From Rhodes: Cruise to Symi Island and Saint George’s Bay

Saint George Bay is the star of this Rhodes to Symi boat trip. After about two hours at sea, the boat stops beside steep rocky slopes and clear water where you can swim, snorkel, or simply cool off from the Greek sun. Then you get several hours in Symi’s pretty port, enough for lunch and a good walk.

I like the strong mix of sea time and town time. You are not stuck on a boat all day, yet you also avoid spending the whole excursion rushing through Symi. I also like the price: at about $41, the cruise gives you transport, a swim stop, crew, lifeguard, showers, and free time on one of the Dodecanese’ most attractive islands.

The catch is the long crossing. It takes roughly two hours each way, and the boat can be crowded, windy, and choppy, especially on the return. Upper-deck seats go quickly, while the best-case swimming time may be closer to 45 minutes than a full hour once boarding is counted.

Key points to know before you book

• Saint George Bay is the main highlight: Clear water, steep scenery, swimming, snorkeling, and floatation aids make this the most memorable stop.
• You get about three hours in Symi: That is enough for lunch, port-side shops, photos, and a relaxed walk around Gialos.
• The ride takes two hours each way: Bring a warm layer for the wind and consider motion-sickness medicine if you are sensitive to rough water.
• Upper-deck seating is first come, first served: Arrive early if open-air views matter to you.
• Lunch and drinks cost extra: The boat has a bar, but food in Symi is not part of the $41 fare.
• The schedule is firm: The boat leaves Rhodes at 10:00 and Symi at 16:20, so do not cut your return to the vessel close.

Leaving Rhodes from Mandraki Harbour at 10:00

The day starts at SP Cruises’ kiosk in Mandraki Harbour, opposite the Bank of Greece building at Pl. Eleftherias. The meeting point is central and easy to find, but I would not arrive at the last minute. The crew needs to get everyone aboard, and the boat leaves on schedule.

If you want an upper-deck seat, arriving 45 to 60 minutes before departure is sensible in the busy summer months. One report describes the upper level as nearly full well before sailing, even with an arrival around 9:15. You can still sit inside on the main deck, where air conditioning provides welcome relief on hot days, but the windows and open-air views are more limited.

The boat is not designed as a luxury yacht. It is a practical excursion vessel with indoor seating, outdoor areas, a bar, toilets, freshwater showers, and space for swimming gear. Some people find the seating better for watching the view than for stretching out in the sun. That is useful to know if you imagine spending the full day lying on a deck chair.

The first part of the ride is a chance to look back at Rhodes and then out toward the Dodecanese islands. On a calm day, the crossing is pleasant and scenic. On a windy day, the open sea can feel cold on the shaded side of the boat, so pack trousers or a light jacket even in summer.

Two hours at sea before Saint George Bay

The trip to Saint George Bay takes about two hours. That sounds long on paper, but the scenery gives the crossing a purpose. You get a different view of the Greek coast from the water, with open sea, rocky shorelines, and the changing colors of the Aegean.

Still, this is not a fast transfer. The boat is described as slower than some passengers expect, and the return can feel especially long when the water is rough. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever medicine you normally use. A passenger also handed out lemon to help with queasiness, but you should not rely on that as your only plan.

The crew is a strong part of the experience. Captain Yannis is known for chatting with passengers and keeping the mood light, and some passengers were even invited into the steering cabin for photographs. That sort of friendly touch can make a long crossing feel more personal, though the experience may vary depending on the captain’s workload and safety conditions.

The public-address system may be difficult to hear from the back of the boat. Sit closer to the front or middle if you want to catch announcements. You should also keep an eye on the time yourself, especially during the swim stop.

Swimming in the clear water of Saint George Bay

After the crossing, the boat reaches Saint George Bay, also called Agios Georgios Bay. The setting is dramatic: rocky cliffs rise around a narrow inlet, and the water is clear enough for snorkeling and spotting fish. This is not a beach day with a long stretch of sand. You swim directly from the boat.

The scheduled stop is about one hour, though the actual time in the water may be 45 minutes if arrival is late or boarding takes longer. The boat provides floats, swimming rings, and other aids, and a lifeguard is included. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the crew and follow their instructions. Ask directly about life jackets if you need one, as adult jacket availability has not been consistent in every account.

Getting off the boat can be slow. Passengers leave through a gangway, generally one at a time, so the water time begins only after people have started entering the sea. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and have your towel ready. A waterproof watch is useful because the hour disappears quickly.

I would treat this as a focused swim and snorkel stop, not a long beach break. You can swim along the boat, look for fish, use a float, and take in the cliffs, but you will not have hours to settle into the bay. The captain may alter the program for wind and safety, so the stop can also be shortened or changed.

For many people, this is the best reason to choose this particular boat rather than a simple transfer to Symi. The clear water and isolated setting make the stop feel special, even though the organized boarding process limits the time. Bring sunscreen, but apply it before swimming and keep a towel or cover-up handy for the windy ride afterward.

Arriving in Gialos, Symi’s main port

The boat leaves Saint George Bay around 13:00 and reaches Gialos, the main port of Symi. The harbor is the visual reward for the crossing. Colorful neoclassical buildings climb the slopes around the water, giving the town a polished, almost theatrical appearance without losing its small-island feel.

You have roughly three hours in Symi, with departure scheduled for 16:20. That is enough time to eat lunch, browse the shops, photograph the harbor, and walk beyond the first row of restaurants. It is not enough for a full island tour, a distant beach, or a long inland hike. Plan your visit around the port area.

The town is compact enough for an easy wander, but the heat can be intense in summer. Start with a walk while the light is good, then stop for lunch and a cold drink. Seafood is a natural choice, and the harbor restaurants make a pleasant setting, though service can be slow at some places. Keep your meal to a sensible length because the boat will not wait for late diners.

There is also a small beach close to where the ship docks. If swimming in Saint George Bay was not enough, you can use part of your free time there, though your limited hours may be better spent exploring Gialos itself.

Symi’s appeal is visual rather than activity-packed. You come for the harbor, the painted houses, the narrow streets, local shops, and the chance to sit beside the water. If you expect a long list of major sights, you may find the town quiet. I see that as part of the point. This excursion gives you a pleasant taste of Symi rather than pretending to cover the whole island.

Returning to Rhodes at 16:20

The return sailing is scheduled for 16:20, with arrival at Mandraki Harbour around 18:30. Be back at the boat early. The operator is known for leaving on time, and missing the departure would create a serious problem because there is no hotel transfer or alternate return included.

The afternoon crossing can be rougher than the morning ride. Sit inside if you feel unwell, or choose a sheltered outdoor spot if you want fresh air without taking the full force of the wind. A light layer is useful even after a hot day in Symi.

The schedule makes this a full-day outing, but not an exhausting one if you manage your energy. The boat has a bar for drinks and snacks, though prices for snacks can feel higher than those on land. Since lunch is not included, budget separately for your meal and anything you buy aboard.

If you are connecting to a cruise ship in Rhodes, leave extra time. The stated return is 18:30, but some people plan for closer to 18:45 in case of delays. That buffer matters if you have a strict all-aboard time.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, this is a strong-value day if you want both transportation to Symi and a swim stop. A separate ferry or water transfer would not necessarily give you the Saint George Bay stop, and this fare also includes the crew, lifeguard, freshwater showers, and free time in Gialos.

The low price does mean you should set realistic expectations. This is a busy group boat, not a private sailing trip. You may not get an upper-deck seat, the bar snacks cost extra, and the ride can feel basic during two-hour crossings. The value comes from the route and the stops, not from luxury onboard service.

I would book it for the combination of Symi’s harbor and Saint George Bay, especially if you have only one day available from Rhodes. I would not book it if your main goal is a quiet boat ride, a guaranteed sun bed, or a long swim with no crowd around you.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This works well for families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want an easy day outside Rhodes. The crew has helped passengers with mobility scooters and assisted people on and off the boat, and the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should still contact the operator ahead of time if you have specific mobility needs, since swimming access uses a gangway and the boat may be crowded.

Strong swimmers and casual snorkelers will get the most from Saint George Bay. Children can enjoy the floats and clear water, but adults should supervise them closely and follow the lifeguard’s instructions.

You should also be comfortable with a long boat journey. The views are worthwhile, but the vessel rocks in rough water and open-deck seating can be cold. People who dislike boats may prefer visiting Symi by a faster ferry, while people who want a full island tour need a longer stay on Symi.

For parking, Rhodes provides city parking information, but spaces near Mandraki Harbour can become difficult after 9:00 in the morning. Public transport or a short taxi ride may be easier if you are staying nearby.

What to pack for a better day

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Add a light jacket or warm trousers for the crossing, even if Rhodes feels hot when you leave.

I would also pack a waterproof phone pouch, a small amount of cash or a card for lunch, motion-sickness medicine if needed, and a waterproof watch. Keep valuables in a secure bag while you swim, and do not forget to reapply sunscreen after getting out of the water.

The boat has freshwater showers, which are useful after swimming. Food and drinks are not included, although drinks and snacks are available at the onboard bar. The safest plan is to eat lunch in Symi and carry water for the day.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi cruise?

Book this trip if you want a good-value introduction to Symi with the added reward of swimming in Saint George Bay. The colorful port, clear water, friendly crew, and simple full-day schedule make it one of the better ways to see two different sides of the Dodecanese in one outing.

Think twice if you need guaranteed open-air seating, dislike two-hour boat crossings, or want more than three hours in Symi. Arrive early, expect wind and possible rocking, keep track of the boarding times, and treat the swim stop as roughly 45 to 60 minutes. With those expectations, the $41 fare delivers a memorable day rather than an overpacked sightseeing sprint.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat leaves from the SP Cruises kiosk at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes, opposite the Bank of Greece building at Pl. Eleftherias.

What time does the boat depart Rhodes?

The scheduled departure from Mandraki Harbour is 10:00 in the morning.

How long does the cruise last?

The total duration is 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours. The planned return to Mandraki Harbour is around 18:30.

How long do you spend at Saint George Bay?

The scheduled swimming stop is about one hour. Actual time in the water can be closer to 45 minutes if arrival or boarding takes longer.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You have free time to buy lunch at a restaurant in Gialos, and drinks and snacks are also available from the boat’s bar.

How much time do you get in Symi?

The boat reaches Gialos around 13:00 and departs at 16:20, giving you roughly three hours and 20 minutes in the port area.

Are swimming aids available?

The boat provides floats, swimming rings, and similar aids, and a lifeguard is included. Ask the crew directly about life jackets if you need one.

Can you cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.