Rhodes is one of the best places in the Mediterranean to explore by boat. You can anchor in St Paul’s Bay at Lindos, a sheltered turquoise lagoon you simply cannot reach by road, or cross 25nm of open Aegean to Symi island for lunch in front of those famous neoclassical harbour houses. Boat hire Rhodes is straightforward: small speedboats and RIBs from €120 for a half-day (no licence required), skippered day charters from around €300, and bareboat sailing yachts from €900 per week. This guide covers every boat type, real prices, where to depart from, and the best routes.
Types of boats you can hire in Rhodes
Rhodes has a wide range of rental boats, from tiny no-licence speedboats you take out yourself to 45-foot catamarans for a week’s Dodecanese island hopping. What you choose depends on your group size, experience, and how far you want to go.
Small speedboats and RIBs (no licence needed)
These are the most popular hire boats on Rhodes. Typically 4-6 metres long, powered up to 30hp, they take 4-6 people and are self-drive. Perfect for pottering along the east coast, finding quiet coves, and stopping to swim. You do not need any boating licence in Greek waters for this category. Half-day hire runs €120-220; a full day is €220-400. Most are rented directly from the beach or a small harbour.
Larger motorboats (licence required)
For groups of 6-10 people who want more range and comfort. These boats cover more ground: a full day puts you in reach of Lindos, St Paul’s Bay, or the north coast bays. Expect to pay €300-550 for a half-day and €550-950 for a full day. Boats over 7.5m require an ICC or Greek IOKY certificate. No licence? Hire with a skipper included, which most operators offer.
Sailing yachts (32-45ft)
Rhodes is a genuinely good value bareboat sailing destination. A 32-45ft yacht runs €900-2,800 per week bareboat, noticeably cheaper than comparable boats in Croatia or Italy. Add a professional skipper for €160-200 per day if needed. Best suited to exploring the surrounding Dodecanese: Symi, Halki, and Tilos are all within a 20-40nm radius.
Catamarans (38-45ft)
The choice for larger groups or families wanting space and stability. Prices run €2,500-5,500 per week. Catamarans are especially good for the Dodecanese circuit because the passages are short and the anchorages are sheltered enough to use both hulls comfortably.
How much does boat hire cost in Rhodes?
Boat hire in Rhodes is priced below most western Mediterranean destinations. A no-licence speedboat costs from €120 for a half-day. A week on a sailing yacht starts at €900 bareboat. August carries a 40-60% premium over shoulder-season rates, so May, June, and September offer the best combination of good weather and lower prices.
| Boat type | Duration | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| Small speedboat / RIB (no licence) | Half day | €120-220 |
| Small speedboat / RIB (no licence) | Full day | €220-400 |
| Larger motorboat (6-10 pax) | Half day | €300-550 |
| Larger motorboat (6-10 pax) | Full day | €550-950 |
| Sailing yacht 32-45ft | Per week (bareboat) | €900-2,800 |
| Catamaran 38-45ft | Per week | €2,500-5,500 |
| Skipper (any boat) | Per day | €160-200 |
What is typically included: the boat, safety equipment (life jackets are mandatory in Greece for all passengers on vessels under 12m, and operators must provide them), basic navigation equipment, and a pre-departure briefing.
What costs extra: fuel is almost always extra in Greece. Diesel at Mandraki marina runs approximately €1.65-1.85 per litre. For a full-day trip on a motorboat, budget €40-80 in fuel depending on how far you range. Mooring fees apply at Symi, Halki, and Tilos harbours if you stay overnight. Port insurance excess waivers are sometimes sold separately.
Best value option: a sailing yacht in May or June. Winds are lighter and more predictable than August, prices are at their lowest, and the anchorages are quieter.
Season difference: July and August are peak. Prices rise 40-60% and availability tightens quickly. September is the sweet spot: warm water, lower prices, fewer crowds.
Do you need a licence to hire a boat in Rhodes?
For boats up to 30hp (roughly 6 metres), no licence is required in Greek waters. The majority of small speedboats and RIBs available for self-drive hire in Rhodes fall into this category, so most people can rent and drive without any paperwork beyond a standard ID.
For larger boats, specifically those over 7.5m, you need an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), a national sailing certificate, or a Greek IOKY certificate. The Greek coast guard patrols regularly around Rhodes in summer and does check documents.
No licence? That is fine. Skippered hire is available for every boat type, from a small RIB to a 45ft catamaran. For island-to-island passages to Symi or Halki, hiring a skipper is genuinely the better option regardless of your paper qualifications: local knowledge of anchorages, weather patterns, and fuel stops is worth more than the skipper’s day rate.
Practical tip: even on a no-licence speedboat, ask the operator for a paper chart or a tablet with the route pre-loaded. Take a phone briefing covering fuel gauge, anchor procedure, and what to do if the engine cuts out. Bring your passport or national ID as standard.
Best boat trips from Rhodes
The best day trip from Mandraki Harbour is the run south to Lindos and St Paul’s Bay, a 30nm round trip that takes in the famous acropolis from the sea and ends in one of the most sheltered swimming spots on the island. For something more adventurous, the crossing to Symi is hard to beat.
Lindos and St Paul’s Bay
Distance: 30nm round trip from Mandraki Harbour. Duration: full day, around 7 hours.
Head south along the east coast and you reach Lindos Bay with the acropolis sitting above the white village. Round the headland and you drop anchor in St Paul’s Bay, a perfectly sheltered lagoon with water clear enough to see the bottom at 5 metres. Add a swim stop at Tsambika Beach on the way back. This is the classic Rhodes day out and worth every minute.
Symi island day trip
Distance: 25nm one-way from Mandraki Harbour. Duration: full day, 6-8 hours.
Symi harbour is one of the most photographed spots in the Aegean: tiers of neoclassical houses in ochre, pink, and cream stacked above the water. Arrive in the morning before the ferries, swim off the town quay, eat at one of the harbour tavernas, and visit the Panormitis Monastery on the south of the island on the way back. This trip needs a capable boat and calm conditions. The ferry is a sensible backup if the Meltemi is running hard.
Anthony Quinn Bay and the north coast
Distance: 15nm round trip from Mandraki Harbour. Duration: half-day, 3-4 hours.
Ladiko Bay, known locally as Anthony Quinn Bay after the actor who filmed there, is a rocky cove about 14km south of Rhodes Town with exceptionally clear water. A half-day is enough to get there, swim, and return. Combine it with a stop at the Kalithea thermal springs complex for a different kind of morning.
Halki island
Distance: 8nm from Kamiros Skala on the west coast. Duration: full day.
Halki is tiny and car-free, one of the best-preserved Dodecanese villages, and largely bypassed by mass tourism. The fish tavernas on the harbour are among the best on any of the smaller islands. Depart from Kamiros Skala rather than Mandraki to keep the crossing short.
Day trip vs half-day: for most people, a full day gives significantly more. Half-day trips are best for Anthony Quinn Bay or a simple beach run along the east coast. For anything involving Lindos, Symi, or Halki, you need the full day.
[IMAGE:trips alt=”Aerial view of two sailboats anchored in the clear turquoise water of St Paul’s Bay near Lindos, with the rocky acropolis visible on the headland above”]Where to rent a boat in Rhodes
The main departure point for boat hire in Rhodes is Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes Town. It has the largest number of operators, the best infrastructure, and direct access to both the east and west coasts. The medieval Old Town is a two-minute walk if you arrive early and want to explore before casting off.
Mandraki Harbour, Rhodes Town is where you should base yourself for almost any trip. Charter operators line the quay and range from small family-run speedboat rentals to full-service yacht brokers. Rhodes International Airport Diagoras is about 14km south, so you can pick up a hire car or taxi and be at the harbour in 20 minutes.
Lindos has a small selection of hire boats on the southeast coast, well-positioned for exploring Lindos Bay and St Paul’s Bay. Options are limited, pricing can be higher than Mandraki, and availability in peak season is tighter.
Faliraki has beach-based operators catering primarily to package holidaymakers. Boats are available but tend toward holiday-market pricing for the quality.
How to book: for sailing yachts, catamarans, and skippered motorboats, book online well in advance through a charter search platform. For small no-licence speedboats, walk-in booking is often possible outside July-August. In peak season, walk-ins are frequently sold out by 9am.
What to check before you sign: confirm the fuel policy (is it full-to-full or do you pay a fixed fuel fee?), check the life jackets fit your group (including children if relevant), and take photos of any existing scratches on the hull. Ask specifically about the damage deposit amount: it is commonly €200-500 for small boats and €500-1,500 for larger ones.
Booking lead time: in July and August, book 2-4 weeks ahead minimum. May, June, and September are often available same-week or even walk-in.
If you are interested in the broader Greek waters context, Marina Delta Kallithea is a useful reference point for mainland charter infrastructure, and Tourlos Marina Mykonos illustrates how Aegean island marinas operate more generally.
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If you are planning a trip in July or August, book as early as you can. The best boats and the skippered day charters sell out several weeks before the peak summer period. You can search all Greece options at sailingclick.com/greece-all.
Frequently asked questions
Can I hire a boat in Rhodes without a licence?
Yes. In Greek waters, boats under 7.5m or 30hp do not require a boating licence. Most small speedboats and RIBs available for self-drive hire in Rhodes fall into this category. You will need a valid ID (passport or national ID card). If you want a larger or faster boat, you can hire with a skipper included for €160-200 per day extra.
What is the best time of year to hire a boat in Rhodes?
May, June, and September are the best months. Wind is lighter than in July and August, seas are calmer, and prices are 40-60% lower than peak season. The Meltemi wind blows hard from the north-northwest in July and August, typically 20-35 knots, which makes open-water passages in small boats genuinely difficult and limits where you can go.
Is boat hire in Rhodes suitable for families with children?
Yes, it is a good family destination on the water. Small speedboats take 4-6 people and are stable enough for calm summer days. For families with young children, the east coast bays and Lindos area are ideal because the sea is sheltered and the distances are short. Check life jacket sizes when you book: most operators carry child-size jackets but it is worth confirming in advance.
Can I do an overnight trip or a multi-day charter from Rhodes?
Yes. Week-long bareboat sailing yachts start at €900 and bareboat catamarans from €2,500. Rhodes is an excellent base for a Dodecanese circuit: Symi is 25nm away, Halki about 35nm, and Tilos around 45nm. Passages are short (mostly 20-40nm), harbours have services, and mooring fees are reasonable outside peak season. Add a skipper for €160-200 per day if you want local guidance.
What is the cancellation policy for boat hire in Rhodes?
Cancellation terms vary by operator and boat type. For small day-hire speedboats, many operators offer full refunds up to 48-72 hours before departure. For week-long yacht charters, standard terms typically require 30-50% of the charter fee as a non-refundable deposit, with full payment due 4-6 weeks before departure. Always check the specific terms when booking and consider travel insurance that covers charter cancellation.
