Speed to Symi beats the long bus grind. This Kolymbia day trip uses a high-speed boat to drop you in Symi’s postcard harbor, then gives you time to wander for real and cool off in St. George’s Bay.

I love the tight pacing: 3 hours in Symi feels unhurried, not rushed. I also like that the return trip includes a 30-minute swimming stop, so the hot, walk-and-shop day ends with an actual reset.

One thing to plan for: you may get very wet on the fast crossing, and the route can involve a brief boat change at Rhodes Harbour both ways.

Key things to know before you go

• Direct departure from Kolymbia Harbour keeps the day simple and avoids long overland transfers
• About 3 hours free time in Symi is enough for the harbor views, streets, and a relaxed lunch
• St George’s Bay swim stop is built in, not an afterthought
• Fast crossings mean splash risk; pack for a wet ride
• Bring your own water/drinks since none is available on the boat

From Kolymbia Harbour to Symi: a day trip with real momentum

This is the kind of trip that respects your time. You start right at Kolymbia Harbour, board a high-speed boat, and the whole day is designed so you spend more hours enjoying Symi—not waiting on roads, buses, or slow ferries.

Most itineraries like this can feel like a “transfer day” in disguise. This one feels more like: go fast, arrive early enough to explore, then head back with a satisfying swim break. The total time is about 8 hours, and the day has clear movement built in: out to Symi, free time on the island, then back via St. George’s Bay.

Do note that speed boats also mean you get weathered by the sea. In practice, that means water spray. If you’re the type who hates getting splashed, plan to dress smart for it: a light layer you don’t mind getting damp, and something you’re okay changing into later.

Getting the Symi arrival right: what you’ll see in the harbor

When the boat pulls into Symi, the first thing you notice is the setting. The harbor is known for turquoise water and a ring of buildings with a soft pastel look. You also get those classic Symi church domes popping over the town—colorful markers that make it easy to orient yourself once you’re on foot.

You’ll land with about 3 hours to explore on your own. That time window is the sweet spot. Too short and you only see the waterfront and one street. Too long and you start repeating yourself or melting in the heat. With 3 hours, you can do a simple loop: stroll the waterfront, dip into the older lanes, then come back toward the harbor area when you want food, drinks, or shade.

A useful strategy for Symi is to pick one “anchor spot” (often near the central waterfront or the clock-tower area mentioned in tips) and work outward. Then, when your legs (or the sun) start to win, you’re close to cafes and bathrooms. You don’t need a big plan. You just need a direction and a return route.

A practical 3-hour Symi game plan (so you don’t miss the best bits)

With only 3 hours, I’d treat Symi like a stroll-with-purpose day. Here’s a plan that fits the time and keeps you from feeling scattered.

First 60–90 minutes: harbor loop and viewpoints. Start where the boat drops you off and walk the perimeter of the waterfront. Symi’s appeal isn’t one single landmark—it’s the way the town hugs the bay. Look for where streets climb and where the domes peek above roofs.

Middle stretch: browse + cool off. Symi’s shops and small stops are part of the charm, but they’re also what can eat your time. Keep it moving. If you need a break, you’ll find ways to cool down near the town core—one tip shared from the trip experience was finding a swim spot near the clock-tower area to cool off after shopping.

Last 30–60 minutes: food and a final look. Don’t save your best meal for the end by accident. Pick a spot you like, settle in, and enjoy the harbor view without turning lunch into a long sit-down that steals your departure time.

Remember: you’re not on a guided tour with someone herding the group. The value here is freedom, but freedom still benefits from a light structure.

Lunch in Symi: what to look for (and what to budget)

Lunch isn’t included, but you’re given enough time to eat without turning this into a stress festival. During your free time, you can stop at traditional tavernas and choose what fits your appetite and budget.

This is also where you can try two very Symi-ish items: Symi mini shrimps and local ouzo. Those show up in the trip highlights for a reason. If you want to bring home more than photos, this is the moment to do it—grab a plate of the mini shrimps and pair it with something small and local like ouzo.

Price-wise, the day trip’s total cost includes transport plus the scheduled stops (Symi time and St. George’s Bay swim). That means your money on the island goes mainly toward food and drinks. So I’d plan on that up front: bring cash/card for lunch, snacks, and anything you want from shops.

St George’s Bay on the return: the 30-minute swim that resets the day

The best “end cap” to a warm island day is water. On the way back from Symi, the boat makes a stop at Saint George’s Bay for about 30 minutes.

The water quality is the star. The bay is described as crystal clear, with those strong turquoise tones that look almost unreal against the bright sun. In plain terms: this is the stop that makes you remember why you didn’t just stay on land all day.

You’ve got two ways to enjoy it:

• swim and cool down
• or stay on deck and soak up the breeze while others swim

One practical consideration: the setup can affect how easy the swim feels. A suggestion shared from the trip experience was that anchoring closer to the beach would offer more options to swim in from where you’re dropped. You can’t control the anchor, but you can control your expectations: treat it as a quick water break, not a long beach day.

If you bring a waterproof phone pouch and something easy to dry later, this stop goes from nice to memorable.

Riding the speedboat wave: expect splash, then comfort

A high-speed boat is part thrill ride, part spray-and-go. The most direct advice from the experience is to be prepared to get very wet during the crossing.

So I’d plan your comfort around that reality:

• Wear something you don’t mind getting damp
• Bring a small towel or spare layer if you’re sensitive to chills after water spray
• Have sun protection ready for the Symi walking time

Timing matters for comfort too. The trip runs with tight, no-hanging-around scheduling—on multiple occasions, departures and returns matched the expected times closely. That’s good news because it limits the long waits that happen when boats are late.

There’s also a small “adventure” element that you should understand before going: the route may involve a boat change at Rhodes Harbour both ways. In the experience, it was described as boats being side by side, so it’s not a complicated transfer, but it is still something that can catch you off guard if you expected a single boat for the whole day.

Boat changes in Rhodes Harbour: small hassle, clear value

The Rhodes Harbour boat change is the one wrinkle that comes up again. It’s not framed as a disaster—more like an unexpected step in the process.

Here’s how to handle it calmly:

• Don’t panic if you see a changeover point at Rhodes Harbour.
• Treat it as a quick switch, not a long layover.
• Keep your belongings with you so you can move fast when boarding resumes.

Why it’s worth it anyway: the overall day still delivers the key benefit—fast access to Symi and a swim stop without the typical “whole morning wasted on transit” pattern some Symi tours follow.

If you’re the type who hates anything that feels uncertain, this might bother you slightly. But if you want the value of direct Kolymbia departure and a schedule that stays on rails, the Rhodes change is a trade many people find acceptable.

Timing and value: is $106 a fair deal?

At $106 per person, you’re paying for speed and for a day structure that includes:

• the high-speed boat ride
• 3 hours of free time in Symi
• a 30-minute swim stop at St George’s Bay

The value question comes down to one thing: do you lose time on the way? Many alternatives to Symi include earlier departures, longer overland legs, or bus connections to a main port. This trip avoids that by starting from Kolymbia Harbour. That difference matters in the heat, and it matters psychologically too. You don’t want to spend half the day “getting ready to get there.”

Also, the transport quality score is strong: 93% of reviewers gave it a perfect score for transport. That tends to correlate with what you actually care about on a day trip—getting there on time, getting back on time, and not dragging your day into a tired blur.

Your biggest additional costs are simply what you choose to spend in Symi: lunch, drinks, and any shopping. As long as you treat this as a transport-and-experience package and budget for meals, the price feels aligned with what you get.

Who should book this Symi speedboat—and who should rethink it

This is a great fit if you want:

• a short, high-impact Symi day without a bus
• enough time to wander rather than rush through
• a scheduled swim stop, so you can cool off even if your island walking goes long

It’s also a smart option if you’ve been to Kolymbia and want one of the best nearby “big day out” experiences without waking up extremely early.

You might rethink it if:

• you hate getting wet and don’t want to plan for splash risk
• you strongly dislike anything that could involve a quick boat change
• you prefer a slower ferry day with more lounging and less speed

For most people, the blend here—speed, solid Symi time, and a water break—hits the sweet spot.

Should you book the Kolymbia to Symi high-speed cruise?

If your goal is a classic Symi day with maximum fun per hour, I’d book it. The big reasons are straightforward: direct Kolymbia departure, about 3 hours to explore Symi, and that St George’s Bay swim stop that makes the day feel complete.

Just go in with the right expectations:

• bring water/drinks since none is available on the boat
• plan for getting splashed on a high-speed crossing
• be ready for a quick changeover at Rhodes Harbour

With a 4.9 rating and strong transport scores, this is one of those trips that tends to run the way it’s advertised. If that sounds like your kind of day, you’re likely to enjoy it.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The boat picks you up from Kolymbia Harbour.

How long is the trip?

The total duration is listed as 8 hours.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You’ll have approximately 3 hours to explore Symi on your own.

Is there time to swim during the day?

Yes. There’s a 30-minute swimming stop in Saint George’s Bay on the return journey.

What language is the host/greeter?

The host/greeter is listed as English.

Is this trip wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s marked wheelchair accessible.

Are drinks available on the boat?

No. One tip from the experience states that no water/drinks are available on the boat, so bring your own.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can I reserve now and pay later?

Yes. It offers reserve now & pay later, so you can book your spot without paying immediately.

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