Rhodes: Bay to Bay Swim Cruise with Greek Buffet and Wine

Rhodes is at its most enjoyable from the water, and this six-hour bay cruise gives you three proper swimming stops rather than a quick look from the rail. You sail aboard Romantika Dreams from Mandraki Port to Kallithea, Afandou, and Anthony Quinn Bay, with about an hour at each stop for swimming, snorkeling, or simply stretching out on deck.

I like the generous free time in the water and the homemade Greek buffet served onboard. I also like the easygoing social mood: music, wine, friendly service, and sometimes a little singing and Greek dancing on the way home. The main thing to understand is that the boat anchors offshore. To reach a beach or the caves, you need to swim.

Key points to know before booking

• Three swimming stops: Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach and Anthony Quinn Bay each receive about an hour.
• Lunch is included: The buffet has Greek dishes, vegetarian choices, and options for vegan and gluten-free diets.
• Wine is included: Local white and rosé wine, plus water, are served during the cruise.
• Equipment is available: Ask behind the bar for snorkeling masks. Pool noodles and life vests are also provided.
• Two spacious decks: You can sit in the sun, find shade, watch the coast, or join the music.
• No beach transfer: The boat remains at anchor, so swimming ability matters if you want to reach shore.

Setting out from Mandraki Port at 10:15

The meeting point is easy to identify at Mandraki Port, opposite the Nea Agora marketplace. Look for the Romantika Dreams crew in blue shorts and red-striped shirts. Boarding begins from 9:45, giving you time to find a seat and settle in before departure.

At 10:15, the boat leaves the old port and follows Rhodes’ east coast. This first stretch is more than a transfer between swim stops. You pass St. Nicholas Fortress, the Medieval Old City, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Fontana Grande, and Rams Rock.

I would arrive early if you care about where you sit. The boat has two roomy decks, and both are useful in different ways. The upper deck is a good place for sun, views, and music. The lower deck offers a calmer place to sit, especially if the breeze picks up. One practical tip from the day’s feedback is to bring a light cardigan. Even in warm weather, the boat can feel breezy while moving.

The cruise is conducted in English, and the crew explains the stops and helps with the swimming equipment. The atmosphere is social rather than formal. You can chat with people around you, stay quietly on deck, or join in when the music becomes livelier.

Kallithea Bay and the springs

The first stop is Kallithea Bay, where the boat anchors for about an hour. Kallithea is known for its springs and its seaside monument, which combines architecture, history, and the natural setting around the water.

This is a good first stop because you can ease into the day. You might swim, snorkel, take photographs from the boat, or remain on deck while the crew prepares for the next leg. Masks, pool noodles, and life vests are available, although you should ask for a snorkeling mask. They are kept behind the bar rather than automatically handed out.

The key limitation is the boat’s position. You do not step directly onto a beach from Romantika Dreams. If you want to explore the shore, you must swim there. That is manageable for confident swimmers, and a pool noodle can help if you are less comfortable in open water, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Kallithea works well for people who want a mixture of scenery and water time. The one-hour stop is long enough to swim without making the day feel rushed, though it is not intended as a full visit to the springs on land.

Along Faliraki and Ladiko Bay

After Kallithea, the cruise continues south past Faliraki and Ladiko Bay. These are sightseeing sections rather than swimming stops, so you can stay on deck and watch the coast pass by.

Faliraki is one of Rhodes’ better-known resort areas, while Ladiko Bay gives you another coastal view before the boat reaches Afandou. This is a pleasant part of the trip for taking photographs, enjoying a drink, or finding a comfortable seat before lunch.

Three horn signals from the captain indicate that it is time to leave a bay. The sound gives the schedule a simple rhythm: swim, relax, listen for the horns, and return aboard.

Afandou Beach, Traganou Caves, and lunch

The second main stop is at Afandou, an extended beach area associated with the Caves of Traganou. The boat anchors offshore for roughly an hour, allowing time for swimming, snorkeling, jumping from the boat’s lower or higher decks, or swimming toward the beach and caves.

Afandou is probably the most useful stop for active swimming. You can choose how much energy to spend. Some people will want to explore around the rocks and caves, while others can use the hour for a relaxed swim and return to the boat before lunch.

The lunch buffet is prepared onboard while you are in the water. The menu can include traditional Greek recipes, salad, roasted vegetables, bread, and a main dish such as chicken and onion pasta. Vegetarian dishes are available, and vegan and gluten-free choices are listed as part of the service. If you have a food restriction, tell the crew when you arrive so they can guide you to the suitable dishes.

I like that lunch is tied to the swimming schedule rather than treated as a separate long stop. You build an appetite in the water, return to the boat, and eat while the cruise continues. Local white and rosé wine are included and served chilled, along with water. The bar also sells extra drinks, including cocktails, champagne, draught lager, shots, and soft drinks, but these cost extra unless specifically included in your booking.

The food is not presented as a fine-dining meal, and it should not be judged by that standard. Its value is that it is freshly prepared onboard, filling, Greek-inspired, and included in a $69 fare that also covers the cruise, three swim stops, wine, and equipment.

Anthony Quinn Bay, the scenic finale

Anthony Quinn Bay is the final swimming stop, and it is the most dramatic of the three. The small bay is named after actor Anthony Quinn, who became connected with Rhodes while filming The Guns of Navarone. The land was later reclaimed by the Greek government in 1984.

The cove is surrounded by large rock formations, giving it a more enclosed and striking appearance than the longer Afandou stretch. The water is used for swimming and snorkeling, and you can also remain on deck to enjoy the view. The bay is known for marine life, and pieces of bread in the water can attract groups of fish.

This stop is especially good for snorkeling, but keep your expectations sensible. The boat provides masks, yet the quality and fit of shared equipment can vary. If snorkeling matters to you, bring your own mask if you have one. A waterproof camera or phone pouch is also a smart addition. You can take photographs from the boat, but the best water-level pictures require protection for your phone.

The final hour can become the most festive part of the day. Depending on the mood onboard, the music may lead to singing, dancing, or a lesson in the Greek Zorba dance. If you prefer quiet sightseeing, you can stay away from the central music area and enjoy the bay from a seat.

What the boat experience is really like

Romantika Dreams is built for a long, relaxed day rather than a fast sightseeing run. The two decks provide plenty of seating, and the boat’s size gives you room to move around between swimming, eating, and sitting.

The music is part of the character of the trip. This is not a silent nature cruise. The sound system plays throughout the day, and the return journey may take on a party feel. That suits you if you enjoy a friendly, social boat ride. If you want a private, quiet sailing experience, this is probably not the right choice.

Service is another strong point. The crew keeps the wine moving, helps with equipment, and maintains a welcoming tone. The included wine is not just a token glass with lunch. It is served throughout the cruise, and the practical reports describe regular refills, sometimes brought directly to your seat.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer. Pool noodles and life vests make the water more approachable, and one nervous swimmer was able to stay comfortable with a noodle while snorkeling. Still, the open-water setup means you should be honest about your ability. The crew can provide flotation equipment, but the activity remains centered on entering the sea from an anchored boat.

Is $69 a good value?

At $69 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to use the inclusions. The fare covers six hours on the boat, three swimming and snorkeling stops, a Greek buffet, local white and rosé wine, water, snorkeling masks, pool noodles, life vests, and onboard music.

The value becomes less impressive if you do not drink wine, do not swim, or prefer a small, quiet boat. You are paying for a full social day at sea, not only transportation to one beach.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be available for an additional fee. You meet at Mandraki Port, opposite Nea Agora, so check how you will reach the harbor before booking. Extra cocktails, champagne, beer, and other bar drinks also cost more.

The cruise returns to Mandraki at about 4:15pm. That leaves the evening open for Rhodes Old Town, dinner, or a slower walk around the harbor.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes cruise?

I would choose this trip for a couple, a group of friends, or a solo visitor who enjoys meeting people during a day out. The Parea idea, meaning people connecting and enjoying themselves together, is central to the experience.

It also suits families with older children who are comfortable around open water, though the supplied information does not specify child ages or child pricing. The flotation equipment helps, but adults remain responsible for judging swimming ability.

You do not have to swim every time. The decks are comfortable enough for people who prefer to watch the coast, eat, listen to music, and enjoy the wine. The best fit is someone who wants a flexible day, with the option to be active or simply relax.

I would not book it if your main goal is to spend hours walking on beaches. The boat anchors offshore, and reaching the sand or caves requires swimming. I would also skip it if you dislike music, shared spaces, or a lively group mood.

Practical preparation for the day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable shoes. A light layer is useful for the breezier parts of the cruise.

Pack a waterproof phone case or camera pouch. The boat passes scenic rock formations, but the most memorable photographs may come from the water near the caves and rocks.

If you have dietary restrictions, mention them as soon as you board. The buffet includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, but the crew needs to direct you to the right food.

Bring your own snorkeling mask if you prefer a personal fit. Otherwise, ask behind the bar for one of the boat’s masks. Pool noodles and life vests are available for use during the swimming stops.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, but note the important distinction between access to the boat and access to the shore. Since the boat stays anchored away from land, swimming is required to reach the beaches and caves.

Should you book the Bay to Bay Swim Cruise?

Book it if you want three scenic Rhodes bays in one day, enough time to swim at each one, a satisfying buffet, and wine included in the price. The combination is hard to beat at $69, especially when the crew keeps the service friendly and the schedule gives you a full hour at each main stop.

Think twice if you want a quiet sailing trip, a luxury meal, or easy step-off access onto beaches. This is an active, social day with music and open-water swimming. For the right mood, it offers a generous slice of Rhodes coastline, good food, and a relaxed way to make new connections at sea.

The current rating of 4.8 from 187 reviews fits the experience’s strongest points: the friendly crew, frequent drink service, good lunch, comfortable decks, and well-spaced swimming stops. Its main condition is simple: you need to be happy swimming from an anchored boat.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes Bay to Bay cruise depart?

It departs from Mandraki Port, opposite the Nea Agora marketplace in Rhodes. The crew wears blue shorts and red-striped shirts.

What time does the cruise leave and return?

Boarding begins from 9:45am, and the boat leaves at about 10:15am. It returns to Mandraki Port at approximately 4:15pm.

Which bays does the cruise visit?

The cruise stops at Kallithea Bay, Afandou Beach near the Caves of Traganou, and Anthony Quinn Bay. It also passes Faliraki and Ladiko Bay.

Can I swim to the beaches and caves?

Yes, but the boat remains anchored offshore. You must swim to reach the shore, beaches, or caves.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Greek buffet lunch is included, with vegetarian dishes and listed vegan and gluten-free choices.

Are drinks included?

Local white wine, rosé wine, and water are included. Additional bar drinks, such as cocktails, champagne, beer, and other beverages, cost extra.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling masks, pool noodles, and life vests are provided. Ask the crew for a mask, as they are kept behind the bar.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, reaching the shore from the anchored boat requires swimming, so shore access is different from boat access.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. A waterproof phone case or camera pouch is also useful for taking pictures in the water.