Rhodes: Sailing Catamaran Day Cruise with food and drinks

A quieter day on Rhodes starts at sea. This private catamaran cruise takes you from the New Marina to three swimming areas along the island’s east coast, with lunch, drinks, and room to stretch out between stops. I like the small private group format, which gives your party the boat instead of placing you among a large crowd. I also like the crew’s effort to find quieter parts of the bays.

The main trade-off is the fixed group price of $1,850 for up to 11 people, which makes the outing much better value for a full group than for just two or three people. You should also think twice if you get seasick, have mobility limitations, or want a busy sightseeing day packed with landmarks.

Key points to know before you sail

• Private boat for up to 11 people: Your group has the catamaran to itself, with no strangers sharing the day.
• Three swimming stops: The route includes Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou, and Kallithea Springs, though weather can change the plan.
• Six hours on the water: The day includes about four hours of sailing and two hours of swimming, lunch, and time aboard.
• Lunch and drinks included: Greek lunch is provided, soft drinks are unlimited all day, and alcoholic drinks are served at lunchtime.
• Easy departure from New Marina: The meeting point is about 1 kilometer from Rhodes Town, with free parking nearby.
• Best for a group: At full capacity, the price works out to about $168 per person. With eight people, it is about $231 per person.

Why this Rhodes cruise feels different

Many boat trips around Rhodes begin at Mandraki Harbour, close to the old town and often crowded with excursion boats. This one leaves from the New Marina, a short distance away. That small change matters. You avoid the busiest harbor setting and begin from a practical meeting point with free parking nearby.

The meeting place is outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side. You do not get hotel pickup, so you need to reach the marina yourself. If you are staying in Rhodes Town, the marina is roughly 1 kilometer from the center. That makes a taxi, walk, or drive fairly straightforward, depending on where you are staying.

The cruise is private, not just small. That means the boat, pace, and onboard space belong to your group for the six-hour outing. You can enjoy the day with family or friends without sharing a table, swimming schedule, or sun deck with strangers.

The catamaran format helps keep the mood easy. A catamaran generally gives you more usable deck space than a narrow boat, and one verified booking for eight people specifically noted that everyone had a place to sit. That is important on a long day at sea. You do not want to spend six hours guarding one small patch of shade or balancing your lunch on your knees.

The first 75 minutes along Rhodes’ east coast

The day begins with a 75-minute sailing stretch from the New Marina toward Anthony Quinn Bay. This is your chance to settle into the boat, feel the sea breeze, and watch the coast from the water before the first swim.

The schedule gives you a useful rhythm. You are not rushed from one bay to the next. The longer sailing periods create quiet time for sitting on deck, enjoying a soft drink, and letting the crew handle the route.

I would use this first section to get comfortable and ask about the plan for the day. Swimming stops can change with weather and sea conditions, so the exact order or location may not always remain fixed. That flexibility is sensible, but it means you should treat the listed stops as the intended route rather than an absolute promise.

If you are prone to seasickness, this first sailing period is also when you may notice it most. The trip is not suited to people who regularly feel unwell on boats. Choose a land-based outing instead if the thought of more than an hour at sea makes you uneasy.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the first swim

The first planned stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, with about 50 minutes for swimming. The bay is one of the better-known coastal spots near Rhodes, and arriving by boat gives you a different view from visiting by road.

Here, the main activity is simple: swim, float, sit on deck, and enjoy the water. You should bring beachwear and a towel, since there is no reason to stay dry on this trip.

The crew aims to find the quietest available part of each bay. That is one of the strongest features of this outing. It does not mean the bay will be empty, especially in the high season, but it can help your group avoid the most crowded section when conditions allow.

Fifty minutes is long enough for a proper swim without turning the stop into a full beach afternoon. You will not have time for a long walk or a detailed visit ashore. This is a water-based stop, and the value comes from being able to jump in from the boat and return to your own deck.

Sailing to Afandou for lunch

After Anthony Quinn Bay, the boat sails for about 20 minutes toward Afandou. This is the shortest sailing leg and keeps the day moving without making you feel as if you are constantly in transit.

Afandou is the main meal stop. You get about 70 minutes for lunch and swimming, so this is the most generous stop in the schedule. A Greek lunch is included, along with alcoholic drinks at lunchtime and unlimited soft drinks throughout the day.

The food is a real part of the value here. A private boat trip can become expensive once you add a restaurant meal and drinks, but this package includes those costs. You still pay a substantial group price, but the total is easier to judge when you count the meal, beverages, boat, crew, and all port fees and taxes.

Alcohol is limited to lunchtime. That is worth knowing before you book. Soft drinks are available all day, but alcoholic drinks are not described as an all-day service. The rules also prohibit intoxication, alcohol abuse, and drugs. This is intended to be a relaxed sailing day, not a floating party boat.

Afandou gives you time to slow down. I would make lunch the midpoint of the day, then use the remaining time for a swim. Since the stop lasts about 70 minutes, you can do both without choosing between eating and getting in the water.

The exact food selection is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a particular menu. The important point is that lunch is included and presented as Greek food. If you have dietary needs, ask about them before confirming your plans, since no special menu information is provided.

The 75-minute return route toward Kallithea Springs

From Afandou, the cruise continues for about 75 minutes before reaching Kallithea Springs. This is the longest sailing stretch of the day, tied with the opening leg.

That time works well for guests who like the sailing itself. You can settle into the deck, enjoy the movement of the catamaran, and spend time with your group. If you only want quick transfers between beaches, this trip may feel slow. If you like the idea of the sea as the main event, the longer sailing periods are part of the appeal.

You should also plan for sun. The supplied information asks you to bring beachwear and a towel, but a practical packing list should also include anything you normally use for a long day outdoors. The available details do not specify shade arrangements, so do not assume every seat will be shaded all day.

The crew speaks English and Greek. That covers basic communication for most international visitors, and the private format gives you a direct setting for questions about the route and timing.

Kallithea Springs and the last swim

The final scheduled stop is Kallithea Springs, with about 40 minutes for swimming. This is the shortest swim stop, so think of it as a final chance to cool off rather than a long beach visit.

The stop adds variety to the route. You have already had a longer swim at Anthony Quinn Bay and a combined lunch and swim at Afandou. Kallithea Springs rounds out the day with another coastal setting before the return to the marina.

Again, the activity is centered on swimming from or near the boat. The information provided does not promise a guided visit to the springs, an extended shore walk, or a cultural tour. If you want to explore the springs on land, you should ask the operator whether the boat schedule allows it. The listed 40 minutes is clearly planned as a swimming stop.

After Kallithea Springs, you return to the New Marina. The full outing lasts six hours, so you still have part of the day available for Rhodes Town, dinner, or a quiet evening after being in the sun.

What the $1,850 price really means

At first glance, $1,850 is a steep price for a day on the water. The number makes more sense when you divide it among a full group of 11. That comes to about $168 per person. With eight people, the same group price works out to about $231 per person.

The price includes:

• Private catamaran cruise
• Lunch
• Alcoholic drinks at lunchtime
• Unlimited soft drinks all day
• Fees and taxes

It does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You also need to get to the New Marina yourself.

For a couple, this is hard to justify unless you place a very high value on privacy. For a family reunion, birthday group, or party of friends, the cost becomes easier to defend because everyone shares the same boat, meal, crew, and schedule.

The private setup is the key point. A cheaper shared cruise may offer a similar route, but it will not give your group the same control over space and company. If your main aim is to save money, compare other options. If your main aim is a calm day together without a crowded boat, this package has a clearer case.

The crew, comfort, and onboard feel

The crew receives the strongest praise in the available feedback. One group of eight described the crew as fantastic and said the catamaran was clean, with a place for everyone to sit. Another group of eight described the crew as excellent and praised the full service, food, drinks, swimming stops, and relaxed time on deck.

Those details tell you what this outing does best. It is not built around a packed schedule or a long list of attractions. The pleasure comes from being looked after while you move between attractive bays.

The boat’s capacity is limited to 11 people, but the ideal size may be closer to eight if you want plenty of personal room. Eight people comfortably shared the catamaran in the feedback, which gives you a useful reference point. At 11, the boat may still fit the advertised group, but you should expect a livelier and fuller deck.

The trip is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Boat access, swimming stops, and movement around the deck can be difficult if you need step-free facilities. It is also not a good choice if you are prone to seasickness.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to a group that wants a private day, several swims, and a meal without having to organize each part separately. It suits friends, families, and couples traveling with other couples who are happy to share the cost.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy unhurried time on the water. The itinerary includes three swimming stops, but it also includes long sailing periods. Bring a good attitude toward simply sitting, talking, and watching the coast pass by.

This is less suitable for a visitor who wants historic sights, a guided tour of Rhodes, or lots of time walking ashore. The day is about the sea, not museums or monuments. It also may not suit young children or non-swimmers if nobody in the group enjoys being on the boat between stops, though no age policy is provided.

Weather matters. Swimming locations can change on the day, so you should remain flexible. That is normal for a sailing trip, and it can be a benefit when the crew is trying to find calmer water or a less crowded section of a bay.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive at the New Marina meeting point outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side. Since hotel transport is not included, allow enough time to reach the marina and locate the correct side of the restaurant.

Bring a towel and beachwear. You will want both for the three planned swim stops. Pack only what you need, since the boat is shared with your own group and personal space is still limited.

Think carefully about the group size before booking. The price is fixed for up to 11 people, so adding more people can lower the per-person cost. But if you value extra room on deck, a group of eight may feel more comfortable than a full boat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the available departure time before you commit your day.

Should you book this Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the price and you want privacy, swimming, Greek food, and a calm day away from crowded harbor tours. The private catamaran, attentive crew, clean boat, roomy seating, and quieter-bay approach are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Skip it if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget, dislike long periods at sea, or need accessible facilities. For the right group, this is a polished six-hour escape from the usual Rhodes sightseeing routine. You spend the day swimming, eating, and letting the east coast provide the scenery.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise depart from?

It departs from the New Marina in Rhodes. The meeting point is outside the Naval Bar and Restaurant, on the marina side.

How far is the New Marina from Rhodes Town?

The New Marina is approximately 1 kilometer from the center of Rhodes Town. Free parking spaces are available close to the meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts six hours. The planned route includes sailing, three swimming stops, lunch, and the return to the New Marina.

Which bays are included in the route?

The planned stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Afandou, and Kallithea Springs. Swimming locations can change according to weather conditions on the day.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch is included. Alcoholic drinks are provided at lunchtime, while soft drinks are available without limit throughout the day.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users or people prone to seasickness?

No. The cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness.