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

The best part of this day is the pairing of two very different stops: Saint George Bay, a wild-looking cove with clear water, and Symi’s handsome port, lined with pastel houses and small restaurants. You get a swim, a boat ride, and free time in town for $41, which is a strong deal for a full day from Rhodes.

I like the easy departure from Mandraki Harbour and the generous time in Gialos. I also like that the boat carries floats, has freshwater showers, and includes a lifeguard. The main drawback is the long ride, roughly two hours each way, and the open upper deck can turn cold and windy even in warm weather.

• A one-hour swim stop: Saint George Bay gives you a memorable swim in clear water, with floats available.
• Three hours in Symi: You have enough time for lunch, a walk through Gialos, shopping, and a quick look at the nearby beach.
• A full-day outing for $41: The price covers the boat, crew, swim stop, and time on Symi, but not food or drinks.
• Upper-deck seats go early: The best outdoor spots are first come, first served, so arrive well before the 10:00 departure.
• Captain Yannis adds personality: He has welcomed passengers into the wheelhouse on some trips and is known for keeping the mood light.
• Plan for wind and waves: The ride can be choppy, especially on the return, so bring a jacket and motion-sickness medicine if needed.

Leaving Rhodes from Mandraki Harbour

SP Cruises leaves Mandraki Harbour at 10:00 each morning. The kiosk is opposite the Bank of Greece building at Pl. Eleftherias, a central and fairly easy place to find. You arrange your own way to the harbour, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The boat ride is part of the attraction. As Rhodes falls behind, you get a broad view of the Dodecanese coast from the water. The ride to Saint George Bay takes about two hours, so this is not a quick transfer disguised as an excursion. You are committing to a full day at sea.

That long crossing has two sides. It gives you time to sit, chat, watch the coast, and enjoy the open water. It can also feel slow, especially if the sea is rough or you are hoping to reach Symi quickly. Some passengers find the return trip particularly rocky.

For the most sought-after outdoor seats, arrive early. The upper deck can fill quickly, even when people reach the harbour before 9:30. Seats cannot be reserved, and the boat may feel crowded around the windows and railings. The main saloon has comfortable air-conditioned seating, which is the better choice if you prefer shade, less wind, or a steadier ride.

The boat has a bar serving drinks and snacks. Food and drinks are not part of the $41 fare, and some onboard snacks cost more than you might expect, so bring a little extra money. You will also find toilets, though they may need some attention on a busy day.

Saint George Bay, the day’s most memorable stop

After about two hours, the boat reaches Saint George Bay, also called Agios Georgios. The cove is framed by steep, bare rock and has the kind of clear water that makes you want to get in before you have even found your towel.

The planned stop is about an hour, although the actual swimming time can be closer to 45 minutes if the boat arrives late or boarding takes time. The crew must move people on and off safely, and only one person at a time may use the gangway. That is worth knowing if you are picturing a full, relaxed hour in the water.

Still, this is the part I would not skip. The water is clear enough for basic snorkeling, and you may see fish near the boat. Floats, swimming rings, and other flotation aids are available, which helps less confident swimmers enjoy the stop. A lifeguard is also included.

Bring your swimsuit under your clothes, plus a towel, sunscreen, and a waterproof watch. The hour goes quickly, and it is easy to lose track of time while swimming. Freshwater showers are available afterward, a small but useful touch before you sit down for the ride to Symi.

The water can feel cool outside the hottest summer weeks. The wind is another factor. A warm layer and long trousers are sensible for the ride, especially if you sit on the shaded side or stay on deck after swimming.

The stop is not a beach visit in the usual sense. You remain with the boat, and the focus is swimming from the vessel rather than walking onto a developed shore. If you want a long snorkel session or several hours on land, this will feel brief. If you want one beautiful swim in a striking setting, it delivers.

Arriving in Gialos, Symi’s picture-book port

The boat leaves Saint George Bay at about 13:00 and reaches Gialos, Symi’s main port, after the short onward ride. This is where the day changes pace. After the open sea and swim stop, you step into a compact harbor town filled with colorful houses, waterfront cafés, small shops, and steep streets rising behind the port.

You get roughly three hours in Symi. That is enough time for lunch and a good walk around Gialos, but you need to keep an eye on the clock. The boat departs at 16:20 and does not wait for late passengers.

Start with a walk along the harbor. The port is the most photogenic part of Symi, with neoclassical buildings in soft colors climbing the hills around the water. You do not need a formal guide to enjoy it. The pleasure is simply wandering, pausing for photographs, and taking in the contrast between the quiet sea and the busy waterfront.

Lunch is at your own expense. Gialos has plenty of restaurants, including places serving seafood, and you can also find ice cream, drinks, and lighter snacks. Service may be slow at some restaurants, so do not choose a lengthy meal if you want time to explore afterward.

A small beach close to where the boat docks is worth noting. If you want another quick swim or a quieter break from the port, it gives you an option without requiring a long trip inland. The excursion does not include transport around the island, so your free time is centered on Gialos and the immediate harbor area.

You will find plenty of shops, but this is not a sightseeing day packed with monuments. The appeal is the town’s setting, architecture, food, and relaxed island feel. Some people will find three hours ideal. Others may wish for longer, especially if they want to explore beyond the port.

The boat, crew, and practical comfort

The boat is functional rather than luxurious. It offers indoor air-conditioned seating, outdoor seating, a bar, toilets, freshwater showers, and a lifeguard. That is enough for a long day, but comfort depends heavily on where you sit and how crowded the boat becomes.

The upper deck is best for views and fresh air, but it is also the most exposed to wind. Seating is not designed for stretching out or sunbathing, so think of it as a place to watch the coast rather than a lounge deck. On a windy day, the main saloon may be far more pleasant.

Captain Yannis has made a strong impression on the atmosphere of the trip. He is friendly and playful, and on some departures he has allowed passengers to visit the steering cabin and take photographs at the wheel. That depends on the captain and safety conditions, so treat it as a possible extra rather than a promised part of the cruise.

The crew is also helpful with boarding and mobility needs. One passenger with a mobility scooter received assistance getting on and off, and crew members helped take photographs during the swim stop. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should still contact the operator if you need specific arrangements.

The sound system may be difficult to hear from the back of the boat. If announcements matter to you, sit closer to the front or near the main seating area. The program can also change if weather or safety conditions require the captain to alter the route or timing.

What the $41 price really covers

At $41 per person, this is one of the more economical ways to combine Rhodes, Saint George Bay, and Symi in one day. You are paying for the boat crossing, the swimming stop, crew support, onboard facilities, and free time in Gialos.

You still need to budget for lunch, drinks, snacks, and transport to Mandraki Harbour. That extra spending is easy to control, since you choose where to eat and what to buy. Compared with arranging separate boat travel and finding your own way to Symi, the package is simple and good value.

The price is especially appealing if you want variety. A direct trip to Symi might give you more time on the island, while this cruise adds a memorable swim in Saint George Bay. You sacrifice some time on Symi for the water stop, but many people consider that a fair trade.

The value drops if you dislike long boat rides, get seasick, or want a quiet, uncrowded day. This is a popular shared excursion, and the boat can feel full. It is best understood as an active full-day outing, not a private yacht experience.

Timing, weather, and what to pack

The advertised schedule is:

• 10:00 departure from Mandraki Harbour
• Around 12:00 arrival at Saint George Bay
• About one hour for swimming
• Around 13:00 departure for Symi
• 16:20 departure from Gialos
• Around 18:30 arrival back in Rhodes

Allow a little flexibility on the return. Some departures reach Rhodes closer to 18:45, depending on sea conditions and the day’s operation. If you have a cruise ship or evening booking, leave a sensible buffer.

Pack beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, and comfortable shoes. Add a light jacket or warm trousers, even in summer. Wind on the open water can be surprisingly cold, especially when you are wet from the swim.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider taking your usual medicine before departure. The return crossing can be choppy, and the trip is long enough for discomfort to become a real problem. Sit in the main saloon if you prefer a steadier, more sheltered position.

Arrive early if you want an upper-deck seat. You do not need to arrive absurdly early for the trip itself, but the best outdoor places disappear quickly in August and on busy summer dates. If you are driving, parking near Mandraki can become difficult after 9:00.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful when your Rhodes plans depend on weather, though the captain can still change the program for safety reasons.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a straightforward way to see Symi without arranging ferries, and if a swim in a beautiful cove sounds as appealing as the island itself. Families, couples, solo visitors, and people who enjoy a social boat day can all find something here.

It suits confident swimmers and casual snorkelers particularly well. The flotation aids and lifeguard help, but the Saint George Bay stop is still centered on getting into the sea. If you prefer staying dry, you can remain on board, though you will miss the main feature.

The cruise also works well for first-time visitors who want a taste of Symi rather than a detailed island tour. Three hours gives you time to eat, shop, walk the harbor, and take photographs. It does not give you time to explore the whole island.

You may want another plan if you need a quiet boat, guaranteed outdoor seating, a long beach stay, or a fast crossing. The boat can be crowded, the ride can be windy, and the swim stop may be shorter than the full hour. Those are manageable limits, but they should shape your expectations.

Should you book the Saint George Bay and Symi cruise?

Book it if you want good value and two strong highlights in one day: a clear-water swim and a visit to one of the Dodecanese’s prettiest port towns. The crew, onboard facilities, and simple schedule make the day easy to manage.

Skip it if two hours on a boat each way sounds tiring, or if you want to spend most of the day exploring Symi itself. For everyone else, the $41 fare is hard to fault. Arrive early, bring a warm layer, watch the time at Saint George Bay, and keep enough money for lunch in Gialos.

FAQ

Where does the cruise leave from?

The boat leaves from SP Cruises’ kiosk at Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes, opposite the Bank of Greece building at Pl. Eleftherias.

What time does the cruise depart?

The scheduled departure is 10:00 in the morning.

How long is the full experience?

The listed duration is 510 minutes, or about eight and a half hours. The planned return to Mandraki Harbour is around 18:30.

How long do you spend at Saint George Bay?

The planned stop is about one hour, though the swimming time can sometimes be closer to 45 minutes because boarding and disembarking take time.

Can I swim at Saint George Bay?

Yes. Swimming is a central part of the stop, and the boat provides flotation aids. A lifeguard is included.

How much time do you get in Symi?

You have roughly three hours in Gialos, Symi’s main port. The scheduled departure from Symi is 16:20.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included, but you can buy food and drinks in Symi or from the boat’s bar.

Is the boat suitable for wheelchair users?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The crew has also assisted passengers with mobility equipment, but you should confirm your specific needs before booking.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear, sunscreen, a towel, comfortable shoes, and a warm layer for the windy boat ride. Motion-sickness medicine may also be useful if you are sensitive to choppy water.