Rhodes: Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Buffet & Drinks

The best part of this Rhodes cruise is the order of the evening: a swim in Kallithea Bay first, dinner while the boat heads along the east coast, and sunset at sea when the light is softest. You get a short taste of several classic island pleasures without spending a full day on a boat.

I like the small-boat feel, with some departures carrying only about 14 to 16 people, and I like that the buffet includes more than a token snack. The main thing to consider is that the catamaran stays at anchor, so reaching the water or nearby rocks requires swimming. This is not the right outing if you want to remain dry or need step-free access.

Key points to know before you book

• Kallithea Bay is a swim stop, not a shore excursion: The boat anchors offshore, and you swim to the water around the bay rather than walking onto a beach.
• Dinner is a proper buffet: Expect grilled chicken, Greek and green salads, pasta and potato salads, feta, olives, bread, hummus, tzatziki and aubergine salad.
• Drinks are included throughout: Wine, beer, juice, soft drinks and bottled water are available without an extra charge.
• The sunset timing is the heart of the trip: The cruise heads back toward Rhodes Town for about 20 minutes of sunset viewing before returning to Mandraki Harbor.
• You can choose your boat style: Sailing and power catamarans are offered, with three catamaran options in total.
• Arrive early: The boat leaves on time. Missing departure can mean a €25 rebooking fee per ticket.

Why this three-hour cruise works so well

Rhodes has plenty of excursions built around a single sight or activity. This one is different in a useful way. In three hours, you get time on the water, a swim, food, drinks, coastal views and a sunset. None of these parts lasts long enough to become tiring.

The route begins at Mandraki Harbor, the historic port area of Rhodes Town. You meet at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks in front of the Poseidon Submarine. Arrive 30 to 15 minutes before departure, and do not cut it close. The boats leave on time, and a missed departure can cost €25 per ticket to rebook on another day.

From the harbor, you settle into one of the catamarans and head along Rhodes’s east coast. The boats are set up for an evening outdoors, with deck seating, an outdoor shower, indoor toilets, snorkeling equipment, floating pool noodles and life jackets.

The atmosphere depends partly on the boat and the group, but the format tends to feel social without being a large party cruise. Several people describe boats carrying around 14 to 16 passengers, which gives you room to move and makes it easier to speak with the crew. Some departures may be fuller, so do not assume every sailing will feel equally intimate.

The trip out from Mandraki Harbor

The first 45 minutes are spent aboard the catamaran, giving you time to get comfortable and watch Rhodes recede behind you. This is not a narrated sightseeing cruise with a long list of formal stops. Its appeal is simpler: you are on the sea, looking back at the island and along the coast as the afternoon cools.

The sailing and power catamarans offer a slightly different feel. A sailing catamaran gives the outing a more leisurely character when conditions allow. A power catamaran may suit you if you prefer a more direct ride. The exact boat can vary, and in April, May and October the operator may move you to another catamaran if one boat does not reach its minimum number of passengers.

Music is part of the setting. Greek-toned music and relaxed evening songs accompany the ride, with the sound level apparently aimed at atmosphere rather than a full dance party. One departure may feel quiet and romantic, while another may have more energy. The boat, weather and group all matter.

The crew also plays a large role. Service includes bringing drinks, helping with swimming equipment and keeping the dinner service moving. Eleni is one crew member specifically noted for checking that people had enough to drink, though crew assignments can change.

Kallithea Bay, where the swim comes first

After roughly 45 minutes, the catamaran anchors at Kallithea Bay for about 45 minutes. This is the active part of the outing. You can swim, use the snorkeling equipment or float with a pool noodle while the boat rests in the bay.

Do not picture a conventional beach stop. The catamaran remains at anchor, and getting to the water means using the boat’s access and swimming from it. If you want to reach rocks or cave-like areas close to shore, you will need to be comfortable in open water. The supplied life jackets are useful for anyone who is less confident.

The water around Kallithea is clear, and the bay can offer fish, rocks and small underwater features. One person reported seeing a lionfish, while another found the underwater sights fairly modest beyond the rocks. That is the fair expectation: this is a pleasant swim and casual snorkeling stop, not a dedicated marine-life excursion.

You should bring swimwear and a towel if you have one, although only swimwear is specifically required. The outdoor shower lets you rinse off salt water afterward. The indoor toilets are another practical touch, especially on a boat outing with dinner and drinks.

The timing creates one small trap. Food may be set out while some people are still snorkeling. If you stay in the water for the entire stop, you could miss part of the buffet service. I would swim early, rinse off, and eat before returning to the water.

A Greek buffet that earns its place

Dinner is served aboard the boat and is more substantial than the usual cruise snack. The spread includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta and fresh local bread.

This works particularly well for mixed groups. Meat eaters can choose the chicken, while vegetarians have several salads and dips, along with bread, feta and hummus. Still, do not book this expecting a seafood dinner. There is no fish dish listed, and one person chose not to take the food option because the vegetarian and fish choices did not suit them.

The meal is casual and practical. You serve yourself, then return to the deck with a plate while the boat heads toward the sunset. The food is meant to support the evening rather than act as a formal restaurant meal, but the range is good for the price.

Drinks are included and unlimited: wine, beer, juice, soft drinks and bottled water. That matters when you compare this outing with a cheaper cruise that charges separately for each drink. The crew serves drinks during the trip, and several departures are described as generous with both the quantity and attention.

There is one sensible boundary. The crew may stop serving alcohol if someone appears intoxicated. That keeps the boat comfortable and safe for everyone, and it is worth remembering that the outing still includes swimming after drinks are available.

Sunset over Rhodes from the return route

The return trip takes about 45 minutes, with roughly 20 minutes set aside for the sunset near Rhodes Town. The captain chooses a suitable point at sea, and the boat pauses or slows enough for you to watch the sun drop over the Aegean.

This is the moment to claim a good spot on deck. The catamaran gives you several places to sit, but sunset views are best when you are not hidden behind another passenger or a raised part of the boat. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire sunset looking at your screen. The best part is the changing light across the water and coast.

The music fits the timing. Romantic tracks and Greek tones give the last part of the cruise a gentle holiday feel. Couples will find the setup especially appealing, but the trip is not limited to couples. Families, friends and solo passengers can all enjoy it, and one parent described the crew as welcoming with a baby and a toddler.

Sunset is never guaranteed to look identical. Cloud, wind and the captain’s route affect what you see. The captain can change the swimming stop or route when weather conditions require it. The boat’s ability to adjust is useful, but it also means you should treat the advertised route as a plan rather than an absolute promise.

How much value do you get for $58?

At $58 per person, this is strong value if you want a complete evening rather than transport on a boat alone. The price covers three hours, a catamaran ride, the Kallithea swim stop, snorkeling equipment, a full buffet, unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, toilets, an outdoor shower and the sunset cruise back to Rhodes Town.

The value is especially clear for anyone who would otherwise pay separately for dinner and drinks. Wine, beer and soft drinks can quickly add up at a waterfront restaurant, while this package gives you food and drinks as part of the boat ride.

The price may feel less attractive if you do not drink, do not plan to swim or have very specific food needs. You are paying for the whole evening format, not simply for a seat with a view. Families should also check the child pricing carefully. One family found that a six-month-old baby was charged the full adult fare, which affected the overall value for them.

The boat itself also matters. Some sailings use a more basic catamaran, while others may involve an upgrade. One passenger booked the Wind and was moved to the more luxurious Boss. Such changes are not something to count on, but they show that the final boat experience can vary.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy evening with several activities built in. It suits couples looking for a sunset setting, friends who want food and drinks without planning a restaurant, and families whose children can manage a boat and a swim stop.

It is also a good choice if you are staying in or near Rhodes Town and want to see the coast from the water without giving up an entire day. Three hours is long enough to feel like an outing but short enough to fit around other plans.

You should think twice if you cannot swim from an anchored boat, dislike being around alcohol, need wheelchair access or want a quiet, formal sailing experience. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the swimming stop requires direct access to the water.

It may also disappoint serious snorkelers. Kallithea can provide fish and clear water, but the stop is only about 45 minutes and the underwater sights are not presented as a major reef or wildlife tour. Think of snorkeling as an enjoyable extra after the swim, not the main event.

Practical tips for a smoother evening

Arrive at the Poseidon Submarine and Catamaran Cruises desks at least 30 minutes early. The instructions allow arrival 30 to 15 minutes before departure, but arriving at the earlier end gives you time to find the desks, confirm your boat and listen for announcements.

Ask a crew member to confirm the departure time if you are unsure. This is especially helpful when several boats are leaving from the harbor. The operator warns that missing the boat may mean a €25 rebooking fee per ticket.

Bring swimwear, and consider packing a towel, sun protection and a light layer for the ride back. Only swimwear is listed as required, but the sea breeze can feel cooler after sunset.

Listen for the crew’s instructions around the swim stop. The boat stays at anchor, and reaching nearby water or rocks requires swimming. Life jackets, pool noodles and snorkeling gear are available, but you should still judge the conditions honestly.

If you have dietary concerns, ask before booking or before boarding. The buffet has several vegetarian items, but the listed meal contains no fish option, and there is no promise of special dietary preparation.

Finally, reserve enough space in your evening for the return to Mandraki Harbor. The sunset portion is not something to rush. The cruise is built around the last light, so the best way to enjoy it is to let the boat’s timing do the work.

FAQ

Where does the sunset catamaran cruise start?

The cruise starts at Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes Town. Meet in front of the Poseidon Submarine at the Catamaran Cruises Rhodes desks.

How long does the cruise last?

The full activity lasts three hours. The route includes about 45 minutes aboard the catamaran before Kallithea Bay, around 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, about 45 minutes on the return route and roughly 20 minutes focused on sunset viewing.

Is dinner included in the price?

Yes. The buffet includes grilled chicken, pasta salad, potato salad, Greek salad, green salad, tzatziki, hummus, aubergine salad, olives, feta and fresh local bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited wine, beer, juice, soft drinks and bottled water are included. The crew may stop serving alcohol if a passenger appears intoxicated.

Do I need to swim to reach the water at Kallithea Bay?

Yes. The catamaran stays at anchor in the bay. To reach the water or nearby shore areas, you need to swim from the boat.

Can wheelchair users join the cruise?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want good value in a compact evening package: a clean catamaran, a real buffet, unlimited drinks, a swim in Kallithea Bay and a carefully timed sunset. The strongest parts are the friendly crew, generous food service and the chance to enjoy Rhodes from the water without committing to a full-day trip.

Skip it if you need a beach landing, wheelchair access, a seafood-focused meal or a serious snorkeling program. For everyone else, $58 buys a relaxed and well-rounded way to finish a day in Rhodes, with enough structure to make the evening easy and enough open deck time to feel like you are truly out at sea.