REVIEW · RHODES
Rhodes Day Cruise (with lunch & unlimited drinks) 5,5 Hours
Book on Viator →Operated by Royal Sailing Rhodes · Bookable on Viator
Three swims, one delicious lunch, and free-flowing wine. This Rhodes day cruise is built around a traditional wooden boat ride and three water stops, with everything kept simple: swim, snorkel, eat, repeat. I love the small max-35 group vibe, and I love that the unlimited drinks include local wine right alongside lunch.
My only caution is timing. Each stop is about 50 minutes, so you’ll want to be ready to get in the water and enjoy it fast. Arrive early at Royal Sailing Rhodes so boarding feels smooth and you don’t lose a chunk of your beach time.
In This Review
- Key things I’d watch for before you go
- Rhodes Day Cruise: what makes it feel special fast
- Royal Sailing Rhodes meeting point and the onboard setup
- The all-inclusive menu and drink plan (what “unlimited” means here)
- Stop 1: Afandou Beach for quiet water and lunch-with-a-view
- Stop 2: Anthony Quinn Bay on a wooden boat ride
- Stop 3: Kalithea Springs for crystal-clear snorkeling time
- How 5.5 hours on the water really plays out
- Value check: is $72.56 actually a good deal
- Who this cruise is best for (and who might prefer something else)
- A few smart tips to make your day smoother
- Should you book this Rhodes day cruise?
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the Rhodes Day Cruise?
- What time does the tour start?
- Where is the meeting point?
- What stops are included during the cruise?
- Is snorkeling equipment included?
- Is lunch included?
- Are drinks included?
- Does the tour have onboard facilities like restrooms and showers?
- What is the group size limit?
- Is this tour offered in English?
- What’s the deal with weather?
Key things I’d watch for before you go
- Three 50-minute swim breaks at Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kalithea Springs, with snorkeling built in
- Snorkeling gear included, so you can pack lighter (flippers and towels are not included)
- Greek lunch plus vegetarian options, served as a buffet with red or white wine
- Unlimited drinks while you’re onboard, including beer, wine, soda, water, coffee or tea
- Real comfort onboard with restroom access, onboard WiFi, and a shower to rinse off saltwater
- Theodore and the crew set the tone, with a helpful, keep-you-comfortable approach
Rhodes Day Cruise: what makes it feel special fast
This isn’t a long, complicated tour day. You start in the morning, you get three proper swims, and you’re back at the marina by late afternoon, usually with that “vacation mode” feeling already turned on.
The reason this works so well is the pacing. With about 50 minutes at each swim and snorkel stop, you’re not left standing around bored. You’re also not stuck on the boat for hours between “real water time,” which is a big deal when you actually came to Rhodes for the sea.
Other boat tours in Rhodes
Royal Sailing Rhodes meeting point and the onboard setup
You’ll meet at Royal Sailing Rhodes, at Pl. Eleftherias, Rodos 851 00, Greece. The tour starts at 10:00 am and ends back at the same place, so you don’t have to stress about getting back to your original location later.
The boat is a traditional wooden boat, and the vibe is more relaxed than the big-catamaran feeling. Since the group tops out at 35 people, you tend to get a calmer atmosphere when it’s time to hop in and out for snorkeling.
Once you’re onboard, you’ll have practical basics covered: a restroom, onboard WiFi, and a shower for that quick rinse before you put your clothes back on. That shower part matters more than people think. Saltwater can make the whole rest of your day feel sticky if you don’t rinse.
The all-inclusive menu and drink plan (what “unlimited” means here)
This is the heart of the value. Lunch isn’t an extra-cost add-on, and neither are your drinks.
For the food, expect a buffet-style Greek lunch with familiar comfort food: chicken, rice, pasta, Greek salad, tzatziki, olives, and bread. There are also vegetarian dishes listed on the lunch side, plus you’ll see the menu move beyond just one bland plate, which helps if you’re traveling with mixed tastes.
Drinks are where this tour really earns its keep. You’ll have access to beers, red and white wine, plus soft drinks like Pepsi and Orange and lemon Fanta, along with juice and bottled water. Snacks also include fruit, and you’ll get coffee and/or tea too.
Two practical notes:
- Flippers and towels aren’t included, so if you use them for snorkeling, pack or rent those separately.
- Cocktails aren’t included in the standard price, so if that’s your thing, budget for purchases.
Stop 1: Afandou Beach for quiet water and lunch-with-a-view
Afandou Beach is your first anchor drop. You get about 50 minutes to swim, snorkel, and relax on a quieter stretch of shoreline, with snorkeling equipment available.
What I like about starting here is the emotional rhythm: you ease into the day with a straightforward water stop, and the calm makes it easier to find your groove. If you’re even a little nervous about snorkeling, this is a good first attempt.
This stop also pairs with lunch in the middle of the experience. There’s a lunch buffet with local flavors and vegetarian dishes, and you’ll have red or white wine with the meal. In plain terms: this is the point in the day where you stop feeling like you’re just “going to beaches” and start feeling like you’re actually living the day.
Potential drawback: 50 minutes sounds generous until you picture the whole sequence—gear on, swim out, float back, rinse off, grab food. If you want to do serious snorkeling, come ready and don’t spend too long fussing with equipment.
Stop 2: Anthony Quinn Bay on a wooden boat ride
Then you move to Anthony Quinn Bay, reached by the boat ride itself, which is part of the appeal. This is one of those Rhodes spots that feels instantly photogenic because the water looks clear and bright even before you jump in.
You’ll get about 50 minutes here too for swimming and snorkeling, with equipment provided. If you’re the type who likes a proper “get in and explore” swim, this is usually the stop where you’ll feel most satisfied.
A practical upside: your bags can stay onboard while you swim, so you’re not juggling valuables on the shore. That simple setup helps you enjoy the water more and worry less.
One thing to keep in mind: this is a shared day with multiple stops, so you’re not controlling the exact flow of the schedule. If the sea gets choppy, you might move a bit slower getting in and out. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth being mentally flexible.
A few more Rhodes tours and experiences worth a look
Stop 3: Kalithea Springs for crystal-clear snorkeling time
Your final stop is Kalithea Springs, where you’ll have about 50 minutes again for swimming and snorkeling. This is the closer of the three stops, and it often feels like the “finish strong” moment of the day—one last chance to enjoy the water before you head back.
What makes it worthwhile is the water clarity you can expect here. When snorkeling is the goal, good visibility is everything, and this stop is chosen specifically for that kind of water experience.
Try to plan your energy. By the third stop, you’ve already been in and out twice. If you start the last swim feeling tired, you’ll still get value by doing a shorter snorkel loop and spending more time floating and relaxing than chasing every fish.
How 5.5 hours on the water really plays out
The total experience time is around 5 hours 30 minutes. With three swimming stops, the day has a clear rhythm: sail between anchor points, gear up, swim, snack or drink onboard as you move, then rinse and repeat.
In practice, the biggest time-waster is usually transitions:
- Getting equipment sorted
- Watching the best entry points
- Climbing back onboard efficiently
This is why showing up ready matters. If you arrive early and start the day relaxed, you’ll feel like you got more out of each 50-minute window.
Also, you’ll want to be comfortable moving in and out of the water. The tour includes help onboard, but your speed depends on your comfort level.
Value check: is $72.56 actually a good deal
At $72.56 per person, you’re paying for a full half-day boat experience with three swim stops plus an included lunch and drinks. For many people, the deciding factor is that it’s not just sightseeing—you’re getting time in the sea and a meal that’s part of the trip rather than an extra stop on the shore.
Here’s what you’re getting for your money:
- Boat ride and three separate water stops
- Snorkeling equipment
- Lunch buffet with Greek dishes (including vegetarian options)
- Unlimited drinks: beer, wine, soda, water, coffee/tea
- Onboard convenience: restroom, WiFi, and shower
What could make it feel less “perfect value” is if you’re extremely food-fussy or you expect long, slow swimming marathons. Some people want more than 50 minutes at each stop, and that’s a fair preference. But if you want a mix of water time and food-and-drink ease, the price starts to look pretty sensible.
Who this cruise is best for (and who might prefer something else)
This is a strong fit if you want:
- A relaxed group size (max 35) without feeling lost in a crowd
- A boat day where you can swim and snorkel without planning a thing
- All-inclusive comfort: lunch, snacks, and drinks handled for you
- A mix of beaches rather than one location all day
It may be less ideal if:
- You need very long snorkeling sessions. Three stops at 50 minutes each is great for variety, not for endless underwater time.
- You’re sensitive to schedule hiccups. Boat days can shift when conditions change, and transitions can shrink your time in the water slightly.
A few smart tips to make your day smoother
- Wear or bring swimwear you can handle for multiple entries. The day moves fast.
- Bring something for sun protection. The schedule is sun-heavy by default.
- If you care about seat location, arrive a bit early and be ready to move quickly once boarding starts.
- If you like a cocktail, remember it’s not included in the base price.
- Pack light. You’ll be on the water, then walking around the marina area afterward with a saltwater vibe.
Should you book this Rhodes day cruise?
If your goal is a classic Rhodes half-day at sea with three swim-and-snorkel opportunities, an included Greek lunch, and unlimited drinks, I’d say yes, book it. The max-35 setup keeps things comfortable, and the onboard basics (restroom, shower, WiFi) make the day feel more finished than a simple day trip.
Book it with realistic expectations: it’s timed water time, not an all-day snorkeling expedition. If that matches your style, this cruise is one of the easiest ways to enjoy Rhodes beaches without building a complicated plan.
If you’re mainly after the most time underwater possible, you might want a longer-focused snorkeling option instead. But for most people visiting Rhodes for the first time, this hits the sweet spot.
FAQ
What is the duration of the Rhodes Day Cruise?
The cruise lasts about 5 hours 30 minutes.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 10:00 am.
Where is the meeting point?
You meet at Royal Sailing Rhodes, Pl. Eleftherias, Rodos 851 00, Greece.
What stops are included during the cruise?
The cruise includes three swim and snorkeling stops: Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kalithea Springs.
Is snorkeling equipment included?
Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included. Flippers are not included.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A buffet lunch is included, with items like chicken, rice, pasta, Greek salad, tzatziki, olives, and bread.
Are drinks included?
Yes. The tour includes alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, plus soda/soft drinks, bottled water, and coffee or tea.
Does the tour have onboard facilities like restrooms and showers?
Yes. There is a restroom on board and a shower.
What is the group size limit?
The tour has a maximum of 35 travelers.
Is this tour offered in English?
Yes. The tour is offered in English.
What’s the deal with weather?
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
