Rhodes: Speedboat Trip to Symi with Free Time to Explore

Symi is the real prize here: a small Greek island whose colorful harbor houses rise in an amphitheater above the water. The fast boat ride from Rhodes adds a fine bonus, with views of the medieval city walls, windmills, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Old Town from the sea.

I like the freedom of this trip. You get several hours to set your own pace, and the boat has both air-conditioned indoor seating and an open sundeck. At $35 per person, the round trip is a strong deal. The catch is boarding can be a pushy scramble, and the exact time on Symi varies with the departure schedule.

At a glance

• Rhodes sights from the water: See the castle walls, Marine Gate, Old Town minarets, medieval clock, Naillac Tower, windmills, and Saint Nicholas Fortress as you leave.
• A striking arrival in Symi: The town climbs the hills around the bay, with neoclassical houses reflected in calm water.
• Flexible island time: Eat, shop, walk the harbor, climb the Kali Strata steps, or find a place for a swim.
• Comfortable boat choices: Pick the air-conditioned enclosed deck or open-air seating, though the top deck fills early.
• Simple self-guided format: Sebeco Lines provides the transport, but you plan your own time and activities in Symi.
• Good value at $35: The price covers the round-trip speedboat and free time, but not meals, drinks, or a guide.

Why Symi makes a fine day from Rhodes

Rhodes has enough medieval streets, beaches, and resort life to fill a holiday. Still, Symi gives you a different view of the Dodecanese. The port town is smaller, quieter, and instantly photogenic, with pale and brightly painted houses stacked above a narrow bay.

This trip works because you do not spend the day being led from one stop to the next. You step off the boat, make your own plan, and return at the stated time. I like that arrangement for Symi, where much of the pleasure comes from simply walking the waterfront, choosing a taverna, or stopping for a coffee when the view gets too good to ignore.

At the same time, do not think of this as a full island tour. The boat drops you in the main harbor, and no guided tour is included. If you want beaches, inland villages, or a longer walk, you need to organize that yourself and keep a close eye on the return departure.

Kolona Harbor and the Sebeco Lines boat

Your starting point is Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and allow time to find the ticket desk and boarding area. One useful detail is easy to miss: you need to collect or confirm your return ticket at the kiosk before setting off.

The exact harbor instructions deserve attention. Most information points to Kolona Harbor, but one booking experience reported that the boat was at the neighboring harbor and closer to Rhodes Town than expected. Check the latest message from the operator before you leave your hotel, and ask staff if the boat is not obvious.

Boarding may feel less orderly than the sailing itself. The upper outdoor seats are limited and can fill quickly, so arrive early if you want a place in the sun or the best open-air view. A few people have found the boarding rush unpleasant, with passengers moving ahead of those already waiting. That is not a reason to skip the trip, but it is a reason to avoid arriving at the last minute.

The boat itself is modern, fast, and fitted with an enclosed air-conditioned area plus outdoor seating. There is also a small bar selling refreshments. Prices have been described as reasonable, with beer reported at about €4, though you should treat onboard purchases as extra.

The 80-minute crossing from Rhodes

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way, though the return can sometimes run longer. That makes the total day roughly seven to eight hours, with the boat ride taking a meaningful part of your time.

The payoff begins as soon as the boat clears Rhodes. Look back toward the Old Town for views that are difficult to get from land. The medieval walls and Marine Gate make more sense from the water, while the minarets, clock tower, and old fortifications create a layered skyline.

Keep watch on the left side as you leave. You may see the 46-meter Naillac Tower, the windmills of Rhodes, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium of Rhodes. These sights pass quickly, so keep your phone or camera ready rather than waiting until the boat reaches open water.

The ride is usually smooth enough for most people, but this is still a speedboat at sea. Expect some movement when the water is choppy. The front and outer seats can get sprayed, especially on the return. That may feel refreshing on a hot day, but it is not ideal if you want to stay dry or protect a camera.

If you are prone to motion sickness, choose a shaded seat in the enclosed area and keep any medication you need with you. One useful feature is the ability to change seating for the return ride. Some people prefer the open deck going over and the cool indoor cabin on the way back.

Entering Symi Bay

The arrival is the visual high point of the trip. Symi Town rises around the bay in a curved, amphitheater-like shape. Its neoclassical houses come in soft yellows, blues, pinks, and whites, with hills behind them and water in front.

On a calm day, the buildings reflect in the bay. This is the moment to stand outside with your camera, though the best seats may already be taken. Even from inside, you will have a fine view as the boat slows before docking.

The harbor itself is the center of your visit. Cafes, restaurants, shops, and waterfront seating line the promenade. The setting is pretty enough that you can have a satisfying day without rushing off to find another attraction.

Symi is also known for its cats, which you will likely notice around the harbor and side streets. If you enjoy local food, look for Symi shrimp, often served fried. You may also find pastries, cakes, coffee, and milkshakes among the harbor choices.

Making the most of three to five hours

The published schedule describes about five hours of free time, but actual departures can provide closer to three or four and a half hours. One early departure has been reported to allow five hours, while other schedules have offered roughly three hours and twenty minutes or three and a half hours.

That difference matters. Three hours is enough for the harbor, lunch, shopping, and a leisurely walk. It is not enough for a relaxed island-wide outing, a long beach visit, and a serious climb. Check the available departure time before booking if your main goal is more than Symi Town.

Here is a practical way to use your time:

• Start with a slow walk along the harbor and take your photographs before the midday heat builds.
• Continue into the small streets behind the waterfront for shops and quieter views.
• Stop for lunch or a drink with a view of the bay.
• If you are fit and the schedule allows, walk the Kali Strata, the long staircase route rising from the harbor. One account describes roughly 500 steps and excellent views from above.
• Return to the boat with time to spare. Do not rely on a final-minute dash through the waterfront.

The Kali Strata is the best choice if you want exercise and a wider view of Symi. The harbor is the better choice if you want a relaxed meal, shopping, and photographs. You can also find swimming opportunities, but the main harbor area is not a classic sandy beach.

If swimming is your priority, plan carefully. The boat drops you near the town, not at a major beach. Some people have found a local place for a swim, while others advise taking a taxi toward another part of the island for proper beach access. The available information does not guarantee taxi availability, beach transport, or enough time for that plan, so do not build your entire day around it.

Food, shopping, and the pace of the harbor

Symi is well suited to a self-guided afternoon. You can browse small shops, eat at a waterfront restaurant, and stop for coffee without trying to follow a group schedule.

For lunch, consider ordering a local seafood specialty such as Symi shrimp. The harbor also offers familiar Greek taverna food, though the experience is as much about the setting as the menu. Choose a table where you can see the water, but remember that the most scenic seats may take longer to secure.

The shops are another reason the free-time format works. You can look at your own pace instead of being hurried through a store. Just keep track of time, since the boat will not wait for a late return.

The island can become very hot, especially in summer. Shade on Symi is limited, so bring water, sun protection, and a hat. The boat has air conditioning, but you should not count on finding a cool place once you are walking around the harbor.

Comfort, crowds, and small annoyances

The boat is one of the stronger parts of the experience. You have a choice between cool indoor seating and open-air seats with wider views. The bar is useful on a long crossing, and several departures have been described as punctual.

The main comfort issue is seat competition. Outdoor upper-deck places go first, and arriving late may leave you inside or separated from your group. On the return, people sometimes spread out across the cabin, making it harder for a party to sit together.

The boat can also be noisy, particularly on the return journey. Front and outer seats may receive sea spray. These are minor points if you treat the ride as transport with a view, not as a quiet cruise.

Timing is another thing to watch. Most departures run on time, but a late departure from the port has reduced island time for some people. Keep your own watch on the schedule and listen closely to staff instructions at Symi.

If you are staying outside Rhodes Town, a hotel transfer may be available as an added option. The transfer is not part of the $35 package, and the price depends on your location. If you use it, read the message sent the day before and confirm the pickup details.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would choose this trip if you want a straightforward day away from Rhodes without paying for a private boat or a guided excursion. It suits couples, families, and independent visitors who enjoy deciding for themselves when to eat, walk, shop, or stop for a swim.

It is also a good match for photographers. The departure from Rhodes gives you a fresh angle on the Old Town, and the approach to Symi offers the classic view of colorful houses around the bay.

You may want a different option if you need a guide, organized sightseeing, guaranteed beach time, or a quiet luxury cruise. You should also think twice if long boat rides are uncomfortable for you, since the crossing takes about 80 minutes each way and can be choppy.

At $35, the value is clear. You are paying for transport to one of the most attractive nearby islands and several hours to use as you like. Food, drinks, and extra transport are separate, but the low base price lets you decide where to spend more.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi speedboat?

Yes, if your idea of a good day is a fast boat, a beautiful harbor, lunch by the water, and the freedom to wander without a guide. Symi is especially worthwhile if you have already seen much of Rhodes and want a change of scene.

Book it with realistic expectations. Arrive early for boarding, check the harbor instructions, confirm your return time, and bring sun protection. If you want the Kali Strata or a swim, choose a schedule with the longest free time and do not spend the whole afternoon at lunch.

The trip is not perfect. Boarding can be hectic, the outdoor seats fill early, and the boat ride may be noisy or wet at the edges. Still, the combination of a striking arrival, comfortable transport, and a $35 round trip makes this one of the more useful day trips from Rhodes.

FAQ

Where does the speedboat to Symi leave from?

The meeting point is Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and check the latest instructions before departure, since the exact dock can be confusing.

How long does the boat ride take?

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way. The return can sometimes take longer.

How much time do I get in Symi?

The schedule can provide around three to five hours, depending on the departure you choose. Check the available times when booking.

Is there a guided tour of Symi?

No. The trip includes transport and free time only. You explore Symi independently.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. There is a bar onboard, and Symi has restaurants, cafes, and shops around the harbor.

Does the boat have air conditioning?

Yes. The boat has an enclosed air-conditioned area as well as outdoor seating and a sundeck.

Can I swim during the visit?

Swimming may be possible, but the boat arrives near Symi Town rather than at a main beach. You need to find a suitable spot yourself and allow enough time to return.

What is included in the $35 price?

The price includes the round-trip speedboat from Rhodes to Symi and free time on the island. A guided tour, food, drinks, and any optional transfer are not included.