From Faliraki: High Speed Boat to Symi and St. George’s Bay

Symi is one of those Greek islands that makes a strong first impression: a bright harbor ringed by pastel houses, fishing boats, church domes, and steep hillsides. This fast boat from Faliraki gets you there without the usual bus ride into Rhodes Town, then gives you about three hours to explore before a swim at St. George’s Bay.

I especially like the hotel-area beach pickups and the balance between town time and sea time. You can eat lunch, wander Symi’s waterfront, and shop before cooling off in a beautiful bay. The main drawback is the ride itself: a fast open-sea crossing can be windy, and three hours in Symi may feel short if you want to climb far above the harbor.

Key points at a glance

• Leave from Faliraki Beach: Choose among Faliraki Harbor, Apollo Blue, Calypso Beach, and Amada Colossos.
• Save the Rhodes Port transfer: A five-minute minibus transfer may be used to reach the final beach boarding station, rather than taking a long bus ride into Rhodes Town.
• Spend three hours in Symi Town: Enough for lunch, harbor views, shopping, and a relaxed walk.
• Swim at St. George’s Bay: The return journey includes a 30-minute stop in clear water.
• Expect a brisk, windy ride: The boat is quick and usually smooth, but bring a cover-up or use the fleeces provided.
• Value is strongest from Faliraki: At $73 per person, the saved transfer time and direct departure are the main advantages.

Why this Faliraki to Symi route matters

For anyone staying along the Faliraki coast, the departure point is the real selling point. Most Symi day trips from Rhodes require getting to Rhodes Port first, often by an early bus. This service lets you board near the beach instead, which means less time sitting in traffic and more time at your destination.

The four listed pickup points are Faliraki Harbor, Apollo Blue Hotel, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, and the beach at Amada Colossos Resort. The published times run from 9:45 to 10:00 in the morning, depending on your stop.

There is one practical detail to understand. You may first check in at the Faliraki Sea Lines desk, then take a minibus for about five minutes to the Amada Colossos beach station before boarding the boat. So direct from Faliraki does not always mean stepping straight from your hotel beach onto the main vessel, but it does avoid the much longer trip to Rhodes Port.

That difference is valuable. You can sleep a little later, reach the boat with less fuss, and return to the Faliraki area at roughly late afternoon. One reported return time was around 5:20 p.m., though you should treat the schedule as an estimate rather than a guarantee.

The 80-minute crossing to Symi

Once underway, the boat covers the first major stretch in about 80 minutes. This is not a slow sightseeing cruise. The high-speed vessel is designed to get you to Symi quickly, so the ride feels more like efficient island transport with scenery than a leisurely ferry outing.

You will have wide sea views and a close look at the coast as Rhodes falls behind. The boat can be smooth in good conditions, but speed and open water also mean wind. Several practical comments point to a breezy ride, and fleeces are provided when needed. I would still pack a light jacket, scarf, or dry cover-up, even on a warm morning.

If you are prone to seasickness, sit where the motion feels easiest and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. The supplied details do not specify seating arrangements or onboard food service, so bring water and anything small you personally need for the crossing.

There is also a short, 10-minute stop at Mandraki Harbour for passengers to get on or off. This is a quick operational stop, not a sightseeing visit. Do not count on time to leave the boat and explore Rhodes Town.

Arriving in Symi’s picture-book harbor

Symi’s harbor is the star of the day. As the boat comes in, the water turns a clear blue-green and the town rises around the bay in layers. Neoclassical houses in soft colors frame the waterfront, while church domes add small flashes of color above the rooftops.

This is a place where simply arriving is part of the attraction. The harbor is compact enough to explore on foot, and you can spend much of your time close to the water. Fishing boats, waterfront tavernas, and the tightly packed buildings give Symi a distinct feel from the larger resort areas of Rhodes.

You have about three hours ashore. That sounds generous at first, but it passes quickly once you combine lunch, photographs, browsing, and a swim. The time works well for a first visit focused on the main harbor town. It is less suitable if you want a long walk into the hills or an ambitious island tour.

How to use your three hours in Symi

I would begin by walking along the harbor to get your bearings. The waterfront gives you the best immediate view of the colored houses and boats, and it lets you see which taverna appeals to you before committing to lunch.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for it. You can eat at one of the traditional tavernas, or use the time for a lighter stop and spend more of the afternoon walking. The tour information does not name particular restaurants, so choose based on the setting, menu, and available time rather than trying to chase a specific address.

Shopping is another easy way to use the free period. You might find local-style souvenirs, clothing, and small gifts along the harbor streets. Keep an eye on the clock. Returning late to the boat would be a serious mistake, and three hours is not enough for a carefree wander far from the port.

The heat is worth planning for. One of the clearest practical points from the experience is that Symi can feel very hot, and the three-hour stop goes by fast. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and do not pack the entire visit with errands. A simple plan works best: walk, eat, browse, then return to the meeting point with time to spare.

The return cruise and St. George’s Bay

After Symi, the boat heads back toward Rhodes and makes a sightseeing run of about 20 minutes before reaching St. George’s Bay. The day finishes with a 30-minute swimming stop in clear water, and this is more than a token pause. It gives you a real chance to cool off after a warm afternoon in Symi.

The bay is backed by striking rocky coastal scenery, with water that can look especially clear in strong sunlight. You can swim, sit on deck, or simply enjoy the stop if you prefer not to get in. Bring swimwear under your clothes, since the stop is short and there may not be much time for changing.

Timing matters late in the season. From the end of September into October, the operator may visit St. George’s Bay before Symi because the bay can be shaded later in the day. That change is intended to preserve the best light and water color, but it may alter the order of the itinerary.

Weather can also change the exact bay or swimming arrangements. A previous trip operated with a different swimming location because of conditions, while still offering a beautiful place to swim. That flexibility is sensible at sea, but you should see the published route as a plan that may be adjusted for safety and comfort.

The final 90 minutes back to Faliraki

The last part of the return journey takes about an hour and a half. After the swim, you can settle in for coastal views and the ride back to Rhodes. This is the longest continuous stretch on the return, so it helps to have dry clothing and a cover-up ready.

The boat returns to the Faliraki-area locations: Calypso Beach, Apollo Blue, Amada Colossos, and Faliraki Harbor. The exact drop-off sequence may vary, but the key benefit remains the same. You finish near your accommodation area instead of needing another long transfer from Rhodes Town.

If you are driving, free all-day parking is available at the Amada Colossos boat station by the beach. That makes this boarding point useful for people staying outside the immediate hotel zone as well, provided they can reach the station.

What the $73 price really buys you

At $73 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to see Symi. You are paying for speed, a full-day boat outing, the beach-area pickup system, and the added swimming stop. Lunch is extra, so allow for that when comparing the total cost with other options.

The strongest value is location. If you are staying in Faliraki, avoiding a bus ride to Rhodes Port can save both time and energy. That matters even more for families, couples who dislike early starts, and anyone who wants a straightforward day without a second transport connection.

The price is less compelling if you are already based near Rhodes Town or prefer a slow ferry with more room to move around. The boat ride is part of the fun, but it can be windy, and you are trading relaxed transport for speed.

The service has earned a 4.6 rating from 356 ratings, with particularly strong praise for the direct departure, smooth operation, friendly staff, quick crossing, and St. George’s Bay swim. Those strengths fit the price. You are not buying a guided cultural tour of Symi. You are buying efficient transport plus a very attractive sea stop.

Who will enjoy this day most

This trip suits you if you are staying in Faliraki and want to see Symi without first crossing Rhodes by bus. It is also a good match if you like a day with two clear highlights: a scenic harbor town and a swim in open water.

Families and couples can both make good use of it. The three-hour stop gives you enough freedom to choose your own lunch and pace, while the swimming break adds variety for anyone who might find several hours of town sightseeing tiring.

It is less ideal for you if you need a fully guided visit, extensive historical commentary, or a slow, quiet cruise. The experience is largely independent once you reach Symi, and the available host languages are English, German, and Greek. It also deserves caution if you dislike wind or fast boat motion.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm the practical boarding arrangements for your needs, especially because boarding may involve the beach station and a short minibus transfer.

Booking and preparation tips

Choose the pickup point closest to your hotel and check the stated morning time carefully. The options are tightly spaced, from 9:45 to 10:00, so arriving early is wiser than trying to cut it close.

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothes, pack sun protection and water, and bring a light layer for the crossing. The crew may provide fleeces, but your own cover-up is useful after swimming.

Keep lunch simple and watch the time. Symi is easy to enjoy without a rigid plan, but three hours is not an excuse to wander far inland. Stay near the harbor unless you already know the area well.

The operator offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve now and pay later. That is useful when wind or weather may affect your plans, though you should still check the conditions and the final operating details before setting out.

Should you book the Faliraki to Symi boat?

I would book this if you are staying in Faliraki and want the most convenient practical route to Symi. The direct beach-area pickup, fast crossing, three hours in town, and 30-minute swim stop make a well-shaped day, with little wasted time.

I would skip it if your priority is a guided historical tour, a long visit to Symi, or a slower ferry ride. For most Faliraki holidaymakers, though, the saved transfer to Rhodes Port is the decisive advantage. Pack for wind, keep your Symi plans modest, and treat the St. George’s Bay swim as an essential part of the day rather than an afterthought.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

You can join from four Faliraki-area locations: Faliraki Harbor, Apollo Blue Hotel beach, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, and Amada Colossos beach.

What time are the pickup points?

The listed pickup times are 9:45 a.m. at Faliraki Harbor, 9:50 a.m. at Apollo Blue, 9:55 a.m. between Calypso Beach and Blue Sea Beach, and 10:00 a.m. at Amada Colossos.

Do I need to travel to Rhodes Port first?

No. The experience is designed to leave from the Faliraki area. You may use a minibus for about five minutes from the Faliraki Sea Lines desk to the Amada Colossos beach station before boarding the main boat.

How long do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours of free time in Symi Town. Lunch, swimming in town, shopping, and other personal activities are at your own expense.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The return trip includes a 30-minute swimming stop at St. George’s Bay, although the exact bay or order of stops can change because of weather and seasonal conditions.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is not included, so you should budget separately if you plan to eat at a taverna in Symi.

What languages are available?

Host or greeter assistance is available in English, German, and Greek.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The booking option also allows you to reserve your place and pay later.