Symi from Rhodes feels like a shortcut. This high-speed boat trip gives you a 3-hour window in Symi plus a 30-minute swim stop at Saint George Bay, with big rocks rising above the water. I love that the fast ride buys you time on land, and I also like how the plan centers on the places you actually came for. One thing to think about: in late September and October, the order can change, and if Saint George Bay comes after Symi, the bay can end up shaded, so the water may not look as bright as you expect.

If you are staying south of Rhodes, this feels practical. The boat, Aphrodite Princess, picks you up at the beach steps and drops you back in the same area, so you avoid the bus-to-port rhythm that some island plans require. As long as you keep some flexibility for the water stop timing, it is a solid way to experience Symi without turning your day into a logistics project.

Key things I’d pay attention to

• High-speed transit that protects your Symi time, so you get hours on the island instead of hours in transit
• 3 hours to wander Symi at your own pace, with time for lunch or just taking it slow by the harbor
• Saint George Bay swim stop with a short break to cool off in clear-looking water and big-rock scenery
• Late-season timing can affect the bay’s look, since the tour may adjust the order of Symi and Saint George Bay
• Pickup and drop-off from Kiotari or Lardos helps if you do not want a bus ride
• Lardos is limited by weekday, since the boat only stops there on Wednesdays and Fridays

A fast, focused ride from south Rhodes

This is a day trip designed around one idea: get you from the southeastern coast of Rhodes to Symi quickly, then give you enough free time to enjoy the island without feeling rushed. You are on a speedboat for most of the day, and the schedule is built to keep the time split in three clear blocks: time on Symi, a swim break at Saint George Bay, and the return to Rhodes.

On the water, the pace is the point. The itinerary runs on a roughly 2.33-hour outbound ride, then about 3 hours exploring Symi, then another water segment before the swim stop, and finally about 2.33 hours back to Rhodes. That rhythm is what makes this work so well for people staying in Kiotari, Lardos, or Pefkos, since you are not spending your precious day transferring between multiple modes of transport.

Where the boat meets you: Kiotari and Lardos pickup spots

I like that the pickup is straightforward and beach-based. The boat operator uses Aphrodite Princess, and you meet them at the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel. Depending on which option you choose, pickup is also listed at Lindos Imperial Hotel in Kiotari and Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos.

The tour also includes multiple pickup locations, so you can match the closest one to where you are staying. Just double-check your exact stop before you head down, because the plan depends on everyone getting aboard efficiently.

A practical detail I appreciate is the language coverage. Your host or greeter is listed as English, Greek, and German, which helps if you have questions about timing or what order the boat will follow that day.

The route stops you might notice: Mandraki Harbour

On the way to Symi, the boat includes a short stop at Mandraki Harbour, around 10 minutes, to disembark and embark passengers. There is also a 20-minute speedboat block in the itinerary right after your Symi visit, which lines up with the overall idea that the day has brief transitions between segments.

These short pauses can be useful because they break the ride up a bit. They also help the operation work across several nearby pickup points, which matters if you are joining from Kiotari or Lardos instead of the more central Rhodes ports.

Symi in your own time: 3 hours that actually feels like time

The biggest payoff here is the island window: about 3 hours free time in Symi. You disembark at the fishing harbor area, and the first things you will likely notice are the turquoise water, the pastel-colored neoclassical buildings framing the bay, and the colorful church domes.

That setting is why this trip works as more than a checkbox excursion. Three hours is long enough to do something tangible without feeling trapped in a strict schedule. I’d plan for two priorities: first, a relaxed walk around the harbor area and nearby streets, and second, deciding whether you want to eat or swim during your Symi time.

Lunch is at your own expense. You will find traditional tavernas, and this is also one moment where I think it is worth tasting what Symi is known for. The tour highlights include the chance to try local baby shrimp, which is the kind of small local item that makes a day trip feel like it has a personality, not just scenery.

If you are not in a food mood, you can use part of the Symi hours for a swim-like break as well, since the itinerary gives you options once you are on the island. Either way, the key is that you control the pace. You are not forced into one big group walk, so you can adjust based on how you feel and how the light looks.

Saint George Bay swim stop: clear water, huge rocks, and timing matters

After Symi, the boat builds in a swim break at Saint George Bay. The stated swim time is about 30 minutes, so think of it as a cool-off stop, not an all-day beach session.

The scenery is part of the appeal. The itinerary notes big rocks above the water, which gives the bay a dramatic feel and creates shade pockets close to the shoreline. That can be great if it is hot, but you still get the chance to see the water up close.

Here is the timing factor I would not ignore: the tour notes that from the end of September and October, they will go to Saint George Bay first. The reason is simple. If the bay comes after Symi, it can already be shaded by the time you arrive, and the water colors may not match what you see in photos.

That matters if you care about that bright, picture-perfect look. Even with clear water, light changes everything. So if you are traveling late in the season and you are specifically excited about the bay visuals, this is one of the moments where your day order makes a real difference.

Price and value: is $147 per person worth it?

At $147 per person for a 9-hour experience, you are paying for three things at once: speed, included water time, and beach-to-island convenience.

Let’s break it down in plain terms. You are getting:

• A high-speed boat cruise from the southeastern Rhodes coast to Symi
• 3 hours in Symi to use at your own pace
• A 30-minute swim stop at Saint George Bay

You are also getting pickup and drop-off in Kiotari or Lardos, which is a big deal if you would otherwise spend your day on a bus. That is also one reason the day trip is especially attractive for south-of-Rhodes stays. In other words, you are buying back time.

What you need to budget separately is lunch on your own in Symi, since meals are not included. If you know you will spend money on food anyway, you can treat the base price as your transport and activity cost, with the island time as the value driver.

Personally, I think the value is strongest when you want Symi but do not want to build a whole travel day around port connections. If that sounds like your situation, $147 for a 9-hour high-speed loop with a real island window is not bad at all.

Which days this boat works best for Kiotari and Lardos

This is a point worth checking early, because it changes where the trip is available from.

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

So if you are set on departing from Lardos, plan your Symi day around those weekdays. If you are staying in Kiotari or nearby areas served by Vlycha, you have more flexibility in the workweek.

Who should book this Symi speedboat day trip

This experience is a good fit if you want:

• A day that centers Symi, not a long transit grind
• A quick, comfortable way to get there from the south Rhodes area
• Enough time to roam independently for about 3 hours, plus a swim break

It also works well for couples or solo travelers who like freedom with their schedule. Since Symi time is free and self-paced, you can match your plan to your mood that day, whether you lean toward walking, eating, or keeping it simple.

If you are traveling with people who hate early, long days, note that this is still a full day total at 9 hours. It is compact and efficient, but it is not a half-day.

Should you book it?

Book it if you are staying in Kiotari or Lardos and you want the Symi experience without adding bus transfers. The big reasons to choose it are the 3 hours in Symi and the included St George Bay swim stop, both of which feel like actual activity, not just a cruise-by.

Consider booking a different plan if you are extremely photo-focused on Saint George Bay’s color look, especially if you are traveling around the end of September or October and you cannot align with the bay-first timing. In that window, the route order is the difference between bright-looking water and darker shade.

If your goal is a practical, scenic day with real time on Symi, this is one of the smarter ways to do it from south Rhodes.

FAQ

How long is the Symi speedboat day trip?

The total duration is 9 hours.

How much time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately 3 hours of free time to explore Symi.

Is there a swim stop included?

Yes. There is a 30-minute swim stop at Saint George Bay.

Where does the boat pick up passengers in Kiotari or Lardos?

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

What days does the boat stop in Lardos?

The boat stops in Lardos only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

What days does the boat stop in Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach?

The boat stops in Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

What languages are spoken by the host or greeter?

The host or greeter languages are English, Greek, and German.

What should I bring?

Bring sunscreen.

Is there free cancellation and a refund option?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.