What Is Anthony Quinn Bay?
Anthony Quinn Bay — officially named Vagies — is a small rocky cove on the east coast of Rhodes, about 14 kilometres south of Rhodes Town. The name comes from the Hollywood actor, who filmed The Guns of Navarone here in 1960 and loved the place so much he bought the land. (He later lost it in a legal dispute, but the name stuck.)
The bay is not a sandy beach in the conventional sense. The seabed is rocky and the water is unusually clear — partly because the rock bottom reflects light differently than sand. Snorkelling here is exceptional: octopus, sea bream, mullet and occasional larger fish are common sightings. The water visibility on a calm day regularly exceeds 15 metres.
Why the Boat Is the Better Way to Visit
By road, Anthony Quinn Bay is accessible from the coast road via a steep path with limited parking. In July and August, the car park fills by 09:30 and the beach is crowded by 10:00. On busy days, the narrow path down to the water becomes a queue.
By boat, you arrive from the water and anchor in the bay directly. You can choose your own arrival time, spend as long as you like, and move on when you are ready. Arriving at 08:00 on a clear morning before the excursion boats arrive, with the water still and the light low, is one of the better experiences Rhodes offers.
How to Get There by Boat
Anthony Quinn Bay is a standard stop on most east coast boat tours from Rhodes Town. It takes about 30–40 minutes by motorboat from Mandraki Harbour. If you are renting a licence-free boat, the bay is well within the permitted range for standard rentals from Rhodes Town or Faliraki.
The bay itself is sheltered from the north by a headland, which makes it calm in moderate north winds. If the Meltemi is blowing strongly, swell can wrap around the headland and make anchoring choppy — your skipper or rental operator will advise you.
Snorkelling: What to Look For
The best snorkelling is along the rocky left-hand side of the bay (looking from the sea) where the bottom drops away to about 5 metres and then shelves gently deeper. Bring your own mask or use the equipment provided on rental boats. The right-hand side has shallower water and is better for swimmers who prefer standing depth.
Sea urchins are present — wear water shoes if you plan to climb out onto the rocks, and instruct children about where not to place their hands.
What Else Is Nearby
Three hundred metres south of Anthony Quinn Bay is Ladiko Bay, a narrow inlet with even clearer water and fewer visitors. Most boat trips stop at both. Another kilometre south is Kalithea Springs, the site of a restored 1920s Italian-built spa facility with magnificent octagonal mosaic floors and a small beach.
Browse boat tours that visit Anthony Quinn Bay or rent a boat and go on your own schedule.
