Turquoise coves and free wine. This Rhodes cruise stacks three swim stops and gives you a pass-by at the Colossus of Rhodes site from Mandraki, plus a Greek buffet with wine and snorkeling gear. I like how the schedule mixes iconic sights with real time in the water, and I also love the boat setup: cushioned seating, shade options, and a shower onboard. The only real catch is that it’s weather-dependent, and some shore time is pebbly—so plan for sunscreen and sturdy water shoes.

You’ll meet at Mandraki Port Nea Agora around 10:15 am, and you’re typically back the same place about 6 hours later. With a maximum of 100 people and an English-speaking team, it’s the kind of day trip that feels relaxed rather than rushed, especially if you want swimming, not constant sightseeing.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel On This Cruise

• Three swim-first stops, not just quick dips, with time to snorkel and sunbathe
• Kallithea Springs: a 1-hour stop built around natural spring water and that famous reddish water
• Anthony Quinn Bay snorkeling with complimentary masks and snorkels plus pool noodles and floaters
• Wine and lunch included (white and rose, plus lemonade and soda), with vegetarian and gluten-free choices
• Boat comfort that matters: cushioned seating, shower onboard, and life jackets for peace of mind

Rhodes Bay-to-Bay Cruise: The Big Idea

This is a full-day sea outing designed around water time. You start in Mandraki Old Port and then move along Rhodes’ coast for a day of swimming and snorkeling at several very different bays. Along the way, you also get the “I’m really in Rhodes” factor: Medieval Walls and Old Town views from the water, and a pass-by connected to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

What makes this good value is that it’s not just transportation. You’re paying for a full block of time on the water with multiple chances to cool off, plus lunch and drinks that keep the day feeling complete.

Mandraki Port Views and the Colossus of Rhodes Pass-By

You cruise out of Mandraki Old Port, the gateway to Rhodes, and you immediately get a strong photo start. From the water, you can catch an up-close view of the Medieval Walls, the Old Town, and the Castle—angles you usually miss when you’re walking around inland.

Then the boat routes past the spot where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood—at the entrance to the port. You won’t climb anything, and you shouldn’t expect a museum moment. But you do get the useful context: this statue was a giant depiction of the sun god, and the pass-by helps you anchor that myth to a real place on the map.

If you care about understanding what you’re seeing, this is one of those moments to keep your phone ready and your eyes open.

Kallithea Springs: Reddish Water, Italian Architecture, and a Free Sea-Side Visit

Your first major stop is Kallithea Springs, reached after about a 45-minute cruise/transfer, with roughly 1 hour on site. This is built for both sight and a refreshing swim.

Kallithea is famous for natural springs. The standout feature here is the reddish water erupting from a rocky formation in the Gulf of Kallithea—something that’s drawn people for thousands of years. You’ll also get the story of the buildings designed by Italian architects:

• Pietro Lombardi for the design
• Armando Burnaby for the decorative work

A later moment in the story is led by doctor Alberto Mocci, who organized an international hydrological conference attended by more than 200 scientists.

Practically, here’s why this stop works on a day cruise: you’re not stuck on one tiny swim spot. You get time to explore the setting and then take that morning swim before the boat moves on.

Tip: Admission from the sea is free, and the time allocation gives you room to look around without feeling pressured.

Anthony Quinn Bay: Deep Water, Snorkel Gear, and Fish Near You

Next up is Anthony Quinn Bay, with about 1 hour there. This bay feels different from the others: it’s surrounded by high rocks and known for very deep water, so it’s less about sandy walking and more about dropping in and swimming.

The water comes with a built-in snorkeling “draw.” There are thousands of small fish, and you have complimentary snorkelling gear (masks and snorkels) on the boat. The day’s playful moment is that you can bring bread to attract fish, and they gather nearby. (The claim that the fish never take a bite is more legend than a promise—but it’s fun to try.)

Naming trivia actually makes this stop better. Anthony Quinn Bay is named for Mexican actor Anthony Quinn. He visited Rhodes to shoot The Guns of Navarone (1960s), loved the bay, and asked the Greek state if he could buy it. The plan never landed, and later a court ruled it was unenforceable—yet the local name stuck.

If you want a bay that feels alive in the water, this is the one.

Ladiko Bay Pass-By: Caves and the Oil-Loading History

On the way between stops, you’ll cruise past Ladiko Bay. It sits behind Anthony Quinn Bay and is linked to caves and underwater activity areas.

There’s a neat local history angle: the bay got its name from the container used for storing oil, and in earlier times it was a commercial point for loading and unloading olive oil. Clay containers found around the area—tied to shipwrecks that traded toward Egypt and the Middle East—add a “wait, this was a working port” layer to what otherwise looks like a postcard bay.

You don’t spend long here, but this pass-by helps you read the coastline as more than just scenery.

Afandou Beach: Long Pebbly Shore, Caves to Explore, and the Lunch Switch

Then you hit Afandou Beach, where you get about 1 hour 15 minutes. This stop is longer than the others and set up for exploring as much as swimming.

Afandou is known for a big 6 km beach with crystal-clear water and a pebbly shoreline. The pebbles here were used in the construction of sidewalks in Rhodes’ Old Town, which is a small detail that makes the place feel connected to the city you’re visiting.

There’s also a layered backstory. The area saw attacks multiple times:

• pirates in 620
• Persians in 653
• Arabs in 807
• Turks after that

After these repeated assaults, inhabitants moved inland behind the rocks, so today you won’t see the settlement from the sea. The name “Afandou” means invisible, which matches that idea.

On this stop, you’ll have time to explore the area and caves before lunch gets served back onboard.

Tip: Because it’s pebbly, bring water shoes if your feet don’t love rough entry points.

Wine, Greek Buffet Lunch, and the Boat Comfort That Changes Your Day

This cruise keeps food and drinks simple but useful, and that matters when you’ve been in and out of the water.

What’s included

You get a Greek buffet lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free choices, plus:

• White and rose wine
• bottled water
• soda/lemonade

And you’ll have:

• a shower onboard
• life jackets, floaters, and pool noodles
• snorkelling equipment (masks and snorkels)

What the day feels like

The boat experience is designed for comfort. The main covered deck gives you shade and room to relax, while there are spots to enjoy sun as well. Bathrooms are kept clean and in good working order, so you’re not dealing with constant “boat reality” issues on your holiday.

Wine inclusion is a big part of the vibe. The day moves at a cruising pace, and lunch tends to feel like the moment when everything turns from sightseeing mode into vacation mode—especially with music onboard and drinks flowing.

One realistic note: the buffet is solid and filling, but it’s not fine-dining cuisine. Think hearty Greek-style meal choices rather than gourmet surprises.

Price and Value: What $71.38 Buys You in Rhodes

At $71.38 per person for roughly 6 hours, this is priced like a straightforward, good-value day cruise—especially because a lot is included:

• multiple swim-focused stops
• snorkeling equipment
• lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options
• wine (white and rose) plus non-alcoholic drinks
• comfort extras like showers and float aids

A lot of Rhodes activities charge extra for the same basics: getting on a boat, feeding you, and keeping you supplied with drinks. Here, the “package” approach reduces decision fatigue. You’re not figuring out where to buy lunch or whether snorkeling gear is worth the rental.

Also, the tour is often booked ahead (about 20 days in advance on average), which usually means demand is steady. If you’re traveling in a busier week, booking earlier is a smart move.

Who Should Book This Cruise, and Who Might Want Another Plan

This works best if you:

• want a swim-and-snorkel day rather than a museum day
• like the idea of seeing Rhodes from the water (Mandraki Old Port, walls, castle views)
• appreciate included lunch and drinks so the day stays simple
• enjoy different bays—spring water one stop, fish snorkeling in another, and a longer beach exploration at Afandou

It may not be ideal if you:

• hate being out on open water for long stretches
• want a tightly structured guided history lecture
• don’t like pebbly shorelines, unless you’re ready with water shoes

Should You Book This Rhodes Bay-to-Bay Swim Cruise?

I’d book it if you want one of the most practical “pay once, do a lot” days in Rhodes. You’re getting real time in several waters, not just a quick stop. The included snorkeling gear, shower, and float aids make it easier to have fun without hauling a bunch of stuff.

Skip it only if your idea of a great day is mostly land-based and calm, with minimal water activity. If you’re the type who spends happy hours jumping off a boat and then eating lunch with a glass of wine, this is the kind of day trip you’ll remember.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes Bay-to-Bay Swim Cruise?

It runs for about 6 hours (approx.), starting at 10:15 am and ending back at the same meeting point.

Where do I meet the cruise?

You’ll meet at Mandraki Port Nea Agora, Rodos 851 31, Greece (Romantika Dreams Rhodes Day Cruise).

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:15 am.

What’s included with the cruise?

The cruise includes lunch (Greek buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free choices), white and rose wine, bottled water, soda/lemonade, snorkeling gear (masks and snorkels), a shower, life jackets/floaters/pool noodles, and comfortable cushioned seating.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkelling equipment is included on the boat.

Is hotel transfer included?

Hotel transfer is optional, and it’s an extra cost. It isn’t included by default.

What happens if the weather is bad?

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

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.