Symi feels like it’s waiting for you. This day trip uses a high-speed boat from Rhodes’ southeast coast so you get 3 hours in Symi plus a swim break at St George’s Bay. I like that the fast ride buys time for the one thing you came for: walking the harbor town at your own pace.

Second, I love that you can start from Kiotari or Lardos without the usual bus slog. One possible drawback: if the swim comes after Symi and the bay is already in shadow, the water can look darker than the bright photos you might be imagining.

Key Things I’d Plan Around

• Beach pickup from Kiotari or Lardos keeps the day feeling simple and close to the water.
• About 3 hours in Symi is enough time to explore, snack, and even find the baby shrimp.
• A short Mandraki Harbour stop (around 10 minutes) is part of how the boat manages passengers.
• St George’s Bay swim stop lasts about 30 minutes and includes a dramatic view from the large rocks overhead.
• Seasonal sun timing matters: late September and October swap the order so the bay isn’t shaded.
• Transport quality is high based on the strong transport scoring.

A Speedboat Day Trip That Actually Lets You Enjoy Symi

There are plenty of “Symi day trips” that feel like you spend most of the day trapped on land. This one flips that. You’re on a fast boat from Rhodes’ south coast, and the schedule gives you real breathing room in Symi rather than just a quick look and back on board.

I also appreciate the balance here: you’re not only sightseeing. You get a proper swim break at St George’s Bay, where the water looks clear from the boat and the setting has big rocks hanging over the area.

Beach Pickups: Kiotari, Vlycha, and Lardos Steps

Your day starts with a beach pickup, using the Aphrodite Princess. The meeting point is described as the red steps on the beach, including stops below the Rodos Maris Hotel, by Lindos Imperial Hotel in Kiotari, and at Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos.

What makes this valuable is the direction of travel. If you’re staying south of Rhodes, you’re set up for a smoother day because the boat is built around those coastal resorts. The host/greeter staff is available in English, Greek, and German, which helps when it’s time to confirm where to stand and when to board.

One detail that affects planning: Lardos has service only on Wednesdays and Fridays. Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach have service every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. If you’re staying in Lardos, double-check your travel day so you don’t get stuck looking for an alternate option.

Riding the Aphrodite Princess and the Mandraki Harbour Pause

Once you’re on board, the boat heads for Symi at speed. The total travel time to Symi is listed as about 2 hours 20 minutes (2.33 hours).

On the way, the schedule includes a 10-minute stop at Mandraki Harbour. That’s when people are let off and new passengers are taken on. In practical terms, it’s a quick shuffle—not a “tour stop”—so I’d treat it like a timing moment: stay aware, keep an eye on where you’re seated, and be ready when they start calling people.

If you’re the type who likes to look out the windows and keep an eye on the coastline, this is one of those rides where you’ll get views without spending hours on a bus. If you’re sensitive to boat movement, it’s still a fast service, so plan to hold steady and dress for wind and spray.

Symi for 3 Hours: Walk the Harbor, Pick Your Pace

You get about 3 hours of free time in Symi. That’s the heart of the day trip. No set activity forces you into a single route, so you can match your pace: wander slowly, find a shaded spot, or head straight to the viewpoints.

When you arrive, you’ll see the fishing harbor first—helpful because it gives you an easy sense of orientation. From there, you’re surrounded by pastel-colored neoclassical buildings and colorful church domes that frame the bay. It’s the kind of visual mix where you don’t need a detailed plan to enjoy yourself.

What you can realistically do in that time

With roughly 3 hours, you can usually:

• stroll the waterfront area and take in the domes and facades
• pop into a couple of tavernas for a snack or lunch (at your own expense)
• plan a short loop to find the best angle for photos without sprinting

A highlight here is the food option. In Symi, look for the chance to try local baby shrimp. It’s mentioned as something you can seek out during your time ashore, and it’s one of the more Symi-specific bites you’re unlikely to find back on Rhodes.

Lunch: plan for it, but don’t overthink it

Lunch isn’t included, but there are “numerous traditional tavernas,” so you’re not hunting for a single address. If you want to order seafood, baby shrimp is an easy way to lean into local flavor without turning lunch into a full project.

St George’s Bay Swim Stop: The Rocks Are the Point

After Symi, the boat heads toward St George’s Bay for a 30-minute swim stop. This is where the trip shifts from walking town streets to experiencing the coast.

The bay has huge rocks above, and that’s not just a scenic detail. Those rocks change how the light looks over the water. They also create a more dramatic “place to swim” feeling than a flat shoreline.

Timing can change the look of the water

Here’s the key consideration: the order of Symi vs the bay depends on the season. For the end of September and October, the operator states they go to St George’s Bay first. The reason is simple—if the bay is visited after Symi, it can be shaded, and the water may not match the bright colors shown in photos.

I’d take that seriously. If you’re traveling late in the season and you care a lot about the color of the water, the day’s timing is part of the product. If the bay is shaded, the water can look darker and less “glassy” than you hoped.

That same issue came up from an October experience where the crew decided to do Symi before the bay, and the bay was already covered by shadow from the large rocks and surrounding terrain—meaning the water didn’t look as vivid as expected. You can’t control it, but you can set your expectations based on the month you’re going.

Back on board after your swim

Once the swim break ends, you return on the boat. The return trip is listed as another 2 hours 20 minutes (2.33 hours), bringing the full day to about 9 hours.

Price and Value: What $147 Buys You

At $147 per person, you’re paying for three things:

1. Speed from Rhodes’ south coast to Symi
2. Time on the ground (about 3 hours in Symi)
3. A dedicated swim stop at St George’s Bay (about 30 minutes)

What I like about the value is that the “product” is balanced. Symi isn’t just a quick sightseeing stop, and St George’s Bay isn’t just a passing photo opportunity. You’re actually given time for both.

Also, the transport performance seems to be a strength. The activity notes highly-rated transport, with 89% of reviewers scoring it as a perfect score. Even without treating ratings as gospel, that’s a useful signal that the boat operation and handling of the day’s timing are generally strong.

So is $147 fair? For a day that combines fast transport plus meaningful time at the destination, it usually makes sense—especially if you’re staying in Kiotari or Lardos and would otherwise lose time to getting to other departure points. If you’re already far from the south coast, the value math changes, but from these areas, it’s easier to feel like you’re buying time.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Feel Rushed)

This is an ideal choice if you’re staying south of Rhodes. The boat pickup is aligned with resort areas like Kiotari and Lardos, and the format is meant to keep you on the water instead of sitting on a bus.

You’ll probably enjoy it most if you:

• want a quick but not frantic day in Symi
• like boat travel and the idea of a short swim stop
• prefer free time over a tight guided schedule
• don’t want to spend your day in transit

You might want to think twice if you:

• are extremely photo-dependent on water color and are traveling late in the season
• want longer than 3 hours to explore Symi (you won’t get it here)
• dislike speedboat rides, since the schedule is built around a fast service

In other words, it’s a great day for people who want a “best of” Symi moment, not a slow, all-day deep exploration.

My Booking Verdict: Should You Book This?

If you’re based in Kiotari or Lardos, I’d lean toward booking. The setup—beach pickup, real time in Symi, and an actual swim break at St George’s Bay—fits the way most people want to spend a day on the Dodecanese.

Just plan around two things:

• Confirm your departure day. Lardos runs on Wednesdays and Fridays, while Kiotari/Vlycha run Tuesday through Friday.
• If you’re traveling at the end of September or in October, trust that they may adjust the order to protect the bay’s appearance, but still expect that light conditions can shift.

Bottom line: this is a practical, time-efficient way to see Symi and swim in a dramatic coastal spot, without losing hours to land travel.

FAQ

How long is the Symi speedboat tour from Kiotari and Lardos?

The total duration is listed as 9 hours.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is included from the beach at red steps locations such as below the Rodos Maris Hotel and by Lindos Imperial Hotel in Kiotari, plus by Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos. Drop-off is at the same two areas.

Which days does the boat stop in Lardos?

The boat stops in Lardos only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

How much time do I get in Symi?

You get about 3 hours of free time to explore Symi.

Is there a swim stop?

Yes. There is a swim stop in St George’s Bay lasting about 30 minutes.

What’s included in the price?

Included highlights are 3 hours in Symi and the 30-minute swim stop at St George’s Bay.

What should I bring and what do I need to know?

Bring sunscreen. Also note that in late September and October, the order may change so the bay isn’t shaded.

Is cancellation possible?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the listing also offers a reserve-now option with pay later.

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