Rhodes: Cruise to Symi & St George’s Bay with Hotel Transfer

Symi is the star here: a fishing harbor lined with pastel houses, bright church domes, and steep hillsides that look almost too neat to be real. The high-speed crossing takes about an hour, so you get the island without spending most of your day sitting on a ferry.

I like the generous three hours in Symi and the simple pairing of sightseeing with a swim at St George’s Bay. The main caution is the boat ride: it can be choppy and the bucket-style seats are not especially roomy, while the swim stop can feel short on a hot day.

The schedule is easy to understand. Leave Mandraki Harbour at 11:00, explore Symi until the afternoon, stop for about 30 minutes in the bay, and return to Rhodes around 17:00. Hotel pickup can remove much of the fuss, especially from Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, or Kolymbia.

Key points to know before you book

• Symi gets three full hours: Enough time for the harbor, lunch, shops, narrow lanes, and a few viewpoints without a frantic dash back to the boat.
• The crossing is unusually quick: The high-speed boat takes roughly 50 to 60 minutes, making this a better fit than slower day cruises.
• St George’s Bay is reached only by boat: You get about 30 minutes to swim, or you can stay aboard and enjoy the cliffs and clear water.
• The boat is part of the appeal: The Aphrodite Royal is a newer, sleek red vessel with open-air seating and individual bucket seats.
• Transfers cover selected resort areas: Pickup and drop-off are available for an extra option from Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia.
• Weather can change the plan: The captain may adjust the route or swimming stop, and wind can mean spray, rougher water, or less time in the bay.

Why the fast boat matters on a Rhodes to Symi day

Rhodes and Symi are close on the map, but the value of this trip comes from cutting down the time between them. The crossing takes about an hour each way, rather than turning the excursion into a long day dominated by ferry travel.

You leave Mandraki Harbour at 11:00. That later start works well if you do not want an early alarm, though you should still allow time to reach the harbor and complete boarding. If you book a hotel transfer, the office arranges details through WhatsApp. Make sure those arrangements are settled by 22:00 the night before, since late bookings may not receive a next-day pickup.

The boat used for this trip is the Aphrodite Royal, described as a newer vessel with a sleek red design. Several people compared its shape to a Ferrari, which is a little excessive but gives you the idea. The boat is fast, modern-looking, and built for a short crossing rather than a slow scenic ferry ride.

The ride is not always perfectly calm. On windy days, expect spray and a bumpy passage. One particularly rough day was handled by informing passengers about the conditions and offering a refund to anyone who did not want to go. That is useful reassurance, but you should still bring a light layer, protect phones and cameras, and choose your seat with the sea in mind.

Some passengers liked the open-air seating, especially in hot weather. The individual bucket seats help avoid the usual scramble for a place, though one person found the seats small and less comfortable. The quick crossing keeps this from becoming a major problem for most people.

Arriving in Symi’s pastel harbor

The first view of Symi is the reason to take this trip. As the boat enters the harbor, you see a sweep of turquoise water framed by pastel neoclassical houses. Balconies, shutters, and brightly painted details climb the hills around the bay, while church domes add flashes of color above the rooftops.

This is not a stop where you need a packed sightseeing plan. I suggest first walking along the waterfront to get your bearings, then turning into the narrow lanes behind the harbor. The main pleasure is the town’s scale and appearance. You can stop often for photographs, browse small shops, and take in the layered views from higher streets.

Three hours is a sensible amount of time. You have room for lunch, shopping, and a walk without spending the whole visit checking your watch. It is not enough for a slow exploration of every corner of Symi Island, but this cruise is centered on the harbor town rather than a full island tour.

The island’s most famous food is Symi shrimp, tiny shrimp commonly served as a local specialty. You will find waterfront tavernas where you can order lunch with a view of the harbor. Food and drinks are not included, so budget separately for your meal, water, coffee, or a cold drink.

The waterfront is the easy choice for atmosphere, but it may not be the cheapest place to eat. If lunch is important to you, do not leave it until the final minutes. Allow time to finish your meal and return to the meeting point without rushing.

Symi also suits people who prefer to set their own pace. There is no tightly packed guided route forcing you from one stop to the next. You can focus on photographs, sit by the water, browse souvenirs, or walk uphill for broader views. Families can keep the visit gentle, while couples have plenty of quiet corners and attractive streets for a relaxed stroll.

What you can realistically do in three hours

Three hours sounds generous, but Symi can tempt you into using every minute. A practical plan would look like this:

• Spend the first 30 to 45 minutes along the waterfront and harbor.
• Use the next hour for the lanes, shops, and uphill views.
• Take lunch at a taverna, leaving time to pay and walk back.
• Keep the final 15 minutes for returning to the boat.

You can adjust that plan easily. Some people use part of the time to walk farther along the town, while others prefer a long lunch and a swim of their own if they find a suitable spot. The important point is that the schedule gives you freedom, not a forced checklist.

Bring comfortable footwear. Even without a formal hike, Symi’s streets and uphill sections can require more walking than the harbor promenade suggests. The heat can also build quickly in summer, so carry water and use the time sensibly rather than trying to see every lane.

For families, the stop has a useful mix of activities. Children can watch fish around the harbor, browse colorful shops, and enjoy the sense of arriving somewhere by boat. Older children may particularly like the speed of the crossing. For anyone with limited walking ability, keep in mind that the town includes slopes and narrow lanes, and the exact route is up to you.

St George’s Bay: a short swim in a dramatic setting

After Symi, the boat heads to St George’s Bay. This is an isolated natural bay reached by boat, with clear turquoise water and steep rocky sides. It is the sort of place where the setting matters as much as the swim.

The planned stop is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a quick jump into the water, a few minutes of floating, and some photographs from the boat. It is not a full beach afternoon. Several people wished they had longer, especially during hot summer weather, so set your expectations correctly.

You can swim from the boat or remain onboard and enjoy the view. Floatation aids have been provided, which helps if you are not a confident swimmer. Still, you should bring your own towel and swimming clothes, since snacks and drinks are not included.

The bay may not be empty. Other boats can be present, particularly during the busiest summer periods. That does not remove the appeal, but it means you should not expect a private cove. Go in ready for a shared swim stop, and focus on the water, cliffs, and unusual setting.

Weather controls this part of the day. Strong wind may shorten the stop, create spray, or lead the captain to change the route. Safety comes first, and the captain reserves the right to adjust the itinerary. On a calm day, the water can be wonderfully clear. On a rough day, you may spend less time swimming and more time enjoying the view from the deck.

The advertised 11:00 departure includes the St George’s Bay swim stop. The activity details also refer to a one-hour swim stop in one place, but the detailed schedule and operating information specify about 30 minutes. Plan on 30 minutes, not an hour.

Transfers, timing, and the practical details

Hotel transfers are available from Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia when you select that option. This is valuable if you are staying outside Rhodes Town, since getting to Mandraki Harbour on your own adds another piece to the morning.

Pickup arrangements are handled through WhatsApp with the office. Deal with this early, ideally before the 22:00 cutoff the evening before. Do not assume a booking made late at night will automatically produce a next-morning pickup.

You should bring:

• Swimming clothes and a towel
• Water and any snacks you want
• Sun protection and a hat
• Comfortable shoes for Symi’s slopes and lanes
• A waterproof case for your phone
• Some cash or a payment card for lunch and purchases

Drinks and snacks are not included. The boat provides the transport and the experience, not a catered day at sea.

The return to Rhodes is scheduled for 17:00. The timing gives you a full half-day feel without pushing into the evening, which is useful if you have dinner plans or want to walk around Rhodes Old Town afterward.

There are other departure choices, but they offer different experiences. The 15:15 departure does not include a swim. Instead, it has a five-minute photo stop, a cooler visit to Symi, and a sunset return. The Friday 17:00 night cruise returns around 22:00 and does not include either the swim or photo stop. If St George’s Bay is the reason you are booking, choose the 9:00 or 11:00 departure, with the 11:00 option matching this six-hour schedule.

Is the $69 price good value?

At $69 per person, this is good value if you want both Symi and a swim stop in one day. The price covers the fast boat, three hours on Symi, and the return route through St George’s Bay. A hotel transfer option can make the total more appealing if you are staying in one of the listed resort zones.

You still need to pay for food and drinks, and this is not a small-group walking tour with a detailed history program. You are paying mainly for efficient transport, free time, and access to a bay that you cannot reach by road.

I think the strongest value is time. A slower boat may cost less or offer a different atmosphere, but the fast crossing leaves you more of the day for Symi itself. If you dislike long periods on a boat, this option is especially sensible.

The tradeoff is comfort and flexibility at sea. The boat is fast, but speed can mean spray and a bumpier ride. The swimming stop is memorable, but brief. At this price, those are fair compromises, as long as you know what you are buying.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this trip for a first visit to Rhodes when Symi is high on your list. It is also a strong choice for couples who want an attractive harbor, a good lunch, and a scenic swim without organizing separate boats and transfers.

Families can enjoy it too. Children get a fast ride, a colorful town, and a swim in clear water, while parents get a schedule that is structured but not over-managed. Keep in mind that the boat can be choppy and Symi has uphill streets.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, private boat day, a long swim, or a slow cultural tour with extensive guiding. It is also not ideal if you are sensitive to boat motion and the forecast calls for strong winds.

The crew speaks English and Greek. Staff have been described as friendly and attentive, with James and Mike mentioned by name during different outings. Do not count on a private guide for the whole island, though. The main format is transport plus free time, which is exactly why the schedule feels relaxed.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi cruise?

Book it if you want the most efficient way to combine Symi’s harbor town with St George’s Bay. Three hours is enough to get a real taste of Symi, and the one-hour crossing saves valuable time compared with a slower ferry.

Choose the 11:00 departure if swimming is important. Pack for sun and spray, arrive ready for a quick boat ride, and treat the bay as a short bonus rather than a full beach visit. If the weather is rough, accept that the captain may shorten or change the stop.

For $69, the combination is hard to beat for a half-day-style excursion. You get a beautiful Greek island, a fast and distinctive boat, local food options, and a clear turquoise-water stop, all without spending most of the day in transit.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes to Symi cruise?

The activity lasts six hours, from approximately 11:00 to 17:00. The boat takes about 50 to 60 minutes each way between Mandraki Harbour and Symi.

How much free time do I get on Symi?

You get three hours of free time on Symi Island. You can use it for the harbor, shops, narrow lanes, photographs, lunch, and viewpoints.

Is swimming at St George’s Bay included?

Yes. The 9:00 and 11:00 departures include a planned swim stop at St George’s Bay of about 30 minutes. You may also stay on the boat instead of swimming.

Is St George’s Bay accessible by road?

The bay is described as accessible only by boat. The stop takes place after your time in Symi and before the return to Rhodes.

Are hotel transfers included?

Transfers can be selected for hotels in Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia. Arrangements are made through WhatsApp and should be completed by 22:00 the previous day.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and drinks are not included, and you should budget separately for lunch, drinks, and any purchases in Symi.

What happens if the weather is windy?

The captain may change the route or swimming stop according to weather conditions. Wind can cause spray, rougher water, or a shorter swim stop.

Does every departure include swimming?

No. The 15:15 departure has a five-minute photo stop instead of swimming. The Friday 17:00 night cruise has neither a swim nor a photo stop and returns around 22:00.