Lindos Caves and Bays Swim and Snorkel Boat Cruise Rhodes

Vlicha Bay, the starting point

Vlicha Bay is a wide, sheltered sandy bay about three kilometres north of Lindos, framed by rocky headlands and backed by low hills of olive and pine. Its calm, shallow water makes it a favourite with families, and its small jetty is the base for boat trips along the Lindos coast. From here the boat needs only about 25 minutes to reach the first swim stop.

With the default option, our transfer collects you from your hotel in Pefkos, Lindos or Lardos up to 45 minutes before departure and brings you straight to the boat, so there is no need to drive or park. If you are staying elsewhere in the south, ask us about the Kiotari pickup option or the option to meet the crew directly in the middle of Vlicha Beach.

The sea cave near Lindos

The limestone cliffs between Vlicha and Lindos are hollowed by sea caves, carved over thousands of years by the waves. The boat anchors close to one of them, and you have about 30 minutes to swim and snorkel. The water inside glows in shades of turquoise when the sunlight enters through the opening, and the rock walls show bands and pockets shaped by the sea.

You can swim directly into the cave with mask and snorkel, which the crew provides, and look down at fish and sea urchins over the rocky bottom. The crew explains how far it is safe to go and keeps watch from the boat. On days when the sea is choppy, the captain may choose a more sheltered cave or skip this stop for safety.

The cliff-lined bay south of Vlicha

A short cruise of about 20 minutes leads to one of the most striking bays on the Lindos coast, where sheer cliffs drop straight into deep blue water. The boat anchors for about 45 minutes, the longest swim of the trip, and the clarity of the water here is exceptional, often with visibility of many metres.

During this stop the crew serves a bowl of fresh Rhodian fruit with soft drinks and water, so you can rest on deck between swims. Many guests say this is the best place for snorkelling on the cruise, as the rocks along the base of the cliffs attract shoals of small fish. Strong swimmers can explore along the cliff edge, while children can stay close to the ladder.

St Paul's Bay below the Lindos acropolis

St Paul's Bay lies just south of Lindos village and is almost completely enclosed by rocks, leaving only a narrow opening to the sea. Inside, the water is calm and clear like a lagoon, and a small white chapel sits on the beach. Above the bay rises the rock of the acropolis, with the columns of the ancient Temple of Athena Lindia and the walls of the medieval castle.

The last swim stop lasts about 30 minutes, and the view of the acropolis from the water is one of the most memorable images of Rhodes. Is St Paul's Bay worth visiting by boat? Yes: arriving from the sea lets you see the narrow entrance and the cliffs that make it so special, without the steep walk down from the village.

Lindos village and acropolis from the sea

Lindos is the most beautiful village on Rhodes, a cascade of whitewashed houses and pebble-mosaic courtyards climbing the slope below its acropolis, which stands about 116 metres above the sea. The site was a major sanctuary from the 4th century BC, and the medieval knights later built a castle around it. The best time to visit Lindos on foot is early morning or late afternoon, as the climb is steep and the midday sun intense.

On the return to Vlicha the boat passes along the main beach of Lindos and the harbour, giving you photo opportunities you cannot get from land. If you would like to explore the village and the acropolis, the 13:00 departure leaves your morning free; how to get to Lindos from your hotel is something our team can arrange separately.