Rhodes is where you go when you want sea time fast. This 6-hour pleasure cruise takes you along the east coast of Rhodes Island on a traditional wooden boat, built around three separate swims and snorkel sessions. You get the fun of a day on the water without the stress of hopping between beaches.

What I like most is the straightforward plan: three swim stops at seriously good water spots, each with about an hour in the sea. I also like the relaxed onboard vibe—music on the boat, seasonal fruit, and snorkeling equipment so you can spend your energy where it matters: in the water. One thing to consider is that the boat’s comfort and onboard cleanliness can vary (and snorkeling fish sightings aren’t guaranteed).

Key things to know before you go

• Three swim-and-snorkel stops with about an hour at each
• Kallithea Bay is the snorkel-focused stop
• Anthony Quinn Bay is the famous sea-color payoff
• Afandou Beach gives you a second long stretch of swim time
• Snorkeling gear, noodles, fruit, and onboard music are included
• You must be on time at Mandraki; no hotel pickup is provided

Setting Off From Mandraki: Meet at the Right Spot

Your day starts at Mandraki Marina & Port, near the statue of Alexander. The boat is listed as Alkmini boat (and you’ll want to find it before departure so you’re not scrambling with swim gear in hand). The cruise runs from 10:00 to 16:00, so plan to arrive a bit early, get oriented, and settle in.

There’s no hotel pickup or transfer, which actually helps if you’re already staying in the Mandraki area or near the harbor. If you’re farther out, just build in extra time for your own ride back to the marina. This is one of those tours where showing up on time really matters—everyone has to be onboard before the sail.

Onboard Vibe: Traditional Wooden Boat, Music, and Simple Comfort

This is not a fancy mega-yacht day. You’re on a traditional Greek wooden boat, and that changes the feel. It’s a day for relaxing, swimming, and moving between coves rather than for formal seating and long onboard lectures.

You’ll have music on the boat while you cruise between stops. Expect a laid-back rhythm: sail, stop, swim, snack/refresh, sail again. Included onboard items make it easier than doing this DIY:

• Snorkeling equipment (so you don’t have to pack or rent)
• Noodles for swimming
• Season fruits
• A bar where you can buy drinks and something to eat (not included in the base price)

One practical tip: you’re bringing swimwear, a towel, and a camera. A towel is listed as what to bring, and you’ll be glad you did once you’re back onboard and want to dry off properly. Also, scooters aren’t allowed, which matters if you’re bringing any special mobility equipment by scooter form (you’ll need an alternative plan).

Stop 1: Kallithea Bay for Snorkeling Where the Water Does the Talking

Kallithea is the first swim-and-snorkel stop in the cruise plan I’m working from, usually reached after sailing for about 40 minutes. This matters because it lets you get into the good water early, before the sun (and your energy) gets too intense.

What makes Kallithea Bay the standout snorkel stop is the way the cruise frames it: it’s the one designed specifically for snorkeling. You’ll have about one hour here, with time to get in, float, and look around at your own pace.

Here’s a realistic expectation: snorkel sights can vary day to day. One clear takeaway from the experience info you were given is that it’s smart to enjoy the water even if fish aren’t constant. The provider also notes they’re not responsible if you don’t see fish. So go in with a mindset like: you’re coming for clear water, good conditions, and the chance to see what’s there—rather than a guaranteed fish show.

How to make this stop better: keep your snorkel time relaxed. If you rush, you’ll spend more time adjusting gear than actually looking around. Also, if you’re the type who wants photos, use the surface moments for quick shots and then settle into slower breathing for better viewing.

Stop 2: Afandou Beach for an Easy, Unhurried Swim

After Kallithea, the cruise shifts to Afandou Beach. You’ll spend about one hour here as well, with snorkeling included in the time window.

Afandou works well as your second water break because it keeps the day from feeling like a sprint. By this point, you’ve already tested the conditions once, so you know what kind of swim time you want next—shorter spins in the water or a longer float session.

The setting here is more beach-forward than the snorkel-first feel of Kallithea. That’s useful if you want variety: less time focused on underwater viewing and more time just enjoying the swim. And since this is the second stop, it often hits right when people start feeling that day-on-the-water fatigue. A calm, warm swim can reset you fast.

Onboard, you may also notice included refreshments helping you recharge between stops. In at least one account of the experience, watermelon is specifically called out as refreshing—one of those small included touches that makes the schedule feel human instead of mechanical.

Stop 3: Anthony Quinn Bay for Famous Sea-Color and a Final Swim

Then comes the stop most people remember: Anthony Quinn Bay. This is the cruise’s “name recognition” moment, and the water here is the reason that name travels.

Depending on how the day runs, you arrive for your third swim after sailing again from the earlier stop. Either way, you get about one hour in the water at Anthony Quinn Bay. This is described as clear blue with a green-blue look, and one of the most repeated ideas in the experience info is the beauty of the sea—people highlight the color and how photogenic it feels under a bright sky.

This is also where that last swim can be the most satisfying. By stop three, you’ve already adapted to the boat routine and snorkeling gear, and the water becomes less about equipment and more about pure enjoyment. The schedule gives you time for:

• a first jump in,
• a calmer swim session,
• and photos that actually capture what you’re seeing.

If you’re deciding whether to do snorkel on all stops or just one or two, this is often the one that convinces people to go all in. But do it based on your comfort. If you’d rather keep it simple, swim and enjoy. The experience is built around flexibility within that included swim time.

The Boat Trip Rhythm: How to Use the Time Between Stops

The cruising parts are not wasted time. They’re the transitions that let you rest your muscles, let your eyes reset, and enjoy Rhodes from the sea for a while.

Because the total duration is 6 hours, the stops are time-aware:

• Start around 10:00
• Cruise between coves
• Spend roughly one hour at each swim location
• Return to Mandraki Marina & Port by 16:00

That structure helps if you’ve got other plans later in the day. You’re not committing to an all-day excursion that burns the whole schedule. It’s long enough to feel like a proper outing, short enough to still keep your Rhodes afternoon intact.

One more small practical point: the cruise experience explicitly expects you to be punctual at the boat. So don’t treat the meeting time like a suggestion. Grab your towel, headset if you use one, camera, and whatever you need to be comfortable on the deck.

Price and Value: Is $47 Worth It on Rhodes?

At $47 per person for 6 hours, this cruise is priced in a way that makes sense if you value three things:

1. Convenience: you get a ready-made plan to three swim/snorkel locations without coordinating transport.
2. Included gear: snorkeling equipment is provided, plus noodles and fruit.
3. Time on the water: you’re not spending half your day traveling between beaches.

If you were to do this yourself, you’d likely pay for transport and then still need to solve the gear problem. Here, the cruise handles the “how do I get from point to point” part. You also get music and a bar onboard, which means you can stay relaxed even if the day includes a few extra minutes of waiting between swims.

That said, keep your expectations balanced about what’s included. The bar is buy on your own, and one account notes the food/drinks can feel pricey. So if you want lunch, consider whether you’ll buy onboard or keep snacks in mind for before or after. Also, the same account complains about cleanliness and boat condition, so while the overall rating is strong (around 4.3 from 99 reviews), it’s worth noting that onboard comfort isn’t universally described the same way.

Who This Cruise Suits Best (and who should reconsider)

This is a great match for you if:

• You want swimming and snorkeling but don’t want to plan three separate stops.
• You’re traveling light and prefer an outing where gear is included.
• You like a relaxed pace: sail, swim, snack, and move on.

It might be less ideal if you’re especially picky about cleanliness or onboard maintenance. One provided account mentions concerns about the boat condition and restroom upkeep. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, you’ll want to weigh the convenience against that risk.

Also, if your only goal is guaranteed snorkeling wildlife, calibrate your expectations. The provider’s note is clear: fish sightings aren’t something they can promise.

My Bottom Line: Should You Book This Rhodes Swim and Snorkel Cruise?

If you want a simple, classic Rhodes sea day built around three swim stops—Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay—this cruise is a solid value. The big wins are the structure (three about-one-hour water sessions), the included snorkel gear, and the fact that you’re getting real variety across the stops rather than repeating one beach over and over.

I’d book it if you’re flexible, enjoy the water even when fish are quiet, and you’re okay with onboard “nice but not perfect” being possible. If cleanliness and boat condition are your top priorities, it’s worth thinking twice and considering whether you’d rather do a beach-hopping plan with more control.

Either way, go with the right mindset: this is about time in clear water and that laid-back day-on-a-boat feeling, not about a museum-style sightseeing day.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Rhodes pleasure cruise?

The cruise lasts 6 hours.

What time does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at 10:00 and returns to Mandraki Marina and Port at 16:00.

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at Mandraki harbour, near the statue of Alexander, on the Alkmini boat.

Does the tour include snorkeling equipment?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is provided.

How many swimming stops are included?

There are 3 swimming stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Bay.

Are drinks and food included?

A bar is available to buy drinks and something to eat, but they are not included in the tour price.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Swimwear, a towel, and a camera are listed as what to bring.

Is hotel pickup or transfer included?

No. Hotel pickup and transfer are not included.

Are scooter rides allowed on the cruise?

No, scooters are not allowed.

Is fish visibility guaranteed during snorkeling?

No. The provider says they are not responsible if customers see or do not see fish during snorkeling.