Sun & Sea All Inclusive 3 Hour Swimming Cruise (WITH PICK UP SERVICE)

The best part of this three-hour Rhodes cruise is simple: you spend much of the trip in clear seawater, not sitting on a bus or listening to a long speech. The boat anchors at Afandou, Ladiko, and Anthony Quinn Bay, giving you short, focused swims, including a chance to enter the Traganou Caves.

I like the comfortable couch-style seating and the open bar with beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and a fresh-fruit cocktail. I also like the easy length: you get a proper taste of Rhodes from the water and still have most of the day left. The main drawback is that the boat may feel older and more crowded than the promotional photographs suggest, and this is a swimming trip, not a guided sightseeing cruise.

Key points to know before booking

• Three direct-from-the-boat swim stops: You enter the sea from the boat, rather than walking onto a beach.
• Traganou Caves are the highlight: At Afandou, you can snorkel toward and inside the caves.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, water, soft drinks, and a cocktail of the day are available at no extra charge.
• Faliraki pickup is available: Arrange hotel transportation at least one day ahead.
• Small-group format, with a limit of 28 people: The boat is designed for a relaxed outing, though comfort depends on how full it is.
• Bring your own mask if you care about snorkeling: Equipment is supplied, but some gear has been reported as worn or broken.

A short boat trip built around swimming

Faliraki Fun Club runs this outing from Faliraki Harbor. The advertised boat is a 36-foot catamaran with outdoor couches, but the actual vessel can vary in appearance. Some departures have used an older boat, and some people have found the seating or boarding steps less polished than expected.

That matters because the boat itself is part of the experience. You are not booking a luxury yacht. You are booking a practical platform for getting to attractive bays, swimming for about half the trip, and enjoying a drink in the sun.

The advertised maximum is 28 people. That is small enough to keep the trip more personal than a large excursion boat, but it does not guarantee an empty seat beside you. One serious complaint described a full boat with no comfortable seating left, so I would arrive on time and clarify the pickup and boarding arrangements before departure.

The crew is generally described as friendly and safety-conscious, though the amount of commentary varies. You may get basic information about each stop, but do not expect a full historical tour of Rhodes or a running explanation of the coastline. If you want island stories, bring your own guidebook or ask questions directly.

Getting to Faliraki Harbor

The meeting point is Faliraki Harbor, and the trip returns there after the final swim. From Faliraki hotels, a luxury minibus transfer is available, but you must arrange it the day before.

Read the transfer wording carefully. Pickup is not automatically included for every location. People staying in Rhodes Town or Ixia, and cruise ship passengers who need transportation, pay an additional €10 per person. The phrase with pickup service can therefore be misleading if you assume it covers the whole island.

The most important practical step is to confirm your pickup the day before. One poor experience involved a cruise passenger who did not receive or respond to the transfer message and was left without transportation. If you are coming from a ship, have limited internet access, or are staying outside Faliraki, sort this out in writing before the day of the cruise.

The minibus transfer from Faliraki should make the start easy. Reports about other transfer arrangements, especially from cruise passengers, include a cramped van and limited air conditioning. For a comfortable day, confirm exactly where you will be collected and how much the transfer costs.

Afandou and the Traganou Caves

The first stop is Afandou Beach, near the Traganou Caves. The boat anchors beside the caves for about 30 minutes, and you can use the supplied snorkeling gear or your own mask to look beneath the surface.

This stop works best for confident swimmers. You do not normally walk onto a sandy beach and wade in. Instead, you climb down from the boat and enter the water directly. That distinction is easy to miss when you read the word beach, so make sure everyone in your group understands the setup.

The caves give this stop a bit more character than an ordinary swim break. You can move through the clear water toward the rocky openings and see the coast from a different angle. The time is short, though. By the time you get into the water, swim toward the caves, look around, and return to the boat, 30 minutes passes quickly.

Sea conditions can change the feel of the stop. Some people have found Afandou and Ladiko rougher than expected, while others describe all three locations as calm and easy. If the water is choppy, the cave swim may feel less appealing, especially for young children or anyone who is not a strong swimmer.

Ladiko Bay and its calm-water reputation

The second stop is Ladiko Bay, also for about 30 minutes. The name is linked to the Greek word ladi, meaning oil, a reference to the bay’s calm, smooth water.

Ladiko is a good middle stop because it breaks up the day. You are not asked to stay in the water for an hour at one location, and the short pause keeps the cruise moving. Use this time to float with a noodle, swim around the boat, or simply sit on the couch and enjoy the view.

The supplied noodles are useful but basic. Some have been described as old, and the boat does not promise a full range of flotation equipment. If you need a proper buoyancy aid, do not assume one will be available. One complaint also raised concerns about the condition of some snorkeling equipment, so bring your own mask and snorkel if clean, reliable gear matters to you.

Ladiko may not be the most dramatic stop, but it fits the purpose of the outing. You get another chance to swim in a sheltered Rhodes bay without giving up too much time to transit.

Anthony Quinn Bay, the strongest stop

The final stop lasts about 45 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, and this is usually the most memorable part of the cruise. Pine-covered slopes frame the clear water, and the rocky shoreline gives the bay a more enclosed, scenic feel than the first two stops.

The boat anchors offshore, so you again enter the sea directly. There is no promise of beach time, sun loungers, or a walk along the shore. If your idea of a beach excursion means planting your feet in the sand, this is the wrong trip. If you want to swim in an attractive cove, the setup makes sense.

The extra 15 minutes here are welcome. You have time to swim away from the boat, look along the rocks, and reach the nearby cave area. Still, some people wish they had more time at the caves. The 45-minute stop is enough for a taste, not a leisurely afternoon.

Anthony Quinn Bay is also linked with the film The Guns of Navarone. That small bit of movie history adds interest, though the crew may not explain it in detail. The bay itself is the reason to come: clear water, striking rock, and green pine cover above the coast.

Drinks, fruit, and the onboard snack

The open bar is one of the better-value features. You can choose from beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and the cocktail of the day, which is made with fresh fruit. A strawberry daiquiri has earned particular praise, and the unlimited serving arrangement makes the cruise feel less bare-bones than a simple boat transfer.

Drink variety is limited. You should not expect a full cocktail menu or premium brands. The appeal is having something cold available while you sit in the sun or dry off after swimming.

Food is modest but pleasant. The crew serves a fruit platter with local produce and melekouni, a traditional Rhodian honey and sesame bar. The fruit is a welcome fresh snack, but portions may be small, and this is not lunch. Eat beforehand if you tend to get hungry after swimming.

This balance is important when judging the $66.51 price. You are paying for the boat, three stops, equipment, drinks, snacks, and, for Faliraki hotel guests, arranged transport. You are not paying for a meal, a polished yacht, or a full island guide.

What the boat is really like

The couch seating is a genuine plus. It gives you somewhere to sit between swims and feels more relaxed than a row of hard plastic seats. On a good departure, the small boat creates a sociable, easygoing mood without turning the outing into a formal cruise.

The condition of the vessel is less consistent. Several descriptions call it older than expected, and at least one person reported sitting on a wet cushion. That is hardly a disaster on a swimming trip, but it is useful to know before you arrive. Bring a lightweight cover or towel for the seating if you want to stay dry.

There is also conflicting information about the boat type. The experience is promoted as a catamaran, while some departures have been described as a different older boat. Since equipment and presentation may vary, book this for the route and swimming stops rather than for the exact vessel shown in photographs.

One complaint raised the absence of visible life jackets and poor boarding steps. The information supplied for the experience confirms snorkeling equipment and noodles, but it does not promise a specific life-jacket arrangement. If you have safety concerns, ask the operator before booking and check where safety equipment is kept when you board.

How much swimming time will you get?

The three stops total about 105 minutes, or roughly an hour and 45 minutes. That is close to half of the three-hour outing, with the remaining time used for boarding, cruising between bays, and serving refreshments.

This is a good length for a family with older children or for anyone who wants a sea outing without spending the whole day on a boat. One family found the stop lengths suitable for a nine-year-old who could not swim for long stretches.

You need to be ready when the anchor goes down. Thirty minutes is enough for one focused swim, but not enough for a slow change of clothes, a long snack break, and a full snorkel session. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and keep sunscreen, a towel, and your mask close at hand.

The sun can feel intense on open water. Apply sunscreen before boarding and bring more for later. A hat and water-resistant phone pouch would also be sensible, though neither is listed as provided.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to confident swimmers, couples, friends, and families who want clear water and scenic coves with very little fuss. The three-hour schedule also works well if you want to leave room for Rhodes Town, a hotel afternoon, or another activity.

It suits you less if you want guided sightseeing. The crew may identify the bays but offer little detailed information about Rhodes, the coastline, or the film connection. It also may not suit anyone who needs guaranteed dry seating, generous personal space, a quiet atmosphere, or a sandy beach at each stop.

Children can participate, but the direct entry into the sea and limited flotation equipment deserve thought. The tour information says most people can take part, but it does not promise that every swimmer will find the boarding ladder or water conditions easy.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 817 reviews and is recommended by 95 percent of customers. Those figures point to strong overall satisfaction, but the low ratings reveal the key risks: crowded departures, an older boat, inconsistent snorkeling gear, limited commentary, and confusion over transfers.

Is $66.51 a fair price?

At $66.51 per person, the value is solid if you use the included drinks and equipment and genuinely want three swim stops. A separate boat ride, drinks, snorkeling access, and Faliraki transport could easily add up, and the short format saves you from committing a whole day.

The price is less attractive if you expect a polished catamaran, a substantial lunch, or a guided tour. The snacks are light, drink choices are basic, and the boat may not match the photos. You are buying access to attractive water, not luxury.

I would compare the price with your priorities. If Anthony Quinn Bay and the Traganou Caves are the main goal, this is an efficient way to see them from the sea. If comfort and service matter more than the locations, look closely at the boat description and ask about the vessel operating on your date.

Final decision: book it for the water, not the polish

I would book this cruise if you want an easy, social swim outing from Faliraki, especially if a short schedule and included drinks appeal to you. Anthony Quinn Bay and the Traganou Caves give the trip real visual appeal, and the fruit, melekouni, noodles, and open bar add useful extras.

I would skip it if you need a beach, a full meal, guaranteed spacious seating, or a guide who explains Rhodes as you go. Confirm your pickup one day ahead, bring your own snorkeling gear if possible, eat before boarding, and treat the boat as a practical swimming platform rather than a luxury yacht.

FAQ

How long is the swimming cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Faliraki Harbor and ends back at the same meeting point.

Which swimming locations does the cruise visit?

The stops are Afandou Beach near the Traganou Caves, Ladiko Bay, and Anthony Quinn Bay.

Can I swim inside the Traganou Caves?

Yes. At the Afandou stop, you can snorkel toward and inside the Traganou Caves, depending on sea conditions and your swimming ability.

Do the stops include time on the beach?

The experience is based on entering the water directly from the boat. Beach access is not guaranteed at the swimming stops.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes beer, wine, soft drinks, water, and the cocktail of the day.

Is food included?

A fruit platter and local melekouni honey and sesame bars are included. The food is a snack rather than a full meal.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are provided.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is available from Faliraki hotels for the three-hour cruise, but it must be arranged the day before. Cruise ship passengers and people staying in Rhodes Town or Ixia who need a transfer pay €10 per person.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time.