Rhodes: Lindos Cruise with 2 Swim Stops

Lindos is the star here, but the two sea stops turn a simple boat ride into a full day on Rhodes. You sail from Mandraki port along the east coast, swim from the boat at Anthony Quinn Bay, spend about three hours exploring Lindos, then cool off at Tsambika before returning to Rhodes.

I like the freedom of the Lindos stop. You are not tied to a guide, so you can climb to the Acropolis, eat by the water, shop in the whitewashed lanes, or simply find a beach chair. I also like the clean, roomy boat, useful floats, air-conditioned seating, toilets, and onboard bar. The main caution is time: three hours in Lindos goes quickly, especially if you want the Acropolis, lunch, shopping, and the beach.

Key points

• Anthony Quinn Bay: Enjoy a 30-minute swim from the boat in clear emerald water and rocky surroundings.
• Three hours in Lindos: Set your own pace, with time for the Acropolis, village lanes, tavernas, and beach.
• Tsambika Blue Lagoon: Finish the return journey with another 30-minute swim in turquoise water.
• Early arrival matters: The limited top-deck sunbeds are popular, so arrive early if you want one.
• Comfortable facilities: Expect several seating areas, shade, air conditioning, toilets, WiFi, floats, and a snack bar.
• Good value at $47: The price covers a full-day cruise and two swim stops, but food, drinks, towels, and Acropolis admission cost extra.

A full Rhodes day built around Lindos

At $47 per person, this is one of the more practical ways to combine Lindos sightseeing with time in the water. A land trip to Lindos may get you there faster, but this cruise adds two scenic swimming stops and gives you a pleasant ride along the east coast.

The day lasts about eight to eight and a half hours. You leave Rhodes in the morning and return to the harbor around 17:30. The cruise is long enough to feel like a proper day out, yet the schedule is simple: sail, swim, explore Lindos, swim again, return.

This suits you best if you want a relaxed day with several choices. It is less suitable if you want a detailed guided tour of Lindos, a long beach stay, or a quiet small-boat outing. The boat has plenty of room, but it is still a popular group excursion, and the best sunbeds go early.

Finding the boat at Mandraki port

The main meeting point is Mandraki port in Rhodes Town. Look for the DISCOVERY boat almost opposite the Nea Agora Building, near the Roda bus stop. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure. The morning meeting window is generally between 8:00 and 8:30.

Optional hotel pickup is available for selected locations, but hotel pickup and return are not included in the basic cruise price. The listed pickup area includes resorts and hotels such as Rodos Palace, Electra Palace Rhodes, The Ixian Grand, LABRANDA Blue Bay Resort, and several properties around Rhodes and Ixia.

If you book a transfer, enter your phone number carefully. The operator may contact you by WhatsApp or phone with your pickup point and time. Look for a vehicle marked with the RIZOS CRUISES logo. Drivers wait only briefly after the scheduled time, although traffic can cause delays of up to 15 minutes.

I would not cut the morning close. Arriving early helps you find the correct boat, settle in, and choose a better seat before the main crowd arrives.

The boat ride along Rhodes east coast

The boat has three different deck areas, with open seating, shaded sections, and an air-conditioned interior. The top deck has the most direct sun and the best sense of open sea, but it can feel windy while the boat is moving. At the beginning and end of the season, bring a light jacket even if the day looks warm.

The limited sunbeds are on the upper deck and are not shaded. They are popular for good reason, but they are not guaranteed. Arrive early if a sunbed matters to you. Otherwise, the standard seats are comfortable, and there is shade on board.

The boat includes toilets, WiFi, floats, and an onboard bar. The bar sells cold drinks, cocktails, coffee, snacks, ice cream, and simple food. A sandwich has been available for about €3, and prices are generally considered reasonable for a full-day boat trip.

The crew keeps the boat clean after the swimming stops, and the toilets are maintained well. That matters on a long outing. You can also leave your larger belongings safely on the boat while you explore Lindos, but keep your valuables with you.

The ride to Lindos takes just under two hours, including a sightseeing stretch and the first swim stop. The moving boat can feel breezy, while the lower air-conditioned area gives you a break from the Rhodes sun. If you are prone to motion sickness, sitting lower and closer to the center may be more comfortable, though the boat is described as stable and smooth.

Anthony Quinn Bay, your first swim

After around 45 minutes of sightseeing, the boat reaches Anthony Quinn Bay for a 30-minute swim. This is one of the most scenic points on the route, with rocky sides and clear greenish water.

You swim straight from the boat rather than walking onto a beach. That makes the stop feel more like a real sea outing, and it also means you should be ready when the crew gives notice. The crew lets you know before arrival, giving you time to change or collect your goggles.

Floats and swimming noodles are provided. Life jackets are available for children, and the noodles are useful if you are not a confident swimmer. You should still judge the water honestly and follow the crew’s instructions. This is a boat swim, not a shallow supervised pool.

Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim and a little snorkeling, but it is not a long beach session. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep your towel close. The boat does not provide towels.

Three hours to make your own Lindos plan

The boat reaches Lindos after the first swim and another sightseeing section. You get about three hours ashore, which is the heart of the day.

Lindos is known for its whitewashed village, sandy bay, narrow lanes, and hilltop Acropolis. The Acropolis is the main sight, with wide views over the coast. The climb is worthwhile, but it takes time and can feel demanding in the heat. Wear sensible shoes, carry water, and remember that the walk up from the waterfront is not flat.

The village offers several ways to use your time:

• Walk up to the Acropolis and enjoy the views.
• Wander through the whitewashed lanes and shops.
• Eat a traditional Greek meal at a taverna.
• Spend time on the sandy beach.
• Have a drink by the bay before returning to the boat.

Three hours can cover the Acropolis and a meal if you keep moving. It becomes tight if you want all of that plus shopping and a proper beach stay. Some people find three hours enough, while others would prefer another 30 minutes or more. That difference comes down to your pace and priorities.

A practical plan is to head toward the Acropolis first. The site can become crowded, and going early in your three-hour window gives you a better chance to see it before the heat builds. Afterward, return downhill for lunch, shopping, or a swim.

Pay close attention to the return time. The boat leaves on schedule, and Lindos can be confusing when you are trying to get back through the lanes. Allow extra time to walk from the village or beach to the harbor. Missing the boat would be a costly mistake.

Tsambika Beach and the final swim

After Lindos, the return cruise takes about an hour and includes sightseeing before the second swimming stop. Tsambika Beach, described as the Blue Lagoon stop, offers another chance to jump from the boat into clear turquoise water.

This stop works well after the heat of Lindos. You can cool off, stretch out on the deck, and enjoy music from the boat while the crew prepares the return journey. Like Anthony Quinn Bay, the stop lasts around 30 minutes.

The two swim stops are similar in format but help break up the long sailing periods. You get a swim before Lindos and another after it, rather than spending the entire day sitting on the boat. If swimming is your main reason for booking, keep in mind that each stop is limited. Some people would like more water time, but the schedule must also allow for Lindos and the return to Rhodes.

Bring snorkeling gear if you have it. The cruise provides floats, but snorkeling equipment is not included. Sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and some cash are all sensible additions.

How good is the value at $47?

The price is strong for a full-day outing that includes transport by boat, two swimming stops, open-deck seating, toilets, WiFi, floats, insurance, and three hours in Lindos. You are also getting a scenic coastal ride rather than only point-to-point transport.

Extra costs are easy to manage if you plan ahead. Food and drinks are not included, nor are towels or the Acropolis entrance fee. The onboard bar is useful, with snacks, sandwiches, drinks, coffee, cocktails, and ice cream, but bringing some cash gives you flexibility in Lindos and on the boat.

Compared with booking a separate transfer to Lindos and paying for another swimming trip, the combined format makes sense. The tradeoff is that you share the boat with other people and follow a fixed departure time.

The strongest value comes if you want all three parts: Lindos, swimming, and a comfortable cruise. If you only care about visiting the Acropolis, a road transfer may give you more time on site. If you only want to swim, a shorter boat trip may suit you better.

What to pack and how to use the day well

Pack light, but do not leave out the basics. You will want:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses and a sun hat
• Sunscreen
• Cash for food, drinks, and Lindos
• Snorkeling gear if you own it
• A light jacket outside the hottest summer months

Wear shoes that can handle Lindos’ uphill walk. Flip-flops are fine for the boat and beach, but less useful if you plan to climb to the Acropolis.

Arrive early if you want a top-deck sunbed. A morning arrival around 8:00 has helped people secure the most popular spots, though pickup arrangements may mean you cannot reach the boat quite as early as someone staying in Rhodes Town.

You can leave bags on the boat while visiting Lindos, which lets you explore with less to carry. Keep your phone, wallet, passport, and other valuables with you.

The crew provides clear instructions for the swim stops and Lindos departure. Listen carefully, especially when the boat is due to leave. The schedule is organized, but it does not leave much room for getting lost or arriving late.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

Families can find this a good fit. The roomy boat, air-conditioned area, toilets, floats, and children’s life jackets make a long day easier. A nine-year-old has plenty to look forward to, from the swim stops to the open sea views, although parents should keep an eye on children during boat swimming.

Couples and friends will appreciate the mix of sightseeing and downtime. One person can climb to the Acropolis while another prefers lunch or the beach. The cruise also gives you a full day without arranging several separate bookings.

It suits confident independent sightseers who like choosing their own pace. You do not get a guided explanation of every Lindos sight, so you should be comfortable planning your own three hours.

It may not suit you if you dislike set schedules, crowded popular sites, or long periods on a boat. The journey includes roughly two hours each way, broken up by the swimming and Lindos visit. The top deck can be windy, and the sunbeds are limited.

Should you book the Lindos cruise?

I would book this if you want the best mix of Lindos sightseeing and swimming in one reasonably priced day. The clean boat, friendly crew, useful floats, onboard food, and comfortable seating add real value, not just decoration.

Book early in your planning if a top-deck sunbed is important, and arrive at Mandraki port with plenty of time. Expect three hours in Lindos to be enough for the Acropolis and one other main activity, but not every option at a leisurely pace.

For a first visit to Rhodes, this is a smart choice if you want to see Lindos without giving up a day by the sea. Just bring a towel, allow for the Acropolis entrance fee, watch the return time, and accept that a popular full-day cruise will feel busier than a private boat.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Lindos cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately eight to eight and a half hours. The planned return to Rhodes Harbor is around 17:30.

Where does the boat leave from?

The main meeting point is Mandraki port in Rhodes, almost opposite the Nea Agora Building near the Roda bus stop. Look for the DISCOVERY boat.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure. The morning meeting window is between 8:00 and 8:30.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional for selected hotels and locations. It is not included in the basic cruise price. If you book a transfer, wait at the pickup point 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

How much free time do I get in Lindos?

You get approximately three hours of free time in Lindos.

Is the Acropolis entrance fee included?

No. The Acropolis entrance fee is not included in the cruise price.

How long are the swimming stops?

The stop at Anthony Quinn Bay lasts about 30 minutes. The stop at Tsambika Beach also lasts about 30 minutes.

Are floats available on the boat?

Yes. Floats and swimming noodles are available. Life jackets are also provided for children.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are purchased separately. The boat has a bar serving cold drinks, cocktails, coffee, snacks, ice cream, and simple food.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not provided, so bring your own towel along with swimwear, sunglasses, a hat, cash, and snorkeling gear if you have it.