Boat Trip to Symi Island with swimming stop at St George Bay

Symi is the star here, but the one-hour swim at St George Bay gives this boat trip a second fine reason to book. You sail from Rhodes to a quiet cove with clear water, then continue to Symi Town, where colorful houses, small shops, seafood, and a pretty harbor fill your three-hour visit.

I like the low price of $48.37 and the useful hotel pickup option, especially if you are staying far from Rhodes Town. I also like the simple plan: swim, explore Symi, and return to the same meeting point without needing to arrange ferries or transfers yourself. The catch is the long day at sea. Boats can be crowded and choppy, and the swimming stop may be canceled in poor weather.

Key points to know before you book

• Two worthwhile stops: Swim for about one hour at St George Bay, then spend roughly three hours exploring Symi Town.
• A long sailing day: Expect about two hours to St George Bay, 30 minutes to Symi, and about two hours back to Rhodes, plus boarding and port time.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Pickup is available from hotels across Rhodes, but the fee depends on location. South-coast areas such as Lindos, Pefkos, and Gennadi use a different option.
• Come prepared for the sea: Take motion-sickness tablets if you need them, pack a towel and warm layer, and bring your own snorkel if you want one.
• Lunch is on your own: You get free time in Symi to eat, with seafood and local Symi shrimp among the choices mentioned for the town.
• Boat comfort varies: The crew is generally friendly and the restroom is useful, but seating can be tight, particularly in high season.

Why the Symi day trip is worth the long ride

This excursion gives you two different Greek island experiences in one day. St George Bay is about water and scenery. Symi is about walking, eating, and taking in one of the Aegean’s most distinctive harbor towns.

At $48.37 per person, the price is appealing for a nine-hour outing. You are paying for the boat trip and access to the planned stops, not a guided tour with meals or a private boat. That distinction matters. I see this as a practical, budget-friendly way to reach Symi if you want the destination without arranging transport yourself.

The price is especially useful for couples, families, and anyone staying in Rhodes without a rental car. Hotel pickup can make the day easier, though you must choose the pickup variation that covers your hotel and enter the hotel name in the special requirements field. The operator then provides the pickup time.

The main tradeoff is comfort. The boat can carry up to 200 people, and reports of crowded seating are common enough to take seriously. At busy times, you may need to arrive early at the Half Price Tours office on Gallias 6 in Rhodes Town to improve your chances of sitting with your group.

The morning departure from Rhodes

The official meeting point is Half Price Tours, Gallias 6, Rhodes 851 00. If you arrange hotel pickup, the vehicle takes you to the boat, with the fee based on how far your hotel is from the departure area.

The pickup service has been described as punctual and helpful, but one account noted a delay of about 40 minutes. I would not build a tight evening plan around the advertised nine-hour duration. Sea conditions, boarding, loading, and port traffic can all affect the schedule.

If you go directly to the meeting point, arriving early is sensible. This is not only about getting a window seat. The outward sailing lasts around two hours before the first stop, and standing or sitting apart from your companion is a real possibility if the boat fills quickly.

The boat has an upper area and a lower area. The upper deck gives you open views and sunshine, but wind and spray can make it uncomfortable. The lower level offers shelter if the weather turns cool or wet. An onboard restroom is included, and there is a bar selling drinks and snacks. Bring cash, since one account noted that onboard purchases were cash only, although card payments may sometimes work near the Turkish border.

St George Bay: one hour in clear water

The first major stop is St George Bay, reached after roughly two hours at sea. The cove is known for its striking clear water and steep rocky setting, and the stop gives you about an hour to swim.

This is the part of the trip where you should be ready before the boat arrives. Wear your swimsuit under your clothes, keep your towel close, and avoid burying your sandals in a large bag. Once the crew announces the swim stop, you will want to get into the water without a long change of clothes.

The boat provides foam floats, sometimes called woggles, but snorkels are not supplied. Bring your own if you want to look below the surface. The water is the main attraction, and an hour is long enough for a proper swim without turning the stop into an all-day beach visit.

There is one practical drawback: the water stop comes before Symi. You may still be damp when you walk around town, so pack a dry shirt or a light cover-up. Some people would prefer to visit Symi first and swim afterward, but the order is fixed for this outing.

Weather can also change this part of the plan. One departure went to Symi without stopping at St George Bay because of poor conditions. The operator notified passengers the evening before, but a change in weather can still mean that you lose the swim portion. The cancellation policy allows a full refund or a different date if the entire experience is canceled for bad weather, but a modified itinerary may be possible when the boat still sails.

Symi Town gives you three hours to wander

From St George Bay, the boat takes about 30 minutes to Symi. The arrival is one of the strongest parts of the day. The harbor is lined with colorful houses, and the compact town is easy to explore on foot.

You get around three hours of free time. That is enough to walk the main waterfront, browse small shops, sit down for lunch, and take plenty of photos. It is not an unlimited amount of time, however. If you want to travel beyond the main town or spend time at a farther beach, this excursion does not leave room for it.

Symi works well as a self-guided stop because the central area is small. You do not need a formal guide to enjoy the harbor and streets. I would first walk along the waterfront to get your bearings, then choose a restaurant or cafe before the busiest lunch period. Afterward, use the remaining time for shops and photographs rather than trying to cover too much ground.

Lunch is not included, so plan to pay separately. Seafood is a natural choice here, and Symi shrimp is a local specialty often singled out by visitors. You can also simply have a drink and a snack if you prefer to spend more time walking. Since the day is long, I would carry a little food for the boat as well, even though snacks are available onboard.

The town can feel busy during the high season. That does not cancel out its charm, but it means you should expect a popular port rather than a quiet village. Three hours is a useful middle ground: enough to enjoy the center without leaving you with a full day of aimless waiting.

The return sailing to Rhodes

After Symi, the boat heads back to Rhodes. The return journey takes about two hours, so the full day includes around six hours of boat time when you count the outward trip, the trip to Symi, and the return.

This is where the trip’s value depends on your tolerance for sailing. If you enjoy being on the water, the ride gives you time to sit outside, watch the coast, and rest after walking around Symi. If you get seasick or dislike crowded boats, the same hours can feel tiring.

The sea may be rough, particularly on the open sections of the route. Motion-sickness tablets are a smart precaution even if you are not sure you need them. Strong fumes have also been reported near the back of the boat, so I would avoid that area if you are sensitive to engine smells.

Bring a warm layer for the return. The sun may be strong earlier in the day, but the wind can feel cool later, especially after swimming. A light jacket or large shirt takes little room and can make the final two hours much easier.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. If you use hotel pickup, the return transfer is arranged from there. Allow extra time if you have dinner reservations or evening plans, since the advertised duration is approximate.

Boat seating and onboard comfort

The boat is the weakest part of the experience for some people. Several accounts describe it as crowded, older, or in need of cleaning, while others found plenty of room and had a comfortable ride. Your experience may depend on the date, passenger load, and where you sit.

The capacity is listed as up to 200 people. That explains why early arrival matters. People using hotel transfers may reach the boat after direct arrivals have already chosen seats, and companions may not always find seats together.

I would treat the boat as functional transport rather than a polished cruise vessel. You get a restroom, a bar, snacks, drinks, and friendly crew service, but not guaranteed spacious seating. The crew has been praised for keeping to the schedule and helping passengers, which makes a difference when the boat is busy.

There is also a social side to a full boat. Most people are focused on the day, but tight seating can lead to disagreements over saved seats or passengers spreading across several places. The easiest approach is to arrive early, keep your belongings compact, and avoid assuming that empty seats will remain available.

If comfort matters more than price, a faster boat or a smaller sailing may suit you better. One account specifically preferred the idea of a faster boat without the swimming stop for a future visit. If the two-hour crossings sound exhausting, that is useful guidance.

What to pack for this particular outing

A little preparation will help more than any extra sightseeing plan. I would pack:

• Swimsuit worn under your clothes
• Towel and a dry shirt
• Light jacket or warm layer
• Motion-sickness tablets if needed
• Personal snorkel and mask
• Sun protection
• Cash for lunch, snacks, and drinks
• Compact food for the sailing
• Comfortable shoes for walking around Symi

You do not need special equipment for the swim, but the supplied foam floats are not a substitute for a snorkel. You should also keep your phone protected from spray and carry only what you need onto the upper deck.

The day involves sitting on a boat, swimming, walking in town, and boarding again. It is not physically demanding for most people, but it is tiring because of the length. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Who will get the most from this day

I would choose this trip if you are staying in Rhodes and want to see Symi without arranging a separate ferry. It suits you especially well if you value scenery, a swim, and free time over a guided history lesson.

It is a good match for:

• First-time visitors to Rhodes who want a full island day
• Budget-conscious couples and families
• Swimmers who want clear water at St George Bay
• Independent explorers who prefer free time in town
• People who want hotel pickup from a distant Rhodes resort

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed adjacent seating, dislike long boat rides, or are highly sensitive to rough water. A faster boat without the swim stop may be a better fit, though it would provide a different type of day.

The tour is offered in English, but the supplied details do not name an individual guide. Expect crew assistance and trip coordination rather than a continuously guided walking tour of Symi.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book. Since hotel pickup costs extra and varies by location, select the correct option for your hotel and type the hotel name into the special requirements field.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

The tour is often booked about two weeks ahead, but availability can change during high season. I would reserve in advance if Symi is a priority, then check the pickup instructions carefully.

Should you book the Symi and St George Bay boat trip?

Yes, if you want the best-value way to combine Symi Town and a memorable swim in one day, and you can accept a long, sometimes crowded boat ride. The destinations are the reason to go: St George Bay offers a fine hour in clear water, and Symi gives you three pleasant hours of walking, lunch, and harbor views.

Book it with realistic expectations. This is not a luxury cruise, lunch is not included, seating is not guaranteed together, and rough seas can affect the plan. Arrive early, bring your own snorkel and motion-sickness tablets, and keep a warm layer handy. For most visitors who want to add Symi to a Rhodes holiday without spending much, that preparation makes the nine-hour outing worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip to Symi Island take?

The full experience lasts about nine hours. The sailing is roughly two hours from Rhodes to St George Bay, about 30 minutes from the bay to Symi, and around two hours from Symi back to Rhodes, not counting boarding and other timing differences.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get about three hours of free time in Symi. You can walk around the compact town, visit shops, eat lunch, and enjoy the harbor area.

Is swimming at St George Bay included?

Yes. The itinerary includes around one hour for swimming at St George Bay. The stop depends on sea and weather conditions.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included. You can use your free time in Symi to choose and pay for lunch yourself.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels across Rhodes for an additional charge. The cost depends on how far your hotel is from the departure area, and you must select the option that covers your location.

What is included in the tour?

The boat trip and an onboard restroom are included. Food, lunch, and hotel pickup charges are not included in the base price.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. A full refund is also available if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the activity is canceled.