Rhodes: Symi Yacht Tour with Unlimited Drinks and Transfer

The best Greek islands are sometimes viewed from the water. This eight-hour cruise from Rhodes to Symi combines a small yacht group with two beautiful swimming stops, a Greek lunch, unlimited drinks, and several hours to explore Symi Town. I especially like the generous time in Symi and the chance to swim at St. George Bay and Seskli Island without spending the day on a crowded ferry.

The crew also receives unusually strong praise for warm, attentive service. Anna, Antonio, and Emily are among the crew members singled out for making birthdays, honeymoons, and solo trips feel special. The main drawback is the sea crossing: the fast yacht can be rocky, windy, and wet at the front, and the hotel transfer details need checking before you book.

What makes this yacht trip worth considering

• Two hours in Symi Town: Enough time for the harbor, colorful houses, small lanes, shops, and a meal or coffee on shore.
• St. George Bay swimming stop: Clear water, a sandy beach, steep rocks, and lunch served aboard while you swim or sunbathe.
• Seskli Island finale: A quieter stop with wild scenery, snorkeling, and a very different feel from the built-up harbor.
• Maximum of 25 passengers: The yacht offers more room and a calmer feel than large excursion boats.
• Unlimited drinks all day: Water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included.
• Useful onboard facilities: A changing room, swim jackets, noodles, floats, snorkels, and goggles are available.

The basic shape of the day

You should allow a full day for this outing, not simply a quick hop to Symi. The advertised duration is eight hours, with the yacht leaving Rhodes, visiting Symi Town, stopping at St. George Bay and Seskli Island, then returning to Mandraki Port.

The day begins with coffee, tea, or water while you check in and settle aboard. The yacht then heads toward Symi, with the crossing taking about an hour and twenty minutes in conditions described by one passenger. That timing can vary with the sea, so I would not schedule a tight evening plan after the cruise.

A small yacht makes a real difference here. With a maximum of 25 people, you have a better chance of finding a comfortable seat, moving around, and getting served without the elbow-to-elbow feeling of a large boat. One important qualification: a few comments suggest the boat can feel full on especially busy departures, and one older comment mentioned a broken sofa area. The overall picture is comfortable, but the yacht is still a working excursion boat, not a private floating hotel.

Leaving Rhodes and crossing the open sea

The ride out is part of the experience, but it is also where you need to prepare properly. The front cushions offer fine views and a direct blast of sea air, yet they can be rocky and wet. One useful warning from the crew was that the forward seating would be rough for the first part of the crossing, particularly after unsettled weather.

If you are prone to seasickness, bring medication with you. The journey can feel fast and bumpy, and conditions matter more than the word luxury might suggest. A light jacket or hoodie is sensible even in warm months, especially for an early departure or an October sailing. The front of the boat can be chilly, while sheltered seating may feel more comfortable.

The reward is the view. From the water, Rhodes gives way to the dry, steep coast of the Dodecanese, with beaches and isolated coves appearing along the route. You get a broad view of the coast that is impossible from a road, and the crossing helps you understand how separate and rugged Symi feels from Rhodes.

The crew serves drinks throughout the day, including water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. That is useful on a long sea outing, though the selection is not cocktail-focused. If you want spirits or mixed drinks, do not assume they are included. One comment specifically wished for more variety beyond beer, wine, and soft drinks.

Arriving at Symi Yalos

The first major stop is Symi Town, also called Symi Yalos around the harbor. The arrival is one of the strongest parts of the trip. As the yacht moves into the port, you see rows of colorful neoclassical houses climbing the hills around the water.

Symi is famous for its tightly packed harbor buildings and painted facades. From the boat, the town makes an immediate impression, and you avoid the less exciting part of arriving by road. Have your camera ready as the yacht approaches the harbor, but remember that the best way to appreciate the town is to leave the waterfront for a while.

You get about two hours of free time. I consider that a sensible amount. It gives you time to stroll along the harbor, inspect the little alleys, visit local shops, and look up toward the old town without turning the stop into a rushed race.

The terrain can be hilly, so decide how much ground you want to cover. If you are energetic, you can walk uphill for wider views. If you prefer an easier visit, stay around the port, where you can enjoy a coffee, browse shops, and watch the boats. Some people use the time for breakfast or a harbor meal, while others seek out Symi shrimp or simply sit with a cold drink.

Two hours is enough for a taste, not a full historical study. You will not see every lane or fully explore the island. Still, the stop works well because the main pleasure of Symi is visual: the harbor, the houses, the hills, and the slow walk through town.

St. George Bay: the best swim and lunch stop

After Symi, the yacht heads to St. George Bay, a sheltered cove with golden sand, clear water, and high rocky sides. This is the swimming stop most likely to become the day’s favorite.

The setting is dramatic but simple. You swim beneath steep rock and look back toward a small beach that feels far removed from Rhodes Town. The yacht provides a platform and ramp for getting into the water, and some equipment is available for use, including life jackets, foam noodles, floats, masks, and snorkels.

The water is not only for a quick dip. The schedule gives you time to swim before and after lunch, which matters because many boat trips allow barely enough time to get wet. If you enjoy snorkeling, bring your own mask if you have one, but the yacht can provide basic gear. Fish have been spotted around the swimming areas, adding interest beyond floating near the boat.

Lunch is served aboard while you are at the bay. The meal includes Greek food, with moussaka and Greek salad specifically described. The food has received consistent praise, especially considering the limits of preparing and serving a full meal at sea. Vegetarian or other dietary needs may be accommodated, but you should raise them when booking rather than waiting until lunch.

The unlimited drinks make more sense here than they do on the crossing. You can have water after swimming, wine or beer with lunch, and soft drinks or coffee later. The crew keeps the service moving, and several people have praised Emily for making sure drinks were always available without making the atmosphere feel formal.

A practical point: getting from the yacht into the water may be difficult if you have limited mobility or are uncomfortable using a ladder. The activity is described as wheelchair accessible, but the swimming stop itself involves entering and leaving the sea from the boat. Ask the operator about the exact arrangements if this is important for you.

Seskli Island and the second chance to swim

The final stop is Seskli, a small private island described as a jewel of the Dodecanese. It has a wilder, less developed character than Symi Town, and that contrast is the point.

Here you can snorkel, swim, and look at the natural setting rather than shop or sightsee. The island has a small church and goats have been spotted ashore. The water is suitable for another swim, and you may find shells below the surface.

Do not expect Seskli to offer a long list of attractions. It is a short nature stop, not a village visit. Some people find it less striking than St. George Bay, but it gives the day a useful change of pace. After the colorful harbor and organized lunch, Seskli lets you slow down and enjoy the open sea.

The two swimming stops also spread the physical effort across the day. If you do not want to swim at the first stop, you have another chance later. If you love being in the water, both stops prevent the cruise from becoming mostly a sightseeing ride.

Food, drinks, and the crew

The strongest practical advantage of this excursion is that the price covers much more than transportation. At $141 per person, you are paying for the yacht crossing, lunch, unlimited drinks, two swim stops, crew service, and time in Symi.

Cheaper Symi boats may appeal if your only goal is to reach the island. This tour makes a better case when you want the boat itself to be part of the day. The smaller capacity means more space than the large boats gathered around the same bays, and the included meal and drinks reduce the need to buy extras during the outing.

The crew is repeatedly praised for being friendly, funny, and attentive. Several special touches were mentioned, including birthday cake, pastries, cocktails, and help arranging a cake for a solo passenger. Those gestures are not guaranteed, but they suggest a crew that pays attention to occasions and personal needs.

I would keep expectations realistic. This is not a silent sailing trip or a private charter. You share the yacht with up to 24 other passengers, and the mood may become lively once lunch and drinks are underway. One comment noted there was no music provided, so bring headphones if you want quiet time. Another suggested bringing a speaker, but use discretion so the music does not take over the boat.

Is $141 a fair price?

The price is on the high side compared with basic Symi excursions, but the comparison is not quite like-for-like. A standard ferry or large group boat may get you to Symi for less, yet it may not include the same onboard service, swim stops, meal, and unlimited drinks.

I see the value in three areas:

• You spend part of the day at sea in a smaller setting rather than treating the boat as mere transport.
• Lunch and drinks are included, which makes budgeting easier.
• You visit Symi plus two separate swimming locations in one organized day.

The value is strongest for couples, small groups, and anyone who would rather pay once than keep buying food and drinks. It is weaker if you dislike boat rides, do not plan to swim, or mainly want several hours in Symi itself. In that case, a simpler transfer may suit you better.

Transfers, timing, and what to pack

The information about transfers needs careful attention. The experience title refers to a transfer, and the instructions ask you to wait outside your hotel reception at least five minutes before pickup. Elsewhere, hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as not included, and one person specifically had trouble finding transport from Faliraki to the port.

For that reason, confirm your pickup location and whether transportation from your hotel is included before paying. Do not assume that every Rhodes resort is covered. If you must reach Mandraki Port independently, allow extra time and check the meeting point carefully.

Pack the following:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• A hoodie or light jacket for the morning crossing
• Seasickness medication if you need it
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Your own snorkeling mask if you prefer a better fit

A towel is not included, although there is a changing room on the yacht. The changing room is useful after the swim stops, but you still need to bring the towel yourself.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If weather cancels the cruise, the trip is fully refundable. Check the departure time when booking because start times vary by date.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a polished day combining scenery, swimming, and a proper visit to Symi. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, solo passengers who appreciate friendly crew interaction, and anyone who prefers a smaller boat over a large group vessel.

It is also a good choice for a celebration. The crew has made birthdays and honeymoons feel personal, though you should contact them ahead of time if you hope for a special arrangement.

You may want another option if you need a very calm sea crossing, require easy water access, or want a long, independent exploration of Symi. The yacht can be bumpy, and the time in town is limited to roughly two hours. The wheelchair-accessible label should also be checked against your needs for boarding, seating, and entering the sea.

Should you book the Symi yacht tour?

For most visitors who want more than a basic island transfer, I think this is a strong choice. The combination of Symi’s harbor, a well-spaced swim schedule, Greek lunch, unlimited drinks, and a maximum of 25 passengers explains why the experience earns such a high overall rating.

Book it if you value comfort, attentive service, and an all-day plan with few extra costs. Before booking, confirm the hotel transfer, prepare for a rough crossing, and bring a towel and warm layer. If you do those three things, this cruise offers a relaxed and unusually full introduction to Symi and the surrounding Dodecanese coast.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes to Symi yacht tour?

The cruise lasts eight hours. The crossing to Symi can take about one hour and twenty minutes, depending on sea conditions.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes the yacht cruise, a full lunch, unlimited water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. It also includes two swimming stops and free time in Symi Town.

How much free time do I get in Symi Town?

You have about two hours to explore Symi Town, including its harbor, lanes, shops, and old town area.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel and swimwear. A changing room is available on the yacht.

Can I use snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkels, masks, goggles, floats, noodles, and swim jackets are available to use. You can also bring your own equipment.

Is hotel pickup included?

The booking information is inconsistent. Hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as not included, but the instructions also ask passengers to wait outside their hotel reception before pickup. Confirm the exact transfer arrangement for your hotel, especially if you are staying in Faliraki.