Sunset Catamaran Cruise

A sunset cruise is the simplest way to see Rhodes the way the sailors saw it. You leave from the harbour in the late afternoon, motor and sail out along the coast, and watch the Old Town walls, the towers and the line of hotels slide into the distance while the light turns from white to gold. Catamarans are wide and stable, so they suit people who do not usually feel comfortable on boats, and there is room to sit, lie on the netting at the front or stand at the rail. The cruises that run from Rhodes usually include a stop in a sheltered bay for a swim, a meal or snacks served on board, drinks, and music in the background. The sun sets over the Turkish coast and the islands in the distance, and the sea turns the colours that people travel to Greece to see.

Most trips last about three hours. After boarding you settle on deck, the crew casts off, and the boat heads along the shore to a quiet bay where the anchor goes down and you can swim from the back of the boat in clear water. Lunch, dinner or a buffet of Greek dishes is served at some point in the evening, with wine, beer and soft drinks.

As the sun nears the horizon, the engines are cut or the sails are raised, and the group goes quiet for the best part of the trip. Afterwards the boat returns to port as the lights of the city come on.

The cruise is a good fit for couples, groups of friends and families with older children. It is less suited to travellers who want to hike or visit sights, since the pleasure is the sea and the light. Children can usually come aboard, but check age and life jacket rules with the operator. People with limited mobility should ask about boarding, since there is normally a gangway or a step onto the vessel, and the deck can move.

Choose a trip by what is included, how big the boat is and where it goes. Some cruises stay close to Rhodes Town, while others head south towards Kallithea and Anthony Quinn Bay, or sail to the east coast and Lindos. Smaller boats feel more personal, while larger catamarans offer more space and a livelier atmosphere. If you want a romantic evening, aim for a smaller group, and if you want a party, look for music and an open bar.