Rhodes: Boat trip to Symi island with swimming at St. George

The best part of this day is the pairing of two very different stops: a clear-water swim at St. George Bay followed by time in Symi’s photogenic harbor. You get a proper island outing, not just a quick boat ride and a rushed photograph.

I like the simple two-part plan and the generous time in Symi. I also like that the optional hotel transfer takes care of the awkward early logistics, especially if you are staying outside Rhodes Town. The main thing to consider is the long time on the boat. The journey is part of the experience, but it can feel tiring if you want a fast day trip.

Key points to know before booking

• St. George Bay gets about 45 minutes for swimming and snorkeling, with exceptionally clear water and a dramatic, wild setting.
• Symi gives you roughly three hours to explore, enough for lunch, shopping, photographs, and a walk around Gialos.
• The colorful harbor is the main event, with bright houses, churches, seafood restaurants, cafes, and small local shops.
• Hotel pickup and return are optional, with transfers available from places such as Faliraki, Lindos, Pefkos, Ialysos, Ixia, and Rhodes Town.
• The $51 price is strong value if you want both a boat trip and an island visit, but food, drinks, and hotel transport may cost extra.
• Bring proper swim gear, including a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and dry clothes for the trip back.

Why the St. George Bay stop makes this trip worthwhile

Many boat trips from Rhodes to Symi are mainly about the destination. This one adds a useful break at St. George Bay, a small coastal stop known for clear water and a striking natural setting.

The swim lasts about 45 minutes. That is long enough for a proper dip and some snorkeling, though not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon. You can jump from the boat into the water or stay aboard and enjoy the view if swimming is not your thing.

The water is especially clear. You may be able to see the bottom even where the bay feels deep, which makes the stop appealing to confident swimmers and anyone who enjoys a quick look below the surface. You should still bring your own expectations: this is a boat swimming stop, not a visit to a developed beach with loungers, changing rooms, or a cafe.

The stop also breaks up the crossing. Instead of sitting on the boat for the entire trip to Symi, you get a chance to cool off, stretch your legs, and take photographs. Pack your towel and a change of clothes in an easy-to-reach bag rather than burying them under your main luggage.

The morning departure from Rhodes

The exact start depends on your selected option and pickup location. If you arrange a transfer, the company sends the pickup time and place after booking. The transfer service covers a wide area, including Rhodes Town, Theologos, Ialysos, Ixia, Faliraki, Kallithea, Kolympia, Lindos, Pefki, Pefkos, Lartos, Gennadi, Kiotari, Lachania, Plimmiri, Afantou, Kremasti, Kalathos, Fanes, and other areas listed by the operator.

Allow extra patience for the return drive. Pickup can be quick in one direction and slower in the other because the vehicle may make several hotel stops. For a stress-free morning, the transfer option is useful, particularly if your accommodation is well away from Mandraki Harbor.

If you are going to the harbor independently, check in at the Half Price Tours office at Gallias Street 6, next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor. You need to arrive between 9:15 and 9:40 in the morning to receive your boarding pass.

That check-in window is narrow enough to take seriously. Give yourself time to find the office and walk to the boat. The advertised day lasts about 8.5 hours, so this is a full outing rather than a short half-day cruise.

Cruising out toward Symi

The first part of the trip is a scenic cruise across the water toward Symi. The sea crossing is not simply transport between two ports. You get views along the coast, open-water scenery, and the pleasure of approaching a smaller Greek island by boat.

A boat trip also gives you a different arrival than a road transfer. Symi’s harbor opens up gradually, and the colorful buildings become the focus as you approach. Have your camera ready before the boat enters Gialos. The harbor is one of the strongest photo moments of the day.

The boat has drinks and snacks available for purchase, including hot and cold drinks and alcoholic options, according to the published trip details. Food and drinks are not included in the $51 price, so budget for anything you want onboard. You can also wait until Symi for lunch.

The crossing is the day’s main drawback for anyone who dislikes long boat rides. One account describes the return journey as about two hours, and the full schedule allows plenty of time for sailing. Sit where you are comfortable, protect yourself from the sun, and keep water with you.

Arriving in Symi’s picture-book harbor

Symi is known for its compact harbor area, Gialos, and its colorful buildings rising around the water. The arrival is the visual high point. You will see painted houses, prominent churches, boats, and a waterfront lined with places to eat and shop.

Gialos is small enough to explore on foot during your free time. That makes the three-hour stop manageable. You are not trying to cover a large island in a short window. Instead, you can focus on the harbor, find lunch, take photographs, and browse the local stalls at a comfortable pace.

The island has a polished, boutique feel. Along the waterfront and nearby streets, you might find small cafes, fish and seafood restaurants, handmade jewelry, clothing, gifts, sponges, and spices. The shopping is best for browsing and picking up a small keepsake rather than planning a major shopping expedition.

The churches and colorful homes give the town much of its character. You can take a self-guided walk, pause for photographs, and enjoy the harbor views without needing a formal sightseeing program. The tour does not include a guide-led island tour, so you should be comfortable setting your own pace.

Making the most of three hours on Symi

Three hours is a useful amount of time, but it requires a little planning. I would spend the first few minutes orienting yourself around the harbor, then choose between lunch, shopping, and a longer walk.

If food is your priority, start by looking at the waterfront restaurants rather than waiting until the final hour. Symi is known for Simiako Garidaki, small local shrimp cooked in olive oil. It is one of the island’s signature dishes and an obvious choice if you want to try something associated with the destination.

Lunch is not included, so restaurant prices and menu choices are your responsibility. The advantage is freedom: you can choose a seafood meal, a cafe stop, or a lighter snack according to your budget and appetite.

For photographs, the harbor itself gives you plenty to work with. Look back across the water toward the buildings, and take time to capture the approach and the waterfront from different angles. The trip is particularly suited to people who enjoy visual stops and do not need a tightly guided schedule.

Shopping is another easy use of the free time. Browse the jewelry, clothes, gifts, sponges, and spices, but keep track of time. The boat will not wait for a late return to the meeting point.

The return cruise to Rhodes

After the Symi stop, you return by boat to Rhodes. The return can feel longer than the outward journey because the excitement of the arrival has passed, so plan for a slower final stretch.

It is still a pleasant part of the day. You get more sea views, and the approach to Rhodes can offer views toward Rhodes Old Town. Keep your camera out as you near the harbor, but also use the time to rest after the swim and walking.

The return transfer is included only when you book the option with hotel transportation. If you travel to the meeting point independently, you need to arrange your own way back from the harbor. This distinction matters when comparing the basic $51 fare with a transfer-inclusive option.

Some return drives take longer because of several hotel stops. That is not a flaw in the boat trip itself, but it can make the full day feel longer for people staying in the southern or eastern resort areas.

What the $51 price really buys you

At $51 per person, the basic price is good value for a full-day boat outing that includes round-trip boat tickets, a swimming stop, and several hours in Symi. You are effectively combining a coastal cruise, a swim, and an island visit in one booking.

The price does not include lunch, drinks, or hotel pickup and return unless you select a package that adds transportation. That keeps the base fare attractive, but you should compare the final price rather than stopping at the headline figure.

The trip is especially good value if you already have your own transport to Mandraki Harbor and want to choose your own lunch in Symi. The transfer option may be worth paying extra for if you are staying in Pefkos, Lindos, Faliraki, or another resort away from Rhodes Town. Direct hotel pickup removes the need to arrange taxis and makes the morning much easier.

The activity also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms help if your holiday plans are still shifting, though you should check the exact conditions attached to your selected option.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a broad taste of the area in one day. It works well for first-time visitors to Rhodes who want to see Symi without arranging a separate ferry, and for families or couples who like a mix of sightseeing and swimming.

It also suits photographers, shoppers, and seafood fans. Symi’s harbor is compact, colorful, and easy to explore without a guide. The stop at St. George Bay adds a real activity rather than making the day only about looking at buildings.

You should think twice if you dislike long boat crossings, get uncomfortable in strong sun, or want several hours on a quiet beach. St. George Bay is a swim stop from the boat, and Symi is free time in the harbor area. This is not a slow, secluded beach day.

The schedule can also feel full. You leave Rhodes, swim, explore Symi, cruise back, and possibly take a hotel transfer with several stops. It is rewarding, but you should not expect a restful morning and early afternoon.

Practical packing advice for the boat

Bring sunglasses and a sun hat. The open water and bright Greek sun can be tiring, especially during the crossing.

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. You will be much more comfortable during the return cruise if you can dry off and put on something clean after St. George Bay.

Keep your phone or camera protected from splashes. The best photographs come during the approach to Symi and while sailing into the harbor, so make sure your device is charged before leaving.

Bring some spending money for lunch, drinks, and shopping. The tour includes the boat and swimming stop, but not meals or refreshments.

Is the Rhodes to Symi trip worth booking?

Yes, if you want two strong experiences in one day and accept that the boat ride takes a good share of the schedule. The clear-water stop at St. George Bay gives the trip more variety, while Symi offers colorful buildings, local food, small shops, and easy waterfront walking.

I would choose the hotel transfer if you are staying outside Rhodes Town and value a simple start and finish. I would choose the basic harbor option if you are nearby and want to keep the cost close to $51.

Book it if you want a scenic island day with time for a swim and lunch. Skip it if your ideal holiday day means staying in one quiet bay or avoiding several hours at sea.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip to Symi last?

The full activity lasts about 8.5 hours, including the cruise, the swimming stop at St. George Bay, free time in Symi, and the return journey.

What is included in the price?

The price includes round-trip boat tickets to Symi and the swimming stop at St. George Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the basic option. You can select an option that includes transport from your hotel and back.

Where do I check in if I do not need a transfer?

Check in at the Half Price Tours office at Gallias Street 6, next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor. The check-in time is from 9:15 to 9:40 in the morning.

How long do I get to swim at St. George Bay?

The swimming and snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get about three hours in Symi for sightseeing, walking, shopping, photographs, and lunch.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you have free time in Symi to buy lunch. You can also purchase drinks and snacks onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, and sunscreen.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now, pay-later option.