Rhodes: Speedboat Trip to Symi with Free Time to Explore

Symi arrives in a blaze of color. This $35 boat trip links Rhodes and Symi with excellent views from the water, a fast modern boat, and several hours to explore without being tied to a guide. I especially like the Rhodes harbor views, including the castle walls, windmills, and Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the freedom to spend your time in Symi as you wish. The main drawback is the morning boarding rush, plus the chance of a choppy ride or a wet seat on the outer top deck.

You get air-conditioned indoor seating, an open sundeck, and a small onboard bar. The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way, so most of your day belongs to Symi rather than the boat. Depending on the departure schedule, your free time may be around three to five hours, so check the exact timing before booking if you want a long swim or a climb above the harbor.

Five things to know before you book

• The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way, with indoor air conditioning and outdoor seating.
• Symi’s harbor is the main attraction, with colorful neoclassical houses rising in an amphitheater around the bay.
• The $35 price is strong value, since round-trip transport and free time are included.
• Arrive early for the upper deck, because the best open-air seats fill quickly and boarding can feel hurried.
• Bring sun protection and motion-sickness supplies, since Symi can be very hot and the sea may be bumpy.
• This is an independent day out, not a guided sightseeing tour, so you plan your own food, walks, shopping, and swimming.

Leaving Rhodes from Kolona Harbor

The day begins at Kolona Harbor in Rhodes, where you look for the Sebeco Lines boat. The harbor setting gives you an early preview of the city from the sea, but allow time to find the correct kiosk and boarding area. Instructions have generally been clear, though the exact dock can cause confusion, so check the latest directions from the operator before setting out.

If you are staying outside central Rhodes, a hotel transfer may be offered separately by email. Some visitors found this useful, and one reported paying €6 per person for a hotel transfer in both directions. It is not part of the $35 fare, so treat it as an optional extra rather than an included service.

The boarding process is the least polished part of the day. People can crowd forward, particularly when they want an upper-deck seat. I would arrive early, keep your ticket ready, and avoid assuming that a loose queue will remain orderly. Once aboard, the mood improves quickly.

The Rhodes harbor view is part of the tour

Before the boat reaches open water, look back at Rhodes. From the deck you can photograph the medieval walls, the minarets of the Old Town, the clock tower, and the Marine Gate. These sights look different from sea level, where the fortifications form one long defensive edge along the waterfront.

The boat also passes the 46-meter Naillac Tower, the windmills of Rhodes, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium of Rhodes. You will not stop at these sights, so have your camera ready before departure. The views pass quickly, especially from a fast boat.

The open deck is best for photographs and fresh air. The enclosed deck gives you air conditioning and a calmer place to sit if the sun becomes too strong. Several people found the boat comfortable and spacious, but the upper outdoor seats fill early. Seats toward the front or along the outer edges may receive sea spray, particularly when the water gets lively.

That spray can be fun on a hot day. It can also leave you wet when you were hoping to stay dry. If you care more about comfort than the view, choose an indoor or more sheltered seat.

The 80-minute crossing to Symi

The ride to Symi is not a quick hop. At about 80 minutes, it is long enough for the sea to affect you, especially on a windy day. The modern speedboat helps keep the journey efficient, but speed does not remove the movement of the water.

I would eat lightly before departure, carry water, and choose a seat with your comfort in mind. One person who often suffers from motion sickness found the crossing enjoyable after securing a shaded seat. Another described the ride as a little bumpy but dry. Conditions can vary, so do not assume every crossing will be perfectly smooth.

The boat has a small bar with refreshments. Beer was reported at €4, and coffee and other drinks are available, but food and drinks are not included in the ticket. The bar is useful on the return ride, when you may be tired from the heat and walking.

The indoor area offers air conditioning, though the ride back was described by some as noisier and less comfortable. The outdoor deck gives you the better view, but it exposes you to sun, wind, spray, and limited seating. There is no single best place for everyone.

Arriving in Symi Bay

Symi’s arrival is the visual high point. The boat enters a sheltered bay with rows of colorful neoclassical houses climbing the hills around the water. On a calm day, the buildings reflect in the sea, giving you the classic Symi photograph before you even step ashore.

The harbor town is compact and easy to explore on foot. Along the waterfront you will find restaurants, cafés, shops, and places to stop for a drink. The setting is made for a slow lunch and an unhurried walk, not a checklist of major sights.

Symi is also known for its cats, which appear around the harbor and side streets. If you like animals, you will notice them quickly. The town has a relaxed, friendly feel, but it can become very hot, with limited shade. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water rather than relying on finding a cool place whenever you need one.

How to use three to five hours on Symi

The amount of free time depends on the departure schedule. Some departures allow about three hours, while others provide four and a half or five hours. That difference matters if you want to walk uphill, swim, and eat without watching the clock.

For a short visit, keep your plan simple:

• Walk the harbor promenade and photograph the hillside houses.
• Browse the small shops and stop for a drink.
• Have lunch at a waterfront taverna.
• Leave time for a swim if conditions and your schedule allow.
• Climb part of the Kali Strata if you want a higher view.

The Kali Strata is a stairway route with roughly 500 steps. One person managed the climb, lunch, and a harbor stroll within the available time. You do not need to complete the entire route to gain a better view, but the climb is not a casual flat walk. In hot weather, it will take effort and water.

Food is one of the pleasures of the stop. Look for local specialties such as fried red Symi shrimp. A reviewer also praised the pastries, cakes, and milkshakes available in town. Restaurants line the water, so you can eat with a view, though your meal will use part of the time available for exploring.

Beaches, swimming, and what Symi does not offer

The harbor area is beautiful, but it is not the island’s best beach area. One useful warning is that there are no proper beaches right beside the main boat drop-off. You may find a swimming spot nearby, and some people managed to swim during their free time, but a serious beach visit requires more planning.

If St George’s Beach is your goal, one person enjoyed a swim there with help from the boat captain. Another suggested taking a taxi promptly to the other side of the island. The supplied details do not give a fixed taxi price or journey time, so do not build a complicated beach plan unless you are comfortable with limited time and extra transport costs.

For most people, Symi works better as a harbor, food, shopping, and walking stop. If swimming is essential, investigate the beach arrangements before you book and confirm that your departure time leaves enough room for the return to the boat.

Returning to Rhodes

The return crossing follows the same basic route, with another 80 minutes at sea. It can be a pleasant time to rest, use the bar, or watch the changing light over the water. A late-day return may provide especially attractive views, including a sunset if the schedule and weather line up.

The boat is generally punctual, but do not treat the return time casually. The vessel has left promptly on many departures, and being late could mean missing your ride back to Rhodes. One delayed departure reduced the time available on Symi, so a small schedule change can matter when you have only three or four hours ashore.

On the way back, your group may not keep the same seats. People spread out, and the upper deck remains popular. If sitting together is important, board promptly and agree on a meeting point before anyone heads to the bar or different deck.

What the $35 price really buys you

At $35 per person, this is one of the more affordable ways to visit Symi from Rhodes. The price includes round-trip speedboat transport and free time on the island. It does not include a guide, meals, drinks, hotel transfers, or transport to beaches.

That makes the value easy to understand. You are paying for the long sea crossing and access to an island that would otherwise require more planning. Once in Symi, you decide how much to spend on lunch, shopping, drinks, and any extra transport.

The boat’s air-conditioned cabin adds real value in the Greek summer. So does the sundeck, since you can choose between shade and open views. The trip does not provide a formal cultural tour, but that is also its strength. You are free to linger over lunch, climb the steps, or simply sit by the harbor.

I would rate it especially well for couples, families, first-time visitors to Symi, and anyone who wants a straightforward day away from Rhodes. It is less suitable if you want a detailed guided tour, a full beach day, or a slow island visit with no fixed return time.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive early, especially if you want outdoor seating. Boarding may be crowded, and the top deck has fewer seats than the indoor area.

Carry sunscreen, a hat, water, and a light layer for the boat. Symi can be extremely hot, while the air-conditioned cabin may feel cool after time in the sun.

If you are sensitive to motion, sit in a sheltered area and avoid overindulging before departure. The sea can be bumpy even when the boat is modern and fast.

Collect or confirm your return ticket at the harbor kiosk if instructed. Keep the departure time visible on your phone, and allow enough time to walk back from lunch or the upper streets.

Do not expect a guided tour. Staff can offer general suggestions, but your day is self-directed. A map would be useful, particularly if you want to walk beyond the waterfront.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi speedboat?

I would book it if you want the most direct, affordable way to see Symi in one day. The boat is comfortable, the crossing is reasonably fast, and the arrival view of the colorful harbor is worth the trip by itself.

Book with realistic expectations. This is not a guided history tour or a dedicated beach excursion. It is a scenic transfer with several hours to make your own day, and that freedom is exactly why the trip works so well.

Choose an early departure if you want five hours on the island. Arrive early for the boat, plan lunch before you arrive, and decide in advance whether your priority is the harbor, the Kali Strata, shopping, or swimming. For $35, the combination of sea views, a beautiful island, and independent time is hard to beat.

FAQ

How long does the boat ride from Rhodes to Symi take?

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

Free time varies by departure schedule. The supplied timings range from about three hours to five hours, with one itinerary showing five hours.

Where do I meet the boat in Rhodes?

The meeting point is Kolona Harbor. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and follow the current instructions for the kiosk and dock.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but the boat has a bar and Symi has cafés, restaurants, and shops.

Is there air conditioning on the boat?

Yes. The boat has an enclosed air-conditioned area as well as an open-air sundeck.

Is a guided tour of Symi included?

No. The trip provides round-trip transport and free time. You explore Symi independently.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.