Snorkeling in Rhodes: 6-Hour Cruise with Greek BBQ

Swim inside 30-metre caves, then drift in the Aegean's most photographed bay.

A 6-hour snorkeling cruise departing from Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes visits three swimming stops: Kallithea Spa, the Traganou Caves in Afandou Bay, and Antony Quinn Bay, with 45 minutes at each of the first two and a full hour at the last. The boat carries a maximum of 75 passengers to keep the deck uncrowded, and includes snorkeling equipment, a Greek BBQ meal with souvlakia and salad, hot dogs, waffles, donuts and unlimited drinks. A live guide speaks English and German throughout the day. Hotel transfer is available as an add-on option at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

6-hour swimming cruise with meals

• Depart from Mandraki Harbour
• Cruise to Kallithea Springs
• Swim and snorkel at Kallithea Springs
• Cruise to Traganou Caves
• Swim inside Traganou Caves
• Cruise to Anthony Quinn Bay
• Swim and snorkel at Anthony Quinn Bay
• Enjoy Hot Dog hour
• Have Greek BBQ meal
• Enjoy Waffle hour
• Cruise back to Mandraki Harbour

The Experience

The Aphrodite Duchess leaves Mandraki Harbour and heads into the Aegean for three separate swimming stops, each one a different reason to get in the water. Kallithea Spa comes first—45 minutes to snorkel the shallows and float in the mineral-rich bay. The Traganou Caves in Afandou Bay are next, another 45-minute stop where you swim inside caverns that drop 30 metres deep, with a tiny beach at the mouth where the water clears enough to see the rock face above you.

Antony Quinn Bay is the full-hour finale, named after the actor who filmed scenes from Guns of Navarone on these rocks. It's the stop where most people linger—the water is clear enough to photograph your own shadow on the sand below, and the snorkeling gear stays on for the whole stretch. Between swims, the crew runs a Hot Dog Hour, then a full Greek BBQ with souvlakia skewers, Greek salad, tzatziki and bread. On the return to harbour, there's a Waffle Hour and sweet donuts with coffee. Beers, wine, soft drinks and iced frappe flow throughout.

The boat is licensed for 150 but capped at 75 passengers, which means the deck doesn't feel packed and the bean bags and shaded table booths stay actually comfortable. You can book a lower deck booth with shade, a bean bag on the top deck in the sun, or add hotel transfer to either option—message the operator on WhatsApp if you're arranging your own ride to the harbour instead. A guide in English or German is on board the whole time.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• Greek BBQ meal with souvlakia, Greek salad, tzatziki and bread.
• hot dogs.
• waffles and sweet donuts.
• unlimited beers, wine, soft drinks and iced frappe.
• live guide in English or German.
• three swimming stops at Kallithea Spa, Traganou Caves and Antony Quinn Bay.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Rhodes Sea Lines

Is this one for you?Book the lower deck booth if you want shade and a table for the whole 6 hours; choose the top deck bean bag if you prefer sun and the freedom to move around. Add hotel transfer at checkout if your accommodation is outside walking distance of Mandraki Harbour, or arrange your own ride and message the operator on WhatsApp to confirm the pickup window.

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Top questions

How long do you spend snorkeling at each stop on the Rhodes cruise?

Kallithea Spa and the Traganou Caves each get 45 minutes in the water; Antony Quinn Bay, the final stop, gets a full hour so you can snorkel the whole stretch without rushing back to the boat.

What is inside the Traganou Caves that makes them worth snorkeling?

The Traganou Caves drop 30 metres deep and you swim inside them; at the end there is a tiny beach, so you can surface and stand on sand that sits inside the rock formation itself.

Is snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment is included with the cruise, so you don't need to pack or rent gear separately.

What meals and drinks come with the 6-hour cruise?

The cruise includes a Greek BBQ meal with souvlakia, Greek salad, tzatziki and bread; a Hot Dog Hour; a Waffle Hour on the return; sweet donuts and coffee; and unlimited beers, wine, soft drinks and iced frappe throughout the day.

Can I book a hotel transfer to Mandraki Harbour, or do I need to get there myself?

Hotel transfer is available as a purchase option at checkout; if you don't select it, you can arrange a transfer by messaging the operator on WhatsApp before the cruise.

How many people travel on the boat, and is it crowded?

The Aphrodite Duchess is licensed for 150 passengers but keeps the limit at 75 to ensure the deck stays comfortable; you can choose between a shaded lower deck booth or a bean bag on the top deck.