Three swims, one easy full-day cruise. From Rhodes’s Mandraki Port, you glide along the coast with snorkeling gear ready and wine included at lunch, plus chances to swim in seriously clear water. I love how the day mixes big sights from the ship (hello, Colossus of Rhodes) with real time in the bays, but I’ll be honest: the onboard narration can feel a bit light if you want constant stop-by-stop explanations.

I also like that the boat setup makes it easy to relax. You get comfy seating, space to move around (it doesn’t feel packed), and the bathrooms are kept in good shape—stuff that matters after a few hours on the water. The one thing to watch is that you’ll spend real time walking down to the boat area and getting in and out for swims, so plan for sandals/shoes that work on rocky steps and pebbly shores.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Mandraki Old Port photo moment: medieval walls and the Old Town view right as you depart
• Colossus of Rhodes pass-by viewpoint: you cruise by the port entrance area tied to the ancient statue
• Kallithea Springs red-water stop: free sea access and a chance for a morning swim
• Anthony Quinn Bay snorkeling: deep-water cove with thousands of small fish right offshore
• Afandou Beach time on land: explore caves and pebble shoreline before lunch
• Greek buffet + wine included: with vegetarian and gluten-free options listed

How the bay-to-bay cruise starts in Mandraki Old Port

The day begins at Mandraki Port Nea Agora, with the cruise set to start at 10:15 am. You’ll be heading out from the Old Port area, so even before the first swim stop, you’re already seeing Rhodes in motion—Medieval Walls, the Old Town, and the castle area in one wide coastal sweep.

This is the kind of outing where the ship is your base. You’re not bouncing buses or changing ferries every hour. You sail, swim, eat, repeat. And because the tour is capped at up to 100 people, it tends to feel manageable rather than chaotic.

Colossus of Rhodes: the view you get from the water

One of the most memorable parts is simply passing by the port entrance spot tied to the Colossus of Rhodes. Even though you’re not climbing anything or buying tickets to a monument, the perspective is what you’re paying for: you’re right on the water looking toward the geography where a giant ancient statue once stood.

A practical note: the cruise experience is mostly swim-and-sightsea rather than museum-style. If you like extra context—like what you’re seeing and why—bring your curiosity. Ask questions on board when the crew has a moment, especially around the Colossus mention, because a few people found the onboard explanations could be clearer.

Kallithea Springs: red water, Italian architecture, and a swim in about an hour

Your first major swim-ish stop is Kallithea Springs, reached after roughly 45 minutes of cruising. You get about one hour here, which is a good rhythm for people who want water time without losing the whole day to waiting around.

Kallithea is famous for its natural springs and the striking reddish water that erupts from rocky formations in the Gulf of Kallithea. The story layer on top of that is interesting: Italian architect Pietro Lombardi designed the buildings, with decorative work by Italian architect Armando Burnaby. Later, a doctor named Alberto Mocci organized an international hydrological conference there with more than 200 scientists.

What I like for your planning: admission is listed as free from the sea, so you’re not stuck figuring out entrances for a quick stop. You’ll also have enough time to wander a bit and then decide if you want to swim. If you’re sensitive to cold water, morning stops like this can be a little cooler depending on the season—so bring a simple game plan: take one dip, then warm up in the sun.

Anthony Quinn Bay: deep rocks, thousands of fish, and snorkel gear included

Next comes Anthony Quinn Bay, where the mood shifts. It’s described as a small bay surrounded by high rocks, with deep water—so it’s not the flat “easy entry” kind of beach. Getting there from Afandou is listed at about 15 minutes, and you’ll have around one hour in the bay.

This is where the snorkeling gear earns its keep. Masks and snorkels are provided on the boat, and the water is home to thousands of small fish close enough to watch. There’s also a fun local-style note that you can throw bread for the fish—though the usual punchline is that they never eat the bread offered by guests. I’d treat it as a story, not a feeding plan. Instead, focus on observing fish and staying mindful of your footing.

The bay also has a name story worth remembering. It’s tied to Mexican actor Anthony Quinn. When he came to Rhodes to shoot Cannons of Navarone in the 1960s, he was struck by the bay and asked the Greek state if he could buy it. The agreement didn’t happen, and a court ruling eventually said the claim was unenforceable—but locals kept the name Anthony Quinn Bay.

If you’re a weaker swimmer: plan to use a life jacket or floatation gear. The cruise includes life jackets, floaters, and pool noodles, so you can still enjoy the water without feeling like you must be a confident athlete.

Ladiko, plus a pass by Faliraki: what you see without the long stop

Between swim stops, the route includes scenic passing by Ladiko Bay and a cruising pass by Faliraki Beach on the way back toward Rhodes.

Ladiko is behind Anthony Quinn, with caves in the area. The bay’s name is tied to oil storage—it references “oil” containers used for loading and unloading olive oil cargo historically, including shipments destined for Egypt and the Middle East. You don’t get a long land-based visit here, but you do get the geography: caves, rocky coastline, and the feeling of swimming in a region that’s shaped by trade routes and shorecraft.

Faliraki, on the other hand, is more “big resort coast.” You’ll see it from the boat during the return leg (with the cruise listing about one hour of travel from Anthony Quinn Bay back toward Rhodes). It’s useful context if you want to decide later whether you’d rather spend a day on beaches with more nightlife energy.

Afandou Beach: a long pebble shoreline and caves before lunch

The third big stop is Afandou Beach, and this one mixes water with time on land. Getting there from Kallithea takes about 45 minutes, and you’ll have around 1 hour and 15 minutes to explore.

Afandou is described as a huge beach about 6 km long, with pebble shoreline and crystal-clear water. You’ll also find a large golf course nearby, but your time here is more about walking the coast and finding the caves than about sports.

One of the more useful Rhodes details: the pebbles from this area were used in building sidewalks in the Old Town of Rhodes. That’s the kind of local fact that makes the coastline feel less like a postcard and more like it’s part of real city construction.

There’s also a history layer with name meaning. The area’s coastal settlement was attacked and destroyed multiple times—by pirates in 620, Persians in 653, Arabs in 807, and Turks in the same general era of conflict. After those events, inhabitants reportedly moved inland behind rocks, so the settlement became harder to see from sea. The name Afandou is said to come from a Greek word meaning invisible.

You’ll want to wear shoes or at least have footwear that works on pebbles and rock edges. This is also a good stop for people who don’t want to snorkel the whole time—because you can split your energy between a dip, a slow walk, and cave exploration.

When it’s time, lunch is brought back into the picture on board.

Greek buffet lunch with wine included (and what to expect)

Lunch is served as a Greek buffet back onboard after the Afandou stop. The food includes both vegetarian and gluten-free options, which is a big deal for making the cruise feel welcoming to different eating styles.

You’ll also get white and rose wine listed as included, plus bottled water and soda/lemonade. Based on the on-board vibe people describe, the wine tends to be part of the relaxed mood rather than treated as a scarce extra.

Now the balanced bit: the buffet is generally described as good, sometimes excellent, but it’s not being sold as fine dining. One person noted the food could feel more basic (like pasta with chicken), while others praised it as tasty and plentiful. That tells me you should treat lunch as a solid cruise meal, not a restaurant destination. The value is that you’re fed without paying extra at every step.

Boat comfort: seating, shade, spotless bathrooms, and music energy

This cruise isn’t just about the water. The boat matters.

The ship is set up with comfortable cushioned seating and enough open areas for people to move around. Multiple accounts mention it’s not too crowded, so you’re not stuck glued to one spot for six hours.

There’s also a comfort upgrade that doesn’t sound glamorous until you’re on the water all day: the bathrooms are reportedly spotless and comfortable. And in a small but meaningful detail, many people like that you can choose where you sit—sun or shade—rather than being trapped in one hot corner.

On top of that, there’s music during the day, which helps keep the cruise feeling like a party-lite rather than a silent ferry ride.

One more practical detail: some people liked jumping off higher parts of the boat. If you’re planning to do that, only follow staff instructions and check how the water looks before you go.

What this cruise is best for (and who should think twice)

If you want a simple day that combines sightseeing with real swim time, this hits the sweet spot. It’s especially good for people who want snorkeling gear included, a wine-and-lunch setup, and three distinct coastal environments in one package.

I’d also say it works well for groups—families, couples, friend sets—because the schedule has variety. You can swim hard at one stop, relax on deck at another, and walk around for caves at Afandou.

Who should think twice? If you want nonstop, detailed narration like a guided museum tour, you may find the explanations a little uneven. Also, if pebbly shoreline and stepping in and out of rocky coves sounds annoying, plan footwear carefully and rely on the provided floatation gear.

Price and value: is $71.38 a good deal for Rhodes?

At $71.38 per person, this is priced like a mid-range day trip—and it earns that price with included items that would cost extra elsewhere.

You’re getting:

• three major water-focused stops
• snorkeling masks and snorkels
• a Greek buffet lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free options listed
• white and rose wine included
• basic drinks like water and soda/lemonade

When I think about value, the biggest win is bundling. If you had to piece this together yourself—boat rental, lunch, snorkeling equipment, and drinks—your total would almost certainly climb fast. Here, the math works because you’re paying for the whole day’s package, not just the boat ride.

The main “cost” is the tradeoff: the buffet is serviceable cruise food, and the narration is not the centerpiece.

Should you book the Rhodes Bay to Bay Swim Cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, water-first day in Rhodes with three swim opportunities, included snorkeling gear, and a buffet lunch plus wine. I’d especially recommend it for people who like turquoise-feeling coves, want downtime on deck, and prefer paid-for-everything simplicity over planning your own boat day.

Skip or reconsider if you want constant historical storytelling, or if you really dislike pebbly access and rocky cove entries. Otherwise, this cruise is one of those straightforward “show up, swim, eat, repeat” Rhodes experiences that makes the day feel like it flew by.

FAQ

What time does the cruise start?

The tour starts at 10:15 am.

How long is the Rhodes bay-to-bay swim cruise?

The duration is listed as about 6 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meeting is at Romantika Dreams Rhodes Day Cruise, Mandraki Port Nea Agora, Rodos 851 31, Greece.

What’s included with the ticket?

Included items are cushioned seating, a Greek buffet lunch with vegetarian and gluten-free choices, snorkeling equipment (masks and snorkels), shower, life jackets/floaters/pool noodles, white and rose wine, bottled water, and soda/pop lemonade.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Masks and snorkels are provided as part of the experience.

Are there vegetarian or gluten-free options for lunch?

Yes. The lunch buffet includes vegetarian & gluten-free choices.

Does the tour include wine?

Yes. White and rose wine are included.

Is hotel transfer included?

Hotel transfer is optional and costs extra.

What happens if the weather is poor?

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