Rhodes: All inclusive Catamaran Escape with Lunch & Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes boat trip is the balance between beautiful swimming coves and easygoing time aboard the Cherry Catamaran. You can snorkel, use a paddleboard, float on a noodle, or simply stretch out under the shade while the crew keeps food and drinks moving.

I like the generous time at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs, and I like that the $82 price includes a proper Greek lunch rather than just a sandwich. The main thing to consider is the weather: wind can make the first part of the cruise rough, and the captain may change the route or swimming stops for safety.

Key points at a glance

• Three east-coast bays: Swim and snorkel at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.
• A small-group feel: The boat can take up to 35 people, but recent departures have often carried around 14 to 20.
• A real lunch on board: Expect chicken, rice, salads, dips, dolmadakia, bread, fruit, feta, and olives.
• Drinks included all day: Water, soft drinks, beer, local wine, and a welcome drink are part of the fare.
• Useful water gear: Snorkels, masks, paddleboards, noodles, life jackets, and an outdoor shower are provided.
• Bring water shoes: Some rocky areas near the coves can be sharp and awkward underfoot.

Setting out from Mandraki Harbour

Your day begins at the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk in Mandraki Harbour. Arrive 20 minutes before departure, since the boat leaves from the busy port area and you will want time to find the desk without rushing.

The early part of the outing combines harbor views, a short Old Town sightseeing segment, and the first stretch along the coast. You receive a welcome drink and a small Rhodian sesame-and-honey treat called Melekouni. It is a simple local touch, but a good one. You are getting a taste of Rhodes before lunch begins.

The catamaran is described as spacious, with a shaded section and a netted area at the front. That gives you a choice of settings. Sit in shade if you want a calmer ride, or use the front netting for the best sense of being over the water. The boat is not packed tightly on the usual departures, which matters during a six-hour outing.

The first cruise lasts about 70 minutes. If you are prone to seasickness, sit near the center of the boat and keep your eyes on the horizon. One family found the ride comfortable even with a passenger who normally gets seasick, but conditions are never guaranteed. Wind can make the departure from the harbor feel lively, especially in the cooler months.

Anthony Quinn Bay and Rhodes’ emerald water

Anthony Quinn Bay is usually the first major swimming stop, with about 90 minutes to enjoy it. The cove is known for its green-blue water, pine-covered slopes, and rocky edges. Its connection with the film The Guns of Navarone adds a bit of movie history, but the real appeal is the water and the setting.

This is a good place to test the snorkeling equipment. Fish gather around the boat and rocky shoreline, and the clear water makes it easy to see below the surface when the sea is calm. You can also try a paddleboard or use one of the floating noodles.

The bay is not a broad, sandy beach experience. Expect rocks, boats, and a more enclosed cove. That is part of its charm, but it also means you should not expect an easy walk into the water from a long beach. If you are stepping onto rocks, wear water shoes. A few areas around the stops have sharp stones and uneven footing.

The long stop is important. This is not a quick photo pause from the deck. You have time to swim, snorkel, paddle, and return to the boat without watching the clock every few minutes. If you prefer not to get wet, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view.

Ladiko Bay with lunch served at sea

After a short cruise of about five minutes, the catamaran reaches Ladiko Bay. The scheduled stop lasts around 80 minutes and combines swimming with lunch and drinks.

Ladiko is smaller and quieter in feel than Anthony Quinn Bay. Its rocky curves and clear water make it a pleasant place to float, snorkel, or sit on the boat with a glass of local wine. The crew serves lunch here, so you can eat without losing the view.

The meal is more substantial than the usual boat-trip fare. You can expect:

• Greek salad and green salad
• Potato salad and pasta salad
• Dolmadakia
• Olives and feta cheese
• Tzatziki, roasted eggplant spread, and feta spread
• Chicken with rice
• Fresh bread
• Seasonal fruit

This menu suits a mixed group because there are several salads, dips, and vegetable dishes alongside the chicken. Still, the main hot dish is chicken, and one diner would have preferred more vegetarian or fish choices. If you have an allergy or dietary need, tell the crew in advance. One family found that dietary concerns were handled well, but it is always better to raise the issue before lunch is served.

Drinks are available throughout the day. Water, soft drinks, beer, and local wine are included, and the crew regularly offers them rather than leaving you to search for a serving station. A cocktail is also listed for the Kallithea Springs stop.

There is a sensible limit to this open-drink setup. The crew can stop serving alcohol to anyone who appears too intoxicated, which is appropriate on a moving boat with swimming stops. This is an all-inclusive cruise, not a floating party boat.

Kallithea Springs and the final swim

The cruise then continues for about 30 minutes to Kallithea Springs. The stop lasts roughly an hour and is a strong finish because it combines architecture, a sheltered bay, and clear water.

Kallithea Springs is known for its ornate, Vatican-style buildings around the historic bathing complex. From the water, the setting feels different from the wilder coves earlier in the day. You get a change of scenery without giving up the chance to swim and snorkel.

The bay is also a good place for a final paddleboard session or a relaxed swim. If you have already spent the day in the water, this stop gives you an easy chance to stay on deck, enjoy the included cocktail, and take pictures of the structures and coastline.

The timing can vary in practice. The published plan allows a full hour, while one account described stops of about 45 to 50 minutes. Treat the schedule as a useful guide rather than a promise down to the minute. Wind, boat traffic, and safety decisions can affect the route.

After Kallithea Springs, the return cruise takes about 20 minutes before you arrive back at Mandraki Harbour. The total experience is advertised at six hours, though the exact time on the boat can shift slightly with conditions.

What the Cherry Catamaran does well

The strongest feature is the crew. Summer and Elli are specifically praised for being welcoming and attentive, and the broader crew is described as kind, helpful, and alert to passengers who need assistance. The team offers drinks, checks that people are comfortable, and helps with the water equipment without making the service feel stiff.

The boat itself gets high marks for being clean, spacious, and well prepared. A stated maximum of 35 people gives you a useful benchmark, but departures have often had closer to 14 to 20 people. That difference matters. A catamaran with 20 people feels much more relaxed than one filled to its limit, especially when everyone wants to use the paddleboard or climb back aboard after swimming.

The food is another strong point. It is prepared on board, and the combination of salads, dips, chicken, rice, bread, and fruit makes the lunch filling. You are not paying extra each time you want a drink or a snack, so you can spend the day enjoying the water instead of keeping track of small charges.

The crew also seems to handle different comfort levels well. Strong swimmers can snorkel and paddleboard, while less confident swimmers can use life jackets and noodles. The boat has an outdoor shower, which is useful after swimming in salt water.

What to watch before booking

This is an active sea outing, even though much of the day is relaxed. You will need to climb in and out of the water, handle a paddleboard if you choose to use one, and walk carefully over rocks at some stops. Bring water shoes, especially if you plan to explore the edges of the coves.

The snorkeling gear deserves a small caution. Most of the equipment is supplied free, but one October departure had problems with broken masks and snorkels. That may have been an isolated equipment issue, yet you should inspect your gear before swimming far from the boat. If you own a comfortable mask, bringing it is sensible.

Soft-drink choices are limited. Water, cola, and orange juice are available, along with beer and wine, but you should not expect a large selection of branded sodas or specialty drinks.

Weather is the biggest variable. In April, May, and October, the operator may transfer passengers to another catamaran if the Cherry Catamaran does not reach its minimum passenger number. The captain may also alter the route or swimming locations in any month if conditions are unsafe. You will be notified by message if such changes are made.

Cooler or windy days can still be enjoyable, but swimming may feel less inviting. Pack a towel and sun protection, and remember that a six-hour boat ride gives you little shelter from the sun when you are not in the shaded area.

Is $82 good value for six hours?

At $82 per person, this is strong value if you plan to swim and drink on board. The price covers the catamaran, three coastal stops, lunch, snacks, fruit, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, water, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, noodles, life jackets, and the crew’s service.

A self-drive boat can cost more for a shorter period before fuel, food, equipment, and drinks are added. You also avoid the work of navigating, anchoring, preparing lunch, and keeping an eye on the weather. The tradeoff is that you follow the captain’s route and share the boat with other people.

I would not choose this trip if you want a private sailing day or complete control over where you stop. I would choose it if you want a simple way to see several famous coves without arranging separate transport or paying for each activity.

The value improves for families and groups of friends because everyone can choose a different pace. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay in the shade with a drink. The boat is also a good choice for mixed-age groups because the crew provides floating aids and life jackets.

Who should book the Cherry Catamaran?

You should book this if you want a social but not overly crowded day on the water, especially if you are staying in northern Rhodes and want an easy route to the island’s best-known east-coast bays.

It suits swimmers, casual snorkelers, couples, families, and anyone who likes having lunch and drinks included. It also works well for people who want to meet others without signing up for a loud party cruise.

I would think twice if you dislike boat motion, cannot manage rocky entry points, or want a beach day with soft sand and no timetable. The captain controls the route, and rough weather can change the plan.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful when your Rhodes schedule depends on weather.

Should you book it?

I would book the Cherry Catamaran for the combination of long swimming stops, solid food, and attentive service. The three bays give you variety, while the catamaran offers enough space to avoid feeling packed on many departures.

Bring a towel, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and water shoes. If snorkeling matters to you, consider bringing your own mask. Book this trip for an easy, well-fed day along Rhodes’ east coast, not for privacy or total control over the itinerary.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran trip start?

The meeting point is the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk at Mandraki Harbour. You should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long is the Cherry Catamaran trip?

The advertised duration is six hours. The cruise includes sailing time, swimming stops, lunch, drinks, and the return to Mandraki Harbour.

Which bays does the catamaran visit?

The planned stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs Bay. The captain may change the route or swimming stops for weather and safety reasons.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Greek salads, potato and pasta salads, dolmadakia, olives, feta, dips, chicken, rice, fresh bread, and seasonal fruit.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The fare includes water, soft drinks, local wine, and beer. You also receive a welcome drink, and a cocktail is listed for the Kallithea Springs stop.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floating noodles, life jackets, and an outdoor shower are provided.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and water shoes. Water shoes are especially useful around rocky and sharp areas near the swimming stops.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.