A fast boat day can feel like a hack. This trip links southern Rhodes with Symi in about 9 hours door-to-deck style, and you still get real time to wander the harbor town instead of just passing through. I like the balance here: 3 hours in Symi for sightseeing at street level, then a planned St. George’s Bay swim stop with huge rocks overhead. One thing to keep in mind: in late September and October, the order of stops can shift, and the bay can end up shaded, which affects how bright the water looks.

If you’re staying in Kiotari or Lardos, this is one of the easier ways to reach Symi without sinking a whole day into slow connections. The transport quality is also a big selling point, with very strong scores for how smoothly the ride is run. The one drawback is simple: it’s a high-speed boat, so you’ll want to go with the flow on timing and accept that the “pretty postcard light” at St. George’s Bay isn’t guaranteed every single day.

Quick takeaways before you book

• High-speed ride from south Rhodes to Symi, giving you more time on the island
• 3 hours free time in Symi to explore at your own pace, including time to look for local baby shrimp
• 30-minute swim in St. George’s Bay with dramatic rock formations above the water
• Mandraki Harbour stop (10–20 minutes) for passenger swap before continuing
• Late Sept/Oct lighting can change if St. George’s Bay is visited after Symi

Why This Speedboat Works So Well From South Rhodes

This is a smart-choice tour if you’re based around Kiotari or Lardos. Instead of trying to route buses and ferries while you’re on vacation mode, you get a direct plan with a high-speed boat that buys you time back.

I also like how the day is paced. You’re not stuck on a long boat with nothing to show for it. You get real harbor views on arrival, and you also get a swim break that’s built into the schedule rather than being something you have to coordinate.

Pickup in Kiotari and Lardos: Know Your Beach Stop and Your Day

Your day starts with a beach pickup from exact shoreline meeting points. The tour notes pickup from the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, and also at Lindos Imperial Hotel in Kiotari Beach and Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos Beach.

Two timing details matter a lot:

• The boat stops in Lardos only on Wednesdays and Fridays
• The boat stops in Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday

If you’re planning around the calendar, double-check the day you’re traveling. Missing the pickup day can turn a simple excursion into a headache fast.

The Sea Leg: How the Timing Feels (Including Mandraki Harbour)

The total tour time is about 9 hours, and the boat sections are long enough that the sea part actually feels like “the journey,” not just a transfer.

From the schedule:

• The ride out to Symi is listed as 2.33 hours
• There’s a brief Mandraki Harbour stop of about 10 minutes (the itinerary also notes around 20 minutes) to disembark and embark passengers
• After Symi, you’ll make the return with another 2.33-hour boat segment

On a practical level, plan to settle in for a chunk of time on the water. Bring sunscreen and be ready for the fact that you’re doing this day-by-day, with the crew running the route.

Symi for 3 Hours: What You Can Actually See and Do

You’ll arrive at Symi and then get about 3 hours of free time to explore on your own. This is the part of the day that makes the tour worth it: you’re not just looking from the boat. You step into a harbor town where the waterfront is framed by pastel-colored buildings and colorful church domes.

Here’s what that means for you once you’re ashore:

• You can wander the bay area at a comfortable pace
• You’ll have time to look around the fishing harbor and take in the classic Symi streetscape
• Lunch is possible at one of the traditional tavernas, but it’s at your expense
• If you want a taste of local flavor, the tour highlights time to try baby shrimp

3 hours isn’t enough for a slow, full-day Symi deep explore—but it’s a solid window for the core sights. The goal here is to get you the most “Symi feeling” without eating your whole day.

St. George’s Bay Swim Stop: Clear Water, Big Rocks, and Timing Tricks

After Symi, you’ll head toward Saint George’s Bay for a swim break. The planned swim time is 30 minutes, and the water is described as crystal clear, with huge rocks overhead that make the bay feel dramatic.

This is also the part where timing and order matter. The tour notes a real seasonal change:

• From the end of September and in October, the boat goes to St. George’s Bay first
• If the crew goes to the bay after Symi, the bay may already be shaded by the time you arrive, and the water colors won’t look as bright as in photos

That means if your priority is maximum “shimmer,” you should aim for the scenario where St. George’s Bay is visited earlier. Even then, you’re on the water—light changes. But at least you’ll understand why the view might shift.

Mandraki Harbour Stop: Quick Reset, No Full Sightseeing Time

On the route, the boat includes a short stop in Mandraki Harbour for passenger changes. Expect this to feel like a brief reset rather than a destination stop.

You’ll likely see people coming and going, then you’re back on your way. Don’t plan on sightseeing here unless you’re comfortable with very quick peeks rather than an actual walk.

Price and Value: Is $147 Per Person Fair for This Day?

At $147 per person for a 9-hour day, the price isn’t “cheap,” but it can be good value if Symi and the swim are your main goals.

Here’s what you’re getting that justifies the cost:

• A high-speed boat from the southeastern coast of Rhodes area
• 3 hours in Symi, where you can actually explore and choose your own pace
• A 30-minute swim break in St. George’s Bay
• A route that doesn’t require you to build a bus-and-ferry puzzle for the day

The other big value signal is the ride itself. The tour data emphasizes strong transport ratings, with 89% of reviewers giving it a perfect score for transport. When you’re paying for a fast connection, that matters.

Lunch isn’t included, and that’s worth remembering. If you plan to eat on Symi, budget for it as part of your total day spend.

What Language Support Looks Like on Board

You’ll be greeted by an English, Greek, or German host or greeter. That’s useful when you’re trying to understand where to line up, when to get back on board, and how the day is running.

Also, because pickup happens at specific beach steps and hotels, clear meeting instructions help you avoid the common travel stress of wondering if you’re at the right spot.

Practical Tips That Actually Help (Not Just Nice-to-Haves)

The only item you’re specifically told to bring is sunscreen—and I agree with that. This is a full day where you’ll be in strong daylight, on deck and ashore.

Beyond that, I’d keep your packing simple:

• Wear something you can walk around in for the Symi hours
• Expect to be in and out of the water during the swim stop (so comfort matters)
• Keep essentials easy to grab so you’re not wasting your 3-hour window

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes to photograph everything, you’ll still be able to do that here. Just remember the day has built-in time limits.

Who Should Book This Symi Speedboat?

This works best if you:

• Are staying south of Rhodes and want a direct plan to Symi
• Want real time ashore (3 hours) rather than just a quick stop
• Like a mix of walking plus a planned swim break
• Prefer transport that’s rated very strongly for how it runs

It’s also a good pick when you’d rather spend your vacation time in town and at the bay, instead of navigating connections.

Should You Book This Tour?

I’d book it if your dream day includes Symi’s harbor-town look and you’re okay with a fixed schedule. The structure is what makes it compelling: 3 hours in Symi plus a 30-minute St. George’s Bay swim on a high-speed route.

I’d think twice if you’re extremely photo-obsessed about the exact water brightness at St. George’s Bay during late season. The itinerary can switch so the bay is first in late September and October, but light still changes, and the bay can be shaded depending on the order.

If your priorities are time efficiency, a meaningful Symi visit, and a legit swim break, this is a solid yes.

FAQ

How long do I have in Symi?

You get approximately 3 hours free time to explore Symi on your own.

Is the St. George’s Bay swim break included?

Yes. The tour includes a swim stop in St. George’s Bay with about 30 minutes in the water.

What is the total duration of the tour?

The duration is listed as 9 hours.

Where are the pickup locations?

Pickup is included from the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, and from the Lindos Imperial Hotel area in Kiotari Beach, plus Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos Beach.

Does the boat stop in Lardos every day?

No. It stops in Lardos only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Does the boat stop in Kiotari and Vlycha?

Yes. It stops in Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is not included. You can have lunch at tavernas in Symi at your own expense.

What languages do the host or greeter speak?

The host or greeter speaks English, Greek, and German.

What should I bring?

The tour advises bringing sunscreen.