The Different Types of Boat Trips Available in Rhodes
Not all boat trips are the same. The term covers everything from a two-hour licence-free rental to a week-long yacht charter in the Dodecanese. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right experience for your group, budget and available time.
Here is an honest comparison of the main options:
Shared Day Cruises (€39–€80 per person)
Large boats carrying 20–99 guests, departing on fixed schedules from Mandraki Harbour or other marinas around the island. Most include lunch, drinks, snorkelling equipment and two or three swimming stops along the east coast or across to Symi. These are the best value per person and suit first-time visitors who want everything organised with no decisions to make on the day.
The trade-off is flexibility. You follow a fixed route with fixed timings, swim where the group swims and eat when lunch is served. If you are travelling with family or a group that likes structure, this works very well. If you want to choose your own bays, a private trip is better.
Private Boat Trips with Skipper (€350–€1,500 for the boat)
Your own boat, your own skipper, your own route. A private boat trip is the most flexible option in Rhodes. You choose the departure time, the stops, the pace. If you find a bay you love, you stay. If the weather is better in one direction, the skipper can adjust. These trips work especially well for couples, families with young children and groups celebrating something.
Speedboats and RIBs are the most common choice for half-day trips. For full days, a larger motorboat or even a sailing yacht gives you more shade, more space and more range.
Sailing Trips and Catamaran Cruises (€39–€720)
Shared catamaran cruises are the most family-friendly option. A catamaran is wide, stable and shaded — far more comfortable than a narrow monohull if you are prone to seasickness or travelling with young children. Day and sunset catamaran cruises from Rhodes depart regularly throughout the season.
For a more authentic sailing experience, a private sailing trip on a keelboat or sloop is a quiet, wind-powered alternative to engine-driven tours. These are best from May to early July and September, when the Meltemi is lighter.
The Most Popular Destinations from Rhodes by Boat
- Anthony Quinn Bay — The most-visited snorkelling bay on the east coast. Small, clear, rocky, spectacular.
- Symi Island — The most popular full-day trip. Pastel harbour, excellent seafood, neoclassical architecture. Crossing is about 80 minutes each way.
- Lindos — A coastal cruise along the east shore leads to St Paul's Bay and a view of the Acropolis from the sea that you cannot get any other way.
- Traganou Caves — Sea caves accessible only by boat. Shallow, calm, and dramatic.
- Tsambika and Agathi Beaches — Long sandy beaches in the east-central part of the island. Clear turquoise water, minimal crowds if you arrive by sea.
When to Go
The boat trip season in Rhodes runs from May to October. June and September are the best months: warm sea (24–26°C), lighter tourist crowds and lower prices than July-August peak. The Meltemi wind is at its strongest in July and August — this affects open-sea crossings to Symi and longer coastal trips more than sheltered-bay tours.
Book early for July and August — private boats and smaller shared cruises sell out quickly, especially at weekends.
Browse all approved boat trips in Rhodes or ask us for a recommendation.
