REVIEW · RHODES
Hippo Classic Ride With Swim
Book on Viator →Operated by Hippo Submarine · Bookable on Viator
A submarine ride beats a regular boat in Rhodes. This Hippo Yellow Submarine trip gives you views from above and below, with Lindos landmarks plus a swim stop in clear water.
I really like the air-conditioned underwater cabin and wide portholes—perfect when you want a calm, sheltered way to see fish. I also like that the tour stays simple and family-friendly, mixing a short undersea moment with a real chance to swim.
The one thing to plan for is the walk to the boat: the meeting area is on a mountainside, and you may face a steep climb with little shade.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- What You’re Really Buying: A Semi-Sub Cruise With One Great Swim Stop
- Meeting at Hippo SubLindos: Getting There Without Losing the Day
- Inside the Hippo Yellow Submarine: Air-Conditioned Underwater Views
- Lindos and the Acropolis Stop: A 10-Minute Moment With Fish Feeding
- Navarone Canons Bay Swim: Snorkeling Time and Seabed Photo Ops
- How the 2 Hours Usually Feels: Short, Relaxed, and Not Exhausting
- Who This Tour Suits Best in Rhodes
- Price and Value: Why $35.09 Can Make Sense
- My Booking Advice: When to Choose This Hippo Ride
- Should You Book the Hippo Classic Ride With Swim?
- FAQ
- How long is the Hippo Classic Ride With Swim?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- What time does the tour depart?
- Is the underwater cabin air-conditioned?
- Where do you swim during the tour?
- Is there snorkeling during the swim stop?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- How many people are on the boat?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key things to know before you go
- Underwater A/C cabin: you’ll sit inside while looking out through windows at the sea life below.
- Fish-feeding under the Acropolis of Lindos: a short stop timed for feeding fish near the landmark.
- 30 minutes at Navarone Canons Bay: enough time to swim, try snorkeling, and take seabed photos.
- Small group for this activity: the tour caps at 35 travelers.
- Everything loops back: the activity ends back at the same meeting point in Lindos.
What You’re Really Buying: A Semi-Sub Cruise With One Great Swim Stop

At $35.09 per person, this isn’t a long, multi-stop day tour. You’re buying a tight, 2-hour experience that combines three things people actually want in Rhodes: shoreline scenery, a look underwater without the hassle, and a chunk of time in the water.
The biggest reason this works is the format. A semi-submarine lets you keep your comfort (inside, with air-conditioning) while still getting that wow factor of seeing fish at close range. Then you step back out for the swim window in a separate bay.
For value, I’d compare it to taking a normal boat trip and then trying to find the best spot to swim on your own. Here, the timing is built in—especially the 30-minute swim/snorkel slot at Navarone Canons Bay—so you’re not guessing or wasting time.
More Submarine Tours in Rhodes
Meeting at Hippo SubLindos: Getting There Without Losing the Day
The tour meets at Hippo SubLindos 851 06, Greece, and it ends back there. That sounds easy on paper, but the practical part is the approach: the meeting area is on a mountainside. If you’re coming from a roadside taxi, plan for a real walk uphill.
So I suggest you go prepared:
- wear shoes you can grip on a slope
- bring water and sun protection
- aim to arrive a little early so you’re not rushing
If you’re traveling with a stroller or have limited mobility, this is the one part that could feel harder than the rest. The boat trip itself is the simple, comfortable part; the land approach is the challenge.
Inside the Hippo Yellow Submarine: Air-Conditioned Underwater Views

Once you’re on board, the star is the semi-sub’s underwater cabin. It’s described as comfortable and air-conditioned, which matters in Rhodes when the sun is doing its best impression of a small oven. Instead of standing outside and squinting, you sit inside and look out through the underwater windows at Lindos’ marine life.
You can also see the view from above on the upper deck. That’s where you get the bigger, scenic perspective—bays, sea approaches, and the shape of the coastline. It’s a nice two-mode experience: sea views above, fish views below.
This is also a good fit for kids who get bored quickly on boats. They may not care about every landmark explanation, but they do care about seeing fish close up, and they love the novelty of the cabin.
Lindos and the Acropolis Stop: A 10-Minute Moment With Fish Feeding
One of the neat details is the short stop under the Acropolis of Lindos for feeding fish. You’ll spend about 10 minutes below the Acropolis, timed so you can watch the fish activity around the rocks and get that underwater “the water is alive” feeling.
The Acropolis of Lindos is the kind of landmark you’ll recognize instantly from photos—white buildings stacked up on the hill, with the sea nearby. Seeing it from the water adds scale. When you’re down below in the cabin, it also helps you understand why people call this part of the coast so dramatic.
This stop is brief, so don’t expect a long viewing session. Think of it as a high-impact teaser: enough time to feed fish and see them gather, then you’re off again to keep the 2-hour plan moving.
Navarone Canons Bay Swim: Snorkeling Time and Seabed Photo Ops
This is where the tour cashes in on the “with swim” part. The Bay of Navarone / Navarone Canons Bay stop gives you around 30 minutes in the water.
You get a chance to:
- swim in clear, turquoise water
- try snorkeling (snorkeling is part of the experience)
- take photos of the seabed and underwater life
The water clarity is a big deal here. Even if you don’t snorkel, you’ll likely enjoy how visible the rocks and fish are compared with darker, choppier water spots. If you’re bringing your own gear, I’d recommend packing snorkel goggles or a mask so you can see more comfortably.
Also, it helps to remember that the swim window is time-limited. Jump in when you’re ready, then enjoy the next stretch without worrying about rushing back too early.
More Faliraki Beach Activities in Rhodes
How the 2 Hours Usually Feels: Short, Relaxed, and Not Exhausting
A lot of Rhodes activities either feel like a full-day commitment or a super-short “tour bus sprint.” This one sits in a practical middle. It’s about 2 hours, with onboard time plus stops that don’t drag.
There’s a rhythm to it:
- explore the undersea world in the cabin
- take in Lindos from the boat and hear information about the landmarks
- enjoy the fish-feeding moment under the Acropolis
- finish with the main swim break
Because it’s compact, it’s easier to match with the rest of your day. You can do it as a break from walking the old town streets, or as an afternoon activity that still leaves you time for dinner.
Who This Tour Suits Best in Rhodes
This tour is a strong choice if you want a family-friendly water activity in Lindos that doesn’t require swimming confidence for the whole trip. You can enjoy the undersea viewing without needing to get in the water at all, then still take part during the swim stop if you choose.
It’s also a good fit if you:
- want a short activity rather than a long excursion
- prefer comfort (inside cabin) over constant sun exposure
- like the idea of seeing fish near landmarks
If your idea of a great day is long snorkeling sessions, remote coves, or hours of sea time, this may feel short. But if you want a focused experience that hits the highlights without eating your whole afternoon, it’s a smart pick.
Price and Value: Why $35.09 Can Make Sense

Let’s be real: water activities in Greece can range from bargain to spendy. What makes this one feel like a fair deal is the mix of included elements in a short time frame.
For the money, you’re not only paying for transport. You’re paying for:
- an underwater cabin (with A/C)
- the planned landmark stops around Lindos and the Acropolis area
- a structured swimming/snorkeling time window at Navarone Canons Bay
So you’re buying convenience. Instead of figuring out where to go and whether you’ll find truly clear water, the trip brings you there and sets aside time to use it.
My Booking Advice: When to Choose This Hippo Ride
If I’m advising you on timing, I’d prioritize this tour when you want a predictable afternoon. Start time is 2:00 pm, and that can work well if you’re done with morning sightseeing and want something scenic without a long commute.
Also remember the activity needs good weather. If conditions aren’t right, it can be canceled and you’d be offered another date or a full refund. That means you should consider booking when you still have some flexibility later in your Lindos/Rhodes plan.
If you know you’ll be in Lindos and you want a simple, scenic “two worlds” experience—landmarks above and fish below—this is the kind of tour that’s hard to beat for the time.
Should You Book the Hippo Classic Ride With Swim?
Book it if you want a short, comfortable Rhodes activity that includes both underwater viewing and a real chance to swim at Navarone Canons Bay. The underwater cabin with A/C is a big plus, and the fish-feeding stop under the Acropolis area adds a memorable moment without adding hours.
Skip or reconsider if you hate walking uphill to the meeting spot or if you’re expecting an all-day water adventure. The ride itself is relaxing; the land approach is the part that needs planning.
If you’re flexible, pack sun protection, and bring swim/snorkel basics, you’re likely to walk away feeling like you got your money’s worth.
FAQ
How long is the Hippo Classic Ride With Swim?
The tour lasts about 2 hours.
Where does the tour start and end?
The meeting point is Hippo SubLindos 851 06, Greece, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.
What time does the tour depart?
The start time listed is 2:00 pm.
Is the underwater cabin air-conditioned?
Yes. The underwater cabin is described as comfortable and air-conditioned.
Where do you swim during the tour?
You get a swimming stop at Navarone Canons Bay (Bay of Navarone).
Is there snorkeling during the swim stop?
The experience includes time where you can try snorkeling during the Navarone Canons Bay stop.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, the tour is offered in English.
How many people are on the boat?
The maximum group size is 35 travelers.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.



































