Rhodes is an island, and the best way to understand its shape is from the sea. The coast runs from sheltered sandy bays in the north-east to wild, windy beaches in the south-west, with cliffs, caves and fishing villages in between, and a whole menu of boat trips and water activities is available. This guide helps you choose between them, so that you spend your time on the water doing what suits you.
Start with what you want from the day
If your idea of a good trip is a long swim and a lazy lunch, a swimming cruise along the east coast fits best. If you want to see another island, take the fast boat to Symi. If you want a romantic evening, book a sunset catamaran. If you want to feel the sea under you and see caves from close up, join a guided kayak tour. None of these is the single right answer, and many visitors do two of them over a week.
The swimming cruise to Anthony Quinn Bay
The most popular excursion from Rhodes Town heads south along the east coast, calling at Kallithea Bay, Anthony Quinn Bay and Traganou Cove, with time to swim and snorkel in each. Meals and drinks are often included, and the larger boats have shade and a lively, social atmosphere. The advantage is variety in a single day, and the disadvantage is that the bays can be busy at midday in July and August. Choose a morning departure if you can, so you reach the bays before the crowds.
The Symi day trip
Symi is a neoclassical harbour town painted in ochre, pink and blue, a short crossing from Rhodes. The fast boat takes about an hour to ninety minutes, and most trips include a swim stop at St George's Bay and a few hours in Symi town, where you can climb the Kali Strata steps, visit the monastery of Panormitis on some routes, or simply sit on the waterfront. It is a long day, so bring a hat and sunscreen, and take a motion sickness tablet if you are sensitive, since the crossing can be bumpy in wind.
The sunset catamaran
The evening cruise is shorter and gentler, usually about three hours. A catamaran is wide and stable, which helps if you are not a confident sailor, and the pace is slow enough to enjoy the swim stop, the food and the light. This is the best choice for couples and groups of friends, and for travellers who want to spend the day on land and the evening on the sea.
Sea kayaking
A guided paddle is the active option. The kayaks are stable and the guides lead easy routes along the coast, into sea caves and onto small beaches that only boats can reach. You need to be able to swim, but you do not need experience, and the trips last three to four hours, with short paddling stretches. It is a good fit for families with older children, for couples, and for anyone who wants a little exercise with their scenery. Morning and sunset departures give the best light and the coolest temperatures.
Scuba diving and snorkelling
Beginners can try a guided introductory dive, and certified divers can join boat dives to reefs, drop-offs and wrecks. The sea off Rhodes is clear, with fish, sponges and the occasional octopus, and visibility is usually good. Snorkelling is easy from many of the beaches and is included in most cruises, so a mask and snorkel are worth packing. Always follow the instructor's briefing, and check any medical restrictions before diving.
Seasons and the wind
Rhodes is famous for its wind, the meltemi, which blows from the north-west for much of the summer and can make the west coast rough. The east coast, where most excursions operate, is much calmer. Boat trips are mainly a late spring to early autumn business, with the warmest sea from late June to September. In winter, few boats run, and those that do are often cancelled for weather. Whenever you go, keep a spare day in your plans, so that a cancelled trip can be moved rather than lost.
What to pack
A swimsuit, a quick-drying towel, sunscreen, a hat, polarised sunglasses with a strap, water shoes for rocky coves, a light layer for the evening and a waterproof pouch for your phone. Bring cash for small extras, and a motion sickness remedy if you need one. Leave jewellery and valuables at your hotel.
Planning tips
Choose smaller boats for a calmer atmosphere and bigger boats for more space and music. Check what is included, such as lunch, drinks, snorkelling gear and hotel transfers. Look at the departure point, since some boats leave from Mandraki harbour, some from Kolona harbour and others from beaches further along the coast. Read the cancellation terms, and arrive 20 to 30 minutes before departure.
Putting it together
A good week on Rhodes might include a morning in the Old Town, a day on the swimming cruise, a sunset catamaran or kayak trip on a quieter evening, and a Symi day for a change of scene. Leave at least one day free for a beach or a long lunch, because the best water days are the ones that are not rushed.
