthony Quinn Bay snorkeling with complimentary masks and snorkels plus lots of fish-filled water
• Afandou Beach exploration + caves followed by lunch back onboard
• Greek buffet lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free choices plus white and rose wine
• Max 100 travelers with comfy seating and a relaxed boat vibe

Mandraki Old Port Departure: Rhodes Walls in Your First Photos

Most Rhodes visitors start their day staring at a map. This cruise starts by giving you a view right away. You depart from Mandraki Old Port, the classic gateway area for the Old Town, and you get a front-row perspective on the Medieval Walls, the Old Town sprawl, and the castle area above the harbor.

Even if you’ve seen pictures of Rhodes architecture, water-level framing changes everything. You’ll also be in photographer mode early, because this is the moment where the shoreline looks most dramatic—straight-on and close.

Colossus of Rhodes from the Harbor Entrance: See It Without the History Detour

One of the highlights here is how the cruise handles the Colossus of Rhodes idea. You don’t do a long land excursion. Instead, you cruise past the spot associated with where the monument stood—at the port’s entrance.

Why this matters: you get the wow-factor without eating up your day on transfers and museum time. It’s a quick “there it is” moment built into a boat day, so it feels effortless. If you’re the type who likes ancient stuff but also likes swimming, this is a neat compromise.

Kallithea Springs Stop: Red Water, Free Sea Entrance, and Time to Swim

The first true swim-and-explore break is at Kallithea Springs. Getting there takes about 45 minutes, and then you get around 1 hour on site.

This stop is special for two reasons:

1. The setting is built around natural springs and a long tradition of visitors coming for that restorative calm.
2. The Gulf of Kallithea is famous for mysterious reddish water, said to come from a rocky formation.

The cruise also gives you real names and details tied to the buildings and design—Italian architect Pietro Lombardi is credited with the architecture, Armando Burnaby with decorative work, and doctor Alberto Mocci with organizing an international hydrological conference that drew more than 200 scientists. Whether you’re into science or you just like good stories, those specifics make the stop feel grounded, not vague.

Practical tip: the info says admission from the sea is free, and that you’ll have enough time to visit before you set sail again. You’ll want to balance time between soaking up the view and actually getting in the water—because that red-water contrast looks best when the surface is calm.

Anthony Quinn Bay: Snorkel Gear Included in Deep, Fish-Filled Water

Next comes Anthony Quinn Bay, and it’s a totally different vibe from the spring waters. It’s a small bay surrounded by high rocks, with deep water, reached in about 15 minutes from Afandou.

You get about 1 hour here, and the snorkeling setup is part of the fun: complimentary snorkeling gear (masks and snorkels) is available on the boat. There are also life jackets, floaters, and pool noodles, so you’re not stuck figuring out buoyancy on your own. If you’re a confident swimmer, you’ll probably want to jump right in; if you’re not, you can still hang around and snorkel-style watch from safer floating positions.

Here’s the cultural twist: the bay is named after the Mexican actor Anthony Quinn, who visited Rhodes while filming The Guns of Navarone in the 1960s. He was reportedly impressed and wanted to buy the bay, but the agreement didn’t stick after controversy and a court ruling. Locals keep calling it Anthony Quinn Bay anyway.

One playful detail you might hear on the boat: people sometimes throw bread to attract fish, and the story goes that the fish don’t seem to take bites from guests. Either way, you’ll see plenty of movement beneath the surface. This is the stop that feels most like a “swim, float, grin, repeat” hour.

Ladiko Bay and Afandou Beach: Oil-Trade Echoes, Caves, and a Big Lunch Window

After Anthony Quinn, the route glides past Ladiko Bay. The name is linked to oil storage and trade—ladiko refers to oil containers used for loading and unloading olive oil, once a commercial point for ships trading toward Egypt and the Middle East. If you like “wait, that makes sense” history, this is the kind of pass that adds depth without turning into a lecture.

Ladiko also sits behind Anthony Quinn and is known for caves and underwater activity. You won’t have a long stop here, but cruising past it is a nice change of scenery between swim hours.

Then you reach Afandou Beach, where the afternoon shifts from short dips to more of a beach-and-explore rhythm. Travel time from Kallithea is about 45 minutes, and you get around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Afandou’s beach is described as about 6 km long, with pebbles rather than sand. It’s also connected to the town’s modern identity—there’s a major golf-course area nearby, and the pebbles from here are said to have been used to build sidewalks in Rhodes Old Town.

Historical detail fans will like this part: the coastal settlement here faced repeated attacks—pirates around 620, Persians in 653, Arabs in 807, and Turks at other times. After these threats, inhabitants moved inland behind the rocks, so the settlement became invisible from the sea. That’s where the name Afandou comes from.

This is also your lunch build-up. The schedule gives you time to explore, including caves, and then the lunch buffet opens back onboard. If you get hungry easily, this is the stop you’ll likely remember as the one that strings together “swim” and “refuel” in a satisfying way.

Food, Wine, and Onboard Comfort: Greek Buffet Energy, Not a Fine-Dining Test

Onboard, the included setup is straightforward and built for a full day outdoors:

• Lunch Greek buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free choices
• White and rose wine
• Bottled water
• Soda/lemonade
• Shower
• Comfortable cushioned seating

So what does that translate to in real terms?

This isn’t a culinary tasting menu day. It’s a fuel-and-fun lunch designed to keep you comfortable between swims. The upside is that wine is included with the meal experience, not just as a pricey add-on you have to decide about mid-day.

Crew energy also matters on a swim cruise, and this one is positioned as friendly and upbeat, with music that helps the boat feel like a party-free relaxation zone. On the staff side, names like Chris, Stefanos, and Paris come up as part of the crew you might meet.

My advice: eat smart before your next swim. Load up on what you can digest easily, then wait a bit before jumping in again. It keeps the rest of the day feeling great instead of just tolerable.

Price and Value at $71.38: What You’re Really Paying For

The price is listed at $71.38 per person, and the cruise runs about 6 hours. The value comes from stacking multiple benefits into one ticket:

You’re paying for:

• A full-day boat outing without needing to coordinate multiple bus/taxi legs
• Three main swim/explore blocks (Kallithea Springs, Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach) plus scenic cruising passes
• Snorkeling gear provided on the boat
• Shower and float support (life jackets, floaters, pool noodles)
• A Greek buffet lunch plus wine

If you tried to recreate this day on your own, you’d likely spend time and money moving between spots, and you’d still need to arrange snorkeling equipment and handle your own lunch logistics. Here, the planning is done for you.

Is it a bargain? For a Rhodes day that includes real swimming time in multiple bays, plus lunch and wine, it often feels like one of the more cost-friendly ways to do the coast.

Things to Know Before You Go: Pace, Packing, and Weather

This experience runs on good weather. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

For your packing list, keep it practical:

• Sunscreen and a hat (you’re out on the water for hours)
• Swimwear you’re comfortable re-wearing (you’ll likely rinse off with the onboard shower, but you’ll still want to be ready)
• Something simple for after swims (you’ll be returning to the port at the end)

Also, remember the pace is structured. You’ll cruise between stops, and each main stop has a time window. That’s part of the appeal if you want a well-rounded day. It’s not ideal if you want to choose your own schedule block by block.

Should You Book This Bay-to-Bay Swim Cruise?

Book it if you want a Rhodes coast day with a simple plan: water, swims, snorkeling gear included, and lunch with wine. It’s also a strong pick if you’d like to see key Rhodes highlights like the Colossus port-area pass without turning the trip into a land-transport marathon.

Skip or think twice if you’re the type who wants endless time at one beach or one viewpoint. This is a “many places, limited hours” cruise, built for variety over solitude.

If your idea of a perfect day in Rhodes is turquoise water time plus a comfortable boat and an included meal that doesn’t wreck your day’s schedule, this one fits nicely.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Bay to Bay Swim Cruise?

It runs for approximately 6 hours.

What time does the cruise start, and where is the meeting point?

The start time is 10:15 am, and the meeting point is at Romantika Dreams Rhodes Day Cruise, Mandraki Port Nea Agora, Rodos 851 31, Greece. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What swim and sightseeing stops are included?

The itinerary includes a cruise past the Old Town and castle area, a pass connected to the Colossus of Rhodes, stops at Kallithea Springs, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Afandou Beach, plus a scenic pass by Ladiko Bay and Faliraki Beach during the return route.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. You’ll have snorkelling equipment (masks and snorkels) available. The boat also provides life jackets, floaters, and pool noodles.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is a Greek buffet with vegetarian & gluten-free choices. Drinks include white and rose wine, bottled water, and soda/pop lemonade.

Is hotel transfer included?

No. Hotel transfer is optional and at extra cost.