Rhodes: Morning Cruise to Symi Island & St. George Bay

The best part of this Rhodes excursion is the pairing of two very different stops: a swim from the boat in the clear waters of St George’s Bay, followed by the postcard arrival into Symi Harbour. I especially like the clean, spacious Doll boat and the generous three hours on Symi, enough time for lunch and a good walk without racing back to the gangway.

The main drawback is that St George’s Bay is a swim stop, not a beach visit. You stay on the boat, and the exact pickup details can be confusing unless you watch for the WhatsApp message or email sent the night before.

Key points to know before booking

• Swim from the Doll boat: St George’s Bay is reached by water only, and the stop lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours.
• Three hours in Symi: You have time for Yialos, lunch, small shops, and part of the climb toward Horio.
• Modern onboard comfort: Expect indoor and outdoor seating, shade, air conditioning, toilets, Wi-Fi, a bar, and a disabled WC.
• Hotel transfers need attention: Pickup is offered from many Rhodes hotels, but the exact point and time arrive the evening before.
• The price covers a full day: At $64 per person, transport, the boat, snorkelling equipment, and both main stops are included.
• Sea conditions can change: The crossing may feel choppy at times, so bring motion-sickness medication if you normally need it.

Why the St George’s Bay and Symi combination works

Many boat trips from Rhodes give you either a beach stop or an island visit. This one gives you both, though the first is a swim from the vessel rather than time on land.

You leave Mandraki Harbour at about 10:00 AM and head toward Symi on the Doll, a new boat designed for comfort rather than the cramped feel of a basic ferry. The crossing itself is part of the outing. You can sit outside in the sun or shade, settle into the air-conditioned salon, buy coffee or a cold drink, and watch Rhodes recede behind you.

Then comes St George’s Bay. The water is turquoise, the surrounding cliffs feel remote, and the boat provides snorkels and other swimming equipment. Afterward, the cruise continues into Symi Harbour, where brightly colored neoclassical houses rise above the water. The contrast is the appeal: one quiet hour in nature, then a few hours among lanes, tavernas, shops, and steep island paths.

I like this format because it avoids making Symi a rushed photo stop. Three hours is enough to see the harbor area properly, eat lunch, and take a short uphill walk. If your priority is a long beach day or serious island hiking, this will feel limited. For a first look at Symi from Rhodes, it is a well-balanced day.

Getting to Mandraki Harbour from your hotel

The full package includes a bus transfer from a long list of hotels across Rhodes, including resorts around Faliraki, Ialysos, Kallithea, Kolymbia, and the west coast. The drive to Rhodes Town can take around 40 to 50 minutes, depending on your pickup point and traffic.

This transfer is useful because Mandraki Harbour is not equally easy to reach from every resort. It also saves you from arranging a taxi at dawn. The trade-off is that the pickup system needs close attention.

The company sends the exact time and location by email or WhatsApp around 9:00 PM the evening before. A nearby bus stop may be used instead of your hotel entrance. Some people have found the final return buses less clear, so check the destination before boarding. One useful contact detail is that Giannis has been quick to respond to pickup questions, but you should still wait for the official message rather than relying on an earlier estimate.

Book at least 14 hours before departure if you need the transfer. Late bookings may not qualify for hotel transport. On the morning itself, arrive at the exact pickup point early. The bus may be on time, and the boat will not wait for a missing passenger.

Boarding the Doll at 10:00 AM

The Doll is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a basic boat transfer. It has seating on the upper deck, sheltered outdoor areas, and an air-conditioned indoor salon. Toilets are onboard, and the boat has Wi-Fi and a disabled WC.

You can pick a seat in the sun or shade, though the most desirable shaded spots may go early. The upper level gives you the best open views, while the lower salon is a better refuge during strong sun or rougher water. Snacks, coffee, ice cream, beer, and other drinks are available to buy onboard.

The boat is promoted as eco-friendly and fully accessible. Lifejackets, life rafts, insurance, and a safety briefing are included. That mix of practical equipment and comfortable seating matters on a full eight-hour outing.

The crossing is not guaranteed to be smooth. Some departures have had a choppy first half-hour, followed by calmer water. Staff have reassured nervous passengers when conditions changed, but if you are prone to seasickness, sit inside or near the center of the boat and bring your usual medication.

The captain may point out places along the route, but do not expect a continuous history talk. Commentary has sometimes been light, and parts of the journey can be quiet apart from music and engine noise. I would treat the cruise as scenic transport with occasional information, not as a guided sightseeing lecture.

St George’s Bay: beautiful water, no beach time

The boat reaches St George’s Bay after the first part of the crossing. This is a secluded natural bay accessible only by boat, and the Doll anchors for about 1 to 1.5 hours.

You enter the water directly from the boat. Snorkelling equipment is provided, and float aids or pool noodles may be available, though supplies can be limited. Lifejackets are also available, making the stop workable for less confident swimmers.

The bay is the most praised part of the day for good reason. The water is clear and warm in summer, and the setting feels far removed from the resort coast of Rhodes. If you bring an underwater camera, this is the time to use it.

There are two important limits. You cannot walk onto the beach, and there is no land exploration at the bay. Also, the full advertised swim time may feel shorter once boarding and getting into the water are counted. Some people would prefer the stop after Symi, since walking around the island with salty skin under the afternoon sun is not ideal.

Still, the stop breaks up the crossing perfectly. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes, plus a towel and sunscreen. A fresh-water shower has not always been available, so do not count on rinsing off completely before the next stop.

Arriving in Symi Harbour and Yialos

The approach to Symi is a highlight even if you never leave the waterfront. The boat glides into a narrow harbor framed by dry hills and rows of neoclassical houses in pale colors. This is the view to watch for, so keep your camera ready as the boat turns toward Yialos.

Yialos is Symi’s main harbor settlement. The waterfront has tavernas, cafés, small shops, and places selling local sponges, souvenirs, and island products. The setting is attractive, but prices can be higher than on Rhodes, especially directly along the harbor.

You have about three hours on land. That is enough for a relaxed lunch, a waterfront stroll, and some shopping. If you want to climb Kali Strata toward Horio, plan your time before sitting down to eat. The stone steps rise from the harbor and lead toward wider views over the houses and bay, but a hot summer afternoon can make the climb tiring.

Symi shrimp is the local dish to look for. A waterfront taverna is the obvious place to try it, though lunch is not included unless you select the lunch option when booking. Menus and drinks are an extra cost, so keep some money available.

I would not try to see every corner of the island in three hours. Stay focused on Yialos, choose either a meal or a longer uphill walk, and leave time to return to the boat. The boarding window begins at 4:00 PM, with departure at 4:30 PM. The boat will not wait for a final photograph or a slow dessert.

The return crossing to Rhodes

The trip back to Rhodes takes roughly 70 minutes by boat, followed by the transfer to your hotel. The return crossing can be calmer than the morning, but conditions vary by day.

Use the ride back to sit down, cool off, and review your photos. After a swim and a hot walk through Symi, the indoor salon may be more comfortable than the upper deck. The boat returns to Rhodes Town around 6:00 PM, and the bus journey to your hotel can take another 15 to 40 minutes depending on where you are staying.

The return transfer is the least polished part of the arrangement. At Mandraki Harbour, several buses may be waiting, and the destination is not always obvious. Ask the driver before boarding and match the hotel or resort name carefully. This small check can save a long detour.

One other practical point: the route may pass near Turkish waters. Check your phone roaming settings before departure, since a phone can connect to a non-Greek network and create unexpected charges.

Is $64 good value?

At $64 per person, this is strong value if you want transport, a swim stop, and a proper visit to Symi in one day. You receive the boat crossing, hotel transfer if selected and booked in time, snorkelling equipment, safety equipment, Wi-Fi, onboard toilets, and three hours on the island.

The value is especially good for visitors staying outside Rhodes Town. A separate taxi to the harbor plus a ferry ticket and independent transport can quickly add up. The Doll also gives you more comfortable seating than a basic passenger ferry.

The price does not cover lunch unless you choose that option, and drinks or snacks on the boat cost extra. Symi’s waterfront restaurants are also not cheap by Rhodes standards. Plan your spending around the optional meal, refreshments, and souvenirs.

I would choose this tour for convenience and variety, not for a private yacht experience. The boat can be busy, and the commentary is limited. But the high comfort level, clean facilities, and well-spaced itinerary make the cost fair.

Who will enjoy this day most

This outing suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who want to see Symi without arranging a ferry and local transport themselves. It also works well for people who enjoy swimming but do not want to spend an entire day on a beach.

The accessible boat, indoor seating, disabled WC, and lifejackets make it more practical for mixed-age groups. Non-swimmers can stay onboard during the bay stop and still enjoy the scenery, though the stop’s main purpose is getting into the water.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, need a quiet private setting, or want a full day of walking. The crossing takes up much of the schedule, and the bay is not a land-based beach stop. Strong sun, salty skin, and a steep walk in Symi can also be tiring.

For the best experience, bring:

• Swimwear, towel, and high-factor sunscreen
• A waterproof phone case or underwater camera
• Comfortable shoes for cobbled streets and Kali Strata
• Motion-sickness medication if needed
• Cash or a payment card for lunch, drinks, and shops
• A charged phone to receive pickup messages and confirm your return bus

Final verdict: Should you book it?

I would book this cruise if you want the easiest way to combine Symi’s harbor beauty with a swim in a remote bay. The boat is modern, clean, and comfortable, and the three-hour stop on Symi gives you enough freedom to eat, shop, and walk without feeling trapped in a fixed group.

I would skip it if your ideal day means lying on a beach, spending hours snorkeling, or exploring Symi’s inland villages at a slow pace. For everyone else, $64 buys a well-packed day with excellent scenery and only a few manageable annoyances, mainly the pickup instructions and the lack of beach access at St George’s Bay.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Symi cruise last?

The full activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel transfer time, the cruise, the stop at St George’s Bay, time on Symi, and the return transfer.

What time does the boat leave Rhodes?

The Doll departs Mandraki Harbour at about 10:00 AM.

How long do you stay at St George’s Bay?

The scheduled stop lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours for swimming and snorkelling.

Can you go onto the beach at St George’s Bay?

No. The stop is for swimming from the boat, and you do not go ashore.

Is snorkelling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is available for complimentary use on the boat.

How much time do you have on Symi?

You have about three hours to explore Yialos, eat lunch, shop, and take a walk.

Is lunch included in the price?

Lunch is included only if you select the lunch option when booking. Food and drinks can also be purchased separately.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The boat is described as fully accessible and has a disabled WC.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel transfers are included if you select that option and book at least 14 hours before departure. The exact pickup point and time are sent by email or WhatsApp the evening before.

What should you bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen. Comfortable shoes, a waterproof phone case, and motion-sickness medication may also be useful.