Rhodes: Sailing Catamaran Day Cruise with food and drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the privacy. You get the catamaran for your own group, then sail the east coast away from the heavier traffic around Mandraki Harbour. The crew seeks out quieter parts of the bays, so the day feels more like a private outing than a packed boat trip.

I like the small private group and the simple food-and-drinks arrangement. I also like the clean boat and useful space on deck, details that mattered to an eight-person group and gave everyone somewhere to sit. The main drawback is that this is not a good match for anyone prone to seasickness or anyone who needs step-free access.

Key points

• Private catamaran for up to 11 people, useful for families, friends, and small celebrations.
• Three swimming stops, at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou, and Kallithea Springs.
• Quiet-bay strategy, with the crew looking for less crowded places to spend time.
• Lunch included at Afandou, with alcoholic drinks served at lunchtime and soft drinks available all day.
• Easy New Marina departure, about 1 kilometer from Rhodes Town, with free parking nearby.
• Flexible weather plan, since swimming locations can change with sea and weather conditions.

Setting Out From Rhodes New Marina

The day begins at the New Marina, outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant on the marina side. This is a practical choice if you are staying in Rhodes Town. The marina sits about 1 kilometer from the center, and free parking spaces are available close to the meeting point.

I prefer this departure point to a crowded central harbor. You avoid the extra commotion around Mandraki and begin the day in a calmer setting. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan to reach the marina yourself by car or local transport.

The cruise lasts six hours. Bring swimwear and a towel, and wear something comfortable for sitting outside in the sun. The boat has room for up to 11 people, though a smaller group will naturally have more space to spread out.

The crew speaks English and Greek. No individual crew names are provided, but the service includes sailing, meal preparation, drinks, and help with the swimming stops. The English-speaking setup should make the day easy for most international visitors.

The First 75 Minutes Along Rhodes’ East Coast

The opening sailing section lasts about 75 minutes. This is your chance to settle into the rhythm of the boat before the first swim. You can relax on deck, feel the sea breeze, and watch the eastern side of Rhodes pass by from the water.

This part matters because the outing is not just a transfer between beaches. The sailing time is part of the pleasure. You are given long stretches to sit back instead of rushing from one stop to the next.

The catamaran layout also helps. A catamaran generally gives you more usable deck space than a narrow single-hull boat, and the information here confirms there is a place for everyone to sit. One group of eight found the boat clean and roomy enough for the full day, a useful detail if you are considering this for a family or a group of friends.

Still, remember that you are spending several hours on open water. If you know you get seasick, this is probably not the right outing for you. The breezy, open feel that makes the cruise pleasant can also make motion more noticeable.

Anthony Quinn Bay After the First Sail

The first swimming stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, with about 50 minutes set aside for swimming. The bay is one of the best-known coastal stops around Rhodes, and approaching it by boat gives you a different view than simply arriving overland.

The main value here is time in the water without a long beach-day setup. You can swim, cool off, and return to the boat when you are ready. The crew aims for quieter sections of the bays, but conditions and other boats can vary from day to day.

Fifty minutes is enough for a proper swim, though it is not an open-ended beach visit. If you want a long shore walk, a café stop, or time to explore on land, this cruise will not provide that. The focus is water, sun, and an easy return to the catamaran.

I would treat this stop as your first chance to test the sea conditions. If you feel fine after the opening sail and swim, the rest of the day should be more comfortable. If you already feel unwell, tell the crew early and take the next sailing gently.

Sailing to Afandou for Lunch and Swimming

After Anthony Quinn Bay, the catamaran sails for about 20 minutes to Afandou. This is a shorter transfer, so you do not lose much of your day getting from one bay to the next.

Afandou is the main meal stop. You get about 70 minutes for lunch and swimming, making it the most balanced stop on the route. The included meal gives the day a proper pause, rather than leaving you to manage food while wet, sunbaked, and on a moving boat.

Lunch is included, and alcoholic drinks are available with the meal. Soft drinks are available without limit throughout the day. That distinction is worth noting: this is not an all-day open bar, and alcoholic drinks are limited to lunchtime. You should also avoid arriving intoxicated, since intoxication, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed as part of the activity rules.

The food is described as a Greek lunch, which fits the outing well. Expect the meal to be part of the boat service rather than a separate restaurant visit. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify special menu options, so ask before booking rather than assuming.

The 70-minute stop gives you time to eat and swim, but you will want to keep an eye on the schedule. This is a shared rhythm within your private group, not an afternoon at a beach resort. The benefit is efficiency: lunch, water, and a pleasant break all happen in one stop.

The Long Sail Back Toward Kallithea Springs

Following Afandou, the boat spends about 75 minutes sailing toward Kallithea Springs. This is the longest later sailing period, so it becomes an important part of the overall mood.

You can use this time to rest after lunch and swimming. The cruise is designed with pauses between water stops, which keeps the day from feeling like a hurried sequence of beach visits. I like that balance. You get active time in the water, but also long stretches when you can simply sit on the catamaran.

The trade-off is clear. If your ideal boat trip means constant movement and a new sight every few minutes, the sailing sections may feel long. If you want a slower day with sun, breeze, and room to talk, those same stretches will be the reason you book it.

With a private group, these quiet periods are easier to enjoy. You can chat with your own friends or family without trying to make conversation with strangers. That privacy is the strongest reason to choose this cruise over a larger group boat.

Kallithea Springs as the Final Swim

The final stop is Kallithea Springs, with around 40 minutes for swimming. By this stage, you will have had lunch and two separate sailing periods, so the shorter stop works well as a final dip before returning to the marina.

Kallithea Springs is known as a coastal bathing area, but this schedule centers on swimming from the boat. Do not book the cruise expecting a long visit to the springs complex or a guided walk through the site. The stop is brief and water-focused.

Forty minutes is enough to cool down and enjoy one last swim. It also leaves some energy for the return journey. The sequence makes sense: a longer first swim, a meal and swim at Afandou, then a shorter final swim before heading home.

Swimming stops can change according to the weather and sea conditions. That flexibility is important for safety, but it means you should not treat every stop as guaranteed in exactly the order described. The crew may adjust the route to find better conditions.

What the Private Price Really Buys

The price is $1,850 for a private group of up to 11 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $168 per person. For eight people, the price is about $231 per person.

That is not a cheap beach transfer. You are paying for exclusive use of the catamaran, a crew, lunch, drinks, sailing time, and a route with several swimming stops. The value improves sharply when you fill most of the 11 available places.

For a couple or a small group of three, the total cost becomes difficult to justify unless privacy is the main point. For a family reunion, birthday, wedding party, or group of friends, the private setup can make more sense. You are not paying per seat on a crowded public boat, and you control the company you keep for the entire six hours.

I would compare the price with the cost of several separate meals, drinks, beach transport, and a standard boat trip. The private format is the key benefit, not a long list of luxury extras. If your priority is the lowest possible cost, choose a shared cruise. If your priority is space and a day reserved for your own group, this has a clearer case.

Food, Drinks, and Life on Deck

The food service keeps the day simple. Lunch is included at Afandou, so you do not need to pack a full meal. Soft drinks are available all day, while alcoholic drinks are served during lunchtime.

That arrangement suits a hot day at sea. You can stay hydrated without repeatedly buying drinks, and the meal arrives at the natural midpoint of the route. It also means you should not expect alcoholic drinks from morning until return. The limits are clear and sensible for a swimming and sailing activity.

The boat was described as clean, with seating for an eight-person group. That is useful information for anyone worried about being cramped. A private boat also lets you choose how to use the deck, within the crew’s instructions. You can sit in the sun, look for shade, or move around between sailing and swimming.

Bring a towel and beachwear. The supplied information does not list snorkeling equipment, so do not assume gear is included. If you want a particular item, ask the provider before the day of departure.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would recommend this outing to groups that value time together more than a formal sightseeing program. Families with older children, groups of friends, and small celebrations are the natural fit.

It also works well for people who want a relaxed sea day rather than a packed schedule. The route gives you three water stops, but it also allows plenty of time on the catamaran. The day is about swimming, sun, food, and conversation.

The cruise is less suitable for anyone with limited mobility. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments, and the information does not describe accessible boarding arrangements.

It is also a poor match for anyone prone to seasickness. Six hours on the water includes several extended sailing periods, including two sections of about 75 minutes. If you are uncertain, consider whether you have previously managed a similar boat trip comfortably.

Weather Changes and Practical Limits

The route depends on the day’s conditions. Swimming locations can change according to the weather, so the crew may alter the plan rather than follow every stop exactly as scheduled.

That flexibility is a benefit, but it calls for the right attitude. Book this for a day at sea, not for a rigid checklist of three guaranteed locations. The strongest part of the outing is the overall private cruise, even if wind or waves change one stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact departure time is not fixed in the information provided.

For your arrival, head to the New Marina and look for the meeting point outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side. Since hotel transfers are not included, allow enough time to find the marina and park nearby.

Should You Book the Rhodes Catamaran?

Book it if you can fill much of the catamaran and want a private, easygoing day with swimming, lunch, and drinks handled for you. The quiet-bay approach, clean boat, roomy seating, and attentive crew service are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a tight budget. Also skip it if you dislike long sailing periods, struggle with seasickness, or need accessible boarding.

For a group of eight to 11 people, the price becomes easier to defend. You get six hours together, three planned swimming areas, a Greek lunch, unlimited soft drinks, and the freedom of a private boat. That combination makes this one of the more comfortable ways to spend a full day along Rhodes’ east coast.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant at Rhodes New Marina, on the marina side. The New Marina is about 1 kilometer from the center of Rhodes Town.

Is parking available near the meeting point?

Yes. A lot of free parking spaces are available close to the New Marina meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours. The planned route includes sailing and swimming stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou, and Kallithea Springs.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is included at Afandou. Alcoholic drinks are served at lunchtime only, while soft drinks are available without limit throughout the day.

Can the swimming stops change?

Yes. Swimming locations are subject to change according to weather conditions on the day.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. It is also not recommended for people prone to seasickness.