Boat Trip to Symi Island with swimming stop at St George Bay

Symi rewards the long ride. This full-day boat trip pairs the island’s colorful harbor with an hour at St George Bay, where the clear water makes a fine swimming stop. I like the generous three hours in Symi and the low price of $48.37, though the boat can be crowded, choppy, and tiring.

You’ll get a simple, well-priced day on the water, with a restroom, friendly crew, and snacks and drinks available for purchase. I also like that hotel pickup is offered across Rhodes for an added fee. The main question is comfort: some departures have had too few seats, so arriving early matters.

Key points to know before booking

• Two highlights in one day: Swim for about an hour at St George Bay, then spend roughly three hours exploring Symi town.
• A long sea crossing: Expect about two hours from Rhodes to the swimming stop and another two hours back from Symi.
• Symi is easy to explore on foot: Three hours gives you time for lunch, the harbor, colorful houses, shops, and a relaxed walk.
• Boat comfort can vary: Some departures feel roomy, while others are packed enough that people struggle to find seats.
• Bring your own swimming gear: Woggles are available, but snorkels are not supplied.
• Good value at $48.37: The price covers the boat trip and onboard restroom, but not lunch, drinks, or optional hotel transfers.

Why this Rhodes boat trip is worth considering

A day trip from Rhodes to Symi is mainly about contrast. You leave the busy island of Rhodes, spend time on open water, pause at a quiet bay, and then arrive at one of the prettiest harbor towns in the Dodecanese.

This experience works well because it does not force you to choose between swimming and sightseeing. You get both. The stop at St George Bay adds a memorable hour in the water, while Symi gives you enough time to enjoy a meal and walk without rushing from one sight to the next.

The $48.37 price is a strong point. It includes the boat ride and a restroom onboard, which is important on a day with several hours at sea. Lunch is not included, but that is sensible here because you have free time in Symi and can choose your own restaurant.

The trade-off is the boat itself. Some departures are clean and pleasant, with plenty of room. Others have been crowded, with passengers standing or sitting apart from companions. This is not the right choice if you want a quiet, polished cruise with guaranteed seating.

Setting out from Rhodes and finding a seat

The listed starting point is Half Price Tours at Gallias 6 in Rhodes Town. The activity ends back there. You can also pay for hotel pickup, with the price depending on where you stay. Hotels around Lindos, Pefkos, Gennadi, and other southern areas require a different pickup option, so choose the variation that covers your hotel.

If you use the transfer, enter your hotel name in the special requirements field. The operator then sends your pickup time. Transfers have generally been praised for being organized, though one report describes a pickup arriving 40 minutes late. Allow extra time and keep your phone available on the morning of departure.

The seating issue deserves attention. The boat can fill quickly, especially in high season. Some people who arrived by hotel transfer found the boat already nearly full and had to sit apart from their companions. Others reported standing or spending part of the return trip waiting early to secure a place.

I would arrive at the Rhodes meeting point early, even if your pickup is included. Early arrival gives you a better chance of sitting together and choosing a spot away from strong engine fumes. If you are sensitive to motion, ask for a place that feels stable and avoid the back if fumes bother you.

The boat has an upper area and an inside or lower area, so you can move out of the wind or rain. The vessel has been described as older and somewhat worn by some people, while others found it clean and comfortable enough. Your experience may depend on how full the sailing is and where you sit.

The two-hour ride to St George Bay

The first sea crossing takes about two hours. The route can be choppy, and this is the part of the day most likely to test your stomach. If you are prone to seasickness, bring motion sickness tablets and take them before the boat gets rough.

The ride is not just dead time, though it can feel long if you expected a quick transfer. You can sit outside for views and fresh air, or move below if the weather turns windy or wet. The onboard bar sells drinks and snacks, and water has been available at a modest price. Bring cash because card service may not always be dependable near the Turkish border.

The crew is usually described as friendly and helpful. Drinks and snacks are served without aggressive selling, which is a pleasant change from some organized excursions. Still, remember that the boat may carry as many as 200 people. That maximum helps explain why this can feel more like public ferry transport than a small-group cruise.

The sea conditions matter. The tour requires good weather, and the St George Bay stop can be removed if conditions are poor. If weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the swimming stop is dropped while the trip still runs, you may continue to Symi without that part of the day, as happened on one weather-affected departure.

Swimming at St George Bay

The first scheduled stop is St George Bay, with about one hour for swimming. This is the most praised part of the water portion, thanks to the clear sea and dramatic setting around the bay.

You can step straight into the water, so wear your swimsuit under your clothes. Bring a towel and something warm to wrap around yourself afterward. The boat has provided woggles, but you should bring your own snorkel if you want to look beneath the surface. Snorkels are not supplied.

An hour is a useful amount of time. It gives you time to swim without turning the stop into a rushed photo break. The water is often calm enough to enjoy, but conditions can change, and the boat may be moving in a swell.

There is one practical drawback to the order of stops. St George Bay comes before Symi. That means you may still be damp when you arrive for your walk and lunch. Some people would prefer to visit Symi first and swim afterward, but the current schedule makes St George Bay the opening stop.

If swimming is your main reason for booking, this bay adds real value. If you dislike changing on a boat or do not enjoy swimming in open water, the stop may feel less useful. You can still remain onboard, but you are paying for a trip built around both the bay and Symi.

Arriving in Symi after the swim

From St George Bay, the boat takes about 30 minutes to reach Symi. The arrival is one of the strongest moments of the day. Symi harbor is lined with colorful houses climbing the hillsides, giving the waterfront a distinct, almost theatrical look.

You have around three hours of free time. That is enough for a leisurely meal, a walk along the main street, time in the small shops, and plenty of harbor views. Symi is compact, so you can explore much of the central area on foot without needing a guide or local transport.

This free time is valuable because it lets you set your own pace. You can stop for seafood, look for local products, sit with a drink, or simply wander through the town. Symi shrimp is a local specialty worth looking for if it appears on the menu.

Three hours is also a limitation. It is enough for the center, but not for seeing every part of the island. You will not have time to treat this as a full island tour, and the visit focuses mainly on the harbor town. One report wished for more time, while another found three hours plenty for lunch and the main street.

Plan your meal early if you want to avoid spending your whole visit searching for a table. Then keep time for a relaxed walk. The appeal of Symi is not a long checklist of sights. It is the combination of the harbor, the painted houses, the small shops, and the pleasure of being somewhere different from Rhodes for a few hours.

The long ride back to Rhodes

After Symi, expect about two hours on the boat before returning to Rhodes. With the outbound crossing, the swimming stop, the short ride to Symi, three hours ashore, and the return sailing, the day can feel close to nine hours from start to finish.

The exact timetable may vary, so do not treat every segment as precise. Several people found the boat time longer than expected, especially because four hours pass before you reach Symi when the first crossing and swim stop are combined.

The return can be relaxing if you find a good seat and the sea is calm. Some departures have reached Rhodes around sunset, which adds a pleasant finish. On rough days, though, the ride may feel like the hardest part of the excursion.

The vessel has a restroom, which is important on the return journey. It may also have a bar and snacks, but bring money and do not depend entirely on card payment. If you want to sit with your group, board promptly when the return process begins. Some people have spent a large part of the Symi departure waiting to secure seats.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $48.37 per person, this is an affordable way to combine a Greek island visit with a swimming stop. The price is especially fair if you would otherwise need separate transport to Symi and a separate boat outing.

Included are the boat trip and onboard restroom. Lunch is not included, but you have free time in Symi, where you can choose the restaurant and budget that suits you. Drinks and snacks are also separate purchases.

Hotel pickup costs extra. The fee depends on your hotel’s location, with southern resorts generally costing more than places close to Rhodes Town. For a distant hotel, the transfer may be worth paying for because it removes the need to arrange transport to the meeting point. If you are staying near Rhodes Town, reaching Gallias 6 yourself may be better value.

The price does not buy a premium cruise atmosphere. You are paying for access to two excellent stops, not for luxury seating or a small group. That distinction is important. I consider it good value for an active day, but less attractive for anyone who wants comfort above all else.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend it to you if you want to see Symi during a Rhodes holiday and also enjoy a proper swim in clear water. It suits couples, families, and friends who are happy to spend much of the day on a boat for the sake of two strong destinations.

It is also a good fit if you like independent sightseeing. There is no need to follow a guide around Symi. You receive free time, then decide how to use it.

I would hesitate if you get seasick, dislike crowded transport, or need guaranteed seats together. You can reduce the risk by arriving early and bringing motion sickness tablets, but you cannot control the boat’s passenger load or the sea state.

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. If you have mobility needs beyond that information, ask the operator before booking, since the details provided do not explain boarding or access arrangements.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi boat trip?

Book it if Symi is high on your Rhodes wish list and you want the bonus of St George Bay. The island is the main attraction, but the swimming stop turns a simple ferry ride into a fuller day by the sea.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is a long, sometimes crowded boat trip with a basic vessel, not a luxury sailing cruise. Arrive early, take motion sickness tablets if needed, wear your swimsuit, pack a towel and warm layer, bring a snorkel, and carry some cash.

For $48.37, the combination is hard to beat: about an hour in a beautiful bay, three hours in charming Symi, and transport back to Rhodes. If you can accept the time on the water, this is one of the better-value day trips from Rhodes.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip to Symi Island last?

The experience lasts approximately nine hours. The journey includes about two hours to St George Bay, one hour for swimming, around 30 minutes to Symi, three hours in Symi, and roughly two hours back to Rhodes.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $48.37 per person. Hotel pickup costs extra, with the amount depending on the location of your hotel.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, but you have around three hours of free time in Symi to choose and pay for your own meal.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels across Rhodes for an additional charge. The fee depends on how far your hotel is from the meeting point, including southern areas such as Lindos, Pefkos, and Gennadi.

Where does the tour start and end?

The listed meeting point is Half Price Tours at Gallias 6, Rodos 851 00, Greece. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How much time do you get in Symi?

You get around three hours of free time. This is enough for lunch, a walk through the central town, harbor views, and time in the small shops.

How long is the swimming stop?

The stop at St George Bay lasts about one hour.

Are snorkels provided?

No. Woggles are available, but you should bring your own snorkel if you want to snorkel at St George Bay.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund.