Rhodes island: private boat cruises to the best bays of Rhod

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is its private yacht setting. Instead of sharing a large excursion boat, your group of up to 10 has the vessel and crew to itself while visiting three of the island’s best-known bays. The family-run crew includes a captain with 40 years at sea, plus his wife and son.

I like the warm, personal setup, especially for families. I also like the freedom around food, with vegan, cultural, and religious meal requests accepted in advance. The main drawback is the price: at $1,884 per group, this makes the most sense when shared by a large party, not by one or two people.

Key points to know before booking

• Three appealing coastal stops: Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs are the main destinations.
• Private group of up to 10: You are not joining strangers on the boat.
• Family-run service: The crew is a husband, wife, and son, with a 40-year veteran captain.
• Food and drinks included: Snacks, alcoholic drinks, and nonalcoholic beverages are part of the cruise.
• Snorkeling gear provided: You can use the equipment during the swimming stops.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: The boat meets opposite the New Market at Mandraki Harbour.

A private way to see Rhodes from the water

Rhodes is easy to explore by land, but its best swimming spots make more sense from the sea. A private boat lets you reach the bays without spending the day driving between them, searching for parking, or carrying beach gear from one crowded shore to another.

Anastasia Cruises runs this five-hour outing from Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes Town. The meeting point is opposite the New Market, a central location that should be practical if you are staying nearby. Hotel pickup can be arranged, but it is an extra charge, so confirm the transfer cost before booking.

The boat is described as a yacht-style vessel and is the main attraction of the current operation. The cruise is private for your group, with a maximum of 10 people. That size matters. You can keep the outing quiet and personal, set the pace with your own party, and speak directly with the crew about food or special requests.

The family setup is central to the feel of the trip. The captain has spent 40 years at sea, while the husband, wife, and son work together as the crew. You should expect a friendly, informal service rather than a large commercial operation with a rotating staff.

What the five hours are likely to feel like

The outing is built around a simple rhythm: depart Mandraki Harbour, cruise along the Rhodes coast, stop at attractive bays for swimming and snorkeling, eat and drink aboard, then return to the harbour.

The exact amount of time at each location is not specified, and the order of the stops may vary. That is worth keeping in mind if you are hoping for a tightly timed schedule. A private cruise often works best when you treat the itinerary as a flexible coastal day rather than a checklist of fixed minutes.

You will have access to snacks and a range of drinks, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices. Meals can be arranged around your needs, including vegan food and meals suited to cultural or religious requirements. Tell the company what you need before the day of departure. Food flexibility is much more useful when the crew has time to prepare for it.

Snorkeling gear is included. The equipment gives you another way to enjoy the stops, though the supplied information does not specify the quantity, types, or sizes available. If you have particular equipment needs, ask ahead.

Anthony Quinn Bay, a dramatic first stop

Anthony Quinn Bay is one of the named highlights of the cruise. It is known as one of Rhodes’ most scenic coastal inlets, and seeing it from a private boat gives you a different angle from a standard beach visit.

The stop is best suited to swimming, looking at the shoreline, and using the included snorkeling gear. From the water, you can appreciate the shape of the bay without needing to find a place on the beach. The boat also gives your group a comfortable base for your time in the water.

Do not assume that the stop means a long beach stay. This is a boat cruise, not a beach-resort day, and the main pleasure is moving between several coastal sites. If your group has young children, ask the crew about the planned swimming conditions and how long the boat will remain at each bay.

Anthony Quinn Bay can be a strong choice for photographers and swimmers, but the appeal depends on sea conditions and the timing of the visit. The cruise description does not promise a private cove or empty water. The private part applies to your boat and group, not necessarily to the bay itself.

Ladiko Bay for a quieter swimming break

Ladiko Bay is another planned stop and pairs naturally with Anthony Quinn Bay. Both locations are associated with clear coastal water and sheltered swimming, though the precise conditions on the day depend on wind and sea state.

This is where the private format earns its keep. Your group can enjoy a second stop without having to organize another transfer or haul yourselves back into a vehicle. If you prefer a slower outing, tell the crew early in the cruise. The company offers private tours to customer specifications, although the standard five-hour route centers on the three named bays.

Ladiko is also a useful point for families and mixed-age groups. One person can swim, another can stay aboard with a drink, and others can use the snorkeling equipment. You are not forced to follow a group leader into the water.

Food is part of the wider experience here. Snacks and drinks are included, so you do not need to build the day around finding a café at the next stop. Still, the published details do not give a set menu. If you have allergies, dietary rules, or strong preferences, provide them in advance rather than expecting a choice from a fixed onboard buffet.

Kalithea Springs adds a different kind of stop

Kalithea Springs completes the main route. The area is a well-known coastal destination on Rhodes, and it gives the cruise a change of scenery after the two bays.

The name can create a false expectation, so check what you want from the stop. The available details confirm that Kalithea Springs is visited, but they do not promise entry to spa facilities, a guided visit, or a long shore excursion. You should view it as one of the cruise destinations, with the boat experience and coastal setting at its center.

This stop may appeal to anyone who wants more than repeated swimming breaks. It adds variety to the route and gives you another setting to see from the water. If your main goal is to spend nearly all five hours swimming, ask how much time will be allocated at Kalithea Springs before you commit.

Food, drinks, and the value of flexibility

Many boat outings include a basic snack but leave you to manage the rest. Anastasia Cruises includes snacks and various drinks, with alcoholic and nonalcoholic options. That makes the day easier, particularly if you are planning a celebration or do not want to pack provisions.

The stronger feature is the ability to request food that fits your group. Vegan meals and food suitable for cultural or religious needs can be prepared. This does not mean every request is automatically available, so contact the operator in advance with clear details.

For a group of 10, the $1,884 price works out to about $188.40 per person. For five hours of private use, food, drinks, crew service, and snorkeling equipment, that can be reasonable for a group that values privacy. A full boat also spreads the cost across friends or family.

For two people, the same price is much harder to justify. You are paying for the whole group capacity, not for two seats. I would compare this with shared boat cruises if your party is small and your main goal is simply to reach the bays.

The price does not include hotel transfers. That extra charge is easy to overlook, especially if you are staying outside central Rhodes Town. The meeting point opposite the New Market keeps the basic arrangement simple, but confirm the pickup price before booking if you want door-to-door service.

The family crew and the captain’s experience

The captain’s 40 years at sea is one of the most useful details here. It does not guarantee perfect weather or remove every normal boating limitation, but it gives you a seasoned hand at the helm. The crew also includes the captain’s wife and son, creating a small working team rather than a large deck operation.

The family-run style may suit you if you prefer direct contact and a friendly atmosphere. A parent traveling with children may appreciate the personal attention, while a couple or group of friends may enjoy having the crew close at hand without a crowd around them.

The strongest available guest feedback comes from Mats of Sweden, who traveled with his daughters and rated the experience five out of five. His key point was that the family took very good care of him and his children. That fits the practical appeal of this cruise: personal care is not an extra feature added to the itinerary, but part of how the company presents its service.

There are only two published ratings, so I would not treat the perfect score as a complete statistical picture. Still, the family-care detail is useful, especially if you are choosing between a private family boat and a larger shared excursion.

Who should book this Rhodes cruise

I would recommend this cruise most strongly to a group of friends or relatives that can fill much of the 10-person capacity. The private arrangement gives you room to set the mood, talk with the crew, request suitable food, and choose how actively you use the swimming and snorkeling stops.

It also suits families. The crew’s family-run approach and the captain’s long experience may help parents feel more comfortable than they would on an impersonal party boat. The review from Mats, who traveled with his daughters, supports that fit.

This is less suitable if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. You may still love the yacht setting, but the total price is high when divided between only one or two people. It is also not the right choice if you want a full-day sailing trip, since the listed duration is five hours.

The cruise is not suitable for unaccompanied minors. Pets are not allowed, although assistance dogs are allowed. Scooters and fireworks are also prohibited. These rules are basic, but they matter if your group has unusual transport or equipment plans.

Flexible plans and practical booking details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold the booking without paying immediately, which is useful when your Rhodes schedule is still changing.

The host or greeter speaks English. The activity is listed as a private group, and availability should be checked for the exact starting time. Since the company can also arrange private outings to Lindos and Symi Island on request, ask whether your preferred plan fits the standard five-hour cruise or requires a separate arrangement.

The boat is located at Mandraki Harbour. Plan to meet opposite the New Market unless you have arranged paid hotel pickup. You should also confirm dietary needs, transfer costs, and any special requests before the cruise date.

Should you book Anastasia Cruises?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,884 cost and want a relaxed private day at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs. The family crew, 40-year captain, included drinks, flexible food, and snorkeling gear give the outing more value than a simple boat transfer.

Think twice if you are a small party, watching every euro, or expecting a detailed sightseeing tour of Kalithea Springs or a full-day voyage. For the right group, this is a friendly, personal way to see the Rhodes coast. For a couple, a shared cruise may offer better value.

FAQ

Where does the cruise meet?

The meeting point is opposite the New Market at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts five hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private group can include up to 10 people.

Which places does the standard cruise visit?

The main destinations are Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kalithea Springs.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers can be arranged, but they cost extra.

Is food included?

Yes. Snacks are included, and meals can be arranged to suit vegan, cultural, and religious food requirements.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Various alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is available as part of the cruise.