Rhodes: Speedboat Trip to Symi with Free Time to Explore

Symi is the real prize here. The speedboat crossing carries you from Rhodes past medieval walls, windmills, and sea forts, then into a bay lined with pastel houses stacked up the hillsides. You get several hours to wander, eat, shop, climb, or simply sit beside the water.

I like the freedom to set your own pace and the choice between air conditioning and open-air seating. I also like the price: at $35, this is an unusually affordable way to add another Greek island to your Rhodes stay. The main drawback is boarding, which can become a pushy scramble, and the time on Symi may feel short if you want to visit a beach as well as explore the harbor.

Key points to know before you book

• Kolona Harbor departure: Find the Sebeco Lines boat and allow time to collect or confirm your return ticket at the kiosk.
• About 80 minutes each way: The crossing is fast, scenic, and sometimes bumpy.
• Colorful Symi harbor: The main waterfront is easy to explore on foot, with restaurants, cafés, shops, cats, and photo stops.
• Open-air or air-conditioned seating: Top-deck places fill quickly, while front outdoor seats can get sprayed with seawater.
• Free time, not a guided tour: You choose how to spend the several hours on Symi.
• Excellent value at $35: Food, drinks, and any optional transport on Symi cost extra.

Why Symi makes such a good day from Rhodes

Rhodes has enough to keep you occupied for days, but Symi gives you a very different picture of the Dodecanese. The island’s harbor town rises in a broad amphitheater, with neoclassical homes painted in soft shades that reflect in calm water. You do not need a guide to appreciate the first view. The approach by sea is the show.

This trip works especially well because the boat takes care of the awkward part. You do not need to arrange separate ferries, search for a return crossing, or plan a complicated island route. You leave from Rhodes, spend the middle of the day on Symi, then return to the same harbor.

The experience is self-guided, so you should book it for independence rather than interpretation. You receive transport and free time, not a walking tour or a history lesson. That is a benefit if you prefer to choose your own lunch stop and photo spots. It is less suitable if you want a guide leading you from monument to monument.

Leaving Kolona Harbor and seeing Rhodes from the sea

The meeting point is Kolona Harbor, near Rhodes Town. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat, and pay close attention to the exact instructions you receive. The harbor area can be confusing, and some departures or transfer arrangements may use a nearby dock. Go to the ticket kiosk if instructed, and make sure you know how the return boarding works before walking away.

Boarding is the least polished part of the day. The boat is generally organized and leaves on time, but the rush for top-deck seats can feel disorderly. Arrive early if an outdoor seat matters to you, and do not assume that a person standing near a seat is saving it for your whole group. Inside seating is easier, with air conditioning and shelter from spray.

Once clear of Rhodes, look back toward the Old Town. The medieval walls, Marine Gate, minarets, and clock tower form a fine view from the water. The boat also passes the 46-meter Naillac Tower, the windmills, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium of Rhodes.

This part is easy to miss if you settle indoors straight away. I suggest spending at least part of the outward crossing on the open deck with your camera ready. The view gives you a useful sense of how strongly Rhodes was built around its harbor and defensive shoreline.

The 80-minute crossing to Symi

The advertised crossing takes about 80 minutes, though actual timing can vary. The modern boat has an enclosed air-conditioned area and outdoor seating, plus a small bar serving refreshments. You can move between shade, cool air, and sun, which matters on a hot Greek day.

Expect some movement. The sea can be smooth, but the boat may bounce in choppier conditions, especially on the return. If you are prone to motion sickness, choose a sheltered seat and keep water nearby. Outdoor seats at the front can receive seawater spray, which is refreshing in high heat but not ideal for phones, cameras, or dry clothes.

The boat is fast enough to make the journey feel practical rather than tiring. You also get views across the Dodecanese and, on a clear day, toward the coast of Turkey. The bar is useful because you are not forced to carry every snack and drink for a full day, though food and drinks are not included in the fare.

If you want the best outdoor seat, get in line early. If shade and comfort matter more than the view, the enclosed cabin is the sensible choice. On the way back, consider sitting inside if the sea has become rough or the afternoon heat has built up.

Arriving in Symi’s picture-book harbor

The first view of Symi is the highlight. The town climbs the hills around the bay, and its colorful neoclassical houses give the waterfront a carefully arranged appearance without feeling like a museum display. On calm days, the buildings appear in the water below them.

The boat drops you near the main harbor area, where you can begin on foot. The waterfront has cafés, tavernas, shops, and places to stop for a drink. It is a good setting for an unhurried lunch, particularly if you choose a table facing the bay.

Symi is also known for cats, and you will likely see plenty around the harbor and side streets. That is a small detail, but it adds to the relaxed feel of the town. The narrow lanes are quieter than the waterfront, and a short wander away from the main strip gives you better views of the houses and hillside.

Do not expect a broad sandy beach beside the arrival pier. The harbor area is mainly for walking, eating, shopping, and looking across the water. If swimming is important, you may need to seek out a smaller swimming spot or arrange transport to another part of the island. One particularly praised option is St George’s Beach, but reaching beaches takes time from your free hours.

How to spend three to five hours on Symi

The amount of free time depends on the departure you book and the day’s operating schedule. The stated plan allows up to five hours, while some departures provide closer to three or three and a half hours. That difference matters, so check the exact departure and return times before you pay.

For a shorter stay, I would keep things simple:

• Walk the harbor and the first side streets.
• Stop for lunch or a cold drink.
• Shop for local goods and small souvenirs.
• Take photographs from the waterfront and higher lanes.
• Leave enough time to return to the boat without rushing.

With closer to five hours, you can add the climb up Kali Strata, a long stairway route with views over the harbor. Several hours can be enough to walk uphill, enjoy the outlook, return for food, and still have time beside the water. It is not an effortless climb, especially in the midday heat, so carry water and avoid treating it as a quick stroll.

You might also find a place for a swim, but do not build your whole plan around a beach unless you have checked the location and transport options. The harbor itself is the dependable part of the visit.

Food is another reason to make the trip. Look for Symi shrimp, a local specialty often served fried, and allow time for a pastry, coffee, or cold drink. The best use of the island is a mix of movement and sitting still. Walk enough to see the town, then claim a waterfront table and watch the boats come and go.

What $35 really buys you

At $35 per person, this is strong value for a full day out. The fare covers the roundtrip speedboat and your free time on Symi. It does not cover lunch, drinks, shopping, beach transport, or a guided visit.

The value comes from combining transportation and scenery in one straightforward outing. A private boat trip or organized sightseeing excursion would cost far more. Here, you pay for the crossing and decide how much extra money to spend once you arrive.

The low price also means you should set realistic expectations. This is not a small private sailing trip. The boat can be busy, top-deck seating is limited, and boarding may be hurried. Some return crossings have taken longer than planned, and a late departure may not always be added to your island time.

Still, the basic service is what most people need: a comfortable boat, a useful bar, clear transport between Rhodes and Symi, and enough time to enjoy the main town. For an independent day trip, it is hard to complain about the cost.

Timing, boarding, and small practical details

Plan to arrive early at Kolona Harbor. The boat may leave promptly, and late arrivals risk missing the crossing. Boarding can be a little rough around the edges, so patience helps. Keep your booking information available and confirm where you collect the return ticket.

Some people are offered a hotel transfer by email shortly before departure. If that option appears for your booking, check the cost and pickup time carefully. It can make the morning easier, particularly if you are staying outside central Rhodes, but it is separate from the included boat fare.

Bring sunscreen, water, a hat, and a cover for electronics. Symi offers limited shade in the harbor area, and the heat can be intense in summer. Wear shoes suitable for steps if you want to climb Kali Strata.

The boat has indoor air conditioning, but seats may not be arranged so that every group stays together on the return. If sitting with your party is essential, board early and avoid spreading bags across multiple seats.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this outing if you want to see a beautiful Greek island without renting a car or planning your own ferry connections. It suits couples, families, and independent sightseers who are happy to make their own day.

It is also a good choice for photographers. The best pictures come at three points: Rhodes from the water, the first approach to Symi, and the higher streets above the harbor. The colorful houses look different from every angle, so a short climb pays off.

Families should find the plan manageable, though the heat and stairs may tire younger children. The open deck is fun, but keep small children close near the railings and prepare for spray at the front.

I would think twice if you need a quiet, highly structured excursion or if you want a guaranteed beach day. The trip gives you access to Symi, not a complete tour of the island. Its strength is freedom, scenery, and price.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi speedboat?

Yes, if you want a scenic and inexpensive escape from Rhodes. The crossing is comfortable enough for most people, the approach to Symi is memorable, and several hours gives you time for the harbor, a meal, shopping, photographs, and perhaps the Kali Strata steps.

Book with two cautions in mind. Arrive early for boarding, and check the exact amount of free time offered by your chosen departure. If you want a beach, plan that before you arrive, because the main harbor is better suited to walking and eating than swimming.

For $35, this is a practical way to add Symi to a Rhodes holiday. Just treat it as independent island time on a shared speedboat, not as a guided tour or a full island expedition.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat leave from?

The meeting point is Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and follow the ticket and boarding instructions provided for your departure.

How long is the boat journey to Symi?

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way, though the return can sometimes take longer depending on conditions and the day’s schedule.

How much free time do I get on Symi?

The stated itinerary allows up to five hours, but some departures provide around three to three and a half hours. Check the available departure time before booking.

Is this a guided tour of Symi?

No. The experience includes roundtrip transport and free time on the island. Food, drinks, and a guided tour are not included.

Does the boat have indoor seating?

Yes. The boat has an enclosed, air-conditioned area as well as outdoor seating and a sundeck.

Is there a bar on the boat?

Yes. The onboard bar sells refreshments, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Can I swim on Symi?

You may find a place to swim, but the main harbor area does not have a proper beach. Reaching beaches elsewhere on the island takes extra time and may require transport.

What food should I try on Symi?

Symi shrimp, often served fried, is a local specialty. The harbor also has restaurants, cafés, coffee stops, pastries, and other meals.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking also offers a reserve now and pay later option, subject to the conditions shown when you book.