Faliraki to Symi: Fast Boat, Port Views & St George Swim

Summary

Fast boat from Faliraki to Symi port plus swim at St George’s Bay

You’ll skip the early rush by leaving Faliraki later on a fast boat straight to Symi Island’s colorful port. Spend three relaxed hours exploring at your own pace before cooling off with a swim at St George’s Bay. Between hillside views, local food smells, and that crystal water, this day trip leaves more than just photos behind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Boat trip and island exploration

• Depart Faliraki Beach at 10:00
• Enjoy 1 hour 20 minutes boat ride
• Explore Symi Island for 3 hours
• Swim stop at St George's Bay for 30 minutes
• Return to Faliraki Beach

Top questions

How long is the boat ride from Faliraki to Symi?

The journey takes about one hour and twenty minutes each way.

Is there a swim stop included on this day trip?

Yes, there’s a 30-minute swim stop at St George’s Bay on the return journey.

How much free time do you get on Symi Island?

You have three hours of free time to explore Symi Island.

What time does the fast boat depart from Faliraki Beach?

The boat departs at 10:00 am from Faliraki Beach.

Is this tour suitable for families or people with limited mobility?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; infants can use strollers.

Are restrooms available onboard?

Yes, there are restrooms available on board the boat.

Do I need to arrange transport to Rhodes Harbour first?

No, this tour departs directly from Faliraki Beach so no extra transfer is needed.

What’s included

Your day includes direct departure from Faliraki Beach by high-speed boat with restrooms onboard, three hours of free time on Symi Island to wander or relax as you wish, plus a refreshing 30-minute swim stop at St George’s Bay before heading back — all designed for comfort and flexibility whether you’re traveling solo or with family.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll see the houses stacked like candy boxes — but don’t try counting them, you’ll lose track,” our captain joked as we left Faliraki Beach behind. I liked him right away, honestly. The boat left at 10am (which felt almost luxurious after so many crack-of-dawn tours), and the sea was already warming up under that Greek sun. There was this salty breeze, and someone nearby was peeling an orange — I could smell it mixed with sunscreen. The ride itself was quick, maybe an hour and twenty minutes, which meant no dozing off or getting restless like on those slow ferries.

I’d seen photos of Symi before but stepping into the port is something else. The colors hit you first: yellow, pink, blue — all those old mansions climbing up the hill, some with laundry flapping out the windows. We had three hours to wander around (no guide herding us), so I just followed my nose toward a bakery where a woman handed me warm koulouri bread and smiled without saying much. My friend tried to ask for directions in Greek; she laughed and pointed us uphill instead. It’s steep but worth it for that view over the harbor — I still think about that moment when everything felt kind of suspended in time.

The return wasn’t just straight back either. We stopped at St George’s Bay for half an hour to swim — water so clear you could count every pebble below your feet if you wanted (I didn’t get past five). Some people dove right in; I hesitated because it looked cold but then just went for it. There’s something about floating there with cliffs towering above and nothing but quiet except for a few gulls arguing overhead. After that, everyone seemed quieter on deck, like we’d all been let in on some little secret together.