Faliraki: Direct Cruise to Symi & Saint George’s Bay

Symi is the star here, but the clever part is getting there from Faliraki Beach instead of Rhodes Town. You skip the long transfer to Rhodes Port, board near your hotel or the free parking at Amada Colossos, and reach one of the Dodecanese’s prettiest harbor towns by high-speed boat.

I like the three hours of free time and the stop at Saint George’s Bay, whose clear water and steep rocky setting make a fine swimming break. The catch is the ride itself: it is fast, windy, and sometimes loud, and three hours on Symi can feel short if you want a relaxed lunch, shopping, and a thorough climb above the harbor.

Key points at a glance

• Four Faliraki boarding points: Join at Faliraki Harbour, Apollo Blue, Calypso Beach, or Amada Colossos.
• Fast route to Symi: The boat cuts out the usual bus transfer to Rhodes Port, with a brief stop at Mandraki Harbour.
• Three hours in Symi Town: Enough for a harbor walk, lunch, photographs, shopping, and perhaps a swim.
• Saint George’s Bay swim: You get about 30 minutes in a striking, clear-water cove.
• Free parking at Amada Colossos: A useful option if you are driving from another part of Rhodes.
• Weather can change the plan: Strong wind may mean an earlier departure, a different swim cove, or a change in the order of stops.

Why the Faliraki departure matters

A day trip to Symi can become a long day before the boat even leaves. If you stay in Faliraki, the usual journey to Rhodes Port involves a bus ride and an early start. This service removes that nuisance. You walk to a beach pickup point, check in, and board from the Faliraki area.

There are four listed points:

• Faliraki Harbour
• The beach near Apollo Blue Hotel
• The beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel
• The beach at Amada Colossos

The exact meeting instructions need attention. The posted schedule gives check-in around 9:50 at Faliraki Harbour or the Apollo Blue kiosk, followed by a short minibus ride to the Amada Colossos station. Beach pickups are listed around 10:00 at Calypso Beach, 10:05 near Esperides Beach, and 10:15 at Amada Colossos in the detailed notes.

That sounds more complicated than it is, but do not simply wander onto the sand and wait. Find the Faliraki Sea Lines desk or kiosk first. Staff direct you to the correct boarding point, and a five-minute minibus transfer may be used when the boat cannot collect you directly from your stop.

If you drive, Amada Colossos is the easiest choice. Free parking is available by the beach for the day, reportedly only about 50 meters from the departure point. That saves both the Rhodes Port transfer and the headache of finding parking in Rhodes Town.

The fast crossing to Symi

The crossing is sold as a high-speed service, and you should take that description seriously. The ride is a strong point if you want to maximize time on Symi, but the engine is loud and the wind can be sharp, especially when the sea is choppy.

Bring headphones or earplugs if engine noise bothers you. A light jacket is also sensible, even in summer. The crew has handed out fleeces when the wind turned cold, but it is better not to rely on that. Sit toward the front for the views if you enjoy a lively ride, or choose a more sheltered position if you are sensitive to spray and motion.

The boat makes a short stop at Mandraki Harbour, usually about ten minutes, to let people on and off. That is not a sightseeing stop, so keep your expectations practical. The main crossing to Symi is the point of the journey, with open-water views and glimpses of the Rhodes coastline.

The ride can be smooth, but speed does not cancel weather. Strong winds have led to earlier departures, changed routes, and different swimming locations. The operator has given advance text notice when plans needed to change, including more than 24 hours before departure in one reported case. That is useful, though you should keep your phone available on the morning of the trip.

Arriving in Symi’s harbor

Symi Town makes a strong first impression from the water. The harbor curves around pastel-colored neoclassical buildings, with painted facades rising up the hillsides and church domes appearing above the rooftops. The view is the reason to sit outside for at least part of the approach.

The boat drops you in the main harbor area, giving you roughly three hours on your own. This is not a guided walking tour, and that is part of the appeal. You set the pace, choose your taverna, and decide how far up the town you want to walk.

Start with a slow stroll along the waterfront. The harbor is lined with cafes, tavernas, small shops, and boats, so it is easy to get your bearings without a plan. If you want photographs, the first half hour is often best before the heat builds and before you settle into lunch.

Symi is also a place where three hours disappears quickly. You can combine:

• A waterfront walk
• A meal of seafood or Greek dishes
• Shopping for local products and souvenirs
• A swim near the harbor
• A short climb uphill for broader views

You probably cannot do all of that at a leisurely pace. One person used the three hours for a walk, lunch, photographs, and shopping, while another wished for an extra hour. Others found three hours perfectly adequate. My advice is to choose two priorities before you arrive. If lunch matters, do not spend the first hour wandering without checking menus or deciding where to eat.

The heat is another factor. Summer temperatures can reach the mid-30s Celsius, and Symi offers limited relief on exposed streets. Carry water, wear a hat, and plan some shade. The harbor is beautiful, but the combination of stone, sun, and uphill streets can wear you down.

Lunch is not included. You pay for food and drinks yourself, so budget for a meal if you do not want to rush through town. A rooftop restaurant with a harbor view can be memorable, but a waterfront table may take more of your limited time and budget.

Saint George’s Bay and the 30-minute swim

The stop at Saint George’s Bay is the other major reason to choose this trip. The cove is framed by steep rock and reached by boat, not by an ordinary road visit. The water is remarkably clear, and the setting feels quiet once the engine stops.

You get about 30 minutes for swimming. That is long enough for a proper dip, but not long enough for a lazy beach afternoon. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep a towel easy to reach. You may also want a waterproof pouch for your phone, though no equipment beyond the boat trip is specifically included.

The water can be the highlight of the day, but conditions matter. Strong wind and current have made swimming difficult at times. The crew may ask people to remain clear of the boat, and you should follow those instructions carefully. If the water is rough, treat the stop as a chance to cool off rather than a long open-water swim.

The timing can change late in the season. From the end of September into October, the operator may visit Saint George’s Bay before Symi because the cove can be shaded later in the afternoon, reducing the color and appeal of the water. That explains why the written schedule and the actual order may differ. In poor weather, the captain may choose another bay that is safer but still offers a chance to swim.

This flexibility is sensible, but it is worth understanding before you book. If you want a fixed sequence and guaranteed conditions, this is not that kind of excursion. It is a sea day, and the sea gets a vote.

Comfort, crew, and the practical ride

The boat is described as clean, modern, and comfortable, with a design that several passengers particularly liked. Staff speak English, German, and Greek. The crew explains the plan clearly and checks on people during the ride.

That attention matters on a fast boat. The ride is not a quiet ferry crossing, and some people may find the speed exciting while others find the wind tiring. Fleeces have been available for passengers who felt cold, and umbrellas can reportedly be rented for a deposit. Those small touches are useful, especially in spring and autumn.

Do not confuse a high-speed boat with a luxury yacht. You are choosing speed and convenience over a silent, spacious cruise. The engine can be loud, the deck can feel windy, and the sea may be bumpy. On the positive side, the boat gets you to Symi quickly and leaves more of the day for the island.

The crew has also dealt with weather changes by adjusting departure times, arranging minibus help, and offering the option to reschedule or receive a refund when conditions were poor. That does not guarantee perfect weather, but it suggests that the operation takes conditions seriously.

Is $81 a fair price?

At $81 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day around Rhodes. But price needs to be judged against the convenience. You get pickup from the Faliraki area, the boat crossing, about three hours in Symi, the Saint George’s Bay swim stop, and return transport to the same general pickup area.

For someone staying in Faliraki, the value is clear. You avoid a bus ride to Rhodes Port, save time in the morning, and can use the free Amada Colossos parking if you have a car. That convenience may be worth more than a small price difference.

You should compare the final price with booking directly through Rhodes Sea Lines before paying. Some bookings made through a reseller have cost more than booking with the company itself. The experience may be identical, but the channel can affect the price.

Lunch is extra, and you may also spend on drinks, shopping, or a restaurant with a harbor view. If your budget is tight, pack water and decide in advance how much time you want to give to lunch.

Who will enjoy this day trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to people staying in Faliraki who want to see Symi without starting the day in Rhodes Town. It also suits anyone who prefers independent exploring to a guided island tour.

You are a good match if you:

• Want a fast boat and open-water views
• Are happy with three hours of unsupervised time
• Like to choose your own lunch and walking route
• Want a memorable swim stop
• Can handle wind, engine noise, and possible chop
• Prefer convenience over the lowest possible price

Families and older passengers can use the service because it is wheelchair accessible, but the beach boarding process and fast boat conditions are worth considering. The exact boarding arrangement may involve a minibus or access from the beach, so ask for clear instructions if mobility support is important to you.

This is less suitable if you want a slow, quiet cruise, a full guided tour of Symi, or several hours at Saint George’s Bay. The swim is only 30 minutes, and three hours on the island requires some planning.

Booking details worth knowing

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans depend on weather.

The advertised duration is eight hours. The standard day begins with morning check-in in Faliraki, reaches Symi after the fast crossing and the brief Mandraki stop, allows about three hours ashore, then continues to the swim stop and return journey. Drop-offs use the same four Faliraki-area locations.

Because beach boarding depends on sea conditions and water level, confirm your exact meeting point the day before. Arrive early enough to find the kiosk or Faliraki Sea Lines desk. A five-minute minibus transfer is short, but missing it would be an avoidable way to start the day.

Should you book this Symi cruise?

Book it if you are staying in Faliraki and want the simplest practical route to Symi. The direct beach pickup is the real advantage, and the combination of Symi Town plus Saint George’s Bay gives you both culture and swimming in one day.

I would skip it only if high-speed boats make you uncomfortable, if you need a long and unhurried visit to Symi, or if your budget cannot stretch to the $81 fare plus lunch. For most Faliraki visitors who accept the wind, noise, and weather-dependent schedule, this is a strong day trip with unusually good access to Symi.

FAQ

How much does the Faliraki to Symi cruise cost?

The listed price is $81 per person. Lunch is not included, and you should compare the price with booking directly through Rhodes Sea Lines because reseller prices may be higher.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including the boat rides, three hours in Symi, and a 30-minute swim stop at Saint George’s Bay.

Where can I board in Faliraki?

The four listed boarding areas are Faliraki Harbour, Apollo Blue Hotel, Calypso Beach, and Amada Colossos. Check-in at Faliraki Harbour or the Apollo Blue kiosk may include a five-minute minibus ride to the Amada Colossos boat station.

Is parking available?

Yes. Free all-day parking is available at the Amada Colossos Boat Station by the beach.

How much time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours of free time in Symi Town. You can use it for walking, lunch, shopping, photographs, or a swim.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and other food and drinks in Symi are at your own expense.

How long is the swim at Saint George’s Bay?

The scheduled swim stop lasts about 30 minutes. Strong wind or current may make swimming harder, and the stop may move to another bay if conditions require it.

Does the boat always visit Saint George’s Bay after Symi?

Not always. From the end of September and during October, the operator may visit the bay before Symi to avoid afternoon shade. Weather can also change the order or location of the swim stop.

What languages do the staff speak?

The host or greeter service is available in English, German, and Greek.