Sailing tour around Lindos with food and drinks

Lindos looks best from the water. This sailing trip trades crowded beach time for quiet coves, clear swimming spots, and a close view of Rhodes from the sea. I like the chance to help raise the sails or steer under skipper Georgios, and I like that Greek lunch, fruit, drinks, snorkeling gear, and fuel are included. The main consideration is weather: routes and swim stops can change, and the boat is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 80.

The boat carries up to 13 people, though numbers are usually kept closer to 10. That makes this a more personal outing than a large excursion boat, but you should still expect shared space, a working head, and the need to keep walkways clear. At $76 per person, the price is strong value if you make good use of the swimming, food, sailing lesson, and included drinks.

Key points to know before booking

• Steer the yacht yourself: Georgios may let you take the wheel and help trim or raise the mainsail and jib.
• Several swim stops: Red Sand, Agathi caves, Lindos Bay, Stegna caves, Navarone Bay, and St. Paul’s Bay may feature, depending on the package and weather.
• Small-group sailing: The yacht holds up to 13 people, with typical numbers around 10.
• Food is part of the day: Expect Greek lunch, salad, fruit, water, and the drinks included with your chosen option.
• Different trip lengths: Options run from about three to eight hours, including morning, afternoon, cave-focused, and sailing-only plans.
• Weather controls the plan: The skipper decides the best swim stops and may use the engine when wind is weak or while anchoring.

Leaving Lindos from the Pallas Beach jetty

You meet at the big jetty near Pallas Beach, by Gin Tonic Lindos. The boat departs from Lindos, and hotel pickup is not included unless you arrange it for an extra charge based on your location.

Bring a towel and arrive sand free. That sounds fussy until you picture sand grinding into cushions, the swim platform, and the boat’s small head. Once aboard, you will need to follow the skipper’s safety instructions, keep the aft area clear during mooring, and return snorkeling gear to its basket after use.

The yacht is designed for relaxing between stops. It has bed-like cushions and a large swim platform at the stern. You can sit near the water, stretch out in the sun, or stay in the shade if available. Since the maximum is 13 people, space will feel better with a smaller departure of around 10, but this remains a shared sailing trip rather than a private yacht charter for your own household.

Georgios is the skipper and host. His style, according to the detailed passenger feedback, combines practical sailing instruction with a friendly welcome. He works as a one-man crew, so the trip is participatory. You can help with the sails if you want, or simply relax while he handles the boat.

Red Sand and Agathi caves: the first swim stops

The standard 10am route begins with a sail toward Red Sand, usually about 80 minutes after leaving the jetty. The stop lasts roughly 40 minutes, giving you time to swim and use the supplied snorkeling equipment.

Red Sand is a scenic first pause because you get both the open-water setting and the warm colors of the coast. It is a good place to settle into the rhythm of the trip: swim, climb back onto the platform, dry off, and watch the yacht move on. Snorkeling conditions can vary, so do not treat the equipment as a guarantee of a major underwater spectacle. The pleasure here is the clear water, the cove setting, and the chance to get away from the shore.

From Red Sand, the boat may continue for about 20 minutes to Agathi Beach and its caves. This stop also lasts around 40 minutes. The caves add a little adventure to the swim, with the chance to move through or around the rocky formations where conditions allow.

A cave stop is more active than simply floating beside a beach. You will want to be comfortable getting in and out of the water and following instructions about where it is safe to swim. If you prefer a quiet float, there is no pressure to explore every opening.

The route can change. One package focuses on three cave areas, including Agathi, Stegna, and Lindos caves. Another morning route may include Stegna Caves, Red Sand, Agathi Caves, Haraki, and Navarone Bay or the Blue Lagoon and St. Paul’s Bay. The skipper decides the order and exact stops based on wind and sea conditions.

Greek lunch on the boat or in a sheltered cove

Food is one of the reasons the $76 price makes sense. The package includes a Greek lunch with salad and fruit, along with bottled water and the drinks provided by your selected option. Depending on the booking, drinks may be limited to four per person or offered without that limit.

The food is simple and well suited to a day on the water. One passenger specifically described a Greek salad and pastitsio at Haraki, a filling meal after several swims. Fruit may be served earlier in the day, which is useful when you have been in and out of the water before lunch.

The meal is not a restaurant stop with a broad menu. It is onboard food, served as part of the sailing day, so you should book with reasonable expectations. If you have allergies or dietary needs, the supplied information does not promise special menus, so ask before paying.

There is one important timing warning. Last-minute bookings made less than 12 hours before departure may not include lunch. If the meal is part of your reason for booking, reserve earlier and confirm what your chosen option includes.

Drinks can add a festive edge without requiring you to organize anything yourself. Prosecco, beer, wine, soda, and water are listed among the options. Gin and tonics were also warmly praised in the feedback, but check the exact drink allowance attached to your booking. Alcohol is optional, and you should keep your swimming and the boat’s safety rules in mind.

Lindos Bay and the return sail

After the early swim stops and lunch, the standard itinerary takes about 80 minutes to reach Lindos. The next swim and snorkeling stop lasts around 40 minutes.

This is where the outing connects most clearly with the famous town. From the water, you see Lindos from a different angle, with the coast and the white buildings forming a strong backdrop. You avoid spending the whole day on a packed beach, yet you still get time to swim in the bay associated with the town.

The final section may include about 15 minutes back to the jetty. On the standard plan, the boat sails around Lindos Bay using the sails before returning. That quiet stretch is often the most memorable part for people who want an actual sailing experience, not just a motorboat ride with a few stops.

Georgios may invite you to steer or help with the sailing gear. One passenger received a short lesson, while another took the wheel on the way back. You do not need previous sailing experience to take part, and you can also decline and enjoy the ride. The boat uses the engine when anchoring, looking for suitable wind, or making acceptable progress when wind is insufficient.

That point matters. This is a sailing tour, but it is not guaranteed to run entirely under sail. The sailing-only package aims to use wind from the moment the boat leaves the jetty, yet the skipper may still use the engine for practical reasons. If a fully silent sail is your main goal, weather will decide how close you get.

Choosing between the morning, cave, sailing-only, and sunset plans

The 10am itinerary is the most balanced choice. It combines Red Sand, Agathi caves, lunch, Lindos Bay, and a final sail around Lindos. I would choose it if you want a little of everything and prefer a full day on the water.

The three-caves option is better if swimming through rocky coves is your priority. It may include Agathi, Stegna, and Lindos caves, with lunch between the stops. The exact timing can shift, and the appeal depends on comfortable sea conditions.

The sailing-only option suits anyone who cares more about wind, sails, and learning the basics than collecting swim locations. The plan is to hoist the sails soon after departure and sail with the wind. The engine can still appear when necessary, so keep your expectations practical.

A 9am itinerary can cover a larger number of locations, including Stegna Caves, Red Sand, Agathi Caves, Haraki, and Navarone Bay or the Blue Lagoon and St. Paul’s Bay. This is the option for a long, active day with plenty of stops.

The 4pm departure offers a shorter late-day experience. It leaves Lindos at 4pm, stops at Navarone Bay from about 4:30 to 5:15, sails toward St. Paul’s Bay, then allows a longer swim and snorkeling stop there from roughly 5:45 to 6:45 before returning. It is a good fit if you want the sea without giving up your whole day, though the provided information does not promise a sunset at the exact end of the trip.

All routes depend on weather. The skipper schedules at least two swim stops when conditions allow, but the named bays and caves are not fixed promises for every departure.

What is included, and what costs extra

For $76 per person, the included package covers a lot:

• Skipper and sailing experience
• Greek lunch, salad, and fruit
• Complimentary drinks according to the selected option
• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Noodle-style floats
• Waterproof camera
• Fuel and insurance

The value is strongest when you want an active day rather than a short cruise. A comparable day would require paying separately for food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and a boat ride. Here, those parts are grouped together, and you also get a chance to take the wheel.

Extra equipment is available but not included. A stand-up paddleboard costs €30 per day, a seascooter costs €70 per battery cycle, and fishing rods cost €30 per day. These are optional add-ons, not hidden requirements.

Hotel transportation is also separate. If you are staying away from Lindos, factor in the cost and time of reaching the jetty. The meeting point is near Pallas Beach, so plan to arrive with enough time to find the big jetty without rushing.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. These terms are useful if your weather plans are uncertain, but they do not remove the fact that the route itself depends on sea conditions.

The practical side of a small yacht

This experience works best for people who like a relaxed but involved day. You can swim, snorkel, sunbathe, eat, and drink, but you also need to respect the boat and its crew.

Do not jump into the sea while the boat is moving or while the engine is on. Keep rubbish out of the sea, leave pathways clear, and use the bin in the head before flushing. Damage caused by misuse or carelessness, including blocked plumbing or damaged cushions, may be charged.

The boat is not wheelchair accessible. It is also not suitable for people over 80, according to the activity restrictions. Anyone with limited mobility should think carefully about boarding, moving around the deck, using the swim platform, and climbing back out of the water.

The waterproof camera is a welcome touch, but it is still wise to bring only what you can protect. Salt water and small boats are a poor partnership for phones, wallets, and loose clothing.

Who will enjoy this sailing trip most?

I would recommend it to couples, families with confident swimmers, and small groups of friends who want more contact with the sea than a standard coastal cruise provides. It is especially appealing if you like the idea of learning a little sailing rather than sitting passively while someone else drives.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy swimming and can handle several stops in one day. The schedule is not punishing, but the combination of water time, sun, movement, and sailing participation can leave you tired in a good way.

It may not suit you if you want a guaranteed route, a private boat, a formal restaurant lunch, or a completely hands-off outing. It is also a weak fit if you dislike shared spaces, cannot climb around a yacht, or need a fixed meal plan confirmed at the last minute.

Should you book the Lindos sailing tour?

I would book this if you want a small-group day on the water with real sailing, several swim stops, and food and drinks already covered. The repeated praise for Georgios as a friendly skipper, the clean yacht, the fresh fruit, and the filling lunch all support the idea that this is more personal than a standard boat transfer.

Choose the 10am plan for the best all-round mix. Pick the cave route for more swimming exploration, the sailing-only option for hands-on time with the sails, or the 4pm trip if you want a shorter outing. Confirm your drink allowance, lunch inclusion, pickup cost, and likely route before booking, then bring a towel and let the weather set the pace.

FAQ

Where does the sailing tour meet?

The meeting point is the big jetty near Pallas Beach, at Gin Tonic Lindos.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $76 per person.

How long does the tour last?

Available experiences range from about three to eight hours, depending on the package and departure time.

How many people can join the yacht?

The yacht can carry up to 13 passengers, though the group is typically limited to around 10.

Is lunch included?

Greek lunch, salad, and fruit are included in the listed package. For bookings made less than 12 hours before departure, lunch may not be available.

What drinks are included?

Options can include Prosecco, beer, wine, soda, and bottled water. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks may be limited to four per person or offered without that limit, depending on the option booked.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and noodle-style floats are included.

Can I steer the boat?

You may be invited to steer, raise the sails, or help trim them under the skipper’s guidance. Participation depends on the skipper and conditions.

Does the boat always use its sails?

The boat uses the mainsail and jib when conditions permit. The engine may be used while anchoring, finding suitable wind, or making progress when the wind is insufficient.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel. You should also arrive sand free and follow the skipper’s instructions throughout the trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, though they may be arranged for an additional charge based on your location.

Can wheelchair users join?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 80.