A Rhodes submarine cruise is a short boat trip with underwater views of the sea around Rhodes. Cruises leave Mandraki harbour in Rhodes Town and the bay of Lindos, and the Lindos Hippo submarine adds a swim stop at Navarone Bay. Greece Tours lists the cruises that leave from Rhodes.
This page covers the Poseidon and Yellow Submarine cruises, the Hippo from Lindos, Anthony Quinn Bay, glass-bottom boats, what you see underwater, how long the cruises last, children, timing and what to bring, with links to the rest of Rhodes. The cruises below are checked on GetYourGuide and Viator.
What is a Rhodes submarine cruise?
A Rhodes submarine cruise is a short sightseeing trip on a semi-submarine, a surface boat with an air-conditioned cabin below the waterline. Passengers watch fish through large underwater windows, a diver feeds the fish, and the top deck shows the town from the sea.
The Poseidon and the Yellow Submarine both run a Rhodes submarine cruise from Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes Town, and each trip lasts 45 minutes. On both boats, the trip pairs a deck view of the harbour and the medieval walls of the Old Town with time in the underwater cabin and a diving show below the surface.
The trip shows Rhodes from above and below the sea in one outing, with no swimming or diving skills needed, since passengers watch from a dry cabin. The same semi-submarine design runs longer trips elsewhere on Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands and the ninth largest island in the Mediterranean, such as the Hippo in Lindos and the Turtley Submarine from Kolymbia Harbour.
Where does a Rhodes submarine cruise depart from?
A Rhodes submarine cruise departs from Mandraki Harbour in the centre of Rhodes Town, at the northern tip of the island. Longer semi-submarine trips, with swim stops on selected routes, leave from Kolymbia Harbour, Faliraki Harbour and the bays of Lindos.
In town, every Rhodes submarine cruise starts on the waterfront of Mandraki Harbour, home to the municipal marina, where the Market and the Palace of the Governor line the sea promenade. The Poseidon meeting point stands opposite the Aktaion Cafe, and the Yellow Submarine desk sits in front of the Courthouse of Rhodes. A free car park lies near the port, and public transport stops close by.
Outside Rhodes Town, a Rhodes submarine cruise becomes a longer outing. The Turtley Submarine leaves Kolymbia Harbour on a 3-hour route with a fish-feeding stop, Agios Fanourios Bay and Cape Tsambika. Passengers on a yellow semi-submarine run by Rhodes Sea Lines check in at Faliraki Harbour, and the Hippo sails from St Paul’s Bay and Pallas Bay in Lindos.
What is the Poseidon Rhodes submarine cruise from Mandraki harbour?
The Poseidon Rhodes submarine cruise is a 45-minute trip with an English audio guide on a semi-submarine from Mandraki Harbour. It passes the port, Elli beach, the Tourist Harbour, the Old Town walls and the harbour entrance linked to the Colossus of Rhodes.
The Colossus of Rhodes, a 33-metre bronze statue of the sun god Helios completed in 280 BC, stood near the harbour entrance until an earthquake toppled it in 226 BC, and its exact spot remains in dispute. The audio guide on this Rhodes submarine cruise explains the history behind each monument on the route, and the way back gives a panoramic view of the coast of Rhodes.
The Poseidon has a bar serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a sun-protected deck and toilets, and the boat is wheelchair accessible and takes small pets. Before each Rhodes submarine cruise on the Poseidon, the port authorities ask for the nationality, passport number and date of birth of every passenger. The boat is a polyester semi-submarine built in Rhodes in 2016:
- Capacity: 50 passengers and 3 crew
- Width: 5 metres, with a draught of 2.5 metres
- Engines: two 135 hp Volvo Penta diesels
- Speed: 9 knots
What is the Yellow Submarine Rhodes submarine cruise?
The Yellow Submarine Rhodes submarine cruise is a 45-minute trip from Mandraki Harbour that starts on the top deck facing the medieval walls and moves to an underwater cabin with 22 large windows, where divers put on a show among the fish.
The trip runs in three stages. First, passengers sit on the top deck along the Mandraki coastline while the captain describes the local marine life and the history of the area. Next, the boat faces the walls of Rhodes Old Town, the Hospitaller citadel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for photos from the sea. Finally, this Rhodes submarine cruise moves to the air-conditioned underwater cabin.
The Yellow Submarine carries up to 50 passengers, suits all fitness levels and is wheelchair accessible, with a shaded deck and toilets on board, and pets are allowed. This Rhodes submarine cruise runs in German, English, French, Russian, Greek and Romanian, souvenir photos are on sale, tickets skip the line, and online bookings need at least 30 minutes’ notice.
What do you see underwater on a Rhodes submarine cruise?
On a Rhodes submarine cruise you see the sea life outside the port of Rhodes through the cabin windows, including multicoloured fish and jellyfish. The highlight is a diver who feeds the fish, drawing hundreds of them right up to the glass.
Once the boat is further out at sea, passengers go down to the cabin and the diver enters the water to start the feed. On the Poseidon, the diver also photographs the passengers, and these photos come free with each Rhodes submarine cruise. On the Yellow Submarine, the divers swim among the fish as part of an underwater show.
On a Rhodes submarine cruise from Mandraki, the Poseidon windows give a 360° panoramic view of the Aegean Sea, and the Yellow Submarine cabin offers clear visibility up to 30 metres deep. On the Turtley Submarine, the underwater cabin looks out along Kolymbia beach, and the crew hands out masks for a snorkelling stop at Agios Fanourios Bay.
How long does a Rhodes submarine cruise last?
A Rhodes submarine cruise from Mandraki Harbour lasts 45 minutes on both the Poseidon and the Yellow Submarine, and the boats return to the same port. Longer semi-submarine trips from Kolymbia Harbour, Faliraki Harbour and Lindos last between 2 and 3 hours.
On the Poseidon, passengers spend 20 to 25 minutes of the trip in the air-conditioned cabin below the surface, with the rest of the time on the route past Mandraki port and Elli beach. On the Yellow Submarine, the trip splits into 10 minutes along the Mandraki coastline, 15 minutes facing the Old Town walls and 20 minutes in the underwater cabin.
Both operators ask passengers to reach the meeting point 15 minutes before departure, so a Rhodes submarine cruise takes one hour in total. That is short next to other Rhodes boat trips, where a day cruise from Rhodes Town to Symi or Lindos runs 8 to 9 hours, so the submarine trip fits between sightseeing stops in Rhodes Town.
Is a Rhodes submarine cruise a real submarine?
No, a Rhodes submarine cruise runs on a semi-submarine, not a real submarine. The boat stays on the surface at all times and cannot dive, while its passenger cabin sits 2.2 to 2.5 metres below the waterline behind large underwater windows.
A true submarine is a pressure vessel built to withstand high water pressure, while a semi-submarine faces the same pressure as any surface boat of the same draught. Because the pressure near the surface is low, the windows on a Rhodes submarine cruise can be large, and the cabin stays open to the air, so no special air supply is needed.
Passengers can climb from the underwater cabin to the open deck at any time. Booking sites sell the Rhodes submarine cruise as a glass-bottom submarine trip, but a semi-submarine differs from a glass-bottom boat through its deeper draught, which places the passenger cabin below the waterline. The Poseidon, the Turtley Submarine and the Hippo all describe their boats as semi-submarines.
What is the Hippo Rhodes submarine cruise from Lindos?
The Hippo Rhodes submarine cruise is a semi-submarine trip from Lindos that combines coastal sightseeing, underwater views and a swim stop at Navarone Bay. Passengers sit on an air-conditioned deck five feet below sea level, and the rides last 2 or 3 hours.
Hippo runs three rides. The 3-hour experience and the 2-hour cruise along Lindos leave from St Paul’s Bay, and the 2-hour Hippo Classic leaves from Pallas Bay. Each Rhodes submarine cruise from Lindos passes the Acropolis of Lindos, the tomb of Kleovoulos, named after the 6th-century BC ruler Cleobulus, and the reef at Lion’s Head Cove, with a fish-feeding stop.
The swim stop is in Navarone Bay, known for its turquoise water. The bay shares its name with The Guns of Navarone, a film with scenes shot at Lindos. This Lindos boat trip also takes in St Paul’s Bay, whose church hosts more than 300 weddings every year, and each departure takes up to 40 passengers.
Which Rhodes submarine cruise visits Anthony Quinn Bay?
The See Deep semi-submarine from Faliraki is the Rhodes submarine cruise that visits Anthony Quinn Bay. Faliraki Sea Lines runs the 3-hour trip with 2 swim stops, at Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay, plus an open bar with beers and soft drinks.
From its air-conditioned underwater chamber, the See Deep shows the reefs of Faliraki and the cliff drop at Ladiko. Departures leave every day from hotel stops around Faliraki and from Faliraki Harbour, and hotel pickup is available on request. Rhodes Sea Lines, a sister company, sells the same Rhodes submarine cruise to guests staying around Rhodes Town.
Anthony Quinn Bay lies 4.3 km south of Faliraki, the island’s main seaside resort, and is surrounded by cliffs and clear water. The actor Anthony Quinn bought the land while filming The Guns of Navarone (1961) on Rhodes, and the Greek government reclaimed it in 1984 after a change in property law. Compare this Rhodes submarine cruise with a standard Anthony Quinn Bay boat trip before booking.
How does a Rhodes submarine cruise compare with a glass-bottom boat?
A Rhodes submarine cruise seats you below sea level behind large windows; a glass-bottom boat shows the seabed through glass panels in its bottom. Both keep passengers dry, and the Hippo and the 3-hour Lindos glass-bottom tour stop at Navarone for a swim.
From Lindos, a 3-hour glass-bottom tour passes the tomb of Kleovoulos, the Lindos caves and St Paul’s Bay, with drinks on board. A 1-hour sunset version cruises to Navarone Bay and Pefkos and shows the Acropolis of Lindos lit up at night. Both follow the same coast as the Hippo Rhodes submarine cruise.
A glass bottom gives a clearer view than looking into the water from above, because it cuts out surface ripples, an effect close to a diving mask. A Rhodes submarine cruise goes further: Hippo passengers sit below the waterline and watch the reef through huge portholes beside them. The glass-bottom boat suits a short evening trip; the semi-submarine suits reef watching.
Is a Rhodes submarine cruise good for children?
Yes, a Rhodes submarine cruise suits children: Hippo calls its trip family-friendly, and the See Deep lists families with children among its ideal guests. Children stay dry in the cabin, need no swimming skills, and watch the crew feed the fish through the windows.
GetYourGuide sorts Hippo guests into three age bands: adults from 14, children aged 4 to 13 and infants aged 3 and younger, who still need a place on the booking. Turtley Sub at Kolymbia sets its child band at 4 to 12 and has toilets on board, a point that matters on a 3-hour Rhodes submarine cruise with young children.
Faliraki adds family attractions on land, including the largest water park in Greece and a fun-park for younger children. The air-conditioned cabins on the Hippo and the See Deep keep children comfortable in the summer heat. Families planning the rest of the holiday can turn to our Rhodes with kids page.
When is the best time for a Rhodes submarine cruise?
The best time for a Rhodes submarine cruise is June to September, when the sea averages 23.4 °C to 27.2 °C and the island stays dry and sunny. The Hippo booking calendar from Lindos lists daily departures up to the end of October.
Rhodes has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate. At Rhodes airport, July brings 0.7 mm of rain and 391.8 hours of sunshine, the highest monthly total of the year. In October the sea still holds 23.8 °C, warmer than in June, and Faliraki’s centre is busiest with families in July and August, so book ahead in those months.
Hippo sails a morning 3-hour ride from St Paul’s Bay and afternoon 2-hour rides from Pallas Bay and St Paul’s Bay, while the See Deep and Turtley Sub leave in the morning and around midday. July is the hottest month at Lindos, with highs averaging 35.5 °C, so carry water on any Rhodes submarine cruise in midsummer.
What do you need to bring on a Rhodes submarine cruise?
For a Rhodes submarine cruise, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a camera or smartphone, plus swimwear and a towel when the trip includes a swim stop. Snorkelling gear, drinks and shade are supplied on board, depending on the boat you book.
Sun protection comes first on a Rhodes submarine cruise, because the average UV index around Rhodes reaches 10 in June and July. A camera earns its place below deck, where Hippo passengers shoot the reef through huge portholes from a seat five feet under the sea.
Swimmers who own a well-fitting mask can bring it, although the See Deep carries snorkelling equipment and Turtley Sub provides masks. For longer sessions in the water, plan a separate day of snorkelling around Rhodes after the cruise. Each boat offers the following on board:
- Hippo, Lindos: an air-conditioned underwater deck with music, plus Wi-Fi on the 3-hour ride
- See Deep, Faliraki: an air-conditioned underwater chamber, an open bar and snorkelling equipment
- Turtley Sub, Kolymbia: an underwater cabin, a shaded deck with a small bar, toilets and snorkel masks
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim on a Rhodes submarine cruise?
Yes. The Hippo Classic and 3-hour rides from Lindos stop for a swim in Navarone Bay, the See Deep from Faliraki makes 2 swim stops at Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay, and Turtley Sub stops at Agios Fanourios Bay and Cape Tsambika. On the Hippo, entering the water is optional.
Is a Rhodes submarine cruise suitable for people who get seasick?
With preparation, yes. A Rhodes submarine cruise stays on the surface, so it rocks like any boat, and seasickness strikes when the inner ear feels motion that the eyes do not see. Watch the horizon from the open deck, and ask a pharmacist about dimenhydrinate or a scopolamine patch, which work best taken before boarding.
Is a Rhodes submarine cruise wheelchair accessible?
It depends on the boat. GetYourGuide labels two Rhodes Town submarine cruises and two Lindos glass-bottom boat trips as wheelchair accessible. The two Lindos Hippo listings carry no such label, and the Hippo cabin sits below sea level, so ask the operator about access before booking a Hippo trip from Lindos.
Does a Rhodes submarine cruise run every day?
Yes, through the season. Turtley Sub runs 2 trips every day from Kolymbia, the See Deep leaves Faliraki every morning and every midday, and the GetYourGuide calendars for the Lindos Hippo cruises list departures on every day up to the end of October. The 2-hour Hippo listing accepts bookings until 30 minutes before departure.