Rhodes to Symi Fast Boat & Swim Stop at St George’s Bay

Summary

Fast boat ride from Rhodes to Symi with a swim break in turquoise waters

You’ll ride a fast boat from Rhodes to Symi Island (just an hour), explore colorful alleys for three hours, then stop at St George’s Bay for a swim in crazy-clear water before heading back. Expect local tips from your guide and plenty of time to just let things happen — sometimes the best part is what you don’t plan.

What’s the experience like?

We slid out of Rhodes harbor just after nine, the engines humming louder than I expected — not that anyone minded, since it meant we’d actually get to Symi before lunch for once. The sea was flat and blue, but there was this salty tang in the air and everyone seemed half-awake, clutching coffee or squinting into the sun. Our guide, Sofia, grinned as she handed out tips for Symi (“Don’t skip the bakery near the port — trust me”). I liked her vibe right away.

The ride only took about an hour (I checked my watch because I couldn’t believe it), then suddenly those crayon-colored houses started stacking up along the hill above Symi port. It’s almost too pretty — like someone painted it for a postcard and forgot to stop. We had three hours to just wander. I got lost in alleys that smelled faintly of soap and grilled fish, waved at a guy painting his shutters yellow, and sat on some steps eating a weirdly good lemon pastry. There’s something slow about Symi time — it felt like everyone else knew how to move through it except me.

On the way back we stopped at St George’s Bay for a swim. The water looked fake — so clear you could see every pebble below. I jumped in even though it felt cold at first; after a minute it was perfect. Someone started laughing because a fish nibbled their toe (not me, but close). Thirty minutes went by fast. I still think about floating there with nothing but cliffs and that echoey silence around us. Then we were back on board, hair dripping, not really ready to leave yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Fast boat trip and island exploration

• Check in one hour before departure
• Depart Rhodes for Symi Island
• Stop 30 minutes swimming at St Georges Bay
• Enjoy 3 hours free time on Symi Island
• Return to Rhodes by boat

Top questions

How long does the fast boat from Rhodes to Symi take?

The journey takes about one hour each way by high-speed boat.

Is there a swimming stop included?

Yes, departures at 9:00 and 11:00 include a 30-minute swim stop at St George's Bay on the return trip.

How much free time do you get on Symi Island?

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

Are restrooms available on board?

Yes, there are restrooms available on the boat.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible and suitable for prams or strollers.

Can infants join this day trip?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed.

Are service animals permitted?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Does every departure include the swim stop?

No, only the 9:00 and 11:00 departures include a swim stop; the 15:15 departure stops only for photos at St George's Bay.

What’s included

Your day includes high-speed roundtrip boat transfer between Rhodes and Symi with restroom access onboard; three hours of free time on Symi Island; plus—if you book the morning departures—a thirty-minute swimming break at St George’s Bay before returning home again.