Rhodes Town: Boat Trip to Symi Island and St Marina Bay

Two islands, one easy day at sea. This Rhodes to Symi cruise pairs a short swim and snorkeling stop at St Marina Bay with three hours in Symi’s handsome harbor town. I like the mix of sea time and free exploration, and I also like the $47 price, which is hard to beat for an eight-hour outing. The main tradeoff is the long return sail, especially if you prefer a faster catamaran.

The clean boat and friendly crew make the journey comfortable, with an open sundeck, sunbeds, toilets, air conditioning, WiFi, floats, and a small bar selling drinks and snacks. The 30-minute swim stop is pleasant, but it is brief, and you cannot expect a full snorkeling excursion with reefs or abundant marine life.

Key points at a glance

• St Marina Bay is reachable only by boat, giving you a quiet swimming stop before the island visit.
• Symi’s harbor is the star of the day, with colorful neo-classical houses rising around the water.
• Three hours in Symi gives you time for lunch, shopping, photos, and a short walk without rushing every minute.
• The boat is slower than a catamaran, but that helps keep the price down and allows the St Marina Bay stop.
• Arrive at least 20 minutes early to exchange your voucher at the desk in front of the Rizos Cruises boat named DISCOVERY.
• Bring a towel, cash, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, and snorkeling gear if you have your own.

Why this Rhodes boat trip works so well

This is a simple day with a sensible rhythm. You leave Rhodes in the morning, spend time on the water, stop for a swim, continue to Symi, and return to Rhodes Harbour in the evening. You get a taste of two very different places without arranging ferries, taxis, or separate boat tickets.

I especially like that the trip does not rush straight to Symi. The stop at St Marina Bay breaks up the outward journey and gives you a reason to bring swimwear. You can get into the clear water, use the floats, or stay aboard and enjoy the view from the deck.

The second strong point is the amount of free time in Symi. Three hours is enough for a relaxed lunch, a walk around the harbor, a few shops, and plenty of photographs. You will not see every corner of the island, but you can get a good feel for the main port without spending the whole day on organized sightseeing.

The catch is travel time. The boat is slower than the more expensive catamarans, and the ride can take roughly one and a half to two and a half hours each way, depending on the conditions and schedule. Bring a book, claim a comfortable seat, and think of the crossing as part of the outing rather than dead time.

Getting to Rizos Cruises at Rhodes Harbour

The meeting details depend on the option you choose. Some bookings offer optional pickup, while others require you to make your own way to the harbor. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not automatically included, so check your selected option carefully before paying.

For the harbor departure, arrive 20 minutes early. You need to exchange your voucher at the desk in front of the boat before boarding. Look for the Rizos Cruises boat named DISCOVERY.

That early arrival matters. The boat has plenty of seating, but the best outside spots go quickly. If you want an open-air seat near the rail, arrive early rather than strolling in at the last moment.

For optional transfers, wait at the stated pickup point 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The transfer vehicle carries the RIZOS CRUISES logo on the windscreen. Give the company a correct phone number so it can send pickup details by WhatsApp or call you. Traffic can cause delays of up to 15 minutes, but drivers wait no longer than two minutes after the scheduled pickup time.

The available hotel areas cover much of Rhodes, including resorts around Faliraki, Kallithea, Ixia, Ialysos, and Rhodes Town. Since the exact pickup arrangement depends on your booking, read the confirmation closely.

The outward sail from Rhodes

Once aboard, you can choose between the open sundeck and the air-conditioned indoor area. The sundeck is the better choice for photographs and fresh air, while the indoor seating makes sense if the sun is strong or the sea breeze turns cool.

The boat has toilets, WiFi, floats, and a bar area with drinks, snacks, and ice creams. Food and drinks are not included, so bring cash for purchases. A towel is also not provided.

The crossing gives you changing views of Rhodes from the water. It is not a fast transfer, and the boat may feel slow beside a catamaran, but the pace is manageable if you settle in. The open deck has sunbeds, and you can move between sun and shade during the trip.

At the beginning and end of the season, pack a light jacket. Even on a sunny Greek day, the shaded side of a moving boat can feel cool. One useful trick is to sit in the sun on the return trip if the morning shade becomes chilly.

St Marina Bay: a short swim in clear water

The first main stop is St Marina Bay, a small spot reachable only by boat. The cruise pauses for about 30 minutes, giving you time to swim, snorkel, take photographs, or remain aboard.

The water is the reason to get off the boat. It is clear and inviting, and the stop gives the day a proper seaside feel rather than making it only a harbor sightseeing trip. Floats are available, and you can bring your own snorkeling equipment.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a short swim stop, not a guided marine tour. You are asked not to go far from the boat, and there may not be much to see underwater beyond the pleasure of swimming in clean open water. If coral reefs and extensive snorkeling are your main goal, this will feel limited.

Thirty minutes passes quickly. You need time to get ready, enter the water, swim, and climb back aboard, so do not wait too long before getting in. There are no lockers mentioned, so keep your phone, room keys, and other valuables secure. A waterproof pouch may be useful, but do not assume the boat provides storage for personal items.

The stop is still one of the best features of the trip. It breaks up the outward sail and gives you a memorable place to swim before exploring Symi.

Arriving in Symi Harbour

After the swim, the boat continues to Symi Harbour. The arrival is a visual reward: colorful neo-classical houses line the hills around the water, while small fishing boats and other local craft add movement to the harbor.

Symi is compact enough to explore on foot around the port, and the three-hour stop is unstructured. You are free to choose your own pace. That freedom matters because the best way to enjoy the harbor is to wander, pause for photographs, and stop for lunch when you feel like it.

The waterfront is the easiest place to begin. Walk along the harbor, look back at the rows of painted houses, and take time to notice how the buildings climb above the water. Then turn into the streets for shops, side views, and a quieter look at the port away from the main waterfront.

You can also use the time for a long lunch. Three hours gives you room to eat without watching the clock every few minutes, then buy an ice cream or a few souvenirs before returning to the boat. If you want only a light meal and a walk, the time may feel generous.

There is a limit to what you can do. This cruise does not include a guided visit around the whole island. The famous Monastery of Panormitis is not part of the stated itinerary, and reaching it would require more time than this port visit allows. If Panormitis is your main reason for visiting Symi, look for a different excursion with a longer island schedule.

How to use your three hours in Symi

I would divide the stop into three parts:

• Start with a slow harbor walk and photographs while the town is still your main focus.
• Have lunch or a drink with a view of the water.
• Use the final hour for shopping, side streets, and an ice cream before returning to the boat.

Wear comfortable shoes and keep some cash handy. The activity specifically advises bringing cash, and food and drinks are not included in the cruise price.

Do not spend the entire three hours at one table unless that is exactly what you want. Symi’s appeal is the combination of harbor views, colorful houses, narrow streets, and small shops. You can see a useful amount without trying to cover the entire island.

At the same time, do not treat the three hours as a race. The port itself is the main attraction included in this excursion. A relaxed lunch and a good walk are a better use of the stop than trying to arrange a complicated side trip.

The return to Rhodes

The return sail is the longest quiet stretch of the day. It can take around two to two and a half hours, so plan for a slower finish after your time in Symi.

This is when the boat’s seating and air-conditioned area become useful. Find a comfortable spot, use the bar if you want a drink or snack, and watch the coast recede. The return gives you another chance for views from the water, but it does not include a second swim stop.

One improvement I would welcome is another short water break on the return journey. The current schedule gives you one swim at St Marina Bay and then a long ride back. That is fine if you enjoy sitting on deck, but anyone who prefers constant activity may find the final stretch repetitive.

The boat returns to Rhodes Harbour in the evening. If you booked optional transport, follow the pickup and drop-off instructions given by the operator. The broad hotel coverage is useful, but the exact arrangement depends on the option selected.

What the $47 price really buys you

At $47 per person, this is a strong-value day trip. The price includes the cruise, open sundeck with sunbeds, the St Marina Bay swim stop, three hours of free time in Symi, onboard toilets, air conditioning, WiFi, floats, and insurance.

It does not include meals, drinks, towels, or guaranteed hotel pickup and drop-off. Those exclusions are reasonable for a low-cost boat trip, but they make your packing choices important. Bring a towel and water, and budget for lunch and drinks in Symi or aboard the boat.

The comparison with catamarans is useful. A faster boat gets you to Symi sooner, but usually costs more and may not offer the same swim stop. This cruise gives you a slower ride in exchange for a lower fare and a chance to swim at St Marina Bay.

For a couple or family wanting a full day out without a large excursion bill, the value is clear. The price is less attractive only if you dislike long boat rides or want a highly guided island tour.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward day away from Rhodes with three different pleasures: time on the water, a swim in a boat-only bay, and an independent visit to Symi.

It suits people who like to choose their own lunch and walking route. It also works well for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a taste of Symi without arranging the ferry connection themselves.

You may want another option if you need a fast crossing, extensive snorkeling, a guided tour, or a visit to Panormitis Monastery. It is also worth thinking twice if you become uncomfortable on long boat rides, since the journey takes up a large part of the eight-hour schedule.

The overall rating is 4.4 out of 5 from 387 ratings, and that matches the practical strengths of the trip: friendly crew, clean boat, clear instructions, a beautiful bay, and enough time in Symi. The main compromises are the short swim, the limited underwater sights, and the slow ride home.

Practical details before you go

Bring:

• Towel
• Beachwear
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Cash
• Snorkeling gear
• A light jacket in the early or late season

Smoking indoors, littering, weapons, sharp objects, and explosive substances are not allowed. The onboard hosts speak Greek and English.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Rhodes plans are still changing. Check availability for the departure time, since the full outing lasts eight hours.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Symi cruise last?

The experience lasts eight hours, beginning in Rhodes and ending at Rhodes Harbour in the evening.

How much does the boat trip cost?

The listed price is $47 per person.

How long is the stop at St Marina Bay?

The swimming and snorkeling stop lasts about 30 minutes.

How long do I get to explore Symi?

You receive three hours of free time in Symi. You can use it for lunch, shopping, photographs, and sightseeing around the harbor.

Is food included on the cruise?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though the boat has a bar selling drinks, snacks, and ice creams.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel.

Do I need to bring snorkeling equipment?

Snorkeling gear is not listed as included, so bring your own if you want to snorkel. Floats are available onboard.

Where do I meet the boat?

Meet at the Rizos Cruises desk in front of the boat named DISCOVERY. Arrive 20 minutes before the activity starts to exchange your voucher.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is optional and depends on the selected booking option. If you use it, wait at the pickup point 10 minutes early and look for the vehicle with the RIZOS CRUISES logo.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want good value, a clean and well-equipped boat, a genuine swim stop, and enough free time to enjoy Symi at your own pace. Arrive early for an outdoor seat, pack for sun and shade, and bring something to read for the return sail.

Skip it only if speed, serious snorkeling, or a full-island visit matters more to you than price. For most people seeking an easy Rhodes day trip with strong harbor views and a memorable stop in the water, this is a well-balanced choice.