Rhodes Day Cruise (with lunch & unlimited drinks) 5,5 Hours

This Rhodes Day Cruise is a straightforward way to see the coast, swim in clear water, and not spend the whole day figuring out logistics. Two things we especially like: the three scheduled swimming/snorkeling stops (each about 50 minutes) and the all-inclusive feel, with lunch plus unlimited drinks. The boat setup also sounds like the kind of “relaxed vacation day” many travelers are craving, not a rushed sightseeing checklist.
There is one consideration: because this is a weather-dependent day on the water, you’ll want a bit of flexibility in your schedule in case the tour needs a change or refund due to conditions.
This fits best for couples, friends, and families who want a low-stress beach-and-sea day from Rhodes—especially if you’d rather be on the water than hunting taxis and parking.

Key Points

• Three swimming/snorkeling stops at Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs, each about 50 minutes
• Lunch is included (Greek-style buffet with multiple mains plus Greek salad, tzatziki, olives, and bread)
• Unlimited drinks included: beers, white and red wine, plus soda options; cocktails are extra
• Snorkeling equipment is included; towels and flippers are not
• Group size is capped at 35 travelers, which most people find feels comfortable
• Weather matters: the tour can be canceled for poor conditions with refund or alternate date

The overall vibe: a “boat day” done the practical way

This is a 5.5-hour cruise that’s built around one purpose: water time. You’re not expected to race around landmarks. Instead, the schedule is arranged into three chunks of swimming and snorkeling, with a lunch buffet and ongoing service between stops.
At around $72.56 per person and typically booked about 20 days in advance, it feels positioned as a mid-priced “value-for-a-full-day” experience rather than a premium private charter.

From the reviews, what really comes through is how much guests enjoyed the crew hospitality and the fact that drinks and meals were kept moving during the day. Many passengers mentioned constant topping up of drinks and a steady, welcoming atmosphere onboard.

Where the cruise starts (and why meeting point timing matters)

The tour meets at Royal Sailing Rhodes, Pl. Eleftherias, Rodos 851 00, Greece. Departure is listed as 10:00am, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.
This matters because multiple reviews talk about showing up early—one traveler suggested arriving at least 30 minutes early to get better seats. Another review complaint focused on being late to boarding, leading to the boat leaving. So, don’t gamble with timing if you’re coordinating from a port area or your hotel.

Also note the practical bits: mobile ticket is offered, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Boat day value: what’s actually included for your money

For the price, you’re getting a package that normally costs more separately if you piece it together yourself: transport by boat, 3 stops, food, basic drink package, and snorkeling gear. Here’s what’s included based on the tour details.
Included items: snorkeling equipment, bottled water, snacks (fruits), restroom on board, WiFi on board, and even a shower. On the drinks side, you’ve got beers, white and red wine, plus soda/juice options and coffee/tea. Lunch is included too.

Two details travelers sometimes miss when choosing:
– Towels aren’t included (so bring one or plan to use what you’ve brought)
– Cocktails aren’t included in the standard price and are available for purchase separately
Flippers are also listed as not included—many snorkeling setups still work fine without them, but it’s good to know what’s actually provided.

Group size: better chance of a relaxed day

This tour has a maximum of 35 travelers. That’s an important sweet spot. Too-large boats can turn the experience into a scramble for seating and a conveyor belt vibe. Too-small private tours may mean less structure and fewer included comforts.
With this cap, most reviews describe a fun, sociable group but still feel like you get attention from the crew—especially around drinks, food, and getting everyone settled safely during boarding and in-between swim calls.

Itinerary breakdown: what to expect at each stop

The day is structured into three 50-minute water sessions. That’s about right for swimming and snorkeling without exhausting yourself—especially if you’re also eating lunch and enjoying the sea views between stops. Based on guest comments, these stops tend to feel scenic and calm rather than chaotic.

Stop 1: Afandou Beach (about 50 minutes)

Afandou is your first anchor-in moment. You’ll get 50 minutes to swim, snorkel, and relax. Travelers talk about this as a quiet, easy first swim spot—one review even highlights that these stops can be gorgeous with clear water.
You can also expect a sense of decompression here: the morning is spent getting oriented onboard, and the first swim is often where you get comfortable with the boat rhythm, crew instructions, and the water setup (snorkeling gear + floats).

Lunch happens here as a buffet with local flavor. The tour lists items like Greek salad, tzatziki, olives, and multiple mains. The drink pairing includes red or white wine. If you’re picky about timing, you might want to eat before you’ve fully worked up hunger. A few guests mention food being freshly served and enjoyable, and the Greek sides are a theme in the feedback.

Potential drawback: 50 minutes isn’t long enough for some people who want to do a lot of snorkeling exploration. One review complained swimming stops weren’t long enough compared to what they expected. So if your priority is long underwater time, keep that in mind.

Stop 2: Anthony Quinn Bay (about 50 minutes)

This is widely described as the fan favorite. Multiple reviews single out Anthony Quinn Bay as their highlight, calling out clear water and in some cases calm conditions.
Here, the tour also emphasizes the traditional wooden boat style for the experience of reaching a “most impressive” beach area. Regardless of how you feel about boats in general, the selling point is visible when you’re there: these bays tend to look like picture postcards from the deck before you even splash in.

Expect swim and snorkel time again: 50 minutes, and the snorkeling equipment is provided. Reviews also mention enough snorkeling gear and flotation options for guests, including floats. If you’re snorkeling more than once in a day, it helps that the staff appears ready and stocked.

Stop 3: Kallithea Springs (about 50 minutes)

Your last water stop is Kalithea (Kallithea) Springs, described as crystal clear waters. The order matters. By the time you reach the last stop, most travelers have already eaten lunch and settled into the “boat day” pace, so the third swim can feel like bonus time rather than the main event.
You’ll have another 50 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. Reviews generally describe the overall experience as calm and enjoyable rather than frantic.

Because it’s the last scheduled stop, this is a good moment to be practical: consider using that time to soak in the view and take photos early, then snorkel once you’ve found your comfort zone. The sea is pretty and the schedule isn’t infinite—so front-loading the best sights can make the stop feel richer.

On-board experience: comfort, service, and the “don’t-thirsten” factor

Food and drinks are a big part of the emotional payoff on a cruise like this. And many reviewers call out that drinks were free-flowing and that crew members constantly topped things up.
There’s also mention of being welcomed with watermelon on arrival, regular drink offers, and an atmosphere that can feel friendly and upbeat. If you like people watching and conversation without needing a big group activity, the size (up to 35) plus staff attention seems to hit that zone.

Snacks, lunch, and what you’ll actually eat

The lunch menu is listed as: chicken, rice, pasta, Greek salad, tzatziki, nuyor/nd? (the listing includes Ntolmadakia), olives, and bread. There’s also starters listed that match the buffet theme: Greek salad, tzatziki, olives, bread.
We’d interpret this as a fairly standard Greek taverna-style buffet: multiple sides (salad + tzatziki + olives) with hot mains (chicken + pasta + rice). Several reviews mention food being homemade or “fresh,” and at least one guest specifically praised freshly cooked flavors and good portions. Another review suggests someone may have disliked food quality, including comments about “frozen chicken nuggets,” which tells you that food expectations may vary—or that reviews reflect day-to-day realities of catering.

Drinks: what “unlimited” means here

This tour includes alcoholic beverages: beers, white and red wine, plus soft drinks including Pepsi, Fanta flavors, and juice, along with coffee/tea. Water is also bottled.
That’s why people kept saying things like “drinks were constantly topped up.” It’s not just “a single pour and you’re done.” You should expect ongoing access as the day goes along.

A fair heads-up: cocktails are not included in the standard price. So if your idea of vacation means ordering specific cocktails, you’ll want to budget for extras.

Practical tips that come from real traveler feedback

A couple of patterns show up in the reviews that can help you avoid the annoying surprises.

Arrive early for boarding and seating

Look, the meeting time is listed as 10:00am, but boarding realities can be earlier. At least one review says boarding started at 9:30am and the boat left for late arrivals. Another person said arriving 30 minutes early helps with the best seats.
So if you’re traveling from a cruise ship, this is one where planning buffer matters. Your “late by 10 minutes” risk is real.

Bring the right swim gear

• Snorkeling equipment is included
• Flippers aren’t (some people may want them for comfort)
• Towels aren’t included
• A shower is onboard, which is handy if you’re hopping back into plans after

If you’re the type who hates feeling wet-cold later, plan your post-cruise change-out around that shower availability, but still bring basic supplies like towel and personal items.

Accessibility and boarding

There’s at least one note about the steps being somewhat hard to navigate when getting back onto the boat, and a suggestion that longer stairs would help. The tour does say “most travelers can participate,” but those step details matter if you have mobility concerns.
If mobility is a concern for you or your group, it’s worth messaging the provider before booking so you can confirm practical accessibility for your specific needs.

Safety and weather: what you’re booking into

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before start time.
That’s a common pattern for sea days and a reminder: you’re choosing comfort through clear conditions and calm seas. Some reviews even mention rescues in choppier water, but that’s more like “thanks for safety awareness” than “stay away.” Still, if you’re sensitive to rough water, keep weather patterns in mind on the day.

What could disappoint you (so you can decide wisely)

Balanced reality: this cruise seems to work well for most people, but there are a few recurring complaints you should take seriously.

1) Stop time expectations: At least one review argued that swim stops weren’t as long as advertised, or felt shorter than previous experiences for slightly higher prices. The official plan is three 50-minute swim slots, so it’s not a “long lunch on the beach all day” structure.
2) Food inconsistency: Most guests praise the lunch. But one unhappy review called the food subpar and used “frozen chicken nuggets” language. That doesn’t mean everyone gets that—just that catering quality might vary, and expectations should be moderate for a buffet on a boat.
3) Departure timing misalignment: The “we arrived late and the boat left” story is important. If you have tight transport timing (taxis, shuttles, or a cruise ship schedule), you need buffer time.

Also, a small number of reviews describe cancellation or schedule problems due to operational reasons (one says the trip was canceled the night before and rebooked to another day, with an allegation of different passenger prioritization). Most reviews are strongly positive and the tour has free cancellation options, but you should still treat weather and logistics as real variables.

Who this tour is perfect for

This one lines up especially well if you:
- Want swimming and snorkeling without bringing much beyond yourself and your personal swim basics
- Like structure: you get stops and timing so you don’t have to plan anchors, routes, or how to fit food and transit
- Prefer a smaller group feel: up to 35 travelers with lots of crew attention reported
- Enjoy lunch onboard and an included drink package

Who should think twice

Consider alternatives if:
- You need extra-long swimming sessions beyond three ~50-minute windows
- You strongly prefer non-alcoholic-focused options beyond water and soft drinks (though soda/juice/coffee/tea are included)
- You have tight mobility constraints for boat steps, since there are mentions about stairs back to the boat
- Your schedule doesn’t allow you to arrive early for boarding

Book it or skip it? Our decision guide

If your goal is a classic Rhodes sea day with three chances to get in the water, a simple included lunch, and unlimited beer/wine and soft drinks, this tour looks like a solid value—especially with a 4.8 rating from 523 reviews and a 96% recommendation rate. The best part for most people is the balance: you get enough time to swim without losing your day to travel logistics.

We’d recommend booking if you can show up early (seriously) and you’re comfortable with a schedule that prioritizes three water stops over spending hours on a single beach.

FAQ

Is lunch included on the Rhodes Day Cruise?

Yes. Lunch is included and served as a buffet with items listed like Greek salad, tzatziki, olives, bread, chicken, rice, and pasta, along with other starter and main options.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes beers, white and red wine, bottled water, snacks/fruit, and soft drinks like Pepsi and Fanta, plus coffee or tea. Cocktails aren’t included in the standard price.

How many swimming and snorkeling stops are there?

There are three stops for swimming and snorkeling: Afandou Beach, Anthony Quinn Bay, and Kallithea Springs, and each stop is about 50 minutes.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment.

Where do we meet the tour, and what time does it start?

You meet at Royal Sailing Rhodes, Pl. Eleftherias, Rodos 851 00, Greece, and the start time is 10:00am. The cruise ends back at the meeting point.

What is the cancellation policy if the weather is bad?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. The experience also requires good weather—if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.