The 15 Best Symi Day Trips from Rhodes

1.Speedboat Trip to Symi with Free Time to Explore

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,265 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $35Our pick

Take the Sebeco Lines speedboat from Kolona Harbor to Symi, with air-conditioned seating, an open sundeck, and a small onboard bar. The roughly 80-minute crossing brings views of Rhodes Old Town, its windmills, towers, and fortress. Once in Symi, you have several hours to eat, shop, climb the Kali Strata, swim, and explore independently.

“Symi is absolutely beautiful if there is one trip to do from Rhodes this is it. You won't be disappointed. Plenty of lovely shops and restaurants .”

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2.High-Speed Boat to Symi Island and St George’s Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,333 reviews · from $55

Take a high-speed boat from Rhodes to Symi in about an hour, then spend three hours exploring the island’s pastel harbor, tavernas, shops, and church views. On selected departures, swim for 30 minutes at St George’s Bay, where clear water and steep cliffs make the stop memorable. Bring swimwear, a towel, and a light jacket.

“easy process, just show up at the stall next to the water, check in, get your boarding pass and then wait for the boat. Visiting Symi and Swimming in the bay were unforgettable moments, would recommend this activity to anyone”

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3.Cruise to Symi Island and Saint George’s Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 2,137 reviews · 8h 30m · from $41

Set out from Mandraki Harbour at 10:00 for a full day at sea. Swim for about an hour at Saint George Bay, then spend roughly three hours in Symi’s port town, Gialos. Expect a friendly crew, a shipboard bar, freshwater showers, and open-sea views. Captain Yannis and bar attendant Oksana have earned special praise on some departures.

“Crew helped me on and off boat with my mobility scooter, very helpful , crew even took pictures for me in the water as l was on my own. Would highly recommend 😊”

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4.Symi Island & Panormitis Monastery Day Trip by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,784 reviews · 9 hours · from $53

From Rhodes, take the Nikolaos X ferry to Panormitis Monastery and Symi Town. You get about an hour at the monastery and 3.5 to 4 hours to eat, swim, shop, and wander Symi’s colorful harbor. Saturday summer departures may add a 20-minute swim at Nymporio Bay. Hotel transfers are optional.

“I had an amazing day. The boat journey was perfect”

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5.Boat Trip to Symi Island with swimming stop at St George Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,753 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $48

Sail from Rhodes to Symi with an hour-long swim at Saint George Bay, then spend about three hours exploring Symi Town, eating lunch, and browsing its shops. The boat has toilets and a snack bar, while hotel pickup is available for an added fee. Expect a scenic but sometimes choppy nine-hour day.

“Yet again another amazing trip. I would definitely definitely recommend family and friends to do this trip.”

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6.Boat Trip to Symi Island by Fast Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 975 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $48Top rated

Travel from Rhodes to Symi by fast boat, then spend about four hours exploring independently. Choose a Rhodes meeting point or add hotel pickup for a fee. Expect a mid-morning departure, a harbor lined with colorful homes, shops, tavernas, and free time without a guide setting your schedule.

“We had a great day out. The views of the mountains were amazing, it was a hidden gem with fresh authentic food.”

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7.Transfer & Cruise to Symi Island & St. George Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 919 reviews · from $67

Spend eight hours sailing from Rhodes to Symi aboard Doll, a modern boat with sun and shaded seating, Wi-Fi, toilets, an air-conditioned salon, and free snorkel gear. Swim at boat-access-only St. George’s Bay, then enjoy three hours in Symi’s Yialos harbor for lunch, shops, cats, and the uphill Kali Strata walk.

“My only complaint was the lack of any form of safety instruction and hardly any interaction from the crew of Doll. Once you were onboard you got the minimum announcements and that was it. Positives: transfers were good, a bit haphazard with timings but that’s ok. Boat was spectacular. Symi was a joy, what a stunning place and the restaurant we found up a side street , Taverna Napaloa, served great fresh food at a very reasonable price. It’s easy to while away 3 hours in Symi, a leisurely stroll around the harbour looking at the lovely stalls and shops and a stop off for a beer while looking out…”

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8.Fast Boat To Symi with a swimming stop at St George’s Bay! (Only 1hr journey)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 741 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $71

Take a fast Rhodes Sea Lines boat from Rhodes to Symi, with about three hours to explore independently. The 9:00 and 11:00 departures include a 30-minute swim at St George’s Bay, while the 15:15 sailing stops only for photos. Expect sea spray, possible choppy water, onboard restrooms, and a group of up to 118 people.

“Symi is a must visit. St georges bay definitely worth the stop! Meet the goats and added bonus. Value for money”

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9.Rhodes Town: Boat Trip to Symi Island and St Marina Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 387 reviews · 8 hours · from $47

Set out from Rhodes Harbour aboard Rizos Cruises’ DISCOVERY for an eight-hour day on the water. Swim and snorkel for 30 minutes at boat-only St Marina Bay, then spend three hours in Symi Harbour among neo-classical houses, shops, restaurants, and fishing boats. Hotel pickup may be added, but food, drinks, and towels are extra.

“Good trip to Symi and came in as the cheapest price I could find anywhere. to flag, compared to the more expensive catamarans, this boat is a fair bit slower, but I don't think you need more than 3-4 hours in Symi (unless you want to visit the Orthodox Monastery, then you need more time) and the swimming stop which the catamarans can't do was very good”

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10.Symi Yacht Tour with Unlimited Drinks and Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 380 reviews · 8 hours · from $141

Spend eight hours aboard a fast yacht from Rhodes to Symi, with coffee, Greek lunch, unlimited drinks, and two swim stops at St. George Bay and Seskli Island. You get about two hours in Symi Town, plus use of snorkels, floats, life jackets, and a yacht changing room. English-speaking crew members may include Anna, Antonio, or Emily.

“Excellent trip. Much better choice than the boats that have hundreds of people aboard. The host was lovely and the area is fantastic.”

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 356 reviews · from $73

Board near your Faliraki hotel and ride a fast boat to Symi, avoiding the transfer to Rhodes Town. You get about three hours to explore Symi’s harbor, eat lunch, shop, or swim, then stop for 30 minutes at St. George’s Bay. English, German, and Greek-speaking staff assist throughout the day.

“Great day out! Easy access as we stay at Amada Colossos, the boat literally picked us up from our beach. Trip to symi was smooth and 3 hours were more than enough! The swim stop later was very refreshing! All in all a wonderful trip!”

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12.From Lindos: Rhodes Old Town and Speedboat Trip to Symi

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 336 reviews · 12 hours · from $55

Start with hotel pickup in the Lindos area, explore Rhodes Old Town independently, then take an 80-minute boat ride to Symi for an afternoon by the harbor, restaurants, shops, and beach. This is a self-guided day with transport arranged for you. Driver Ivan has been praised for helpful transfers and clear instructions.

“Great idea for a trip from Rhodes. Worth the money and good experience.”

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13.Speedboat trip to Symi Town and Panormitis Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 304 reviews · 8.5 hours · from $49

Cruise from Rhodes to Symi on a fast boat, ride a minibus to Panormitis Monastery, stop for a harbor photo, and enjoy free time in Symi Town. You get air-conditioned seating, a sundeck, round-trip transport, and a long day for $49. Food is limited, so plan to buy lunch in Symi.

“I went with my partner and friends. It was exceptionally well organised with the hotel pick up and drop off and punctual coach trip up to the monastery. It was all to be commended, except the snack. It needed some olives and cheese to go with the biscuits. Otherwise, thank you for a lovely day. Jenn Stewart-Jones”

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14.Day Trip to Symi Island by Fast Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 292 reviews · 7 - 10 hours · from $50

Take a fast boat from Rhodes Town to Symi in about 75 minutes, then enjoy four hours of free time in Gialos. You can browse handmade goods, eat local baby shrimp, photograph the colorful harbor, and return the same day. Hotel pickup is optional, and George can confirm arrangements by WhatsApp.

“Everything was great! Pick up was on time and smooth. arrival to Rhodes and then transfer to boat to Symi was also smooth and all instructions were clear. We decided on the way back that we wanted to spend some time in Rhodes before going back to our hotel, so they were flexible with letting us stay (we had to find our own way back, but we knew that). Definitely a good value given our hotel was all the way in South Rhodes and taxis are quite expensive there. Highly recommend!”

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15.Boat trip to Symi island with swimming at St. George

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 157 reviews · 8.5 hours · from $51

Sail from Rhodes to Symi with an optional hotel transfer, stopping for about 45 minutes to swim and snorkel at St. George Bay. Then spend roughly three hours around Symi’s Gialos harbor, with time for lunch, shopping, photos, and a taste of local Simiako Garidaki baby shrimp. Drinks and snacks are available to buy on the boat.

“The swimming stop was lovely, the water was so clear you can see the bottom even though it was deep. The transfer was super quick both ways, and the few hours on symi were great!”

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