A Rhodes submarine cruise puts you in a viewing cabin below the waterline, where large windows show fish and seabed while the boat leaves Rhodes Town. For more days on the water, see our tours in Greece.
This page covers what a Rhodes submarine cruise includes, whether the boat dives, where it departs, how the trip runs, the sea life and the underwater show, the boats that sail, the top deck views, who it suits and when the sea is clearest.
What does a Rhodes submarine cruise include?
A Rhodes submarine cruise on the Poseidon includes an air-conditioned cabin below the surface. Huge windows give a 360-degree view, and a diver feeds the fish in front of your window. You can also walk on the deck.
The Poseidon crew takes care of everything on board. The tour includes an audio commentary in English and German. Inside, you watch the sea life from your seat. If you prefer, you can leave the cabin and walk on the deck for the sea breeze.
There is a bar on the vessel, and the Poseidon site states that drinks are not included. A Rhodes submarine cruise on the Poseidon lets you photograph the underwater views while the diver feeds the fish.
A Rhodes submarine cruise on another boat adds different extras. The yellow semi-submarine from Faliraki lists an open bar with beers and soft drinks. It also has snorkelling equipment on board and two swim stops. Its crew points out the marine life and cares for your safety. Its page says the drinks are for use on board only.
The HiPPO in Lindos combines sightseeing, underwater views and swimming, says its page. Its cabin is air-conditioned and has large panoramic windows. The HiPPO also offers private tours for couples, families and groups.
Certain HiPPO tours add a swim stop, and entering the water at that stop is optional. Check the details of your tour before booking to see what is included. Do the same for any Rhodes submarine cruise you pick.
Does the boat dive, or is it a semi-submarine with an underwater deck?
No. On its Rhodes submarine cruise, the Poseidon stays above sea level at all times. Only its hull, the underwater observatory, sits 2.5 metres below the surface. Passengers look into the sea from that hull while the boat stays on top.
The tour text makes the same point about this Rhodes submarine cruise. It describes a real underwater observatory below sea level, with large panoramic windows and a 360-degree view. Passengers head down into the air-conditioned observatory. The text adds that, unlike a real submarine, the Poseidon remains safely above sea level at all times.
On the Poseidon, the boat stays on top. Its hull is the underwater observatory, below the sea.
The HiPPO gives the same answer for Lindos. Its page calls the trip a semi-submarine experience. It says the vessel itself remains on the surface, while the lower passenger cabin sits below sea level. You see the fish through large windows without diving or getting wet. A Rhodes submarine cruise on the HiPPO works this way.
The yellow boat from Faliraki calls itself a semi-submersible. Its page says the design lets you sit back in air-conditioned comfort. It also describes an underwater viewing chamber with large viewing windows.
That page names no depth for the chamber and does not say how the boat sits in the water. For that Rhodes submarine cruise, read the tour details before you book.
Names differ from one listing to the next. One tour listing calls the trip a glass-bottom submarine cruise. Its text describes an observatory below sea level with large panoramic windows.
On the Poseidon and the HiPPO, the word submarine points to the cabin below the waterline. It does not point to a boat that dives. That is what a Rhodes submarine cruise means on these two boats.
Where does a Rhodes submarine cruise depart from?
The Poseidon Rhodes submarine cruise departs from Mandraki Harbour, in the centre of Rhodes Town. The meeting point is opposite the Aktaion Cafe at Mandraki Port. The tour notes give the street as Plotarchou Plessa.
Wikipedia calls Mandraki Port the oldest port on the island, in the centre of Rhodes city. Cruise boats for Symi and for the southern east coast as far as Lindos also begin their daily trips there. The city’s municipal marina sits in Mandraki too.
A standard group on the Poseidon Rhodes submarine cruise has up to 49 people. The Poseidon website lists starting times of 11:30 am, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm and 4:00 pm. The tour page also mentions an 18:30 cruise, so check the times for your date.
Not every Rhodes submarine cruise starts in town. A yellow semi-submarine leaves Faliraki and sails for three hours to Anthony Quinn Bay. Faliraki is a seaside resort on the north-east coast. It lies about 14 km south of Rhodes Town and 10 km south-east of the airport.
The Faliraki page lists departure locations such as Alila, Amada Colossos, Calypso Beach, Pegasos and Apollo Blue in Faliraki Centre. It offers multiple departures every day. Wikipedia adds that the RODA city bus network connects Rhodes Town to resorts such as Faliraki in the east.
The Hippo semi-submarine runs in Lindos, on the east coast about 40 km south of Rhodes Town. Its page describes a two-hour cruise along the Lindos coast.
How does a Rhodes submarine cruise run, from boarding to return?
A Poseidon Rhodes submarine cruise lasts 45 minutes from Mandraki Harbour. You reach the meeting point 15 minutes before departure. The boat sails past the harbour and the Old Town. You watch the sea from the cabin below, then return to the start.
At boarding, a printed or mobile voucher is accepted, and the Poseidon site says you skip the ticket line. The port authorities also ask for the nationality, passport number and date of birth of each person. Carry those details on the day of your Rhodes submarine cruise.
The tour page lists the stops of the Rhodes submarine cruise in this order, for reference only:
- Mandraki Harbour boat cruise, 10 minutes
- Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, 10 minutes
- Old Town, 5 minutes
- Marine life viewing, 20 minutes
The four stops add up to the 45 minutes of the trip. The page says itineraries are subject to change. The Poseidon site places the marine life viewing in the sea outside the port. The itinerary names Poseidon Submarine as both the starting location and the arrival point.
During a Rhodes submarine cruise on the Poseidon, you can relax in the air-conditioned cabin below the surface. You can also leave the cabin and walk on the deck in the ocean breeze. Commentary comes in English and German. The Poseidon site lists the boat’s speed as 9 knots.
A longer Rhodes submarine cruise follows a different pattern. The yellow semi-submarine from Faliraki makes two swim stops, at Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay. It has snorkelling equipment on board.
Selected Hippo tours include a swimming stop at Navarone Bay, and entering the water is completely optional. The Hippo site asks you to check the details of your selected tour before booking, to see what is included.
What sea life and seabed do you see through the windows?
A Rhodes submarine cruise shows you the sea life outside the port of Rhodes through large windows below the waterline. The Poseidon page promises the fauna of the sea outside the port. The Yellow Submarine promises hundreds of fish and jellyfish up close.
On the Poseidon, a Rhodes submarine cruise gives you a 360-degree view of the Aegean Sea through huge windows. The tour listing describes schools of colourful Mediterranean fish swimming right beside your seat. The same listing names marine life viewing as its own stage of the trip. The Poseidon page invites you to take photos of the underwater views.
The Yellow Submarine page names jellyfish alongside the fish and describes crystal-clear viewing through the glass. It also notes that the vessel does not fully descend to the seabed. On the two Mandraki boats, no page names a reef or a wreck. The windows show the sea life, not seabed landmarks.
The longer routes do name seabed features. A Rhodes submarine cruise from Faliraki looks out on the reefs of Faliraki and the cliff drop of Ladiko. The page also promises fish and aquatic life up close, with the crew pointing out marine life. The Hippo cabin at Lindos gives panoramic views of local fish and marine life.
Reviews add three small details. One traveller on a Poseidon Rhodes submarine cruise wrote that they were lucky to see a sea turtle. No operator page promises one. Another reviewer wrote that the view of the seabed is fantastic. A third wrote of a nice underwater view of fish.
What is the underwater show, and how does it work?
The underwater show is a diver who enters the water in front of the cabin windows and feeds the fish. You watch from inside. The Poseidon and the Yellow Submarine both run this diver show as part of their Rhodes submarine cruise.
The tour listing calls the live diver show a highlight of the Poseidon Rhodes submarine cruise. The diver enters the water and begins to feed the hundreds of multicoloured fish right in front of your window. The listing tells passengers to have the camera ready for that moment. The itinerary lists scuba diving together with the marine life viewing.
The Yellow Submarine tells it in two steps. Passengers sit on the top deck first, then walk down to the underwater cabin, and the diving show begins there. On this Rhodes submarine cruise, the operator says a professional diver performs with the fish and dances with them. The operator places the dance 2.5 metres under the sea.
Reviews describe the same moment. One traveller wrote that the fish were flocking all around the diver. Another liked that the diver made the fish dance to the music. A third said the diver surprised them with an octopus. A summary of the verified reviews says travellers praise the diver’s fish-feeding show on this Rhodes submarine cruise.
Not every departure has the show. On the Poseidon tour listing, the 18:30 cruise does not include a diving show. At Lindos, the Hippo lists fish feeding among its underwater views. Before you book a Rhodes submarine cruise, check that your boat and your time include the diver.
Which submarine boats sail in Rhodes, from Mandraki to Faliraki?
Four operators run a Rhodes submarine cruise from Rhodes Town, Faliraki and Lindos. The Poseidon and the Yellow Submarine both sail from the harbour of Rhodes Town. A third boat leaves Faliraki, and the Hippo sails at Lindos.
The Poseidon belongs to Poseidon Submarine and leaves Mandraki Harbor, in the centre of Rhodes Town. A Poseidon Rhodes submarine cruise lasts about 45 minutes. The tour page lists a group of up to 49 people. The boat has a bar, and the tour includes audio commentary in English and German.
The Yellow Submarine also runs a 45-minute Rhodes submarine cruise, from the harbour of the medieval city of Rhodes. Passengers sit on the top deck first, then walk down to an underwater cabin with 22 large windows. The captain talks about the history of the area. A restroom is on board, and the boat returns to its departure point.
The Faliraki trip is longer. Its yellow semi-submarine sails for three hours with two swim stops, at Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay. The page lists snorkelling equipment on board and an open bar with beers and soft drinks, for use on board. This Rhodes submarine cruise has multiple departures every day.
The Hippo sails from Lindos. Its site lists a two-hour cruise along Lindos. Its FAQ says certain tours include a swim stop in Navarone Bay. Private tours can be arranged for couples, families and groups, and for proposals or birthdays. A Hippo Rhodes submarine cruise has an air-conditioned cabin below sea level with large panoramic windows.
The trips grow longer away from Rhodes Town. A Rhodes submarine cruise lasts 45 minutes at Mandraki, two hours at Lindos and three hours from Faliraki.
What do you see of Rhodes Town and its coast from the top deck?
On the Poseidon, you see the port of Mandraki, Elli beach, the Tourist Harbor and the Old Town walls. Its page adds the place where the Colossus of Rhodes stood. A Rhodes submarine cruise shows Rhodes Town from the water.
The tour page says the boat sails along the coast of Rhodes. It promises panoramic views of the medieval Old Town walls and the area where the Colossus of Rhodes once stood. Its itinerary also lists Mandraki Harbour and the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes. The page marks the itinerary as subject to change.
The Yellow Submarine page makes the deck a feature. A Rhodes submarine cruise on this boat starts with a top-deck view. The boat takes you round the town, and the port gives a panoramic view of the medieval city of Rhodes. The page also invites you to relax in the sun on deck and take photos.
On a Rhodes submarine cruise away from Rhodes Town, the coast changes. The Faliraki page lists the reefs of Faliraki and the cliff drop of Ladiko, viewed from its underwater chamber. It says Anthony Quinn Bay is surrounded by cliffs and crystal clear waters. The Hippo says you enjoy the coastline of Lindos above and below the water.
The Poseidon page says you can leave the underwater cabin and walk on the deck for the ocean breeze. Every Rhodes submarine cruise on this list pairs a view of the coast with an underwater cabin.
Is a Rhodes submarine cruise right for children and older travellers?
Yes. The Yellow Submarine says its Rhodes submarine cruise is suitable for all ages. That includes pregnant guests and people with sensitivities. Hippo calls its trip family-friendly for children and adults.
The Poseidon tour page sells its Rhodes submarine cruise as a family-friendly outing for adults and children. It names the live diver show as a highlight for both. One review there describes a six-year-old son who was very excited. Another says the trip suited the kids, whom the parents wanted to interest in snorkelling.
Two operators answer the practical questions about a Rhodes submarine cruise. The Yellow Submarine allows strollers on board, and its vessel has a restroom. Hippo says no swimming skills are needed. On its tours with a swim stop, entering the water is optional.
Poseidon lists its boat as wheelchair accessible but does not say whether that includes the underwater cabin. The Yellow Submarine is clearer. A wheelchair cannot go down to the cabin, but the staff can place it safely on the top deck. Passengers walk down to the cabin, so ask the crew about access before you book if walking is hard.
For older travellers on a Rhodes submarine cruise, the pages speak of all ages, not age limits. Poseidon calls its trip a great experience for nature lovers of all ages. The Faliraki Sea Lines page calls its three-hour semi-submarine trip suitable for all ages and abilities. The Poseidon, Yellow Submarine and Hippo pages state no minimum or maximum age.
When is the sea clearest for a Rhodes submarine cruise, and what do you bring?
No operator page names a clearest month for a Rhodes submarine cruise. The Yellow Submarine says its trips are weather dependent. Wikipedia lists the average sea temperature of Rhodes at 27.2 degrees Celsius in August, the warmest month.
Operators describe clear water, not a season. The Yellow Submarine lists glass-bottom viewing with crystal clear visibility, and Hippo says its cabin gives clear underwater views. A Rhodes submarine cruise on the Yellow Submarine sails at multiple times through the day. It stays weather dependent, so check the weather before you go.
Wikipedia gives a sea temperature for each month at Rhodes. The sea averages 17.0 degrees Celsius in February and 20.1 in late spring. It reaches 23.4 in June, 25.9 in July and 27.2 in August. September averages 26.7 and October 23.8.
Wikipedia also lists 15 hours of daylight in June and 10 in December. The temperature matters on a tour with a swim stop, such as the Hippo stop at Navarone Bay. On the cabin part of a trip, Hippo says passengers stay dry.
The tour pages list close to the same items for a Rhodes submarine cruise. The Yellow Submarine lists a camera or smartphone, sunscreen and sunglasses, and comfortable clothing. Hippo adds a hat, plus a swimsuit and towel if your trip has a swimming stop. The Poseidon tour page asks you to dress comfortably and according to the weather.
The Yellow Submarine welcomes snacks and drinks from guests but does not sell them on board. Before boarding Poseidon, the port authorities ask for the nationality, passport number and date of birth of every passenger. Carry all three details for each person in your group.
What else do travellers ask about a Rhodes submarine cruise?
Can I cancel a Rhodes submarine cruise booking?
Yes. The booking pages for the Poseidon boat give a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead. They also let you reserve now and pay later, so your plans stay flexible. One page adds that no extra fees apply to the booking.
The page says to check availability to see the starting times, and a standard group holds up to 49 people. Online bookings for the Yellow Submarine need at least 30 minutes’ notice, and its tickets skip the line.
How long do you spend in the underwater cabin?
On the Poseidon, a Rhodes submarine cruise gives you about 20 to 25 minutes in the cabin below the surface. The cabin is air-conditioned. You can stay at the windows, or leave the cabin and walk on the deck in the sea breeze. On the Yellow Submarine, the cabin time is 20 minutes.
Can I buy a drink or find a toilet on board?
A Rhodes submarine cruise on the Poseidon comes with access to a bar on the vessel. The bar serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and drinks are not included in the ticket. Toilets are on board, and so is a sun-protected deck. The Yellow Submarine also has toilets and a shaded deck.
The three-hour semi-submarine trip from Faliraki works differently. It includes an open bar with beers and soft drinks, for use on board only.
Can I take photos during a Rhodes submarine cruise?
Yes. The Poseidon operator invites passengers to take photos of the underwater views through the large windows. Have your camera ready when the diver enters the water to feed the fish. On the Poseidon, the diver also photographs the passengers, and these photos come free.
The Yellow Submarine sells souvenir photos. The 18:30 cruise has no diving show, so check the starting time first.
Which languages does the commentary use on a Rhodes submarine cruise?
The Poseidon booking page lists live commentary and an audio commentary, both in English and German. The Yellow Submarine, another boat from Mandraki, runs in German, English, French, Russian, Greek and Romanian. Reviews of the Poseidon trip also note that engine noise or music made the commentary hard to hear.
Does a Rhodes submarine cruise include a swim stop?
No swimming skills are needed for a Rhodes submarine cruise from Mandraki, because passengers watch from a dry cabin. The Poseidon itinerary lists three sightseeing legs and the cabin viewing, with no swim stop.
Longer trips differ. The three-hour Faliraki cruise has two swim stops, at Traganou Caves and Anthony Quinn Bay, with snorkelling equipment on board. Hippo tours from Lindos can include a swim stop at Navarone Bay, and entering the water is optional.