Rhodes from the Water
Rhodes is better from the sea. Most visitors figure this out on their second or third day — after they have ticked off the Old Town and the Palace of the Grand Masters and stood in the queue for Lindos — and realise that the clearest water, the least-crowded beaches and the most memorable experiences all involve getting on a boat.
Here is a guide to the best water-based activities in Rhodes, organised by type and suited to different travellers.
Boat Tours and Cruises (All Levels)
If you have never been on a boat in Rhodes before, a shared day cruise is the right first step. For €40–€80 per person you get a full day at sea, lunch included, swimming stops at three or four locations and a skipper who speaks some English. The east coast route — Anthony Quinn Bay, Kalithea, Tsambika — is the most popular and covers the most photogenic stretch of coastline.
For something more personal, a semi-private tour with 6–12 guests gives you more flexibility and more space, at a slightly higher price. Private tours — your group, your boat, your route — are available from €350 for a half-day.
See our full boat tours page for current options.
Rent a Boat — The Most Independent Option
Licence-free boat rentals give you the highest level of freedom: no schedule, no skipper and no strangers. You take the helm yourself on a 20–30 HP motorboat, follow your own route and stop wherever you like. The rental includes safety briefing, equipment and fuel. Prices start at €130 for a two-hour session.
This is the best option for experienced travellers who are comfortable on the water and want to explore without a guide. See rent-a-boat options.
Sailing Trips and Catamaran Cruises
Wind-powered sailing in Rhodes is best in June and September when the Meltemi north wind provides steady, manageable conditions. A sailing trip on a keelboat or small yacht with a skipper is quiet, slow and enjoyable in a way that engine-driven tours are not. Prices start from €260 for a private half-day trip.
Catamarans are the family-friendly alternative: wide deck, shade, stability and safety nets over the trampolines for children. Day and sunset catamaran tours run regularly throughout the season. See catamaran tours.
Snorkelling
The east coast of Rhodes has some of the best snorkelling in the Aegean outside the Cyclades. The key spots — Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko, Traganou Caves, the waters off Lindos — are best accessed by boat rather than by wading in from a crowded beach. Most rental boats and guided tours include snorkelling equipment. Look for rocky seabeds at 2–5 metres depth, where sea life concentrates.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding
Sea kayaking and SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) are available from several beaches along the east coast, most notably Faliraki and Kolymbia. Both activities are best in calm conditions before the Meltemi builds (before 11:00–12:00 in summer). Organised kayak tours to nearby caves and coves run from May to October.
Yacht Charter — The Full Experience
For a week or more, chartering your own sailing yacht or catamaran is the definitive Rhodes water experience. The Dodecanese — Rhodes, Symi, Kos, Kalymnos, Patmos — is one of the finest sailing grounds in the Mediterranean: reliable wind, clear water, good anchorages and excellent tavernas in even the smallest ports. Bareboat charters start at €1,500 per week for a smaller sailing yacht; skippered charters start around €2,500. See charter options.
Whatever your experience level and budget, there is a water activity in Rhodes that fits. Contact us and we will help you find the right one.
