A Rhodes cave tour is a boat, kayak or paddleboard trip to the sea caves on the east coast of Rhodes, from the Kallithea coast to the Traganou caves near Anthony Quinn bay, with swim and snorkel stops in the coves between them. Tours across the rest of the country are listed on Greece Tours.
The sections below cover the caves on the route, the tour formats, Kallithea, Anthony Quinn bay and Ladiko, sea kayaking from Faliraki, SUP tours, the departure points, what is included, the season and booking, with links into the Rhodes pages. The tours shown are checked on GetYourGuide and Viator.
What is a Rhodes cave tour?
A Rhodes cave tour is a guided trip by boat, kayak or paddleboard to the sea caves cut into the limestone coast, with time to swim and snorkel inside them. Trips run from two and a half to five hours.
Rhodes is 79.7 kilometres long and 38 kilometres across at its widest point, with about 220 kilometres of coastline. Limestone is the main bedrock, so the sea has soft stone to cut. Waves and salt have opened chambers, arches and passages along the east coast, and a Rhodes cave tour takes swimmers to the chambers that boats and boards can reach.
Every Rhodes cave tour follows the same rhythm. A skipper or guide briefs the group, hands out life jackets and snorkel masks, then steers to the first cave. Swim stops run from 25 minutes on the short cruises to 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn bay. The boat holds station, the ladder goes down, and guests slip into water that reaches 26°C in August.
The caves cluster in three areas: the Kallithea coast below the old spa, the Traganou caves in Afandou bay, and the coves around Lindos. Each area sits within a short cruise of the next, so one boat day can cover two of them, while a kayak or a paddleboard stays with a single stretch of coast.
Which sea caves does a Rhodes cave tour reach?
A Rhodes cave tour reaches three groups of sea caves: the Kallithea caves below the spa, the Traganou caves in Afandou bay near Anthony Quinn bay and Ladiko, and the east coast caves between Faliraki and Lindos.
Kallithea sits 9 kilometres from Rhodes City and 40 kilometres from Lindos. The caves here are cut into the rock beneath the springs, and the currents around them stay gentle. Water in the bay holds an average of 25°C through the summer, so swimmers stay in longer. On a Rhodes cave tour the Kallithea stop comes last on the boat route.
The Traganou caves open at the northern end of Traganou beach, a pebble strand between Faliraki and Afandou. One chamber runs right through the rock, so swimmers can pass inside it. Pebbles on the seabed keep the water clear, and the caves are reached by boat or by a short walk from the beach.
Anthony Quinn bay takes its name from the actor who bought land there after filming The Guns of Navarone. A film pier still stands on the shore, and a cliff drops about 200 metres into deep water beside the bay. Ladiko lies on the other side, the Alikies caves sit further along, and the Lindos caves close the run south.
- Kallithea caves, below the spa, 9 kilometres from Rhodes City
- Traganou caves, at the northern end of Traganou beach
- Alikies caves, further along the same east coast stretch
- Anthony Quinn bay and Ladiko, with the film pier and a deep cliff
- Lindos caves and St Paul’s bay, 40 kilometres south of Rhodes City
Which Rhodes cave tour formats can you book?
You can book five Rhodes cave tour formats: a Kallithea caves boat tour, an all-inclusive Anthony Quinn and Ladiko caves cruise, a small-group snorkelling boat adventure, a sea kayaking trip from Faliraki, and a stand-up paddleboard trip with snorkelling.
The fastest Rhodes cave tour format is a high-speed boat that runs for four hours and carries a maximum of 25 passengers. It calls at Anthony Quinn bay, Ladiko and the Kallithea caves in one afternoon. A slower catamaran cruise gives three hours on the water with three swim stops, and the smallest group is the 2.5-hour snorkelling cruise, capped at nine guests.
Paddling formats put guests at water level. Sea kayaks leave from Faliraki for five hours of coves, caves and a picnic on a beach. Stand-up paddleboards launch from Stegna beach for four hours, with a safety lesson first. Both take beginners and supply the board, the paddle, a life jacket and snorkel gear. A wider look at Rhodes boat trips shows how these formats sit beside the longer island cruises.
- Kallithea caves boat tour: 4 hours by high-speed boat, maximum 25 passengers
- Anthony Quinn and Ladiko caves cruise: 3 hours by catamaran, 3 swim stops
- Snorkelling boat adventure: 2.5 hours, small group of 9
- Sea kayaking from Faliraki: 5 hours, single or double kayaks
- SUP with snorkelling: 4 hours from Stegna beach, 12 paddlers
What does a Rhodes cave tour to the Kallithea caves include?
A Rhodes cave tour to the Kallithea caves includes a four-hour run by high-speed boat, three swim and snorkel stops, time at the Oasis Beach Bar, snorkel masks, cold drinks and a snack on board.
The boat is built for speed and holds a maximum of 25 passengers, so the group stays small. Anthony Quinn bay comes first for a swim and a snorkel, then Ladiko for beach time and a look at the seabed with a mask. The Kallithea caves close the day, with calm currents and rock formations lit by reflections.
The cave stop on a Rhodes cave tour rewards snorkellers. Light bends off the limestone, the water stays still, and small fish gather in the shade of the rock. Swimmers who stay on deck still see the chambers, because the skipper brings the hull close to the cliff line for photographs.
The Oasis Beach Bar stop adds a break on land. Above it, the Kallithea Springs monument was laid out by the Italian architect Pietro Lombardi in the late 1920s. The site opens daily from late spring to the end of October, from 8:00 to 20:00, and the gardens and mosaic paths sit a short walk from the water.
- Four hours on a high-speed boat with a skipper and a guide
- Swim and snorkel stops at Anthony Quinn bay, Ladiko and the Kallithea caves
- Snorkel mask and snorkel for each guest
- Cold drinks and a snack on board
- Beach time at the Oasis Beach Bar
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure
What does a Rhodes cave tour at Anthony Quinn bay and Ladiko show?
A Rhodes cave tour at Anthony Quinn bay and Ladiko shows the film pier, the emerald cove, the deep cliff beside the bay, the Traganou caves in Afandou bay and the smaller Alikies caves, with snorkelling at each stop.
The all-inclusive cruise runs for three hours on a 36-foot catamaran. The vessel is licensed for 45 passengers and capped at 28, so sofas and deck space stay comfortable. Three swim stops are built in: 40 minutes at Anthony Quinn bay, then 30 minutes in Afandou bay for the Traganou caves, then 30 minutes at Ladiko beach.
On board, the bar pours wine, beer, soft drinks and water, plus a cocktail made to order from fresh fruit. Local snacks include melekouni, the Rhodian honey and sesame bar, and a fruit platter. A Rhodes cave tour by catamaran is wheelchair accessible, and a live guide works in English and Greek. The Anthony Quinn bay boat trip page covers the bay itself in more detail.
The snorkelling cruise takes a different shape. It lasts 2.5 hours, carries a maximum of nine guests, and stops at Anthony Quinn bay, Ladiko, the Traganou gravel beach with its caverns, and the Alikies caves. Wi-Fi and a restroom are on board, and dolphins turn up in the surf on the run back. Snorkelling in Rhodes works well in these bays, where rock gives fish shade.
How does a sea kayak Rhodes cave tour from Faliraki work?
A sea kayak Rhodes cave tour from Faliraki works as a five-hour paddle along the coast with a guide, a safety briefing, single or double kayaks, swim and snorkel stops, and a picnic served on a beach.
The day begins in Faliraki, where the guiding team fits everyone with a closed sea kayak, a paddle and a life jacket. The briefing covers basic technique, and no paddling experience is needed on a Rhodes cave tour by kayak. From the seat of a kayak the water sits centimetres below, so the seabed stays in view.
The route passes Anthony Quinn bay, then follows rock walls to sea caves, hidden passages and small beaches with no road access. Guides pick swim stops where the water is clearest and the swell is lightest. Halfway through, the group lands for a picnic of local food, with a cave wall for shade.
The trip includes the kayak, paddle, life jacket, an expert guide, photos, a snack and a local meal. Transport from selected points can be arranged on request, and free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours before departure. The Rhodes kayak tour page sets out the same coastline in more depth.
How does a SUP Rhodes cave tour with snorkelling work?
A SUP Rhodes cave tour with snorkelling works as a four-hour paddleboard trip in a small group, with a lesson on the beach, a paddle along the cliffs to a sea cave, swim and snorkel time, and optional cliff jumping.
The meeting point is Paddle Paradise on the left beach of Stegna, beside the Kozas studios, and the start time is 10:00. A Rhodes cave tour by paddleboard caps the group at 12 paddlers. A guide runs a safety tutorial and a short lesson on the sand before anyone stands on a board, and a support boat trails the group.
The route stays inside Stegna bay and along the east coast cliffs. Paddlers pass rock formations, reach a sea cave and stop in quiet water to swim or pull on a snorkel mask. Cliff jumping is offered to anyone who wants it, and the current stays light through the morning.
Included in the trip are the paddleboard, snorkel gear, a safety and support boat, GoPro photos, a shorty wetsuit in the cooler months, a local snack and fruit. Hotel pickup runs from Afantou, Archangelos, Faliraki, Ialisos, Ixia and Kalithea, and starts about an hour before the session. Guests with back problems, pregnant guests and guests with heart conditions sit this format out.
Where do Rhodes cave tours depart?
Rhodes cave tours depart from Mandraki harbour in Rhodes Town, Faliraki harbour, Stegna beach near Archangelos, Afandou beach, the new marina in Rhodes Town and the jetties around Lindos. Each point sits on the east coast.
- Mandraki harbour, Rhodes Town: day cruises along the east coast
- Faliraki harbour: boat trips to the Afandou caves, Anthony Quinn bay and Ladiko
- Stegna beach: stand-up paddleboard sessions along the cliffs
- Afandou beach: self-drive boats heading north to the Traganou caves
- Rhodes Town new marina: private boats for a no-licence cave run
- Lindos and Vlicha bay: cave cruises around St Paul’s bay
Road times matter when a trip is booked. Rhodes Town to Faliraki is 13 kilometres, about 14 minutes by car. Faliraki to Lindos is a road distance of about 36 kilometres and roughly 30 minutes. Lindos sits about 40 kilometres south of Rhodes City, and Kallithea Springs sits 9 kilometres from the city.
Hotel pickup is offered on the paddleboard trip, the kayak trip and the small-group snorkelling cruise, with collection from resorts between Kalithea and Archangelos. Guests who drive themselves park at the harbour or the beach car park and report 15 to 30 minutes before departure. A boat rental in Rhodes gives a third route, with no licence needed.
What does a Rhodes cave tour include, and what to pack?
A Rhodes cave tour includes a skipper or guide, life jackets, snorkel gear, drinks and a snack, and on longer trips a picnic or a buffet. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water and water shoes for pebble beaches.
Gear is supplied on every Rhodes cave tour that involves water. Boats carry masks and snorkels for each guest, and crews clean the gear between trips. Kayak and paddleboard trips add a life jacket, a paddle and a dry bag for phones, plus a support boat on the paddleboard route. The kayak trip covers liability insurance and a photo set.
Food and drink vary by format. The three-hour catamaran cruise pours an open bar and serves melekouni and fruit. The four-hour speedboat trip keeps cold drinks and a snack on board. The kayak trip lands for a picnic, and the paddleboard trip hands out a local snack at the end.
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- Water in a refillable bottle
- Water shoes for the pebble beaches at Traganou and Stegna
- A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch
- A light layer for the return run
Leave valuables in the hotel safe. Bring a waterproof pouch if the boat does not supply one, and keep the phone in a zipped pocket on the paddle. Extra cocktails and the entrance to the Kallithea Springs monument are paid separately, and no cash is needed on board for the drinks that come with a Rhodes cave tour.
Which months and sea conditions suit a Rhodes cave tour?
A Rhodes cave tour suits the months from late spring to October, when the sea runs from 20°C to 27°C and the meltemi wind stays lightest in the morning. The east coast shelters the caves from the summer wind.
Sea temperature climbs through the season. June averages 23°C, July 25°C, August 26°C and September 25°C. October still holds 23°C, which keeps the caves comfortable for longer swims after the peak weeks pass, and August is the warmest month, with the water touching 27°C in the hottest spells.
Wind shapes the day more than temperature does. The meltemi is a dry northerly wind that blows across the Aegean through the summer and peaks between mid-July and mid-August. Rhodes faces away from it on the east coast, so the bays between Kallithea and Lindos stay calmer and clearer than the west coast at Ialisos.
Cave routes run as weather-permitted trips. Skippers read the forecast each morning and pick the bays with the least swell. The Kallithea Springs site opens daily from late spring to the end of October, and the swim-through cave at Traganou works from June to October, when the water is warm enough to linger inside.
How do you book and cancel a Rhodes cave tour?
You book a Rhodes cave tour online, choose a date and a start time, and receive instant confirmation. Free cancellation applies up to 24 hours before departure, so a windy forecast costs nothing, and mobile tickets load onto the phone.
Booking a Rhodes cave tour needs the number of adults and children, the chosen date and the start time. Pickup can be added where the trip offers it. Confirmations arrive by email, and the meeting point is printed on the ticket, so check the departure point the day before. Where a trip runs from two meeting points, the ticket names the one that applies.
- Choose the cave area first: Kallithea, Afandou or Lindos
- Match the format to the group: boat, kayak or paddleboard
- Pick a date and a start time, and add hotel pickup where offered
- Check the meeting point on the confirmation the day before
- Bring the mobile ticket and arrive 15 to 30 minutes early
Group sizes fill fast in July and August, so reserve early in the peak weeks. The speedboat takes 25 guests, the catamaran 28, the paddleboard session 12 and the small-group snorkelling cruise nine. A skipper who calls off a cave run for swell will move the booking to a new date or refund it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you swim inside the sea caves on a Rhodes cave tour?
Yes. The Traganou caves in Afandou bay have a chamber that swimmers pass through, and the caves beside St Paul’s bay at Lindos take snorkellers right inside the mouth of the rock. Guides lead the swim, check the swell first and hand out masks and snorkels. A semi-submarine cruise from Rhodes stops for 25 minutes at the Traganou caves.
Do you need kayaking or paddleboard experience for a Rhodes cave tour?
No experience is needed on either format. The kayak trip runs a briefing on gear and technique at Faliraki and takes beginners out on closed sea kayaks. The paddleboard session starts with a safety tutorial and a lesson on Stegna beach, and a support boat follows the group. Guides match the pace to the slowest paddler.
Which Rhodes cave tour suits families with children?
The three-hour catamaran cruise suits families, because the deck is flat, the swim stops are short and the vessel is wheelchair accessible. Children swim at Anthony Quinn bay and Ladiko while adults snorkel. The 2.5-hour snorkelling cruise also works for younger swimmers, since the group is capped at nine guests.
What happens to a Rhodes cave tour if the wind picks up?
Skippers check the forecast each morning and move the route to the sheltered side of the island. The east coast between Kallithea and Lindos faces away from the meltemi, so cave stops there stay open when the west coast turns rough. If a trip is called off for safety, the operator offers a new date or a refund.