Kolymbia: High-Speed Boat to Symi Island & St George’s Bay

Symi is one of the Dodecanese islands that rewards the trip across the water, and this outing makes the crossing unusually easy. You board at Kolymbia Harbor, rather than taking an early bus to Rhodes Town, then spend about three hours exploring Symi before a swim in St George’s Bay.

I like two things right away: the direct departure saves time and hotel-transfer hassle, and the boat ride gives you both a town visit and a beautiful swimming stop. The main consideration is the fixed schedule. You must be back at the boat on time, and three hours in Symi can feel short if you want a long lunch, shopping, and a full walk uphill.

Key points at a glance

• Direct from Kolymbia Harbor: You avoid the early coach transfer to Rhodes’ main port.
• About three hours in Symi: Enough for the harbor, lunch, shops, and a short walk, but not every corner of the island.
• St George’s Bay swim stop: Plan on roughly 30 minutes in clear water, with time to sunbathe on deck instead.
• High-speed crossing: The boat gets you to Symi faster than slower ferry options, giving you more time ashore.
• Food worth seeking: Symi mini shrimp and local ouzo are two classic tastes to try if you want more than a view.
• Strict departure times: The crew keeps to schedule, so arrive early and watch the clock in Symi.

Why this Kolymbia to Symi trip works so well

At $90 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day on the Dodecanese. But price alone misses the main value. You are paying for an eight-hour boat outing, a fast trip to one of Greece’s prettiest harbor towns, three hours of free time, and a separate swim stop.

The biggest saving is practical rather than financial. If you are staying in Kolymbia, you can walk to the harbor instead of arranging a bus to Rhodes Town. One account describes the harbor as only about a five-minute walk from a nearby hotel. Your exact walk will depend on where you stay, but the point is sound: this trip begins close to Kolymbia’s hotels.

Other Symi departures can require a very early start and a coach ride before the boat even leaves Rhodes. Here, reported departure times have been around 10:15, though you must check the date you want to book. That later start can make the day easier, especially if you do not want to rush through breakfast.

The tradeoff is that a direct boat from Kolymbia may not offer the same amount of time as a slower, longer port-day package. You get convenience and speed, but you need to use your free time wisely.

Leaving Kolymbia Harbor by high-speed boat

The meeting point is Kolymbia Harbor, and the activity returns to the same place. The crew speaks English, and the experience is described as wheelchair accessible. Still, a harbor and a high-speed boat can involve boarding conditions that vary with the day, so anyone needing specific assistance should confirm the arrangements before booking.

The boat has been praised for a smooth, fast ride. In one reported schedule, it arrived at Kolymbia Harbor at 10:15, passengers boarded, and the boat left promptly. Another outing included a brief stop at Rhodes Town to drop off and collect passengers. That stop offered quick views of the old town castle beside the harbor, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed sightseeing stop. The central plan is Kolymbia to Symi.

I would arrive early. The crew follows its departure time closely, and that is fair on a boat carrying many people. Missing the sailing can spoil an otherwise excellent day, especially since the boat will not hold up the whole group for late arrivals.

Once you are moving, the crossing itself becomes part of the fun. You get open-water views and a sense of how the islands fit together across the Dodecanese sea. A high-speed boat also cuts down the time spent simply getting from one port to another. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the ride feels most comfortable for you and bring any usual precautions, since the boat is designed for speed.

First sight of Symi’s pastel harbor

Symi’s harbor is the kind of arrival that makes a boat trip worthwhile. The water is turquoise, and pastel-colored neoclassical buildings rise around the bay. Colored church domes add small points of detail above the waterfront.

This is not just a place to step off the boat and hurry toward lunch. Take a few minutes to look back at the harbor from the quay. Symi is best understood from the water first, where the buildings appear arranged around the bay in layers of soft color.

You have about three hours to explore independently. There is no scheduled guided walk listed, so you set the pace. That freedom suits visitors who want to browse, eat, photograph the harbor, or simply sit near the water without following a flag through town.

It also means you need a plan. Three hours sounds generous at first, but it disappears quickly if you combine lunch with shopping and a walk. I would begin by deciding what matters most:

• For photographs, walk along the harbor before settling down to eat.
• For lunch, choose a taverna early enough to avoid spending your whole visit at the table.
• For a relaxed day, stay near the waterfront and enjoy the view rather than trying to cover too much ground.
• For local flavor, look for Symi mini shrimp and ask for local ouzo, both paid separately.

Making the most of three hours in Symi

The free-time format is a strength because Symi means different things to different people. You may want a long meal of seafood and meze. I may prefer to wander the harbor, examine the neoclassical façades, and find a quiet place for a drink. Neither plan is wrong.

The limitation is distance. The excursion gives you free time in Symi, not a full island tour. The supplied details focus on the fishing town and harbor, so do not book this expecting a guided visit to every village, beach, or hillside viewpoint.

Lunch is also not included. That is useful to know when judging the $90 cost. You control the meal and its price, but you should budget for it separately. A taverna lunch can turn the visit into a proper taste of the island, while a quick bite gives you more time to walk.

Symi mini shrimp are the specialty to look for. They are small shrimp associated with the island and are often served as a simple local dish. The exact menu and preparation can change, so treat them as a food tip rather than a guaranteed part of the excursion.

Ouzo is another local touch. If you order it, remember that the return boat still lies ahead. A small glass with food is one thing; a sunny, fast crossing after too much alcohol is another. The best island day is one you can still enjoy at the swim stop.

Keep track of the meeting time. The boat’s punctuality is a benefit when you are on board, but it leaves little room for a last-minute purchase or a long walk back from town. I would set an alarm on your phone and return to the meeting point with a buffer.

St George’s Bay and the half-hour swim

After Symi, the boat heads along the coast toward St George’s Bay. This is the second major part of the day, and for many people it may become the favorite one.

The bay is known here for its clear water and dramatic setting. You get about 30 minutes for swimming, or you can remain on deck and enjoy the sun if you would rather not enter the water. The stop breaks up the return crossing and gives you a chance to cool off after time in Symi.

Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim, but it is not a full beach visit. You will not have hours to settle in, read, or explore the shore. Think of it as a beautiful pause from the boat, not a separate beach day.

Bring what you need for a quick change and keep your belongings organized. The available details do not promise changing facilities, lockers, or beach equipment, so it is sensible to arrive prepared for a boat-based swim. If you do not swim, the deck option still gives you the view and the sea air.

The schedule can sometimes run a little longer than 30 minutes, but do not count on extra time. A longer stop may happen, yet the published plan is approximately half an hour. Treat any bonus as luck, not as part of your calculation.

What the $90 price really buys

At $90, the value depends on where you are staying and how much you value time. If you are based in Kolymbia, the direct harbor departure is a real advantage. You avoid the cost, early hour, and inconvenience of getting to Rhodes Town before the boat journey begins.

The price includes:

• The high-speed boat cruise
• About three hours of free time in Symi
• A 30-minute swimming stop at St George’s Bay

You pay separately for lunch, drinks, and anything you buy in Symi. There is no listed guided tour of the town, so the price is for transport and the two main stops rather than for a guide-led cultural program.

I would consider it good value for someone who wants Symi without spending the morning on a bus. It is less compelling for someone who wants a slow, detailed island visit with several inland stops. The boat makes the day possible and efficient, but efficiency always comes with limits.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 76 reviews, which matches the strongest practical points: the direct Kolymbia departure, the fast boat, the smooth service, and the St George’s Bay stop. The high rating should not make you ignore the fixed schedule or the extra cost of lunch. It simply suggests that the basic promise is being delivered well.

Who should book this Symi boat outing

I would recommend it most strongly to people staying in Kolymbia who want a straightforward day trip. It is especially useful if you dislike long bus transfers, prefer a later start, or want a high-speed ride instead of a slower ferry.

It also suits you if you like a mix of independent time and scenery. You are not escorted through every minute of the day. Once in Symi, you choose your meal, route, and pace. The swim stop adds variety, so the outing is not only a town visit.

Families and groups may appreciate the simple plan, provided everyone can keep to the departure time. The wheelchair-accessible status is helpful, though you should confirm the exact boarding arrangements if mobility support is important.

I would think twice if your main goal is a long swim, a quiet full-day beach stay, or a detailed cultural tour. The stop at St George’s Bay is short, and Symi time is limited. You also need to be comfortable with a boat outing that lasts most of the day.

Practical advice before you go

Check the available starting time for your date. The outing lasts eight hours, but the exact sailing schedule matters more than the headline duration.

Arrive at Kolymbia Harbor early. The boat may leave exactly on time, and the crew has little reason to delay a large group for late arrivals.

Wear comfortable clothes for walking around Symi and bring swimwear for St George’s Bay. A towel, sun protection, and a secure way to carry small items will make the two parts of the day easier.

Plan your Symi priorities before you arrive. Three hours is enough for a good taste of the town, but not enough for every possible activity. Decide if lunch, photographs, shopping, or a waterfront stroll comes first.

Bring money for lunch and drinks. The tour price does not cover your taverna meal, Symi mini shrimp, or ouzo.

If the sea or sun makes you uncomfortable, the boat deck gives you another way to enjoy St George’s Bay. You do not have to swim to benefit from the stop.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your island plans depend on weather or other bookings.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you are staying near Kolymbia and want the easiest route to Symi. The direct harbor departure, high-speed crossing, pastel waterfront, and St George’s Bay swim create a well-balanced day, especially at a price that includes transport and two strong stops.

Skip it if you need a slow, unstructured day or a full island tour. For everyone else, the best approach is simple: arrive early, protect your three hours in Symi, budget for lunch, and keep an eye on the clock. That is how you get the most from the $90 fare.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat leaves from Kolymbia Harbor in the Dodecanese, Greece.

Where does the experience finish?

The activity ends back at Kolymbia Harbor, the same meeting point.

How long does the trip last?

The total duration is eight hours. Check the available starting times for your chosen date.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours to explore Symi independently.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a traditional taverna is at your own expense.

Is the swimming stop included?

Yes. The itinerary includes a swimming stop of about 30 minutes at St George’s Bay.

What language does the host speak?

The host or greeter speaks English, and English is the listed activity language.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.