Rhodes: Speedboat Trip to Symi with Free Time to Explore

Symi makes a beautiful escape from Rhodes. This day trip combines a fast, comfortable boat ride with plenty of time to explore the island independently, so you can spend your hours eating, shopping, swimming, or climbing above the harbor. I especially like the clear views of Rhodes Old Town from the sea and the chance to enter Symi’s striking harbor by boat. The main drawback is the boarding process, which can feel rushed, and the upper deck fills quickly.

At $35 per person, this is an unusually affordable way to see another Greek island. You get air-conditioned indoor seating, an open sundeck, an onboard bar, and roughly three to five hours in Symi, depending on the departure schedule. You do not get a guide, lunch, or organized sightseeing, so this works best if you enjoy making your own plans.

Key points to know before booking

• The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way, with open-air and air-conditioned seating available.
• Symi’s harbor is the main attraction, lined with colorful neoclassical houses, cafés, restaurants, shops, and clear water.
• Free time varies by departure, with some schedules offering about three hours and earlier departures offering up to five.
• The upper deck has the best views, but seats fill quickly and outer seats can get sprayed with seawater.
• The boat passes major Rhodes sights, including the castle walls, Marine Gate, windmills, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and Naillac Tower.
• The trip is self-guided, giving you freedom but requiring you to manage your own time and return to the boat promptly.

Why Symi is worth the boat ride

Symi is not simply a place to check off during a Greek holiday. Its harbor has a distinct character, with tightly packed houses climbing the hills in an amphitheater shape. Many are painted in soft colors and decorated with neoclassical details, creating the postcard view that makes the arrival so memorable.

The first sight of Symi from the water is one of the strongest parts of the trip. The houses seem to rise directly from the bay, and on calm days their colors reflect on the sea. The approach gives you a better sense of the town than a land arrival would.

I also like that this is not a rigid guided excursion. You can stay near the waterfront for lunch and shopping, climb the Kali Strata steps for a higher view, or look for a swimming spot. You are free to set the pace, though you must keep an eye on the departure time.

The tradeoff is that Symi’s main harbor area can take up most of your available time. If you want to see distant beaches or explore more of the island, three hours will feel short. For a first visit focused on the town, though, the schedule is generally workable.

Starting at Kolona Harbor in Rhodes

The meeting point is Kolona Harbor, where you look for the Sebeco Lines boat. Allow time to find the ticket kiosk and confirm your return arrangements. One useful detail is that some departures may use a nearby harbor location, so check the latest instructions carefully rather than relying only on a map pin.

Boarding can be the least polished part of the morning. Several people have found the queue hurried, with passengers trying to move ahead, and the limited upper-deck seats disappear quickly. If sitting outside matters to you, arrive early and be ready to board promptly.

Once aboard, the boat offers a choice that matters in the Greek heat. The enclosed deck has air conditioning, while the sundeck gives you open views and fresh air. The boat also has a bar serving drinks and light refreshments, with beer reported at about €4.

The boat is fast and generally comfortable, though the sea can be bumpy. The front and outer seats are more exposed to spray, especially when the water is choppy. That can be refreshing on a hot day, but it is not ideal if you want to stay completely dry.

Rhodes Old Town from the water

The outward crossing begins with a fine view of Rhodes Town from a different angle. From the harbor, you can see the medieval castle walls, the minarets of the Old Town, the clock tower, and the Marine Gate.

This is a good reason to spend part of the crossing outside, even if you later retreat into the air-conditioned cabin. The walls look especially impressive from the sea, where their scale and defensive position become easier to understand.

As the boat leaves Rhodes, watch for the 46-meter-high Naillac Tower, the windmills, Saint Nicholas Fortress, and the Aquarium of Rhodes. These sights pass fairly quickly, so keep your camera ready rather than waiting for an announcement.

The crossing takes about 80 minutes, or roughly an hour and 20 minutes. Some schedules and conditions may make the trip feel closer to 90 minutes. The boat is usually praised for making good time, but a late departure can reduce your hours on Symi, so punctuality at the start matters.

Arriving in Symi’s amphitheater-shaped harbor

The arrival is the visual high point. The town of Symi rises around the bay, with rows of colorful houses climbing the hillsides. From the boat, you see the full shape of the settlement before stepping into the middle of it.

The waterfront is easy to use as your base. Restaurants, cafés, pastry shops, bars, and small stores line the harbor, and you can get your bearings without needing a guide. This is also where you will find the easiest views for photographs.

Symi is known for its cats, which appear around the harbor and side streets. If you enjoy animals, you will probably notice them quickly. If you prefer a quieter walk, turn away from the waterfront and explore the smaller lanes.

The town is attractive, but the immediate harbor area is not the place to expect a long sandy beach. A few people find swimming spots, and one excursion guest reached Saint George’s Beach, but the boat does not drop you at a major beach. If swimming is your priority, you may need more time and local transport than this trip provides.

How to spend three to five hours on Symi

Your free time is the heart of the outing. The amount depends on the departure, with some schedules offering around three hours, while an early 9 a.m. departure may allow about five hours.

For a short visit, I would divide the time into three parts:

• Walk the harbor and side lanes.
• Eat or have a drink overlooking the water.
• Use the remaining time for steps, shops, or a swim.

The waterfront is ideal for a relaxed lunch. Symi shrimp, usually fried, is a local specialty worth looking for, and the island also has pastry shops serving cakes and milkshakes. You can keep the meal simple and still enjoy the setting, with tables facing the harbor.

Shopping is another easy way to fill the afternoon. The town has small shops along the waterfront and in nearby streets. You will have enough time to browse without turning the day into a rushed shopping mission, especially on a longer schedule.

For a better view, climb the Kali Strata, a staircase route with about 500 steps. It takes effort, particularly in hot weather, but it gives you a different perspective over the harbor and the hillside houses. Do not start the climb late if you still need lunch and time to return to the boat.

Swimming is possible, but plan carefully. The harbor itself is not presented as a main beach area, and the most attractive swimming places may require more time to reach. If you spend the whole morning climbing and eating, you may not have enough time for a distant beach.

The return crossing to Rhodes

The return boat usually follows the same general route and takes about 80 minutes. Many people use the outward trip for views and the return for air conditioning, a drink from the bar, or a quiet rest.

If you want a top-deck seat on the way back, do not assume you can simply return at the last minute and find one. Seats can fill quickly, and groups may not be able to sit together if people spread out across the cabin.

The boat is described as smooth and fast by many passengers, although the ride can be noisy, particularly on the return. Motion-sensitive passengers may prefer a seat in the shade or inside the air-conditioned deck. The sea is not always flat, so consider carrying whatever motion-sickness remedy you normally use.

On a clear evening, the ride back can provide lovely sunset views. Even when the light is ordinary, the return gives you one last look at Symi’s hills and the open water before arriving at Kolona Harbor.

What the $35 price really gets you

At $35, the trip offers strong value. A round trip between Rhodes and Symi, a modern boat with indoor and outdoor seating, and several hours on another island would normally make this an easy recommendation for budget-conscious visitors.

The price is particularly good because you are paying for transport rather than a packaged sightseeing program. You are not paying for a guide who controls the day, a group lunch, or extra stops you may not want.

The limits are clear. Food and drinks are not included, and the cost of lunch, shopping, taxis, or other island activities comes separately. There is also no guided tour of Symi, so you need to decide for yourself how to use the free time.

The large number of very positive ratings reflects the simple appeal of the outing: it is affordable, the boat usually runs on time, and Symi is genuinely picturesque. The most consistent complaints concern boarding, occasional delays, limited upper-deck seating, and confusion about the precise harbor location.

Who will enjoy this day trip most

I would choose this trip if you want an easy day away from Rhodes without committing to an overnight stay. It suits couples, families, independent sightseers, photographers, and anyone who prefers a flexible day rather than a guided schedule.

It is also a good choice for people who want a first look at Symi before returning for a longer stay. Several hours are enough to see the harbor, eat, shop, and climb some of the steps, but not enough to understand the whole island.

You may want another option if you need a fully guided experience, a guaranteed beach stop, or a quiet boarding process. The boat can be busy, and the timetable is fixed. You must return on time, even if you are still enjoying lunch or looking for one more photograph.

Families should find the format manageable because the boat has indoor seating and the island offers several simple activities. Still, young children may find the heat, steps, and boat motion tiring. The air-conditioned cabin is useful when the sun becomes too strong.

Practical tips for a smoother day

Check the departure details shortly before leaving your hotel, especially if the operator sends an updated pickup or transfer message. Optional hotel transfers have been offered in some cases for an added fee, and they can make the morning easier if you are not staying near Rhodes harbor.

Arrive early if you want the sundeck. The upper level fills first, and the best outside seats are limited. Bring a light cover for the sun, but remember that some outer seats can get wet from spray.

Keep your return ticket and confirm where the boat departs from Symi. Do not rely on memory after a long lunch or a walk uphill. The return boat may leave promptly, and late departure can reduce the already limited free time.

Wear shoes suitable for steps if you plan to climb the Kali Strata. Carry water, since Symi can be very hot and shade is limited in some areas. A swimsuit may be worthwhile if you hope to find a swimming spot, but do not assume the harbor arrival point is beside a full beach.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi speedboat?

I would book it if you want the best-value independent day trip from Rhodes. The boat ride gives you memorable coastal views, the arrival in Symi is beautiful, and the free time lets you shape the day around food, photographs, shopping, or a climb.

Book an early departure if you want the longest possible stay, and arrive early for the best chance of an outdoor seat. Skip it only if you need a guided tour, a dedicated beach day, or plenty of time to explore beyond the harbor.

For $35, this is a practical way to add a second island to your Greek holiday. Just treat it as a self-guided visit to Symi’s harbor town, not as a full island tour.

FAQ

Where does the Symi boat trip depart from?

The meeting point is Kolona Harbor in Rhodes. Look for the Sebeco Lines boat and check the latest instructions because some departure details may direct you to a nearby harbor location.

How long does the crossing to Symi take?

The crossing takes about 80 minutes each way. Depending on sea conditions and the schedule, the trip can feel closer to 90 minutes.

How much free time do you get in Symi?

Free time varies by departure. Some schedules provide about three hours, while an early departure may allow around five hours.

Is the boat air-conditioned?

Yes. The boat has an enclosed air-conditioned deck as well as an outdoor sundeck.

Does the boat have a bar?

Yes. An onboard bar serves refreshments. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Is a guided tour of Symi included?

No. You explore Symi independently, with no guided sightseeing included.

What can you do during the free time?

You can walk around the harbor and side streets, shop, eat at a restaurant or café, climb the Kali Strata steps, take photographs, and possibly find a place to swim.

Is food included?

No. Meals, snacks, and drinks are separate from the $35 price.

Can you sit outside on the boat?

Yes. There is a sundeck with outdoor seating. The upper deck can fill quickly, and outer seats may get sprayed with seawater.

Can you cancel the booking?

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