Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, & Lindos: Speedboat to Symi Island

Symi is worth the boat ride. I like the direct pickup from southern Rhodes, which saves you a long bus journey, and I like the mix of free time in Symi with a swim at Saint George Bay. The main drawback is the long time on the water, plus the bay may be shaded late in the season.

This is a full nine-hour outing from Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos, priced at $147 per person. You get about three hours in Symi, a 30-minute swim stop, and a fast boat instead of a slower ferry. The best fit is someone staying south of Rhodes who wants an easy island day without arranging separate transport.

Key points to know before you book

• A practical southern Rhodes departure: Pickup is available from beach points near Kiotari, Lardos, and Lindos, including the red steps below Rodos Maris Hotel and selected resort hotels.
• Three hours in Symi: That is enough time for a walk around the harbor, lunch, local shopping, and a quick swim, but not enough for a relaxed island-wide visit.
• The harbor is the main event: Symi greets you with pastel neoclassical houses, turquoise water, fishing boats, and colorful church domes rising around the bay.
• Saint George Bay adds a swim break: You get about 30 minutes in clear water below huge rocky cliffs.
• The order can change by season: From late September and in October, the boat may visit Saint George Bay first so sunlight still reaches the water.
• Check the departure day carefully: Lardos operates only on Wednesdays and Fridays, while Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach operate Tuesday through Friday.

Why this Symi trip works well from southern Rhodes

If you are staying in Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos, Symi can look close on a map but still take effort to reach. This excursion solves the awkward part. You walk to a beach pickup point, board the Aphrodite Princess, and head across the sea without first riding a bus toward Rhodes Town.

That direct start is one of the strongest reasons to book. A bus transfer from a southern resort can add hours to an already long day. Here, the boat collects you near the coast. The exact pickup information lists the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, Lindos Imperial Hotel in Kiotari Beach, and Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos Beach.

There is also a short stop at Mandraki Harbour to let people on and off. This is not a sightseeing visit, so keep your expectations modest. It is a practical pause during the journey, not extra time to explore Rhodes Town.

The total day lasts nine hours. The listed boat sections add up to several hours at sea, so you should be comfortable with a fast open-water ride. Bring sunscreen, and consider a hat or light cover-up for the time on deck. Only sunscreen is specifically required, but protection from the sun matters on a boat with little shade.

The speedboat ride across the Dodecanese

The high-speed boat is the reason this trip can fit Symi into one day from the southeast coast of Rhodes. You spend less time waiting than you would on a slower boat service, leaving more room for Symi itself.

Still, fast does not mean short. The outward ride is listed at about two hours and 20 minutes, with a similar return journey. The boat section between Symi and Saint George Bay takes about 20 minutes. For some people, the crossing is part of the pleasure. You get open views across the brilliant blue sea and a clear sense of how island life depends on the water.

For others, nearly five hours of boat time is a lot. If you dislike long rides, you should weigh this carefully against the three hours in Symi. The speedboat improves the schedule, but it cannot turn the crossing into a quick hop.

The boat picks up at different points on different days. Lardos is served only on Wednesdays and Fridays. Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach operate Tuesday through Friday. Check the available date before building your day around this excursion, especially if you are staying at a hotel in Pefkos or Lindos and need to reach a particular beach pickup point.

The host or greeter can speak English, Greek, or German. That helps with basic instructions and meeting arrangements, though the central part of your visit to Symi is independent rather than guided.

Arriving at Symi’s postcard harbor

Symi makes its first impression from the water. The fishing harbor is framed by rows of pastel-colored neoclassical buildings, with church domes and steep hills behind them. The view is compact, bright, and easy to appreciate before you even step ashore.

This is the kind of arrival that rewards sitting quietly for a few minutes. Take in the boats, the water, and the unusual color of the houses. The harbor is not simply a place to get off the boat. It is the visual heart of the visit.

The tour gives you approximately three hours on the island. That is a useful amount of time, but you need to choose how to spend it. You cannot treat three hours as a full exploration of Symi. Instead, think of it as a focused visit to the harbor town.

You can use the time for:

• A slow walk beside the fishing harbor
• Photos of the pastel houses and domes
• Lunch at a traditional taverna
• A taste of the island’s local baby shrimp
• A swim in the glittering water
• A little independent browsing before returning to the boat

Lunch is not included, so budget extra if you want a taverna meal. The local baby shrimp are a notable specialty to look for, especially if you want something associated with Symi rather than a standard Greek island lunch.

The three-hour stop also gives you room to set your own pace. You are not tied to a guide explaining every street or monument. That freedom suits you if you prefer to wander, eat, and pause when you like. It is less suitable if you want a detailed guided history of the island.

Making the most of three hours in Symi

Three hours can pass quickly, particularly if you sit down for a long lunch. I would first get your bearings around the harbor, then decide how much time you want for food and how much for walking.

If photographs are your priority, start with the waterfront and the houses rising around the bay. The setting is most impressive from the approach and from the harbor itself, so do not wait until the end of your visit to look around.

If food matters most, ask for the local baby shrimp and keep your meal reasonably timed. A traditional taverna lunch can easily take up a large share of the stop. Since the boat will not wait for late arrivals, watch the meeting time carefully.

A swim in Symi may sound tempting, but Saint George Bay is the more important swimming stop because of its clear water and dramatic rock walls. You may prefer to use your town time for walking and lunch, then save your main swim for the organized break later.

The independent format has a clear trade-off. You get flexibility, but you are responsible for managing the clock. There is no guided route to keep you moving, and no extra time if you return late to the boat.

Saint George Bay beneath the huge cliffs

After leaving Symi, the boat heads toward Saint George Bay for a 30-minute swim stop. The bay is known for its crystal-clear water and huge rocks rising above it. From the boat, those cliffs give the swim a strong sense of place. This is not just a quick stop beside an ordinary beach.

You can swim in the clear water or stay on deck and enjoy the sun. Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing dip, but it is not a long beach visit. There is no suggestion of a full shore excursion here, so expect to swim from the boat rather than spend time walking around the bay.

The timing matters more than it might seem. In October, one confirmed experience found the bay in deep shade after the visit to Symi, making the water appear much darker than expected. The operator has responded to this seasonal issue by going to Saint George Bay first from the end of September and during October.

That adjustment is sensible. The tall rocks can block the sun as the day moves on. If you book in late season, check the day’s order and do not assume Saint George Bay will always come after Symi. The color of the water depends heavily on light, and the photos are most representative when the bay is in sunshine.

This is also a reminder to keep expectations realistic. The bay can be beautiful, but conditions, timing, and shade affect the experience. The swim is a welcome change after the long crossing, yet it is a short stop rather than the main purpose of the day.

Is $147 a fair price?

At $147 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Symi. Its value comes from convenience and time saved on land, not from a long guided program or included meals.

You are paying for the speedboat service, pickup from selected southern Rhodes locations, about three hours in Symi, and the Saint George Bay swim stop. Lunch, drinks, and anything you buy in Symi are extra.

For someone staying near Kiotari or Lardos, the price may make good sense. You avoid arranging your own transport to a different port, and you do not spend the day on a bus before and after the boat ride. That convenience has real value, particularly if your holiday base is far from Rhodes Town.

For someone staying in Rhodes Town, the calculation may be different. The main advantage of this activity is its southern pickup network. If you are already near the main port, you may want to compare other Symi services before paying for a tour designed around southern resorts.

The rating is strong at 4.7 from 46 ratings, and 89 percent of ratings give the transport a perfect score. That matches the main strength of the experience: it is a well-liked way to move quickly between Rhodes and Symi. The weaker point is not the basic idea, but the long travel time and the changing light at Saint George Bay.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you meet several of these conditions:

• You are staying south of Rhodes
• You want to see Symi without a bus ride to Rhodes Town
• You enjoy boat travel and open-water views
• You are happy with independent free time
• You want a short, scenic swim rather than a full beach day
• You can manage a nine-hour excursion

Families and couples may like the simple structure. You travel together, get free time in town, and have a clear swim break before returning. The independent three-hour stop also lets different people choose lunch, photos, shopping, or a swim without following a group route.

I would hesitate if you want a slow island visit, a guided cultural tour, or lots of time on shore. The crossing takes up much of the day, and Symi receives only three hours. You also need to be comfortable with the possibility that the swimming stop changes order in late September and October.

The trip is less attractive if you are staying outside the listed pickup area and would need a complicated transfer to the beach. Check the exact meeting point before booking. The published pickup information names several hotel areas, but the three listed location codes refer to Lardos and Kiotari points.

Useful booking details for a smoother day

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Rhodes plans depend on weather or if you want to wait before committing money.

Departure times vary, so check availability for your date. The day is long enough that you should avoid pairing it with another major activity.

Wear swim clothing under your day clothes if you want to use the Saint George Bay stop without fuss. Pack sunscreen, and take anything you need for several hours in the sun and on the sea. Lunch is at your own expense, so carry a payment method suitable for a taverna meal and small purchases.

Keep the return meeting time in mind while exploring Symi. Three hours sounds generous at first, but a meal, a waterfront walk, and photographs can fill it quickly.

Should you book this Symi speedboat trip?

Book it if you are based in Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos and want the simplest southern Rhodes route to Symi. The direct beach pickup, fast boat, striking harbor, and Saint George Bay swim make a strong one-day combination.

Skip it if you want a relaxed, shore-focused visit or dislike long boat crossings. At $147, the tour earns its price through convenience and transport rather than through included food or extensive guiding.

For a late-season trip, ask about the order of the stops. A sunny Saint George Bay is a far better reward than arriving after the cliffs have thrown the water into shade. If that detail is clear and the sea journey suits you, this is a practical and scenic way to add Symi to a southern Rhodes holiday.

FAQ

How long does the Symi speedboat trip last?

The full activity lasts nine hours. This includes the boat journey from southern Rhodes, approximately three hours in Symi, a 30-minute swim stop at Saint George Bay, and the return trip.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours of free time in Symi. You can explore the fishing town, eat at a traditional taverna, look for local baby shrimp, or swim.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from beach points in Kiotari and Lardos, with stated pickup access near Rodos Maris Hotel, Lindos Imperial Hotel in Kiotari Beach, and Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos Beach. The activity also serves the Pefkos and Lindos area through the listed pickup arrangements.

Which days does the boat stop at Lardos?

The boat stops at Lardos on Wednesdays and Fridays only.

Which days does the boat stop at Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach?

The boat stops at Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a traditional taverna in Symi is at your own expense. The activity includes free time in Symi and the 30-minute swim stop at Saint George Bay.