Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes outing is the timing: you swim in the late afternoon, eat as the boat follows the east coast, then watch the sun drop over the Aegean from open water. It turns a simple boat ride into a full evening, with music and dinner folded into the three-hour trip.

I like the small-catamaran feel reported on many departures, with some boats carrying only about 14 to 16 people. I also like the generous spread of chicken, salads, dips, feta, bread, and unlimited drinks. The main consideration is the swim stop: the boat anchors offshore, and reaching the bay or nearby rocks means swimming rather than walking ashore.

Key points

• Kalithea Bay swim stop: You get about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling in water reported at roughly 6 meters deep.
• Greek buffet onboard: Expect grilled chicken, salads, hummus, tzatziki, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.
• Unlimited drinks: Wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.
• Three catamaran choices: You can be placed on a sailing or power catamaran, with three boat options offered by the operator.
• Sunset timing: The boat pauses near Rhodes Town for about 20 minutes so you can watch the sunset at sea.
• Good value at $58: The price covers the cruise, swim gear, dinner, and drinks, not just the boat ride.

A three-hour evening from Mandraki Harbor

You meet at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desk in front of the Poseidon Submarine, near Mandraki Harbor. Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before departure. This matters because the boats leave on time, and missing your sailing can mean a €25 rebooking fee for another day.

The cruise lasts three hours, with the time split sensibly between sailing, swimming, dinner, and the sunset. You do not spend the whole evening sitting in one place. The boat gets you out along Rhodes’ east coast, gives you time in the water, and then turns the return journey into the main visual event.

There are sailing and power catamarans, with three catamaran options used by the provider. The exact boat depends on your booking and operating arrangements. In April, May, and October, the provider can move you to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum number of passengers. You should check messages before heading to the harbor.

Several departures described a relaxed group of around 14 to 16 people, though group size can vary. That smaller scale is part of the appeal. You have room to sit outside, move around, and speak with the crew without the feel of a large party boat.

Sailing past Rhodes’ east coast

Once you leave Mandraki Harbor, the first sailing section lasts about 45 minutes. This is the quiet setup for the evening. Find a spot outside if you want the best views and a good breeze, but remember that the boat will be moving, so secure loose items.

The coast looks best from the water because you get a different sense of Rhodes than you do from the roads or beaches. You see the shore from a low, open viewpoint, with the sea stretching around the catamaran. The route and swimming stop can change with weather conditions, so the captain has the final say.

Music plays during the cruise. The style varies by departure, but several outings were praised for good background music and a relaxed atmosphere. It is not presented as a formal cultural performance. Think of it as an easygoing evening soundtrack while you sit, eat, talk, and watch the coast pass.

You can choose between a sailing catamaran and a power catamaran when booking options are available. A sailing boat may appeal if you want a quieter, more traditional feel, while a power catamaran suits anyone who prefers a quicker, engine-powered ride. The supplied details do not promise a specific boat for every booking, so confirm the option shown at checkout.

Forty-five minutes at Kalithea Bay

The boat anchors at Kalithea Bay for about 45 minutes. This is the active part of the trip. You can swim, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or float with one of the pool noodles.

The water is clear, and one outing described a depth of around 6 meters. You may see fish and marine life around the rocks. One particularly lucky swimmer spotted a lionfish, though you should treat that as a pleasant possibility rather than a guarantee. Other accounts found the underwater scene pleasant but fairly rocky, so this is best viewed as a fun sea swim rather than a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

The boat does not pull right up to a beach for an easy stroll ashore. It stays at anchor, and you need to swim if you want to reach the shore or nearby rocky areas. That makes the stop unsuitable for anyone who is not comfortable in open water.

Life jackets are available, and the crew provides snorkeling gear and floating noodles. There is also an outdoor shower for rinsing off afterward. Indoor toilets are onboard, which is useful during a three-hour outing, though you should still bring only what you need and keep valuables secure.

The swim stop comes before or around the dinner service, and the exact timing can matter. One person found that food was served during the snorkeling period, so you might miss part of the buffet if you stay in the water for the entire stop. If dinner matters more to you than extra swim time, return to the boat when the crew begins serving.

Bring swimwear. You may also want a towel, though one is not listed among the inclusions, so do not assume one will be provided. There is no need to bring snorkeling equipment unless you prefer your own, since gear is supplied.

Dinner with chicken, salads, dips, and local bread

The meal is one of the strongest parts of the package. This is not a plated restaurant dinner, but the buffet gives you enough choice to build a satisfying meal.

The listed dishes include grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh-baked local bread. The spread leans toward familiar Greek flavors, with plenty of cold dishes and dips alongside the chicken.

If you eat vegetarian food, you should have several options, including hummus, salads, pasta salad, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and bread. One booking decision came down to concern about the lack of fish or a larger vegetarian selection. The buffet is workable for vegetarians, but it is not a specialized vegetarian or vegan menu, and the available information does not confirm vegan substitutions.

The food seems designed for a relaxed deck meal rather than a culinary showcase. That is a good match for the setting. You can eat while the boat moves, return for more, and keep your attention on the sea rather than on a formal service.

The quantity is another plus. The crew may continue offering food and drinks throughout the meal, and several outings described generous portions. Families also found the food easy to manage, including one couple traveling with a toddler and another with a six-month-old baby.

Unlimited drinks and a relaxed onboard rhythm

The $58 price includes unlimited wine and beer, along with juice, soft drinks, and bottled water. That changes the value calculation. You are not paying for a basic boat transfer and then adding dinner and drinks separately. The main evening costs are grouped into one ticket.

The drinks are served by the crew, and several departures were praised for attentive service. You can ask for another drink rather than lining up at a crowded bar. The wine was described as good quality on one outing, though the experience is not positioned as a wine tasting.

The alcohol policy is sensible. The crew can stop serving alcohol if someone appears intoxicated. This helps keep the mood pleasant for couples, families, and solo passengers rather than allowing one person to turn the boat into a loud party.

The tone can vary with the group and music. Some evenings sound deeply relaxed, while others include more laughter and lively songs. You should expect a social cruise with music, not silence and solitude. If you want an intimate evening, a small departure can help, but the operator cannot guarantee a particular group size.

Sunset from open water near Rhodes Town

After the swim and meal, the catamaran returns toward Rhodes Town. The sunset portion lasts about 20 minutes in the listed schedule, and the captain stops at a good viewing point on the water.

This is when the trip earns its romantic label. Instead of watching the sun from a crowded waterfront, you are surrounded by sea with the east coast nearby. The boat’s position gives you a wide view, and the return trip adds a cool sea breeze as daylight fades.

The sunset is weather dependent, of course. Clear skies produce the best color, while clouds can change the mood or limit the view. The captain may also change the route or stop according to conditions. Still, the schedule is built around this moment rather than treating sunset as an accidental bonus.

The music helps set the tone. Several outings paired the sunset with gentle or romantic songs, while others described livelier music. You can choose a seat on deck, watch from the side of the catamaran, or simply settle in with a drink as the light changes.

Take photos, but do not spend the whole sunset looking through your phone. The best part is the open view, the boat’s slow movement, and the changing colors over the water.

How the catamaran setup affects your evening

Catamarans offer more room than a narrow single-hull boat, and the onboard layout includes outdoor seating, an outdoor shower, indoor toilets, safety gear, and space for the buffet. Several departures were described as clean and well maintained, with enough seating to enjoy the view from different parts of the boat.

The sailing and power boats may feel different. A sailing catamaran can give you more of a traditional sea outing, while a powered boat may feel more direct and predictable. The available information does not provide technical specifications or guaranteed seating arrangements, so you should focus on the experience rather than expect a particular luxury layout.

The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users. The swim stop also makes this a poor fit for anyone who needs step-free access to the water or cannot swim from an anchored boat to the shore.

Families can take part, and crew members have been attentive to babies and toddlers. Still, young children may find it hard to sit still during the sailing portions, and parents should keep a close eye on them around the water.

Solo passengers can also fit in comfortably. One solo participant felt safe and enjoyed the easygoing setting. Couples get the most obvious romantic benefit, but friends and families can enjoy the swim, food, and sunset just as well.

Value at $58 per person

At $58, this is a strong package if you plan to eat dinner and have drinks during the evening. You receive a three-hour boat trip, a swim stop, snorkeling equipment, a full buffet, unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, and a sunset viewing point.

The value is less clear if you do not drink alcohol or do not want dinner. The meal is part of the appeal, and the ticket price reflects the food and drinks as much as the sailing. Vegetarians can eat from the buffet, but anyone seeking a broad meat-free or fish-based menu should check the current food details before booking.

The small-group feel can also improve the value. A catamaran carrying around 14 to 16 people feels more personal than an overcrowded cruise, with room to find a good seat and speak to the crew. Group numbers are not fixed, so do not book solely on the assumption of a tiny boat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve while paying later. Those options help if your Rhodes schedule depends on weather or other plans. The captain can change the route, and seasonal boat changes are possible, so keep an eye on provider messages.

Practical tips for getting the most from it

Arrive early at the Poseidon Submarine and Catamaran Cruises desk. The boats depart on time, and the €25 rebooking fee after a missed departure is an avoidable cost.

Wear your swimwear under your clothes. That makes the Kalithea Bay stop easier, especially if you want to get into the water quickly.

Return from snorkeling when the crew starts setting up dinner. You can keep swimming, but food may be served during the stop, and you could miss part of the buffet.

Ask a crew member if you are unsure about departure times. The information provided to passengers can include announcements, and it is worth confirming the return schedule before leaving the boat.

If you want the best sunset view, spend part of the return journey outside. The boat’s open deck gives you more than one angle, and the sunset stop is short enough that you should be ready when the captain positions the catamaran.

Who should book this Rhodes cruise?

I would choose this trip for a couple wanting a low-effort romantic evening, a family that likes swimming and an informal dinner, or a solo visitor who wants to get out on the water without arranging a private charter.

It also suits you if value matters. Dinner, unlimited drinks, a swim stop, gear, and sunset views make the $58 fare easy to justify for a three-hour outing.

I would look elsewhere if you want a quiet sailing trip with no music, a serious snorkeling session, a fully accessible boat, or a specialized vegetarian menu. You should also skip it if swimming from an anchored boat is not comfortable for you.

For most visitors, I would book it, especially on a clear evening. Choose the sailing or power option that best matches your style, arrive early, bring swimwear, and keep your sunset plans flexible. The swim is enjoyable, the buffet is more substantial than a token snack, and the final run toward Rhodes with music and open sea gives the evening a clear finish.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes sunset catamaran cruise start?

It starts at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks in front of the Poseidon Submarine at Mandraki Harbor.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 to 15 minutes before the activity starts. The catamarans depart on time.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours.

Is dinner included?

Yes. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta, and fresh local bread.

Which drinks are included?

Unlimited wine, beer, juice, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.

Where does the boat stop for swimming?

The catamaran anchors at Kalithea Bay, also referred to as Kalithea Springs Bay.

Can I walk ashore at the swimming stop?

The boat remains at anchor, and you need to swim if you want to reach the shore or nearby areas.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

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

Are sailing and power catamarans available?

Yes. The activity offers three catamaran options, including sailing and power catamarans. The provider may move passengers to another catamaran in April, May, or October if a boat does not reach its minimum number.

Can wheelchair users join the cruise?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.