Rhodes: Anthony Quinn Bay E-Bike Tour with Snorkeling

Anthony Quinn Bay is the star here, but the route getting there gives this tour its real appeal. You’ll pedal from Rhodes Old Town past medieval gates and mosques, climb toward Monte Smith, then coast along the island’s eastern shore to clear water and rocky coves. I like the effortless electric bikes and the mix of history, views, swimming, and local snacks.

I also like the small-group format, which is advertised for no more than six people, and the fact that snorkeling gear, water, refreshments, and a child seat are included. The main caution is traffic: parts of the 40-kilometer ride use busy main roads, so you must already feel very comfortable cycling around vehicles.

Key points at a glance

• Anthony Quinn Bay swimming: Spend about 45 minutes in clear turquoise water with a mask and tube supplied by the guide.
• Rhodes history by bike: Pass the Gate of d’Amboise, Palace of the Grand Master, Mosque of Suleiman, Acropolis, and ancient stadium.
• Electric assistance: The bikes make the hills toward Monte Smith and the return ride much easier.
• Coastal scenery: Ride past Kallithea, Faliraki, Ladiko, and several viewpoints along the eastern shore.
• Useful inclusions: Helmets, child seat, snacks, bottled water, a refreshment, and free photos are part of the outing.
• Road awareness required: This is not a quiet park ride. You need solid bike skills and confidence on main streets.

From medieval Rhodes to the eastern coast

The tour begins at Explore Rhodes E-bike Tours on Amarantou 49. From there, you ride toward Rhodes Old Town, one of the most atmospheric parts of the route. The medieval walls and stone streets give you a strong sense of place before the outing shifts from urban sights to open views.

The Old Town stop lasts about 30 minutes. You pass the Gate of d’Amboise, the Palace of the Grand Master, and the Mosque of Suleiman. This is sightseeing from the saddle rather than a museum visit, so you should not expect long interior tours or extended talks at each monument. The benefit is pace: you get a useful first look without spending your morning standing in line.

The guide rides with the group and is bike certified. English is the tour language. A guide at the front and another at the back were noted during one outing, a helpful arrangement on roads where the group needs to stay together. The amount of commentary may be fairly brief, so if you want a detailed account of Rhodes’ past, ask questions as you ride.

Monte Smith and the Acropolis views

The route then heads uphill to Monte Smith. This is where the electric bike earns its keep. You still need to pedal, but the motor takes much of the strain out of the climb, leaving you more energy for the views and the rest of the day.

The stop lasts about 20 minutes and works mainly as a photo break. From this high point, you can look across Rhodes and out toward the Aegean Sea. The broad view helps you understand the island’s shape and gives you a fine contrast to the tight lanes of the Old Town.

Nearby, you pass the Acropolis of Rhodes and the ancient stadium. The visit is listed as a sightseeing stop and pass-by, not a long archaeological tour. That distinction matters. You’ll see these important sites as part of the ride, but the focus remains on covering ground rather than examining every stone.

For many people, this balance will feel right. You get several of Rhodes’ major sights in one morning without giving up the coastal portion that makes the tour special. If ancient sites are your main reason for visiting, plan a separate visit with more time.

Villages, quiet streets, and the road to Kallithea

After Monte Smith and the Acropolis, the route leaves the main sights behind. You ride through a traditional village and along quieter streets before reaching the coast. This part gives the tour a more local feel, even though the route still includes ordinary roads and traffic.

The village stop lasts around 30 minutes. The supplied details do not name the village or promise a formal village visit, so think of this as a scenic cycling section rather than a guided cultural program. You’ll have time to notice the change from the old city to the less crowded parts of the island.

From there, the ride follows the eastern coast through Kallithea and Faliraki. The road brings changing views of the sea and access to the bays around Ladiko and Anthony Quinn. This is also the section where road conditions matter most. One account praised the e-bikes for handling uphill sections but found parts of the route heavily trafficked, including a broad road with a highway-like feel.

I would not book this outing if you are nervous around cars, have not ridden for years, or expect a fully separated cycle path. The tour is suitable for riders of different experience levels only if they can already ride confidently in traffic. The electric motor helps with effort, not road awareness.

Anthony Quinn Bay and the snorkeling stop

Anthony Quinn Bay is the main reward for the ride. The stop includes about 45 minutes to look around and take photos, followed by another 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. The water is described as crystal clear, and the enclosed bay gives the setting a calm, scenic feel.

Masks and tubes are provided, so you do not need to bring your own snorkeling kit. You should still pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Flip-flops are also listed as useful, along with comfortable shoes for the cycling sections.

The water stop is self-guided rather than a formal lesson. You can swim and look beneath the surface at your own pace, but the experience does not promise an instructor-led marine tour or a long presentation about sea life. That makes it flexible, especially if some people in your group want to swim while others prefer to sit in the sun.

The time is generous enough for a proper break, but not so long that the tour turns into a full beach day. Bring realistic expectations. You are fitting a swim into a long cycling route, not spending several hours beside the bay.

A snack, a view, and the ride back

After the bay, the route includes a 30-minute break at a viewpoint overlooking the Kallithea bays. This is a useful pause after the longest active part of the outing. Local snacks, bottled water, and a cool refreshment are included, so you can refuel without arranging a separate stop.

I like this detail because it keeps the day moving. You do not have to search for a café, carry a large supply of drinks, or cut the swim short because of hunger. The viewpoint also gives you another chance to enjoy the coast from above, rather than seeing it only from road level.

The return to Rhodes Town takes about 45 minutes and includes scenic views along the coast. The exact effort will depend on wind, traffic, and how much assistance you use from the bike. By this point, the motor will be especially welcome. Even with electric help, 40 kilometers is a serious half-day ride, so wear sportswear and shoes you can pedal in comfortably.

The tour ends back at Amarantou 49. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the shop at the start and arrange your own return afterward. If you are coming from a cruise ship, allow time to walk or travel from the port to the meeting point.

What the $80 price covers

At $80 per person, the tour sits above a basic bike rental but includes far more than a bike. You are paying for a guide, e-bike, helmet, snorkeling mask and tube, snacks, bottled water, a refreshment, and photos. The route also links several places that would be awkward to combine independently in one day.

The value is strongest if you want variety. A separate bike rental, transport to Anthony Quinn Bay, and snorkeling equipment could add up quickly, while planning the safest route between Rhodes Old Town, Monte Smith, the Acropolis, the villages, and the coast would take time.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a relaxed beach visit. In that case, a shorter transfer-based outing may suit you better. This tour asks you to cycle for much of the day, and its value depends on wanting the ride itself, not just the destination.

Free photos are a pleasant extra, though the tour’s main value remains the route and the included equipment. The high overall rating suggests strong satisfaction, but one lower account points to quiet guides and limited information at some stops. I would book this for scenery, movement, and a broad introduction to Rhodes, not as a specialist history tour.

Who will enjoy this 5.5-hour ride

You are a good match if you:

• Ride a bicycle confidently on main streets
• Want to combine Rhodes Old Town with the coast
• Like active sightseeing but do not want to handle every hill under your own power
• Enjoy swimming and casual snorkeling
• Prefer a small group to a large bus excursion
• Have enough time for a five-and-a-half-hour activity
• Want equipment and refreshments handled for you

The tour is not suitable for people who cannot ride a bike, pregnant women, or people with heart problems. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. A child seat is included, but that does not make the route suitable for very small children if they cannot safely handle the traffic environment. Ask the provider about age and seating arrangements before booking.

You should also be comfortable with changing pace. The itinerary has scheduled stops, but the day combines city riding, hills, coast roads, swimming, and a long return. Comfortable clothes, a long-sleeved shirt, sunscreen, and water will make the day easier.

Practical details before you book

The activity lasts 5.5 hours, with starting times shown according to availability. It is offered in English, and the group is limited to six participants. The advertised small size should make it easier to stay together and ask questions, though the quality of the commentary may depend on the guide working that day.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility. The meeting point is the Explore Rhodes E-bike Tours shop at Amarantou 49, and the tour returns there.

Pack your swimwear and towel in a small bag that can be carried safely. Add sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, flip-flops, and sportswear. A long-sleeved shirt can help with sun exposure during the open-road sections.

One useful mindset shift: treat the outing as a scenic athletic tour with historic stops, not a guided archaeological visit with a short bike ride attached. That will set the right expectations from the start.

Should you book the Anthony Quinn Bay e-bike tour?

Book it if you want one active outing that connects Rhodes’ medieval center, ancient sites, high viewpoints, villages, and the eastern shore. The electric bike and included snorkeling gear make a long route manageable, and the swim at Anthony Quinn Bay gives the day a clear payoff.

Skip it if traffic makes you uneasy, if you want detailed historical commentary, or if you prefer to spend most of the day at the beach. For confident cyclists who want to see a lot of Rhodes without sitting in a vehicle, the $80 price is reasonable, especially with equipment, refreshments, and photos included.

FAQ

Where does the Anthony Quinn Bay e-bike tour start?

It starts at Explore Rhodes E-bike Tours, located at Amarantou 49 in Rhodes.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point on Amarantou 49.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 5.5 hours.

How far do you ride?

The route covers about 40 kilometers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A snorkeling mask and tube are included for the swimming stop at Anthony Quinn Bay.

Are an e-bike and helmet provided?

Yes. E-bike rental and a helmet are included. A child seat is also available.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must reach the meeting point at Amarantou 49 yourself.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for people who cannot ride a bike, pregnant women, or people with heart problems. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and you must feel comfortable riding on main streets.