A Rhodes catamaran cruise sails the east coast of the island from Rhodes Town, with lunch on board and stops in clear bays where you can swim and snorkel. Compare the boat days in our tours in Greece listings before you pick a departure.
This page covers what the cruise is and how long it lasts, the kind of boat and what is on board, the east coast route, Anthony Quinn Bay, Kallithea Springs, Ladiko and Afandou, the swim and snorkel stops, the view of Rhodes Town from the water, day and sunset sailings, and who the trip suits.
What is a Rhodes catamaran cruise, and how does it work?
On a Rhodes catamaran cruise you spend the day on a two-hulled boat, sailing the island’s east coast. The boat leaves Rhodes Town in the morning. It stops at bays for swimming and snorkelling, serves lunch on board, and returns to its starting point.
Rhodes, called the Island of the Sun and the Island of the Knights, is the largest island in the Dodecanese. The Rhodes catamaran cruise begins in its biggest city, Rhodes Town. One operator page describes a day that mixes relaxing and sailing in equal measure. Another operator lists sailing and power catamarans, so check which kind your trip uses.
A Rhodes catamaran cruise follows a set order. You sail along the coast and stop at a bay to swim and snorkel. One operator page lists three stops and serves the lunch buffet at the second one. Another page lists two stops. Both pages include lunch and drinks. A third page says you relax on board between sailings.
A Rhodes catamaran cruise can be shared or private. On a shared cruise you ride with other guests, and one listing caps the group at 25 passengers. A private cruise is booked for your own group, and the page says the day can be tailored. One private-cruise page lets the group set the length of every swim stop.
A crew runs the boat. One page says the crew prepare the lunch with care, and another lists an English-speaking crew. A third operator says its crew members are trained and certified for their posts. It adds that they know the local waters, around Rhodes and across the Aegean Sea. That operator describes itself as a local family business.
How long is a Rhodes catamaran cruise, and where does it start?
A full Rhodes catamaran cruise lasts six hours in all. The shared boats meet at Mandraki harbour in Rhodes Town, up in the north of the island. They set off at 10:00 and are back at the same place at four in the afternoon.
Three listings of a Rhodes catamaran cruise name Mandraki harbour as the meeting place. All three give the same start time of ten in the morning. The harbour lies in the city of Rhodes, which has about 56,000 people. One listing says the boat sails every day, so you can pick the day that suits your holiday.
Not every Rhodes catamaran cruise leaves from there. A private full-day sailing catamaran page gives the new Rhodes Town marina as its start. The start is half past nine, and the trip also runs for six hours. It sails the east coast, like the shared trips. Check the meeting place on your own booking, because the two starting points differ.
A charter operator page puts the new Rhodes marina at the northeast tip of the island. It says the airport is 22 kilometres from the marina, less than half an hour by taxi. The page also lists public transport options and a minibus transfer for groups. Shops and places to eat are close to the marina.
The six hours run from boarding to landing, with the sailing, the swim stops and the lunch inside them. Operator pages also list a shorter half-day version for anyone who wants less time on the water. A Rhodes catamaran cruise ends where it began, so you step off at the quay you boarded.
What kind of boat is a catamaran, and why do cruises on Rhodes use one?
Each catamaran rides on two matching hulls. The wide gap between them gives the boat stability. On a Rhodes catamaran cruise, guests eat lunch and sunbathe. They also relax on deck between the swim stops, as operator pages describe the day.
Wikipedia says a structure joins the two hulls, from a simple frame to a bridging structure with extensive cabin space. Operators in Rhodes offer two kinds of catamaran. One page lists luxury sailing catamarans and luxury power catamarans among the boats in its fleet. It adds that the boat on your Rhodes catamaran cruise depends on which catamaran you choose.
Set wide apart, the hulls keep a catamaran from rolling or tipping over, says Wikipedia, and no ballast is needed. Compared with a single-hull boat, its broad footprint can lessen heeling and wave motion. Wikipedia names two main traits, lower resistance in the water and greater stability. They come with the design, so they apply to any Rhodes catamaran cruise.
Operator pages for a Rhodes catamaran cruise give no engineering reason, but they describe the deck. One page calls its sailing catamaran spacious and says the day mixes sailing and relaxing in equal measure. It adds that guests relax on board between sailings, then swim at each stop. Another praises the comfort of its deck areas and facilities.
Boat size differs by operator on a Rhodes catamaran cruise. One operator lists a catamaran for up to 25 guests on a private day cruise. It lists a sailing yacht for up to 17. The name comes from the Tamil word kattumaram, which means logs bound together. Wikipedia credits the Austronesian peoples with inventing the first catamarans.
What is on board a Rhodes catamaran cruise, from lunch to snorkel gear?
A Rhodes catamaran cruise puts a lunch buffet, drinks and snorkel gear on board. Operator pages list soft drinks, water, beer and wine, plus masks, floating noodles and life jackets. The crew prepares the lunch with care and serves it on the boat for every guest.
A Rhodes catamaran cruise serves its lunch as a buffet. The menu covers Mediterranean food, seafood and vegetarian plates, all prepared on the boat. One operator page names grilled chicken, Greek salad, tzatziki, aubergine salad, hummus, feta and local bread, with fruit. Another page says vegetarian options come on request, so tell the operator before the day.
Drinks come with the day. One page promises unlimited water, soft drinks, beer and wine. Another gives unlimited soft drinks all day, but serves beer and house wine at lunch only. A third page names soft drinks, water, local beer and local white wine. Operators set their own lists, so check the one for your booking before you sail.
Snorkel gear is part of the list on a Rhodes catamaran cruise. One operator page says snorkelling gear, floating noodles and life jackets are included. A second page names snorkelling masks for both its full-day and its sunset trip. A review of that boat calls it fully equipped, from fresh soft drinks to snorkel masks.
The same review mentions a restroom on board and the option to play your own music. For a Rhodes catamaran cruise, one operator page asks guests to bring a swimming suit, a towel and a camera. Another page says every crew member is trained and certified, and knows the sea around Rhodes and the Aegean well.
Which part of the Rhodes coast does a Rhodes catamaran cruise sail along?
The boats on a Rhodes catamaran cruise follow the east coast of the island, heading south from Rhodes Town. Two operator pages describe this route. The boat keeps to the shore and stops in bays such as Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea Springs.
The city of Rhodes lies at the island’s northern end. From there the east coast runs south. Wikipedia says Rhodes is shaped like a spearhead. It gives the length as 79.7 km, the greatest width as 38 km and the coastline as approximately 220 km. Operator pages place a Rhodes catamaran cruise on its east side.
Faliraki is the main resort village on this coast. Wikipedia places it on Faliraki Bay, on the northeastern coast, 14 km south of Rhodes town. It also lists a 5 km stretch of sand and 12 Blue Flag awards. A second Wikipedia article puts Anthony Quinn Bay 4.3 km south of the village.
Wikivoyage says the east side of the island has almost continuous sandy beaches with calm waters. That shore is the setting for a Rhodes catamaran cruise. One operator page promises coastal views while you swim, snorkel or unwind on deck between the stops. Wikipedia adds that roads leave the city and run down both the east and west shores.
The stops differ a little between boats. One operator page lists three: Anthony Quinn Bay first, Afandou Beach second, and Kallithea Springs last. Another page names two, Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea Springs. It says the boat sails along the east coast to reach them. Ask which stops your own Rhodes catamaran cruise includes.
What is Anthony Quinn Bay, and why do boats stop there on a Rhodes catamaran cruise?
Anthony Quinn Bay is a small bay on Rhodes’s eastern shore, 20 km south of Rhodes Town. A Rhodes catamaran cruise stops here for a swim. One operator page puts it first among the stops, with time in the water for swimming and snorkelling.
A Rhodes catamaran cruise calls at a bay named after the actor Anthony Quinn. The Guns of Navarone was shot mainly on Rhodes, says Wikipedia. The film unit was based on the island from April to July. Quinn bought land there during the filming. The Greek government reclaimed it later after a change in property law.
Visit Rhodes describes the bay as framed by dramatic rocky landscapes. Another page adds pine trees that reach down to the beach and turquoise-green water. It calls the beach small, a spot to relax. A staircase leads down to the narrow beach, which mixes sand, gravel and stones. Visit Rhodes adds that paths and cliffs around the bay invite exploring.
One beach page calls the water crystal clear. It ranks the bay among the leading places on Rhodes for diving and snorkelling. Another page calls it one of the calmest spots on the island and says the waters are ideal for swimming. When a Rhodes catamaran cruise reaches the bay, the boat anchors and guests swim from the deck.
People who come by road reach the bay by car or bus, and a parking area is close by. A restaurant stands by the staircase, and sun loungers and parasols can be rented. A Rhodes catamaran cruise reaches the bay from the sea. One afternoon cruise page says guests can refresh with a swim or relax on board.
What is Kallithea Springs, and what is the swim stop like on a Rhodes catamaran cruise?
Kallithea Springs is a spa and a bay in north-east Rhodes, about nine kilometres from the city. On a Rhodes catamaran cruise it is a swim stop with clear water. One cruise page allows thirty minutes there for swimming and snorkelling.
On a Rhodes catamaran cruise, the springs at this stop have been known for healing since ancient times. The Italian governors of Rhodes ordered a study of the spring waters. The project went to the architect Pietro Lombardi.
The spa is Moorish in style, with pebble mosaics. A domed rotunda, fourteen metres wide, stands over the natural spring. The outer walls carry designs inspired by the sea. The spa fell into neglect at the end of the twentieth century, and a full renovation reopened it.
The swim stop lies in the bay of Kallithea, below the spa. One travel page describes small coves with crystal-clear water there. Another says the bay suits swimmers of every skill level, with shallow water near the shore. A third lists three more beaches nearby, ringed by rocks, palm trees and pine forest.
The stops change from one cruise page to the next. One Rhodes catamaran cruise lists Anthony Quinn Bay first and Afandou Beach second. Kallithea Springs is the last stop, with thirty minutes in the water. Another page names only Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea Springs for its east-coast day.
A travel wiki lists Kallithea for its Italian-built spa, its snorkelling and its resort hotels. Another page describes clear blue water for swimming and diving in the summer heat.
Even when a Rhodes catamaran cruise only stops to swim, the site has more on land. A travel page lists a cafe and a diving school, and the spa opens daily at eight in the morning.
Which other bays, such as Ladiko and Afandou, come up on a Rhodes catamaran cruise?
On one Rhodes catamaran cruise, Afandou Beach is the second swim stop, with sixty minutes in the water. Ladiko Bay is a beach that another operator page lists for its cruises. Both lie close to Faliraki.
Afandou Beach is made of sand and pebbles, and it is long. An operator page calls it huge and well organised, with quiet spots too. Wikipedia ranks Afandou Beach among the longest beaches on Rhodes. The Rhodes catamaran cruise that stops here calls the beach quiet and sets time aside to swim and snorkel.
The village of Afandou sits just south of Faliraki. A travel wiki counts it among the big villages on the island. Not far from the beach is an eighteen-hole golf course. Wikipedia says this municipal unit holds the island’s single golf course.
On that Rhodes catamaran cruise, Afandou gets sixty minutes, the longest swim of the day. The other two bays get thirty minutes each.
Ladiko Bay is a gulf with deep blue water and green hills around it. The hills overlook the beach and shelter it from the wind. One traveller page says you pass Ladiko on the way to Anthony Quinn Bay. It adds a small rock pool between the two beaches.
A travel site lists an east-coast sailing cruise. Its stops are Kallithea Springs, the caves of Afandou and Anthony Quinn Bay in Ladiko. Ladiko is missing from the stop lists of the two cruise pages that give them. Check the list of stops before booking, since the bays differ between one Rhodes catamaran cruise and the next.
How do the swim and snorkel stops work on a Rhodes catamaran cruise?
Depending on the boat, a Rhodes catamaran cruise visits three or four swim spots. The catamaran anchors at each one, and one listing gives an hour there to swim or snorkel in clear water.
The length of each stop on a Rhodes catamaran cruise changes from trip to trip. One page lists a six-hour day with three stops of thirty, sixty and thirty minutes. It places the lunch buffet, prepared and served on board, beside the sixty-minute stop. A second listing gives one hour at each of three stops on its sailing catamaran.
Private trips set their own pace. On one private Rhodes catamaran cruise, guests decide how long to stay at each swimming stop. They can also add one extra stop on the day. The half-day trip on that page offers a second swimming stop in the same way.
Gear is part of the day. Two listings name snorkel equipment among their inclusions. One of them also lists stand-up paddleboards, inflatables, a water slide, an undersea scooter and swim jackets. A third page says you relax on board between sailings and take a swim at each stop.
One operator page sums up the day in four verbs: swim, snorkel, dive and sunbathe. Its packing list holds swimwear, a towel and a camera. Check the stop count and the stop length on each listing too. Both change from boat to boat on a Rhodes catamaran cruise.
What do you see of Rhodes Town from the water on a Rhodes catamaran cruise?
The harbour front of Rhodes Town is where a Rhodes catamaran cruise starts, on trips from Mandraki Harbour. A crenellated wall faces the water. Towers and forts guard the moles, and the Fortress of Saint Nicholas stands at the edge of the jetty.
The Fortress of Saint Nicholas is a stand-alone fort at the northern edge of the jetty in Mandraki harbour. It dates to the rule of Grand Master Zacosta in the fifteenth century. Grand Master d’Aubusson later added a bastion around the tower. Its roof lighthouse dates to the mid-seventeenth century and still works. At night the fort is lit.
Three windmills stand on the east mole beside the fort. Recent excavations found the foundations of five more mills on the rocks. Early maps and a woodcut from the late fifteenth century show about eighteen stone tower mills around the harbour. One page says the mills ground grain and also served as defensive towers.
Excursion boats and pleasure craft now berth in this harbour. A Rhodes catamaran cruise begins here on the trips that depart from Mandraki. The wall along the harbour belongs to the medieval city. The Marine Gate, or Sea Gate, served as the main way into the town from the harbour.
The Knights Hospitaller built the walls on older Byzantine ones, starting in the early fourteenth century. They finished the wall curtain in the fifteenth century. Wikipedia says over 6,000 people live in this medieval town, the largest active one in Europe. It covers about 42 hectares. UNESCO has designated the Medieval City of Rhodes a World Heritage Site.
The same harbour carries the legend of the Colossus of Rhodes. One account sets the statue on a marble pedestal close to the harbour entrance. A second account places it on a breakwater inside the port. Wikipedia says the true location remains in dispute. A Rhodes catamaran cruise shows only the setting, not a certain spot.
What is the difference between a day cruise and a sunset Rhodes catamaran cruise?
The day version of a Rhodes catamaran cruise lasts about six hours, with three swim stops and a lunch buffet. The sunset version lasts about three hours, with one swim stop, dinner on board and a sunset at sea. Both sail along the east coast.
On a day Rhodes catamaran cruise, the focus is time in the water. One operator page sets out a six-hour trip, from morning to afternoon, with three swim and snorkel stops. A lunch buffet is served on board between the stops. The drinks on that page run from wine and beer to soft drinks and water, with no limit.
A sunset Rhodes catamaran cruise sets off in the afternoon, and the start follows the sunset. One half-day page starts at four o’clock and adjusts the departure to the sunset during the season. That trip swims at Anthony Quinn Bay. Two other pages swim at Kallithea Springs, and one of them allows about forty-five minutes in the water.
Dinner takes the place of lunch. One page lists a buffet dinner with grilled chicken, salads and Mediterranean dishes. It also lists unlimited wine, beer, juice and soft drinks. The same page counts a twenty-minute sunset viewing while guests eat. On a half-day page the soft drinks flow freely, while alcohol means beer or white wine, taken with care.
The ride home is different too. A second page says the moon and the stars light the return. One operator built its half-day trip for travellers who think a whole day on the water is too much. That sunset Rhodes catamaran cruise saves its highlight for the medieval town. There the sun sets over the Aegean, behind the Turkish mountains.
Who suits a Rhodes catamaran cruise, and what do the wind and sea decide?
A Rhodes catamaran cruise suits swimmers, snorkellers, sunbathers and people who like to rest on deck. The wind and sea decide the route. One page warns that the itinerary can change a bit without warning if the weather is not on your side.
Operator pages sell the day around the water. They talk of swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing under the Rhodian sun. Another page adds that guests can simply unwind on deck and take in the coastal views. On a private Rhodes catamaran cruise, one operator lets guests choose the time at each swim stop. Guests can also add a second stop.
One sunset trip page says children and infants are allowed, but the cruise is not specifically designed for families. A day cruise page says the boat is not wheelchair accessible. A reviewer there names the stairs back on board after a swim as the one drawback. Another page calls its cruise not suitable for guests who suffer from travel sickness.
On a Rhodes catamaran cruise, the meltemi is the wind to know. This dry, strong wind from the north sweeps the Aegean between late spring and mid-September. Wikipedia notes an afternoon peak, and one blow can last for days. It is dangerous to sailors: it arrives under clear skies without notice and blows at force seven to eight.
The wind has a good side too. The same article calls the weather in these winds fine and clear. The northerly flow tempers the summer heat at times. Leisure sailors like the steady wind for sailing. A Rhodes catamaran cruise sails the east coast. A travel wiki says Faliraki, on the north-east coast, has less wind than the west coast.
What else do travellers ask about a Rhodes catamaran cruise?
Which months suit a Rhodes catamaran cruise, and how bright is the sunshine?
Wikipedia describes a hot-summer Mediterranean climate on Rhodes, with mild winters. The sea you swim in on a Rhodes catamaran cruise warms through the season. Its average is 20.1 degrees Celsius in late spring and 23.4 in June. July averages 25.9, August 27.2 and September 26.7. Then October falls to 23.8.
The sun is strong. At Rhodes airport, July is the sunniest month, with 391.8 hours of sunshine, against 152.6 in January. The average July high is 30.6 degrees, and July is the driest month, with 0.7 millimetres of rain. Wikivoyage counts 300 or more sunny days a year on the island, so plan for strong sun on deck.
What do you take along on a Rhodes catamaran cruise, from towels to sun cream?
Pack for sun and water. One operator says towels are not provided and recommends sun cream and a sun hat. Another cruise page asks for a swimsuit, a towel and a camera. A third listing adds sunglasses to the sunscreen and towel. A small-group listing asks guests to pack swim gear and sunblock.
The first operator holds only a small selection of snorkel masks. It recommends a personal mask and tube from home. A travel blog adds a waterproof jacket for a windy or splashy day. One set of terms advises leaving valuables on land. Guests look after their own belongings on a Rhodes catamaran cruise.
Does a Rhodes catamaran cruise suit children, non-swimmers and people who get seasick?
One operator has had newborn babies on board and says the family decides whether the trip suits them. It keeps a shaded area, indoors and outdoors, for young children. Another operator’s terms say a parent or legal guardian must supervise children. Life jackets must be worn when the crew asks.
Those terms call swimming and snorkelling optional. They ask guests to report pregnancy, heart conditions, food allergies or other medical issues before departure. A third operator lists life jackets and floating noodles as provided for use.
One small-group listing puts non-swimmers, travel sickness and reduced mobility under its not-suitable list. Read the listing of your own Rhodes catamaran cruise before you book.
How do hotel transfers and boarding work for a Rhodes catamaran cruise?
Operators treat the hotel transfer for a Rhodes catamaran cruise as an add-on. One page lists it under what is not included. Another offers transfers on request, and a third asks you to email at least one day ahead. A small-group listing offers pick-ups from ten areas, among them Ialyssos, Ixia, Kallithea, Rhodes Town, Faliraki and Kolymbia.
Allow time at the harbour. Terms for shared cruises want guests at the meeting point a quarter of an hour before sailing. Late arrivals can miss the boat. That small-group listing berths its boat in the New Marina harbour. It says to ask at the harbour reception for the exact spot.
What happens to a Rhodes catamaran cruise when the sea is rough?
The crew decides whether a Rhodes catamaran cruise sails. One operator’s terms say it can change, postpone or cancel a trip. The reasons are adverse weather, strong winds, unsafe sea conditions, technical issues or orders from the port authorities. The terms give the captain absolute authority over weather decisions, itinerary changes and swimming stops.
Those terms put guest safety first. In that case the operator offers another departure date or a different cruise. A second operator contacts you as soon as possible when the weather stops the cruise. It then tries to fit you in on another day.
A travel blog also links rain and wind to cancelled or less pleasant sailings. So keep a spare day free when you book.