Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, & Lindos: Speedboat to Symi Island

Symi is a fine reason to leave Rhodes. This 9-hour boat trip takes you from the island’s southeastern coast to Symi, one of the Dodecanese’s prettiest ports, with about three hours to explore independently and a 30-minute swim at Saint George Bay. I like the fast direct boat service and the fact that you can leave from Kiotari or Lardos without first spending hours on a bus. I also like the useful mix of town time and sea time: Symi gives you colorful buildings, tavernas, and local food, while Saint George Bay supplies the swim.

The main consideration is timing at the bay. In late September and October, the boat may visit Symi before Saint George Bay, and the tall cliffs can shade the water by the time you arrive. One October booking specifically found the bay darker than expected. If bright water is your priority, ask about the day’s order before you set off.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours in Symi town: Enough time for a relaxed meal, a walk around the harbor, and a look at the island’s pastel neoclassical houses.
• A true southern Rhodes departure: Kiotari and Lardos pickups save you the long overland transfer normally needed for a Symi day trip.
• A 30-minute Saint George Bay stop: You can swim in clear water beneath the bay’s huge rocky cliffs, weather and light permitting.
• Speedboat travel: The crossing takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes each way, with a short stop at Mandraki Harbour to handle additional passengers.
• Local lunch option: Symi is known for baby shrimp, and the three-hour visit gives you time to try them at your own expense.
• Strong overall rating: The experience is rated 4.7 out of 5, and 89 percent of published ratings give the transport a perfect score.

Why this Symi trip makes sense from southern Rhodes

Symi is close enough to Rhodes to visit in a day, but far enough that transport matters. From the resorts around Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, and Lindos, a day trip can become tiring if you first need a long bus ride to Rhodes Town and then a ferry. This service cuts out that extra land journey by collecting you at southern beach locations.

Pickup is included from the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, Lindos Imperial Hotel at Kiotari Beach, and Costa Lindia Hotel at Lardos Beach. The precise pickup point matters, so check your confirmation carefully and allow time to reach the beach access. The information lists three pickup points around Lardos and Kiotari, while the service also advertises access for people staying around Lindos and Pefkos.

The boat stops at Lardos only on Wednesdays and Fridays. Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach are served on Tuesdays through Fridays. That schedule is not a minor detail. If you are building your holiday around this outing, check the operating day before paying.

The high-speed crossing from Kiotari or Lardos

Once aboard, expect a long open-water ride rather than a short harbor hop. The stated boat time is about 2 hours and 20 minutes in each direction, so the speedboat gets you there faster than a slower ferry, but the trip still occupies much of the day.

That trade-off is worth understanding. You gain a direct southern departure and more useful time on Symi, but you should not expect a few quick hours at sea followed by a full day ashore. Bring sunscreen, as requested by the operator, and plan for exposure on deck. The sea can feel very different from a calm beach, and a fast boat can make the ride feel lively.

There is also a 10-minute stop at Mandraki Harbour. This is used to let people get on and off, not as a sightseeing visit. Treat it as a short operational pause rather than extra time to explore Rhodes Town.

The hosts and greeters speak English, Greek, and German. That gives you a practical language choice for meeting instructions and basic help, though the day is mainly self-guided once you reach Symi. This suits you if you prefer to set your own pace rather than follow a guide from one attraction to the next.

Arriving in Symi’s picture-perfect harbor

The arrival is the visual payoff. Symi town curves around a fishing harbor with turquoise water and rows of pastel-colored neoclassical buildings climbing the hillsides. Church domes add small flashes of color above the houses, and the whole setting feels more polished and compact than the broad resort areas of Rhodes.

You are not being taken to a remote corner of the island. You disembark in the main harbor area and have roughly three hours to use as you please. That is enough time to enjoy the waterfront, stop for lunch, and wander without turning the visit into a rushed checklist.

I would begin by walking along the harbor to get your bearings. The buildings are the main attraction, so do not feel that you must hurry toward a distant sight. Symi is especially rewarding when you slow down and look across the water at the stacked houses, small boats, and church domes.

The town is also a good place to make lunch part of the experience. Traditional tavernas line the harbor, and baby shrimp are a local specialty worth considering. They are not included in the price, so keep money aside for lunch and drinks. You could also choose to spend less on a simple meal and save time for walking or swimming.

Making three hours in Symi count

Three hours sounds generous, but it passes quickly once you include disembarkation, lunch, photos, and the return meeting time. I would not plan a complicated island expedition. The useful area for this trip is the harbor town, where you can enjoy the architecture and food without gambling on distant transport.

A sensible plan looks like this:

• Start with a waterfront walk and photographs of the harbor.
• Choose a taverna lunch, with baby shrimp if you want a local specialty.
• Leave time for a relaxed wander before returning to the boat.
• Keep a close eye on the departure time, since the boat will not wait for a late lunch.

You may prefer to skip a full meal and use the time for a swim near town. The experience allows free time rather than requiring one fixed activity, which is a real advantage for mixed groups. One person can eat, another can browse, and someone else can simply sit by the water.

The drawback is that three hours will not show you all of Symi Island. This is a town visit, not a complete island tour. If you want inland villages, a longer hike, or a broader look at the island, this outing will feel limited. For a first taste of the harbor, however, the time is well judged.

Saint George Bay and the swimming stop

The return route includes a stop at Saint George Bay, a striking cove framed by huge rocks. You get about 30 minutes for a swim in clear water or time on deck if you prefer not to enter the sea.

The setting is the point. The cliffs rise around the cove, giving the stop a dramatic feel that a normal beach break cannot match. Bring swimwear, though the only item specifically required by the operator is sunscreen. The swim is optional in practical terms, so you can remain aboard and enjoy the view if the water is not for you.

Light makes a real difference here. From the end of September and through October, the crew may visit Saint George Bay before Symi because the cliffs can shade the cove later in the day. That change is sensible, but the timing is not guaranteed to match the bright conditions shown in promotional photographs.

One October booking had exactly this problem: the bay came after the town, the sun had moved behind the high rocks, and the water looked dark rather than brilliantly blue. This is useful advice, not a reason to reject the trip. If you are traveling late in the season, ask the crew which order is planned. Even in shade, the cliffs remain impressive, but expectations should be realistic.

Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing dip, not a long beach session. There is no suggestion of a full beach setup, sun loungers, or a shore excursion. Think of it as a scenic boat stop with time to swim.

What the $147 price includes

At $147 per person, this is not a bargain-priced ferry ride. You are paying for a full-day excursion, a high-speed boat, the southern Rhodes pickup arrangement, about three hours in Symi, and the Saint George Bay swim stop.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos. Avoiding a separate bus journey to a northern port can save both time and hassle. The boat also gives you a direct way to combine Symi’s town with a scenic swimming cove in one day.

The price does not include lunch or other personal spending in Symi. That is normal for an independent town visit, but you should budget for the taverna meal separately. You are also paying for transport rather than a guided cultural tour. If you want detailed commentary at every stop, this may feel expensive. If you value convenience and free time, the price is easier to justify.

The overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 is encouraging, and 89 percent of ratings give the transport a perfect score. I would read that as strong support for the boat service and day structure, with the seasonal light issue as the main warning to keep in mind.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend the trip for couples, families, and independent sightseers staying south of Rhodes who want to see Symi without arranging several separate transfers. It works well if you enjoy choosing your own lunch, setting your own walking pace, and adding a short swim to a sightseeing day.

It is also a good fit if you want a memorable boat ride rather than a purely practical ferry crossing. The approach to Symi, the colorful harbor, and the cliffs at Saint George Bay provide plenty to look at between stops.

You may want another option if you dislike long periods on a boat, need a tightly guided schedule, or expect a full island tour. The crossing takes more than two hours each way, and the free time is concentrated in the harbor town. People with limited interest in swimming should also know that part of the day is built around the bay stop, even though you can stay aboard.

Practical advice before you go

Use sunscreen from the start, not only when the boat reaches Symi. You will spend substantial time on the water, and the open deck can feel bright even when the air is cool.

Wear something suitable for both walking and swimming. The town portion calls for comfortable footwear, while the bay stop is easiest if you already have swimwear beneath your clothes. Keep personal items secure and easy to reach, since the day moves from boat to town and back again.

Confirm the pickup location and operating day. Lardos service runs only Wednesdays and Fridays, while Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach operate Tuesday through Friday. Pickup is included, but the exact beach access point still matters.

Finally, ask about Saint George Bay timing if you are going in late September or October. The crew may put the bay first to preserve the sunlight and color. That simple check can make a real difference to your expectations.

Should you book the Symi speedboat?

Book it if you are staying in southern Rhodes and want a convenient day trip with three hours in Symi and a scenic swim added on. The strongest reasons are the southern pickup points, the fast boat, and the freedom to spend your time in town as you choose.

Think twice if you want a quiet ferry, an all-day guided tour, or guaranteed bright sunlight at Saint George Bay. At $147, the trip makes the most sense when convenience matters and you are happy paying for transport, scenery, and a well-planned taste of Symi rather than a full island exploration.

FAQ

How long does the Symi boat trip take?

The full activity lasts about 9 hours. The boat ride is listed as approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes in each direction, with time in Symi and a swim stop included.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately 3 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.

What local food can I try in Symi?

Baby shrimp are mentioned as a local specialty you can try during your free time.

How long is the swimming stop?

The stop at Saint George Bay lasts about 30 minutes.

Where does the boat pick me up?

Pickup is available from the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, Lindos Imperial Hotel at Kiotari Beach, and Costa Lindia Hotel at Lardos Beach. The listed pickup locations also include points around Lardos and Kiotari.

Which days does the boat stop in Lardos?

The boat stops in Lardos on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Which languages are available from the host or greeter?

The available languages are English, Greek, and German.