Anthony Quinn Bay: The Emerald Cove a Movie Star Fell For

Few beaches on Rhodes are as striking as Anthony Quinn Bay. Its deep emerald water — coloured by the lush green vegetation crowding the shore — together with natural stone ledges perfect for sunbathing and pine trees that reach right down to the sea, make this one of the island’s most beautiful spots. The Hollywood actor Anthony Quinn clearly had impeccable taste when he fell in love with this miniature bay.

The story behind the name

The beach carries the actor’s name because, while filming “The Guns of Navarone” on Rhodes, Quinn was so taken with this stretch of coast that he bought part of it. The name has stuck ever since, and the bay’s cinematic good looks make it easy to understand why it caught his eye in the first place.

Small, beautiful and best early

Sitting on the east coast about four kilometres south of Faliraki, Anthony Quinn Bay is undeniably gorgeous — but it’s compact, without much fine sand or open space. Because of its small size it can feel busy in July and August, less from sheer visitor numbers than from the narrowness of the beach itself. The prized spot is the rock right in the centre, with room for just a few sunbeds. Above it sits a modern bar and cafeteria where you can take in the view of the bay from a height.

A snorkeller’s favourite

The crystal-clear water and beautiful underwater scenery make this one of the best places on Rhodes for snorkelling. There’s a scuba diving centre here too, so if you fancy going deeper, it’s an experience well worth trying. You can reach the bay by car or bus, or join one of the daily cruises that depart from Rhodes’ Mandraki harbour.