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

The best part of this Rhodes to Symi boat trip is that it gives you two very different pleasures in one day: a swim in St Marina Bay, reachable only by boat, followed by time among Symi’s painted houses and harbor cafés. At $47, it is a sensible way to add another island to your Rhodes holiday without arranging ferries, taxis, and separate activities.

I like the 30-minute swim stop and the three hours of free time in Symi. You can snorkel, sunbathe, eat lunch, shop, and still get a useful first look at the island. The main thing to consider is the travel time. This is a full eight-hour day, and the boat is slower than some catamarans, so the return ride can feel long.

Key points to know before booking

• A swim stop breaks up the crossing: St Marina Bay offers clear water for swimming and snorkeling before you reach Symi.
• Three hours in Symi is practical: You have time for lunch, harbor views, shopping, and a walk through the colorful streets.
• The $47 fare is strong value: You get the cruise, the swim stop, onboard facilities, and free time on the island without paying catamaran prices.
• Arrive early for outside seating: The open deck has sunbeds, but the most appealing seats go quickly.
• Bring your own beach kit: Towels are not included, and snorkeling equipment is something you should bring yourself.
• Expect a long ride home: The boat is clean and comfortable, but the slower crossing matters if you dislike extended time at sea.

Why this Rhodes cruise works so well

Symi is one of the most photogenic day trips from Rhodes. Its harbor is lined with tightly packed houses in soft colors, and the hills rise behind the waterfront in a way that makes the arrival feel special. You get that view before stepping ashore, which is one reason the boat trip itself is part of the experience rather than just transportation.

This outing also adds a useful change of pace. Rhodes can keep you busy with old-town lanes, ancient sites, beaches, and resort areas. Symi feels smaller and more focused. You can spend your three hours walking the harbor, sitting down for lunch, buying a few souvenirs, and simply watching the fishing boats come and go.

I especially like the combination of swimming and sightseeing. Many boat trips give you only a crossing and a port visit. Here, the stop at St Marina Bay lets you get into the water before you spend the afternoon on land.

The tradeoff is time. You should not book this expecting an intimate, slow island stay. You are visiting Symi on a schedule, and much of the day is spent sailing between Rhodes and the island. For a first taste, that works well. For a quiet beach day or a detailed exploration of Symi, it is less suitable.

Meeting the Rizos Cruises boat in Rhodes

The boat to look for is Rizos Cruises Discovery. You need to exchange your voucher at the desk in front of the boat before boarding, so do not walk straight to the gangway and assume your phone voucher is enough.

Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early. The stated check-in window is between 8:00 and 8:30, depending on the selected departure, and arriving early also gives you a better chance of finding a seat outside. The open sundeck has sunbeds, while the indoor section has air conditioning and seating.

Hotel pickup is an optional arrangement rather than part of the standard cruise. If you book a transfer, wait at the stated pickup point 10 minutes early. The Rizos Cruises vehicle carries the company logo on its windscreen, and the driver will wait no longer than two minutes after the scheduled time. Traffic can cause a delay of up to 15 minutes, so keep your phone available for WhatsApp or a call.

The cruise has toilets, WiFi, floats, an air-conditioned area, and a bar selling drinks, snacks, and ice creams. Food and drinks are not included, so bring cash for purchases onboard and in Symi. You should also pack a towel, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, and snorkeling gear.

Sailing past Rhodes toward St Marina Bay

Once you leave Rhodes Harbour, the first stretch is about enjoying the view from the water. You get a different sense of Rhodes from offshore, with the town and coastline opening up as the boat moves away. The route also gives you time to settle into the day before the swimming stop.

The boat provides a choice of experiences. You can sit on the open deck and feel the sun and wind, or move inside to the air-conditioned area. If you are sensitive to sun, the indoor seating is useful. If you want the classic Greek island boat feeling, get outside early and claim a comfortable spot.

The crossing is not a fast catamaran ride. That keeps the price down, but it also means the journey takes time. Some passengers have found the outward ride around one and a half to two hours, with the return journey feeling closer to two and a half hours. Bring a book, music, or something else for the quieter parts of the sailing.

This is also where your expectations matter. The cruise is not designed around constant commentary or a packed program. You are mainly there for the sea views, the stop in the bay, and the afternoon in Symi. That slower rhythm suits you if you enjoy being on a boat. It may test your patience if you want to reach the island as quickly as possible.

St Marina Bay: a short but worthwhile swim

The stop at St Marina Bay lasts about 30 minutes. The boat anchors in clear water, and you can swim or snorkel close to the vessel. Floats are available, but you should bring your own snorkeling equipment if you want to look below the surface.

Thirty minutes is enough for a refreshing swim and a quick snorkel. It is not enough for a long beach session, and you should not expect a full snorkeling excursion with a guide or equipment rental. The stop works best as a break from the crossing and a chance to cool off.

Some people may prefer to remain onboard, and that is easy enough. You can use the time for photographs, sit in the shade, or enjoy the view of the bay. If you do swim, remember that towels are not supplied.

There is no locker information provided, so think carefully about your phone, room key, wallet, and other items. You may want to leave valuables securely at your accommodation and carry only what you need. A small waterproof pouch could be useful, but you should not assume the boat offers a dedicated storage system while you are in the water.

The water is the main attraction here, not coral-reef snorkeling. If your priority is a serious underwater site, this may feel limited. If your priority is a pleasant swim in a beautiful, boat-only bay, the stop earns its place in the itinerary.

Arriving in Symi and using your three hours well

The approach to Symi is one of the strongest parts of the day. Fishing boats and small craft appear around the harbor, and the houses rise in layers behind the waterfront. Their neo-classical façades give the port a distinctive look, so keep your camera ready as the boat comes in.

You have roughly three hours to explore independently. That is enough for a well-paced visit, but you need to choose what matters most. A practical plan looks like this:

• Spend the first 30 minutes getting your bearings along the harbor.
• Stop for lunch or a drink with a view of the water.
• Use the remaining time for shops, photographs, and a walk through nearby streets.
• Return to the boat early rather than cutting it close.

The harbor is the easiest part of Symi to enjoy within the available time. You can see the colorful buildings, watch the small boats, and find places to eat without needing complicated transport. This makes the trip a good match for you if you want a relaxed introduction rather than an ambitious island expedition.

Three hours can feel short if you want to visit the Monastery of Panormitis. One excursion participant managed to include it, but the monastery is not part of the stated itinerary, and reaching it takes additional time. Do not assume you can see both the harbor in detail and the monastery without arranging your own transport and accepting a tighter schedule.

The same goes for beaches away from the port. You may find time for a little wandering, lunch, and shopping, but this is not a full tour of Symi. Stay near the harbor unless you have confirmed transport and know exactly when you must return.

Food, shopping, and what to spend in Symi

Food and drinks are your responsibility, both on the boat and on the island. Three hours gives you enough time for a leisurely lunch, and several people have enjoyed eating beside the water before walking around the port.

Cash is listed among the recommended items, so carry some. You may want it for small purchases, drinks, snacks, or places where card payment is not convenient. The onboard bar offers a range of drinks and light snacks, including ice creams and lollies, but nothing is included in the cruise price.

Shopping is best treated as a small part of the visit rather than the main purpose. The streets around the harbor give you a chance to browse local goods and souvenirs, but the real value is the setting: painted houses, boats, hills, and open water all around you.

If you want a long restaurant meal, leave enough time afterward to walk back to the boat. The sailing schedule is fixed, and the vessel will not wait for late lunch arrivals.

Comfort, seating, and the return to Rhodes

The boat is equipped for a full day at sea, with toilets, indoor air conditioning, sunbeds, floats, and WiFi. Cleanliness is important on a long excursion, and the vessel has been described as clean, including the toilets. The crew is presented as friendly and helpful, with clear instructions delivered over the boat’s public-address system.

Seating is generally plentiful, but the best outdoor places can go early. Arriving 20 minutes before departure is not just a formality. It improves your choice of seat and reduces the chance of starting the day in a rush.

Shade can become cool during the longer sailing periods, especially at the beginning or end of the season. Bring a light jacket in spring and autumn, and consider a sweater even in warmer months if you plan to sit in the shade. One useful strategy is to sit in the sun during the cooler part of the day and move to shade later, while keeping sunscreen handy.

The trip back to Rhodes is the least exciting section for many people. After three hours in Symi, you may be ready for another swim or a shorter ride, but the schedule usually gives you a long crossing instead. The slower boat is the price of the lower fare, and the swim stop is on the way out rather than repeated on the return.

Is $47 good value?

At $47 per person, this is a strong-value way to visit Symi from Rhodes. The fare covers the cruise, the St Marina Bay swim stop, three hours of free time, onboard toilets, WiFi, floats, insurance, and access to indoor and outdoor seating.

The comparison with catamarans is important. A faster boat may get you to Symi sooner, but it can cost more and may not include the same swimming stop. If you care about speed above all else, pay attention to the vessel type and crossing time before booking. If you want a swim, a scenic cruise, and a reasonable price, this option makes more sense.

You will still spend money on lunch, drinks, and shopping. Towels and snorkeling gear are also excluded. Even with those extras, the basic fare gives you a full day of transport and two distinct activities without arranging anything separately.

The excellent rating of 4.4 from 387 reviews supports the view that the experience is well organized, but the rating should not hide the main limitation: this is a long boat day with limited time for a large island. The value is strongest when you see Symi as a beautiful day trip, not as a destination you can fully explore in one visit.

Who should book this Symi day trip?

I would choose this cruise if you are staying in Rhodes and want an easy day away from the main island. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who want scenery, swimming, lunch, and a little shopping without complicated planning.

It also works well for you if you enjoy boat rides. The sea crossing is not a minor transfer. It takes a substantial part of the day, so you should be comfortable sitting outdoors, reading, chatting, or watching the coast pass.

You may want another option if your main aim is serious snorkeling, a visit to Panormitis, or several beaches on Symi. The 30-minute swim is pleasant but brief, and the three-hour island stop requires sensible choices.

Bring a towel, beachwear, biodegradable sunscreen, cash, and snorkeling gear. Wear comfortable shoes for walking, and pack a light jacket outside the hottest part of summer. Smoking indoors, littering, weapons, sharp objects, and explosive substances are not allowed.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the exact start time and pickup choice when booking, since hotel transport depends on the option you select.

Should you book it?

Book this Rizos Cruises trip if you want the best mix of low cost, swimming, and a first look at Symi. The colorful harbor, clear bay, friendly crew, and three hours ashore create a satisfying full-day outing.

Skip it if you dislike long crossings or want to explore Symi beyond its port. For most people who accept the slower boat and plan their three hours carefully, $47 buys a very good change of scene from Rhodes.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes to Symi boat trip?

The full activity lasts about eight hours, including the sailing time, the 30-minute stop at St Marina Bay, and around three hours of free time in Symi.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $47 per person. Food, drinks, towels, and snorkeling equipment are not included.

Where does the boat leave from?

The cruise starts and ends at Rhodes Harbour. You must exchange your voucher at the desk in front of the Rizos Cruises Discovery boat before boarding.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 20 minutes before the activity starts. The stated check-in period is between 8:00 and 8:30, depending on the selected departure time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is optional and depends on the booking choice. If you arrange a transfer, wait at the pickup point 10 minutes early and look for a vehicle with the Rizos Cruises logo.

How long is the swimming stop?

The stop at St Marina Bay lasts about 30 minutes. You can swim, snorkel, use floats, or remain onboard.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, cash, and snorkeling gear. A light jacket is useful at the beginning and end of the season.

Is food available on the boat?

Food and drinks are not included, but the boat has a bar selling drinks, snacks, ice creams, and lollies.

Can I cancel the booking?

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