Boat Trip to Symi Island with swimming stop at St George Bay

Pack your swimsuit, then prepare for a long day at sea. This Rhodes excursion combines two excellent stops: the colorful harbor town of Symi and an hour in the clear water of St George Bay. I especially like the chance to see Symi without arranging a separate ferry, and the swim stop gives the long crossing a welcome break. The main catch is comfort: the boat can be crowded, choppy, and less polished than the postcard scenery.

At about $48.37 per person, this is a strong-value outing if you want both places in one day. You get the boat ride, a restroom on board, and roughly three hours to explore Symi. You do not get lunch, and hotel pickup costs extra, so the final price depends on where you stay.

Key points to know before booking

• St George Bay comes first: Expect about two hours on the boat from Rhodes, followed by roughly one hour for swimming.
• Symi gets three hours: That is enough for a meal, the harbor, the main street, and some shopping, but not every corner of the island.
• The boat may feel crowded: Arrive early at the Gallias 6 meeting point if sitting with your companion matters.
• Bring your own snorkel: Woggles are available, but snorkel equipment is not provided.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: The charge depends on your hotel’s location, including southern resorts such as Lindos, Pefkos, and Gennadi.
• Motion sickness tablets are sensible: The crossing can be rocky, especially on the open sea.

What this Rhodes boat trip actually includes

The day runs for about nine hours and begins at Half Price Tours on Gallias 6 in Rhodes Town. If you choose hotel pickup, the operator can collect you from hotels across the island for an added fee. You need to enter your hotel name in the special requirements field so the pickup time can be arranged.

The standard experience includes the boat trip and a restroom on board. Food is not included, but you have free time in Symi for lunch. The boat also has a bar selling drinks and snacks, though payment arrangements may vary, so I would carry some cash as a backup.

This is a large-group excursion, with up to 200 people. That number matters. On a calm, well-spaced day, the boat can feel perfectly manageable. At busy times, people have reported difficulty finding seats, and some companions have ended up sitting apart. If you want a particular seat, or simply want to sit together, arriving early is one of the most useful things you can do.

The overall rating is 4.6 from 1,753 ratings, and 93 percent of people recommend it. That fits the experience well: the destinations are excellent, the staff are usually friendly and organized, but the boat itself is the part that divides opinion.

The two-hour crossing from Rhodes

The first major part of the day is not a stop at all. It is the journey across the water. The trip to St George Bay takes about two hours, then the boat continues for roughly 30 minutes to Symi. After your time on the island, the return to Rhodes takes another two hours.

That adds up to around four and a half hours of travel time, depending on the day and exact timing. You should think of this as a full sea excursion, not a quick transfer to Symi.

The ride can be smooth, but several departures have been described as rocky. If you are prone to seasickness, take motion sickness medicine before boarding rather than waiting until the boat starts rolling. The rear of the boat may have stronger engine fumes, so choose another area if smells bother you.

The upper deck offers sun and open air, while the lower area gives you shelter if the wind or rain picks up. Bring a light layer even in warm weather. A swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and something warm to wrap around yourself after swimming are all useful.

The largest practical complaint is seating. Some departures have plenty of room, while others have felt overfilled, with people standing or searching for a place to sit. Hotel transfers can deliver you to the boat after other passengers have already boarded, so using the meeting point instead may give you a better chance of sitting with your group.

That said, the crew is generally described as kind, helpful, and efficient. The boat has a restroom, a bar, and snacks, making the long crossing easier. Just keep your expectations realistic. This is an affordable group boat, not a quiet private yacht.

St George Bay: one hour in clear water

After about two hours, the boat stops at St George Bay for around one hour. This is the most active part of the excursion, and for many people it becomes the day’s highlight.

The bay is known for remarkably clear water surrounded by steep rocky sides. You can swim straight from the boat, so wear your swimsuit beneath your clothes. There is no need to waste half your stop changing in a cramped restroom.

Snorkeling can be very good. Fish have been spotted in the water, and the clarity makes it easy to see below the surface. The operator provides woggles, which are useful if you want help staying afloat, but snorkels are not supplied. Bring your own if seeing underwater life matters to you.

One hour is a generous swimming stop compared with many boat excursions. It gives you time to get in, swim, float, and dry off without feeling rushed. Still, the order of the stops has a small drawback. Because the swim comes before Symi, you may still be damp when you begin walking around the town. A towel and dry change of clothes will make the next part of the day much more comfortable.

Weather can also change this part of the trip. One departure was told the St George Bay stop would be removed because of bad weather only the evening before. The excursion still went ahead to Symi, but the swim was missed. If swimming is your main reason for booking, remember that this stop depends on safe conditions.

Arriving in Symi after the swim

From St George Bay, the boat takes about 30 minutes to Symi. The arrival is a lovely moment, with the harbor opening to rows of brightly painted houses climbing the hillsides. The town is small enough to explore on foot, and the first view from the water is one of the strongest reasons to make the trip.

You have approximately three hours on the island. That gives you enough time to walk the waterfront, browse small shops, sit down for lunch, and enjoy the harbor at an unhurried pace. The town is compact, so you do not need a complicated plan.

I would use the first few minutes to get your bearings, then walk along the main street before choosing a restaurant. Seafood is a natural choice here, and Symi shrimp is a local specialty worth looking for. Lunch is at your own expense, so keep some of the budget aside rather than spending everything on the boat.

Three hours is sufficient for a first taste of Symi, but it is not enough for a deep exploration of the island. If you want to visit distant beaches, see more inland areas, or spend time away from the port, you will need a longer stay. For a day trip, though, the free time is well judged.

The town can be busy, especially in high season. That does not erase its appeal, but it means the quiet island portrait you may imagine will come with plenty of other people around. Go a short distance away from the busiest waterfront spots if you want a calmer meal or walk.

Symi is also a good place to slow down. You do not need a list of attractions. The colored houses, small lanes, harbor views, and seafood lunch provide the experience. I would resist trying to see everything and simply enjoy the setting before returning to the boat.

The return crossing and the reality of a nine-hour day

The return sailing takes about two hours. After a swim, a meal, and several hours in the sun, that final stretch can feel longer than the morning crossing.

This is where the length of the excursion becomes important. The full day may include hotel pickup, boarding time, two hours to St George Bay, the swim, the 30-minute ride to Symi, three hours on the island, and two hours back to Rhodes. Some departures have arrived in the evening, with sunset views appearing during the return.

If you want to sit on the way home, be ready at the boarding point early. Some people have spent a large part of their free time waiting to board so they could secure seats. That is not ideal, but it is worth knowing before you decide how close to departure time to return.

The crew generally keeps to the schedule, and organized pickup and drop-off are among the excursion’s strongest features. There have been reports of a late hotel pickup, including one delay of about 40 minutes, but most transfer experiences have been described as efficient and reassuring.

The boat’s condition is another mixed point. Toilets have generally been kept clean, but some passengers have found the boat old, untidy, or rusty. Others have found it perfectly serviceable and had plenty of room. Your experience will depend partly on the day’s crowd and where you sit.

Is $48.37 good value for Symi?

At $48.37, the price is attractive for a full-day trip that includes two destinations and a swimming stop. A separate journey to Symi would still require transport, boat access, and meals, while this option places the main pieces in one organized day.

The value is strongest if you want convenience. Hotel pickup is available for an extra charge, and the operator handles the transfer back to Rhodes. You do not need to work out ferry times or arrange transport between several points.

The price is less appealing if your priority is comfort. The long crossing, possible crowding, and basic boat facilities are the tradeoff for keeping the cost low. If you would rather have guaranteed seating, a faster journey, or a quieter boat, paying more for a different service may suit you better.

You should also budget for lunch in Symi, drinks, snacks, and any hotel pickup fee. The exact pickup charge depends on how far your hotel is from Rhodes Town. Southern resorts such as Lindos, Pefkos, and Gennadi require a different pickup option from hotels closer to Rhodes.

Who should book this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple way to combine Symi with a memorable swim. Families, couples, and first-time visitors to Rhodes can all get a lot from the day, provided they are comfortable with a long boat ride and a large group.

It suits people who value scenery and access more than luxury. The staff are usually welcoming, the schedule is clear, and the stops are genuinely beautiful. You get a proper taste of Symi rather than just a quick photo stop.

You may want another option if you get severe seasickness, need guaranteed seats, dislike crowded boats, or want several hours of quiet time on Symi. The excursion is also less suitable if the St George Bay swim is essential, since poor weather can remove that stop.

For the best chance of a comfortable day, arrive early, bring motion sickness tablets, pack a snorkel, and keep a dry top in your bag. Avoid the rear of the boat if fumes bother you, and take a light layer for the ride home.

Should you book the Symi and St George Bay boat trip?

Book it if you want the best-value combination of Symi and swimming in one day. Symi is beautiful, St George Bay is a superb place for a swim, and three hours on the island gives you enough time for lunch and a good walk.

Just accept the compromises before paying. The crossing is long, the boat may be crowded, and the vessel is functional rather than stylish. If you see the day as an island visit with a scenic sea ride, you will likely be pleased. If you see it as a relaxing luxury cruise, choose a smaller or faster boat instead.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Weather-related cancellations offer a different date or a full refund, and the same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip to Symi Island last?

The full experience lasts approximately nine hours. The schedule includes about two hours to St George Bay, one hour swimming, around 30 minutes to Symi, three hours on the island, and about two hours returning to Rhodes.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Half Price Tours at Gallias 6, Rhodes Town, Greece. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels across Rhodes for an additional charge. The fee depends on the location of your hotel, including whether it is in the south of the island or another area.

What information should I provide for hotel pickup?

Enter the name of your hotel in the special requirements field when booking. The operator will then contact you with the pickup time.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price. You have free time in Symi to choose and pay for your own meal.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You have approximately three hours of free time in Symi. The town is small enough to explore on foot, and this time allows for lunch, a walk, and browsing shops.

How long is the swimming stop at St George Bay?

The swimming stop lasts around one hour. It is subject to suitable weather and sea conditions.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Snorkels are not provided. Woggles are available on board, so bring your own snorkel if you want to look underwater.

Does the boat have a restroom?

Yes. A restroom is available on board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. The experience can also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the same options.