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

Symi looks like a postcard you can walk into. This full-day boat trip from Rhodes combines St. George’s Bay swimming with a proper visit to Symi’s colorful harbor town, so you get two destinations in one day. I love how the timing is organized for photos and a real break to swim, and I also love that the Symi arrival feels cinematic, especially when you glide into the natural harbor. One thing to plan for, it’s a long day on the move, and the return includes multiple drop-offs around Rhodes.

If you’re staying in the Rhodes area, this is a very practical way to reach Symi without dealing with ferry schedules, and you do get time to wander. You’ll have a few hours in Symi for shopping and lunch, and Simiako Garidaki, baby shrimps cooked in olive oil, is the snack worth hunting for.

Key highlights at a glance

• St. George’s Bay swim and snorkeling stop with about 45 minutes in the water
• Symi’s harbor town time of roughly 3 hours for photos, walking, and shopping
• Photo-friendly sailing and a Symi photo stop that makes it easy to capture the look of the Dodecanese
• Simiako Garidaki tasting opportunity if you want something local and different
• Optional hotel pickup and drop-off to reduce day-of stress
• Many return drop-off locations which can make the ride back feel longer

Two destinations in one day: how the pacing really feels

This trip is built for people who want maximum variety in a single day. You start with Rhodes, transfer and travel toward Symi, spend the morning on the move and scenic sea time, then anchor your day around two big moments: the swim at St. George’s Bay and your time exploring Symi itself.

What makes the pacing work is that the swimming is early enough to feel like a reset, not a rushed afterthought. You get a focused window to get in the water and snorkel, then you shift gears and do the on-shore part with enough time to actually browse and eat.

The trade-off is that you are on a boat and bus for most of the day. It’s not a quick hop, so if you hate long transport days, you’ll feel it.

Getting from Rhodes to Symi: transfers that keep you sane

There are two ways to handle logistics. If you don’t want hotel pickup, you check in at the office at Gallias str. 6 by Mandraki Harbor, next to the Benetton shop. Check-in runs from 09:15 to 09:40 so you can get your boarding pass.

If you do pick the hotel transfer option, the biggest win is simple: fewer decisions before you leave. The day stays smoother because you’re not managing your own ride to the port, and multiple people described transfers as on time and easy.

Either way, there’s a short coach/bus segment included at the start (about 30 minutes). You can treat it as the warm-up, then settle in once you’re on the water.

St. George’s Bay: the swim-stop you’ll actually remember

This is the star of the day. St. George’s Bay is timed for around 45 minutes of swimming and snorkeling, which is long enough to change your mind once, rinse off, and still get in the fun parts.

Here’s how it matters in real life: 45 minutes is enough to do more than just dip. You can swim out, look around with snorkeling, and then take it slow if you want a relaxed float. One key detail from experience on this kind of stop is comfort, and people noted the water clarity was excellent, to the point that you could see the bottom even though it was deep.

What to bring makes a difference. Do not underestimate the small stuff. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a sun hat matter here because the stop is outdoors and you’ll be exposed while you’re waiting to swim. Bring swimwear plus a change of clothes so you can warm up and feel decent when you head back toward Symi.

If you love beaches but hate crowded chaos, this stop is a good compromise. It’s a focused swim break inside a day that otherwise includes a real town experience.

Arriving in Symi: colorful streets and a harbor you can feel

Once you reach Symi, the first impression is the natural harbor and the town’s colorful buildings. Symi is described as a visual treat, with imposing churches and classic Dodecanese tones that photograph beautifully.

Gialos, the harbor area, is lively but compact. That compact size is a plus because you can walk without losing time. You’ll find small cafes and fish and seafood restaurants, plus sponge and spice stalls. If shopping is your thing, Symi is also a place where you can browse handmade jewelry, clothing, and gift shops without needing a car.

One of the best parts of sailing into a town like Symi is that it changes your sense of scale. From the boat, Symi can look like a set piece. On foot, it becomes a place you can actually use, with corners to pause for photos and streets that reward a slow wander.

Three hours in Symi: what to do with your time

You get about 3 hours for the Symi visit, including a photo stop and free time for sightseeing, walking, and self-guided exploration. That time window is enough to do three things well:

1) Get oriented fast

2) Spend time near the harbor

3) Pick a lunch spot and not rush

Use your photo stop strategically. The best shots on Symi tend to combine boats, rooftops, and the harbor lines. If you wait too long, you’ll spend the best daylight on the wrong street. I like treating the first part of your free time as a photos first pass, then switching to casual wandering.

For food, you have freedom since meals and drinks are not included. That’s actually good value because you can choose whatever fits your appetite and budget. If you want the local specialty highlighted on this trip, look for Simiako Garidaki, baby shrimps cooked in olive oil. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a souvenir you can taste.

If you want an easy loop, stay close to Gialos and work outward from the waterfront. With only a few hours, minimizing backtracking is the difference between a good day and a stressed one.

Price and value: what $51 gets you in practice

The price shown is $51 per person, and the included items are clear: round-trip boat tickets to Symi plus the swimming stop at St. George’s Bay. Food is not included, and you’ll pay for lunch on your own during the Symi free time.

So where’s the value? You’re getting a full-day outing that covers:

• Boat transport to Symi and back
• The signature swim and snorkeling break
• A structured day that keeps you moving between the two highlights

If you compare the cost of a boat day plus a separate plan for swimming and a town visit, this is priced like a tidy bundle. The optional hotel pickup can add cost, but it can also save you the mental load of finding the port on your own.

The best value move is simple: if you’re staying in Rhodes and would otherwise need to figure out timing and transport, the optional transfer is often worth it.

Boat comfort and what to expect onboard

On the boat, you’re not just sitting in silence. People described the boat as comfortable, and some mentioned hot and cold drinks, alcohol, and snacks available during the day. That matters because it turns the long day into something more pleasant, especially if you’re arriving tired after a morning pickup.

You also get scenic views during the sailing segments. Even if you don’t plan to photograph every moment, those views are what make the trip feel like a vacation instead of a chore.

The return to Rhodes: why it can take longer

The return is not just a straight shot back to one stop. The schedule includes drop-offs in many areas around Rhodes, with a long list of locations. That means your ride back can be slower than the outbound travel, especially if your hotel is one of the later stops.

This is one of those practical details that helps you set expectations. If you build your plans around a flexible evening, the long return becomes manageable. If you’ve got a hard deadline, you’ll want to plan around it.

The upside is that the drop-off coverage is wide, so you’re more likely to end the day with an easy walk to your accommodation.

Who this Symi and St. George’s Bay trip suits best

I’d book this if you want a straightforward day trip with big rewards and minimal coordination. It fits well for:

• Beach lovers who also want a real town to wander
• Photo-minded visitors who like harbor views and colorful streets
• People who prefer organized transport, especially with optional hotel pickup
• Families and couples who want a calm swim break plus shopping time

I’d think twice if you:

• Hate long transport days and multiple vehicle segments
• Want lots of hours in Symi. Three hours is great for the highlights, but it’s not a long stay.

Should you book this trip?

Book it if you want the simplest way to combine Symi plus a swim at St. George’s Bay without doing logistics yourself. The included boat tickets and the structured swim stop make it a solid value for a full day, and the Symi time is long enough to feel like you actually visited a place, not just passed through.

Skip it if you’re hoping for a slow, unstructured beach day or you dislike time on boats. Also, if you have a tight evening plan on Rhodes, build in extra buffer for the multi-stop return.

If you want one day that mixes water time, harbor views, and local flavor, this is the kind of trip that delivers.

FAQ

How long is the boat trip to Symi?

The total duration is about 8.5 hours.

What is included in the price?

Round-trip boat tickets to Symi and back are included, along with a swimming stop at St. George Bay.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you’ll have free time in Symi for lunch.

Is swimming and snorkeling included?

Yes. You’ll have a swimming and snorkeling stop at St. George Bay for about 45 minutes.

Do I need to arrange transportation to the meeting point?

Hotel pickup is optional. If you choose not to book pickup, you check in at Gallias str. 6 next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbor between 09:15 and 09:40.

What should I bring for the St. George Bay swim?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, and sunscreen.

What cancellation options are available?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Will I have many drop-off stops when returning to Rhodes?

Yes. The return includes multiple drop-off locations around Rhodes and nearby areas, so the ride back can include several stops.