Cruise to Symi island & St George bay + Transfer & Greek Lunch

Symi looks made for the sea. This full-day cruise from Rhodes combines a swim stop at a boat-only cove with three hours in Symi Town, where pastel houses rise around a handsome harbor. I like the comfortable boat and friendly crew, and I like that snorkeling gear is supplied rather than added to the bill. The main catch is that the order of stops can change, and pickup details need careful checking.

At $82.90 per person, this is a strong package if you want transport, lunch, swimming time, and a visit to Symi in one day. You should not book it expecting a guided history tour, a quiet private boat, or a guaranteed stop at one exact bay in every kind of weather.

Five things to know before you book

• The swimming stop is off the boat: You anchor in a clear cove and enter the sea from the vessel. There is no promise of a sandy beach.
• Symi Town gets three hours: That is enough for a harbor stroll, shopping, lunch, and a look at the island’s distinctive architecture.
• The boat is a major part of the value: The DOLL is described as clean, modern, spacious, and comfortable, with covered seating below and open-air areas above.
• Pickup is not automatic from every hotel: Exact pickup information arrives by WhatsApp or email, and some areas require you to reach a nearby meeting point.
• The schedule can change: The cruise may swim first, visit Symi second, and add another swim stop on the return if sea conditions allow.
• The boat can hold up to 220 people: Arrive early if you want your choice of seats, especially on busy summer departures.

What the day looks like from Rhodes

The advertised start is 10:00 a.m. from Platia Eleftherias in Rhodes Town, with hotel transfers offered for eligible locations. The full outing lasts about eight to nine hours, though some departures have run closer to ten hours. That is a long day, but the sea journey gives it a relaxed rhythm rather than a rushed succession of stops.

The transfer arrangement deserves attention. You receive the exact pickup place and time around the evening before departure, often through WhatsApp or email. The message may list a nearby point instead of your hotel. Transfers are provided only for bookings made at least 14 hours before departure, and you are responsible for reaching the assigned point on time.

That system works well when you read the message closely. It can be costly when you assume the vehicle will collect you at your hotel. One booking from Stegna required a taxi to a pickup point about 20 minutes away, with a reported €50 round-trip taxi cost. Check the pickup area before paying, especially if you are staying outside Rhodes Town.

The road transfer itself can be a pleasant part of the day. One driver, Apostolos, received special praise for being cheerful, funny, and helpful, particularly on rides from Kolymbia and the Rodos Palace area. A comfortable minibus is used for some pickups, and a family with a buggy found the staff helpful when getting it on and off the boat.

Aboard the DOLL, comfort matters

The boat is repeatedly described as new or nearly new, clean, and in good condition. It has an upper deck with open seating, a lower area with more cover, air conditioning listed among the inclusions, toilets, WiFi, and room to move around. On a full-day cruise, these basics matter more than glossy marketing.

If you want a front-row view or a place to stretch out in the sun, arrive early. Some passengers recommend getting aboard at least an hour before the transfer groups arrive. On quieter early-season departures, you may have a choice of seats. July and other high-season dates can feel much fuller, with capacity reaching 220 people.

The open deck is the best place for coastal views, but the Greek sun is not shy. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a light cover-up. The inside seating offers welcome relief, though one account found the indoor air conditioning less effective than expected. Another passenger found the covered seating comfortable enough to make a full-day boat trip easy, even for someone who normally tires of constant sun.

The onboard bar is useful, but keep expectations modest. There is a counter with cold drinks, snacks, and some alcohol, not a full cocktail lounge. Cash may be required. One person found the selection confusing because only mojitos and Aperol spritzes were offered despite bottles being visible behind the counter. Soft drinks were described as reasonably priced, with Coke Zero reported at €2.50.

Lunch is included, and you also have time to eat in Symi. The food in town receives favorable mentions, especially seafood and the local Symi shrimp. Since the exact meal served with the cruise is not specified, I would treat the included lunch as a practical bonus rather than the main reason to book.

St George Bay and the first swim

St George Bay is on Symi’s east coast and can only be reached by boat. Its appeal is the setting: clear water, high rocky sides, and a feeling of being far from roads and hotels. The planned stop lasts about 1.5 hours, giving you time to swim, use the complimentary snorkeling equipment, or stay on deck with a drink.

This is the most praised part of the day for many people. The water is described as crystal clear, and several accounts call the swim refreshing or almost surreal. The combination of steep cliffs and open sea makes this feel more special than a quick swim from a crowded town beach.

There is an important practical point: you generally swim from the boat. You do not step onto a broad sandy beach. One departure stopped at a smaller cove nearby instead of St George Bay, with rocky entry and no white sand. The captain makes the final call based on conditions, and another return swim may be canceled if the sea is rough.

That uncertainty is normal on a boat trip, but it is worth knowing before you book. The bay can look spectacular from a distance, yet the actual stopping point may change. Bring water shoes if rocky entry bothers you, and use the supplied pool noodles if you are not a confident swimmer. Snorkeling equipment is included, although this is not a guided marine-life activity. You get the freedom to look beneath the surface at your own pace.

The order can also be different from what you expect. Several departures went to the swimming cove before Symi Town, even though some people anticipated visiting the town first. Swimming first is pleasant if you want to cool off early, but it is less convenient if you dislike walking around town in wet swimwear or under the midday sun. Pack a dry change of clothes and a small towel.

Three hours in Symi Town

After the swim, or sometimes before it, the boat reaches Symi. The harbor is the island’s great visual moment. Pale, pastel-colored houses climb the hills around the water, with balconies, narrow streets, traditional boats, and yachts filling the foreground. Seeing Symi from the sea explains its nickname, the Jewel of the Dodecanese, better than any brochure can.

Three hours is a sensible amount of free time. You can walk along the harbor, browse the shops, stop for lunch, and climb a little into the town without trying to see every corner. The town is photogenic from almost every angle, but the heat can be strong, particularly in summer.

I would use the first few minutes to get your bearings, then choose one goal. You might focus on the waterfront and architecture, find a taverna for seafood, or wander into the narrower streets above the harbor. Trying to combine a long climb, serious shopping, and a leisurely meal may leave you watching the departure clock.

Shop hours can affect the experience. Some establishments close for a midday siesta, so not every store will be open during the full three-hour stop. If shopping matters to you, do it early rather than saving it for the final hour.

Symi is not presented as a guided cultural tour. You receive time to explore independently, but little formal commentary about the island’s churches, monasteries, maritime traditions, or buildings. That suits you if you prefer to wander without a lecture. If you want detailed interpretation, bring your own guidebook or use the crossing to read about Symi.

The food is one of the pleasures of the stop. Seafood, salads, and Symi shrimp are singled out as good choices. Lunch is also a chance to sit in the shade and escape the heat, which makes the town visit more comfortable after time in the sun.

The return crossing and possible second swim

Some departures add another swim stop on the way back to Rhodes. This can make the day feel generous, especially when the water is calm. One account describes two attractive bays, while another notes that the return swim was canceled because the sea conditions were not suitable.

Treat the second stop as a possible extra, not a firm promise. The 1.5-hour St George Bay stop is the clearer feature of the plan, but even that location may be adjusted by the captain. Safety and sea conditions have priority over a fixed photo opportunity.

The crossing itself gives you more time to sit on deck, watch the coast, or rest in the covered area. The boat ride may take longer than the shortest advertised estimate. A journey described as about 50 minutes to Symi took closer to an hour and 20 minutes on one departure. For a full-day excursion, the difference is manageable, but do not plan a tight evening appointment in Rhodes.

Is $82.90 good value?

At $82.90, the price is reasonable for a package that includes boat transport, hotel transfer where available, lunch, snorkeling equipment, WiFi, restrooms, and a long stop in Symi. Booking these elements separately could be more work and might not save money once transfers are added.

The value is strongest if you are staying in a pickup area and want a simple day at sea. The boat’s condition and seating also help. A clean vessel with indoor and outdoor space is important when you are aboard for most of the day.

There is one price warning. A booking made directly at the marina ticket shop was reported to cost about €20 less than an online purchase for the same boat and route. That does not guarantee a lower walk-up price on your date, and buying locally may offer less certainty about availability or transfers. Still, compare prices if you are already near the port.

The trip is not the best value if you mainly want a private swim, a quiet small-group outing, or detailed guiding. A large boat can be social and comfortable, but it will not feel secluded once it fills up. The bar is basic, snacks are not included, and alcoholic drinks are available only to adults.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Symi without arranging ferries, taxis, and meals on your own. It suits couples, families, and groups who enjoy a scenic boat ride followed by free time rather than a tightly guided program.

Families can benefit from the spacious boat, toilets, swim aids, and staff assistance with buggies. Less confident swimmers can use pool noodles, though you should still be comfortable entering the sea from a boat or choose to remain aboard.

It also works well for anyone who values scenery over commentary. The staff are described as polite, efficient, and friendly, but the tour does not promise a running explanation of the coast, fish, or geology. You get a pleasant ride, not a classroom.

I would think twice if you dislike uncertain schedules, hot midday walks, or crowded boats. The stop order may change, a swim location may be substituted, and summer departures can be busy. You should also confirm pickup before booking if your accommodation is in Stegna, Lardos, or another area away from the main transfer routes.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, a hat, water shoes, and some cash for the bar or town. Arrive early if seating matters. Read the last-minute pickup message carefully, and keep your return evening flexible.

Should you book the Symi and St George Bay cruise?

Book it if you want the easiest all-in-one day from Rhodes. The best parts are the clear-water swim, the views from a modern boat, and the chance to see Symi’s beautiful harbor with enough time for lunch and a walk.

Just go in with the right expectations. This is a shared cruise with a capacity of up to 220 people, not a private sailing trip. The bay, timing, and second swim can change with conditions, and the onboard bar is small. For $82.90, though, the mix of transport, lunch, snorkeling gear, and Symi free time makes it a sensible choice for a first visit to the island.

FAQ

How long does the cruise to Symi last?

The experience lasts approximately eight to nine hours. Some departures have taken about ten hours, so allow flexibility for the return.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Platia Eleftherias, Rhodes Town. Pickup may be available from selected hotels or nearby points.

How will I receive my pickup information?

You should receive the exact pickup place and time by WhatsApp or email around 9:00 p.m. on the afternoon before the cruise, or by email about 24 hours before the trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

Transfers from and to your hotel are included where available. Some locations use a different nearby pickup point, so confirm the details before departure.

What happens if I book too late for a transfer?

Transfers are provided only for bookings made at least 14 hours before the activity starts.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the swim stop.

Do I swim from a beach at St George Bay?

The cruise anchors in a bay and you swim from the boat. The exact cove can change, and a sandy beach is not guaranteed.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

The planned stop in Symi lasts about three hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price. Snacks are not included, and alcoholic drinks are available only to adults.