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

Symi’s colorful harbor is the star here, but the St George Bay swimming stop makes this more than a standard island transfer. After roughly two hours at sea, you get an hour in clear water before continuing to Symi for lunch and a walk among the bright neoclassical houses.

I like the generous three hours in Symi, which gives you time for seafood, shops, and the waterfront without rushing. I also like the simple price, about $48.37 per person, for a boat ride, a famous Greek island, and a swim in one day. The catch is the boat itself: on busy departures, seating can be tight, and the long ride may feel rough in windy weather.

Key points

• Two major highlights in one day: Swim for about an hour at St George Bay, then spend three hours in Symi town.
• Symi is easy to explore on foot: The harbor and main streets are compact enough for a relaxed visit.
• Expect a long sea journey: Plan on about two hours from Rhodes to the bay, 30 minutes to Symi, and two hours back.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: The fee depends on your hotel’s location, especially if you stay around Lindos, Pefkos, or Gennadi.
• Arrive early for a seat: The boat can fill quickly, and some departures have left people standing or sitting apart.
• Pack for the water and the wind: Bring swimwear, a towel, warm clothing, motion sickness tablets if needed, and your own snorkel.

Why This Rhodes Day Trip Works

This excursion combines two very different pleasures. St George Bay is about the water: a quiet-looking cove, a swim from the boat, and a chance to cool down after the first stretch at sea. Symi is about the shore: colorful buildings, a small harbor, local food, and an easy few hours on foot.

That combination gives you more variety than a direct ferry to Symi. You are not simply transported from Rhodes to an island and back. You get a full hour for swimming, then enough free time in Symi to eat and look around.

The tradeoff is time. The complete outing lasts around nine hours, but much of that is spent on the boat. The journey to St George Bay takes about two hours, the crossing to Symi takes about 30 minutes, and the return to Rhodes takes roughly another two hours. Add boarding and port time, and this is a long day on the water.

At an average price of $48.37 per person, I consider it good value if you want both stops and do not mind a basic boat ride. It is less appealing if your only goal is Symi and you would prefer to get there as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Leaving Rhodes for St George Bay

The stated meeting point is Half Price Tours at Gallias 6 in Rhodes Town. Hotel pickup is available, but it is not included in the base price. The extra charge depends on where your hotel is located, with separate arrangements for areas such as Lindos, Pefkos, and Gennadi.

When you book, enter your hotel name in the special requirements field. The operator will then confirm the pickup time. This is worth doing carefully, since the pickup fee depends on location and a late transfer can affect your place on the boat.

On busy summer departures, arrive early at the office and boat area. The boat may already be nearly full when hotel transfers arrive. A few people have ended up sitting apart from their companions, while others have had difficulty finding a proper seat at all.

That matters more here than on a short harbor cruise. You may spend two hours getting to St George Bay, then another two hours returning to Rhodes. If you want to sit with a partner or family member, early arrival is one of the most useful things you can control.

The boat has a restroom, and there is a bar selling drinks and snacks. Prices have been described as reasonable, though payment may not always be simple near the Turkish border because of weak phone signal. Carry some cash as a backup, especially if you plan to buy water or food on board.

The Sea Crossing: Beautiful, but Not Always Gentle

The route to St George Bay can be scenic, but the sea may be choppy. Several departures have had a rough ride, and people prone to motion sickness should bring tablets before boarding rather than waiting for the boat to leave.

The upper deck gives you open air and views, but it can be windy. The lower area offers shelter if the weather turns cool or wet. Bring a light jacket or something warm to wrap around yourself after swimming, even on a sunny day.

Boat comfort is the main weak point of this experience. Some departures have had plenty of room, while others have been crowded enough for people to stand or take turns sitting. The boat has also been described as older and in need of a clean or update, although the toilet is kept clean and the crew is generally friendly.

I would avoid sitting right at the rear if fumes bother you. A basic boat is not a deal breaker for me at this price, but you should know what you are buying. This is an affordable group excursion, not a quiet private sailing trip.

The group limit is listed as 200 people. That helps explain why the experience can feel very different from one sailing to another. On a quieter departure, the ride may be easy and sociable. On a full boat, finding a seat can become part of the day.

An Hour in the Clear Water at St George Bay

After about two hours, the boat reaches St George Bay for a swimming stop of roughly one hour. This is the first major payoff of the trip. The water is repeatedly praised for its clarity, and the setting makes a memorable break from the long ride.

You can jump in from the boat, so wear your swimsuit under your clothes. The boat provides foam swimming aids, sometimes called woggles, but it does not provide proper snorkeling equipment. Bring your own mask and snorkel if seeing fish below the surface matters to you.

The stop is long enough for a real swim rather than a quick photo opportunity. You can get in, cool off, and still have time to relax before boarding again. The water may be the most refreshing part of the day, especially during the hot Rhodes season.

The order of the stops is worth considering. Swimming comes before Symi, so you will still be damp when you begin your walk and meal in town. Some people would prefer to visit Symi first and swim afterward. The current schedule does the reverse, which is practical for the boat route but not ideal if you dislike walking around in wet swimwear.

Weather can also change this part of the outing. If conditions are poor, St George Bay may be removed from the schedule, sometimes with notice shortly before departure. A trip affected by bad weather can be moved to another date or refunded, but if you have only one free day, you may have to accept a Symi-only itinerary or cancel under the stated policy.

Arriving in Symi Harbor

From St George Bay, it is about 30 minutes to Symi. The arrival is one of the best visual moments of the excursion. Symi town rises around a compact harbor, with rows of colorful houses giving the waterfront a picture-book appearance.

You get about three hours of free time. That is enough for a meal and a look around the main street, harbor area, and small shops. Symi is small and can be explored by walking, so you do not need a separate sightseeing vehicle or formal guide to make good use of your time.

Start by taking in the harbor before moving inland. The bright houses and steep surroundings are what make Symi feel so different from Rhodes Town. Then use the middle part of your visit for lunch, and leave time afterward for browsing or another slow walk along the water.

Lunch is not included. This is actually useful for people who want choice, since you can pick your own restaurant and decide how much to spend. Seafood is a natural choice, and Symi shrimp is a local specialty worth looking for if it appears on the menu.

Three hours is a sensible amount of time for a first visit, but it will not allow you to see every corner of the island. The town itself is compact, yet the heat, hills, restaurant service, and shopping stops can use up the clock quickly. I would not plan an ambitious hike or a long sit-down meal if you also want to browse.

The harbor can be busy during the high season. Symi’s appeal is easy to understand, but the popular waterfront is not a place for solitude at midday. Still, the town offers something the boat cannot: a chance to slow down, eat local food, and experience the island at walking pace.

Getting Back on the Boat

The return crossing to Rhodes takes about two hours. Boarding early is important because many people want seats together for the ride home. One particularly practical strategy is to finish your walk and meal with enough time to reach the boat before the main rush.

That can mean giving up some of your free time in Symi. It is an annoying tradeoff, but sitting comfortably for two hours may be worth more than squeezing in one last shop. If the boat is full, the return journey can feel especially tiring after a swim and a hot afternoon in town.

The ride back may be calmer or rougher than the morning crossing. Keep motion sickness medicine accessible, not buried in your day bag. A warm layer is also useful, since the wind can pick up as the sun drops.

The boat returns to the original meeting point in Rhodes. Hotel return transfers may be arranged when you select the correct pickup option, though the exact arrangements depend on your hotel area. Drivers have generally been punctual and helpful, but one pickup was reported as about 40 minutes late, so allow some flexibility at the start and end of the day.

What the $48.37 Price Really Buys

The base price is attractive because it covers the boat trip and the two main stops without adding a separate admission charge. You receive about an hour at St George Bay and three hours in Symi, plus access to a restroom on board.

Lunch, drinks, snacks, snorkeling gear, and hotel pickup are extra. That means the final cost will be higher than $48.37 if you stay outside central Rhodes or plan to eat and buy refreshments during the day.

Even with those additions, the excursion can be a strong deal for someone who wants a full day out without arranging ferries independently. You get transport to two destinations, a swim stop, and a return to Rhodes in one package.

The price is harder to justify if comfort is your priority. A faster boat without the swimming stop may suit you better if you mainly want Symi. You might also prefer a more spacious option if you get seasick, dislike crowds, or need guaranteed seating beside your companion.

I see this as a value-focused tour. You pay for access and convenience, not luxury. The best reason to choose it is the combination of St George Bay and Symi. The weakest reason is expecting a polished, uncrowded vessel.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want to fit a major island visit into one Rhodes holiday and enjoy swimming as much as sightseeing. Families, couples, and groups of friends can all make it work, provided everyone is comfortable with a long day and a possible lack of personal space.

It is also a good option if you like independent exploring. There is no need to follow a guide around Symi. You can decide how to spend the three hours, from a seafood lunch to a walk along the harbor and a little shopping.

You should think twice if you have strong motion sickness, limited stamina for a nine-hour outing, or a firm need for a seat together. The boat can be rocky and crowded, and six hours of total sailing is a lot for anyone who prefers time on land.

The experience is also less suitable if you are booking mainly for St George Bay and would be disappointed by a weather-related change. The operator can cancel or alter the trip in poor conditions, and the swimming stop may not happen when the sea is rough.

Smart Packing for the Day

Keep the items you need close at hand. I would pack:

• Swimsuit worn under your clothes
• Towel and a dry change of clothes
• Light jacket or warm layer
• Motion sickness tablets if you need them
• Your own snorkel and mask
• Cash for drinks and snacks
• Sun protection and a hat
• Comfortable shoes for walking around Symi

The snorkel point is easy to miss. Foam floats are available, but proper snorkeling gear is not. If you want to look below the surface at St George Bay, bring your own equipment.

Plan lunch around the three-hour stop rather than expecting food on the boat. The onboard bar can cover a drink or snack, but Symi is where you should have your main meal.

The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted unless the operator cancels because of weather or an insufficient number of bookings.

Should You Book the Symi and St George Bay Trip?

Book it if you want a full-value island day with two strong highlights: a clear-water swim and several hours in one of Greece’s prettiest harbor towns. Symi is the reason to go, while St George Bay makes the long crossing feel more worthwhile.

Before booking, be honest about your tolerance for the sea. This is roughly six hours of boat time, and the vessel may be busy, noisy, or a little worn. Arrive early, bring sickness tablets and a warm layer, and do not count on sitting beside your companion unless you board promptly.

At around $48.37 before optional pickup and personal spending, I think it is a worthwhile choice for a first visit to Symi. Choose a faster or more comfortable boat instead if Symi alone is your priority. Choose this one when you want the swim, the island, and the convenience of handling both in one long Greek day.

FAQ

How long does the boat trip to Symi and St George Bay last?

The experience lasts approximately nine hours. The route usually takes about two hours from Rhodes to St George Bay, around 30 minutes from the bay to Symi, and roughly two hours from Symi back to Rhodes, with time for boarding and the scheduled stops.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get around three hours in Symi. The town is small enough to explore on foot, and this time allows for lunch, a walk, and browsing the small shops.

Is lunch included in the tour?

No. Lunch is not included, but you have free time in Symi to choose and pay for your own meal.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels across Rhodes for an extra charge. The fee depends on your hotel’s location, including areas such as Lindos, Pefkos, and Gennadi. Enter your hotel name in the special requirements field when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The swimming stop at St George Bay may also be removed if sea conditions are unsuitable.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.