From Rhodes: Cruise to Symi Island and Saint George’s Bay

Saint George Bay is the star of this Rhodes boat trip. After about two hours at sea, the ship stops beside a steep, bare cove where you can swim in remarkably clear water, spot fish, and cool off before continuing to Symi. The island’s pretty harbor town, Gialos, then gives you time for lunch, shops, photos, and a relaxed wander.

I like the simple combination of a beautiful swimming stop and three hours in Symi, which makes this more than a ferry ride. The $41 price also covers a long day on the water, a lifeguard, freshwater showers, and use of floats. The catch is the long crossing, and the upper deck fills early. On windy days, the ride can feel cold and rough, especially on the return.

The essentials at a glance

• Saint George Bay comes after about two hours: You get roughly 45 to 60 minutes for swimming, depending on the day’s timing and how quickly everyone boards.
• Gialos is the main stop on Symi: Allow about three hours for lunch, shopping, harbor views, and a walk through town.
• The ship leaves Rhodes at 10:00: Meet at the SP Cruises kiosk in Mandraki Harbour, opposite the Bank of Greece.
• Upper-deck seats are first come, first served: Arrive early if you want sun and open views, but indoor air-conditioned seating is available.
• The boat has practical extras: You get freshwater showers, a lifeguard, toilets, a bar, and swimming floats.
• The trip suits a full day: The scheduled return to Mandraki Harbour is 18:30, making the total outing about eight and a half hours.

Why Saint George Bay makes this trip worthwhile

Many boat trips to Symi treat the crossing as a necessary chore. This one breaks it up with a stop at Saint George Bay, known locally as Agios Georgios. That pause changes the feel of the day. Instead of spending four hours simply sitting on a boat, you get a memorable hour in clear water beneath a dramatic rocky cove.

The bay is not a developed resort. There are no rows of sunbeds or a long promenade. You swim directly from the boat, using the gangplank to reach the water. The crew provides floats, swimming rings, and other aids, and a lifeguard is included. You may see fish close to the ship, which makes bringing a mask worthwhile if you enjoy looking underwater.

You should set your expectations carefully. The published plan allows about an hour, but some departures have provided closer to 45 minutes once arrival, disembarkation, swimming, and reboarding are counted. The gangplank can also create a slow exit, with people leaving one at a time. If you want the full swim, change into beachwear before the boat reaches the bay and keep your towel close.

The water may feel cool, especially outside the hottest summer weeks. It is usually refreshing rather than painfully cold, but this is not a stop for anyone hoping to spend half a day floating around. It is a well-timed swimming break, not a beach visit.

The two-hour crossing from Mandraki Harbour

The day begins at Platia Eleftherias, at the SP Cruises kiosk in Mandraki Harbour. The kiosk is opposite the Bank of Greece, and the meeting point is easy to find once you are in the port area. The ship leaves at 10:00, so I would arrive well before departure, particularly in July and August.

The long outward ride is part of the experience, but it is also the main test of your patience. The trip crosses open water for about two hours before reaching Saint George Bay. You get wide views of Rhodes, the surrounding Dodecanese islands, and the changing color of the sea. The boat itself is not designed as a fast ferry, so this is a scenic cruise rather than a quick transfer.

Seating matters. The upper deck offers the best open-air views, but it is first come, first served and cannot be reserved. On busy summer departures, it may be nearly full even before the ship leaves. If you want an upper-deck place, arriving 45 to 60 minutes early is sensible.

The main deck has comfortable indoor seating with air conditioning. This is a better choice if you dislike wind, strong sun, or sea spray. It can also be the wiser option on the return, when the water may become choppy. Bring a light jacket and long trousers even in warm weather. The sunny side can feel hot, while the shaded side may become surprisingly cold.

The boat has a bar serving drinks and snacks. Prices have been described as reasonable for drinks, though snacks can cost more than expected. A lemon offered by a crew member has helped some people manage seasickness, but you should bring your own motion-sickness medicine if you know you need it.

Swimming from the ship at Agios Georgios

After the first crossing, the captain positions the boat in Saint George Bay. The setting is the attraction: clear water, steep rock, and a quiet cove that looks very different from the organized beaches around Rhodes.

You can stay on board if you do not want to swim. This is worth knowing because the water and wind may not suit everyone, and the time in the bay is limited. If you do enter the water, listen closely to the crew’s instructions and keep an eye on the time. The ship leaves on schedule, and waiting for late swimmers would affect the rest of the trip.

The ship includes a lifeguard and floats, but you should not assume that every type of safety equipment is available in every size. One past account specifically noted concern about adult life jackets. If you are a weak swimmer, ask the crew what is available before entering the water and stay close to the boat.

A waterproof watch is useful. The hour passes quickly, especially when boarding takes part of the stop. Wear secure sandals or water shoes if you have them, since the gangplank and boat deck can be wet. Freshwater showers are available afterward, so you can rinse off salt before the next crossing.

Three hours in Gialos, Symi’s postcard harbor

From Saint George Bay, the ship continues to Gialos, the main port of Symi. The arrival is one of the day’s best moments. Houses climb the hills around the harbor in neat rows, with colorful facades, shutters, and a distinctly elegant Greek island character.

Gialos is compact enough to explore on foot without a plan. You can walk along the waterfront, browse small shops, stop for an ice cream, and settle into a restaurant for seafood or another Greek meal. Three hours is generally enough for lunch and a good walk, though you may want more time if you prefer to explore slowly or climb farther above the harbor.

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for food and drinks. The town offers plenty of restaurant choices, and the harbor setting is part of what you are paying for. Service may not be quick everywhere, so do not leave lunch until the last few minutes. The ship departs Symi at 16:20 and will not wait for late arrivals.

A small beach close to the harbor can be worth a quick visit if you want another look at the water without committing to a long walk. Otherwise, stay near the waterfront and the streets rising behind it. You will get the most from Symi by wandering rather than trying to cover the whole island during this short call.

The main limitation is that this is a port-town visit, not a full island tour. You will not have time to see every village, cove, or inland sight. If your priority is seeing Symi itself, the three-hour stop works well. If you want a broad island exploration, you need a longer stay on Symi.

What the $41 fare really buys you

At $41 per person, this is strong value for a full day out, provided you enjoy being on a boat. The fare includes the cruise from Rhodes, the Saint George Bay stop, time in Gialos, a lifeguard, experienced crew, and freshwater showers. You are paying for transport and scenery as much as for organized sightseeing.

The value is especially good if you would otherwise need to arrange a separate ferry and then pay for transport or a boat trip around Symi. Here, the swimming stop is built into the crossing, and the schedule leaves enough time for lunch and a walk.

The price does not include lunch, drinks, hotel transfers, or parking. You must reach Mandraki Harbour yourself. If you are driving, parking after 09:00 can be difficult, so check the Rhodes municipal parking information before departure and leave plenty of time.

The fare is less attractive if you dislike long boat rides or need a quiet, uncrowded seat. The vessel can feel crowded, especially around the upper deck and windows. You are also likely to spend about four hours total on the outward and return crossings. That is a lot of sitting for someone who wants constant activity.

Crew, comfort, and the practical details

The crew receives consistently warm praise for being friendly and helpful. One named captain, Yannis, has been especially good at making the trip feel personal, sometimes welcoming passengers into the wheelhouse for photos. That may depend on the day and safety conditions, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than part of the guaranteed program.

The bar staff also add to the atmosphere. Oksana has been singled out for friendly service and cocktails on some departures. The bar is useful because you can buy drinks without waiting until Symi, although bringing a refillable water bottle is still sensible.

Sound quality can vary by seat. The speaker system may be hard to hear at the back of the boat, so do not rely on announcements for every detail. Listen carefully when the crew explains the swimming stop and departure times.

The toilets have received some criticism for needing attention, though they are available. The ship is wheelchair accessible, and one passenger with a mobility scooter received help from the crew when boarding and leaving. Still, a boat with a gangplank and a swimming stop may require extra care, so contact the provider if you need specific assistance.

Weather controls the day. The captain can change the program for safety, and rough water is possible, especially on the return journey. If you are prone to seasickness, choose a central indoor seat, avoid reading during the crossing, and bring medication that works for you.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes to Symi cruise

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy way to combine three things: open-sea views, a swim in a beautiful cove, and several hours in Symi town. Families can enjoy the floats and shallow-water freedom around the boat, while couples and solo visitors get a scenic day with no complicated planning.

It is also a good choice for cruise-ship passengers who need a clear timetable, but allow a little extra time on the return. The stated arrival is 18:30, and one past departure arrived closer to 18:45. That difference can matter if you must be back on a cruise ship by a fixed time.

I would think twice if you want a high-speed crossing, a guaranteed sun lounger, or a full island tour. You should also reconsider if cold wind, choppy seas, or a crowded boat would spoil your day. The lower indoor deck is more comfortable, but it cannot remove the fact that this is a long sea outing.

Pack beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, comfortable shoes, a light warm layer, and a waterproof watch. A snorkel mask can add interest at Saint George Bay, while a plastic bag for wet clothing keeps your day bag dry.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if the idea of swimming from a boat at Saint George Bay appeals to you as much as seeing Symi. That stop is the feature that gives the trip its character, and the combination is hard to beat for $41.

Choose another option if you want more time on Symi, a faster crossing, or a smaller and quieter boat. For most visitors with one free day from Rhodes, though, SP Cruises offers a practical and memorable way to see Gialos without arranging several separate excursions. Arrive early for better seating, prepare for wind, and treat the timetable seriously.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat leaves from the SP Cruises kiosk at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes, opposite the Bank of Greece. The listed meeting point is Platia Eleftherias 85100.

What time does the boat depart and return?

The scheduled departure from Mandraki Harbour is 10:00. The boat leaves Symi at 16:20 and is due back in Rhodes at 18:30.

How long is the swimming stop at Saint George Bay?

The planned stop is about one hour. Depending on arrival time and the boarding process, the actual swimming time can be closer to 45 minutes on some departures.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included in the cruise fare. You have free time in Gialos to choose and pay for a restaurant yourself.

Can I sit inside the boat?

Yes. Comfortable indoor seating with air conditioning is available on the main deck saloon. Upper-deck seating is first come, first served and cannot be guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, and comfortable shoes. A warm layer is useful because the boat can become cold and windy, especially on the shaded side or during the return journey.

Can I cancel or pay later?

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