Rhodes is at its best from the water, and this full-day cruise gives you four very different East Coast stops in one outing. You swim at emerald Anthony Quinn Bay, spend two hours at broad Tsambika, look into the Afandou Caves from the sea, and finish with a short swim at Kallithea Bay.

I like the variety of the stops and the generous time at Tsambika, where you can swim, reach the long sandy beach, and eat a filling Greek buffet. I also like the practical setup: hotel transport is available, the boat has three decks, a snack bar, and a restroom, and small children can use life jackets and pool noodles.

The main consideration is the size of the boat. With room for up to 280 people, this is a lively shared excursion rather than a quiet private sailing trip. Some swimming stops are short, and drinks and snacks cost extra.

Key things to know before booking

• Four East Coast swim stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Caves at Afandou Beach, and Kallithea Bay.
• Two hours at Tsambika: This is the longest stop, with time for swimming, sunbathing, and lunch.
• Greek buffet on board: Expect tzatziki, Greek salad, potatoes, moussaka, pasta, beans, meat, and chicken. Drinks are not included.
• Large excursion boat: The vessel has three decks, a snack bar, a restroom, and capacity for up to 280 people.
• Morning start and late return: Pickup usually runs from 7:30 to 8:15 AM, with the boat leaving at 9:00 AM and returning around 5:00 PM.
• Best for confident swimmers: The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or wheelchair users.

Why this Rhodes boat trip works well

At $68 per person, this outing packs a lot into one day. You get transport from several resort areas, a full boat ride along Rhodes’ East Coast, four swim stops, and lunch. Booking separate taxis, beach visits, and a meal would take more planning and might cost more, though you would have greater control over your time.

I see this as a good choice if you want to sample several famous bays without renting a car or arranging a private boat. It also gives you a fresh view of Rhodes Town. As the boat leaves Mandraki Port, you look back toward the medieval town and its waterfront from the sea.

The tradeoff is simple: convenience and variety over peace and privacy. The boat is built for a large group. You will have plenty of space across three decks, but this is not the setting for a silent morning on the water.

Getting to Mandraki Port before 9:00 AM

If you arrange your own way to the port, meet a Manos Going staff member at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation, also called Evaggelismos Church. Arrive around 8:30 AM and look for the red Manos Going sign.

Bring your booking confirmation. The staff member gives you boarding cards and a map with trip information. The boat leaves at 9:00 AM, so do not cut it close.

Optional pickup is available from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki. Pickup is generally scheduled between 7:30 and 8:15 AM, but the exact time depends on your accommodation. The stated activity start time is not necessarily your pickup time, so check the message sent by Manos Going and look in your spam folder if needed.

After the cruise, the bus transfer returns you to the port area. The listed drop-off network covers many hotels and points around Rhodes, including the Old Town, resort hotels in Faliraki and Kallithea, and accommodations in Ialyssos and Ixia. If you are using pickup, be ready at your assigned point at least five minutes early.

The first hour at sea and the view back to Rhodes

The initial boat ride lasts about an hour. This is your chance to settle in, choose a deck, and watch Rhodes recede behind you.

The view from the water gives the day a useful sense of place. Rhodes Town’s medieval center looks different from offshore, and the coastline opens into a string of beaches, cliffs, and rocky coves. If you want the best chance at an unobstructed view, arrive early enough to choose your preferred spot.

The vessel carries up to 280 people and has three decks. That means you can shift between sun and shade more easily than you could on a tiny boat. It also means boarding, serving lunch, and getting back into the water involve a large group, so allow a little patience during busy moments.

A snack bar is available on board, along with a restroom. Drinks and snacks are not part of the price, so bring money if you want something beyond the included meal. The supplied information does not state that outside food or drink is included, so plan around the boat’s snack bar rather than counting on complimentary refreshments.

Anthony Quinn Bay: 30 minutes in emerald water

The first swim stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of Rhodes’ most famous coves. Its appeal comes from the sheltered shape, rocky shore, high cliffs, and clear emerald water.

This is a good place to see why the East Coast is known for swimming rather than simply beach lounging. The water is described as home to fish, sea urchins, coral formations, and other marine life. You can swim among the rocks and look down into the clear water, though you should take care around rocky areas and sea urchins.

The stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a brisk swim, but not enough for a long snorkel session, a leisurely beach walk, and extended sunbathing. Think of Anthony Quinn Bay as a quick first taste of the coast.

Because the beach is rocky and the visit is short, wear swimwear that feels secure and bring footwear suitable for moving around the boat and shore area. The tour specifically asks you to bring a towel and sunscreen. Snorkeling equipment is not listed as included, so bring your own only if you already have it and the crew permits its use.

Tsambika Bay: two hours, a long beach, and lunch

Tsambika is the centerpiece of the day. You get about two hours here, far more than at the other stops. The bay is known for its fine golden sand and an approximately 800-meter beach, giving you room to spread out after the tighter rocky setting at Anthony Quinn Bay.

You can swim from the boat or make your way toward the beach for sunbathing. This is the stop where you can set your own pace. Swim for a while, sit in the sun, return to the boat, or simply enjoy the sea without watching the clock every few minutes.

Lunch is served aboard the boat during this stop. The buffet includes tzatziki, Greek salad, oven-baked potatoes, moussaka, pasta with red sauce, beans, beef steaks, and chicken. Meatballs and vegetables are also listed among the meal choices.

That selection makes the meal more substantial than a simple sandwich lunch. After a morning in the water, you will likely appreciate a hot, filling plate. Drinks are not included, so budget for them separately at the snack bar.

The two-hour pause is also the day’s main weakness for anyone who wants nonstop sightseeing. You are spending a large block of time in one bay. I see that as a benefit if you want a proper beach break, but less so if your goal is to see as many different parts of Rhodes as possible.

Afandou Beach and the caves from the water

The third stop is Afandou Beach, where the focus shifts from sand and open swimming to rock and a cave reached directly from the water.

You have about 30 minutes here. The short visit is suited to a swim toward the cave and a look at the rocky shoreline, not an extended beach outing. The information does not promise a guided cave tour or a walk inside, so expect to explore the cave from the water rather than take a formal land excursion.

This stop adds a different texture to the day. Anthony Quinn Bay is a compact cove, Tsambika offers a broad sandy beach, and Afandou brings a more rugged swimming setting. That change keeps the cruise from feeling like the same beach repeated four times.

If you are uneasy in open water, this may be the most demanding stop. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you should be comfortable getting into and out of the sea from a boat. Ask the crew about the safest way to enter the water if conditions or boat positioning are unclear.

Kallithea Bay: a brief final swim

The last swim is at sheltered Kallithea Bay, with around 20 minutes in the water. It is a short final pause before the boat turns back toward Rhodes.

You can use this stop for one last swim or remain on deck and sunbathe. After a full day, the choice is useful. You may be ready for a quiet ride home rather than another active swim.

The stop’s sheltered setting makes it a gentle finish, but do not expect a long visit. If you want to make the most of it, have your towel and swimwear ready before arrival rather than waiting until the boat reaches the bay.

After Kallithea, the boat spends roughly 30 minutes returning to Rhodes. The stated arrival is around 5:00 PM, though the full activity lasts about eight to nine hours depending on the day’s timing and transfers.

What lunch, seating, and boat life are really like

A three-deck boat with capacity for 280 people gives you more room than a small speedboat, but it also changes the mood. You can move around, take in the views, and find a place to sit, yet the shared schedule controls the day.

The boat has a restroom and snack bar, both useful on a full-day outing. You should still bring the basics: swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and any personal items you need for several hours outdoors. The boat provides pool noodles and life jackets for small children, but the activity is not designed for non-swimmers.

Lunch is included, which helps the price feel fair. The buffet has several Greek-style dishes, so you are not limited to one fixed plate. It is served during the Tsambika stop, allowing the meal to fit naturally into the longest break.

Bring cash or another accepted payment method for drinks and snacks, since those are extra. Sunscreen is especially important because you may spend time on an exposed deck, at the beach, and in bright water.

Who should book this day on the water

I would choose this cruise if you want an easy way to cover several well-known bays in one day. It suits couples, families with children who are comfortable around water, and anyone staying in Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, or Faliraki who would rather not arrange their own transport.

It is also a sensible option for visitors with limited time. Instead of assigning separate days to Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika, Afandou, and Kallithea, you see all four in one organized outing.

You should think twice if you want a small boat, a quiet atmosphere, or a flexible timetable. The largest stop lasts two hours, but the other swim breaks range from 20 to 30 minutes. You also need to be able to manage boat access and swimming without wheelchair support.

The tour is specifically not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or non-swimmers. A private group option is available, but the standard vessel itself is a large shared boat. Check the exact option before booking if privacy is important to you.

Is the $68 price good value?

For $68, the package includes transport from several parts of Rhodes, the full boat trip, four coastal stops, and a buffet lunch. That is solid value for an eight to nine-hour day, especially if you are staying outside Rhodes Town and would otherwise need taxis or a rental car.

The value is strongest for people who want many highlights in one day. You are paying for access, transport, and simplicity as much as for the boat ride itself.

The value is weaker if you will not swim or if you dislike group excursions. Much of the day centers on getting into the sea, and the boat’s capacity means the experience has a social, organized feel. Drinks and snacks also cost extra, so keep a small additional budget.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Rhodes schedule is still changing, but you should still confirm your pickup details once booked.

Should you book the East Coast Bay to Bay cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of swimming, a filling Greek lunch, and a simple way to reach four famous Rhodes bays. The two-hour Tsambika stop gives the schedule breathing room, while the shorter visits at Anthony Quinn, Afandou, and Kallithea keep the day varied.

Skip it if you want a private sailing experience, long visits at every beach, or a trip built around sightseeing on land. For confident swimmers who accept a large group boat, the $68 price covers a lot. Pack swimwear, towel, sunscreen, and money for drinks, then arrive at Mandraki Port with enough time to collect your boarding cards.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes boat trip last?

The activity lasts about eight to nine hours. The boat leaves the port at 9:00 AM and is expected to return to Rhodes at approximately 5:00 PM.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet a Manos Going staff member at Mandraki Port on Elefterias Avenue, in front of the fountain outside the Church of the Annunciation, also called Evaggelismos Church. Arrive around 8:30 AM and look for the red Manos Going sign.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Transportation is available from Ialyssos, Ixia, Rhodes Town, Kallithea, and Faliraki. Pickup is generally scheduled between 7:30 and 8:15 AM, and the provider sends the precise time and place for your accommodation.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The cruise stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Tsambika Bay, Afandou Beach for the caves, and Kallithea Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The buffet includes Greek dishes such as tzatziki, Greek salad, oven-baked potatoes, moussaka, pasta with red sauce, beans, beef steaks, and chicken. Drinks and snacks are not included but can be purchased from the snack bar.

Is the boat suitable for children?

Small children can use pool noodles and life jackets provided by the activity. However, the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, so children should be comfortable in the water and able to follow safety instructions.

Can wheelchair users or pregnant women join?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users and pregnant women. It is also not suitable for non-swimmers.