Rhodes: Boat trip to Symi island with swimming at St. George

Two islands, one easy day. This Rhodes boat trip pairs the colorful harbor of Symi with a 45-minute swim at St. George Bay, making it a strong choice if you want a full island outing without arranging ferries, transfers, and meals yourself. I especially like the clear-water swimming stop and the chance to enter Symi by sea, when its painted houses and churches appear around the natural harbor. The main drawback is the long boat ride, particularly on the return, when the sea journey can feel tiring after a full afternoon in the sun.

I also like the generous three hours in Symi, enough time for lunch, photos, shopping, and a self-guided walk. Hotel transportation can make the day much easier, with pickup and return service available from many parts of Rhodes. If you travel independently to the meeting point, you need to check in at the Mandraki Harbor office between 9:15 and 9:40 in the morning.

Key points before you book

• St. George Bay comes first: You get about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling in clear emerald water beside steep, wild surroundings.
• Symi is the main event: Three hours gives you time for the harbor, lunch, shops, churches, and plenty of photos.
• The boat ride is part of the experience: You see Rhodes from the water and enjoy the approach to Symi, but the return trip may last about two hours.
• Hotel pickup is optional: Select a transfer option if you are staying outside Rhodes Town or prefer not to arrange your own way to the harbor.
• Lunch is not included: Use your free time to try Simiako Garidaki, Symi-style baby shrimp cooked in olive oil.
• The price is fair for a full day: At about $51 per person, the round-trip boat and swimming stop offer good value, especially with hotel transport added if needed.

Why this Rhodes day trip works

Rhodes has enough sights for several days, but Symi feels different from the island you start on. Its harbor is lined with colorful neoclassical-style buildings, small churches, seafood restaurants, cafes, sponge stalls, spice stalls, and shops selling handmade jewelry and clothing. You are not simply checking another beach off a list. You are spending part of the day in a compact harbor town with a clear local character.

The trip also solves a common holiday problem: how to visit Symi without piecing together transportation yourself. The boat ticket is handled, the swimming stop is built in, and hotel pickup is available from places such as Pefkos, Lindos, Faliraki, Ialysos, Ixia, Kallithea, Kolympia, and other Rhodes areas.

At $51, the tour offers solid value if you want a simple, organized day. You still pay for lunch, drinks, and shopping, so the total cost will rise. Still, a round-trip island boat trip plus a swim in St. George Bay is a useful package for the price.

Starting from Rhodes and finding your boat

If you choose hotel transportation, the operator sends the pickup time and location after booking. This option has been especially useful for people staying well outside Rhodes Town, including Pefkos. Reports of early or on-time drivers make it a sensible add-on when you do not want to manage a taxi or local bus before a long day at sea.

If you make your own way, check in at the Half Price Tours office at Gallias Street 6, next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor. The stated check-in window is 9:15 to 9:40 in the morning, and you receive your boarding pass there.

The boat generally gets underway around 10, though you should confirm the exact departure time for your selected date. Arrive ready for a full day. The total duration is about 8.5 hours, and the return transfer may take longer if the vehicle makes several hotel stops.

Bring a towel, swimsuit, spare clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. These are not fussy suggestions. You will be outside for much of the day, and the swimming stop comes before your longer walk around Symi.

The sea crossing to Symi

The outward boat ride gives you a different view of Rhodes. Instead of roads, resorts, and inland hills, you see the island from the water before heading toward Symi. The crossing takes time, but the approach is one of the best parts of the trip.

As the boat enters Symi’s natural harbor, the town rises around the water in layers of painted buildings. This is when Symi makes its strongest first impression. The harbor area, known as Gialos, is small enough to explore on foot during your free time, yet full enough to keep you occupied for several hours.

The boat itself offers hot and cold drinks, alcohol, and snacks for purchase, according to the available trip details. Food and drinks are not part of the $51 price, so bring payment if you expect to buy something onboard or in Symi.

The crossing is also the main consideration for anyone who dislikes long boat journeys. The trip is not a quick shuttle. One account describes about two hours on the return to Rhodes, with fine views of Rhodes Old Town near the end. If you prefer a packed schedule of short stops, this cruise may feel slow. If you enjoy sitting on deck and watching the islands pass, the travel time becomes part of the outing.

Forty-five minutes at St. George Bay

The stop at St. George Bay breaks up the crossing with a chance to swim and snorkel. You have about 45 minutes, so plan to get ready before the boat stops rather than spending half the time searching for your towel or changing clothes.

The bay is known for its clear water and dramatic, undeveloped setting. The water can be clear enough to see the bottom even where it is deep, which makes this a particularly appealing stop for a short swim. You can jump in from the boat, snorkel, or stay onboard and enjoy the view if swimming is not your thing.

This is not a long beach visit. The stop is built around swimming from the boat, not stretching out on a broad sandy shore. You should bring a towel and a change of clothes, since there may not be much time to dry before the boat continues to Symi.

The stop is one of the best reasons to choose this particular outing instead of a basic ferry ride. You get a memorable natural setting before reaching the harbor town. Still, the 45-minute limit means you should keep your expectations practical. It is a refreshing break, not a full beach day.

Three hours to explore Symi

You get roughly three hours in Symi, sometimes described as about three hours and 20 minutes depending on the day’s timing. That is enough for a relaxed harbor visit, though not enough to see every corner of the island.

Start with a walk along Gialos. The waterfront is compact and easy to browse, with cafes, seafood restaurants, sponge and spice stalls, and small shops. Handmade jewelry, clothing, and gifts make the harbor a pleasant place for browsing, especially if you want a small souvenir rather than another mass-produced beach item.

Symi’s colorful buildings are the main visual attraction. Bring your camera, but do not spend all three hours looking through a screen. The approach by boat gives you the grand view, while walking the harbor lets you notice the smaller details: painted facades, church buildings, shop displays, and boats close to the quay.

You can also take a self-guided walk through the town. The experience does not include a guided historical tour, so you are free to set your own pace. That works well for independent visitors who want lunch and photos without following a group.

The churches and imposing buildings add height and character to the harbor. Even if you do not plan a serious sightseeing walk, allow time to look beyond the waterfront. Symi rewards a little wandering, but keep an eye on the meeting time. Missing the boat is not a charming Greek-island anecdote.

What to eat in Symi

The local dish to seek out is Simiako Garidaki, baby shrimp cooked in olive oil. This is one of the most useful reasons to leave room in your schedule for lunch rather than relying only on snacks onboard.

Seafood restaurants line the harbor, so you can choose a place with a view and make the meal part of the experience. Prices and menus are not included in the tour, and the trip does not specify a restaurant reservation. You should treat lunch as your own choice and budget for it separately.

If you are watching costs, enjoy the harbor walk first and compare menus before sitting down. If food is a major reason for your visit, three hours gives you enough time for lunch without rushing through the town.

How the timing affects your day

The schedule is well balanced for a day trip. You start with the boat ride, stop at St. George Bay for 45 minutes, then spend about three hours in Symi before returning to Rhodes. That order works because the swim breaks up the outward crossing, and you reach Symi with the main sightseeing time still ahead.

The tradeoff is that most of the day is committed to the excursion. You should not plan another major Rhodes attraction for the same afternoon. Hotel drop-off can also take extra time, especially when the vehicle serves several resorts.

The organized transport has earned praise for being on time, including hotel pickups that arrived early. That reliability matters here because the trip involves a boat departure, a return sailing, and multiple transfer points. If you add hotel transport, check your messages carefully for the pickup details. If no message arrives, the operator asks you to contact them through WhatsApp at +30 694 8322505.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see Symi but do not want to organize the ferry, harbor arrival, and return transport on your own. It is also a good match if you enjoy a mix of swimming, scenic boat travel, lunch, shopping, and easy walking.

Families and mixed-age groups may find the format useful because everyone gets a choice. Swimmers can use the St. George Bay stop, while others can remain on the boat. In Symi, one person can shop, another can eat, and another can simply photograph the harbor.

The trip is less suitable if you want a quiet, flexible island stay or several hours on a proper beach. You have a fixed schedule, a short swimming stop, and a long ride back to Rhodes. The harbor is easy to explore, but the excursion does not include a private guide or a detailed tour of Symi’s history.

Practical value at $51 per person

The $51 price covers the round-trip boat ticket and the St. George Bay swimming stop. That is a reasonable rate for a full day, especially if the alternative is arranging separate transport and a boat ticket yourself.

Hotel pickup and return are not included in the basic price, but you can choose an option with transfers. For a couple or family staying far from Mandraki Harbor, paying extra for a direct transfer may be worth it simply for the time and reduced stress.

Budget separately for lunch, drinks, snacks, and shopping. The boat has refreshments available for purchase, while Symi offers cafes and seafood restaurants. The local baby shrimp dish is worth considering, but it is not part of the tour fee.

The cancellation terms are friendly: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those details help if your Rhodes plans depend on weather or ferry conditions, though you should still check the exact availability and start time for your date.

Final verdict: Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want an easy full-day introduction to Symi with a worthwhile swim along the way. The strongest parts are the arrival into Symi’s natural harbor, the clear water at St. George Bay, and the three-hour block of free time for lunch and exploring.

Choose the hotel pickup option if you are staying outside Rhodes Town or dislike early-morning logistics. Skip the trip if long boat rides make you miserable or if you want a full day devoted to swimming. For most visitors seeking a simple island escape from Rhodes, the price, timing, and variety make this a sound choice.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Symi boat trip last?

The full activity lasts about 8.5 hours, including the boat journey, the St. George Bay swimming stop, time in Symi, and the return transfer.

What is included in the tour?

The price includes round-trip boat tickets to Symi and the swimming stop at St. George Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the basic option, but you can book an option that includes transfers from your hotel and back.

Where do I check in if I arrange my own transport?

Check in at the Half Price Tours office at Gallias Street 6, next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor.

What time should I check in?

The stated check-in window is from 9:15 to 9:40 in the morning. You receive your boarding pass at the office.

How long is the swimming stop?

The stop at St. George Bay lasts about 45 minutes and is suitable for swimming and snorkeling.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get about three hours in Symi, with some departures providing around three hours and 20 minutes.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy lunch in Symi. The boat also has hot and cold drinks, alcohol, and snacks available for purchase.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also allows you to reserve now and pay later.