Sea views from below beat any boat selfie. On Hippo Submarine, I love the big portholes and the crew-led fish-feeding moments, where sea bream and sea bass come right up near the windows. The only catch is that the trip depends on good weather, and the landmark stops stay short.

This is a simple, comfort-first outing: 3 hours total, a 9:30 am departure, and an A/C submerged deck where you can relax with music while you look down at the seabed. Plus, the ticket includes a free soda/pop or bottled water—nice when you’re trying to keep costs steady in Rhodes.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Portholes that make the seabed look close enough to touch
• Fish-feeding at multiple stops, including Navarone’s Bay
• Lindos Acropolis views from the water plus practical timing tips
• A dedicated swim break at Navarone’s Bay
• Up to 40 people with an English-speaking crew
• A free drink included, with snacks/alcohol available separately

Entering the Hippo Submarine experience in Lindos

The Hippo Submarine concept is straightforward: you get a land-and-sea sightseeing plan, but the star is the underwater perspective. You’ll start from St. Paul’s Bay in Lindos and spend most of your time with your attention pointed down—at the sea floor, the marine life, and the clear water that makes Rhodes feel a cut above the typical Mediterranean “gray-blue.”

What makes this feel like good value is how many moments are built around seeing things, not just riding along. The itinerary includes landmark stops, a church sighting, and then the payoff: multiple chances to watch fish around the submarine windows, followed by swimming time.

Also, the format is comfortable. You’re not hunched outside. The submarine has an A/C submerged deck, music, and huge port holes. If you’ve ever done boat trips that turn into shade-chasing and sunburn management, this is the calmer alternative.

Ticket value: what $47.17 buys you

At around $47.17 per person, this works best when you treat it like a guided marine-views experience, not just a scenic cruise. You’re paying for:

• A full 3-hour tour with several planned stops
• A narrated explanation at the stops (from the captain and sailors)
• Time specifically set aside for fish activity and swimming
• A free soda/pop or bottled water

Not included are snacks and alcoholic beverages (though there is a bar on board where alcohol can be purchased). So if you get hungry, plan for it. If you’re the kind of person who likes a snack mid-activity, bring your own or be ready to buy something separately.

One more practical plus: the group size is capped at 40 travelers. It won’t feel like a cattle-car tour. You still get an atmosphere where the crew can actually talk.

Meeting at St. Paul’s Bay and the 9:30 departure

Your start is 9:30 am, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup is offered, but only on specific days and from specific regions, so it’s worth checking what applies to your hotel area.

Here’s the pickup pattern given for this experience:

• Monday / Wednesday / Friday / Sunday: transfer from Lindos to Plimmiri region
• Tuesday / Thursday / Saturday: transfer from Vlycha to Kolymbia region

If pickup is available to you, you’ll be asked for your hotel’s full name and your final pickup time is confirmed by the operator at least a day before.

If you’re not on the pickup route, you’ll still have an easy plan: you just meet at St. Paul’s Bay in Lindos. Either way, arrive a few minutes early. These boats and submarines work on a tight schedule once they leave the dock.

Stop 1: Tomb of Kleoboulos, fish-feeding, and that balance idea

The first main stop centers on the Tomb of Kleoboulos. This is the part of the tour that mixes culture with sea-life watching. The crew shares background about an ancient Greek philosopher who preached a simple life lesson: keeping a balance is the key to happiness.

Then comes the practical payoff: fish-feeding right after. You’ll have a chance to see sea bream and sea bass coming in quickly for the seafood thrown from the boat. It’s not just about seeing fish in theory. The timing and feeding make fish show up right when you’re looking, and that’s a big part of why this tour gets such strong ratings.

How to make this stop work for you:

• Keep your gaze steady on the area the crew focuses on
• Don’t overthink it. The best viewing is often the first few minutes after feeding starts

Stop by the Lindos submerged deck: A/C comfort and Acropolis views

Next, the tour shifts to the Lindos experience from the water—handled in a way that feels built for both relaxation and sightseeing.

Once you’re aboard, the crew introduces you to the submerged deck. You can relax in A/C, listen to music, and watch the seabed right next to you through the huge port holes. When the submarine leaves the bay, you get those wide views of open water that feel quiet and cinematic compared to typical harbor scenes.

Then you go back up on deck for one of the classic Rhodes sights: the ancient Acropolis of Lindos. It’s described as majestic, and the tour also gives you insider tips—especially when to visit the Acropolis later so you have a better experience on shore.

This is the stop where I’d most recommend paying attention even if you don’t care about the underwater part. Seeing Lindos’ Acropolis from the sea gives you a sense of scale that you simply don’t get from walking around at street level.

Agios Pavlos Beach: a quick look at the island’s popular church

From the submarine perspective, the tour then includes a short stop at Agios Pavlos Beach. The focus here is the island’s most popular church—seen briefly as part of the wider Lindos coastal route.

This is one of the shorter viewing windows (about 10 minutes). If you hate rushing, treat it as a bonus photo and orientation stop rather than a deep sightseeing block. The real time is saved for the underwater windows and the swim break.

Bay of Navarone: fish action, underwater viewing, and swim time

This is the centerpiece for most people, and it’s easy to see why. The tour heads to the Bay of Navarone, where you’ll get another fish-feeding moment and watch creatures gather from the underwater deck area.

The key promise here is crystal-clear water and a close-up view of marine life. And you also get time to actually get in the water. The included info lists a 45-minute swimming stop here, while the stop summary mentions about 20 minutes per timing block—either way, you’re getting a meaningful window specifically for swimming in Navarone’s Bay.

To enjoy it most:

• Swim at a pace that fits you. You’re not racing anyone.
• If you’re curious about what you’re seeing, watch from the water for movement patterns—then compare it to what you see through the windows while you’re back inside.

This stop is also where the strongest emotional feedback shows up in the experience: the combination of clear water, fish activity, and a refreshing swim tends to make the whole tour feel worth it even if you’re not obsessed with marine life.

Lindos Beach return: the main beach slide-by and Acropolis selfie time

On the way back, the submarine route includes a view of Lindos Beach, described as the main stretch with activities and people. This segment is shorter—around 10 minutes—but it adds a useful sense of where you are in town.

There’s also a very practical moment for photos: you’ll have time to get a selfie with the magnificent Acropolis of Lindos in the background. It’s a nice way to connect the underwater and shoreline experiences into one story.

And the crew will answer questions about beach and town activities. That matters because after a submarine tour, you’ll likely want something simple to do next—dinner ideas, a second beach option, or a plan for the late afternoon.

The crew and the marine explanations (this is where it wins)

A big part of why this tour scores so high is the human tone. The crew is described as friendly, chatty, and helpful, with lots of explanation about fish and what they’ve experienced in the water. That makes a difference because fish-feeding could be just a show—or it can be a quick, guided lesson you actually remember.

You also get a strong sense of the onboard vibe. People note the crew’s warmth and easy communication, and one account includes a smooth adjustment when the schedule needed a change.

Even if you’re not super into learning scientific details, you’ll get the main ideas: which fish are showing up, why they come when they do, and what to watch for through the port holes.

Who this tour suits best (and who might want a different plan)

This is a great match if you:

• Want to see Lindos from the sea, not only from streets
• Like the idea of seeing fish close by, especially through submarine windows
• Prefer a guided experience with clear stops and a defined time window
• Want a swim, but don’t want a full day commitment to a long boat trip

It may be less ideal if you:

• Hate weather-dependent plans (the tour requires good conditions)
• Want long shore time at each sight (most stops are brief)
• Are traveling far outside the pickup areas and would prefer not to coordinate transportation

For many visitors, the tradeoff is worth it: you get a compact schedule with a memorable underwater viewpoint and a real swim break.

Should you book this Hippo Submarine tour?

If you’re staying in or near Lindos and you want a “do it once” experience that mixes sightseeing with real water time, I’d book it. The value holds up because your ticket includes:

• a guided route with multiple landmark moments
• fish-feeding and underwater viewing built into the schedule
• a dedicated swim stop
• a free drink onboard

Book it especially if you care about the submarine windows and want that moment where fish appear near the port holes, making the sea feel alive rather than just scenic.

If your schedule is tight, be realistic about short stops and check that your day matches the pickup pattern (if you’re relying on transfer). And if the weather looks questionable, expect the operator may adjust plans to keep the ride safe and enjoyable.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Hippo Submarine tour in Rhodes?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:30 am.

Is pickup available from hotels?

Pickup is available, but only from specific locations and days. Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday pickups run from Lindos to the Plimmiri region, and Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday pickups run from Vlycha to Kolymbia. Your pickup time is confirmed by the local operator at least one day before.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes the 3-hour submarine tour with multiple stops, descriptions by the captain and crew, a swimming stop at Navarone’s Bay (45 minutes listed in the included details), and one free beverage (soda/pop or bottled water).

Are snacks or alcoholic drinks included?

No. Snacks are not included, and alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at the bar.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Does the tour run in poor weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.