Rhodes: Speedboat Trip to Symi with Free Time to Explore

Symi makes a beautiful escape from Rhodes. This $35 round-trip speedboat trip gives you a simple way to trade Rhodes Town for Symi’s picture-perfect harbor, colorful hillside houses, shops, tavernas, and clear water. You travel in an air-conditioned indoor cabin or sit outside on the sundeck, then have several hours to explore without being tied to a guided group.

I especially like the views from the water, including Rhodes’ medieval walls, Marine Gate, windmills, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium. I also like the freedom once you reach Symi. You can eat fried Symi shrimp, climb the Kali Strata steps, look around the harbor, find a swimming spot, or simply sit with a drink and enjoy the scene.

The main drawback is boarding. The boat can feel busy at the start, and the best outdoor seats go quickly. The ride can also be bumpy, noisy, or wet on the outer top-deck seats, so arrive early if you want a particular place to sit.

Key Points Before You Book

• Symi’s harbor is the main attraction: Colorful neoclassical houses rise around the bay and reflect in the water on calm days.
• The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way: It is fast for the route, but still a substantial time at sea.
• You get several hours on Symi: Depending on the departure, free time can range from roughly three to five hours.
• The boat has indoor and outdoor seating: The enclosed cabin is air-conditioned, while the sundeck offers the best views.
• There is a bar onboard: Drinks and snacks are available, with one beer reported at €4.
• This is independent sightseeing: Transport is included, but food, drinks, beach transfers, and a guided tour are not.

Why Symi Is Worth the Boat Ride

Symi is one of those places that rewards you before you even step ashore. As the boat enters the bay, the town rises in a wide amphitheater of pastel-colored houses, balconies, and tiled roofs. The harbor is compact enough to explore on foot, and the view is unusually photogenic from almost every angle.

The town’s beauty comes from its tightly packed neoclassical houses climbing the hills above the water. From the promenade, you can look up at layers of buildings, then turn toward the harbor and see them mirrored in the bay when the water is still.

I would not book this trip expecting a full island tour. The boat drops you at the main harbor, and your free time is yours to use there. You can walk uphill, shop, eat, or arrange your own trip farther afield, but the basic outing is centered on Symi Town.

That focus is not a bad thing. The harbor area has enough to fill a relaxed half-day, especially if you want lunch, photographs, a drink, and time to wander without rushing from sight to sight.

Leaving Rhodes From Kolona Harbor

The trip begins at Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and allow enough time to find the ticket kiosk and boarding area. The supplied meeting point is Kolona Harbor, but one booking account reported confusion because the boat was at a nearby harbor. Confirm the exact dock before departure, especially if you are walking from Rhodes Old Town.

Boarding is the least polished part of the outing. Several people found the queue disorganized, with some passengers pushing forward. The boat itself is generally described as comfortable and well kept, but getting onboard can feel like a small race for the top-deck seats.

If you want an outdoor seat, arrive early and queue calmly. The upper deck fills first, especially seats in the sun or along the outside rail. If you prefer shade, quiet, or protection from spray, the air-conditioned indoor area is the safer choice.

The boat is designed for comfort on a relatively quick crossing. You have an enclosed cabin with air conditioning, open-air seating, and a bar. The indoor cabin matters on a hot Rhodes day, while the sundeck gives you the best chance to enjoy the scenery.

The Rhodes Coast From the Water

The crossing starts with a fine view of Rhodes Town from a different angle. The medieval castle walls and Old Town fortifications are easier to appreciate from the sea, where you can see how strongly the city’s defensive edge meets the harbor.

Keep an eye out for the minarets of the Old Town, the medieval clock, and Marine Gate. These familiar landmarks take on a new shape when viewed from the boat rather than from the narrow streets.

The route also passes several notable sights. On your left, you may see the 46-meter Naillac Tower, the windmills of Rhodes, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium of Rhodes. This is a good reason to spend at least part of the outward crossing outside, if the sea is calm and the weather is comfortable.

The ride takes about 80 minutes. Some crossings are smooth, while others feel choppy. The front and outer seats are more exposed to spray, and one person reported getting soaked on an outside top-deck seat. That may feel refreshing in hot weather, but it is not ideal if you are carrying electronics or want to arrive looking tidy.

For motion sickness, sit inside or toward the middle of the boat if possible. The reviews include a passenger who normally gets seasick but had a pleasant ride after finding a shaded seat. This is not a guarantee of calm water, but it suggests that seat choice can make a difference.

Arriving in Symi’s Amphitheater Harbor

The arrival is the visual high point. Symi Town appears around the curve of the bay, with houses stacked up the hills in soft colors. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches the harbor because the best view comes gradually as the town opens in front of you.

Once ashore, you are free to explore. There is no included guide and no set walking route. That suits people who prefer to set their own pace, but you should arrive with a rough plan if you want to do more than stroll along the waterfront.

The promenade is the easiest starting point. You can browse shops, stop at a cafe, eat lunch, and watch boats move through the harbor. Symi is also known for its many cats, a small detail that animal lovers will notice almost immediately.

For food, look for local specialties such as fried red Symi shrimp. One meal suggestion from the trip was curried goat, while other useful stops include the pastry shops, where cakes and milkshakes have been well received. The tour does not include food or drinks, so budget separately for lunch and refreshments.

How to Use Three to Five Hours on Symi

The amount of free time depends on the departure schedule. Some departures provide about three to three and a half hours, while others allow around five hours. The listed plan describes five hours on Symi, with 80 minutes on each crossing, making a total day of roughly seven to eight hours.

Three hours is enough for a pleasant first visit. You can walk around the harbor, eat, shop, take photographs, and perhaps find a place to swim. Several people felt this was the right amount of time for the town itself.

Five hours gives you more breathing room. You can climb part of the Kali Strata, the historic staircase route with roughly 500 steps, and still return for lunch. The climb gives you higher views over the harbor, but it is not a casual stroll for everyone. Wear sensible shoes, carry water, and leave time to get back to the boat.

You might also find a swimming place near town, but do not assume the main harbor is a proper beach. One useful warning is that the boat arrives on the side of the island where beaches are limited. If swimming at a larger beach is your priority, you may need to arrange transport across the island, and that will take time from your free hours.

St George’s Beach has been reached by boat in at least one outing, but this trip itself does not include a beach transfer. Treat swimming as an optional extra, not the central promise of the excursion.

Returning to Rhodes

Return times are important because the boat will not wait for late arrivals. The service is usually on time, and several people praised the prompt departures in both directions. One account did report a 15 to 20-minute late departure from Rhodes without extra time added on Symi, so keep a little margin in your plans.

Check your return instructions when you arrive. One person specifically advised collecting return tickets at the kiosk. Even if the boarding process seems straightforward, it is better to know exactly where and when you must return.

The trip back takes about 80 minutes and can feel noisier than the outward journey. You can use the air-conditioned cabin, sit outside, or visit the bar for a coffee or cold drink. If you want the sunset or late-afternoon views, the upper deck can be especially pleasant, but the outer seats remain the most exposed to spray.

Because passengers sometimes spread out inside, people in the same party may not always sit together on the return. If staying together matters, choose seats as a group rather than assuming you can reunite later.

What the $35 Price Really Buys You

At $35 per person, this is strong value for an independent day trip. The fare covers round-trip transport and several hours on one of the most scenic islands near Rhodes. You avoid arranging separate ferry tickets and can make the journey in a speedboat with indoor air conditioning and outdoor seating.

The price does not cover lunch, drinks, a guide, beach transport, or other activities on Symi. Those exclusions are reasonable for this kind of transfer-based outing, but they mean your final cost depends on how you spend the afternoon.

The value is strongest if you want a straightforward change of scene. You are paying for access, scenery, and free time, not for detailed interpretation or a carefully managed sightseeing program.

Optional hotel transfers may be offered by email before the trip. Some bookings included a transfer for about €6 per person each way, though this is separate from the $35 boat price. It can be useful if you are staying away from central Rhodes, but check the pickup details and timing carefully.

Who Will Enjoy This Trip Most

I would choose this outing if you want to see Symi without moving hotels. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, photographers, shoppers, and anyone who enjoys a scenic boat journey followed by unstructured time.

It is also a good choice if you do not want a guide talking throughout the day. You can decide how much history, food, shopping, walking, or swimming you want.

You may want a different plan if you need step-by-step sightseeing, guaranteed beach time, or a quiet boat with no crowd at boarding. People who dislike sea motion should use the indoor cabin and consider bringing their usual precautions, since the water can be bumpy.

The trip also requires some walking and uphill effort if you choose the Kali Strata or the higher parts of town. You can keep things easy by staying around the harbor, but the most rewarding views require more energy.

Practical Tips for a Better Day

• Arrive early for boarding: The outdoor seats fill quickly, and the queue can become disorderly.
• Choose your seat with the weather in mind: Use the air-conditioned cabin for shade and comfort. Sit outside for the views, but avoid the outer front seats if you want to stay dry.
• Bring sun protection: Symi has limited shade, and summer heat can be intense.
• Carry water and wear good shoes: This matters if you plan to climb the Kali Strata.
• Keep your return time visible: The boat leaves promptly, and a late return can ruin the day.
• Plan your priority: Decide in advance if you want food, shopping, photographs, a staircase climb, or a swim. Three hours passes quickly.
• Try a local dish: Fried red Symi shrimp is a natural choice, and the waterfront tavernas make lunch easy.
• Check the harbor instructions: Look for Sebeco Lines and confirm the dock if the location information seems unclear.

Should You Book the Rhodes to Symi Speedboat?

Yes, if you want an affordable and flexible day trip to a beautiful island. The strongest parts are the approach into Symi, the views from the boat, the comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, and the freedom to spend your hours as you please.

I would book it for the scenery and the harbor experience, not for a guided tour or a full-island beach day. Arrive early, accept that the crossing may be choppy, and plan your free time before stepping ashore. At $35, it offers a lot: a memorable boat ride, a striking island arrival, and enough time for a good meal, a walk, and a few hours of Symi’s special atmosphere.

FAQ

Where does the Symi speedboat trip depart from?

The stated meeting point is Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and confirm the precise dock before departure, since the harbor location can cause confusion.

How long does the boat ride from Rhodes to Symi take?

Each crossing takes about 80 minutes. The full outing lasts approximately seven to eight hours, depending on the departure schedule and time spent on Symi.

How much free time do I get on Symi?

The schedule provides several hours on the island. Depending on the departure, you may have about three to five hours, with the listed itinerary allowing five hours.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but the boat has a bar and Symi has cafes, restaurants, shops, and pastry places around the harbor.

Is there a guided tour of Symi?

No. The trip includes transport and free time only. You explore Symi independently.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The booking also allows you to reserve now and pay later.