Sailing Catamaran day cruise – Rhodes with lunch & drinks

Leave the harbor, lose the schedule. This private six-hour catamaran cruise gives you room to set the pace, swim in clear coastal bays, and enjoy lunch without the usual packed-boat feeling. I especially like the private group format and the chance to pause for a swim at Anthony Quinn Bay, with a local skipper helping shape the day.

The included Greek-style lunch, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water add real value, particularly for a group sharing the $1,890.46 price. The main drawback is the cost: it makes sense for a full group of up to 12, but it is a serious splurge for only two or three people. You also need to reach New Marina in Rhodes on your own.

What makes this Rhodes cruise worth considering

• Two well-chosen swimming areas: Cruise past Kallithea Springs and stop at Anthony Quinn Bay for time in the water.
• A private catamaran for up to 12 people: You are not placed with a large public group, so the day can feel more relaxed and personal.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Expect Greek mezedes and other dishes, with beer and wine served at lunch, plus soft drinks and water throughout the day.
• A local skipper shapes the day: The skipper can suggest the best places to stop, swim, and rest.
• Six hours on the water: The 9:30 a.m. start leaves most of the afternoon free after the cruise.
• Good space for families: One group of nine, including five children, found the boat roomy enough for everyone.

A private boat day rather than a fixed group outing

Rhodes has plenty of organized boat trips, but this one takes a different approach. You book the entire catamaran for your own group, up to 12 people. That matters most when your party includes mixed ages, children, or friends who do not all want the same amount of swimming time.

You are not simply following a rigid timetable from one sightseeing stop to the next. The skipper can help decide how long to stay in a bay and where to pause for a swim or a quieter stretch on board. The exact freedom depends on sea conditions and the captain’s judgment, but the private setup gives you far more breathing room than a standard group cruise.

I also like the social side of the boat. A private catamaran gives your group one shared setting for lunch, swimming, and coastal views. You will not need to make small talk with strangers or compete for a place to sit, though the price means you will want to fill as many of the 12 available spaces as possible.

The strongest praise has centered on the crew’s care, the roomy boat, and the simple pleasure of stopping at two different beaches. Stefano is specifically named as a skipper who looked after his group well. That personal attention can make a big difference on a six-hour outing, especially when young children are aboard.

Starting at New Marina at 9:30 a.m.

The cruise begins at New Marina, Rhodes 851 00, at 9:30 a.m. You need to arrange your own way to the marina because hotel transfers are not included. The trip ends back at the same meeting point.

That return-to-marina setup is convenient if you are staying near Rhodes Town or arranging your own transport. It also makes the timing easy to understand: allow about six hours, so you should expect to finish around mid-afternoon, depending on conditions and the day’s pace.

Your confirmation arrives when you book, and the ticket is mobile. Still, I would check the meeting instructions carefully before leaving your hotel, especially if you are unfamiliar with the marina. Arriving with enough time to find the boat is a small but worthwhile precaution.

The boat trip requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. The normal cancellation rule allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, except when weather causes the operator to cancel.

Cruising past Kallithea Springs

The first named stop is Kallithea Springs Bay. The boat cruises by the bay, with time for a refreshing swim. Admission is not included, so you should not assume that any land-based access or entrance fee is part of the cruise.

Kallithea Springs is useful here as a coastal swimming setting rather than a long shore excursion. You get to see the bay from the water and use the stop to cool off. If you prefer a relaxed day with more time aboard than on land, that suits the design of this trip.

The listed swimming time is about 35 minutes. That is enough for a quick swim and a little time to enjoy the view, but it is not a long beach stay. If you like lingering in the water, you may find this stop feels brief, particularly if boarding takes time for a larger group.

The best way to approach Kallithea is to have your swim gear ready before the boat arrives. Since this is a water-based outing, you will get more from the stop if you can move easily from sitting on deck to getting in the sea.

Swimming at Anthony Quinn Bay

The cruise then heads toward Anthony Quinn Bay, one of the best-known bays on the route. The boat drops anchor so you can swim in the clear water, with about 40 minutes set aside for the stop.

This is the main swimming highlight. From the boat, you can enjoy the bay without needing to organize a separate beach visit, find parking, or carry your belongings across a crowded shore. The stop also gives you a chance to see the coastline from the water, which is a different experience from simply arriving by road.

Forty minutes is a useful middle ground. You have time for a proper swim and a little rest, but the cruise keeps moving rather than turning into an all-day stay at one cove. If your group includes confident swimmers and people who prefer to remain dry, the private boat format lets everyone use the stop differently.

The water may be the star here, but remember that the bay is a sightseeing and swimming stop, not a full guided visit to a land attraction. The admission note for this stop means you should not expect entrance fees or separate onshore activities to be covered.

A helpful tip is to keep your most important belongings secure before swimming. The supplied details do not specify onboard storage arrangements, so ask the skipper where to leave phones, wallets, and other items. That is basic boat-day sense and lets you enjoy the water without worrying about your gear.

Greek mezedes and drinks on board

Lunch is included, with Greek mezedes and other dishes served on board. Mezedes usually means a selection of smaller shared plates, which fits a group meal nicely because you can sample several items rather than choosing one large dish.

The food is served during the meal period along with beer and wine. Soft drinks and water are available all day. That package reduces the need to bring a full cooler or plan a separate lunch stop, and it keeps the day centered on the boat.

The meal also helps break up the swimming portions. Six hours can feel long if the day is only sun and salt water, so a proper lunch gives you time to sit, talk, and enjoy the coastline from a slower pace.

Do not read the drinks inclusion as an all-day alcohol package. Beer and wine are specified for mealtime, while soft drinks and water are available throughout the day. If someone in your group has particular dietary needs, the provided information does not confirm special menus, so ask the operator before booking.

The food received warm praise, with one group describing the dishes and drinks as nice overall. That is encouraging, though you should choose this cruise for the private boat day first, not as a restaurant substitute. The meal adds comfort and value, but the sea and swimming are the main event.

How the $1,890.46 group price works

The advertised price is $1,890.46 for up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to about $158 per person for six hours, including the catamaran, skipper, lunch, drinks, and taxes. That is a much easier price to defend for a group of 10 to 12.

For six people, the cost is about $315 per person. For four, it is roughly $473 per person. A couple would be paying the full private-boat price between them, which makes this a poor value unless having a private catamaran is the main point of your Rhodes visit.

The value improves if your group would otherwise book several separate activities. You receive a private setting, two swimming stops, a local skipper, lunch, and drinks in one half-day outing. You also avoid the uncertainty of being placed on a crowded public boat.

Still, there are limits. Hotel transport is not included, and admission fees are not included at the named stops. The cruise also depends on good weather, so keep some flexibility in your Rhodes plans.

The strongest value case is a family group, reunion, or set of friends who can share the fixed price. One group of nine, including five children, had plenty of room on board. That is a useful sign for larger parties, though the exact feeling of space will depend on how many people you bring and how much time everyone spends in the cabin or on deck.

Who will enjoy this boat day most?

I would recommend this cruise most strongly to:

• Families who want a private setting and simple swimming stops
• Friends splitting the cost across a large group
• Couples celebrating a special occasion who place a high value on privacy
• People who prefer coastal views and swimming over a long list of shore visits
• Anyone who wants lunch and drinks handled in advance

The boat may suit children well, based on the group that included five children, but the supplied details do not list child-specific equipment or swimming aids. If your family needs particular facilities, ask before booking.

This is less suitable if you want an inexpensive beach transfer, a long visit to Kallithea Springs, or a packed sightseeing program. It is also not the right pick if you dislike swimming from a boat or want to spend most of the day walking ashore.

Practical advice for getting the best day

Plan to arrive at New Marina before the 9:30 a.m. departure. Since transfers are not included, build in enough time to reach the meeting point without turning the start of the day into a rush.

Bring the basics for a swim, including a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and a dry change of clothes. The boat provides drinks, but the supplied details do not specify what personal items or beach equipment are available, so keep your packing simple and useful.

Use the skipper’s local advice. The whole point of a private cruise is not only to follow a route, but to get help choosing where to pause and how to use the time. Let the captain know early if your group prefers longer swims, more time relaxing on deck, or a gentler pace.

Keep expectations realistic about timing. The listed stops allow about 35 minutes at Kallithea Springs and 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay, but cruising, anchoring, and boarding all take part of the day. You will see both areas, but this is not a long stay at either beach.

Weather matters. The operator may change the date or provide a full refund if conditions are poor. If your Rhodes schedule is tight, avoid placing this cruise on the only day you have available for the island’s other major sights.

Should you book this Rhodes catamaran cruise?

Book it if you can fill much of the boat and want a private, easygoing day on the sea. The two swimming stops, roomy catamaran, local skipper, lunch, beer, wine, soft drinks, and water make a strong package for a group of friends or family.

I would hesitate if you are traveling as a pair and watching your budget. The fixed group price is hard to justify with only two or three people, especially since you must arrange your own transport to New Marina.

For the right group, this is a pleasant way to trade crowded beaches and fixed public-boat schedules for a private six-hour outing. The clearest signs in its favor are the skipper’s attentive care, the boat’s capacity for a family group, and the chance to enjoy Rhodes from the water without rushing from stop to stop.

FAQ

How long does the catamaran cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the cruise start?

It starts at 9:30 a.m.

Where does the cruise begin and end?

It begins at New Marina, Rhodes 851 00, Greece, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. The catamaran is reserved for your group, with a maximum of 12 people.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, beer, and wine are included for the meal period. Soft drinks and water are available throughout the day.

Which swimming stops are included?

The cruise passes Kallithea Springs Bay, where you can swim, and stops at Anthony Quinn Bay for a swim in the clear water.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Transfers to and from hotels are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.