From Faliraki: High Speed Boat to Symi and St. George’s Bay

Symi is one of those Greek islands that makes a strong first impression from the water. Its harbor is framed by pastel neoclassical houses, bright church domes, and steep hillsides, and this fast boat from Faliraki gets you there without the usual bus ride to Rhodes Town. I especially like the direct beach pickups and the generous three hours in Symi, enough time for lunch, a walk, and a swim.

The 30-minute stop at St. George’s Bay is another major plus. The water is clear and the setting is dramatic, but remember that this is an exposed high-speed boat ride. It can be windy, the schedule may shift with weather, and three hours in hot Symi can pass quickly.

Key points to know before booking

• Board near Faliraki hotels: Choose Faliraki Harbor, Apollo Blue, Calypso Beach, or Amada Colossos.
• Skip the Rhodes Port transfer: A short minibus connection may be used to reach the final beach boarding point.
• Three hours in Symi: Plan on lunch, harbor views, shopping, and a little wandering rather than a full island tour.
• Swim at St. George’s Bay: The stop lasts about 30 minutes and is a refreshing break after time in town.
• Fast, scenic crossing: The boat ride includes long stretches of open-sea views and coastal scenery.
• Good flexibility: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve without paying immediately.

Why this Faliraki departure matters

Most Symi day trips from Rhodes begin with a transfer to Rhodes Town. If you are staying in Faliraki, that can mean an early bus ride, extra waiting, and time spent getting to the harbor before the sea trip even starts. This service is designed to remove that nuisance.

The four pickup points are Faliraki Harbor, the beach by Apollo Blue Hotel, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, and the beach at Amada Colossos Resort. The posted morning times run from 9:45 to 10:00, depending on your stop.

There is one detail worth understanding. You check in at the Faliraki Sea Lines desk on the beach, then staff may guide you to a minibus for a roughly five-minute ride to the Amada Colossos beach station. From there, you board the boat. So the service is direct from the Faliraki area, but not every passenger necessarily steps straight from the sand onto the boat.

That small transfer is still far easier than going to Rhodes Port. If you are driving, free all-day parking is available by the beach at the Amada Colossos boat station.

The high-speed ride across the Dodecanese

The first long section is a sightseeing cruise of about 80 minutes. The point is not a narrated history lesson or a series of guided stops. You are there to enjoy the open water, the Rhodes coastline, and the feeling of moving quickly between islands.

The boat is described as fast and comfortable, and the ride is one of the main reasons to choose this option over a slower ferry. You reach Symi with more useful time ashore. That matters because a day trip can easily become mostly transport if the crossing takes too long.

Fast boats have a tradeoff. You may feel wind and spray, especially on open stretches, and the ride can be breezy even on a warm day. Bring a light layer. Fleeces are provided when conditions are windy, but sun protection remains important. A hat that fits securely, sunglasses, water, and sunscreen will make the crossing more pleasant.

The boat makes a brief stop in Mandraki Harbour, around 10 minutes, to let some passengers get on or off. Treat this as an operational stop, not a sightseeing visit. You should be ready to remain on board unless staff direct you otherwise.

Arriving at Symi’s picture-book harbor

Symi’s harbor is the star of the day. As the boat enters, you see rows of pastel-colored houses rising around the water. The buildings and hills give the port a distinctive character that is quite different from the broad beaches and resort strips of Rhodes.

You arrive independently, without a guided walking route or fixed meal. That is a good fit if you like setting your own pace. You can stay near the harbor, wander through the town, browse shops, choose a taverna, or find a place to swim.

The three-hour stop is long enough to make the visit feel worthwhile, but it is not enough for an ambitious exploration of the whole island. Keep your plans local and realistic. Symi’s appeal here is the harbor town itself, not a rushed attempt to cover every road and village.

The heat is a real consideration. One person can easily spend the first hour walking and taking photographs, the second hour over lunch, and the final hour shopping or swimming. If you want a relaxed meal and time by the water, avoid filling your schedule with too many errands.

How to use your three hours in Symi

I would divide the free time into three simple parts:

• Walk the harbor and take in the colored houses and church domes.
• Stop for lunch at a traditional taverna, paid separately.
• Leave time for a swim, a drink, or shopping before returning to the boat.

You are not given lunch, and no meal is included in the $73 price. That keeps the day flexible, but you should budget separately for food and drinks. The harbor has numerous traditional tavernas, so you can choose according to your appetite and timing.

The free time also suits different kinds of visitors. If you want photographs, the harbor gives you plenty to look at without needing a long walk. If you prefer a slower day, you can sit by the water and let the setting do the work. If shopping is your priority, keep an eye on the departure time because the boat will not wait for an extended browse.

The main limitation is that Symi is visited on your own. English, German, and Greek-speaking hosts are available for the operation of the trip, but this is not presented as a private guided tour of Symi. You get freedom, not a detailed escorted visit.

St. George’s Bay and the 30-minute swim

After departing Symi, the boat continues through coastal waters toward St. George’s Bay. The sightseeing section before the stop lasts about 20 minutes, then the boat pauses for roughly 30 minutes.

St. George’s Bay is known here for its clear water and striking setting. The swim stop gives the day a useful change of pace. After walking in Symi’s heat and spending time on the boat, getting into the sea can feel wonderfully refreshing.

You should think of this as a short swim, not a beach afternoon. Thirty minutes goes quickly once you allow time to get ready and climb back aboard. Wear swimwear under your clothes if possible, and keep your towel easy to reach. If you prefer not to swim, you can remain on deck and enjoy the view, though the stop is primarily planned around getting into the water.

Weather can affect the stop. The boat may use a different bay if conditions make the planned location unsuitable. In late September and October, the order may change, with St. George’s Bay visited first so the water gets the best light before the area falls into shade. This is practical rather than a flaw, but it means the exact sequence is not guaranteed.

The return to Faliraki

The final sightseeing cruise lasts about 1.5 hours. By then, you have had the main highlights: Symi’s harbor, a meal or walk on your own, and a swim in a beautiful bay.

The long return can feel different from the outward ride. In the morning, the speed and anticipation make the crossing part of the excitement. On the way back, you may be ready for a quiet seat, a fleece, or a nap. If you enjoy boat rides, the return gives you more time to watch the Rhodes coastline and open sea. If you mainly want Symi, this is the unavoidable transport portion of the excursion.

Drop-off is available at Calypso Beach, Apollo Blue Hotel, Amada Colossos Resort, and Faliraki Harbor. The full experience lasts about eight hours, with return commonly around late afternoon. One account notes getting back at about 5:20 p.m., though the exact time can vary with weather and loading.

What the $73 price really buys you

At $73 per person, the value rests mostly in convenience and time. You are paying for roundtrip fast boat transport, pickup from the Faliraki area, the Symi visit, and the swim stop. Lunch is extra, and there is no indication of a guided meal or paid attraction in Symi.

For someone staying in Faliraki, the price can make sense because it avoids a separate trip to Rhodes Port. That saved transfer is not just a financial matter. It means less early-morning hassle, fewer connections, and more energy for the island.

The value is weaker if you are already based near Rhodes Town or prefer a slower, cheaper ferry ride. The high-speed boat is aimed at people who want a full day trip with less wasted road time. It is also a better fit if you care about seeing Symi and swimming in one day, rather than treating the crossing as a leisurely ferry outing.

One useful booking tip is to compare prices with Rhodes Sea Lines directly. The operator is identified as Rhodes Sea Lines, and the supplied information notes that direct booking may be cheaper than booking through a reseller. The flexibility is helpful too: you can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Faliraki and want to see Symi without starting the day with a transfer to Rhodes Town. It suits couples, families, and independent sightseers who are happy to organize their own three hours on the island.

It is also a strong choice for anyone who likes a brisk boat ride and wants swimming included. The combination of town time and sea time gives the day more variety than a simple port-to-port crossing.

You may want another option if you dislike wind, open-sea motion, or a fixed return schedule. The boat is fast, but that does not mean every moment is calm. You also need to be comfortable with a short swimming stop rather than a long beach visit.

For families, the direct pickup is especially useful. Fewer transfers mean less waiting with bags, towels, and tired children. The boat is wheelchair accessible, though you should still confirm the practical boarding arrangements for your needs before booking.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Arrive at your chosen pickup point early, particularly if you are boarding from a beach location. Check in at the Faliraki Sea Lines desk as instructed, then follow staff directions if a minibus transfer is needed.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and a light fleece or jacket. The sea breeze can make the boat feel cooler than the beach, while Symi may feel very hot during your three-hour stop.

Keep some cash or a payment card available for lunch and personal purchases, since food is not included. Do not wander too far from the harbor unless you are confident about the time. You need to be back at the meeting point before the scheduled departure.

If swimming is important to you, ask staff about the order of the stops on the day. Weather can change the plan, and in the cooler months the bay may be visited first for better sunlight and water color.

The hosts speak English, German, and Greek. Staff are also able to adjust arrangements when weather is poor, including using a minibus to protect passengers from rain or offering the choice to join, reschedule, or receive a refund when conditions require it.

Should you book the Faliraki to Symi boat?

Book this trip if convenience is your main concern and you are based in Faliraki. The direct area pickup, fast crossing, three hours in Symi, and St. George’s Bay swim make a well-shaped day without the usual Rhodes Port transfer.

I would skip it only if you want a slow ferry ride, a fully guided visit, or a long stretch of time on a beach. For most Faliraki visitors who want one memorable island day, the $73 cost is reasonable, especially when you value saved transfers and a second stop for swimming.

FAQ

Where does the boat depart from?

There are four Faliraki-area pickup options: Faliraki Harbor, Apollo Blue Hotel beach, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, and Amada Colossos Resort beach.

What time are the Faliraki pickup points?

The listed pickup times are 9:45 a.m. at Faliraki Harbor, 9:50 a.m. at Apollo Blue Hotel, 9:55 a.m. between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, and 10:00 a.m. at Amada Colossos Resort.

Is the boat boarded directly from the beach?

The service starts in Faliraki, but passengers may check in at the Faliraki Sea Lines desk and take a minibus for about five minutes to the Amada Colossos beach station before boarding the boat.

How long do I have in Symi?

You have approximately three hours of free time in Symi Town.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you pay separately at one of the traditional tavernas or for any other food and drinks.

How long is the swim stop?

The stop at St. George’s Bay lasts about 30 minutes.

Can the swimming location or order change?

Yes. Weather can lead to a different bay being used. From the end of September and during October, St. George’s Bay may be visited before Symi so it is not already shaded later in the day.

What languages are spoken by the host or greeter?

Assistance is available in English, German, and Greek.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is described as wheelchair accessible. You should still confirm boarding details when booking if you require specific assistance.