Rhodes: Bay to Bay Swim Cruise with Greek Buffet and Wine

The best part of this Rhodes boat trip is its simple rhythm: cruise, anchor, swim, eat, and cruise again. Romantika Dreams visits three beautiful bays, giving you enough time at each one to swim, snorkel, or stay dry on the deck with a drink.

I like the homemade Greek buffet and the open, social feel of the boat. I also like that masks, pool noodles, and life vests are provided, so you can pack lightly. The main thing to consider is that the boat stays offshore. To reach the beach or caves, you need to swim.

Key points

• Three one-hour swimming stops: Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay each get a proper visit, not just a quick photo pause.
• Lunch prepared onboard: The buffet includes Greek dishes, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available.
• White and rose wine included: Water is included too, while other bar drinks cost extra.
• A comfortable day on the water: Two spacious decks offer room to sit, eat, listen to music, or watch the coast.
• Useful water equipment provided: Ask the crew for snorkeling masks, pool noodles, and life vests.
• A social finish: Music, dancing, and Greek Zorba-style fun can turn the ride back into a small party.

A full day on the east coast of Rhodes

At $69 per person, this six-hour cruise is priced as a full half-day outing rather than a short sightseeing boat ride. You are paying for the boat, three swimming stops, lunch, water, local wine, equipment, and the relaxed pleasure of moving along the coast without arranging several separate beach visits.

The boat welcomes you from 9:45 a.m. at Mandraki Port and leaves at 10:15 a.m. The meeting point is opposite the Nea Agora marketplace, so it is easy to identify if you are already in Rhodes Town. Look for the crew in blue shorts and red striped shirts.

You will want to arrive ready for the water. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. A light cardigan is sensible too, since the ride can feel breezy even on a sunny day.

The boat has two decks, giving you a choice between a more active upper area and a comfortable place to sit and watch the coast. Seating is not treated as an afterthought. You can stay aboard during a swimming stop, listen to the music, and enjoy the view if you are not keen on getting in the water.

Leaving Mandraki with Rhodes in view

The cruise begins in Mandraki, the old harbor of Rhodes Town. As Romantika Dreams heads south along the east coast, you pass several landmarks that give the first part of the trip a useful sense of place.

Keep an eye out for St. Nicholas Fortress, the walls of the medieval old city, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Fontana Grande, and Rams Rock. This is not a formal walking tour, so the sightseeing comes from the deck rather than from a long explanation. That suits the mood. You can take photographs, settle into your seat, and let the coastline unfold at an easy pace.

The boat passes Faliraki and Ladiko Bay on the way to the first main stop. These areas are part of the east coast’s well-known beach belt, but you do not get off there. Think of them as scenic markers along the route rather than separate visits.

The crew uses three horn blasts to signal departure. That small detail matters because you can swim or walk away from the boat during a stop without guessing when it is time to return. Listen for the horns and keep the boat in sight.

Kallithea Bay: your first chance to swim

The first anchor stop is Kallithea Bay, close to the famous Kallithea Springs. The springs are known for their combination of seaside architecture, gardens, and old spa traditions, and the area gives this opening stop more character than a plain stretch of water.

You have about an hour here for swimming, snorkeling, taking photographs, or simply enjoying the deck. The boat remains anchored offshore, so reaching the shore requires swimming. That is an important point for anyone who expected a dockside visit or an easy walk onto the beach.

The supplied masks and pool noodles make this stop friendlier for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can head into the water with a mask, while less confident swimmers can use a noodle or life vest. If you want a snorkel, ask the crew. The equipment is kept behind the bar, and it is not necessarily handed to you automatically.

Kallithea is a good first stop because it lets you get used to the boat and the water before lunch. If you prefer not to swim, the deck remains a pleasant place to sit. You can listen to music, watch people in the water, or take in the rocky coast.

Afandou and the Caves of Traganou

After the horn sounds, the boat continues south past Faliraki toward Afandou Beach. Afandou is known for its long four-kilometer shore and the Caves of Traganou, where the coastline becomes more rugged and interesting from the water.

This is another one-hour stop, with time for swimming, snorkeling, jumping from the boat’s upper or lower decks, and, for capable swimmers, reaching the beach or caves. Again, the boat does not pull up to shore. The caves are part of the appeal, but you need to be comfortable swimming from the anchored boat to explore them.

The different deck levels give this stop a little variety. You can make a splash from the higher deck, enter from a lower platform, or use the water more quietly with a noodle. If you are bringing a phone, put it in a waterproof pouch. One of the most useful tips from the day is also one of the easiest to miss: photographs from the water are much better when your phone or camera is protected.

Afandou is also where lunch preparation begins in earnest. While you swim, the crew sets out the Greek buffet. That timing works well because the water builds an appetite, and you return to a meal rather than a packet of snacks.

The Greek buffet and what is included

Lunch is prepared onboard and includes traditional Greek recipes. The stated choices cover vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets, but you should tell the crew about dietary restrictions when you arrive so they can guide you to the suitable dishes.

The meal can include items such as Greek salad, roasted vegetables, bread rolls, and a chicken and onion pasta dish. The exact spread may vary, so you should treat these as examples rather than a fixed menu. The important point is that this is a proper buffet, not just a small snack between swimming stops.

Local white and rose wine are included and served chilled. Water is also included. Additional bar drinks, including cocktails and other choices, cost extra. The onboard bar is described as offering reasonably priced drinks, but you should not assume that beer or every soft drink is part of the basic price.

The wine adds real value to the outing, especially if you are comparing this cruise with a simple boat transfer. You get lunch and drinks without having to find a waterfront restaurant during the hottest part of the day. If you do not drink alcohol, the cruise still works, since water is provided and the main value remains the route, swimming time, food, and deck space.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the best water of the day

The final stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, reached after a scenic stretch beside large rock formations. The small bay was named for actor Anthony Quinn, who became associated with the area while filming The Guns of Navarone. He bought land there, though it later returned to the Greek government in 1984.

The setting is more enclosed and dramatic than the earlier stops. The bay is small, rocky, and known for clear water and marine life. Bread in the water can attract many fish, making this a particularly entertaining place to use the provided mask.

You get about an hour here as well. Swim, snorkel, take photographs, or stay on deck for a drink during the bar’s happy hour. This stop can have the most lively atmosphere, with music, singing, dancing, and attempts at the Greek Zorba dance.

That party mood will appeal to some people and not to others. If you want a quiet nature cruise, the music and social energy may feel like too much by the last stop. If you want a friendly day where strangers can chat and enjoy themselves, it is part of the appeal.

The bay’s size also means the water can feel busier than a broad beach area, particularly during a popular sailing season. The boat’s schedule gives you a useful hour, but the experience is still built around shared space rather than solitude.

How the boat day feels in practice

Romantika Dreams is designed for connection as much as sightseeing. The idea is a parea, a Greek word for a circle of company and shared good times. You can keep to yourself, but the layout, music, buffet, and communal wine service naturally encourage conversation.

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Wine is kept topped up, and service can include staff bringing a carafe to your seat rather than making you queue at the bar. That makes the day feel easy, particularly during lunch.

The atmosphere changes as the day goes on. The morning begins with people finding seats and watching the coast. The middle of the day centers on swimming and food. By the ride home, the music may become louder and the boat more social.

At the same time, this is not a private yacht charter. You share the decks, the swimming areas, and the buffet line with other people. Anyone looking for a silent boat and an empty cove should choose a smaller private outing instead.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see several Rhodes beaches without renting a car or planning beach transfers. It works especially well for couples, friends, and families with a mix of swimmers and non-swimmers.

It is also a good choice for beginners. Pool noodles and life vests are available, and you can remain close to the boat rather than committing to a long swim. Confident swimmers have more freedom to reach the shore, caves, and rocks, but the trip does not require advanced water skills.

You should think carefully if anyone in your group cannot swim. The boat stays at anchor, and shore access requires swimming. You can remain aboard, but you will not have a simple walk onto the beach during the stops.

The cruise also suits anyone who values food and drinks as part of a day out. The included buffet and wine make the $69 price easier to justify. If you only want a quick trip to one famous bay, this may be more time and money than you need.

Practical details that improve the day

The tour runs for six hours, from the morning welcome at 9:45 a.m. to the return at about 4:15 p.m. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they are available for an extra fee. Plan your own way to Mandraki Port unless you add that service.

Bring sunscreen and reapply it. The two decks offer shade and seating options, but you will spend several hours around open water, and the reflection can be strong.

Pack a waterproof phone case or small waterproof bag. You will want photographs from the water, near the caves, and around Anthony Quinn Bay, and an ordinary phone is not worth risking.

Wear comfortable shoes for boarding and moving around the boat. Keep your towel and dry clothes where you can reach them, since the schedule moves from water to lunch without a long break.

The experience is wheelchair accessible, but the swimming-stop format deserves a practical check for your particular needs. The provided information confirms accessibility for the activity, while the boat remains offshore at each bay.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Rhodes plans depend on weather or changing port schedules.

Is the $69 price fair?

For a six-hour cruise with three stops, lunch, wine, water, equipment, music, and service, $69 is a strong value. The price is especially good if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, lunch, drinks, and access to several beaches.

The value is not based on luxury. You are not buying privacy or a quiet sailing yacht. You are buying a well-organized day with a generous route and enough time at each bay to make swimming worthwhile.

The food also helps the calculation. A fresh Greek buffet onboard saves you from leaving the coast to find lunch, and the included local wine adds something more than a basic excursion package. Just budget extra if you want cocktails, champagne, beer, or other bar purchases.

Should you book Romantika Dreams?

Book this cruise if you want three scenic swimming stops, a filling Greek lunch, included wine, and a sociable boat ride at a reasonable price. It is a particularly good match for first-time visitors to Rhodes who want to combine sightseeing and beach time in one outing.

Skip it if you need direct beach access, private space, or a quiet trip with little music. The essential detail is simple: the boat anchors offshore, and you swim to the beach or caves.

For most people who are comfortable around water, the combination of Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay makes this an easy day to recommend. Pack a towel, sunscreen, and waterproof phone protection, then let the crew handle the route, lunch, and wine.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes Bay to Bay cruise begin?

Meet the crew at Mandraki Port, opposite the Nea Agora marketplace. The crew wears blue shorts and red striped shirts.

What time does the cruise run?

The crew welcomes you from 9:45 a.m. The boat leaves at 10:15 a.m. and returns to Mandraki Port at about 4:15 p.m.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The main stops are Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach near the Caves of Traganou, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

How long do you spend at each swimming stop?

You get about one hour at Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Can you walk directly onto the beach?

No. The boat stays anchored in each bay, so you need to swim to reach the shore or caves.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek buffet is included, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices available.

Are drinks included?

Local white wine, rose wine, and water are included. Additional bar drinks are available for an extra fee.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, pool noodles, and life vests are provided. Ask the crew for a mask, as the equipment is kept behind the bar.