Rhodes: High-Speed Boat to Symi Island and St George’s Bay

Symi’s harbor is the star here: pastel houses rise above clear blue water, fishing boats sit in the bay, and church domes add bright spots to the hills. The high-speed crossing gets you there in about an hour, leaving a useful three hours to explore, eat, and swim.

I like the excellent use of time and the stop at St George’s Bay, which many people find to be the best part of the day. The main catch is that this is a fast boat, not a quiet yacht cruise, and some seats are narrow. Also, the 15:15 departure does not include the swim stop.

Key points

• About one hour to Symi: The fast boat spends less time crossing and more time at the island.
• Three hours ashore: Enough for lunch, shops, a harbor walk, and a climb toward a church viewpoint, but not enough for a slow, full-island visit.
• St George’s Bay swim: The 9:00 and 11:00 departures include a 30-minute stop in exceptionally clear water.
• Choose your departure carefully: The 15:15 sailing skips the swim and returns with cooler light and possible sunset views.
• Bring a jacket: The boat can feel cold at speed, even on a warm Rhodes day. Fleeces may be available from the crew.
• Strong value at $55: The fare includes the fast boat, free time in Symi, and the swim stop, but not food, drinks, or hotel transfers.

Why Symi makes a fine day from Rhodes

Symi gives you a sharp change of scene from Rhodes. The harbor town is compact and easy to explore without a guide, with neoclassical buildings painted in soft colors around a bright fishing port. From the water, the town looks especially impressive because the houses climb the hills behind the quay.

This trip works because it avoids the long, slow ferry crossing that can eat up much of a day. The boat reaches Symi in roughly an hour, so you get a full three hours on land rather than spending most of your outing in transit.

That speed comes with a tradeoff. The ride is more about getting there efficiently than enjoying a leisurely cruise. You will see coastal views and open sea, but the boat’s engine, wind, and brisk pace are part of the experience.

At a price of $55 per person, I see this as a good-value day trip if you want both Symi and a swim stop. You still pay for lunch and drinks, and hotel transfers are not included, so budget for those separately. The value is strongest for visitors who would otherwise need to arrange their own boat tickets, timings, and return journey.

Leaving Rhodes from Mandraki Harbor

The main departure is from Mandraki Harbor, though your exact meeting point depends on the option you book. Some departures can use other boarding locations, including Vlycha Beach, which is useful if you are staying near Lindos.

At the meeting point, you check in, receive your boarding pass, and wait near the water for the boat. One practical detail matters here: some meeting points are close to the central bus station, making them fairly easy to reach from areas such as Lindos, Kolymbia, or Faliraki by bus. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow time to reach the correct pier.

The boat has individual seats, with bench seating farther back. The sports-style seats can feel narrow, especially if you are carrying a bag or prefer extra room. Keep your belongings compact and follow the crew’s instructions about where to store them.

I would bring a light jacket even in summer. The wind at speed can make the crossing surprisingly chilly. On cooler days, the crew may hand out fleeces, a small but useful touch. You should also pack swimwear and a towel, since the St George’s Bay stop is not a dry sightseeing visit.

The one-hour high-speed crossing

The ride to Symi takes about an hour, depending on conditions and the boarding point. That is considerably quicker than a slower ferry service, and it makes a real difference if you want time ashore.

During the crossing, you can watch the Rhodes coast fade behind you and take in the open sea. The boat also passes coastal scenery on the way toward Symi and later around St George’s Bay. Do not expect a formal, nonstop commentary program. The experience is mainly visual, with the crew handling the practical side of the journey.

The ride is generally described as smooth, but conditions at sea can vary. A high-speed boat gives you less time to settle into a relaxed cruise, and the wind can be strong on deck or around the seating areas. If you are sensitive to cold, stay prepared rather than assuming the Greek sun will do all the work.

The crew is one of the pleasant parts of the outing. They are described as friendly, attentive, and helpful, especially when passengers need a jacket or assistance with the boat. The advertised host languages are English, German, Greek, French, and Italian.

Three hours in Symi’s colorful harbor

The boat drops you near Symi’s main harbor, where the views begin immediately. Turquoise water, fishing boats, pastel houses, and decorative church domes create the classic Symi scene. This is the kind of arrival that rewards a few minutes simply looking across the bay before you start walking.

Three hours is a sensible amount of free time. You can stroll along the waterfront, browse shops, stop for lunch, and take photographs without feeling that you must sprint back to the boat. The town is compact enough to explore independently, so a guide is not necessary for the basic visit.

You can also walk uphill toward a church for a wider view. That climb gives you a better sense of how the harbor town is arranged, though it takes time away from lunch or swimming. If you want to see every side street and climb to several viewpoints, three hours will feel short.

I would divide the visit before you arrive. One useful plan is:

• Spend the first hour walking the harbor and nearby streets.
• Use the second hour for lunch or a quick swim near the waterfront.
• Keep the final hour for photographs, shopping, and returning calmly to the boat.

You can adjust that plan to suit your priorities. The key is not to lose track of time. The boat will not wait for a late lunch or one more photograph.

Lunch, local food, and free time

Food and drinks are not included, but Symi gives you plenty of chances to eat at a traditional taverna. The local specialty to look for is Symi mini shrimp, usually served as a simple seafood dish. Ouzo is another local choice if you want a small Greek aperitif with lunch.

I like that the free time lets you choose your own pace and meal rather than locking everyone into one restaurant. You can spend more on a waterfront table, choose a quicker bite, or skip lunch and use the time for walking.

The drawback is that three hours must cover everything. A long meal can take up much of your exploration time, while a long walk can leave you eating in a hurry. Families and visitors who want a slow lunch should set a return alarm.

Symi is also a place where the setting can tempt you to linger. The colorful buildings and narrow streets make even a simple harbor walk feel worthwhile, but the boat schedule remains firm. Plan your route back before ordering that last drink.

St George’s Bay and the 30-minute swim

For the 9:00 and 11:00 departures, St George’s Bay is the highlight after Symi. The boat pauses for about 30 minutes in a striking cove surrounded by steep rocky sides. The water is clear enough to make the swim feel like a proper reward after the busy harbor visit.

This is a swim from the boat, not a long beach stop. You should be ready to get in, enjoy the water, and return when the crew calls time. Bring a towel, keep your belongings secure, and do not treat the half-hour as a chance to wander far from the boat.

The bay’s appeal comes from its isolation and color. There are no town streets or shops to distract you. You get the view, the water, and a short break in the sun before the return crossing.

The timing can affect the experience. From the end of September into October, the route may visit St George’s Bay before Symi because the bay can fall into shade later in the day. That change is made to preserve the brighter water colors shown in the tour information.

The 15:15 departure is different. It does not include the 30-minute swim and makes only a five-minute photo stop. Choose it for a less crowded, less hot visit to Symi and the chance to see sunset light on the way back to Rhodes. Do not book that sailing if swimming is the main reason you are interested.

Picking the right departure time

Your departure choice shapes the whole day.

The 9:00 departure gives you an early start, three hours in Symi, and the full St George’s Bay swim stop. It suits you if you want the classic version of the excursion and do not mind starting early.

The 11:00 departure also includes the swim. It may suit you better if you prefer a later morning, though your time in the sun and at sea can feel different depending on the season.

The 15:15 departure offers a different mood. You visit Symi at a cooler time, avoid some of the strongest midday heat, and may see a sunset during the return. But you give up the proper swim stop. The five-minute photo pause is not a substitute for getting into the water.

For most people, I would choose 9:00 or 11:00. Pick 15:15 only if the sunset and cooler timing matter more to you than swimming.

Comfort, seating, and what to pack

This is a practical boat trip, so a little preparation improves it.

Bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• A light jacket or fleece
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Water and any personal essentials
• A small bag that fits comfortably at your seat

The boat is described as clean and comfortable, with individual seating. Some sports seats are not especially wide, while bench seats toward the back offer another option. If you like more room, ask the crew where the bench seating is located.

You may feel cold on the crossing, even if Rhodes is hot at the harbor. The wind moves quickly across the boat, and sitting still makes the chill more noticeable. A jacket is useful on every departure, not just in spring or autumn.

There is no mention of hotel transfer, meals, or drinks being included. Plan your route to the meeting point and carry enough water for the crossing. Food is easy to buy in Symi, but you should not assume a meal is part of the boat service.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Symi without giving up a full day to a slow ferry. It is also a strong choice if the idea of swimming in a quiet, clear bay appeals more than spending every hour walking through town.

It suits couples, families with older children, and independent visitors who are comfortable organizing their own three-hour visit. The town is straightforward to explore, and you are free to choose your own lunch and walking route.

You may want another style of excursion if you prefer a small group with a guide explaining every stop, a quiet sailing boat, or a slow meal with no fixed return time. This trip is timed and efficient. Its strength is access and speed, not total freedom.

The swim stop also requires comfort with boarding a boat and swimming from it. If you do not plan to get in the water, the bay is still scenic, but you will have less time to enjoy it than someone who swims.

Booking details and overall value

The experience lasts roughly six to nine hours, depending on the departure and pickup arrangement. It ends back at the meeting point, with several possible drop-off locations around Rhodes, including Lardos, Kiotari, Kolymbia Harbor, and central Rhodes options.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Rhodes plans are still shifting. These terms are useful, but the bigger booking decision is the departure time.

At $55, the trip offers a lot for the money: a fast crossing, three hours in one of the Dodecanese’s most photogenic harbor towns, and, on the morning departures, a swim at St George’s Bay. Add lunch, drinks, and your transport to the pier, and the final cost will be higher, but the included boat service still makes the fare reasonable.

The rating of 4.8 from 2,333 ratings matches the main strengths: punctual operation, friendly crew, clean boats, quick travel, and a memorable swim stop. A few practical limits remain, especially narrow seats, cold wind, and the short time in Symi. None of these are surprises if you know what you are booking.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi speedboat?

Book it if you want a fast, well-organized day trip with both a beautiful town and a swim in clear water. Choose the 9:00 or 11:00 sailing for the full experience, and bring a jacket even in warm weather.

Skip it if you want a slow cruise, a guided cultural tour, or unlimited time in Symi. For most visitors based in Rhodes, though, this is a practical way to see the island’s famous harbor and enjoy St George’s Bay without wasting the day on a long crossing.

FAQ

How long does the trip last?

The activity lasts approximately 6 to 9 hours, depending on the selected departure and meeting point.

How long is the boat ride to Symi?

The high-speed crossing to Symi takes about one hour.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours to explore Symi independently.

Is swimming at St George’s Bay included?

Yes, the 9:00 and 11:00 departures include a 30-minute swimming stop at St George’s Bay.

Does the 15:15 departure include swimming?

No. The 15:15 departure makes a five-minute photo stop at St George’s Bay instead of the 30-minute swim stop.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included, so you pay separately for lunch, ouzo, mini shrimp, and other refreshments in Symi.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. A jacket is also a good idea because the high-speed boat can feel cold during the crossing.