Review · GREECE
Kolymbia: All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise with Lunch & Drinks
The best part of this five-hour catamaran cruise is its simple rhythm: sail, swim, eat, and sail again. From Kolymbia, you visit Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach, with time to enjoy the water instead of racing through a long list of stops.
I like the small maximum group of 25 people, which gives you more room than the packed boats common along Rhodes. I also like that lunch and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included. The main consideration is communication: if you want detailed commentary about every coastal landmark, this may feel quiet rather than educational.
Key points to know before booking

- Three different swimming stops: Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach each offer a slightly different setting.
- A Lagoon catamaran: The boat is designed for a relaxed day on the water, with more room to spread out than a crowded excursion boat.
- Greek lunch served onboard: You do not need to give up swimming time to search for a restaurant.
- Unlimited drinks: Beer, white wine, soft drinks, and water are included throughout the cruise.
- A 25-person limit: This is a useful detail if comfort and personal space matter to you.
- Five hours from Kolymbia: The trip is long enough for a proper outing but short enough to leave part of your day free.
A relaxed way to see Rhodes from the water
Rhodes is often approached through its famous towns and archaeological sites, but its coast is just as rewarding. A catamaran cruise gives you a different view of the island: pale beaches, rocky coves, and clear water that is best appreciated from the sea.
This is not a sightseeing cruise built around a long spoken history lesson. It is a swim-and-lunch outing. You get three chances to enter the water, time to sit in the sun or shade, and a meal prepared onboard. The value is in the easy pace.
The group limit matters here. With no more than 25 passengers, you should have a better chance of finding a comfortable place to sit and moving around without squeezing past a large crowd. A 4.9 rating from 137 reviews also points to very strong overall satisfaction, especially with the boat space, swimming stops, and value.
The meeting point is Kolymbia Sea Lines on Google Maps. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the harbor. The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity information lists English as the available language.
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Tsambika Bay is the first taste of the coast

The first scheduled swimming stop is Tsambika Bay. This is a good opening stop because it gives you a chance to settle into the boat and get used to the day before lunch or the longer swim sessions later on.
You can swim, snorkel, or simply remain onboard and enjoy the views. The bay is known in the tour description for its clear water and attractive coastal setting, so this is where you will likely begin to understand why seeing Rhodes by boat is worthwhile.
The timing at each stop can matter as much as the location. The itinerary does not specify the length of the Tsambika Bay stop, so you should check the exact schedule on the day. If you prefer a quiet start, use this first stop to find your favorite place on the catamaran and decide how much time you want to spend in the water.
The published details describe a Lagoon catamaran rather than a fast boat. That usually suits this kind of day well. You are not simply being transported between points. The ride itself is part of the experience, with time to relax between swimming stops.
The Hidden Caves add a more unusual stop

After Tsambika Bay, the cruise heads to the Hidden Caves. This stop lasts 30 minutes, giving you a clear window for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the caves from the water.
The name gives this stop a different feel from a normal beach visit. Instead of a broad stretch of sand, you get a more enclosed coastal setting, with rock formations to look at as you move through the water. You should expect the caves to be explored from the sea, not as a land excursion.
Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim and a look around, but it is not a long snorkeling session. If you want to make the most of it, have your swimming things ready before the catamaran arrives. Equipment details are not specified, so check what is supplied and consider bringing your own mask and snorkel if you already have gear you like.
This is also a good stop for people who do not want every part of the day to feel like a beach break. The caves offer a change of scenery and give the cruise a little more character.
Greek lunch arrives between the swim stops
After the Hidden Caves, a Greek lunch is prepared and served onboard. This is one of the practical strengths of the trip. You do not need to leave the boat, hunt for a restaurant, or cut a swim short to find food.
The meal is described as a delicious Greek lunch, but no menu is provided. If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong food preferences, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the meal will suit you.
Eating onboard also keeps the day moving at a comfortable pace. You can remain close to the sea, enjoy the catamaran setting, and take a break from swimming without losing time to a shore stop. The unlimited drinks add to that ease. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included, so you are not paying separately every time you want something to drink.
I would still treat the drinks package as a convenience, not the main reason to book. The real value comes from combining three swimming locations with lunch and boat time in one half-day outing. The drinks make the price easier to understand, especially for anyone who would otherwise buy refreshments separately.
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Stegna Beach gives you the longest water break
The final stop is Stegna Beach, where you have almost a full hour for swimming and snorkeling. This is the longest stated stop of the day, and the timing makes sense. By this point, you have had a shorter cave visit and a meal, so you can settle into the final beach stop without feeling rushed.
Stegna is a useful finish because you can choose your own pace. Swim if you still have energy, snorkel along the coast, or stay onboard and enjoy the view. A nearly full hour gives you more flexibility than the 30-minute Hidden Caves stop.
The order also creates a pleasant progression. Tsambika Bay starts the water time, the caves add variety, lunch offers a pause, and Stegna gives you the most generous final swim. After that, the catamaran returns to Kolymbia Harbour.
The exact water conditions can affect how much you enjoy any stop. Swimming and snorkeling depend on the sea, weather, and your own comfort in open water. The tour is best for people who are happy with a flexible coastal outing rather than anyone expecting a carefully guided snorkeling lesson.
Why the 25-person limit matters
The maximum of 25 passengers is one of the most useful details in the description. A boat can have beautiful stops and still feel unpleasant if everyone is competing for seats, shade, or a clear path to the swimming area.
A smaller group should make the day calmer. You have more room to spread out, and the crew can manage the boarding and meal service without the feel of a large ferry. One of the strongest practical impressions associated with this experience is that the boat is not overloaded.
That does not mean you should expect a private charter. There can still be other people on board, and personal space will depend on how full the catamaran is. But the 25-person ceiling is a meaningful advantage over larger coastal excursions.
It also makes this trip suitable for several kinds of visitors. Couples can enjoy a relaxed shared outing, families have several swimming opportunities, and solo visitors get a social setting without joining a huge group. If you strongly prefer silence and complete privacy, a private boat would be a better fit, but that is a different type of trip.
What the $106 price includes
At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time on the Rhodes coast. The price needs to be judged against what is bundled into the five hours.
You receive:
- A Lagoon catamaran cruise
- Three swimming stops
- Greek lunch served onboard
- Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water
- A maximum group size of 25 people
If you value a comfortable boat, food, and drinks, the package is easier to justify than a basic boat ride where you pay for every extra. You are also paying for the convenience of visiting three coastal spots without arranging separate transport.
The value is strongest for people who plan to spend much of the day swimming and relaxing. It is less compelling if you mainly want to reach one beach, spend hours ashore, or visit cultural sites. This experience does not include a stop in Lindos, an Acropolis visit, or hotel transfers. Those are important distinctions because some other Rhodes boat outings follow a different route.
Bring your own money only for personal extras, if needed. The included drinks and lunch remove much of the usual onboard spending, but the tour does not state that snorkeling equipment, towels, or other personal items are supplied.
What the cruise does not try to be
This trip focuses on the sea, not on detailed coastal interpretation. The host or greeter speaks English, but the supplied information does not promise continuous commentary, a guided snorkeling session, or historical explanations at each stop.
That can be a plus if you want to switch off. You can listen to the water, enjoy a drink, and follow your own pace rather than keeping up with a guide explaining every point of interest.
It can be a drawback if you want to know the names and stories of every cove. Clearer announcements about upcoming stops and coastal sights would improve the experience for someone who likes a strong sense of orientation. Before departure, ask the crew about the order and approximate timing if that information matters to you.
The lack of hotel pickup is another practical point. You need to reach Kolymbia Sea Lines on Google Maps yourself. Check the meeting instructions and allow enough time to find the harbor, since the tour begins and ends there.
Who should book this catamaran cruise
I would recommend this cruise to you if your ideal Rhodes day includes warm water, a comfortable boat, casual food, and no complicated planning. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and small groups who want a shared experience without a large crowd.
It is particularly good for:
- People who want several swimming opportunities in one outing
- Visitors staying near Kolymbia
- Anyone who values lunch and drinks being included
- Swimmers and snorkelers who enjoy short coastal stops
- People who prefer a relaxed boat ride over a fast transfer
- Visitors who want a half-day activity rather than a full-day commitment
I would think twice if you dislike open-water swimming, need extensive historical commentary, or want hotel transportation included. The itinerary is built around the sea, and the tour description does not provide an alternative sightseeing program for people who prefer to remain onboard at every stop.
The free cancellation policy allows you to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve-now-pay-later booking is available. Those policies make it easier to fit the cruise around changing holiday plans, but you should still confirm the meeting time and availability before finalizing your day.
Final verdict: a strong choice for an easy sea day
I like this cruise because it keeps the plan focused. You get three distinct water stops, a proper Greek lunch, unlimited drinks, and a smaller group aboard a Lagoon catamaran. The experience does not ask you to spend the day changing buses, finding restaurants, or rushing between unrelated attractions.
The main weakness is the limited information about commentary and exact timing at some stops. That matters if you want a strongly guided coastal tour. For a relaxed day of swimming and sailing, however, it is a minor concern.
At $106, I would book it if you want comfort and convenience rather than the lowest possible fare. The best reason to choose it is the balance of space, food, drinks, and three swim stops. If that sounds like your kind of Rhodes day, the Kolymbia Sea Lines catamaran cruise is a sensible pick.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran cruise meet?
The meeting point is Kolymbia Sea Lines, which you can find on Google Maps.
How long is the cruise?
The experience lasts five hours.
How much does the cruise cost?
The listed price is $106 per person.
Which swimming stops are included?
The cruise includes Tsambika Bay, the Hidden Caves, and Stegna Beach.
How long is the stop at the Hidden Caves?
The Hidden Caves stop includes 30 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring from the water.
How long do you spend at Stegna Beach?
You have almost a full hour at Stegna Beach for swimming and snorkeling.
Is lunch included?
Yes. A Greek lunch is prepared and served onboard.
Are drinks included?
Yes. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are included.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Can you cancel the booking?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now-pay-later booking is also available.
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