Kolymbia: High-Speed Boat to Symi Island & St George’s Bay

Symi is worth the boat ride. This direct high-speed cruise from Kolymbia gives you more time on the island and avoids the long bus transfer to Rhodes Town. I especially like the easy harbor departure and the chance to swim at St George’s Bay on the return. The main drawback is simple: three hours in Symi goes quickly, and a firm departure time means late arrivals may be left behind.

This is a full eight-hour outing, but it feels less tiring than many Symi trips because you can walk to Kolymbia Harbor instead of starting with an early coach ride. You’ll have time for the pastel harbor, a taverna lunch, local ouzo, and Symi’s famous tiny shrimp, though lunch and drinks cost extra.

Key points at a glance

• Direct from Kolymbia Harbor: Skip the bus transfer to Rhodes Town and board near your hotel if you are staying in Kolymbia.
• Three hours in Symi: Enough time for a harbor stroll, lunch, photos, and a little shopping, but not a full island tour.
• A memorable swim stop: The boat pauses for about 30 minutes at clear-water St George’s Bay.
• Fast, smooth boat service: The speedboat is the main time-saver compared with slower ferry options.
• Strict departure times: Be at the harbor early. The crew keeps to schedule, and late passengers may not be held up.
• Strong value at $90: The price covers the boat, Symi free time, and the swim stop, but food and drinks are extra.

Why this Kolymbia to Symi trip works so well

Symi is one of the most photogenic islands in the Dodecanese. Its harbor curves around clear blue water, with tightly packed neoclassical houses in soft colors climbing the hillsides. The first view from the boat is the real arrival moment: church domes, fishing boats, and rows of balconies appear around the bay.

The practical advantage here is the departure point. You board at Kolymbia Harbor rather than taking a bus to Rhodes Town first. That matters in the Greek summer heat. Several departure options to Symi require an early start, a coach ride, and extra time at the main port. This trip keeps the first part of the day much simpler.

I also like the balance of the schedule. You get a fast ride to Symi, about three hours to explore without a guide, and a swim stop on the way back. It is not an over-programmed day. You can choose how to spend your time, which is often the best way to see a small harbor town.

The tradeoff is that free time is limited. Three hours sounds generous until you add lunch, photos, a walk along the waterfront, and perhaps a climb up one of the hills. You should arrive with a rough plan rather than hoping to see every corner of the island.

Boarding at Kolymbia Harbor

The meeting point is Kolymbia Harbor, and the activity ends at the same place. If you are staying nearby, this can be a particularly convenient choice. One passenger reported that the harbor was only about a five-minute walk from the hotel, though your exact walking time depends on where you stay.

The boat service has been praised for arriving on time and leaving promptly. Reported departure details include a boat arriving around 10:15, boarding soon after, and reaching Symi around noon. Another departure example was 15:15. Since times can vary by date, check the available starting times carefully when booking.

Do not treat the listed departure time as a suggestion. The crew has kept to schedule even when passengers were late, rather than making a large group wait in the sun. That is fair to the people who arrived on time, but it means you should reach the harbor early, especially if you need to find the correct boarding area.

The boat is described as fast and smooth, a useful combination on an open-water crossing. Still, conditions at sea can change. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where movement feels gentler and bring whatever remedy normally works for you. The supplied details do not specify seating arrangements, onboard food, or toilet facilities, so do not book this expecting a fully serviced ferry.

The fast crossing to Symi

The ride itself is part of the appeal. A high-speed boat cuts down the travel time and leaves you with more hours for Symi. You’ll pass open sea and coastal views, with the changing color of the water providing much of the entertainment.

There may be a short stop at Rhodes Town on some departures to drop off or collect passengers. One reported stop lasted about five minutes and gave passengers a quick view of the old town castle beside the harbor. This is not a sightseeing visit to Rhodes, but it can provide a pleasant bonus photo opportunity.

The boat’s speed also makes this option attractive for people who dislike long ferry rides. You are not spending most of the day in transit. The journey remains a major part of the outing, but the timetable gives you a proper visit in Symi rather than a rushed step ashore.

If you prefer a slow, quiet crossing with room to wander around a large ferry, this may not be your ideal boat trip. The strength here is efficiency. You trade a little ferry-style comfort for a quicker connection from Kolymbia.

First impressions of Symi Harbor

Arrival in Symi is the visual high point of the day. The fishing harbor is framed by pastel-colored neoclassical buildings, with balconies and roofs stacked up the surrounding slopes. The water is turquoise, and the church domes add bright points of color among the houses.

You’ll disembark in the harbor area and have roughly three hours on your own. There is no guided walking program listed, so you can set your own pace. That freedom is useful because Symi suits different kinds of visits. You might spend the whole time along the waterfront, or you might walk uphill for wider views.

The harbor is also the place to slow down. Sit with a coffee, watch the small boats, and take in the layered buildings before rushing into lunch. Symi is not a destination you should experience only through a camera. Even a short pause by the water helps you appreciate how the town fits around its sheltered bay.

Bring comfortable shoes if you plan to walk uphill. The town’s pretty views come from its slopes, but every step upward costs time and energy. If you want a relaxed meal and a swim later, keep your exploration close to the harbor.

Three hours to eat, walk, and explore

Three hours gives you enough time for a compact Symi visit. I would divide it into three parts: a harbor walk, lunch, and unhurried time for photos or a short uphill wander.

Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately at one of the traditional tavernas. This is your chance to try Symi mini shrimp, a local specialty often served as a simple seafood dish. Pair it with local ouzo if that appeals to you, but remember that both food and drinks are at your own expense.

A taverna lunch can easily use a large part of the free time. If your priority is food, sit down early rather than waiting until the final hour. If your priority is photography or walking, have a shorter meal or choose a quick snack.

You might also choose to swim in Symi instead of waiting for the later stop. The schedule already includes a 30-minute swim at St George’s Bay, though, so you do not need to sacrifice town time unless you particularly want to get in the water twice.

The three-hour limit is both a benefit and a constraint. It keeps the visit focused and prevents the day from becoming exhausting, but it will not satisfy anyone hoping to tour the whole island. This is a harbor-town visit, not an island-wide exploration.

St George’s Bay and the return swim

The return route includes a stop at St George’s Bay. The boat pauses for around 30 minutes, giving you a chance to swim in clear water or remain on deck in the sun.

This stop is one of the strongest reasons to choose this particular outing. Symi’s harbor is beautiful, but St George’s Bay supplies the active part of the day. After walking and eating, a swim offers a refreshing change before the ride back to Kolymbia.

The bay is known for its dramatic coastal setting and clear water. The supplied information does not confirm a beach landing, changing rooms, or water equipment, so prepare for a boat swim rather than a fully equipped beach visit. Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel handy.

A 30-minute stop is enough for a quick swim, not a long beach afternoon. If you prefer staying dry, you can soak up the sun on deck instead. That flexibility makes the stop work for mixed groups, though non-swimmers should still bring sun protection and something to occupy them while others are in the water.

Some departures have reportedly stayed longer than the promised 30 minutes. Treat that as a possible bonus, not a guarantee. The published schedule remains the safer basis for planning.

Is $90 a fair price?

At $90 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Symi. But price alone misses the main value. You are paying for a high-speed boat, a direct Kolymbia departure, about three hours on Symi, and a swim stop at St George’s Bay.

The direct departure is especially valuable if you are staying in Kolymbia. A cheaper ticket from Rhodes Town may require a separate bus ride, an earlier start, and more time getting to the port. Those extra hours and transport costs can reduce the apparent saving.

The fare does not include lunch, ouzo, mini shrimp, or other purchases in Symi. It also does not include a guided tour, so you are paying for transport and free time rather than a detailed introduction to the island.

I consider the price fair for travelers who value convenience and want a full day without a complicated transfer. It is less attractive if you mainly want the cheapest boat ride or prefer having a guide explain every stop.

The high rating of 4.9 from 76 reviews fits the tour’s strongest features: direct boarding at Kolymbia, reliable timing, a fast boat, and a memorable swim stop. Those details make a real difference on a hot day.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and independent visitors staying in Kolymbia who want to see Symi without arranging extra transport to Rhodes Town. It also suits anyone who likes a flexible day. You decide how to use your three hours instead of following a guide from one sight to the next.

It is a good fit for swimmers, especially if St George’s Bay sounds as appealing as Symi’s harbor. It also works for non-swimmers because you can stay on deck during the stop.

Families should think about the eight-hour duration and strict boarding times. The boat ride is efficient, but the day still involves a long outing, sun, walking, and a set schedule. Keep water, sun protection, and comfortable footwear close at hand.

People with limited mobility should note that the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Still, the available information does not describe the exact boarding method or conditions in Symi, so confirm those details before booking if they are important to you.

This is not the right choice if you want a guided history tour, a long beach stay, or time to explore distant parts of Symi. It is a focused island visit with one scenic town stop and one swim stop.

Small planning tips that improve the day

Arrive early at Kolymbia Harbor. The crew has shown that it will leave on time, and the boat will not necessarily wait for late passengers.

Check the exact start time before you book. Examples from the service include morning and afternoon departures, and the eight-hour duration depends on the schedule available for your date.

Wear swimwear beneath your clothes if you want to use the St George’s Bay stop. Carry a towel, sun protection, and comfortable shoes for Symi’s sloping streets.

Decide in advance whether lunch or exploration matters more. If you want the local shrimp and a proper taverna meal, allow enough time for it. If you want photographs from higher viewpoints, eat quickly and start walking soon after arrival.

Bring enough money for food and drinks, since those are not included. Ouzo is easy to pair with a seafood meal, but do not let a leisurely lunch make you late for the boat.

Should you book the Kolymbia to Symi cruise?

Book it if you want the simplest route from Kolymbia to one of the Dodecanese islands’ prettiest harbors. The direct departure, fast crossing, three hours in Symi, and St George’s Bay swim make a well-shaped day for $90.

Skip it if you need a guided tour, a longer stay in Symi, or a relaxed departure policy. For most independent visitors based in Kolymbia, though, this is a strong-value day trip. Arrive early, respect the clock, and treat the swim stop as a highlight rather than an afterthought.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts eight hours.

Where does the boat depart?

The boat departs from Kolymbia Harbor.

Where does the activity finish?

The activity ends back at Kolymbia Harbor, the meeting point.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours of free time to explore Symi on your own.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a traditional taverna is at your own expense.

Is the swimming stop included?

Yes. The trip includes a swimming stop at St George’s Bay for about 30 minutes.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.