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

Symi is worth the fast ride. This day trip takes you from Faliraki Beach directly to Symi, saving the usual bus transfer to Rhodes Town and giving you about three hours to explore the island’s famous harbor, shops, tavernas, and bright hillside buildings. You also get a 30-minute swim stop at St. George’s Bay.

I like the easy beach pickup and the efficient fast boat, which leaves more useful time on Symi. I also like that the trip pairs sightseeing with a proper swim stop instead of making you spend the whole day sitting on a boat. The main drawback is the wind: the ride can feel breezy, and three hours in Symi may pass quickly in the heat.

Key points at a glance

• Board near your hotel: Choose from Faliraki Harbour, Apollo Blue Hotel, Calypso Beach, or Amada Colossos Resort.
• Skip the Rhodes Town transfer: You do not need to take a long bus ride to Rhodes port before boarding.
• Three hours in Symi: Enough time for the harbor, lunch, shopping, photos, and perhaps a quick swim.
• St. George’s Bay stop: The 30-minute swim break is a major part of the day, with clear water and dramatic cliffs.
• Fast but breezy crossing: The boat gets you there quickly, though the open sea can feel windy.
• Good value at $73: The price includes direct pickup and the return cruise, but lunch is extra.

Why this Faliraki to Symi trip makes sense

Symi is one of the best day trips from Rhodes, but getting there can be a chore if you are staying in Faliraki. Many boat trips begin at Rhodes Town, which means arranging transport to the port, leaving early, and adding a long road transfer before the sea journey even starts.

This service cuts out that awkward first step. You go to one of four pickup points along Faliraki Beach, check in, and board from the local beach area. At some departure points, staff direct you to a small minibus for a five-minute ride to the Amada Colossos beach station. It is a small detail, but it removes much of the day’s usual fuss.

The advertised boarding times are close together:

• Faliraki Harbour at 9:45 AM
• Apollo Blue Hotel beach at 9:50 AM
• Beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel at 9:55 AM
• Amada Colossos beach at 10:00 AM

Check in at the Faliraki Sea Lines desk on the beach. If you are staying at one of the nearby resorts, the convenience is especially good. At Amada Colossos, free beach parking is available all day, which helps if you are driving rather than staying nearby.

The boat makes a brief stop in Mandraki Harbour for about 10 minutes to let people on and off. You should not treat this as free time in Rhodes Town. It is simply part of the boat’s operating route.

The fast crossing takes about 80 minutes

The first major section is a fast cruise toward Symi, listed as about 80 minutes. That is a useful saving over slower boat services, particularly because the return journey also uses a sightseeing cruise rather than a long, drawn-out crossing.

You will see open water and coastal views along the way. The fast boat is a big part of the appeal, but it is not a quiet yacht cruise. Several people found the ride smooth and quick, while also pointing out that it can be very windy. The crew provides fleeces, but I would still bring a light layer, even on a warm Rhodes morning.

The open deck is the place to enjoy the views, though the wind can make it less comfortable for long periods. Inside seating is a sensible choice if you are sensitive to spray or motion. The information provided does not specify the boat’s exact capacity, so you should expect a shared excursion rather than a small private outing.

The boat’s speed gives this trip its value. You spend less of the day in transit and more of it on Symi. That matters because the island itself is the main event.

Arriving in Symi’s picture-book harbor

Symi’s harbor is the sort of place that rewards a slow first look. The water is bright and clear, while pastel-colored neoclassical buildings climb the hills around the bay. Church domes and colorful roofs break up the rows of houses, giving the harbor its distinctive appearance.

You have roughly three hours ashore. That sounds generous on paper, but it disappears quickly once you walk along the waterfront, stop for photographs, browse the shops, and sit down for lunch.

I would start by taking a few minutes to get your bearings around the harbor. The waterfront is the natural center of the town, and it gives you the best first impression of the buildings and fishing boats. From there, you can choose between a relaxed meal, shopping, a swim, or a simple walk through the streets.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for it. The town has many traditional tavernas, and the waterfront is an easy place to stop when you do not want to spend your limited time searching far inland. You can also use the time for shopping or a short swim in the harbor waters.

The main limitation is the fixed schedule. You cannot treat Symi as a leisurely overnight visit. If you want lunch, photos, shopping, and a swim, plan your time before you arrive. Three hours is enough for a satisfying introduction, but not enough to explore every corner.

Heat is another factor. One person who enjoyed the trip still found that Symi felt very hot and that the three hours went by quickly. Carry water, use sun protection, and avoid spending the whole visit on a long meal unless food is your main priority.

What to do with your three hours

I would divide the stop into three simple parts:

First, walk the harbor and take in the buildings. This is the strongest sightseeing portion of the visit, and it costs nothing beyond your time.

Second, choose lunch or refreshments at a traditional taverna. Since the meal is not included, you can decide how much to spend. A slower meal suits you if you want a restful day, while a quicker stop leaves more time for walking and shopping.

Third, keep a little time for browsing or swimming. The harbor is compact enough for a short visit, but the exact amount you can cover depends on how long you linger.

If you are traveling with children or anyone who does not enjoy long walks, the free time is flexible enough to keep the day manageable. The port setting gives you a clear place to return to, though you should pay close attention to the meeting instructions from the crew.

St. George’s Bay is the day’s best refreshment

After Symi, the boat heads toward St. George’s Bay for a 30-minute swim stop. This is not just a token pause. The bay is surrounded by steep rocky cliffs, and the clear water makes it one of the most memorable parts of the outing.

You can swim from the boat or stay on deck and enjoy the view. The stop is short, so have your swimwear ready before the boat arrives. Do not wait until the last few minutes to find a towel, sunscreen, or phone case.

The water can be a welcome change after three hot hours in Symi. Several guests especially praised the stop as a refreshing finish to the day. That timing works well: you get the cultural and scenic part first, then a chance to cool off before the return crossing.

Thirty minutes is enough for a swim, but not for a long beach visit. The boat stops in the bay rather than taking you ashore for a full beach afternoon. If you want a slow swim, sunbathing, and time to dry off, the schedule may feel tight.

Weather can affect the exact location or order of the stop. One trip changed the bay because of conditions, but still offered a beautiful place to swim. From the end of September and through October, the operator may visit St. George’s Bay before Symi so that the cliffs do not shade the water later in the day. This is worth knowing if the color and warmth of the water are important to you.

The return cruise and what the timing feels like

After the swim, the return cruise takes about 1.5 hours. The itinerary also includes a 20-minute sightseeing cruise section before the bay stop, followed by the longer ride back toward Faliraki.

The full outing lasts about eight hours. With departures between 9:45 and 10:00 AM, you can expect to return in the late afternoon. One trip arrived back around 5:20 PM, though weather and sea conditions can alter the exact timing.

The schedule is fairly full, but it is not wasteful. The fast crossing protects your time in Symi, and the swim stop breaks up the ride home. You should not book this expecting a quiet, slow boat day. It is better suited to people who want to see Symi in one day and appreciate an efficient route.

The boat can be windy even when the ride is smooth. A fleece is available, but a light jacket is still useful. If you are prone to seasickness, sit where you feel most stable and keep your expectations realistic about the open-water sections.

Is $73 a fair price?

At $73 per person, the trip is good value if you are staying in Faliraki and would otherwise need to reach Rhodes port on your own. The price covers direct pickup from the Faliraki area, the fast boat to Symi, about three hours there, the St. George’s Bay swim stop, and the return journey.

Lunch is not included. You should also remember that the direct beach pickup is the main saving here. If you are already staying close to Rhodes Town and have easy access to the port, another Symi boat may be worth comparing. For most people based in Faliraki, though, avoiding the long transfer adds real value.

One useful point: the booking price through a reseller may not be the lowest available. One purchaser specifically noted that booking directly with the operating company was cheaper than booking through a third-party platform. Compare prices before paying, while checking that the departure location and cancellation terms are the same.

The trip allows free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms are useful for a sea excursion, since weather can affect the route and the swim stop.

Who should book this boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• You are staying in Faliraki and want to avoid the transfer to Rhodes port.
• You want a first look at Symi rather than a full, slow exploration.
• You enjoy fast boat rides and scenic coastal views.
• You want a swim stop as part of a sightseeing day.
• You are comfortable with a warm, breezy, fairly structured outing.
• You want an easy day trip that works for families and mixed-age groups.

I would think twice if you dislike wind, find open-water boat rides uncomfortable, or want more than three hours in Symi. You may also prefer a slower service if the journey itself is more important to you than the time ashore.

The excursion is wheelchair accessible, which makes it more practical for a wider range of visitors. Still, because boarding takes place from beach-area stations, confirm the exact arrangements when booking if you need specific assistance.

What to bring for a better day

Pack lightly, but bring the things that matter:

• Swimwear and a towel for St. George’s Bay
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A light fleece or jacket for the fast crossing
• Water for the hot hours in Symi
• Comfortable footwear for walking around town
• A small amount of extra money for lunch and shopping

Keep your swim gear easy to reach. You may not want to open a large bag while the boat is moving, and the swimming stop lasts only 30 minutes.

The crew and office staff speak English, German, and Greek. The service has been described as well organized, with staff helping when rain or changing weather affects the morning departure. In poor conditions, the operator may offer a revised plan, rescheduling, or a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you are based in Faliraki and want the simplest practical route to Symi. The direct beach pickup is the real selling point, and the combination of three hours in town plus a swim at St. George’s Bay gives you a satisfying full day for $73.

Just prepare for wind, heat, and a fixed schedule. Think of it as a fast, well-packed introduction to Symi, not a leisurely island escape. If that sounds right, this is one of the better ways to make the trip without first crossing Rhodes by bus.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

You can join at Faliraki Harbour, the beach by Apollo Blue Hotel, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, or the beach at Amada Colossos Resort.

What time are the pickup points?

The stated pickup times are 9:45 AM at Faliraki Harbour, 9:50 AM at Apollo Blue Hotel, 9:55 AM near Calypso Beach and Blue Sea Beach, and 10:00 AM at Amada Colossos.

Do I need to travel to Rhodes Town first?

No. The service is designed to take you directly from the Faliraki area, so you do not need to take a bus to Rhodes port.

How long do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours of free time in Symi Town.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense, and you can choose from the traditional tavernas in Symi.

How long is the swim stop?

The stop at St. George’s Bay lasts about 30 minutes.

Can I swim at St. George’s Bay?

Yes. The boat stops there for swimming, although weather conditions can affect the exact location or order of the stop.

How long is the whole excursion?

The advertised duration is eight hours, including the boat rides, time in Symi, and the swim stop.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.