Rhodes: All inclusive Catamaran Escape with Lunch & Drinks

Three bays, one generous afternoon at sea. This six-hour Cherry Catamaran cruise gives you a relaxed way to see Rhodes’ east coast, with swimming stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs. I especially like the small-group feel, often around 20 people rather than a packed boat, and the all-inclusive food and drinks, which make the $82 price easy to understand.

The main thing to consider is the weather. Wind can make the first part of the cruise rough, and cooler days in April, May, October, or late in the season may reduce the appeal of swimming. Snorkeling gear is included, but one guest found some equipment worn or broken, so bringing your own mask is sensible if snorkeling matters to you.

Key points to know before booking

• Three east-coast swimming stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs each offer a different setting and enough time for a proper swim.
• Food is more than a token snack: Expect Greek salad, several cold salads, dips, dolmadakia, chicken, rice, bread, fruit, and local treats.
• Drinks are included throughout the day: Water, soft drinks, local wine, beer, and a welcome drink are part of the package.
• Usually a comfortable group size: The boat can hold more, but several departures had about 14 to 20 people on board.
• Water gear is supplied: Snorkels, masks, paddleboards, noodles, and life jackets are available.
• Bring water shoes: Rocks around one swimming area can be sharp and awkward underfoot.

What the Cherry Catamaran day is really like

You meet at the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk in Mandraki Harbour, arriving 20 minutes before departure. The cruise then moves out past Rhodes Town and along the east coast, mixing open-water sailing with long swimming breaks.

This is not a speedboat sightseeing trip. You spend a fair part of the day moving at an easy pace, with time to sit in the shaded area, stretch out on the front netting, listen to music, and watch the coast pass by. That slower rhythm is a major part of the appeal. You are not rushing from one photo stop to the next.

The advertised duration is six hours, though the exact time spent at each bay can shift. The route includes about 70 minutes of sailing before the first major stop, then shorter stretches between the bays and the return to Mandraki Harbour. Several departures had a maximum of around 20 people on board, despite the boat’s higher capacity. That leaves room to move, find a place in the shade, or sit near the bow without climbing over half the boat.

The crew keeps the day informal and attentive. Drinks are offered regularly, and you can also help yourself to more when available. The atmosphere is social, but not necessarily rowdy. It suits people who want to meet others without signing up for a party boat.

Leaving Mandraki Harbour and passing Rhodes Town

The opening section gives you a pleasant view of Rhodes from the water. There is a short welcome period around the Old Town area, with local snacks and a drink, followed by the longer cruise toward the first bay.

You receive a traditional Rhodian sesame sweet with honey called melekouni. It is a small detail, but a good one. Instead of opening the day with only a generic biscuit or packaged snack, the crew gives you a taste of something tied to the island.

You may also be offered local wine, beer, water, or soft drinks early in the trip. If you are prone to seasickness, the first stretch deserves some thought. One family reported no problem at all, including a passenger who usually feels ill on boats, while another group found the departure rough because of wind. Catamarans can feel steadier than narrower boats, but nobody can promise calm water.

Sit near the center if you are sensitive to motion, and keep the first drink modest until you know how the sea feels. The crew has been praised for helping a passenger who felt unwell, which is reassuring, but prevention is still your best plan.

Anthony Quinn Bay: the first big swim

Anthony Quinn Bay is often the visual high point of the morning. Green hills and rocky edges surround a small cove, while the water takes on a striking emerald color. The setting became famous after parts of The Guns of Navarone were filmed in the area, and actor Anthony Quinn later became closely associated with the bay.

From the catamaran, you get a different view than you would from the shore. Instead of trying to find space on the beach, you step or jump directly into the water near the boat. The stop lasts about 90 minutes, giving you enough time to swim, use a paddleboard, try the noodles, or snorkel around the rocks.

This is a good place to test the equipment and your sea legs. The water is clear enough for fish to be visible around the boat, and several people enjoyed snorkeling here. You can also simply float and look back at the rocky cove. That choice matters because the trip does not force you into constant activity.

The shore itself is not the main focus. You are not being given a long beach visit or a guided walk. This is a water stop, so it works best if you are happy swimming from the boat. If you dislike jumping from a vessel, ask the crew about the safest way to enter. Life jackets are available, and the boat has an outdoor shower for rinsing off salt water.

Ladiko Bay and the onboard Greek lunch

A short cruise takes you to Ladiko Bay, another sheltered-looking cove with attractive rock formations and calm water when conditions cooperate. The stop lasts about 80 minutes and combines swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and lunch.

This is where the all-inclusive setup earns its keep. The meal includes traditional Greek salad, green salad, potato salad, pasta salad, dolmadakia, olives, feta, tzatziki, roasted eggplant spread, feta spread, chicken, rice, and fresh bread. Seasonal fruit is also served, along with local snacks.

You should not expect a restaurant-style plated meal with a long menu. It is a generous boat buffet, built around familiar Mediterranean dishes. The cold salads and dips give vegetarians something to eat, though one person reasonably wished for more vegetarian choices or fish. Chicken and rice are the more substantial main items.

The food is prepared on board, according to the information provided for the cruise, and it has received strong praise for being fresh and filling. Dietary needs and allergies have been accommodated on at least some departures, but you should tell the operator in advance rather than assume every request can be met.

Ladiko is also a useful point in the day for a proper meal rather than eating from a snack bag. You can take your plate, sit under shade, and continue looking out over the bay. The crew keeps drinks moving, with beer, wine, water, and soft drinks available. The only small weakness is limited soft-drink variety, with Coca-Cola and orange juice specifically noted as the main choices.

Kallithea Springs: pretty buildings and clear water

The final major stop is Kallithea Springs, roughly an hour after the cruise from Ladiko. This bay is known for its decorative buildings, including structures with a distinctly Italian, almost Vatican-like character, as well as its clear water and snorkeling.

The stop lasts about an hour and includes swimming, snorkeling, canoeing or paddleboarding, and time to look at the setting. It is a nice change from Anthony Quinn Bay because the interest is not only the water. You also get architectural details around the shore.

The water around Kallithea is especially suited to looking below the surface. Still, this is not a full guided snorkeling expedition. You use the supplied equipment at your own pace, and visibility depends on wind, light, and sea conditions.

Take care when getting in and out. One person found the rocks near a swimming area sharp and hard to walk across, so water shoes are a useful addition to the packing list. They are not listed among the required items, but I would bring them if you have room.

The route may also change. The captain can alter the stops for safety and weather, so you should treat the three bays as the planned route rather than an absolute promise. That is a fair condition for a sea trip, especially when wind can change quickly.

Food, drinks, and the value of $82

At $82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Rhodes. It is also not simply a six-hour boat ride. You are paying for the catamaran, crew, three swimming areas, snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floating noodles, lunch, fruit, snacks, and a steady supply of drinks.

The comparison becomes clearer when you look at the time. A three-hour self-drive boat rental can cost a similar amount before you add food, drinks, fuel, equipment, and the work of planning a route. Here, someone else handles navigation, mooring, meal service, and safety.

The strongest value comes if you plan to drink wine or beer, eat lunch on board, and use the swimming equipment. If you only want a short coastal cruise and prefer to stay dry, you may not get the same value from the package.

The food is a real part of the experience, not an afterthought. You get enough variety for a filling lunch, plus fruit and the melekouni welcome treat. The drinks are also unusually generous for a day trip, although the crew may stop serving alcohol to anyone who appears too intoxicated. That is sensible on a boat and helps keep the mood comfortable for families and quieter groups.

Space, service, and the feel onboard

The Cherry Catamaran appears to be a key reason people enjoy this trip. It is described as large, clean, and spacious, with both shaded seating and front netting. The lower number of passengers on some trips makes a major difference. You can move around, find a comfortable spot, and enjoy the ride without feeling packed in.

The crew is repeatedly praised for being kind, attentive, and quick to help. They offer drinks, check on passengers, explain what is happening, and assist people who need support. That level of service matters more on a six-hour trip than it does on a quick harbor cruise.

The music and relaxed mood add to the social side. You can chat with people from different countries, but you can also sit quietly and watch the coast. One passenger was even allowed to steer the vessel briefly, though you should not expect that on every departure.

There are a few practical limits. Snorkeling equipment may not all be in perfect condition, and the soft-drink selection is narrow. Drone photos were also expected by one person but were not provided. Do not book this trip for promised aerial photography unless the operator confirms that service directly.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend the Cherry Catamaran to you if you want a full half-day on the sea without arranging several separate activities. It works particularly well for couples, families, and groups of friends who want swimming, lunch, and sightseeing in one package.

It is also a good choice for mixed-ability groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel or use the paddleboards, while others can stay on deck, use a noodle, or enter the water with a life jacket. The crew’s helpful approach is useful if someone in your group feels nervous on boats.

Families should note that the day includes open water, swimming from the vessel, and sun exposure. Children need close supervision around the railings and water, even with life jackets available.

You may want a different outing if you prefer a quiet, private boat, a formal historical tour, or a packed schedule of land visits. This cruise gives you brief sightseeing around Rhodes Town and Kallithea, but the heart of the experience is swimming and relaxing.

The trip is also less appealing in cool or windy weather. April, May, and October can be pleasant, but the sea may feel cold, and low passenger numbers can lead the operator to move you to another catamaran. You should also expect the captain to adjust the route when conditions demand it.

What to pack for a better day

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and plenty of sunscreen. Add water shoes if you dislike walking over rough rocks, and consider bringing your own snorkeling mask if you care about getting a clear fit.

A dry bag or sealed pouch would also be useful for a phone, though one is not listed as included. Keep your essentials simple. You will be moving between sun, shade, swimming, meals, and the boat’s outdoor shower.

Arrive at Mandraki Harbour 20 minutes before departure. That gives you time to find the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk without turning the start of your day into a sprint.

Should you book the Cherry Catamaran?

Book it if you want a social, well-fed, six-hour sea day with three beautiful swimming stops and little planning on your part. The combination of a spacious boat, attentive crew, generous lunch, and included drinks makes $82 a fair price for many people.

I would be more cautious if you are highly sensitive to wind, need a wide choice of soft drinks or vegetarian mains, or expect every snorkel and mask to be in perfect condition. For everyone else, this is one of the more practical ways to combine Rhodes scenery, swimming, Greek food, and a relaxed day on the Aegean.

FAQ

Where does the Cherry Catamaran cruise depart from?

The meeting point is the Sea Rhodes Cruises & Daily Tours desk at Mandraki Harbour. You should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts six hours. The exact departure time depends on availability, and the captain may adjust the schedule because of weather or safety.

Which bays does the catamaran visit?

The planned route includes Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs Bay.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes Greek salad, green salad, potato salad, pasta salad, dolmadakia, olives, feta, dips, chicken, rice, and fresh bread. Seasonal fruit is also included.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes water, soft drinks, local wine, beer, and a welcome drink. Alcohol service can be stopped for anyone who appears excessively intoxicated.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, floating pool noodles, and life jackets are included.

Can I swim and paddleboard during the stops?

Yes. Swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and canoeing are offered at the planned stops, depending on conditions and safety instructions.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Water shoes and a personal snorkeling mask may also be useful.

Can the route change?

Yes. The captain can change the route or swimming stops because of weather conditions and safety concerns.

What languages are spoken on the cruise?

The live tour guide service is available in English and Greek.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.