Rhodes: Symi Yacht Tour with Unlimited Drinks and Transfer

Symi is the star here, but the best part of the day is the way this trip combines two hours in the island’s handsome harbor town with long swims from the yacht. You get colorful houses, narrow lanes, Greek food, and open-sea views in one well-paced outing.

I like the small maximum of 25 passengers, which gives you room to move and makes the crew’s friendly service feel personal. I also like the lunch setup at St. George Bay, where you can swim first, eat moussaka and Greek salad, then return to the water with a drink in hand.

The main thing to consider is the boat ride itself. The run to Symi takes about an hour and 20 minutes and can be windy, wet, and bumpy, especially at the front. Hotel transport also needs careful checking, since hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as not included even though pickup instructions are provided.

Key points at a glance

• Small yacht, maximum 25 people: A calmer choice than the large Symi boats that can carry hundreds.
• About two hours in Symi Town: Enough time for the harbor, small lanes, shops, a drink, and local food.
• St. George Bay is the main swim stop: Clear water, steep rock walls, and lunch served aboard while you swim.
• Seskli adds a wilder second stop: Snorkel, swim, and see a quieter little island with almost no town life.
• Unlimited drinks are included: Water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are available during the day.
• Bring a towel and a warm layer: Towels are not supplied, and the morning crossing can feel cool and windy.

Why this Rhodes to Symi cruise is worth considering

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Symi. It is priced above the crowded day boats, so the real question is not simply how much the ticket costs. It is what you get for the extra money.

Here, you get a fast yacht, a full lunch, unlimited drinks, two swimming stops, and a smaller group. That matters on an eight-hour day. You are less likely to spend the whole trip pressed against strangers, waiting for your turn to move around the boat or climb out of the water.

I would look at this as a relaxed sea day with a Symi visit included, not as a serious island tour. You get a good taste of Symi Town, but the boat time and swimming are just as important as the two hours ashore.

The crew is another large part of the value. Anna, Antonio, and Emily are among the crew members singled out for kind, attentive service, and the staff have made birthdays and honeymoons feel special with small touches such as cake, pastries, or a cocktail. That sort of care can make a long day at sea much more pleasant.

Starting at Mandraki Port in Rhodes

The day begins at Mandraki Port, the natural launch point for a trip along Rhodes’s eastern coast. At check-in, you can have coffee, tea, or water while you settle aboard.

The exact hotel transport details deserve attention before you pay. The tour information says hotel pickup is included and asks you to wait outside your hotel reception at least five minutes before the scheduled time. At the same time, hotel pickup and drop-off are listed among the exclusions, and one person staying in Faliraki found that no transport was available to the port.

I would contact the operator if you are staying outside central Rhodes, especially in Faliraki. Do not assume that the word transfer means a ride from every hotel. You may need to arrange your own way to Mandraki.

Once aboard, the yacht gives you several ways to spend the crossing. You can sit inside, use the outdoor seating, or take a place near the front for a stronger sense of speed and open water. The front cushions are exposed to spray, and the ride can get rough. A hoodie or light jacket is sensible even in warm weather, particularly in April or October.

If you get seasick, bring your usual medication. The crossing is part of the experience, but it is not always smooth. The return ride can also be wet and windy, depending on the weather.

The crossing to Symi and the east coast views

The trip to Symi takes roughly an hour and 20 minutes in good conditions. During the run, you can look back toward Rhodes, watch the coast slip past, and see beaches and isolated coves from the water.

This is a fast yacht rather than a slow sailing trip. You will not be drifting quietly across the sea under canvas. The reward is more time at the destinations, but the trade-off is engine noise, spray, and a livelier ride.

The crew keeps drinks flowing during the day. Water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included, so you do not need to budget for every bottle or glass. The unlimited drinks are most useful after swimming, when a cold drink and a shaded seat are welcome.

Symi Town gives you two hours ashore

The yacht enters Symi Yalos, the island’s main harbor, and this is the visual high point of the arrival. The hills around the port are lined with colorful neoclassical houses, giving the waterfront a polished, almost theatrical appearance.

You have about two hours to explore. That is enough time to walk along the harbor, browse the small shops, wander into the narrow lanes, and stop for a drink or a small plate of local food. Symi shrimp are a good choice if you want to sample something associated with the island.

You can also walk uphill toward the old town for wider views, but be realistic about the clock. Symi is hilly, and two hours passes quickly if you stop often for photographs. If walking uphill is not your priority, stay near the fishing port and enjoy the waterfront at an easier pace.

The Old Town is described as UNESCO-protected, and its lanes reward a slow stroll. Still, this is not a full cultural tour. You will not have time to see every corner of the island or take a long museum visit. The stop works best if you choose one aim before leaving the yacht: walk, shop, eat, or photograph the houses.

Symi Town can also feel more commercial than the swimming bays. It is beautiful, but most of your time is spent around the harbor and nearby lanes. One earlier departure found there was not much to do after seeing the port, so bring a book or cards if you prefer a quiet break rather than shopping and walking.

St. George Bay is the day’s strongest swim

After Symi Town, the yacht heads to St. George Bay. This is the first major swimming stop and the place most likely to make the trip feel special.

The bay has golden sand, clear water, and steep rocky sides that rise behind the beach. From the yacht, you get a dramatic view that is hard to match from a road or standard island bus tour.

You can jump or climb into the water from the yacht, and the boat has a platform at water level for getting back aboard. Life jackets, foam noodles, floats, masks, and snorkels are available, although you should still bring your own towel.

The water is suitable for a relaxed swim, but getting in and out may be awkward for some people. One person found the yacht ladder or sea entry difficult, so anyone with limited mobility should ask the crew about assistance before swimming. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but that does not mean every part of the swim stop will be easy to manage.

Lunch is prepared while you swim and sunbathe. The standard meal includes Greek salad and moussaka, and the food has been praised as good quality even in the limits of a boat kitchen. Dietary needs have been accommodated in some cases, but tell the operator in advance rather than relying on a last-minute request.

The timing works well. You can swim before lunch, eat while enjoying the bay, and return to the water afterward. You are not forced to choose between the meal and the sea.

Lunch, drinks, and the small-yacht atmosphere

Lunch is served aboard rather than on the beach. That keeps the schedule simple and lets you remain in St. George Bay instead of losing time going ashore.

Moussaka and Greek salad make a filling Greek meal, and the unlimited beer, wine, water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea add real value to a full day under the sun. The drink selection is not a cocktail menu. One person wanted more variety beyond beer, wine, and soft drinks, so set your expectations accordingly.

The yacht is roomy enough for the group size, though comfort can depend on how full the boat is. Most of the feedback praises the space, but one departure found a broken sofa and another felt the boat was a little crowded. The advertised maximum of 25 is still far more appealing than a vessel carrying several hundred people.

There is a changing room on board, which is useful after swimming. Bring dry clothes if you dislike sitting in wet swimwear during the return journey.

Seskli Island offers a quieter second stop

The final stop is Seskli, a small private island described as a Dodecanese jewel. It has a wilder feel than Symi Town, with open natural surroundings, a small church, and goats rather than shops and streets.

This is a good place for a second swim and some snorkeling. The underwater setting is not presented as a major reef site, but you might see fish and shells in the clear water. The stop is more about a quiet sea setting and the chance to swim again without the built-up feel of a harbor.

Do not expect a full island visit. Seskli is a short nature stop, not a place with restaurants, museums, or a long walking route. If you want more time on land, the two hours in Symi matter more. If you want a second chance to get in the water, Seskli completes the day nicely.

The return to Rhodes

After Seskli, the yacht heads back toward Rhodes. The return gives you another look at beaches, coves, and the east coast from offshore.

By this point, the rhythm of the day is clear: town, swim, lunch, swim, then coast views on the way home. You arrive at Mandraki Port after roughly eight hours, usually tired in the good way that follows a day in the sun and sea.

The return can feel long if the water is rough, so keep a layer nearby and avoid overdoing the drinks early in the day. Unlimited does not mean you need to accept every refill. Hydrate with water, especially after swimming and sunbathing.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this trip if you want Symi plus a proper day on the water. It suits couples, families with older children, solo visitors, and anyone who prefers a smaller boat to a packed ferry-style excursion.

It is also a good choice if you value service. The crew has made birthdays and honeymoons special, and the attentive approach helps the day feel more personal. Solo visitors may find the small group and friendly crew reassuring.

You should think twice if your priority is a long, detailed exploration of Symi. Two hours is useful but limited. You should also be cautious if you are prone to seasickness, dislike spray, or have difficulty climbing from the water onto a yacht.

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to the activity details, but the swimming stops involve sea access and a ladder or platform. Ask specific questions about boarding and swimming assistance before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later. Weather cancellations are fully refundable. Those terms help, since sea conditions affect both comfort and whether the boat runs.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi yacht tour?

I would book it if you want a polished, small-group day with excellent swimming stops, included food, and drinks already covered. The higher price makes sense when you compare it with a crowded boat and add the cost of lunch and refreshments yourself.

Choose it especially for St. George Bay, the friendly crew, and the chance to see Symi without giving up half the day on land. Just confirm the pickup arrangement, bring a towel, pack a hoodie for the crossing, and take seasickness tablets if you need them.

If Symi Town is your only reason for going, a dedicated island visit may give you more time ashore. If you want the island, the sea, and a relaxed lunch in one day, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Symi yacht tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including the cruise from Rhodes, about two hours of free time in Symi Town, two swimming stops, lunch, and the return to Mandraki Port.

What food and drinks are included?

A full lunch is included, with Greek salad and moussaka noted as the usual meal. Unlimited water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are also included.

Are towels provided on the yacht?

No. You should bring your own towel and swimwear. A changing room is available on the yacht.

How many people can join the yacht tour?

The yacht has a maximum of 25 passengers, making it smaller than the large boats that run crowded Symi excursions.

Is hotel pickup included?

The information is mixed. Pickup instructions are provided, but hotel pickup and drop-off are also listed as not included. If you are staying outside central Rhodes, especially in Faliraki, confirm the transfer directly with the operator before booking.

What happens if the weather cancels the cruise?

If the cruise is canceled because of weather, it is fully refundable. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.