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

Symi is worth the fast ride. This trip takes you from Faliraki Beach straight to Symi, saving you the usual bus transfer to Rhodes Town and the early start that comes with it. I especially like the three hours of free time in Symi and the 30-minute swim stop at St. George’s Bay, two very different pleasures packed into one day.

The $73 price is fair for an eight-hour outing if you are staying in Faliraki and want an efficient way to see Symi. My main caution is the boat ride itself: high speed means wind, spray, and a cool breeze, even on a warm Greek day. Bring a light layer, and keep in mind that three hours in Symi can pass quickly in the heat.

The best parts of this Faliraki boat trip

• Beach boarding in Faliraki: You can join from Faliraki Harbour, Apollo Blue, near Calypso Beach, or Amada Colossos Resort instead of making your own way to Rhodes Port.
• Three hours in Symi Town: You have enough time for lunch, a walk around the harbor, shopping, and possibly a quick swim.
• A 30-minute stop at St. George’s Bay: The clear water and steep coastal setting make this more than just a quick photo stop.
• Fast travel time: The boat gets you to Symi more quickly than a slower excursion boat, leaving useful time on the island.
• Weather-aware routing: In late September and October, the operator may visit St. George’s Bay first so the cove is not shaded on arrival.
• Flexible booking terms: You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund and reserve without paying immediately.

Why leaving from Faliraki changes the whole day

The practical advantage here is simple: you do not need to take a roughly 40-minute bus ride into Rhodes Town before the sea trip begins. If you are staying at a Faliraki beach hotel, the boat may be close enough to feel like an extension of your morning walk.

The four stated pickup points are Faliraki Harbour at 9:45 a.m., Apollo Blue Hotel beach at 9:50, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel at 9:55, and Amada Colossos beach at 10:00. Find the stop nearest your hotel and allow time to check in.

There is one small wrinkle in the boarding arrangement. You check in at the Faliraki Sea Lines desk on the beach, then staff may guide you to a minibus for a five-minute ride to the Amada Colossos boat station. So direct from Faliraki does not always mean stepping onto the boat at the exact beach beside your hotel. It does mean avoiding the long transfer to Rhodes Port.

If you arrive by car, the Amada Colossos station has free beach parking for the day. That is a useful detail for anyone staying outside central Faliraki or renting a car.

The fast crossing to Symi

The first major section is a sightseeing cruise of about 80 minutes. The high-speed boat is the main reason to choose this excursion. You spend less of the day simply getting there and more of it on Symi itself.

The ride can be smooth and exciting, but it is not always calm. Several practical comments point to strong wind on board, and the crew provides fleeces when needed. I would still bring a light jacket, sunglasses, and something to protect your phone from spray.

There is also a 10-minute stop in Mandraki Harbour. This allows passengers to get on and off, so it is not really a sightseeing visit or a chance to explore Rhodes Town. Treat it as an operational stop, not an extra attraction.

The boat offers views of the Dodecanese coast and open sea, with the speed adding a little fun to the crossing. If you are sensitive to motion, sit where you feel most stable and avoid assuming that a fast boat will feel gentler than a slower one. Conditions can change, and the route may be adjusted if the weather turns.

Arriving in Symi’s picture-perfect harbor

Symi makes a strong first impression from the water. The harbor is lined with pastel-colored neoclassical buildings, and the hills rise behind the waterfront in layers of cream, yellow, pink, and pale blue. Church domes add small flashes of color above the town.

This is a place where the approach matters. You see the harbor before you enter it, then watch the waterfront come closer from the boat. Have your camera ready, but do not spend the entire arrival staring at a screen. The view is one of the finest parts of the trip.

Once you disembark, you have approximately three hours to use as you like. That sounds generous, but it is a modest amount of time in a warm port town. Symi is compact enough for a useful visit, yet there is plenty to do at an unhurried pace.

I would begin by walking along the harbor to get your bearings. The waterfront gives you the classic view of the colorful houses and fishing boats, while the side streets offer a quieter look at the town. You can stop for photographs, browse shops, and choose a taverna without trying to force every possible sight into one visit.

How to use your three hours in Symi

Three hours works best if you decide what matters before you arrive. A relaxed plan could look like this:

• Walk the harbor and nearby streets.
• Stop for a traditional lunch.
• Browse local shops.
• Take photographs from different points along the waterfront.
• Leave a little time to return to the boat without rushing.

Lunch is not included in the $73 price, so budget separately for a meal and drinks. The numerous traditional tavernas make lunch an easy choice, but a sit-down meal can use a large part of your free time. If you want to explore more thoroughly, eat efficiently and keep moving. If the meal is part of your Greek island experience, give it priority and accept that you will see less of the town.

Swimming in Symi is possible, but the trip’s scheduled swim stop comes later at St. George’s Bay. You do not need to spend your limited town time searching for a beach unless that is a major goal.

The heat is worth taking seriously. A three-hour stop may sound long on paper, yet the time goes quickly once you combine walking, lunch, photographs, and shopping. Carry water if you have it, wear practical footwear, and do not leave your return to the boat until the last few minutes.

St. George’s Bay, the day’s visual highlight

After leaving Symi, the boat makes a sightseeing run of about 20 minutes before reaching St. George’s Bay. The stop lasts around 30 minutes and is intended for swimming or relaxing on deck.

The cove is known for clear water and a dramatic setting, with steep rocky sides enclosing the bay. It feels very different from Symi Town. In Symi, the pleasure is architecture, harbor views, and a lived-in island setting. At St. George’s Bay, the pleasure is the water itself and the sense of being surrounded by open coast.

Bring a swimsuit under your clothes so you can get into the water quickly. Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing dip, but not enough for a long beach visit. This is a swim break, not a full afternoon at the shore.

Weather can change the plan. The boat may stop at another beautiful bay if conditions make St. George’s Bay unsuitable. That is a sensible adjustment, although it means the exact location is not guaranteed. In late September and October, the operator may visit St. George’s Bay before Symi instead, because the cove can be shaded later in the day and the water may look less striking.

The stop is often the welcome relief after a hot few hours in Symi. If you are not swimming, you can stay on deck and enjoy the view, but the short timing favors people who are ready to get in the water.

The return to Faliraki

The final sightseeing cruise lasts about 1.5 hours. After the swim, you have time to settle back into your seat, dry off, and watch the coast pass by.

The return drop-off points are Calypso Beach, Apollo Blue Hotel, Amada Colossos Resort, and Faliraki Harbour. One detailed account put the return at about 5:20 p.m., though the listed duration is eight hours and actual timing can shift with boarding, weather, and sea conditions.

The staff appear to take weather changes seriously. When rain was forecast on one outing, the company arranged a minibus so people did not have to wait in the rain and offered the choice of joining, rescheduling, or receiving a refund. That kind of flexibility matters on a sea trip, where conditions are not fully under anyone’s control.

The crew and administrative staff are described as friendly and helpful, and service is available in English, German, and Greek. An informative onboard commentary has also been noted, though you should think of this primarily as a transport and sightseeing cruise rather than a guided walking tour of Symi.

Is $73 good value?

At $73 per person, the value rests on convenience and time saved. You are paying for roundtrip boat transport, direct Faliraki access, the fast crossing, approximately three hours in Symi, and the swim stop. Lunch is extra.

For someone based in Faliraki, the savings in effort are significant. You avoid arranging transport to Rhodes Port, and you do not lose part of the morning to a bus transfer. That makes the price easier to justify than it might be for someone already staying near Rhodes Town.

The strongest value is the combination of Symi and St. George’s Bay. A basic transfer to Symi would get you from one island to another, but this trip adds a planned swim in a striking cove. You also get more useful island time than you might expect from a day cruise that spends hours on the water.

The tradeoff is that the outing is structured around transport schedules. You cannot extend your lunch, stay longer in Symi, or linger at the bay. You also pay for speed, which brings wind and a more active ride.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you are staying in Faliraki, especially near one of the four pickup points. Families, couples, and independent sightseers can all make good use of the day, provided everyone is comfortable with a fast boat and a fixed schedule.

It suits you if you want a first look at Symi without arranging ferries, taxis, and port transfers. It is also a good fit if you like to mix town time with swimming rather than spend the entire day visiting streets and buildings.

You may want a different plan if you need a slow, quiet boat journey, extensive time in Symi, or a fully guided cultural tour. Three hours is enough for an enjoyable introduction, but not enough to explore every corner at a leisurely pace.

Wheelchair access is listed, which is helpful, though the practical details of moving between beach boarding points, the minibus, and the boat should be confirmed when booking if you need specific assistance.

What to bring for the eight-hour outing

A little preparation will make the day easier:

• A light fleece or jacket for the fast crossing.
• Swimsuit, towel, and sandals for St. George’s Bay.
• Sun protection and a hat.
• Water and money for lunch, since food is not included.
• A phone case or small dry bag if you want to photograph the boat ride and swim stop.
• Comfortable shoes for walking around Symi Town.

Try to arrive at the correct beach meeting point early enough to check in calmly. The stops are close together in timing, so missing your listed departure could be a serious problem.

My verdict on the Faliraki to Symi boat

Book this trip if you are staying in Faliraki and want the simplest practical route to Symi. The direct beach access, fast crossing, three hours in the harbor town, and St. George’s Bay swim stop make a strong full-day package for $73.

I would not book it expecting a slow island day or a guided tour filled with historical detail. Book it for the scenery, the convenience, the colorful harbor, and the chance to cool off in clear water before heading home. Bring a layer for the wind, plan your three hours in Symi, and stay flexible if weather changes the swim stop.

FAQ

How long is the Faliraki to Symi boat trip?

The complete experience lasts about eight hours. It includes the outward cruise, approximately three hours of free time in Symi, a 30-minute swim stop, and the return cruise.

Where can I board the boat in Faliraki?

You can board from Faliraki Harbour, Apollo Blue Hotel beach, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, or Amada Colossos beach.

What are the listed pickup times?

The listed times are 9:45 a.m. at Faliraki Harbour, 9:50 a.m. at Apollo Blue Hotel, 9:55 a.m. near Calypso Beach and Blue Sea Beach, and 10:00 a.m. at Amada Colossos beach.

Do I need to go to Rhodes Port?

No. The tour is designed to take you from Faliraki rather than requiring a bus transfer to Rhodes Port. A five-minute minibus ride to the Amada Colossos boat station may be used for boarding.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours to explore Symi Town independently. You can use the time for lunch, walking, shopping, photographs, or a swim.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should budget separately for food and drinks in Symi.

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

The scheduled swimming stop lasts about 30 minutes. You can swim in the clear water or stay on deck and enjoy the cove.

Can the swim stop location or order change?

Yes. Weather may cause the boat to use another bay. In late September and October, St. George’s Bay may be visited before Symi to avoid shade later in the day.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you need particular help with the beach boarding point, minibus, or boat, confirm the arrangements before departure.