From Rhodes: Cruise to Symi Island and Saint George’s Bay

Saint George Bay is the star of this trip. After roughly two hours at sea, the boat anchors beside steep Greek cliffs and gives you time to swim in clear water before continuing to Symi. I like the beautiful two-stop plan and the $41 price for a full day on the water. The main drawback is the long boat ride, which can feel windy and rough, especially on the return.

Symi itself is lovely, with colorful buildings climbing around Gialos harbor, good seafood, shops, and enough time for a relaxed lunch. Just arrive early if you want an upper-deck seat, and bring a warm layer even in summer. The boat can get crowded, and the swim stop may feel closer to 45 minutes once everyone gets on and off.

Key points at a glance

• Saint George Bay swim: About an hour is planned at this striking, cliff-framed cove, though actual water time can be shorter.
• Three hours in Gialos: Enough time for lunch, harbor walks, shopping, and a look at Symi’s painted houses.
• Long but scenic crossing: The journey takes about two hours each way, with open-sea views and possible rough water.
• First-come upper deck: The best outdoor seats fill quickly, particularly in July and August.
• Useful boat facilities: You get freshwater showers, a bar, toilets, floats, and a lifeguard.
• Good practical value: At $41, this combines transport, a swim stop, and free time on Symi without charging extra for a guided island program.

Why Saint George Bay makes the long crossing worthwhile

This cruise is built around two very different pleasures. The first is the journey itself, as Rhodes gradually falls behind and the Dodecanese opens around you. The second is the stop at Saint George Bay, also called Agios Georgios Bay, where the boat pauses for swimming.

The cove is known for its clear water and dramatic rock walls. From the deck, you get a postcard-like view. From the water, you can see fish and, if you bring suitable gear, enjoy a simple snorkel. The boat provides floats, swimming rings, and some water accessories, which helps less confident swimmers take part.

The schedule allows about an hour at the bay. That sounds generous, but the clock includes the process of getting people safely off and back onto the boat. Some departures have reached closer to 45 minutes of actual swim time, so keep an eye on the time and do not leave your return until the last few minutes.

Getting into the water is not a quiet, private moment. Everyone uses the boat’s access point, and boarding can move one person at a time. If you want a long, leisurely swim, this may feel rushed. If you see the bay as a refreshing break from sightseeing, it works very well.

The water can also feel cold, especially outside the hottest summer weeks. Bring a towel and dry clothes, and remember that the ride back may be windy after you leave the water.

The two-hour ride from Mandraki Harbour

The boat leaves Mandraki Harbour at 10:00 each morning. The meeting point is the SP Cruises kiosk opposite the Bank of Greece building at Pl. Eleftherias. It is easy to find, but give yourself time to locate the kiosk and board without stress.

The crossing to Saint George Bay takes around two hours. That is a meaningful part of the day, not just a short transfer. You will spend another two hours returning from Symi, so this trip suits people who enjoy being on the water and looking out at the coast.

Outdoor seating gives you the best views, but the upper deck fills quickly. In August, arriving at least 45 to 60 minutes early may still not guarantee the seat you want. The main deck has indoor, air-conditioned seating, which is the better choice if you dislike wind or need a break from the sun.

The boat has a bar for drinks and snacks. Prices have been described as reasonable for drinks, though some snacks can feel expensive. Food and drinks are not included in the $41 fare, so budget separately for them.

Weather matters here. On calm days, the ride is relaxing and scenic. On windy days, the sea can get choppy, with the return trip sometimes feeling rougher than the outward journey. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring the remedy you normally use. One crew member has been known to hand out lemons for seasickness, but that should be treated as a kind gesture, not your only plan.

What the Saint George Bay stop is really like

Saint George Bay has no town or string of restaurants to explore. Its appeal is the water, cliffs, and short break from the boat. You get a chance to swim, float, and look around before returning to the ship.

A lifeguard is included, and the crew gives instructions for getting into the water. This is useful because the stop involves a large group using the same access point. Adults who are not confident swimmers should ask the crew about available flotation equipment before entering.

You will not find a broad beach-day setup with loungers and changing rooms. The boat is your base, and freshwater showers are available afterward. Wear swimwear under your clothes and keep your towel handy.

The stop is one of the most memorable parts of the day, but it can also expose the trip’s crowding. Everyone wants time in the water, and the boarding process takes a while. Move promptly when asked to return, since the boat leaves according to the captain’s timetable.

Arriving at Gialos, Symi’s pretty main port

The boat is due in Gialos at about 13:00. Gialos is Symi’s main port and the part of the island you can visit on this outing. You get roughly three hours before the scheduled departure at 16:20.

This is enough time for a useful first look at Symi. Walk along the waterfront, browse the shops, stop for seafood, and take in the rows of colorful houses around the harbor. Symi is compact in the port area, so you do not need an ambitious plan to enjoy it.

I suggest beginning with a slow harbor walk before choosing lunch. The waterfront gives you your best first sense of the town, and you can then pick a restaurant based on the view and menu. Seafood is a natural choice, but the meal is at your own expense.

Three hours is a good middle ground. You have time to eat and stroll without spending the whole afternoon rushing between far-flung sights. At the same time, you are seeing only Gialos, not the wider island. If you want a full exploration of Symi’s villages and inland sights, a boat day like this will not be enough.

The town can feel hot in the middle of the day, especially in July and August. Take water, wear comfortable shoes, and use the shaded indoor parts of the boat before departure if you need to cool down.

How the schedule affects your day

The published timing is clear:

• 10:00 departure from Mandraki Harbour
• Around 12:00 arrival at Saint George Bay
• About one hour for swimming
• Around 13:00 departure for Gialos
• About three hours in Symi
• 16:20 departure from Gialos
• Around 18:30 arrival back in Rhodes

In practice, the swimming stop can be shortened by late arrival, boarding time, or safety decisions. The captain can change the program if weather or sea conditions require it. Treat the timetable as a strong guide, not a promise that every stop will last exactly the advertised length.

The return to Rhodes may also run a little later than 18:30. If you are connecting to a cruise ship, allow extra time and do not plan a tight connection. One useful rule is to expect to reach Mandraki around 18:45 on a slower or delayed day.

The boat leaves Symi on time. Do not rely on a last-minute purchase or a final photograph. Be back at the boat early, especially if you have walked away from the port.

Comfort, seating, and facilities on board

This is a working excursion boat, not a luxury yacht. It has comfortable indoor seating with air conditioning, plus outdoor areas for views and fresh air. The upper deck is first come, first served and can fill well before departure.

There is a bar, toilets, freshwater showers, a lifeguard, and flotation equipment. The crew has been praised for helping people on and off the boat, including a passenger using a mobility scooter. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm your specific needs before booking because the boat’s access points and seating arrangements are not described in detail.

The loudspeaker may be difficult to hear from the back. If the crew gives an important time announcement, make sure you are close enough to hear it or check directly with staff.

Smoking is allowed in a designated upper area. If you want smoke-free outdoor air, choose your position carefully, since wind can carry smoke across parts of the deck.

Captain Yannis has added a personal touch for some departures, including jokes and a chance for passengers to visit the steering cabin for photographs. That sort of interaction depends on the day and should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the program. The bar staff, including Oksana on some trips, have also been singled out for friendly service.

Is $41 good value for a full day?

At $41 per person, this is good value if you want to combine Symi with a swim stop and do not need a private or highly guided experience. The fare covers the boat ride, the Saint George Bay stop, time in Gialos, crew support, a lifeguard, and freshwater showers.

The price does not include lunch, drinks, hotel pickup, or drop-off. You also pay with your time: four hours of the day are spent crossing the sea. That is a bargain for people who enjoy boat trips, but less appealing if your main goal is to spend as much time as possible on Symi.

Compare it with the cost and effort of arranging separate transport, and the package is simple. You do not have to find your own boat to Symi or negotiate a separate swim stop. The tradeoff is a fixed schedule and a group setting.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip for a first visit to Symi from Rhodes, especially if you want a taste of the island rather than a detailed tour. Families may like the swim stop, floats, clear water, and easy town time. The crew’s helpful approach is useful for people who need assistance boarding.

It also suits couples and solo visitors who enjoy a full day with a clear plan. You can spend the ride talking, sitting in the sun, or watching the islands pass by, then explore Gialos independently.

I would hesitate if you get very seasick, dislike crowded boats, or want guaranteed upper-deck seating. It is also not ideal if you need a quiet, slow swim with no group timetable. Bring a warm top, even in summer, since the wind can make the boat feel cold on the shaded side.

Pack beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, comfortable shoes, and a light jacket or trousers. A waterproof watch is useful because the swim hour passes quickly, and a motion-sickness tablet may be wise if choppy water affects you.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi cruise?

Book it if you want the strongest combination of clear-water swimming and a first look at Symi for a modest price. The bay is a real highlight, and three hours in Gialos gives you enough time for lunch, shopping, and a pleasant walk.

Skip it if you want a long, unhurried swim, a private boat, or a detailed tour of the whole island. For most visitors with one free day from Rhodes, though, the mix works: a scenic crossing, a memorable cove, and a charming port town in one well-priced outing.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

It leaves from SP Cruises’ kiosk at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes, opposite the Bank of Greece building at Pl. Eleftherias.

What time does the boat depart?

The scheduled departure from Mandraki Harbour is 10:00 in the morning.

How long is the whole experience?

The activity lasts 510 minutes, or about 8 hours and 30 minutes. The scheduled return to Mandraki Harbour is around 18:30.

How long is the boat ride to Symi?

The trip to the Saint George Bay area takes about two hours, followed by another stop and then the journey to Gialos. The return from Symi to Rhodes also takes about two hours.

How much time is provided for swimming?

About one hour is planned at Saint George Bay. Actual water time can be closer to 45 minutes if arrival is late or boarding takes time.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time in Gialos to buy lunch at a restaurant, but food and drinks are not included in the cruise fare.

How long can I stay in Symi?

The boat is scheduled to arrive in Gialos around 13:00 and leave at 16:20, giving you about three hours and 20 minutes in the port area.

Are drinks available on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a bar, but drinks and snacks cost extra.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The crew has also helped a passenger with a mobility scooter, but you should confirm your particular access needs before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, and comfortable shoes. A warm jacket or trousers are useful because the boat can be cold and windy, and motion-sickness medication may help if you are sensitive to rough water.