Rhodes Bay to Bay Swim Cruise-Greek Buffet w/wine included

Rhodes looks best from the water. This six-hour cruise links Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay with time for swimming, snorkeling, and lunch aboard the Romantika. I especially like the three very different swim stops and the easygoing setup, with shaded seating, cushioned chairs, music, and two bars.

The Greek buffet and included wine add real value at $71.38, particularly if you plan to spend the day at sea anyway. The main drawback is that the sightseeing commentary appears limited, so you may pass important places such as the Colossus site without much explanation.

• Three distinct bays: Swim at Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay, each with a different setting.
• Rhodes history from the harbor: See the Medieval Walls, Old Town, Castle, and the site linked to the Colossus of Rhodes.
• Snorkeling gear included: Masks and snorkels are available, along with floaters and pool noodles.
• Greek lunch on board: Expect a buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free choices, plus white and rosé wine, water, and lemonade.
• Comfortable six-hour outing: Cushioned seating, shaded areas, clean facilities, and room to move around make the cruise easy for non-swimmers too.
• Strong value: The price includes the cruise, three swim stops, lunch, drinks, and equipment, with a 4.9 rating from 162 reviews.

Setting Out From Mandraki Old Port

The cruise begins at 10:15 a.m. from Mandraki Port, beside Nea Agora in Rhodes Town. If you are arriving by cruise ship, the meeting point is about a 15-minute walk from the port, which makes this a simple shore excursion without the cost or delay of a hotel transfer.

As the boat leaves Mandraki, keep your camera ready. You get a fine view of the Medieval Walls, Old Town, and Castle from the water. Rhodes is a place where the harbor, fortifications, and modern town sit close together, and the view makes that relationship clear in a way you do not get from a street-level walk.

The route also passes the harbor entrance, traditionally identified as the location where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. The Colossus was a giant statue of the sun god and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You will not see the statue itself, of course, but the location gives you a useful sense of the scale and importance of the ancient harbor.

One practical point: the sightseeing information seems lighter than the swimming program. You may want to read a little about the Colossus before boarding, since the boat may pass the spot without a long explanation. That is a small weakness on a cruise otherwise praised for friendly service and a relaxed mood.

Kallithea Springs and the Red Water of the Gulf

The first major stop is Kallithea Springs, reached after about 45 minutes. The boat stays for roughly an hour, giving you time for a morning swim and a look around from the sea.

Kallithea is known for reddish water rising from rock in the Gulf. Ancient people valued the springs for their supposed healing qualities, and the site later became a carefully designed spa complex. Italian architect Pietro Lombardi created the buildings, with decorative work by Armando Burnaby. Doctor Alberto Mocci later organized an international hydrological conference attended by more than 200 scientists.

You will not enter through a land gate or pay a shore admission fee. Access from the water is free, so the stop works well for a quick swim and a look at the unusual setting. The reddish spring water is the feature to watch for, though the view from a boat is not the same as spending a full morning at the restored spa grounds.

This is a good first stop because it combines scenery and swimming. The water is clear, and the rocky surroundings give the bay a more sheltered feel than the open beach stops later in the day. If you prefer to stay dry, the boat provides comfortable seating and shaded areas, so you are not required to get into the water.

Afandou Beach, Pebbles, Caves, and Open Water

Afandou is a very different setting. The beach stretches for about six kilometers and is known for clear water, pebbles, and the nearby golf course. The boat spends about an hour and 15 minutes here, giving you more time than at the other stops to swim, float, and look around the coast.

The pebbles from the area were used in the construction of sidewalks in Rhodes Old Town. Afandou also has a story shaped by repeated attacks on its coastal settlements. After attacks by pirates, Persians, Arabs, and Turks, people moved farther inland and behind the rocks, where the settlement was less visible from the sea. The name Afandou comes from a Greek word meaning invisible.

That history is easy to miss if you are focused only on the water, but it adds a useful layer to the stop. From the boat, you can look at the coast and understand why a settlement hidden behind the shoreline might have seemed safer.

The route also passes Ladiko Bay, just behind Anthony Quinn Bay. Ladiko was once connected with the loading and unloading of olive oil for trade toward Egypt and the Middle East. Local fishermen have found clay containers from old shipwrecks in the area. Today, the bay is used for swimming and water activities, but its older role as an olive-oil trading point gives the coast more character than a simple beach stop.

Afandou is also where the timetable mentions exploring caves before lunch is opened back on board. Keep expectations practical. The cruise is built around swimming from the boat, not a guided archaeological visit or a long walk along the beach.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the Best Snorkeling

Anthony Quinn Bay is the most enclosed of the three main swim stops. High rocks surround the small bay, and the water becomes deep close to the boat. The cruise spends about an hour here, with complimentary snorkeling masks and snorkels available on board.

This is likely the strongest stop for snorkeling. The clear Mediterranean water attracts thousands of small fish, which gather near the boat. Bread may be offered to bring them close, though you should follow the crew’s instructions and avoid expecting a formal wildlife experience. The fish are part of the fun, but the main pleasure is floating above clear water in a rocky cove.

The bay takes its name from Mexican actor Anthony Quinn, who came to Rhodes while filming The Guns of Navarone in the 1960s. He reportedly wanted to buy the bay after seeing it, but the agreement was never completed and later legal action found it unenforceable. Locals continued using his name.

You can use the snorkeling equipment, jump from the boat, or simply swim and sunbathe. Pool noodles and floaters are available, which helps less confident swimmers enjoy the stop. Life jackets are also provided.

Anthony Quinn Bay is picturesque, but its popularity has a downside. The cove is small, and the water near the boat is deep. If you want a wide, shallow beach for easy entry, Afandou may suit you better. If you want fish, rocks, and a more dramatic setting, Anthony Quinn Bay is the better choice.

A Greek Buffet Served at Sea

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons this cruise offers good value. A Greek buffet is served on board, with vegetarian and gluten-free choices. The food has been described as simple but satisfying, with dishes such as chicken, pasta, salads, and briam, a Greek vegetable dish.

I would set your expectations at a generous boat lunch rather than a restaurant meal. Some people find the buffet excellent, while others consider it basic, especially if they expect a large range of dishes. After several hours around the water, though, a hot meal, salads, and local-style vegetables are welcome.

The drink package is unusually useful. White and rosé wine, bottled water, soda, and lemonade are included. Beer is not included, and other drinks or cocktails may cost extra. The wine is served throughout the cruise, which makes this feel less like a quick boat transfer and more like a social day out.

The boat has two bars on different decks, according to the experience details shared by the operator. One covered deck has its own bar and provides shade, while open areas let you sit in the sun. Cushioned seating is a practical benefit, especially on a six-hour outing.

The music also shapes the day. Several comments praise the relaxed party mood on the return journey, with music creating a friendly atmosphere. If you want a silent nature cruise, this may feel too lively. If you enjoy swimming, food, wine, and a little music between stops, the tone should suit you well.

Comfort, Space, and Service on the Romantika

The boat accommodates up to 100 people, but the layout appears to avoid the cramped feeling that can spoil a swim cruise. There is room to walk around, plenty of seating, shaded space, and open decks for sunbathing.

The bathroom is another practical strength. It has been specifically praised as clean and comfortable, which matters more than it might sound when you are spending six hours at sea. A shower is also included, useful after swimming in salt water.

The crew receives some of the highest praise. Staff members are described as friendly, attentive, and helpful, with Chris, Stefanos, and Paris named positively in one account. The service seems informal rather than polished in a luxury-yacht sense, but that fits the price and the social character of the cruise.

You should still understand what this is. It is not a private sailing trip, a quiet historical tour, or a small expedition. It is a shared day cruise with swimming, food, music, and a large-capacity boat. The advantage is value and easy fun. The trade-off is less personal attention and less detailed narration.

What the Six-Hour Schedule Feels Like

The cruise leaves at 10:15 a.m. and returns to Mandraki Port after about six hours. The route includes long stretches of open cruising between swim stops, which gives you time to sit, eat, take photographs, and watch the coast.

The stated timing includes about an hour at Kallithea Springs, an hour and 15 minutes at Afandou, and an hour at Anthony Quinn Bay. The boat also passes Faliraki on the return journey. Faliraki is one of Rhodes’ best-known coastal resorts, with beaches, clear water, and nightlife.

The stops are spaced far enough apart to make the cruise feel like a coastal tour rather than three rushed swims. At the same time, you should not expect a long visit on land. Most of your day is spent on or beside the boat, and the main activity is swimming from the vessel.

The water temperature can still be pleasant in October, though conditions depend on the day. This experience requires good weather, so poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, which gives you some flexibility when planning around weather.

Who Will Get the Most From This Cruise

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want to combine Rhodes sightseeing and swimming without arranging several separate activities. Families, couples, friends, and solo visitors can all use the day differently. Children and confident swimmers can enjoy the water, while non-swimmers can stay on deck, eat lunch, listen to music, and watch the coastline.

It is also a good fit for cruise ship passengers. The port meeting point is easy to reach on foot, and the return is to the same place, so you do not need to arrange complicated transport. Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra.

Vegetarians and people seeking gluten-free food have included choices. The supplied information does not give a full allergy policy, so you should raise any serious dietary concern before booking.

I would hesitate to recommend it if your main goal is detailed history. The views of the Old Town, Castle, Colossus site, Kallithea, Ladiko, and Afandou are worthwhile, but the spoken explanation may be brief. You will get more from the cruise if you treat the historical details as background to a swimming day, not as the central purpose.

Is $71.38 a Fair Price?

At $71.38 per person, the value is strong. You are paying for about six hours on the water, three major swim stops, snorkeling equipment, a Greek buffet, soft drinks, bottled water, white and rosé wine, seating, and use of the boat’s facilities.

A comparable day can become expensive if you book meals, drinks, equipment, and transport separately. Here, the main costs are gathered into one price. The included wine is especially notable, though beer and some other drinks are not part of the package.

The price does not include hotel pickup unless you pay extra. If you are staying in Rhodes Town or arriving by cruise ship, walking to Mandraki may be all you need. If you are staying farther away, add the transfer cost before comparing this cruise with other options.

The 4.9 rating from 162 reviews and 98 percent recommendation rate support the view that this is a well-liked experience. More important than the numbers, the praise focuses on the things that matter at sea: friendly staff, clean facilities, comfortable seating, good swim stops, a generous drinks service, and food that is better than many people expect from a boat buffet.

Should You Book the Rhodes Bay to Bay Cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, social day with three beautiful swim stops, good onboard facilities, Greek food, and drinks included. It offers a lot for the price and works particularly well for cruise ship passengers, families, and anyone who wants to see the Rhodes coast without hiring a boat.

Skip it if you want a quiet sailing trip, a private experience, or detailed commentary at every landmark. For most people who enjoy swimming and do not mind music and shared space, this is a practical and enjoyable way to spend six hours around Rhodes.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes Bay to Bay cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours and returns to Mandraki Port, where it begins.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 10:15 a.m.

Where does the cruise meet?

The meeting point is Romantika Dreams Rhodes Day Cruise at Mandraki Port Nea Agora, Rhodes 851 31, Greece.

Which swimming stops are included?

The cruise stops at Kallithea Springs, Afandou Beach, and Anthony Quinn Bay. It also passes Ladiko Bay and Faliraki during the route.

Is lunch included?

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

Are drinks included?

White wine, rosé wine, bottled water, soda, and lemonade are included. Beer is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided, along with life jackets, floaters, and pool noodles.

Can I cancel the cruise?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. If poor weather causes the cruise to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.