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

Symi is the star of this trip. This fast cruise gets you there in about an hour, leaving three useful hours to see its pastel harbor, shops, alleys, and tavernas. I like the efficient schedule and the beautiful swim stop at St George’s Bay. The main drawback is that 30 minutes in the water can feel short, especially on a hot day.

At $69 per person, this is a strong value for a full six-hour outing, especially if you add the optional hotel transfer. The new Aphrodite Royal boat is quick, smooth, and built for speed, though its compact seats can feel less comfortable when the sea gets choppy. Check your departure time carefully, since only the 9:00 and 11:00 cruises include the regular swim stop.

Key points to know before booking

• A one-hour crossing saves valuable time: You spend less of the day sitting on a boat and more of it on Symi.
• Three hours in Symi is a practical allowance: It gives you time for photos, shopping, lunch, and a walk without turning the visit into a race.
• St George’s Bay is reached only by boat: The half-hour stop offers a memorable swim in clear water beneath steep rocky cliffs.
• The Aphrodite Royal is a major part of the appeal: This modern red boat has open-air seating and a sleek design that several passengers compared to a Ferrari.
• Hotel pickup covers selected resort areas: Transfers can be arranged from Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia.
• Weather can change the plan: The captain may shorten or alter the swim stop when wind and sea conditions make it necessary.

Why this Rhodes to Symi trip works so well

Symi is one of the best day trips from Rhodes, but the trip can lose its charm if most of your day disappears on a slow ferry. This excursion solves that problem with a high-speed boat and a clear six-hour schedule: leave Mandraki Harbour at 11:00, reach Symi in roughly an hour, spend three hours ashore, stop at St George’s Bay, and return to Rhodes at about 17:00.

I like the balance. You are not locked into a guided walk all day, and you are not left with only a quick glimpse of Symi. The three-hour break gives you freedom to shape the visit around your own interests.

The public rating of 4.9 from 733 ratings also reflects the strongest features of the outing: punctual transfers, a fast crossing, friendly crew, and a well-liked combination of sightseeing and swimming. That does not make every part perfect, but it gives you a useful sense of the experience’s overall reliability.

Getting from your hotel to Mandraki Harbour

Hotel pickup is optional, and it is available from hotels in Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia. If you choose it, the company arranges the details through WhatsApp, not simply at the time of booking.

This matters because you need to respond to the transfer office. Pickup arrangements can be made until 22:00 on the evening before departure. A late booking for the next morning may not have enough time for the office to organize a vehicle, so do not leave this detail until the last minute.

The transfer received especially strong praise for being on time and stress-free. That is valuable in Rhodes, where a morning drive to the harbor can otherwise add a layer of uncertainty to your day. If you are staying outside the listed areas, you should plan your own way to Mandraki Harbour and allow enough time to check in and receive your boarding pass before departure.

The boat leaves at 11:00. That later start is comfortable for many holiday schedules, but it also means you should not treat the morning casually. You still need time to reach the harbor, find the correct departure point, and board without rushing.

The Aphrodite Royal makes the crossing count

The Aphrodite Royal is a newer high-speed boat with a sleek red design. Several passengers compared its appearance to a Ferrari, which sounds like a small detail until you see how much the boat shapes the day. The fast crossing is the reason this itinerary can give you three full hours on Symi and still include a swim stop.

The ride to Symi takes about 60 minutes. Some crossings have taken closer to 50 minutes, but you should plan on the full hour. The boat has open-air seating, and each passenger gets a bucket-style seat rather than scrambling for a place after boarding.

That arrangement is a welcome touch. It reduces the usual ferry-board chaos and means your group can settle in without treating the seats like a race. The lower-deck bench seats may be less popular on the way out but fill up more on the return, according to one useful observation.

There are two things to keep in mind. First, the seats are compact, and one passenger found them a little uncomfortable. Second, a fast boat feels the wind. In calm weather the ride can be smooth and easy, but on a choppy day you may get spray, particularly if you sit in an exposed position. One outing encountered large waves and still felt smooth, while another had a shorter swim stop because of strong wind.

If you are prone to motion sickness, choose your seat with care, keep your attention on the horizon, and bring any medication you normally use. Snacks and drinks are not included, so carrying water is sensible, especially during the hot months.

Symi Harbour: three hours in a picture-book setting

The first sight of Symi is the reason to take this trip. The boat enters a fishing harbor framed by pastel-colored neoclassical houses. Balconies climb the hillsides, church domes add small points of color, and the water gives the whole arrival a postcard quality without requiring a long introduction.

Symi is not a place you need to conquer with a checklist. Its pleasure comes from slowing down and looking closely. You can walk beside the harbor, inspect the painted buildings, browse small shops, and follow narrow lanes that rise away from the waterfront.

Three hours is a good compromise. You have enough time to take photographs, shop for small gifts, sit down for lunch, and still leave room for an unhurried walk. You will not see every corner of the island, but this excursion is focused on the harbor town rather than a full island tour.

The heat is worth considering. A walk up the surrounding streets can be more demanding in the middle of the day, particularly in summer. If you want to explore beyond the waterfront, do it early in your free time, then return toward the harbor for lunch and a cooler, easier finish.

The schedule also rewards simple planning. On arrival, take a moment to note where the boat is docked and what time you must return. Then use the first part of your visit for the places that matter most to you. Shops and waterfront restaurants are easy to find, but the best use of the three hours depends on whether your priority is photographs, food, or walking.

Lunch in Symi: try the island’s signature shrimp

The most specific food tip on this outing is to try Symi shrimp. The small shrimp are the island’s signature dish, and numerous waterfront tavernas serve them.

This is not a meal stop with a fixed menu, so lunch is your own responsibility. Snacks and drinks are excluded from the price, and the three-hour break gives you enough time to choose a taverna without swallowing your food in a hurry.

A waterfront lunch is also part of the experience, not just a way to refuel. You can sit near the harbor, watch the boats, and enjoy the architecture while deciding how much more walking you want to do. Still, keep an eye on the clock. A slow meal followed by a long wander can make the return to the boat feel rushed.

If you prefer to spend all three hours exploring, bring a drink and treat lunch as optional. The important point is that Symi gives you freedom, rather than adding another scheduled group activity.

St George’s Bay is the day’s refreshing finale

After Symi, the boat heads to St George’s Bay, a striking natural cove accessible only by boat. High rocky sides surround the turquoise water, and the setting feels far removed from the streets and restaurants of the harbor.

The scheduled swim stop is 30 minutes for the 9:00 and 11:00 departures. That is enough time for a proper dip and a few minutes to float, but it is not a long beach afternoon. Several people wished for more time, particularly during hot weather, so set your expectations correctly.

You can jump into the water if conditions allow, or stay on board and enjoy the view. Floatation aids have been provided, which is useful if you are not a confident swimmer. The boat anchors in the bay, so you should be prepared to get in and out efficiently when the crew gives the signal.

The water is the main attraction here. It is clear, bright, and refreshing after a warm walk around Symi. Goats may be visible along the shore, adding a distinctly Greek island touch to the scene.

The bay can be busy. Other boats may stop there too, especially during the main summer season. It is still a beautiful setting, but do not expect a private cove every time. Strong winds can also shorten the stop. One trip allowed about 25 minutes rather than the full half-hour because conditions were rough, and the captain has the right to change the route or swim stop for safety.

Choosing the right departure time

The 11:00 departure is the main choice described here, returning to Rhodes at 17:00. It combines the full three-hour Symi visit with the 30-minute swim stop and suits anyone who wants a straightforward day trip.

There are other departure patterns:

• The 9:00 departure also includes a 30-minute swim stop at St George’s Bay.
• The 15:15 departure does not include swimming. It makes only a five-minute photo stop, but you get to see Symi during a cooler, quieter period and may catch a sunset on the return to Rhodes.
• The 17:00 Friday night cruise does not stop at St George’s Bay for swimming or photos. It returns at 22:00.

The 15:15 option could suit you if heat and crowds are your main concerns. The 11:00 option is better if swimming is important. Do not book based on the word Symi alone, since the departure time changes the experience in a meaningful way.

Is $69 good value?

At $69 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-hour trip that includes a high-speed boat, three hours on Symi, and a stop at St George’s Bay. The fast crossing is the key value. A slower boat might offer a cheaper-looking fare, but it can leave you spending much more of the day in transit.

The optional hotel transfer adds convenience if you are staying in one of the covered resort areas. It is especially useful for families, larger groups, or anyone who would rather not manage a taxi or local bus connection to Mandraki Harbour.

You still need to budget for lunch, drinks, and any shopping on Symi. These extras are not included, but they are easy to control because the island visit is free time rather than a prepaid meal package.

One note is worth making: a passenger advised booking directly with Rhodes Sea Lines for the best value. The supplied experience is operated by Nautiki Etairia Notias Rodou, and prices can vary by booking channel, so compare the final total before paying. The free cancellation period is 24 hours, and the reserve-now-pay-later option can help if your Rhodes plans are still moving around.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip if you want the highlights of Symi without giving up an entire day to a slow crossing. It works particularly well for couples, families, and first-time visitors to Rhodes who want a clear plan but plenty of personal time.

Families should note that children have enjoyed the mix of speed, sightseeing, shops, and swimming. The 30-minute stop is short enough to keep the day moving, while the three-hour visit gives children room to wander rather than sit on a boat all afternoon.

Couples get a pleasant rhythm: colorful streets and lunch in Symi, followed by a swim and a scenic ride back. The later 15:15 departure may appeal to couples who prefer softer evening light and a cooler walk, but it sacrifices the swim.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, private boat experience, a long swim, or a fully guided cultural tour. The bay may have several boats, the crossing can be windy, and Symi time is independent rather than led from start to finish.

Small practical tips that improve the day

• Bring water and any snacks you want, since food and drinks are not included.
• Use the first part of your Symi stop for walking if you want to see more than the harbor.
• Keep enough time for lunch and the return meeting point.
• Expect possible spray if the wind rises.
• Confirm hotel pickup through WhatsApp by 22:00 the evening before.
• Pick the 9:00 or 11:00 departure if swimming at St George’s Bay matters to you.
• Remember that the captain can change the route or shorten the swim stop for safety.
• If you prefer cooler temperatures and a sunset return, consider 15:15, but expect only a five-minute photo stop at the bay.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi cruise?

I would book it if you want an efficient, good-value day from Rhodes with two very different highlights: Symi’s beautiful harbor town and a swim beneath the cliffs of St George’s Bay. The fast boat, reserved bucket seats, optional hotel pickup, and well-spaced schedule make the day easier than many island excursions.

Choose the 11:00 departure if swimming is a priority. Choose 15:15 if you would rather explore Symi in cooler light and see a sunset return. Just remember that the bay stop is brief, the water can be choppy, and the captain may adjust the plan when conditions change.

For most people staying in Rhodes, this is a strong choice. It gives you enough time to taste Symi without pretending that a day trip can show you the whole island.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Symi cruise last?

The experience lasts six hours. The 11:00 departure returns to Rhodes at approximately 17:00.

How long is the boat ride from Rhodes to Symi?

The high-speed boat takes approximately one hour from Rhodes to Symi.

How much free time do I get on Symi?

You get three hours of free time to explore Symi, shop, walk around the harbor, and have lunch.

Does the cruise stop at St George’s Bay for swimming?

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

Does every departure include swimming?

No. The 15:15 departure makes a five-minute photo stop instead of a swim stop. The 17:00 Friday night cruise does not stop at St George’s Bay for swimming or photos.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfer is an optional add-on for hotels in Faliraki, Kalithea, Ixia, Kremasti, and Kolymbia.

What food and drinks are included?

Snacks and drinks are not included. You can buy lunch and refreshments during your free time in Symi.

Can the route or swim stop change?

Yes. The captain can change the route or swim stop according to weather and sea conditions.