Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, & Lindos: Speedboat to Symi Island

Symi is the prize here: a bright little harbor framed by pastel neoclassical houses, fishing boats, and steep hills. From southern Rhodes, the high-speed Aphrodite Princess gets you there without the long coach ride across the island, leaving about three hours to explore on your own.

I like the direct start from Kiotari or Lardos, and I like the mix of town time and a proper swim stop. You can eat local baby shrimp in Symi, then cool off in the clear water below the giant rocks of Saint George Bay. The main drawback is timing: in late September and October, Saint George Bay may be shaded after the Symi visit, making the water look darker than it does in full sun.

Key points to know before booking

• Symi gets about three hours: Enough for a harbor walk, lunch, photographs, and a swim, but not a full-island tour.
• The fast boat suits southern Rhodes: Pickup is available around Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, and Lindos, so you avoid a long bus ride north.
• Saint George Bay is the swimming highlight: The 30-minute stop puts you beneath huge rock walls in clear sea water.
• The route can change with the season: From late September and in October, the boat may visit Saint George Bay before Symi for better sunlight.
• Pickup is tied to certain beaches and hotels: Check the exact meeting point, since Lardos runs only on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• The price is $147 per person: That is a fair convenience price for southern Rhodes, but less attractive if you only want free time in Symi.

Why this southern Rhodes boat trip makes sense

A day trip to Symi can be awkward if you are staying at the southern end of Rhodes. A coach transfer to Rhodes Town, followed by a boat departure, adds time and road miles before the sea journey even begins. This trip cuts out that extra bus leg by collecting you near Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos.

That matters because the day already lasts about nine hours. A direct boat from the southeast gives you more of that day for Symi itself, rather than spending it on hotel transfers. The service also makes a short stop at Mandraki Harbour to let passengers on and off, but the main route begins from the southern beaches.

The boat ride is listed as roughly two hours and 20 minutes each way. That is a sizeable stretch of time on the water, so you should enjoy boat travel rather than view it as mere transportation. You get broad sea views and the pleasure of approaching Symi by water, but you should bring sunscreen and be prepared for a full day exposed to sun and wind.

The operator provides English, Greek, and German assistance. No individual guide names are supplied, and this is not presented as a guided walking tour. Once you reach Symi, your time is your own.

Leaving Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos

Pickup details are specific. The Aphrodite Princess collects passengers from the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, the beach below Lindos Imperial Hotel in Kiotari, and Costa Lindia Hotel at Lardos Beach. The listed pickup points also include three map locations in Lardos and Kiotari.

The schedule varies by day. Lardos is served only on Wednesdays and Fridays. Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach are served on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Since the information combines several resort areas and beach points, check the exact departure location when you reserve. A nearby-sounding resort name does not necessarily mean the boat leaves from your hotel frontage.

Pefkos and Lindos are named among the departure areas, while the detailed pickup note points to the red steps below the Lindos Imperial Hotel in Kiotari. That makes it especially important for anyone staying around Lindos or Pefkos to confirm the precise meeting point rather than assume a hotel pickup.

This is a beach pickup, not a polished terminal experience. Wear footwear that makes sense for reaching the red steps and beach area, and keep your meeting instructions handy. The payoff is a quicker start than a coach transfer to Rhodes Town.

The high-speed ride across the Dodecanese

The crossing takes about two hours and 20 minutes each way, with the route broken up by the stop at Saint George Bay. The ride is part of the experience, but it also sets the rhythm of the day: a long outward run, three hours in Symi, a swim, and a long return.

You will want sunscreen, as the only specifically listed item to bring is sunscreen and much of the day takes place outside. The boat lets you see the southeastern coast of Rhodes recede and Symi approach across the brilliant blue sea. Depending on conditions, you might find the ride breezy, so a light layer can also be useful, though no specific clothing requirement is given.

There is a short, roughly 10-minute stop in Mandraki Harbour for passengers to disembark and board. This is a practical stop rather than a sightseeing visit. Do not count on it as time to explore Rhodes Town, since the main destination remains Symi and the stop is brief.

The boat is a good fit if you value time and direct access. It is less ideal if you dislike long periods at sea or want a small, quiet boat with a highly personal guide. The published score is strong, with 89 percent of ratings giving the transport a perfect mark, which matches the central appeal: fast movement between the islands.

Arriving at Symi’s postcard harbor

Symi’s harbor is the visual reward for the crossing. The water is turquoise, and pastel-colored neoclassical houses rise around the bay. Colorful church domes add bright points above the buildings, while fishing boats give the waterfront a working character rather than making it feel like a simple photo stop.

Your arrival is by boat, which gives you the best first view of the town. The houses seem to stack up the hills around the water, so have your camera ready before you disembark. The setting is compact enough to explore on foot during your free time, though the hills mean you should not expect every part of Symi town to be flat.

The three-hour stay is the heart of the trip. You are not rushed through a short guided circuit, but you also do not have time to see every corner of the island. Think of it as a focused visit to Symi’s harbor town.

A useful plan is to spend the first hour getting your bearings, the second on lunch and local food, and the last on waterfront views or a swim near town if conditions and access suit you. You can adjust that balance, but leaving lunch until the final minutes risks turning the return to the boat into a sprint.

Making the most of three hours on Symi

Symi is known here for its harbor views and local seafood, especially baby shrimp. Lunch at a traditional taverna is not included, so allow room in your budget for food and drinks. The $147 price covers the boat experience, three hours of free time, and the Saint George Bay swim, but your meal is extra.

The free time is valuable because it gives you control. You can sit by the water, walk along the harbor, take photographs of the houses, or look for a taverna serving local dishes. You do not have to follow a guide from one stop to the next, and you can set a slower pace after the boat crossing.

The limit is equally clear: three hours passes quickly. You will not have time for an ambitious island-wide outing, and the activity does not include a separate guided tour of Symi. If your main goal is to see the harbor, eat seafood, and enjoy the atmosphere, the time works well. If you want museums, inland villages, and a long walking route, you will need more time than this excursion allows.

Bring sensible expectations about swimming. The tour description says you can swim in the glittering waters, but Saint George Bay is the dedicated swim stop later in the day. Treat Symi as your sightseeing and lunch portion, then save your best swim for the bay.

Saint George Bay beneath the giant rocks

Saint George Bay is the second major attraction. The boat approaches a secluded-looking stretch of clear water beneath large rock walls, then stops for about 30 minutes. You can swim, stay on deck, or simply enjoy the view before the return to Rhodes.

The stop is short but well chosen. After a long crossing and three hours ashore, a swim gives the day a clean change of pace. The water is described as crystal clear, and the huge rocks above the bay make this more memorable than a standard open-water pause.

You should be comfortable getting in and out of the sea without a long beach visit, since the stop lasts only half an hour. If you want to swim, have your suit ready before the boat arrives. If you do not swim, the time is still useful for photographs and sun on deck, but you will not have another major shore visit here.

Seasonal timing deserves attention. From the end of September and through October, the boat may go to Saint George Bay before Symi because the bay can be shaded after the town visit. That is not a minor detail. One October 11, 2025 report described arriving after Symi, when the sun had already disappeared behind the high rocks and the water looked dark rather than bright.

The operator has addressed that issue by changing the order during the later season. Still, weather, timing, and the height of the surrounding rocks can affect the light. If the clear-water photographs are your main reason for booking, consider going earlier in the season or confirm the planned order close to your date.

Returning to Rhodes after a full day

After the swim, the boat makes the return crossing to the southern coast of Rhodes. The return leg is about two hours and 20 minutes, so the day does not finish immediately after Saint George Bay. You will have another stretch on the water before reaching Kiotari or Lardos.

That long return is easier to handle if you pace yourself. Do not spend every ounce of energy rushing around Symi, especially if you want to swim. Keep water and sunscreen close, and use the boat ride to rest. The trip finishes at the listed Kiotari or Lardos drop-off points, including the same general beach areas used for pickup.

The route is built for people staying south of Rhodes. You trade the freedom to stay overnight or spend a full day on Symi for the convenience of a direct day trip. For many holidaymakers, that is a sensible exchange. The boat takes most of the day, but it makes Symi possible without turning the excursion into an exhausting island-wide transfer.

Is $147 a fair price?

At $147 per person, this is not a budget boat ride. The value comes from the transport pattern rather than from a long list of included extras. You receive the high-speed crossing, three hours in Symi, the 30-minute swim stop, and pickup from selected southern Rhodes areas.

The price looks better if you are staying in Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or nearby Lindos and would otherwise need a separate transfer to Rhodes Town. It also suits you if you want to combine two strong sights in one day: Symi’s harbor and Saint George Bay.

The value is weaker if you are already close to Rhodes Town, only want a few hours in Symi, or do not care about swimming. In that case, much of the cost pays for the speedboat and the long return crossing. Lunch in Symi is extra, so include that in your day budget.

The 4.7 rating from 46 ratings and the high marks for transport suggest that the basic plan works well for many people. I would still pay close attention to the season and pickup day. A good price cannot fix a missed beach meeting point or disappointing light at the bay.

Who should book this Symi excursion?

I would choose this trip if you are staying in southern Rhodes and want a straightforward way to see Symi without a bus ride to the northern port. It is also a good match for anyone who wants independent time in town rather than a tightly narrated walking tour.

Families and couples who like a mix of sightseeing and swimming should find the format appealing, provided everyone is comfortable with the long boat rides. The three-hour stop gives you room to choose your own lunch and pace, while the short swim adds variety.

I would hesitate if you need extensive guided history, dislike open-water crossings, or want a full island tour. The experience is focused: boat, Symi harbor, lunch or free time, Saint George Bay, and boat back. That clear structure is its strength, but it also defines its limits.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier. These policies do not change the route itself, but they help if your Rhodes schedule is still moving.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Symi is high on your list and you are based around Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos. The direct southern pickup, fast boat, three hours in the pretty harbor town, and Saint George Bay swim make a strong full-day combination.

Think twice if you want a slow, guided cultural visit or if your holiday falls late in the season and the bay’s sunlight matters greatly to you. Check the route order, confirm your pickup beach, and remember that Lardos runs only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

For the right base and the right expectations, $147 buys convenience and variety rather than just a ticket across the sea.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about nine hours, including the boat rides, time in Symi, and the swimming stop at Saint George Bay.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours to explore Symi independently.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a traditional taverna is at your own expense.

Where does the boat pick up passengers?

Pickup is available from selected points around Kiotari and Lardos, including beach points near Rodos Maris Hotel, Lindos Imperial Hotel, and Costa Lindia Hotel. Pefkos and Lindos are also listed among the departure areas, so confirm your exact meeting point.

Which days does the boat stop at Lardos?

The boat stops at Lardos on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Which days does it stop at Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach?

The boat stops at Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

How long is the swimming stop?

The stop at Saint George Bay lasts about 30 minutes.

What languages are available?

Host or greeter support is available in English, Greek, and German.