Faliraki: Boat Trip to Afandou Caves, Anthony Quinn & Ladiko

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star of this three-hour Rhodes boat trip. You get time to swim and snorkel in its clear water, then visit Ladiko Bay and the Afandou Caves, with an open bar running throughout the cruise. The boat is licensed for 49 passengers but limits boarding to 35, which matters when you want room to stretch out.

I especially like the longer stop at Anthony Quinn Bay and the roomy setup, with sofas, bean bags, a lower deck, and a restroom. Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks make the $57 price easy to understand. The main drawback is that hotel transfers are not included, and the three hours can feel short if you want a long swim at every stop.

Key points to know before you book

• Anthony Quinn Bay gets the most time: Plan on nearly an hour at the prettiest and most photogenic stop.
• The group limit is 35 people: The 38-foot boat is licensed for more, but the operator keeps numbers lower for comfort.
• The Afandou Caves are an active swim stop: You can swim into the caves and jump from the boat into clear water.
• Ladiko has an unusual underwater feature: The stop includes a chance to see the 200-meter underwater cliff.
• Drinks are included: Beer, wine, and soft drinks are available from the onboard open bar.
• You must reach Faliraki Harbour yourself: Meet beside the small church 10 minutes before departure.

Three bays, one easy half-day on the water

This cruise packs three very different swimming spots into a tidy three-hour outing. You leave from Faliraki Harbour, spend most of the time near the coast, and return without giving up a full day to a boat excursion.

That timing is useful if you want to combine the cruise with an afternoon at the beach, dinner in Faliraki, or another Rhodes activity. It also keeps the trip from becoming tiring for families and casual swimmers. The tradeoff is simple: you get a good taste of each bay, but not a lazy, all-day sailing adventure.

The boat is a 38-foot vessel with a stated passenger limit of 35, even though it is licensed for 49. That lower cap is one of the better details here. You are not signing up for a packed party boat where every seat and railing is spoken for.

On board, you can choose a sofa or a bean bag, sit on the upper deck, or move to the lower deck when the wind picks up or the sun becomes too strong. A restroom is available, and snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are supplied. Bring your own towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and anything you need for the short ride to the harbour, since hotel pickup is not part of the price.

Anthony Quinn Bay deserves the long stop

Anthony Quinn Bay is the main event. The water is known for its clear look, rocky edges, and good conditions for seeing below the surface. From the boat, you get a wide view of the small, curving bay. In the water, the rocks give you something to look at beyond simply swimming from one side to the other.

The schedule gives this stop nearly a full hour, longer than the other swimming breaks. That extra time makes a real difference. You can swim, try the supplied mask and snorkel, float with a noodle, and still have time to dry off before the boat moves on.

The bay is also the most photogenic stop, so have your camera ready before you enter the water. If you want photographs of the coast, take them early. Once everyone is swimming, your attention will probably shift to the clear water and rocky shoreline.

A practical warning: the word bay can make you picture a quiet beach stop. This is a boat-based swimming visit, not a long stay on shore. You should expect to remain with the boat and enter the sea directly from it. If you want to spend hours on Anthony Quinn Beach itself, this cruise is not a replacement for a land visit.

The snorkeling gear is included, though one passenger found that the snorkels needed a few minutes of adjustment before use. That is not a serious problem, but check your mask and snorkel as soon as they are handed out. Doing so saves you from wasting part of the swimming stop.

Afandou Caves bring the most playful stop

The cave stop is usually called the Afandou Caves, while the supplied tour details also use the name Traganou Caves. Either way, this is the part of the outing built around swimming into rocky openings and jumping from the boat into clear water.

The setting feels different from Anthony Quinn Bay. Instead of focusing mainly on a scenic curve of coast, you are using the boat as your base while exploring the cave area from the water. The stop has an active feel, especially for children and confident swimmers.

You can swim inside the caves, use a noodle, or simply remain beside the boat and enjoy the view. The crew supplies the necessary snorkeling equipment, but you should not feel pressured to use it. The water itself is the attraction.

This is also the stop where repeated jumps from the boat are possible, according to the experience details. That makes it a strong choice for families with older children who like a little action. Still, the description does not provide exact jump height, water depth, or safety rules, so follow the crew’s instructions and use good judgment.

The cave stop is relatively brief, roughly 30 minutes in the stated plan, although timing can vary. If you want to explore every rocky opening at a relaxed pace, you may find the visit too short. If you prefer variety and a quick change of scene, the shorter stop keeps the cruise moving.

Ladiko Bay and the underwater cliff

Ladiko Bay offers another clear-water swim with a different point of interest: a 200-meter underwater cliff. You will not see an entire underwater wall from the deck, of course, but the stop is designed for swimming and looking beneath the surface near the drop-off.

This is where the included mask and snorkel are especially useful. You can float above the underwater edge and look down into the clear water. The exact visibility depends on conditions, but the cruise is planned around the area’s underwater appeal.

Ladiko is generally treated as one of the shorter stops, around 30 minutes in the published plan. That is enough for a swim and a look around, but not enough for a long snorkel session if you need time to adjust equipment, take photographs, and relax between swims.

If you are not comfortable in open water, use one of the swimming noodles and remain close to the boat. The activity information does not specify lifeguard arrangements or individual flotation vests, so ask the crew about available safety equipment before entering the sea.

What the boat feels like under way

Comfort is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a basic transfer boat. The operator keeps the group below the vessel’s full license capacity, and the seating includes soft sofas and bean bags. You can sit upright for the views or stretch out between stops.

The lower deck is useful when the ride back becomes windy. Several onboard details describe passengers moving downstairs for shelter from the afternoon wind, while still having room to relax. That flexibility matters more than it may sound. Three hours in strong sun can become tiring, especially after several swims.

Music forms part of the atmosphere. This is not a silent nature cruise. You should expect a social setting with upbeat music, conversation, and a relaxed party mood. Past departures have also included dancing, so anyone seeking a quiet, reflective sail should choose a different kind of excursion.

The smaller passenger cap helps, but it does not turn the boat into a private charter. There may still be music, children, drinks, and people moving between the deck and the water. I would call the mood friendly and casual rather than peaceful and secluded.

Unlimited drinks and the real value of $57

At $57 per person, the cruise is priced above a simple harbour ride but includes several things that can add up quickly: three swimming stops, snorkeling equipment, swimming noodles, a restroom, and unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks.

The open bar is the clearest value feature. If you would normally buy several drinks during a half-day by the sea, the package becomes easier to justify. You can help yourself during the cruise instead of keeping track of each can or glass.

Some departures have also featured fruit bowls, fruit salad, cocktails, iced coffee, a light breakfast, and more substantial food. Because the core activity details specifically promise beer, wine, and soft drinks, I would treat those extra food and cocktail items as possible onboard additions rather than the main reason to book. The drinks package is the dependable part.

Food and drink can also change the feel of the outing. This is not only a transport service between swimming locations. You can sit on a bean bag, listen to music, eat something light if provided, and watch the Rhodes coast pass by. That makes the boat time part of the experience rather than dead time between stops.

The value is strongest for people who plan to use the open bar and enjoy a social boat atmosphere. If you do not drink and mainly want a long snorkeling session, a quieter specialist snorkeling trip may suit you better, though this cruise still gives you three attractive water stops for the price.

Timing, meeting point, and what to bring

The cruise lasts three hours, but the exact departure time depends on availability. You should arrive at Faliraki Harbour 10 minutes before departure, beside the small church. Since there is no hotel transfer, leave enough time to reach the harbour on your own.

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. Sunscreen is essential, as is a hat for the time between swimming stops. A waterproof phone pouch can help if you want photographs from the boat, but the supplied information does not promise photography equipment or secure storage.

Keep your belongings compact. You will be moving between seating, the bar, the swimming area, and possibly the lower deck. A small bag is easier to manage than a full beach load.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Jamie is named as an especially helpful host on past departures, and the onboard team includes a hostess. You can expect staff assistance with the boat, drinks, and swimming gear, but the information does not describe a formal sightseeing guide or a detailed narration of Rhodes landmarks.

Cancellation is flexible if your plans change: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when you are building a Rhodes schedule before finalizing every detail.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits you if you want several attractive swimming locations without spending a full day on a larger sailing excursion. Families with children can make good use of the cave stop, noodles, and boat jumps, while couples and friends may prefer the music, drinks, and bean bags.

It is also a good fit if you like having choices. You can snorkel, swim, float, sit in the shade, listen to music, or enjoy a drink. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to take part, although you should be honest about your comfort in open water.

You may want something else if your priority is a quiet sail, a small private group, a long stop on land, or a serious snorkeling program with extended time at one reef. The 35-person limit is comfortable for a shared boat, but it is still a shared boat.

The three-hour length is both a strength and a limitation. It is easy to fit into a holiday schedule, but the water time passes quickly. One passenger found the three hours went by fast, which is exactly what can happen when the stops, music, drinks, and boat movement are all packed together.

Should you book the Faliraki Fun Club cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want good variety and easy value from Faliraki. Anthony Quinn Bay gives you the scenic highlight, the Afandou Caves add a playful swimming stop, and Ladiko offers the underwater cliff. The open bar and comfortable seating make the time between swims more enjoyable than on a bare-bones boat ride.

Before booking, check that the meeting point works for you, remember that transfers are not included, and decide if the music and social atmosphere match your idea of a day at sea. If they do, $57 is a fair price for a comfortable three-hour outing with three swim stops and drinks included.

FAQ

Where does the cruise depart from?

It departs from Faliraki Harbour, beside the small church.

How early should I arrive?

You should be at the harbour 10 minutes before departure.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. You must make your own way to Faliraki Harbour.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts three hours.

Which bays does the boat visit?

The swimming stops are Anthony Quinn Bay, Ladiko Bay, and the Afandou Caves, also called the Traganou Caves.

How long do you swim at each stop?

The plan gives about 30 minutes at most stops, with nearly a full hour at Anthony Quinn Bay. Exact timing may vary.

Are snorkeling masks and noodles provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and swimming noodles are included.

Are drinks included in the price?

Yes. Unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks are included in the cruise price.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The boat is licensed for 49 passengers, but the stated maximum for this experience is 35 passengers.

Is there a restroom on board?

Yes. The boat has a restroom.