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

Clear water, colorful harbor, one full day. This Rhodes boat trip pairs two very different pleasures: a swim at wild St. George Bay and free time in photogenic Symi. I especially like the two-stop format and the chance to arrive in Symi by sea, with its pastel houses and small harbor opening up ahead. The main drawback is the long return crossing, which can feel tiring after a warm day ashore.

I also like the simple pricing. At $51 per person, you get return boat tickets and the swimming stop, while three hours in Symi lets you choose your own lunch, shops, and walking route. Hotel transfers cost extra, and the boat day can run close to nine hours, so this suits you best if you want a full outing rather than a relaxed morning.

Key points before you book

• St. George Bay comes first: You get roughly 45 minutes to an hour for swimming and snorkeling in clear water surrounded by steep, wild scenery.
• Symi is best seen from the sea: The approach through the natural harbor gives you some of the day’s strongest photo views.
• Three hours in Gialos: You have time for lunch, a walk, shopping, and the famous Simiako Garidaki, small baby shrimp cooked in olive oil.
• Hotel pickup is optional: You can meet at the operator’s office on Gallias Street near Mandraki Harbor, or pay for transport from selected Rhodes locations.
• The return trip takes patience: Expect a long ride back, though the views toward Rhodes Old Town add interest.
• Pack for two kinds of day: Bring swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses.

Why this Rhodes to Symi trip works

Symi is close enough to reach on a day trip, but it feels distinct from Rhodes. Its harbor town, Gialos, is compact and lined with colorful buildings, small churches, seafood restaurants, cafes, and shops selling jewelry, clothes, sponges, spices, and gifts.

The boat gives you a useful first look at the island. You are not simply dropped at a ferry terminal and left to find your way around. The approach to the natural harbor is part of the experience, and the changing views from the water help explain why Symi is one of the most photographed islands in the Dodecanese.

The day also adds a second setting before Symi. St. George Bay is a rugged cove with emerald water and a dramatic, undeveloped feel. You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and enjoy the view. That variety matters. A visit to Symi alone would be pleasant, but the bay stop gives the outing a proper holiday rhythm: boat, swim, island, lunch, and a long ride home.

Starting at Mandraki Harbor or from your hotel

If you arrange your own transport, check in between 9:15 and 9:40 in the morning at the Half Price Tours office at Gallias Street 6. It is next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor. You receive your boarding pass there, so do not treat the check-in window as optional.

Hotel pickup is available as a paid option rather than part of the basic $51 fare. Pickup areas include Rhodes Town and a wide range of resort locations, such as Faliraki, Lindos, Pefki, Ialysos, Ixia, Kallithea, Kolympia, Kiotari, Gennadi, Afantou, Kremasti, and others.

The transfer option is useful if you are staying away from Rhodes Town. Several bookings describe the pickup as on time, and one account notes that the driver arrived early. The return can take longer because the vehicle may make several stops. That is the normal tradeoff for door-to-door convenience.

If you meet at the harbor yourself, you avoid those road transfers and keep the morning simpler. I would choose this option if you are already staying near Rhodes Town. If you are based in Pefkos, Lindos, or another southern resort, paying for pickup may be worth it.

The crossing to Symi sets the mood

The boat ride is not a quick hop. The full trip lasts about 8.5 hours, and the sea journey forms a large part of that time. On the way out, the route includes scenic views before the stop at St. George Bay. On the way back, you get more views of Rhodes, including the area around Rhodes Old Town.

The boat has drinks and snacks available for purchase, including hot and cold drinks, alcohol, and light food. These are not included, so bring money or plan to buy what you need onboard. Food and drinks are also not included in the tour price.

A long boat ride can be a plus if you enjoy being on the water and watching the coast pass by. It can be less appealing if you want maximum time on land. You should also expect the day to feel exposed to the sun, even when you are sitting on the boat. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a bottle of water are sensible basics.

The boat trip is part transport and part sightseeing. Keep your camera ready as you approach Symi, but do not spend the whole crossing staring at your phone. The harbor entrance is one of the moments worth watching in real time.

St. George Bay: a short swim in a wild cove

The stop at St. George Bay lasts roughly 45 minutes to an hour. The timing gives you enough for a proper swim, a little snorkeling, or a quick dip followed by time on deck. The water is described as clear enough to see the bottom even in deeper areas, making this the strongest swimming stop of the day.

The setting is the real attraction. St. George Bay has a wild, steep-sided appearance, with no long resort promenade or row of beach businesses competing for attention. From the boat, the bay feels quiet and remote, even though it is part of a popular island excursion.

Bring a towel and a change of clothes. You may want to swim early in the stop, then dry off before returning to Symi. Snorkeling is included as an activity, but bring your own mask only if you prefer familiar equipment, since the available equipment details are not specified.

This is not the place for a long beach afternoon. The boat stop is brief, and you should be ready to return when called. If swimming is important to you, go prepared and use the full time. If you do not want to get wet, you can remain on the boat and take in the cove from above.

Arriving in Gialos, Symi’s compact harbor town

After St. George Bay, the boat continues to Symi. The arrival through the natural harbor is a highlight because the town appears in layers, with colorful houses and imposing churches rising around the water.

Gialos is small enough to explore without a strict route. You can walk along the harbor, pause at a cafe, look through the shops, or choose a seafood restaurant for lunch. The free time is self-guided, so you are not tied to a group walking tour or a guide’s timetable once you arrive.

You have about three hours in Symi. That is enough time for a relaxed meal and a short walk, or for lunch followed by shopping and photos. It is not enough time to treat the whole island as your playground. The included visit focuses on Gialos and the harbor area, not a full island tour.

The town is particularly good for photographs. The colored buildings, harbor boats, churches, and surrounding hills give you plenty of changing angles. Go beyond the first waterfront view if you can. Even a short walk away from the main harbor strip can help you see more of the town’s details.

What to eat and how to spend the three hours

The local dish to seek out is Simiako Garidaki, baby shrimp cooked in olive oil. It is one of the island’s signature foods and a good reason to choose a seafood restaurant rather than treating lunch as an afterthought.

You can also look for fish and seafood, though the tour does not include a meal or reserve a particular restaurant. Prices and menus are your responsibility, so check before ordering if you are keeping a close budget.

A sensible three-hour plan might look like this:

• Spend the first 20 to 30 minutes getting your bearings around the harbor.
• Choose lunch before the busiest part of your free time disappears.
• Set aside at least 45 minutes for a walk and photographs.
• Leave time for a coffee, local food purchase, or small gift.
• Return to the agreed boat meeting point early.

Shopping is varied for such a small harbor. You may find handmade jewelry, clothing, gifts, sponges, and spices. The shops make Symi feel more personal than a simple photo stop, but remember that the visit is short. You will need to choose between a longer meal, a wider walk, and serious shopping.

The return to Rhodes is part of the calculation

The trip back can take around two hours. After swimming, walking, eating, and shopping, that may feel long. This is the one practical weakness I would weigh before booking.

Still, the return is not wasted time. The sea views change with the direction of travel, and the approach to Rhodes offers a different angle on the island. One especially useful detail is the view toward Rhodes Old Town as the boat comes back.

If you are prone to motion discomfort, plan ahead with whatever usual precautions you use. The supplied information does not specify the boat’s size, sea conditions, or seating arrangement, so you should not assume a perfectly smooth ride every day. A light layer can also help if the wind picks up.

The transport back to your hotel, if purchased, may take longer than the morning pickup because of multiple drop-offs. That is convenient, but it can extend an already full day.

What the $51 price really covers

At $51 per person, the basic fare covers the return boat tickets to Symi and the swimming stop at St. George Bay. That is fair value if you want both a Greek island visit and a scenic swim without arranging separate ferry tickets and transport yourself.

The fare does not cover lunch, drinks, shopping, hotel pickup, or hotel drop-off. You should budget for a meal in Symi, refreshments onboard or in town, and any purchases. If you need a transfer from a distant resort, compare the total price with the convenience you receive rather than judging the base fare alone.

The strongest value comes from the structure. You get a full day, two destinations, and time to make your own choices in Symi. The weaker value appears if you dislike long crossings or prefer guided sightseeing with detailed commentary. This is mainly a transport and free-time experience, not a structured cultural tour.

The provider allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund and offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms make it easier to keep plans flexible, but you should still confirm the exact pickup details after booking.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to see Symi without arranging the ferry yourself, enjoy time on the water, and like having freedom once you reach the island. Couples, families with older children, swimmers, photographers, and shoppers can all find something useful here.

It is also a good fit if your Rhodes holiday has room for one long day away from your resort. The format is simple, and hotel pickup can remove much of the morning hassle.

I would think twice if you want a slow, quiet day, a long beach stay, or a detailed guided tour. The schedule is fixed, St. George Bay is brief, and the crossing takes several hours. Symi gives you three hours, not a full day.

What to pack for the boat and bay

Bring swimwear, a towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat. A change of clothing is especially useful after swimming because the next stop is a walking town, not a beach resort.

Keep your boarding information and pickup message handy. If you do not receive a pickup message, the operator asks you to contact them on WhatsApp at +30 694 8322505.

I would also carry some cash or a payment card for lunch, drinks, and shopping, since none of those costs are included. Pack lightly enough that you can move from boat to town without fuss.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi boat trip?

Book it if your priority is a high-value full-day outing with a memorable swim and a scenic island harbor. St. George Bay adds real variety, and three hours in Gialos gives you enough time for local food, photographs, and a useful first taste of Symi.

Skip it if the thought of two long boat crossings sounds worse than the destination sounds appealing. For most people who want to combine sea views, swimming, and Symi in one day, the $51 base price is sensible. Pay extra for hotel transport if you are staying far from Mandraki Harbor and value an easier start and finish.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Symi boat trip last?

The experience lasts about 8.5 hours, including the boat crossings, the stop at St. George Bay, and around three hours of free time in Symi.

What is included in the tour 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 book an option with transfers from selected Rhodes locations.

Where do I check in if I arrange my own transport?

Check in from 9:15 to 9:40 in the morning at the Half Price Tours office at Gallias Street 6, next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor. You will receive your boarding pass there.

How long is the swimming stop at St. George Bay?

The planned stop is listed as 45 minutes. Allow roughly 45 minutes to an hour for swimming and snorkeling.

Is lunch included in Symi?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You have free time in Symi to choose your own cafe or restaurant, including places serving Simiako Garidaki baby shrimp.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. You may also want money for lunch, drinks, and shopping.