Sailing tour around Lindos with food and drinks

Lindos looks even better from the water. This small-group sailing trip pairs clear coves, cave swims, and views of the Rhodes coast with a freshly prepared Greek lunch, fruit, and drinks. I especially like the chance to steer and help trim the sails, and the relaxed feel created by skipper Georgios, who teaches as he sails rather than simply ferrying you from stop to stop.

I also like the generous swim time, with planned stops at places such as Red Sand, Agathi caves, Lindos Bay, St. Paul’s Bay, and Navarone Bay. The main consideration is that the route depends heavily on wind and sea conditions. The boat may use its engine when needed, and a last-minute booking made less than 12 hours before departure may not include lunch.

Key details before you book

• Up to 13 people: The boat can carry 13, though numbers are usually kept closer to 10 for a more comfortable outing.
• Several sailing plans: Choose from a daytime route, a caves-focused trip, a sailing-only option, or a late-afternoon outing.
• Food and drinks included: Greek lunch, salad, fruit, water, and selected alcoholic or soft drinks are part of the package.
• Hands-on sailing: Georgios may let you steer, help raise the sails, and learn basic sailing skills if you want to take part.
• Swim gear supplied: Snorkeling equipment, noodle floats, and a waterproof camera are included.
• Bring your own towel: Hotel pickup is not included unless arranged separately for an additional charge.

Why this Lindos sailing trip feels different

Many boat trips around Rhodes are built around a fixed route and a large crowd. This outing is more personal. The boat holds a maximum of 13 people, and the usual group is smaller, which gives the day a less crowded feel and makes it easier to speak with the skipper.

Georgios is a major part of the experience. He welcomes you aboard, explains what is happening, and can involve you in raising the mainsail and jib. You can sit back and let him handle everything, or ask to steer for a while. Several guests have particularly enjoyed getting a quick sailing lesson and taking the helm on the return to Lindos.

That hands-on approach matters. You are not only being carried from one beach to the next. You get a glimpse of how a sailboat moves, how the skipper works with the wind, and why an engine is not always needed. When the sails are up and the wind is right, the trip becomes remarkably quiet.

The yacht is set up for comfort rather than formal cruising. It has bed-like cushions, a broad swim platform at the stern, and room to stretch out between stops. You should still remember that this is a working boat, not a floating resort. Keep the pathways clear, follow the skipper’s directions, and return snorkeling gear to its basket after use.

Leaving from the jetty near Pallas Beach

The meeting point is the large jetty near Pallas Beach, at Gin Tonic Lindos. You should arrive ready to board and bring a towel. Hotel transportation is not part of the standard price, though pickup may be available for an extra charge depending on where you are staying.

The advertised price is $76 per person. That is fair value if you plan to use the full package: several hours at sea, a skipper, fuel, insurance, snorkeling equipment, food, fruit, and drinks. Comparable outings can become more expensive once lunch, equipment, and beverages are added separately.

The best value comes when you enjoy the whole rhythm of the day. Swim, snorkel, eat, sail, and repeat. If you mainly want a short boat ride with little time in the water, a simpler excursion may suit you better.

The exact duration ranges from about three to eight hours, depending on the option you choose. Starting times and routes vary, so check the selected package carefully rather than assuming every departure follows the same plan.

Red Sand Beach and the first swim

One daytime route leaves Lindos at 10 a.m. and heads first toward Red Sand. The sail to the stop is part of the pleasure, especially if the wind allows the crew to raise the mainsail and jib.

At Red Sand, you get roughly 30 to 40 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The name gives you an idea of the setting, while the main attraction is the chance to get straight into the sea away from the busy shore areas. The snorkeling equipment is supplied, and noodle floats are available if you would rather relax on the surface than swim hard.

This is a good first stop because it gets you into the water early. You should not expect a guided marine-life tour or a long beach visit. The focus is simple: swim, look beneath the surface, and enjoy the coast from the boat.

Afterward, the yacht continues toward Agathi caves. The route can take around 20 minutes on one itinerary, though timing shifts with wind and sea conditions.

Agathi caves and a lunch break

Agathi caves provides another swim and snorkeling stop, usually around 30 to 40 minutes. Cave areas give this part of the route a different feel from an open beach stop. You may swim through or around the openings, depending on conditions and the skipper’s instructions.

The stop is also a useful reminder that this is an active day. You will be climbing in and out of the water, moving around the swim platform, and spending long periods in the sun. Take the chance to rest on the cushions and drink water between swims.

Lunch is served aboard or during a sheltered stop, depending on the day’s plan. The included meal is described as Greek food with salad and fruit. Past menus have included a filling baked dish such as pastitsio, along with Greek salad and fresh fruit. This is not a small snack disguised as lunch. After several swims, a proper plate of food is welcome.

Drinks include bottled water, soda, beer, wine, and prosecco, with the exact alcohol allowance depending on the package. Some options limit you to four drinks per person, while others include unlimited drinks. Check that detail when you book, especially if the beverage package is important to you.

Lindos Bay and the final daytime sail

The 10 a.m. route continues toward Lindos Bay for another swim and snorkeling stop of about 40 minutes. This gives you a chance to see Lindos from the water, where the familiar white buildings and rocky coast take on a different scale.

The final part of the route is often a sail around Lindos Bay. If conditions cooperate, the engine is reduced or switched off while the boat travels under sail. This is the calmest part of the day, with time to sit on the swim platform, dangle your feet in the water, or watch the coast slide past.

The skipper may invite you to help steer or handle part of the sailing. You can also simply relax. That flexibility makes the trip work for mixed groups, since one person can chase a little sailing instruction while another stays on the cushions with a drink.

The boat returns to the jetty near Gin Tonic Lindos. The full daytime outing takes much of the day, so avoid scheduling a tight afternoon commitment.

Other routes: caves, open sailing, and sunset light

The operator offers more than one route. A three-caves itinerary may visit Agathi caves, Stegna caves, and Lindos Caves, with lunch between the swim stops and a later sail around Lindos Bay.

This option is best for you if swimming through or near cave formations sounds more appealing than visiting several open bays. The tradeoff is that the exact experience depends on sea conditions, water clarity, and safe access at the time.

A sailing-only option begins by raising the sails after leaving the jetty. The boat uses the wind for as much of the route as conditions allow. The engine may still be used while anchoring, searching for suitable wind, or making reasonable progress when the wind is too weak.

That detail is important. A sailing-only trip is not a promise that the engine will never start. It is an effort to travel under sail when the conditions make that practical.

The 9 a.m. itinerary can include Stegna Caves, Red Sand, Agathi Caves, Haraki, Navarone Bay or the Blue Lagoon, and St. Paul’s Bay. This is a long day with a broad mix of stops, so you should choose it if you want the fullest water-based schedule.

The 4 p.m. departure offers a shorter late-day plan. It heads to Navarone Bay for a swim, sails toward St. Paul’s Bay, then gives you a longer swim and snorkeling stop there before returning to Lindos. This option is appealing if you want afternoon light and a less demanding schedule.

St. Paul’s Bay, Navarone Bay, and the coast near Lindos

St. Paul’s Bay is one of the most memorable sights included in the routes. Seen from the water, the enclosed bay gives you a fine sense of the shape of the coast and the small coves that are easy to miss from land.

Navarone Bay and the Blue Lagoon offer more opportunities to swim and snorkel. The value of these stops is not only the scenery. You can compare different kinds of water access throughout the day: open stretches, sheltered bays, rocky edges, and caves.

The schedule usually allows at least two swim stops, even when the skipper changes the order because of weather. That minimum matters. A sailing tour can sound appealing in theory but feel disappointing if you spend the entire day seated on deck. Here, swimming is a central part of the plan.

You should follow the skipper’s directions around caves and during anchoring. Do not jump while the boat is moving or while the engine is on, and keep the stern clear during mooring.

Food, drinks, and the practical comfort level

Food is one of the strongest parts of the package. Greek lunch, salad, and fruit give the outing a more complete feel than a trip that only provides crisps and bottled water. Fresh fruit is served during the day, and the main meal is intended to be filling after the morning swims.

Prosecco, wine, beer, soda, and water are available according to the booking option. Water is free, so keep drinking it even if you are enjoying the alcoholic choices. Sun, salt water, and a long afternoon can catch up with you quickly.

The yacht’s cushions and rear swim platform make a real difference. You can move from active swimming to quiet rest without returning to shore. Still, space is limited compared with a hotel terrace, and a full group of 13 will feel more compact than a group of eight or ten.

The boat also has a toilet. Use the bin for waste and flush before returning to the deck. This is a small point, but good boat manners keep the shared space pleasant for everyone.

Optional equipment includes a stand-up paddleboard for 30 euros per day, a seascooter for 70 euros per battery cycle, and fishing rods for 30 euros per day. These extras are not necessary for a good day, but they may appeal to you if you want more than swimming and snorkeling.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip to couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want a relaxed day on the water without booking a private yacht for a large price. It also suits anyone curious about sailing but not ready for a full sailing course.

You need to be comfortable boarding a boat, moving around a swim platform, and getting in and out of the water. The outing is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 80, according to the stated restrictions.

This is not the best match if you dislike open water, want a rigid timetable, or need guaranteed engine-free sailing. Wind and weather decide the order of stops, the amount of sailing, and sometimes the route itself.

Arrive sand-free and help keep the boat tidy. Cigarette burns, blocked toilets, and other damage caused by carelessness may result in charges. That is reasonable on a small yacht, but it is worth knowing before you board.

Booking advice and final verdict

At $76 per person, this is a strong choice if the package includes the full food and drink allowance you want. The combination of a small group, several swim stops, a real Greek lunch, and time at the helm gives it more substance than a basic sightseeing cruise.

I would choose the daytime sailing option if you want the best balance of swimming, lunch, and sailing instruction. Pick the late-afternoon departure if you prefer a shorter outing with Navarone Bay and St. Paul’s Bay in softer light.

Book this trip if you want to be active but not rushed, and if the idea of helping sail the boat appeals to you. Skip it if you need guaranteed plans, shore-based comfort, or a fully accessible experience. For most people who enjoy swimming, sea views, and a friendly skipper, this is one of the better-value ways to see the coast around Lindos.

FAQ

Where does the sailing trip begin?

The meeting point is the large jetty near Pallas Beach, at Gin Tonic Lindos.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $76 per person. Optional equipment and hotel pickup, if available for your location, cost extra.

How long does the sailing trip last?

Available options range from about three to eight hours. The exact duration depends on the package and departure time you select.

What food and drinks are included?

Food includes a Greek lunch, salad, and fruit. Drinks can include prosecco, beer, wine, soda, and bottled water, with alcoholic drinks limited or unlimited depending on the option booked.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear, noodle-style floats, and a waterproof camera are included.

Can I steer the boat?

You may be able to steer, help raise the sails, and learn basic sailing skills from the skipper, subject to the skipper’s instructions and the conditions on the day.

What should I bring, and what restrictions apply?

Bring a towel, arrive sand-free, and follow the skipper’s safety instructions. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people over 80. Passenger names and passport or ID numbers are required under local safety laws.