Luxury Boat Trip to Symi Island with Swimming at St. George

Symi’s harbour is the star of this trip. As your boat rounds the island and the pastel neoclassical houses climb the hillsides, you get the kind of Greek island view that makes the early start worthwhile. I love the combination of a proper swimming stop at St. George’s Bay and three unhurried hours to wander Symi town, rather than rushing through both.

I also like the practical setup: you can sit in the sun or shade, buy coffee at the onboard bar, and add hotel pickup if you do not want to reach Rhodes harbour yourself. The main caution is the word luxury. One recent account describes hard plastic seats and too few seats for the number of passengers, so arrive early if a good place to sit matters to you.

• St. George’s Bay is reachable only by boat, with about 1.5 hours for swimming in clear water.
• Symi town gets three hours, enough for lunch, photographs, and a good walk around the harbour.
• The local specialty is Simiako Garidaki, small shrimp cooked in olive oil.
• Hotel pickup is optional, with arrangements possible even when your hotel is not on the standard list.
• Bring a towel and your own snorkel if swimming gear matters to you, since supplies may be limited.
• The $81 price covers the return boat trip, while transfers depend on the option you choose.

Why Symi Makes a Fine Day Out from Rhodes

Rhodes has plenty to keep you busy, but Symi offers a very different view of the Dodecanese. The island is known for its handsome old houses, quiet charm, and harbour framed by steep hills. You are not coming for a long list of monuments. You are coming for the pleasure of arriving by sea, seeing the harbour open in front of you, and having time to enjoy the town at your own pace.

I think this trip works best for someone who wants a full island day without planning ferries, taxis, restaurant stops, and a swimming cove separately. The schedule is neatly split between nature and town. First comes the sea at St. George’s Bay. Then comes Symi itself, where you can eat, stroll, shop, and take photographs.

At $81 per person, the value depends on what you want from a boat excursion. The return cruise, swimming stop, and three hours on Symi make the cost reasonable for a packaged day trip from Rhodes. Hotel transportation can make the day easier, though the supplied information does not say that every transfer option is included in the base price. Check the exact booking choice before paying.

Checking In at Mandraki Harbour

If you are making your own way to the harbour, check in between 9:15 and 9:40 in the morning at the Half Price Tours office on Gallias Street 6, next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbour. You receive your boarding pass there.

That narrow check-in window matters. Do not stroll into the port at the last minute and expect to sort everything out without stress. Arrive with enough time to find the office, collect your pass, and board without a sprint along the waterfront.

Hotel pickup is available if you select the transfer option. It can also be arranged for hotels not shown on the standard list. After booking, send the hotel name and wait for the pickup details. If a message does not arrive, use WhatsApp or call the operator. Transfers have worked for visitors staying as far away as Lindos and Theologos, so this option is useful if you are not based near Rhodes town.

Cruising Out from Rhodes

The boat is described as a luxury vessel with seating in sun or shade and a bar where you can buy coffee. That gives you a comfortable way to settle in for the crossing, and the open views are a major part of the outing. Keep your camera ready as Rhodes fades behind you and Symi comes closer.

I would treat the boat as a practical day-cruise vessel rather than a polished private yacht. Most of the available feedback is strongly positive about the clean boat, its size, and the friendly crew, but one serious complaint says the boat carried more people than available seats. That passenger found much of the seating hard and uncomfortable and had to stand for around 1.5 hours.

The safest advice is simple: board early if you care about your seat. You may prefer a shaded place, a seat near an edge for photographs, or somewhere close to the bar. The information does not promise access to a bow or upper deck, so do not book this expecting a premium yacht layout with broad open areas.

St. George’s Bay: One and a Half Hours in Clear Water

The first stop is St. George’s Bay on Symi’s east coast. It is reachable only by boat, which gives the stop a special feel. The bay is backed by wild, undeveloped scenery and surrounded by clear turquoise water. The boat drops anchor for about 90 minutes.

This is the part of the day to swim. You can step into the water, cool off, and enjoy the setting without having to organize a separate beach transfer. The long stop gives you enough time to swim more than once, float near the boat, or simply sit and watch the cliffs and water.

Bring your own towel. A recent passenger dried off in the sun during the onward journey, but that is not the most comfortable plan for everyone. If you want to snorkel, bring your own equipment too. Only a limited amount may be available, and the water is clear enough that basic goggles can still make the stop worthwhile.

The swimming stop is less suitable for anyone who does not like boarding from a boat or spending time in open water. There is no suggestion of a broad sandy beach or an easy land-based changing area. Pack what you need in a small, easy-to-reach bag, and protect your phone and camera from spray.

Approaching Symi Harbour

After the swimming stop, the boat sets off again at about 1 p.m. The arrival into Symi is one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip. The harbour is lined with brightly painted houses in traditional styles, stacked up the hills around the water. From the boat, you get the full composition at once, which is far more impressive than seeing the buildings one street at a time.

Have your camera ready as the boat enters the harbour. The view changes constantly as you move past the waterfront, and this is likely to be your best chance for a broad photograph of Symi’s architecture. The island’s appeal comes from its graceful houses and setting rather than from a packed sightseeing program.

The tour does not provide a named guide or a guided walking route in the supplied details. That is worth knowing. Your time in Symi is free time, so you set the pace. I like that arrangement because you can choose lunch, photographs, shopping, or a quiet walk instead of following a flag through town.

Three Hours to Enjoy Symi Town

You have roughly three hours in Symi, from arrival until boarding begins at 4 p.m. for a 4:30 departure. That is enough time for a relaxed look around the harbour area, a meal, and plenty of pictures. It is not an open-ended island visit, so keep an eye on the clock.

Start with a walk along the waterfront and look back toward the hills. The houses are the main attraction, with their balconies, painted facades, and old-world style. Then move into the side streets if you want a quieter look at the town. The best use of your time is to resist trying to cover every corner. Symi rewards slow wandering more than a hurried checklist.

Food is another reason to leave Rhodes for the day. Look for Simiako Garidaki, the island’s small shrimp cooked in olive oil. It is a local favorite and a fitting choice for a port town. Cash is listed as something to bring, so carry money for food, drinks, small purchases, and any other expenses not covered by the boat ticket.

You can also use the free time simply to sit near the harbour. That may sound modest, but it is exactly the point of the visit. Symi is best enjoyed through its views, colors, water, and easy pace. Three hours gives you enough breathing room to do that without turning the stop into a race.

How Comfortable Is the Boat?

The answer appears to depend on your expectations and perhaps on how full the departure is. Positive feedback describes a clean, good-sized boat with enough room and a helpful crew. Another account describes hard plastic seats, crowded conditions, no access to the bow or upper deck, and passengers standing for much of the crossing.

That difference is important. If you picture a high-end yacht with soft loungers and plenty of open deck, this trip may disappoint. If you picture a large organized boat with a bar, covered and sunny seating, and transport to a beautiful island, the description fits better.

I would bring a light layer for the crossing, even if Rhodes is hot. Choose your seat early and keep your valuables close. One passenger was comfortable leaving bags on the boat while exploring Symi, but you should still bring only what you need and keep anything valuable with you.

The crew has earned strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and helpful. That matters on a day involving boarding, swimming, a timed return, and optional hotel transport. Good organization can make a busy boat day feel much easier.

Timing, Transfers, and What to Pack

The full experience lasts about eight hours. The key schedule is:

• Check in at the Mandraki office from 9:15 to 9:40 if you do not need a transfer.
• Spend about 1.5 hours swimming at St. George’s Bay.
• Set sail again at about 1 p.m.
• Enjoy around three hours in Symi.
• Begin boarding at 4 p.m.
• Depart Symi at 4:30 p.m.
• Return to Rhodes at about 6 p.m.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, cash, and a towel. Add your own snorkel if you want to explore below the surface. A swimsuit under your clothes will save time, since the main swimming stop is from the boat and the schedule does not mention a changing facility.

If you use the transfer option, confirm the pickup time and location. If your hotel is missing from the list, send the hotel name after booking. Keep your phone available in case the operator contacts you by message or WhatsApp.

The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Rhodes plans are still shifting, but check the exact booking conditions attached to your selected option.

Who Will Enjoy This Symi Cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want three things in one day: a scenic boat ride, a proper swim in a remote bay, and a first look at Symi town. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone staying in Rhodes who wants to see another island without arranging the trip independently.

It is also a good choice if you value free time. There is no tightly packed sightseeing circuit in Symi. You can choose a shrimp lunch, a walk, photographs, or time by the water.

I would hesitate if comfortable seating is your top priority, especially during a busy period. The conflicting accounts about space and hard seats deserve attention. This is also not the best fit if you want a private boat, a guided tour of Symi, or guaranteed snorkel equipment.

Should You Book the $81 Trip?

Book this tour if St. George’s Bay and Symi harbour both appeal to you. The combination is strong: a boat-only swimming stop, a memorable arrival, local shrimp, and three hours to explore one of the Dodecanese’s most attractive towns. At $81, it offers solid value for a full day, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange ferry tickets and transport on your own.

Go in with realistic expectations about the boat. Arrive early, bring a towel, carry cash, and pack your own snorkel if needed. If you can accept an organized group cruise rather than a true luxury yacht, this is a well-shaped day trip with excellent scenery and enough free time to feel like an island visit rather than a rushed excursion.

FAQ

How long does the trip to Symi last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including the boat ride, the swimming stop, and free time on Symi.

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

You have about 1.5 hours at St. George’s Bay for swimming.

Can I reach St. George’s Bay without a boat?

The bay is only accessible by boat, so this cruise provides the transport needed to visit it.

How much time do I have in Symi town?

You have about three hours in Symi. Boarding begins at 4 p.m. for a 4:30 departure.

Where do I check in if I do not need hotel pickup?

Check in from 9:15 to 9:40 a.m. at the Half Price Tours office on Gallias Street 6, next to the Benetton shop at Mandraki Harbour.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are available when you select the transfer option. If your hotel is not listed, send its name after booking so the operator can provide the pickup details.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, sunscreen, and cash. You should also bring a towel for the swimming stop. If you want to snorkel, bringing your own equipment is sensible because only a limited amount may be available.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve now and pay later option.