Rhodes: Gulet Trip with Food, Drinks, SUP, Kayak & Swimming

Rhodes’ eastern coast is at its best from the water, and this six-hour gulet cruise gives you three swim stops without making you organize a thing. The real highlight is Fun Island at Ladiko, a floating setup with kayaks, SUP boards, snorkeling gear, and sofas in the sea.

I like the generous Greek lunch and the fact that wine, water, and soft drinks are available throughout the day. I also like the easy rhythm: cruise, swim, eat, relax, then swim again. The main drawback is the rush for the best sunbeds and beanbags, so arriving early matters if you want a prime spot.

Key points to know before you book

• Fun Island is the activity center: You get two hours at Ladiko for swimming, kayaking, SUP, snorkeling, and relaxing on floating sofas.
• Three swim stops break up the sailing: Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs each offer a different setting.
• Lunch is a proper Greek spread: Expect salad, seasonal fruit, and traditional dishes, with vegan options available if you advise the crew ahead of time.
• Wine and soft drinks are included: Beer, cocktails, slushies, coffee, and some snacks cost extra.
• Arrive early for outdoor seating: Beanbags, sunbeds, and top-deck places can be claimed quickly.
• The tour suits active families and couples: It is also a good choice if you want a relaxed day with optional water activities rather than a full-on sports trip.

A wooden gulet with a simple, social rhythm

The El Greco departs from Mandraki port, opposite Eleftherias Square. Look for the traditional wooden gulet with El Greco branding. This is not a sleek yacht or a private sailing charter. It is a shared boat trip with plenty of people, open-air seating, music, food service, and a friendly holiday atmosphere.

The boat has sunbeds, beanbags, shaded areas, and indoor seating. The exact seat you get matters more than you might expect on a six-hour trip. Several people found the beanbags especially comfortable, but the best outdoor spots go early. I would arrive around an hour before departure if you want a choice of top-deck sunbeds. Arriving only 20 to 25 minutes before sailing may leave you with an indoor chair and table.

Once under way, the day follows an appealing pattern. You spend time looking at the Rhodes coast, then stop for a swim before anyone gets too hot or restless. The long Ladiko stop gives you the most freedom, while the shorter stops at Anthony Quinn Bay and Kallithea Springs add variety.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Specific crew members named by previous customers include Nikos and Stephanos, who were praised for being attentive and helpful. Safety instructions are part of the water activities, and the crew helps with the equipment.

Sailing the eastern coast for the first 90 minutes

The outward cruise lasts about an hour and a half. This is your chance to settle into the boat, take photos, and enjoy the changing view of Rhodes’ eastern shore. If you want sun, choose the upper deck. If the day is hot, find shade early and keep your sunscreen close.

The cruise is not a guided history tour, so do not book it expecting long commentary about every headland. Its appeal is visual and social. You get time on the water, a broad view of the coast, and a comfortable way to reach several swimming spots in one day.

Morning treats are served during the earlier part of the trip. Feta pastries were singled out as a welcome surprise, especially for people who had not expected breakfast. This small touch sets the tone: the boat is not just taking you from one bay to another, it is feeding you at regular intervals.

Bring a sun hat, towel, swimwear, and strong sunscreen. The sun can feel relentless on the upper deck, especially on the hottest summer days. Even with a breeze, you will want regular shade.

Anthony Quinn Bay: a 40-minute emerald swim

The first stop is Anthony Quinn Bay, one of Rhodes’ most photogenic coves. Green vegetation around the bay helps give the water its famous emerald appearance. From the boat, you get a striking view of the rocky shoreline and a good setting for photos.

You have about 40 minutes here for swimming and snorkeling. The stop is short enough to feel refreshing rather than tiring, but do not waste time if you want to swim, use a noodle, and look around underwater. Swimming noodles are provided, according to the practical details shared by customers.

This is mainly a swim and photo stop. The larger selection of water equipment is saved for Ladiko. If your ideal boat day includes long periods of kayaking or paddleboarding, Anthony Quinn Bay will feel like an introduction rather than the main event.

Still, the short stop works well. You get the famous scenery without spending the whole day at one crowded cove. The water may be the biggest attraction here, but the view from the boat is just as important.

Ladiko’s Fun Island gives you two hours to play

After a short cruise, the boat reaches Ladiko Bay and its floating Fun Island. This is the heart of the excursion. You have around two hours for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding, or you can simply sit on a floating sofa with a drink.

The floating platforms and sofas make this stop different from a normal boat swim. You can climb out of the water, rest, then head back in when you feel like it. Kayaks and SUP boards are included, as is snorkeling equipment, so you do not have to pay separately for each activity.

This is where the tour earns much of its $104 price. A cheaper cruise with one swim stop may look attractive at first, but it will not necessarily include a floating activity area, lunch, drinks, and several hours at anchor. Here, you can try several things without committing to a separate water-sports booking.

The equipment can be in high demand. Most of the time there appears to be enough for people to take part, but busy departures can create a scramble. One practical note: ask for a fin with the SUP board if you want easier tracking. Some boards may also need more air, so check your equipment before heading away from the platform.

Snorkeling is available, but this is not presented as a specialist reef excursion. Think of it as a pleasant way to see the clear water and shoreline around the bay. The crew may also point out small coastal features, including caves, but the focus remains on relaxed recreation.

If you prefer not to get wet, the floating sofas are a fine alternative. You can enjoy the water-level setting, take photos, and sip a soft drink without having to paddle anywhere. This flexibility is one reason the trip works for mixed groups, where one person wants activity and another wants a quiet afternoon.

Greek lunch served aboard the boat

Lunch is served during the Ladiko stop, with fresh fruit also available later in the day. The meal includes a traditional Greek selection such as Greek salad, beans in sauce, stuffed tomatoes and peppers with rice, and other seasonal dishes. Some customers describe the portions as generous, and the food is clearly more substantial than a basic sandwich lunch.

The meal is suitable for vegans and non-vegans, but you need to tell the company about allergies, intolerances, or other health concerns in advance. Do not assume the crew can adjust every plate at the last minute.

The food will suit you best if you enjoy home-style Greek cooking and are happy with a set selection. One person found the meal less appealing and felt the vegetarian plate was not as satisfying as the main offering. That is useful to keep in mind. If you are a picky eater, bring realistic expectations, though outside food and drinks are not allowed on board.

I like that the meal is part of the day rather than an interruption. You eat while already anchored at one of the prettiest stops, then can return to the water. Unlimited wine and soft drinks add value, especially for families and groups who would otherwise keep paying for drinks during a long, hot outing.

Beer is not included. Cocktails, slushies, and some snacks also cost extra. If beer matters to you, budget for it. If you are content with wine, water, and soft drinks, the included drinks keep the day simple.

Kallithea Springs brings architecture to the water

The final swimming stop is at Kallithea Springs, for about 30 minutes. This stop differs from the coves because it combines water with architecture. The springs are known for their carefully designed buildings and graceful setting beside the sea.

The boat pauses for photos, swimming, snorkeling, and local snacks. Half an hour is enough for a quick swim and a look at the site, but not enough for a long visit on land. The experience is viewed from the water rather than treated as a full Kallithea Springs tour.

That short final stop is well placed. After a large lunch and two earlier swimming sessions, you may be ready for something brief. It also prevents the return cruise from becoming one long stretch of sitting in the sun.

The return sailing takes about 45 minutes. You can use this time to dry off, finish a drink, take more photos, or find a shaded place to rest before returning to Mandraki.

What the $104 price really covers

At $104 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on the water in Rhodes. It is, however, a strong value if you plan to use the included features.

Your price covers:

• A six-hour cruise on a traditional wooden gulet
• Three swimming stops
• Greek lunch
• Morning treats and seasonal fruit
• Unlimited wine and soft drinks
• Kayaking equipment
• SUP equipment
• Snorkeling equipment
• Floating sofas and platforms

The value improves if you would otherwise pay for lunch, drinks, and water activities separately. It is also convenient for a group with different tastes. One person can kayak, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on the sun deck with a glass of wine.

The value drops if you dislike shared boat trips, want a quiet private setting, or do not plan to swim. The boat can feel busy, especially in peak summer. Outdoor seating is limited compared with demand, and some people may hold onto favorite spots instead of moving around. If you need lots of personal space, this is not the right format.

The trip has a 4.6 rating from 288 ratings, and the most consistent strengths are clear: friendly crew, attractive swim stops, good food, generous drinks, and a relaxed atmosphere. The occasional complaints are also useful: crowded equipment, contested sunbeds, imperfect SUP boards, and food that may not suit every taste.

Who will enjoy the El Greco cruise most

I would recommend this boat day to you if you want a broad sample of Rhodes’ east coast without arranging several separate activities. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, teenagers, and groups of friends.

Children and adults can choose their own level of activity. The water sports are optional, and the floating sofas give less active passengers somewhere to relax. The atmosphere is social rather than formal, with music, shared tables, drinks, and people moving between the deck and the water.

It is also a good birthday or special-day choice. You get a full six hours, plenty of food, and several memorable settings rather than one short boat ride.

I would think twice if you use a wheelchair, since the experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. I would also reconsider it if you need a fully private boat, a quiet luxury cruise, or a highly structured marine tour with expert commentary at every stop.

Book at least 24 hours ahead if you want the option of free cancellation. The reserve-now, pay-later policy can help if your Rhodes plans are still shifting, but check the current departure time before booking because starting times vary by availability.

My verdict on this Rhodes gulet day

Book this tour if you want a full, easygoing day on the sea with real swimming time, included water equipment, Greek food, and drinks. Arrive early, claim a sensible spot, pack sun protection, and tell the company about dietary needs before sailing.

Skip it if you want solitude or a private yacht. For most people who see a boat trip as a mix of scenery, food, swimming, and cheerful company, the El Greco cruise delivers a lot for the price.

FAQ

Where does the gulet cruise depart from?

Meet at El Greco Fun Cruises in Mandraki port, directly opposite Eleftherias Square. Look for the traditional wooden gulet named El Greco.

How long is the boat trip?

The cruise lasts six hours. The route includes sailing time and stops at Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and Kallithea Springs.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the gulet cruise, traditional Greek lunch, unlimited wine and soft drinks, morning treats, seasonal fruit, swimming stops, snorkeling gear, kayaks, SUP boards, floating sofas, and platforms.

Is beer included?

No. Beer, cocktails, slushies, and some snacks are not included and cost extra. Wine, water, and soft drinks are included.

How long is the stop at Anthony Quinn Bay?

The stop lasts about 40 minutes and includes time for photos, swimming, and snorkeling.

What can I do at Fun Island in Ladiko Bay?

You have around two hours for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP paddleboarding. You can also relax on the floating sofas and platforms.

Is lunch suitable for vegans?

The lunch can suit vegans and non-vegans, but you must inform the company in advance about dietary needs, allergies, intolerances, or other health concerns.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a sun hat. These items are not supplied as part of the activity.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

No. Outside food and drinks are not allowed on the boat.

Is the cruise suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users.