A swim day in Rhodes beats another beach day. You get a full-day cruise with planned swim breaks, onboard snorkeling gear, and a Greek buffet lunch with wine included. I especially like the way the trip mixes history snap-shots with real water time, plus the boat setup keeps it comfortable even when the sun is doing its thing.

Two big wins for me: first, the three different bays give you totally different vibes in one day (springs, deep rocky cove, and a long pebble beach). Second, the food and drinks are genuinely part of the experience—there’s a Greek buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free choices, and included wine shows up during the cruise. One thing to keep in mind: this tour is weather-dependent, and you’ll be on the water for long stretches between swim stops, so plan for sun and sea-spray.

Quick Take: What You’ll Love Most

• Bay-to-bay time instead of one long stop, so you get variety plus multiple chances to swim.
• Snorkeling gear on board (masks and snorkels) makes it easy to try without extra planning.
• Kallithea Springs for that famous reddish water and a calm, scenic setting to wander.
• Anthony Quinn Bay for a fish-filled cove and deep-water vibes if you like to float and explore.
• Greek buffet + wine included so lunch feels like part of the day, not an afterthought.

Rhodes Cruise Start at Mandraki Port: Views Before You Hit the Water

The day begins at Mandraki Port (Nea Agora area) in Rhodes, with the boat scheduled to depart around 10:15 am. From the start, you’re not stuck staring at the dock. As you cruise out, you get an eye-level look at Rhodes’ Old Town area and the medieval walls, plus the Castle area—great for photos before you start thinking about swims.

Right away, the route also nods to Rhodes’ famous ancient landmark. You pass by the port entrance where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. You’re not going to walk up to it or tour a museum—this is a cruise-by moment—but it gives context while you’re already out on the water, when the island looks its best.

If you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re seeing, the cruise style here helps. Even without a full lecture marathon, you get enough story to make the passing sights feel purposeful, not random.

Kallithea Springs: Red Water, Italian Architects, and a Real Swim Break

Kallithea Springs is your first swim-and-stroll stop. The boat reaches it in about 45 minutes, and you get around 1 hour on site. This is the kind of place where the water color makes people slow down, because the Gulf of Kallithea has that mysterious reddish tint—coming up from rocky formations and drawing visitors for thousands of years.

You’ll have time to explore the area by the springs and then swim. The notable detail is that admission from the sea is free, so you don’t need to worry about fees eating into your one-hour window. The site’s buildings were designed by Italian architect Pietro Lombardi, with decorative work by Armando Burnaby, and later a doctor, Alberto Mocci, organized an international hydrological conference that drew more than 200 scientists. Whether or not you’re into technical history, it’s a cool reminder that people treated the springs like something serious long before modern tourism existed.

Here’s how to make the most of it: treat the first 20–25 minutes as your wandering time, then shift into swim mode. That way you’re not rushing to change plans mid-stop when everyone starts moving toward the water.

Practical note: you’re on Mediterranean time here. Expect the group to spread out—some people swim right away, others take their time and soak up the stillness.

Anthony Quinn Bay Snorkeling: A Deep Cove With Thousands of Fish

Next comes Anthony Quinn Bay, reached from the previous area in about 15 minutes (once you’re set for the second major water break). You get about 1 hour here, and the vibe is totally different from the springs.

This bay sits tucked in rocky walls and has very deep water, which makes it feel dramatic even if you’re just floating at the surface. You’ll also find what the tour emphasizes most: thousands of small fish. The boat provides complimentary snorkeling gear—masks and snorkels—so you can try a snorkel session without packing your own.

One playful tip you might hear from the crew style here: people sometimes throw bread so fish gather nearby. The story attached to the bay says the fish never end up biting guests, so it’s more of a watching-and-snorkel moment than a scary one.

And yes, the name has a Hollywood connection. The bay is linked to the Mexican actor Anthony Quinn, who came to Rhodes to shoot The Guns of Navarone (a major film from the 1960s). The story goes he was so taken with the bay that he asked to buy it, but an agreement didn’t happen, and later a court ruled it unenforceable after controversy—so locals kept the name as a nod to him.

If you like wildlife-on-demand, this stop is the one to prioritize. It’s also a good pick for people who want snorkeling that feels natural, not staged.

Ladiko Bay on the Pass-By: Oil Trade and Shipwreck Clay

Between swim stops, the cruise also glides past Ladiko Bay. You don’t stay here long (it’s more of a “look and learn while we move”), but it adds texture to the day.

The name connects to oil storage: “Ladi” refers to the kind of container used to store oil. Historically, this spot was tied to loading and unloading olive oil, with commercial routes sending cargo toward Egypt and the Middle East. The tour adds an archaeological angle too—local fishermen have found clay containers from shipwrecks around the area.

The practical value of a pass-by stop like this is simple: it gives you a break from sitting only on the open deck sun. You get to look around, take photos, and let the boat do the work of connecting one swim area to the next. For a 6-hour cruise, that kind of “moving viewpoint” can actually make the day feel shorter.

Afandou Beach and Lunch Back On Board: Pebbles, Caves, and Invisible Town

Your final major swim stop is Afandou Beach, a long stretch—about 6 km—with pebble shores and crystal-clear water. The boat travel time from Kallithea is about 45 minutes, and your time here is around 1 hour 15 minutes, which is a decent window to actually get comfortable in the water and then explore a bit.

Afandou isn’t only about swimming. The pebble material from here was used in construction around Rhodes’ Old Town sidewalks. And the region carries layers of conflict: the coastal settlement was attacked multiple times—pirates in 620, Persians in 653, then later by Arabs, and finally by the Turks in 807. After these repeated threats, inhabitants moved inland behind rocks so the settlement couldn’t be seen from the sea, which is part of why the name Afandou is tied to the idea of something invisible.

You’ll also have time to visit caves around the area before heading back. Then lunch comes into play: the plan is that you explore first, and then the Greek buffet opens back on board while you transition from swim mode to food mode.

If you want a smooth day, save your biggest effort swim for Afandou. It’s long enough that you can swim, float, and still have time to wander the shoreline.

Food, Wine, and Boat Comfort: What the Included Meal Feels Like

The boat is set up for hanging out. You get comfortable cushioned seating, and the experience is designed around lounging as much as swimming. There’s also a shower, plus life jackets, floaters, and pool noodles—handy if you want water time without committing to full snorkeling.

Lunch is a Greek buffet with vegetarian and gluten-free choices. That matters because lots of boat tours offer one “safe option” and call it a day. Here, you should be able to eat without playing food roulette.

Drinks are part of the included package too. You get bottled water, soda/pop lemonade, and white and rose wine. The vibe from the experience is that the wine is served during the cruise, and people talk about it as free-flowing—so if you’re driving back after, keep your plan realistic.

A small but meaningful detail: bathrooms are included on board, and the trip is described as well maintained and clean. On a water day, that’s not glamorous, but it’s one of those things you notice when you need it.

And yes, the day has atmosphere. Music is part of the cruising experience, and you can choose where to sit—some people stick to shade, others go full sun.

Timing and Group Size: How the Day Actually Feels

This cruise runs about 6 hours and has a maximum group size of 100 travelers. In practice, that size often keeps things from turning into a cattle-car situation. The trip is also broken into swim blocks plus travel time, which helps you avoid that awkward feeling of being stuck on a boat with nothing to do.

The rhythm looks like this:

• Morning departure from Mandraki with early viewing time
• A swim-and-stroll hour at Kallithea
• A second cove swim hour at Anthony Quinn Bay
• A longer beach stop at Afandou with lunch afterward

Between stops, you’re usually cruising past shore views, which keeps the day from feeling monotonous. It’s not a land tour where you’re constantly walking. This is a water day where you can either join the swim rhythm or take it slow on deck.

Price and Value: Is $71.38 a Good Deal Here?

At $71.38 per person, this tour is a strong value when you add up what’s included. You’re not paying extra for basic snorkeling tools, and you’re also getting a full lunch plus drinks rather than just a snack.

Here’s what you’re effectively buying:

• 3 major water stops over about 6 hours
• Complimentary snorkeling masks and snorkels
• A Greek buffet lunch with dietary options
• Wine included, plus bottled water and lemonade
• Boat comfort gear like pool noodles and floaters
• Shower access onboard

If you were to recreate this on your own—boat rental, paid snorkeling gear, and lunch on top—you’d likely spend much more. The price is also simpler than tours that charge low rates but then hit you with transfer costs and on-board add-ons.

One caveat on value: this isn’t a private charter. If you’re imagining total quiet and total control, you’ll probably prefer a smaller boat. But if you want a fun full-day mix of swimming and sights without nickel-and-diming, it’s priced fairly.

Who Should Book This Rhodes Swim Cruise (and Who Should Think Twice)

This is a great fit if:

• You want multiple swimming opportunities in one day
• You care about scenery and don’t mind a few story highlights instead of a deep museum style tour
• You like boats that feel comfortable and not overcrowded
• You want included lunch and wine so the day runs smoothly

It might be less ideal if:

• You hate waiting between swim stops
• You’re very sensitive to sun and sea-spray and won’t use shade or water breaks
• You’re looking for a land-based guided deep dive with lots of stop-and-walk time

That said, the stops are designed so you can shift between sun, swim, and quick exploration without it turning into hard work.

Should You Book This Tour?

I’d book it if you want an easy “one-ticket” day that gives you Rhodes viewpoints, three distinct swim locations, and a real lunch without a bunch of extra planning. The mix of Kallithea Springs, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Afandou Beach is smart because the water feels different at each stop.

If the weather is solid, this is the kind of day you’ll remember: water time, easy snorkeling, and enough included comfort that you can focus on enjoying Rhodes instead of managing logistics.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Rhodes Bay to Bay Swim Cruise?

It lasts about 6 hours.

Where does the tour start from?

The meeting point is Mandraki Port Nea Agora, Rodos 851 31, Greece.

What time does the cruise depart?

The start time is 10:15 am.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra.

Is lunch included, and are there vegetarian or gluten-free options?

Yes. Lunch is a Greek buffet and includes vegetarian & gluten-free choices.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment (masks and snorkels) is included.

What drinks are included?

You get white and rose wine, bottled water, and soda/pop lemonade.

How many swim stops are there?

There are three main swimming/exploration stops: Kallithea Springs, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Afandou Beach.

What if the weather is bad?

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

FAQ

Can I cancel for free?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What’s the maximum group size?

The maximum is 100 travelers.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

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