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

The best part of this Rhodes to Symi cruise comes before you reach the island. After about two hours at sea, the boat anchors in St George Bay, where steep rocky walls frame clear water made for a swim. Later, Symi’s pastel buildings and compact harbor give you a very different kind of pleasure.

I like the combination of a proper island visit and a beautiful swimming stop. I also like the price: at $41 per person, the boat covers a long day out, a lifeguard, freshwater showers, and plenty of free time in Gialos without charging for a packaged lunch you may not want.

The trade-off is the boat ride. It takes roughly two hours each way, and the open sea can feel windy or rough, especially on the return. Upper-deck seats go quickly, and the hour at St George Bay may feel shorter once everyone gets off and back aboard.

Key points to know before you sail

• St George Bay is the day’s best swim stop: Plan on about an hour, though the actual water time can be shorter if arrival or boarding runs late.
• Symi gives you about three hours in Gialos: That is enough for lunch, a harbor stroll, shops, photographs, and a relaxed look at the town.
• Arrive early for an upper-deck seat: Those places are first come, first served. The air-conditioned main saloon is the safer choice if you prefer a guaranteed seat.
• The journey can be windy and choppy: Bring a light jacket or warm layer, even in summer, and consider motion sickness medicine if you are prone to it.
• Captain Yannis adds personality: He has been known to welcome passengers into the wheelhouse for photographs and a look at the controls.
• Lunch and drinks cost extra: There is a bar onboard, while Symi offers plenty of restaurants around the port.

Leaving Mandraki Harbour at 10:00

Your day starts at SP Cruises’ kiosk at Mandraki Harbour, opposite the Bank of Greece building. The meeting point is in central Rhodes and is straightforward to find, but parking becomes harder after 9:00 in the morning. If you are driving, check the available city parking information before setting out.

The boat leaves at 10:00, and it does not wait for late arrivals. I would aim to reach the harbor around 9:15 to 9:30, especially in July and August. That gives you time to find the kiosk, board calmly, and look for a seat.

Arriving early matters most if you want the upper deck. It is the best place for open views, but it fills quickly. The main deck has indoor seating with air conditioning, which can be more comfortable when the wind picks up or the sun gets strong.

The boat is not designed as a luxury yacht. It is a practical excursion vessel with indoor seating, an upper deck, toilets, a bar, freshwater showers, and space for a large group. You may not find a lounger or a quiet corner, so think of the ride as transport with good views rather than a day spent sunbathing.

Two hours across the Dodecanese

The trip from Rhodes to Symi takes about two hours. That is a long stretch, but it gives you time to see the coast from the water and watch Rhodes recede behind you. The open sea also explains why conditions can change. A calm morning does not guarantee a calm ride home.

On a warm, still day, the crossing is relaxing. You can sit outside, order a drink, watch the islands pass, and take photographs. On a windy day, the upper deck can become cold, and spray or strong air may make the ride less pleasant. Bring trousers or a light coat rather than relying on swimwear alone.

The bar is useful for drinks and snacks, though prices onboard may be higher than on land. A small practical touch is the offer of lemon for anyone feeling queasy. If motion bothers you, sit lower down, watch the horizon, and bring your usual remedy.

The boat has a lifeguard, and flotation items such as rings and other swimming aids have been available for the bay stop. Still, you should bring your own towel, sunscreen, beachwear, and comfortable shoes. The swim stop is informal, so there is no need to pack a full beach bag, but you will want dry clothes for the ride afterward.

St George Bay and the one-hour swim

After roughly two hours, the boat reaches Agios Georgios, better known to many visitors as St George Bay. This is a striking place: clear blue water, bare rock, and no town crowding the shore. The setting feels much more remote than Rhodes or Gialos because the bay is approached from the sea.

The boat stays for about an hour. That sounds generous, but the clock includes getting ready, moving toward the gangway, entering the water, and returning before departure. On some departures, the practical swimming time has been closer to 45 minutes.

This is still enough for a memorable swim. The water is clear, and you may see fish near the boat. Snorkeling equipment is not listed as included, so bring your own mask if you want to look below the surface. The boat has flotation aids, which can help less confident swimmers enjoy the stop.

Getting off can be slow because people leave one at a time down the gangway. Do not wait until the last minute if you want a longer swim. Put on your swimwear before reaching the bay, keep your towel and shoes together, and return to the boat as soon as you hear the crew’s boarding call.

The stop is not a beach visit in the usual sense. You are swimming from the vessel, not walking onto a broad sandy shore. That makes the water access exciting, but it also means you should be comfortable using a ladder or gangway and swimming in open water.

Weather controls this part of the day. The captain can change the program for safety, so the bay stop may be shortened or altered if conditions are poor. That is sensible, but it means you should book this trip for the full combination of sea time and Symi, not only for the swim.

Gialos, Symi’s handsome harbor town

The boat leaves St George Bay around 13:00 and continues to Gialos, Symi’s main port. The harbor is the visual reward for the crossing. Houses rise around the water in soft colors, with neoclassical details and a tidy, compact feel that makes the town easy to explore on foot.

You have roughly three hours in Symi before the scheduled departure at 16:20. This is enough time for a seafood lunch, a walk along the waterfront, shopping, and photographs. It is also short enough that you should not plan an ambitious trip far beyond the port.

Start with a walk along the harbor so you can see the full curve of Gialos before choosing a restaurant. Lunch is not included, and that is a benefit for many people because you can choose between a full meal, a quick snack, ice cream, or simply a drink and more walking.

Fresh fish and seafood are common choices in the port. Service may be slow at some restaurants, so keep an eye on the time. The boat leaves at 16:20, and the crew is not likely to delay the return for a late lunch. I would finish eating with enough time to stroll back to the harbor without rushing.

Symi is small enough to enjoy without a guide. You can browse shops, look at local art, photograph the colorful waterfront, and find a small beach close to where the boat docks. The town’s charm comes from its scale and setting rather than from a long list of major sights.

Some people may find three hours more than enough. Others will wish for longer, especially if they want to eat slowly and walk farther uphill. If your main goal is to see Symi’s port, have lunch, and enjoy the atmosphere, the schedule works well. If you want a broad island tour, this cruise is not designed for that.

The return crossing at 16:20

The boat departs Gialos at 16:20 and is scheduled to reach Mandraki Harbour at about 18:30. The return can feel rougher than the outward journey, particularly when the wind rises later in the day. If you are sensitive to motion, this is the part to prepare for.

I would keep a warm layer within reach instead of burying it in a bag. The shaded side of the boat can feel surprisingly cold, even after a hot day in Symi. Indoor air-conditioned seating is available, though it may be less scenic than the upper deck.

The return is also a good time to review your photographs, have a drink, or simply rest. After the early start, two hours at sea can feel long. That is part of the value of the excursion and part of its limitation: you get a full island day for a low fare, but nearly half the experience involves travel.

The boat aims to arrive back at Mandraki around 18:30. If you have an evening ferry, dinner booking, or cruise-ship boarding time, leave a buffer. Actual arrival can be later, and one practical estimate is to plan for around 18:45 rather than treating 18:30 as guaranteed.

How much value do you get for $41?

At $41, this is a strong-value way to combine two of the most appealing experiences near Rhodes. A separate boat trip to Symi would still involve the same long crossing, while this outing adds the St George Bay swim at no extra charge.

The fare includes the cruise, the swimming stop, time in Gialos, freshwater showers, and crew support. A lifeguard is included, which matters at a stop where many people enter the sea at once. You pay separately for lunch, drinks, and snacks, giving you control over your spending.

The price is less impressive if you dislike long boat rides or want a small, quiet group. Seating can feel crowded, the upper deck is not guaranteed, and the boat is built for transport rather than comfort at sea. You are paying for access to Symi and the bay, not for a polished yacht experience.

For families, couples, and independent visitors staying in Rhodes, the mix is hard to beat. You see another island, swim in a dramatic bay, and return the same day without arranging separate ferries or taxis. The value drops for anyone who gets seasick easily or wants more time on land.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Bring beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, comfortable shoes, and a light jacket. The jacket is not overkill: the open crossing can be windy, and the shaded side of the boat may feel cold.

If you want an upper-deck seat, arrive at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure. If you prefer shade, air conditioning, or a more stable ride, head for the main saloon instead.

Keep your swimming items easy to reach. You do not want to unpack a large bag while other people are waiting to use the gangway at St George Bay.

Set an alarm for the return time from both the bay and Symi. The swimming hour passes quickly, and Gialos is pleasant enough to make you lose track of time.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, and the crew has helped passengers with mobility scooters on and off the boat. Since the gangway and boarding conditions can vary, contact the operator in advance if you need specific assistance.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Rhodes plans depend on weather.

Who should book this Symi cruise?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day with several different scenes: Rhodes harbor, open water, a clear-water swim, and a picturesque Greek port. It suits people who are happy to explore independently and make their own lunch plans.

Families can enjoy the swimming aids and the easy port walk, while couples may prefer the bay and waterfront restaurants. It also works well for a first visit to Symi because you get a clear introduction without having to organize transport yourself.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed outdoor seating, dislike crowded boats, or want a quiet sailing trip. You should also think twice if a two-hour crossing each way sounds tiring. The journey is a real part of the day, not a short transfer.

Should you book it?

Book this Rhodes to Symi cruise if the idea of swimming from a boat in St George Bay appeals to you as much as seeing Symi itself. The combination is the main reason to choose it, and $41 is a fair price for a roughly eight-and-a-half-hour day.

Arrive early, pack for wind, watch the time, and keep your expectations practical. You will not get a private yacht or endless hours in the water, but you will get a well-organized route to one of the Dodecanese’ prettiest ports, plus a memorable swim along the way.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The meeting point is the SP Cruises kiosk at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes, opposite the Bank of Greece building.

What time does the boat depart and return?

The cruise departs Mandraki Harbour at 10:00 and is scheduled to return at about 18:30. You should allow extra time in case the boat arrives later.

How long is the swimming stop at St George Bay?

The planned stop is about one hour. Actual swimming time can be shorter if arrival and boarding take part of the scheduled stop.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You have free time in Gialos to choose and pay for your own meal, and there is also a bar onboard.

Can I sit outside on the upper deck?

Yes, but upper-deck seating is first come, first served and cannot be guaranteed. The main deck has indoor seating with air conditioning.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, comfortable shoes, and a warm layer for the windy boat ride. A motion sickness remedy may also be useful if you are sensitive to rough water.