Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the order of the evening: a swim in Kalithea Bay first, followed by dinner and a sunset sail back toward Mandraki Harbor. You get active sea time, a proper meal, and the island’s east coast in one compact outing.

I like the small-boat feel reported on several departures, with groups of roughly 14 to 16 people, and I like that the $58 price includes grilled chicken, salads, dips, bread, beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. The main catch is simple: the catamaran anchors offshore, so you must swim to reach the water or any nearby shore area. This is not a boat tour for anyone who cannot comfortably use a ladder or enter the sea.

Key points at a glance

• Kalithea Bay swim stop: The boat anchors in water reported at about 6 meters deep, with caves, rocks, fish, snorkeling gear, and floating noodles.
• Dinner is included: Expect grilled chicken, pasta and potato salads, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.
• Unlimited drinks: Beer, wine, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are included during the cruise.
• Three-hour evening plan: Allow about 45 minutes out, 45 minutes at Kalithea Bay, 45 minutes returning, and around 20 minutes set aside for sunset views.
• Sailing or power catamaran: You can choose among the available catamaran options, though the provider may move bookings between boats in quieter months.
• Comfortable onboard setup: You get outdoor seating, an indoor toilet, an outdoor shower, life jackets, and clean snorkeling equipment.

Why this sunset cruise works so well in Rhodes

Rhodes has plenty of boat trips, but this one makes good use of an evening slot. You do not lose a full day to the sea, yet three hours gives you enough time to leave town, swim, eat, and watch the light change.

I especially like the balance between activity and rest. The Kalithea stop gives you a reason to get off your seat, while the return journey lets you settle in with a drink and watch the coast pass by. The sunset is not treated as a rushed photo stop at the harbor. The captain positions the boat out at sea, where you get open views and fewer buildings in the way.

The mood also matters. Music, including Greek-style and romantic selections, plays during the ride. That creates a pleasant holiday feeling without turning the trip into a loud party cruise. Some departures are lively, with laughter and music, while others feel more intimate when the boat has a small group.

The activity has earned a 4.8 rating from 644 bookings, with transport receiving a 90 percent perfect score. That matches the strongest parts of the experience: friendly crew, good timing, generous food, and a clean, well-kept boat.

Meeting the boat at Mandraki Harbor

The starting point is the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desk in front of the Poseidon Submarine. Plan to arrive 30 to 15 minutes before departure. I would aim for the earlier end of that window because the boats leave on time, and missing the departure can mean a €25 rebooking fee per ticket for another day.

Mandraki Harbor is a useful departure point if you are staying in Rhodes Town. The separate entrance helps you get to the boarding area without waiting in a general ticket line. Listen carefully for announcements about the exact departure time, and ask a crew member if anything is unclear.

You do not need to bring snorkeling equipment. Masks and other gear are supplied, along with life jackets and floating pool noodles. You should bring swimwear, and a towel is a sensible personal addition even though it is not listed as an included item.

There are three catamaran options, including sailing and power catamarans. The exact boat can affect the feel of the evening. A sailing catamaran may appeal to you if you want a quieter, more traditional ride, while a power catamaran can offer a more direct cruise. In April, May, and October, low numbers may lead the operator to move you to another catamaran. You should watch for a message if you book during those months.

The first 45 minutes along Rhodes’ east coast

Once the boat leaves Mandraki Harbor, the first section is an easy ride along Rhodes’ eastern shoreline. You have time to settle into the seating, take in the views, and order a drink before the swimming stop.

The boats are described as clean and well maintained, with room to sit in different parts of the deck. On smaller departures, that space can feel generous. A few people have described having plenty of room rather than being packed shoulder to shoulder, though group size can change from one sailing to the next.

The east coast is the right side of Rhodes for this kind of outing. You see the shoreline from a different angle, with the sea opening out beside you and the island behind. If you want photographs, take them early, then put the phone away for a while. The return portion is the key time for sunset.

The crew serves drinks throughout the cruise. Unlimited local wine and beer are included, along with juice, bottled water, and soft drinks. This is good value at $58, particularly if you plan to have more than one drink and want dinner without paying separately at a restaurant.

Alcohol is served responsibly. The crew can stop serving anyone who appears intoxicated, so the right approach is to enjoy the drinks as part of dinner rather than treat the cruise as a floating bar.

Kalithea Bay: swimming from the anchor

The catamaran stops at Kalithea Bay for about 45 minutes. The boat drops anchor, and you enter the water directly from the vessel. You do not walk down to a beach from the catamaran, and you need to swim if you want to reach the shore or explore the nearby water.

This is an important practical detail. The stop suits confident swimmers, snorkelers, and anyone happy using a ladder from a boat. It is not suitable for wheelchair users, and it may not be comfortable for weak swimmers who expect a shallow beach entry.

The water is clear, and the bay has rocks and caves you can swim toward. Snorkeling is part of the appeal, with equipment provided onboard. You might see small fish around the rocks. One particularly fortunate swimmer spotted a lionfish, though marine life is never guaranteed.

Do not expect a major underwater nature excursion. The setting is pleasant, but some of what you see may be rocks and ordinary coastal fish rather than a full reef scene. A few other boats may be anchored nearby, especially in the busier summer months, so the bay is not always a private escape.

The floating noodles are useful if you want to relax without snorkeling. Life jackets are available for added support. An outdoor shower lets you rinse off saltwater afterward, and indoor toilets are available onboard.

One timing point deserves attention: food may be set out while people are still swimming. If you want the first choice of every dish, take a quick look at the buffet before entering the water, or ask the crew when dinner will be served. You can still eat afterward, but a long snorkeling session may overlap with the meal.

A Greek buffet that is better than basic boat food

Dinner is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. The spread includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh baked local bread.

This is not a formal restaurant meal. It is a generous buffet designed for easy eating on deck. The menu has enough variety for different tastes, and the vegetarian choices are useful: hummus, salads, dips, olives, feta, pasta salad, and bread give you several options.

I would not book this as a specialist vegetarian or seafood dinner. One person specifically chose not to take the food option because there were not enough vegetarian or fish dishes for their preference. The included menu is broad for a boat buffet, but chicken is the only clear main protein listed.

The food has another advantage: it arrives at the right moment in the evening. After swimming, a plate of salad, chicken, dips, and bread feels substantial. Unlimited drinks make the meal feel more like part of the ticket rather than an extra charge added at every turn.

Families should note that the food can work well for children, but the boat is still a moving outdoor setting. A parent traveling with a toddler found the crew welcoming and accommodating, while another family brought a six-month-old baby. Infants and young children may be charged the adult fare, so check the price before booking if that affects your budget.

The return trip and Rhodes sunset

After the swimming stop and dinner, the boat heads back toward Rhodes Town. This is when the outing changes character. The swim stop is social and active, while the return ride is calmer, with drinks, music, sea air, and the sunset ahead.

The boat pauses at a good point offshore for roughly 20 minutes of sunset viewing. From here, you get a broad view across the Aegean and toward Rhodes. The colors can shift quickly, so keep your camera ready, but the best place to watch is often wherever you have a clear view rather than the most crowded corner of the deck.

The timing is one of the cruise’s practical strengths. You are not left waiting for darkness, and you do not arrive back long before the main event. The return is planned around the sunset, which makes the three-hour duration feel well used.

Music adds to the atmosphere. Several departures have included relaxed or romantic songs, and the Greek tones suit the setting. This is a good choice for couples, but you do not need to be on a romantic trip to enjoy it. Friends and families can make equal use of the swimming stop, buffet, and open views.

Keep your expectations sensible. The sunset depends on weather, cloud, and the season. The captain can also change the route or swimming stop if conditions require it. The sea may be smooth and gentle, or the ride may feel more active. If you are prone to motion sickness, choose a central seat, look toward the horizon, and ask the crew for help early.

What the $58 price really includes

At $58 per person, this is a strong-value evening if you use the inclusions. You are paying for three hours on the water, a swimming and snorkeling stop, a dinner buffet, unlimited beer and wine, unlimited soft drinks and water, and the sunset setting.

A comparable evening built independently could involve a restaurant meal, separate drinks, transport to a viewpoint, and a paid boat outing. This cruise combines all of those elements without asking you to move between places. The value is especially clear for anyone who expects to have several drinks.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink alcohol and do not want the buffet. It is also less suitable if you mainly want a quiet sightseeing cruise, since the swimming stop takes up a large part of the time. Still, the food, equipment, and crew service give the ticket more substance than a simple sunset sail.

The small-group feel can also affect the value. Departures with around 14 to 16 people provide more room and easier access to the crew. A fuller boat may feel less personal, although the catamarans are still described as comfortable and clean.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That helps if your Rhodes schedule depends on the weather, but you should still choose a date early in your stay if possible. If rough conditions force a change, the captain decides the route and stop.

Who should book this Rhodes boat trip?

I would recommend it to couples who want an easy romantic evening, friends looking for a swim and dinner without planning several separate activities, and families who are comfortable around open water. Solo passengers can also fit in well, since the crew is described as attentive and welcoming.

You should book it if you want:

• A swim in clear coastal water
• A relaxed dinner with drinks already covered
• A small catamaran rather than a large excursion vessel
• A sunset viewed from offshore
• A simple evening near Rhodes Town

Think twice if you cannot swim from an anchored boat, need step-free access, want a shallow sandy beach, or require a seafood-focused meal. You should also be ready for the possibility of other boats at Kalithea Bay and a route change if the weather turns.

Final verdict: a very good Rhodes evening for the price

This cruise gets the important things right: a scenic departure, a real swimming stop, useful snorkeling gear, generous food, friendly service, and a carefully timed sunset return. The strongest value comes from the combination of dinner and unlimited drinks, not from the boat ride alone.

My advice is to book it if you want one polished evening with little planning. Arrive early, bring swimwear, ask when the buffet will open, and choose a seat with a clear western view for the return. You will get the most from it if you treat Kalithea Bay as the active part of the night and the sunset sail as your time to slow down.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours, including the ride from Mandraki Harbor, the Kalithea Bay swimming stop, dinner, and the sunset viewing period on the return.

Where does the cruise depart?

Meet in front of the Poseidon Submarine at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks in Mandraki Harbor.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before the activity starts. The catamarans leave on time, and missing the departure can result in a €25 rebooking fee per ticket for another day.

Can I swim directly from the catamaran?

Yes. The boat anchors at Kalithea Bay, and you enter the water from the boat. To reach the shore, you need to swim.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets, and floating pool noodles are included. The boat also has an outdoor shower for rinsing off after swimming.

What food and drinks are included?

The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh baked local bread. Unlimited wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.

Can the route or boat change?

Yes. The captain can change the route or swimming stop because of weather. In April, May, and October, the provider may move you to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum number of participants.