Faliraki: Boat Trip to Anthony Quinn & The Caves with Drinks

The best part of this Faliraki boat trip is the underwater cabin. You can watch fish through the glass without getting in the sea, then jump in when the boat stops at Anthony Quinn Bay and the Traganou Caves. At Anthony Quinn, the crew feeds the fish, creating a busy swirl of silver bodies below the boat.

I like the generous swim time, with 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn Bay and 25 minutes at the caves. I also like the open bar, especially in Rhodes heat: beer, water, and soft drinks are available throughout the three-hour trip.

The main drawback is the pickup system. Several beach stops serve Faliraki hotels, and some of the trip can be spent collecting and returning people. If you want a quiet sailing trip with very little movement between stops, this is not that kind of outing.

The key things to know before booking

• The underwater cabin is the star: Large glass panels give you a view of the seabed and fish without swimming.
• Anthony Quinn Bay gets the longest stop: You have 40 minutes for swimming, snorkeling, and watching the fish-feeding session.
• You can swim inside Traganou Caves: The 25-minute stop is short but gives you time to enter the rock formations.
• Drinks are included: Help yourself to unlimited ice-cold beer, water, and soft drinks.
• It suits mixed-age families: Children can watch marine life below deck, use pool noodles, or swim when ready.
• Pickup is from red beach steps: Choose the stop nearest your hotel and board the yellow boat from there.

A yellow semi-submarine with two ways to see Rhodes

This is not a traditional sailing cruise. It is a compact sightseeing and swimming trip built around a yellow semi-submarine, with an underwater cabin below deck and open seating above.

That design gives you two separate experiences. You can sit below in the air-conditioned cabin and look through the glass panels, or remain on deck for the sun, coastline, and swimming stops. You are not forced to snorkel to see something interesting.

That matters if you are nervous in open water, traveling with young children, or simply want a break from swimming. One child on a family trip reportedly made a first brave swim without touching the bottom, while another family enjoyed the fish views from below when the sea felt less inviting.

The English-speaking crew handles the safety talk and explains the places along the coast. Captains called Niko and Mike are particularly associated with the friendly, humorous tone of the trips, though the exact crew can vary. Expect an informal boat outing rather than a formal historical tour.

Finding the boat at Faliraki beach

Pickup is not from a single land terminal. You meet the tender boat at the red steps on the beach at one of the Faliraki stops, then board the yellow semi-submarine.

The listed pickup areas include beaches near Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor. Times run three times daily, with departures around 9:30, 12:30, and 3:30 from the first area, then a few minutes later at the other stops.

That spacing is useful if you are staying in a Faliraki hotel, but check your exact beach stop carefully. The boat is described as yellow, and the red steps are the practical landmark to look for. The tender transfer is part of the arrangement, so do not assume you will walk straight onto the main boat from the sand.

There are several pickup points, which makes this easier than arranging a taxi to the harbor. The tradeoff is time. With multiple beach pickups and returns, some of the three-hour period is used for transport. One family estimated that the collection process took a substantial part of the outing, while still considering the trip good value.

Anthony Quinn Bay: fish, clear water, and the longest swim

Anthony Quinn Bay is the main event. The rocky cove is known for clear water and steep coastal scenery, and the boat stops here for about 40 minutes.

You can use the time in several ways. Swim from the boat, snorkel near the hull, watch the fish from the underwater cabin, or simply sit with a cold drink and take in the setting. The water is the reason to bring a mask, although snorkeling equipment is available on board according to the tour information and guest accounts.

The fish-feeding session makes this stop more than a quick look through glass. When the crew feeds the fish, large groups gather beneath the underwater cabin. The sight can be striking, with fish moving close to the windows in a concentrated swarm.

This is also the stop where the tour feels most crowded and active. Anthony Quinn Bay is a popular place, and a boat-based visit does not give you a private cove. You also remain offshore rather than walking onto the beach. One practical complaint was that the boat could have gone closer to the shore, so keep that in mind if your picture of the stop involves lounging on the sand.

For swimming, the boat is the base. You do not need to carry your things onto a beach, but you also do not get a beach visit in the usual sense. If you want a land-based Anthony Quinn Bay day with time on the beach, choose a different outing.

Traganou Caves: a short swim into the rock

The Traganou Caves provide a different setting. Instead of a broad bay and a fish-feeding session, you get rock formations and the chance to swim inside the caves.

The stop lasts about 25 minutes. That is enough for a look around and a swim into the cave openings, but it is not a long caving expedition. The crew recommends pool noodles for this section, which can be useful if you want extra support while entering the rocks.

The caves are best approached as a quick, atmospheric swim stop. You may see fish from the underwater cabin around the rocky coast, and one past outing even had a seal sighting near the caves. That is not something you should count on, but it shows why keeping an eye below the water can pay off.

The main limitation is the clock. You need to get into the water, move toward the cave, look around, and return to the boat within 25 minutes. If you are a slow swimmer or prefer to take photographs, the stop may feel brief.

The order of the two stops can vary in the supplied tour details. Some descriptions place Traganou first, while the detailed route and many trip accounts place Anthony Quinn Bay first. The fixed promise is the two stops and their approximate durations, not a guaranteed order.

What the underwater cabin is really like

The semi-submarine section is more useful than a token glass panel on the side of a boat. The cabin sits below the main deck and has large windows for viewing the sea around the boat.

You can go below during the cruise and at the bays. The crew feeds fish at Anthony Quinn Bay, which gives you the strongest underwater viewing of the trip. The cabin is air-conditioned, a detail worth appreciating in the Rhodes summer heat.

Still, set your expectations sensibly. This is not a full submarine ride into deep water. You see marine life in coastal bays, and visibility will depend on light, water conditions, and where the boat positions itself. The fish-feeding session improves your chances of seeing a lot at once.

The cabin also gives non-swimmers a proper role in the trip. You can enjoy the scenery and sea life without entering the water. For families with children, that flexibility can make the outing easier, since one person can stay below while others swim.

Unlimited drinks, but no food

The open bar is simple and self-serve. You can take ice-cold beer, water, and soft drinks from the onboard supply during the trip.

At $58 per person, that helps the value. A three-hour boat trip with two swim stops, the semi-submarine cabin, and unlimited drinks would cost more if each part were charged separately. I would not book it purely for the beer, but the drinks make the price easier to justify, especially on a hot afternoon.

Food is not included. Do not treat the open bar as lunch. Eat before boarding or plan your meal after returning to Faliraki. The supplied details do not describe snacks or a meal service, so bring only what the operator permits and do not expect catering.

The drinks also help during the transport portions. When the boat is moving between pickup points or along the coast, you have something cold in hand while waiting for the next stop.

Family appeal and swimming confidence

This is one of the better choices around Faliraki for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can snorkel and enter the caves, while cautious swimmers can use a pool noodle or stay in the underwater cabin.

The crew’s safety briefing is a real advantage. One nervous swimmer described feeling more comfortable after an unusually thorough explanation of the safety rules. That does not remove the need for personal caution, but it helps you understand how the stops work before you enter the water.

Children have several ways to enjoy the boat. They can watch the fish from below, look at the coastline from the deck, swim during the stops, and use the noodles at the caves. Families with children as young as three and five found the two swim stops manageable in length, though every child’s confidence and swimming ability differs.

You should still be comfortable with a boat-based swim. There is no promise of a shallow beach entry at the stops, and the boat may remain offshore. If you or a child does not want to enter the water, the cabin provides a good alternative, but you will not get the full cave experience from below deck.

How the three hours unfold

The advertised duration is three hours. A typical outing includes the following rhythm:

• A beach pickup and transfer to the yellow semi-submarine
• Around 30 minutes of coastal sightseeing after departure
• A 40-minute stop at Anthony Quinn Bay
• Around 20 minutes of cruising along the coast
• A 25-minute stop at Traganou Caves
• The return trip and beach drop-off

Because the written stop order differs in the supplied details, confirm the sequence when you board. The difference does not change the total swim time, but it may matter if you have a preference for seeing Anthony Quinn Bay when you are fresh.

The pace is fairly active without feeling like a full-day excursion. You get two proper chances to swim, but you are not left at sea for six hours. That makes this a practical choice for a free morning or afternoon in Faliraki.

The main timing issue is the pickup network. If you board at one of the later stops, you may spend time collecting people from earlier beaches. That is the price of hotel-area convenience.

Is $58 a fair price?

At $58, I consider this good value for a three-hour activity if you will use the swim stops and drinks. The price covers the semi-submarine cruise, the underwater cabin, two planned stops, snorkeling equipment, and unlimited beer, water, and soft drinks.

The value is strongest for people who want variety. A simple glass-bottom cruise may show you fish but not offer two swims. A swimming trip may give you the water but not the air-conditioned viewing cabin. This combines both.

It is less compelling if you dislike organized group outings, do not drink soft drinks or beer, or want long, quiet time at one cove. The multiple pickup points and fixed stop lengths also mean you have less freedom than on a private charter.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make it easier to fit into a changing holiday schedule. The host service is in English, and the transport has earned a 91 percent perfect-score rate in the supplied activity information.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel. You will want dry clothing after two swim stops, particularly if you plan to sit on deck during the return.

Pack sun protection, since much of the outing takes place outdoors. A phone or camera is useful, but protect it carefully around the water and during the tender transfer.

If you are not a confident swimmer, take the offered pool noodle at Traganou. The underwater cabin gives you an easy backup, but you should still listen closely to the safety instructions before entering the sea.

Eat before boarding. Food is not included, and the drinks do not replace a meal. If you are prone to motion discomfort, choose your place on board with care and ask the crew for practical guidance.

Who should book this Faliraki cruise?

I would recommend it to families, couples, and friends who want a short sea outing with plenty of activity packed into one morning or afternoon.

It is particularly suitable if:

• You want to see fish but do not want to snorkel the whole time
• You are staying near one of the Faliraki beach pickup points
• You like the idea of two swimming locations rather than one long stop
• You want drinks included in the ticket
• You are traveling with children who need different ways to enjoy the sea
• You prefer a three-hour trip instead of a full-day cruise

I would think twice if you want a private boat, a quiet sailing atmosphere, a long beach stay, or a meal onboard. The boat makes several pickups, the stops are timed, and Anthony Quinn Bay is viewed from the water rather than visited as a beach day.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want the easiest mix of underwater viewing, swimming, caves, and included drinks near Faliraki. The strongest moments are the fish-feeding session at Anthony Quinn Bay, the chance to swim into Traganou Caves, and the freedom to switch between the deck and air-conditioned cabin.

Skip it if your priority is privacy or a slow, unstructured day at sea. For most people staying in Faliraki, though, $58 buys a well-filled three hours and a practical way to see Rhodes from the water without committing to a full-day cruise.

FAQ

How long is the Faliraki semi-submarine trip?

The activity lasts three hours, including the coastal cruise, two swimming stops, and the return to the beach pickup point.

Where do I board the boat?

You board from the red steps on the beach at one of the Faliraki pickup stops. Listed areas include beaches near Amada Colossos, Esperides, Calypso Hotel, Apollo Hotel, and Faliraki Harbor.

What are the swimming stops?

The trip includes a 40-minute stop at Anthony Quinn Bay and a 25-minute stop at the Traganou Caves. The published descriptions give different orders for the stops, so confirm the sequence with the crew.

Can I swim inside the Traganou Caves?

Yes. The tour specifically allows you to swim into the rock formations inside the Traganou Caves. Pool noodles are recommended for this stop.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes beer, water, and soft drinks. The drinks are available during the cruise.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the activity price.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available onboard, along with pool noodles recommended for the cave stop.

What language does the crew speak?

The host or greeter service is in English, and the crew provides the safety information and tour commentary in English.