Fast Boat To Symi & St George’s Bay Directly from Faliraki Beach

Symi rewards the early start. This fast boat trip from Faliraki gives you three hours on Symi, enough for a seaside lunch and a good look around Gialos, and I like the refreshing 30-minute swim stop at St George’s Bay. The main drawback is the ride itself: wind can make the crossing rough, especially if you sit at the front.

I also like the simple schedule. You leave at 10:20 am, visit Symi first, then stop for a swim before returning to Ammoudes. The boat is quick and the day is well organized, but comfort is basic, with limited toilet facilities and no promise of calm seas.

Key points to know before you book

• Three hours in Symi: Enough time to see the pretty harbor, browse the traditional village, and eat beside the water without feeling hurried.
• A fast crossing from Faliraki: The boat covers a lot of sea in a day, but the ride may feel windy or rough.
• St George’s Bay swim stop: You get 30 minutes to enjoy clear water and jump from the boat if conditions suit you.
• Ammoudes meeting point: The trip starts and finishes at 9679+VX Ammoudes, near Faliraki Beach.
• Small-group feel, but not tiny: The maximum capacity is 118 people, so expect a proper excursion boat rather than a private outing.
• Good cancellation terms: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, though bad weather can change the plan.

The 10:20 am start at Ammoudes

This outing begins at 10:20 am from 9679+VX Ammoudes, Greece, a meeting point directly associated with Faliraki Beach. The activity returns to this same point, which makes the plan easy if you are staying in or around Faliraki and want a full day on the water without arranging a separate transfer.

The meeting point matters because the excursion is built around a boat departure, not a hotel pickup. You need to make your own way to Ammoudes, so allow enough time to find the exact point and get ready before the 10:20 departure. The location is near public transportation, and one particularly useful detail is that parking may be available close to the pickup area. That can make this trip easier if you have a rental car.

The mobile ticket is practical. You receive confirmation when booking and can keep the ticket on your phone. English is the listed operating language, so you should be comfortable following the day’s instructions in English.

The boat can carry up to 118 people. That is a respectable capacity, and it means this is not a quiet private cruise. At the same time, the schedule is focused enough that the day does not feel like a floating party with endless stops. You are mainly paying for transport to Symi, time on the island, and a scenic swim stop on the return.

A fast ride across the water

The word fast is important here. This excursion is designed to get you from Rhodes to Symi and back within roughly seven hours, leaving a useful block of time on the island. You are not spending the entire day slowly cruising from one cove to another.

That speed is a major advantage. Symi is one of the most appealing island visits from Rhodes, but getting there independently can take more planning. This boat gives you a direct day trip with a clear timetable and no need to arrange separate island transport once you arrive.

The trade-off is comfort. The ride can be windy, and the front of the boat is the most exposed area. If you are sensitive to motion or do not enjoy wind in your face, choose your seat carefully and avoid treating the bow as the best place simply because it offers the clearest view.

Conditions can change during the day. One crossing was rough on the way to Symi but much smoother on the return, so you should not assume that one direction will feel exactly like the other. A calm morning does not guarantee a calm afternoon. The captain and crew have been praised for keeping the trip organized and on time, but they cannot control the sea.

The boat itself is functional rather than luxurious. It has toilet facilities, though at least one sailing had a broken toilet. I would use the facilities before departure and avoid expecting the comfort of a large ferry. This is a practical speedboat excursion, not a polished yacht cruise.

Three hours in Symi’s harbor town

The main event is your three-hour stop on Symi. The boat brings you to Gialos, the island’s harbor, where the setting does much of the work. Pretty buildings line the waterfront, and the traditional village rises beyond the port.

Three hours is a sensible amount of time for a first visit. You can walk along the harbor, pause for photographs, browse the shops, and stop for lunch beside the sea. You will not have time to explore every corner of Symi, but you should have enough time to get a feel for the island rather than simply stepping off the boat for a quick look.

I like that the stop is long enough for an unhurried meal. A lunch beside the water can easily become the most memorable part of the visit, especially after the boat ride. You can keep the day simple: walk, eat, look around, and return to the meeting point without trying to force too much into a short window.

The harbor is also a good place to slow down. Symi’s appeal comes from its traditional character and attractive waterfront buildings, not from a long checklist of major sights. If you prefer a relaxed island visit to a packed guided tour, the free time works well.

There is a limit, though. The excursion does not include a guided walking tour of Symi, and the schedule gives you free time rather than a planned route. That is good for independent visitors, but you need to decide how to use the three hours. If you want detailed historical explanations or a structured tour, this format may feel too loose.

Keep an eye on the return time. The boat will be working to a fixed schedule, and the trip includes another stop after Symi. I would not wander too far from Gialos unless you are certain you can return promptly. The best use of this visit is to stay close enough to enjoy the waterfront without worrying about the clock.

What makes St George’s Bay special

The 30-minute stop at St George’s Bay is the day’s most refreshing change of pace. After several hours on a boat and time walking around Symi, you get a chance to see the bay from the water and swim in its clear sea.

The stop is short, but it has a clear purpose. This is not another sightseeing visit with a long walk. You remain at the bay for about half an hour, enjoying the view and, if you want, getting into the water. The stop can be as active as jumping from the boat or as relaxed as staying aboard and taking photographs.

The bay has been praised for its dramatic view and clean, inviting water. For many people, this will be the visual highlight of the return trip. The setting gives you a final postcard moment before the boat heads back toward Faliraki.

You should bring what you need for a quick swim. A towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a secure way to carry your phone will make the stop easier. Because the time is limited, do not expect a long beach visit or a chance to settle in onshore. The appeal is the boat-access setting and the quick swim.

This is also the part of the trip most likely to divide opinions. Some people would happily trade part of the swim stop for more time on Symi. If you care more about exploring the island than swimming, the 30 minutes may feel generous. If you love getting into the sea during a boat trip, it may be exactly the right ending.

Is $83.27 a fair price?

At $83.27 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Rhodes. The value depends on what you want the price to cover.

You are paying for a roughly seven-hour excursion, fast boat transport between Rhodes and Symi, three hours of free time on the island, and the St George’s Bay swim stop. You are also paying for the convenience of a fixed route and a return to the same meeting point. For someone staying near Faliraki, that straightforward setup has real value.

The price becomes less appealing if you want a luxury boat, a guided tour, or a long swim session. The boat is described as somewhat basic, and the sea can be rough. Lunch, drinks, and any purchases on Symi are not included in the supplied details, so you should budget separately for those.

Still, the excursion does several things efficiently. It makes a popular island day trip possible within one day, gives you a worthwhile amount of time in Gialos, and adds a swim in one of the area’s striking bays. If you were already planning to visit Symi, the organized boat may save you the trouble of piecing together the journey yourself.

I see it as good value for an active sightseeing day, not a luxury experience. The strongest value comes from the destination and the efficient schedule. The weakest value comes from the basic onboard facilities and the possibility of an uncomfortable crossing.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most?

I would recommend this excursion to people who want a simple way to see Symi from Rhodes and who are happy with free time rather than a guided program. You get independence on the island, but the boat handles the main transportation.

It is a good fit for couples, friends, and families who want to combine sightseeing with a swim. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The capacity of 118 means you should expect a shared excursion rather than personal attention from the crew.

You should think twice if you dislike fast boats, strong wind, or uncertain sea conditions. The front seating area can be particularly windy, and rough water may make the crossing tiring. If you are prone to motion sickness, the trip’s speed and exposure are worth considering before you book.

This may also suit you if you have limited time on Rhodes. The 10:20 am departure and return to Ammoudes keep the day contained. You do not need to build your own route across multiple transport connections. Just remember that the tour requires you to reach the meeting point independently.

Practical ways to make the day better

I would approach this as a sea day with a town visit, not as a full cultural tour of Symi. That expectation will help you enjoy the schedule instead of wishing for more guided information.

For the crossing, I would avoid the front if you are concerned about wind. A seat farther back may feel more comfortable, though conditions can still be rough. The boat ride is part of the experience, but it is also the part you have the least control over.

Wear practical clothing and shoes for both the town and the boat. Pack swimwear and a towel for St George’s Bay, and keep sun protection close at hand. You will want your phone ready for photographs in Gialos and at the bay, but protect it carefully around the water.

Plan your Symi time before you arrive. You might spend the first hour walking along the harbor, the second hour eating beside the sea, and the final hour browsing or taking photographs. That is only a suggestion, but having a loose plan helps you avoid using half your stop deciding what to do.

Use the toilet before departure when possible. The boat has toilet facilities, but they are basic, and at least one sailing had a malfunctioning toilet. This is a small detail that can make a big difference during a long day at sea.

Finally, keep the return time in mind. The crew has been praised for being organized and punctual, and the boat has another scheduled stop at St George’s Bay. You do not want to turn a relaxed afternoon on Symi into a stressful dash back to the harbor.

Weather, cancellation, and basic access

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel yourself for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 10:20 am start time.

Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time, so check the timing carefully if you are arranging this close to the departure date.

Confirmation arrives at booking, and the mobile ticket makes the process simple. The experience is near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The maximum group size is 118, which gives you a clear idea of the scale.

Should you book the Faliraki to Symi speedboat?

Book it if you want the efficient version of a Symi day trip: a fast crossing, three useful hours in Gialos, a scenic 30-minute swim at St George’s Bay, and a return to Ammoudes. The strongest parts are the beauty of Symi, the well-timed schedule, and the chance to swim from the boat in clear water.

Skip it if you want a calm luxury cruise, a guided island tour, or more time on Symi than the fixed schedule allows. You should also think carefully if rough water and wind bother you.

For most active visitors based near Faliraki, I think the trip offers a worthwhile way to see one of Rhodes’ most attractive nearby islands. Go for the destination and the sea views, pack for wind and swimming, and treat the basic boat as the price of getting there quickly.

FAQ

Where does the fast boat to Symi depart?

The meeting point is 9679+VX Ammoudes, Greece, directly from the Faliraki Beach area. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 10:20 am.

How long does the experience last?

The total duration is approximately seven hours.

How much free time do I get on Symi?

You get three hours of free time to explore the island.

How long is the stop at St George’s Bay?

The boat stops at St George’s Bay for 30 minutes for views and swimming.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.