Rhodes has the densest boat-tour market in the Dodecanese, and the listings blur together fast: half the operators sell the same east-coast route with a different boat. What actually separates them is the hull (a speedboat reaches Symi in under an hour, a catamaran takes three), the group size, and whether food and drinks are on board or an upsell at the first stop. Below, the strongest boat tours in Rhodes on FindToursIn, ranked by what each format is genuinely best at.
All Inclusive Luxury Cruise to Symi
Editor's pick · SymiSymi's neoclassical harbour is the best-looking arrival in the Dodecanese and it is boat-only. The all-inclusive format is what makes this the pick: the crossing is long enough that having food and drinks on board is the difference between a day out and a day of waiting for lunch.
Luxury Cruise to Lindos with Lunch and Drinks
Best for LindosApproaching Lindos from the sea puts the acropolis on its rock above the bay in front of you before you dock — the view the road entrance never gives you. Lunch aboard keeps the stop for the village and the beach rather than the queue at a taverna.
A catamaran is the right hull for a sunset: stable enough to eat and stand on, slow enough that the light does the work. The Kalithea stretch of coast is the one to be on as it goes gold.
Semi-Private Top-Rated Swimming Trip — 4 Hours All Inclusive
Best for swimmingFor travellers whose actual goal is swimming rather than sightseeing. Semi-private keeps the group small enough that you get real water time at each bay instead of a fifteen-minute rotation off a crowded platform.
Rent a Boat Self-Drive Rental — No Licence Required
Best self-driveNo licence required, so the whole coast opens up without a skipper or a schedule. The right call if you want to pick your own bays and stay as long as you like — and the cheapest way to get a boat to yourselves for a full day.
Private 3-Hour Sailing Boat Tour in Rhodes
Best private sailActual sailing, not a motor cruise with a decorative mast. Three hours is the sweet spot for a first sail: long enough to get out of the harbour traffic and under canvas, short enough for an afternoon.
How we ranked this list
Editorial picks based on itinerary depth, agency reliability (verified status, tenure on FindToursIn), and price-to-value ratio. We don't accept payment for placement. Tours that drop off the platform are removed from this list automatically; the list ships only when ≥3 picks remain live.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best boat tour in Rhodes?
The Symi crossing is the highest-impact single boat day from Rhodes — the harbour is boat-only and unlike anywhere else in the Dodecanese. If you would rather stay on the Rhodian coast, the Lindos cruise gives you the acropolis-from-the-sea view plus a beach stop.
How long are boat tours in Rhodes?
Half-day trips run 4-5 hours and cover the east coast bays. Full-day trips to Symi or Lindos run 8-10 hours including the crossing. Sunset cruises are typically 2-3 hours, timed to return after dark.
Speedboat, catamaran, or sailing boat — which should I pick?
Speedboats reach Symi or Lindos fastest and leave more time at the destination, but they are wet and loud. Catamarans are the most comfortable platform for swimming, eating, and sunsets. Sailing boats are the slowest and the best experience in themselves if the day out is the point.
Do I need a licence to rent a boat in Rhodes?
Not for the smaller engine classes — several Rhodes operators rent self-drive boats that require no licence, with a short briefing before you leave the marina. Larger or faster boats do require a licence, or you book with a skipper.
When is the best time of year for Rhodes boat tours?
May to October. July and August have the calmest seas and the most departures but also the strongest meltemi wind days, when Symi crossings get cancelled. June and September are the best balance of sea state, temperature, and crowds.