Rhodes Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner and Swim Stop

Mandraki Harbour, Rhodes Town

Mandraki is the oldest harbour of Rhodes Town and one of the most beautiful in Greece. A bronze stag and doe stand on columns at its entrance, where legend places the ancient giant statue that once guarded the port. Along the outer mole stand three medieval windmills and, at the very tip, the round St Nicholas Fort built to defend the harbour in the 15th century. Behind the quay rise the domes and civic buildings of the Italian period.

The catamaran leaves from here in the late afternoon, so plan to arrive early and walk along the waterfront. Mandraki is about ten minutes on foot from the gates of the old town and easy to reach by taxi or local bus from most resorts. The crew confirms the exact berth after booking, so you know exactly where to board.

The east coast and the old town from the sea

Leaving Mandraki, the catamaran turns south past the commercial harbour, giving you a rare view of the walls of the medieval old town of Rhodes from the water. The fortifications, among the best preserved in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, run for about four kilometres, with towers and gates that look especially warm in the evening light.

Further south the coast becomes a series of low cliffs, small beaches and coves, with the mountains of the Turkish coast visible across the strait on clear days. This is the sheltered side of the island: in July and August the meltemi wind blows mainly from the north and west, so the east coast is usually calmer than the west. On the sailing catamaran the crew raises the sails whenever the breeze allows, for a quiet glide along the shore.

Kalithea Bay and the springs

Kalithea lies about ten kilometres south of Rhodes Town and has been known since ancient times for its mineral springs. In the 1920s an elegant spa complex with domes, arches and pebble mosaics was built above the coves, and after a careful restoration it has become one of the most photographed places in Rhodes. Below it, small rocky bays hold some of the clearest water on the island.

The catamaran anchors in the bay for a swim and snorkel stop. Snorkelling gear, pool noodles and life jackets are provided, so even beginners can float above the rocks and watch the fish. The boat stays at anchor, so reaching the shore means swimming. Is Kalithea worth visiting? From the water, with the sun lowering behind the hills, it is the highlight of the cruise for most guests.

Dinner on board

After the swim, the crew serves a freshly prepared Mediterranean dinner buffet on deck: grilled chicken, Greek salad, pasta and potato salads, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta cheese and freshly baked local bread. Soft drinks, juice and bottled water are unlimited throughout the cruise, and relaxed Greek music plays in the background.

The buffet has plenty of vegetarian choices. The chicken is not certified halal, and halal food in general is limited on Rhodes, so guests who eat only halal meat can choose the salads, dips and bread; tell us in advance and we will pass on any dietary needs. With no more than 24 guests on board there is room to eat comfortably on the sunbeds, nets or seating areas.

Sunset at sea and the return to Mandraki

On the way back to Mandraki the sun sinks behind the hills of Rhodes, turning the sea, the old walls and the distant Turkish mountains shades of gold and pink. In June the sun sets around 20:30 and in September around 19:30, so the colours change from week to week. The calmest, warmest evenings are usually in June and September.

This is the moment most guests remember from a Rhodes sunset cruise: the sails or engines quiet, music low and the lights of the town appearing one by one. The cruise lasts about three hours and ends back at Mandraki Harbour after dark, leaving you right in the centre of Rhodes Town.