What Is a Private Boat Trip in Rhodes?
A private boat trip means you hire the entire boat — not just a seat on a shared excursion. You choose the departure time, the route, the swim stops and the pace. The skipper works for you, not for a group of 40 strangers. If you want to stay an extra hour in a particular bay, you stay. If you prefer lunch on board rather than at a taverna, that can be arranged. If your group wants to go somewhere that shared tours do not visit, that is possible too.
Private trips run on speedboats, RIBs, motorboats, sailing yachts and catamarans, depending on your preference and group size. The most common choice for a day trip in Rhodes is a speedboat or motorboat for 4–8 people, which gives a good balance of speed, range and comfort.
How Much Does a Private Boat Trip Cost in Rhodes?
Prices depend on the type of boat, duration and season. As a general guide for 2025–2026:
- Half-day (4 hours) on a speedboat or motorboat: €350–€600 for the boat (4–6 guests)
- Full day (8 hours) on a motorboat: €600–€900 for the boat
- Full day on a sailing yacht: €700–€1,200 for the boat
- Full day on a catamaran: €920–€1,600 for the boat
These are per-boat prices, not per person. Divide by the number of guests and a private trip often works out competitive with — or cheaper than — a shared cruise once you factor in food and drinks that shared cruises include in their headline price. A private trip with catering adds €25–€45 per person for a decent lunch on board.
Who Is a Private Boat Trip Best For?
Private trips work exceptionally well for:
- Couples celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon or birthday — you get the boat to yourselves
- Families with young children — no group schedule, easier to manage nap times and mealtimes, more patient skipper
- Groups of friends (6–10 people) — cost per person becomes reasonable and you get full flexibility
- Experienced travellers who have already done a shared cruise and want something more personal
The Difference a Good Skipper Makes
On a private trip, your skipper's local knowledge is the biggest variable. A good skipper knows which bays are calm when the wind comes from the north, which caves are only accessible at low tide, where the fish are, and which taverna at Symi has the best fried calamari. This is not information you get from a Google search. It comes from 10–20 years on these waters.
When we recommend a private boat trip, we are also recommending a specific skipper — someone we know and trust. This matters more than the model of the boat.
What to Ask When Booking
Before you book, find out: what is included in the price (fuel, equipment, food), what is the cancellation policy if the weather is bad, and whether the skipper speaks your language. A brief WhatsApp conversation with the skipper before the trip often makes a real difference to how the day goes.
See private boat trip options in Rhodes or tell us your group size and dates.
