Faliraki: Yellow Sub Cruise to Anthony Quinn Bay & the Caves

The best part of this Faliraki cruise is the combination of two proper swim stops and a glass underwater cabin. You are not confined to looking through a small window for three hours. You can swim into the Traganou Caves, snorkel at Anthony Quinn Bay, then cool off with a beer or soft drink on board.

I especially like the 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, where the crew feeds the fish beside the underwater cabin, and the simple open bar, which saves you from buying drinks in the heat. The main consideration is that the boat does not bring you directly onto the beaches, so you will swim from the boat rather than step ashore. Families with small children should also be comfortable with beach pickup by tender boat.

Key points before you book

• Fish feeding at Anthony Quinn Bay: Watch large groups of fish gather near the underwater cabin.
• Swim inside Traganou Caves: The 25-minute stop lets you enter the rock formations by water.
• Unlimited drinks included: Beer, water, and soft drinks are available from the onboard fridge.
• Three hours, not a full-day outing: This is an easy half-day break from a resort or beach day.
• Pickup is from the beach: Find the red steps at your selected Faliraki stop, then board the yellow boat.
• Good family balance: Two swim breaks, underwater viewing, and a short total duration suit many age groups.

A yellow boat with more to do than a standard glass-bottom cruise

A glass-bottom boat usually asks you to sit still and look down. This semi-submarine cruise gives you more choice. You can watch the sea from the deck, visit the air-conditioned underwater cabin, swim in clear water, and reach for another cold drink whenever you like.

The underwater cabin is the unusual feature. Large windows sit below the waterline, giving you a fish-level view without putting on a mask. At Anthony Quinn Bay, the crew feeds the fish near the boat, creating the strongest viewing moment of the trip. You might see dense groups of smaller fish, along with larger fish passing through the area. One account even describes a fish about a metre long near the bay.

The cabin has air conditioning, an especially useful detail during a hot Rhodes afternoon. It gives you a cool place to sit when the sun becomes too strong, and children usually get a kick out of watching the sea from below.

This is not a technical submarine ride. Think of it as a yellow sightseeing boat with an underwater room, two swimming breaks, and a friendly crew. That distinction matters if you are hoping for a long marine-life expedition. The underwater viewing is a fun extra, while the swim stops and coastal scenery make up much of the experience.

Getting to the boat at Faliraki beach

Your booking includes pickup from the beach, but this does not mean a coach collects you from your hotel door. You go to the red steps on the beach at your chosen stop and board a tender boat, described as a speedboat, which takes you to the yellow semi-submarine.

The pickup points are spread along the Faliraki coast:

• Amada Colossos beach: 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM, or 3:30 PM
• Esperides and Calypso Hotel beach: 9:40 AM, 12:40 PM, or 3:40 PM
• Apollo Hotel and Faliraki Harbor beach: 9:55 AM, 12:55 PM, or 3:55 PM

The short differences in departure time reflect the boat moving along the shore to collect people. Check your exact stop and time before setting off. The red steps are the key landmark, and arriving at the correct beach matters more than searching for a ticket office.

If you are staying elsewhere, you can make your own way to Faliraki. One passenger came from the cruise terminal by taxi and paid 20 euros, then returned by bus, paying 5 euros for two people. Those figures are useful as a rough example, but transport prices and routes can change.

First look below the waterline

Once everyone is aboard, the cruise begins with coastal sightseeing. The boat travels along the Rhodes coast toward the swimming areas, with time split between two sightseeing sections of about 30 minutes and 20 minutes in the supplied schedule.

The exact order of the stops can vary in the descriptions, so follow the crew’s instructions on the day. The important point is that both swimming locations are included, and the total outing lasts about three hours.

Use the early sailing time to settle into the boat. You can stay on deck for the sun and views, or take a turn in the underwater cabin. If you want a seat by the glass, do not assume you will remain there for the whole trip. The cabin is a shared viewing space, so moving between areas gives other people a chance to see the fish too.

This is also a good time to get a drink. Beer, bottled water, and soft drinks are included, and the drinks are kept cold in a large fridge. Food is not included, so eat before boarding or bring whatever the operator permits. Do not count on lunch being served.

Traganou Caves: 25 minutes to swim into the rock

The Traganou Caves stop gives this cruise its most active moment. You have about 25 minutes to swim toward the rock formations and enter the caves by water.

The stop is short, but that works well for a three-hour trip. You have enough time to get into the water, swim into the cave area, and return to the boat without turning the outing into a long beach excursion. The clear water and unusual rock shapes provide a nice change from simply swimming beside a sandy shoreline.

Keep an eye on the time. Swimming into a cave can make 25 minutes disappear quickly, and you need to return to the boat when the crew calls everyone back. If you prefer to remain close to the boat, you can use this stop for a simple swim rather than entering the rocks.

The supplied information does not promise snorkeling equipment for every departure, although one passenger said equipment was provided. If snorkeling is important to you, confirm the current arrangement before booking, or ask the crew when you arrive. Bring your own mask if you already have one and want to be certain.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the main event

Anthony Quinn Bay receives the longer swimming break, about 40 minutes. It is described as Rhodes’ most beautiful bay, and this is where the cruise has its best mix of scenery, swimming, snorkeling, and fish watching.

The crew feeds the fish beside the underwater cabin, so you can see the gathering from below the surface without leaving the boat. This is more interesting than a standard pass by a glass panel because the fish activity happens at a planned viewing point. If you have children with you, this will likely be the easiest way to keep them interested in the marine-life part of the trip.

You can also swim and snorkel during the stop. The water is described as crystal clear, and the bay’s fish life is a repeated highlight of the experience. A large fish has been seen near the boat, but marine life is never fully predictable, so treat that as a possibility rather than a promise.

Forty minutes gives you time to do both: spend a few minutes in the underwater cabin, then jump into the sea. If you want the best chance of seeing fish through the glass, listen for the feeding announcement and be ready to move below at that point.

The boat stays offshore rather than carrying you onto the beach. That means you get a view of the bay from the water, but you do not get a shore visit or time to sit on the sand. One practical complaint was that a smaller boat could come closer to the beach. For most people, that is a minor issue, but it matters if you want a beach stop rather than a swimming stop.

The open bar is part of the value

Unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks are included in the price. This is not just a pleasant extra in Rhodes’ summer heat. Buying several drinks separately on a boat can quickly make a modest cruise expensive, especially for a family or group.

The setup is informal. You help yourself from the fridge rather than waiting for table service. That keeps the trip relaxed and makes it easy to grab water after swimming.

Food is not included. The best plan is to eat before the cruise, particularly if you are taking the morning departure or travelling with children. A three-hour outing with swimming can make you hungry, and drinks alone are not a meal.

The open bar also affects the atmosphere. This is a social boat trip, not a quiet nature tour. Expect people moving between the deck and cabin, swimming, chatting, and returning for drinks. If you want a peaceful, formal cruise, this may feel too lively. If you want an easy holiday outing with a cold drink in hand, it fits well.

What the three hours feel like

The schedule has a useful rhythm. You begin with coastal sightseeing, get a short cave swim, continue along the coast, then spend longer at Anthony Quinn Bay before returning to your beach pickup point.

Three hours is long enough to feel like a real excursion but short enough to fit around other plans. You can take the morning sailing and still have much of the day available. The midday and afternoon departures work as a break from a resort pool, though the afternoon sun may feel stronger.

The crew is described as friendly, attentive, and funny, with Captain Mike singled out by name. The staff also help with the fish feeding and the boat transfers. That personal touch matters on an outing where clear instructions are important, especially when people are getting on and off by tender boat.

The cruise is not built around a long spoken presentation. English is the listed language, and the focus is on seeing the coast, swimming, and enjoying the boat. If you want detailed marine biology or a long historical commentary, this is not the right format. If you want a simple, well-paced sea outing, it does the job.

Is $51 a fair price?

At $51 per person, the value depends on what you would otherwise pay for a boat ride, drinks, and access to two attractive swimming spots.

The price includes the semi-submarine cruise, the underwater cabin, both swimming stops, beer, water, and soft drinks. It does not include food or separate transport to Faliraki if you are staying outside the pickup area.

I think the package is fairly priced for someone who plans to drink a few cold beers and wants more than a basic glass-bottom ride. The underwater cabin adds a distinctive feature, while the 65 minutes of advertised swimming time gives you a substantial amount of time in the water.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not plan to swim, or only want to see the coast from a boat. In that case, a simpler sightseeing cruise may cost less. Also compare prices carefully when booking. One person found a direct harbor price lower than a third-party online price, with a difference of about 40 euros. That does not establish the current price, but it is a good reason to check the operator’s direct rate before paying.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip for families, couples, and friends who want a short outing with several activities packed into one morning or afternoon.

It suits children well because the swim stops are limited in length, the underwater cabin offers a change of scene, and the total duration does not consume an entire day. A family with children aged three and five found the two stops manageable, but every child is different. Young swimmers still need close supervision around the boat and caves.

It also suits adults looking for a relaxed holiday trip rather than a serious sailing adventure. The unlimited beer, clear bays, and casual crew create an easygoing atmosphere.

You should think twice if you dislike boat transfers, cannot swim comfortably from a vessel, or want to spend time on the actual beaches. The boat pickup involves red beach steps and a tender transfer, and the swimming stops are from the boat.

Practical details that make the day easier

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a dry bag for phones or other valuables. The two stops are for swimming, not shore walks, so pack for time on the boat rather than a beach picnic.

Wear something that makes it easy to move between the deck and the cabin. You may want sun, shade, an underwater view, and a swim all within a short period.

Check the departure beach carefully. Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor are separate points along the shore. The pickup instructions refer to the red steps, and a tender boat brings you to the main yellow vessel.

The trip is in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is offered at booking. Starting times depend on availability, so confirm the exact departure rather than relying only on the general morning, midday, or afternoon pattern.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want two swimming stops, underwater fish viewing, and unlimited drinks in a compact three-hour trip. Anthony Quinn Bay is the strongest reason to go, while the Traganou Caves give the outing a second setting and a chance to swim into the rocks.

I would not book it for a quiet, food-focused cruise or a full day at the beach. But for a family-friendly break from Faliraki, it offers a lot for the time and price. Choose the pickup point closest to your hotel, arrive at the red beach steps, and treat the underwater cabin as a bonus alongside the swimming, not as the entire purpose of the trip.

FAQ

How long does the yellow semi-submarine cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours. Check availability for the current starting times.

Where do I board the boat?

You board from the red steps on the beach at one of the Faliraki pickup points. A tender boat takes you to the yellow semi-submarine.

What are the swimming stops?

The cruise includes a 25-minute swimming stop at the Traganou Caves and a 40-minute swimming stop at Anthony Quinn Bay.

Can I swim inside the Traganou Caves?

Yes. The stop is designed to let you swim into the rock formations inside the caves.

Is Anthony Quinn Bay included?

Yes. The cruise includes a 40-minute swimming stop at Anthony Quinn Bay, along with fish feeding beside the underwater cabin.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks. Food is not included.

What language is the tour operated in?

The host or greeter language is English.