Rhodes: Speedboat Trip to Symi with Free Time to Explore

Symi is the star here. After a fast crossing from Rhodes, you enter a beautiful harbor lined with pastel neoclassical houses climbing the hillsides. I like the excellent value at $35 and the freedom to spend your time as you please, with no guide hurrying you from one sight to the next.

I also like having both an air-conditioned cabin and an open sundeck, since the boat can feel warm, noisy, or bumpy depending on where you sit. The main drawback is the long crossing, about 80 minutes each way, and boarding can be an untidy rush if you want one of the limited top-deck seats.

Key points to know before you go

• The boat ride is part of the sightseeing: See Rhodes Castle, the Old Town walls, windmills, Naillac Tower, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium from the sea.
• Symi harbor is wonderfully photogenic: Colorful houses rise in an amphitheater around the water as you approach.
• You get several hours on your own: Use the time for lunch, shopping, a walk through the lanes, the Kali Strata steps, or a swim.
• Choose your seat with care: The sundeck fills quickly, while the front and outer seats can get spray.
• The boat has a small bar: Drinks and snacks are available onboard, including reasonably priced beer and coffee.
• This is transport, not a guided tour: You are paying for the crossing and free time, not commentary or organized sightseeing on Symi.

Why this Rhodes to Symi trip is worth considering

For many people, this is the easiest way to add a second Greek island to a Rhodes holiday. Symi feels different from Rhodes Town almost at once. Rhodes gives you medieval fortifications, busy streets, and a large urban center. Symi gives you a compact harbor, steep hills, colorful houses, cats, tavernas, and a slower pace.

The price makes the trip especially appealing. At $35 per person, you get roundtrip transport and several hours on Symi without paying for a private boat or a full guided excursion. You still need to pay for food, drinks, taxis, and anything you buy on the island, but the basic fare is hard to fault.

I would choose this trip if you want a scenic day out but prefer to make your own plans. You can sit by the water with lunch, climb uphill for a view, browse shops, or simply wander. That freedom is useful because people enjoy Symi in different ways. Some want to walk. Others want a long meal and a swim.

The tradeoff is time on the water. The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way, sometimes closer to an hour and a half. That leaves roughly three to five hours on Symi, depending on the sailing schedule. It is enough for the harbor and a few nearby sights, but not enough for an unhurried tour of the whole island.

Leaving Rhodes from Kolona Harbor

The stated meeting point is Kolona Harbor. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat, and allow time to collect or confirm your tickets at the kiosk. The harbor is close to Rhodes Old Town, so you can reach it on foot from the historic center, though the exact boarding area can cause confusion.

One practical warning: the boat location has reportedly been near, rather than exactly at, the point some booking directions indicate. Check the latest instructions before leaving your hotel and follow signs for Sebeco Lines when you reach the port. If you have booked an optional hotel transfer, watch for the company email sent the day before. Some bookings include the chance to arrange a transfer for an extra fee.

Boarding is the least polished part of the outing. The boat can be busy, and people may press forward rather than keep a neat line. If sitting outdoors matters to you, arrive early and queue before boarding begins. The upper deck has fewer seats than the enclosed area.

The boat has indoor seating with air conditioning and outdoor areas where you can feel the wind and sun. The top deck gives you the best open views, but the outer seats near the front may catch seawater. On a hot day that spray can feel refreshing. If you want to stay dry, choose an inside or more sheltered seat.

The 80-minute view of Rhodes from the sea

The departure is more than a simple transfer. As the speedboat leaves the harbor, you get a different angle on Rhodes Old Town. Medieval walls, the minarets, the clock, and the Marine Gate look especially good from the water.

Keep your camera ready for the Rhodes Castle walls and the old harbor entrance. The view helps you understand how strongly the city was shaped by the sea. From land, the walls can feel massive and enclosed. From offshore, you see their position at the edge of the harbor and the way the fortifications controlled access.

The boat also passes the 46-meter-high Naillac Tower, the windmills of Rhodes, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium of Rhodes. These sights come quickly, so an outdoor seat is useful if you want photographs. The enclosed cabin is better for comfort, air conditioning, and protection from spray.

Sea conditions vary. Several people found the ride smooth, while others described some bumpiness, especially on the way back. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit in a stable, shaded area and use the air-conditioned cabin when needed. One useful detail is that the boat has a bar, with coffee, beer, and other refreshments available during the crossing.

The boat is described as modern and fast, but it is not silent. The return crossing can feel noisy, particularly inside. That is a small price for covering the distance quickly, but bring your expectations down if you imagine a quiet sailing yacht.

Entering Symi Bay and seeing the colorful houses

The arrival is the visual high point. Symi Town rises around the bay in an amphitheater, with rows of neoclassical houses painted in soft colors. When the water is calm, the buildings reflect in the sea and create the postcard view that brings many people here.

Try to be outside as the boat enters the harbor. You will get the clearest sense of how steep the town is and how closely the buildings gather around the water. This is also the moment for the classic Symi photographs, with boats in the foreground and hills covered by houses behind them.

Symi is not a flat seaside resort. The main harbor area is easy to explore, but the streets and steps rise sharply. That is part of the appeal, though it matters if you have limited mobility or dislike hills. The Kali Strata, a famous stair route, has around 500 steps and rewards the effort with views over the harbor.

You do not need to climb all the way to enjoy the town. A slow walk along the waterfront, a coffee, and a look through the shops can fill your time nicely. If you want to climb, start early in your visit, before the strongest afternoon heat.

How to spend three to five hours on Symi

Your free time is deliberately unstructured. That is good news if you have already researched what you want to do, but you should not expect a guide waiting with a walking route or a history talk.

A sensible plan is to begin with the waterfront. Walk the promenade, take photographs, check restaurant menus, and get your bearings before deciding how far uphill you want to go. The harbor has shops, bars, cafés, and restaurants, so you can enjoy the town without arranging extra transport.

For lunch, try local seafood if it appeals to you. Symi shrimp, often served fried, is a local specialty highlighted by several people who enjoyed the island. You might also find other Greek dishes, cakes, coffee, and milkshakes around the harbor. Prices and quality will vary by restaurant, so compare menus before sitting down.

Shopping is another easy use of your time. The compact center has small shops and plenty of opportunities to browse without committing to a long walk. Symi is also known for its cats, which are common around the harbor and lanes. If you enjoy cats, keep your camera ready, but remember that they are local animals, not part of the organized activity.

Swimming is possible, but the main harbor area is not a classic beach destination. One important point is that there are no proper beaches immediately beside the main boat drop-off. You might find a small swimming spot nearby, but if a beach is your priority, you need to arrange transport to another part of the island. One person used a taxi to reach St. George’s Beach, while another found a small place to swim during the free time.

This is why your personal plan matters. For lunch, shops, and harbor photographs, three hours can be enough. For the Kali Strata, a long meal, and swimming, five hours is more comfortable. The published schedule can offer up to five hours, but actual time varies by departure and return sailing. Check the specific departure when booking.

Timing, return sailing, and the value of independence

The standard outline is an 80-minute crossing, free time on Symi, then another 80-minute crossing back to Rhodes. The full outing lasts about seven to eight hours, including the time in port and the island stop.

The boat is often punctual, and the return departure is taken seriously. Do not wander too far from the harbor near the end of your visit. Some departures leave promptly, and missing the boat would create a major problem because this is not a flexible private transfer.

Occasional delays can happen. One account described leaving Rhodes 15 to 20 minutes late without receiving extra time on Symi. That is worth keeping in mind if you have a tightly timed evening plan in Rhodes. For most people, the schedule still works well, but I would avoid booking a separate activity immediately after the stated return time.

The independent format also keeps the cost down. You are not paying for a guide, coach tours, or a packed program. The downside is that you must manage your own time, meals, directions, and return to the pier. I see this as a fair exchange for the low price, especially since Symi’s harbor is compact and easy to understand.

Who will enjoy this day trip most

I would recommend the trip to couples, families, independent sightseers, and anyone staying in Rhodes who wants one memorable island day. It is particularly good for photographers, food lovers, and people who prefer to explore at their own speed.

It also works for a mixed group. One person can climb the Kali Strata while another enjoys a long lunch by the water. Children may like the boat ride and cats, though the heat, steps, and long return crossing can test patience.

You should think twice if you want a guided cultural tour, a quiet luxury cruise, or a full beach day. The boat can be busy, boarding can be hurried, and the sea may be choppy. Symi itself is hilly, and the main harbor is more suited to walking, eating, shopping, and photographs than to beach lounging.

The lack of a guide is not a flaw if you want independence. It is a limitation only if you expect detailed explanations of the island or help organizing every hour.

Booking details and small practical tips

The experience includes roundtrip speedboat transport and free time on Symi. Food and drinks are not included, though the boat bar sells refreshments. There is no guided tour of the island.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability carefully, especially if you want the longest possible stay on Symi.

I would bring sun protection, water, comfortable shoes, and a light layer for the air-conditioned cabin. Wear swimwear beneath your clothes if you hope to swim, but do not count on finding a beach directly beside the pier.

For photographs, sit outside during the departure from Rhodes and the arrival into Symi. For the return, choose the cabin if you are tired, sunburned, or sensitive to spray. If you want to sit with your group, board early and avoid spreading your belongings across separate seats.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi speedboat?

I would book it if you want a good-value day trip to one of the prettiest harbor towns in the Dodecanese. The boat is fast, the views from both ports are worthwhile, and several hours of free time let you shape the visit around your own interests.

Book with realistic expectations. This is not a guided island tour and not a beach cruise. It is a practical, scenic transfer with time to eat, shop, walk, climb, and perhaps swim. For $35, that is a strong deal, especially if you arrive early for boarding, check the exact harbor instructions, and keep an eye on the return time.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat leave from?

The meeting point is Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and allow time to find the ticket kiosk or confirm your boarding details.

How long is the boat ride to Symi?

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way. Some departures may take closer to an hour and a half depending on conditions and timing.

How much free time do I get on Symi?

The schedule can provide several hours, with the activity information allowing up to five hours. Actual time depends on the selected departure and return sailing.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price. You can buy refreshments from the onboard bar and purchase meals or drinks on Symi.

Is there a guide on Symi?

No. This experience provides transport and free time only. You explore the island independently.

Does the boat have air conditioning?

Yes. The boat has an enclosed air-conditioned area as well as outdoor seating and a sundeck.

Can I swim on Symi?

Yes, swimming may be possible, but there are no proper beaches beside the main drop-off area. You might find a small swimming spot, or you can arrange transport to another part of the island.

Can I climb the Kali Strata?

Yes. The Kali Strata has around 500 steps and offers views over Symi harbor. Allow enough time and be prepared for steep walking in the heat.

Can I cancel the booking?

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