From Faliraki: High Speed Boat to Symi and St. George’s Bay

Symi is the prize here: a graceful harbor framed by pastel houses, church domes, and clear blue water. This fast boat from Faliraki saves you the usual transfer to Rhodes Town, which is a big deal if you are staying on the east coast. I especially like the three free hours in Symi and the chance to swim at St. George’s Bay.

The main catch is the ride itself. A high-speed boat is efficient, but it can be windy and lively on the water. You may be given a fleece, and weather can change the swimming stop or the order of the day. At $73 per person, this is good value if you want Symi without a long bus transfer, but lunch and extras are not included.

Key points at a glance

• Four Faliraki boarding points: Join at Faliraki Harbour, Apollo Blue, near Calypso Beach, or Amada Colossos.
• Three hours in Symi Town: Enough for the harbor, lunch, shopping, and a swim, though the time passes quickly.
• Thirty-minute swim stop: St. George’s Bay offers a beautiful, refreshing break from the heat.
• High-speed service: You spend less time getting to Symi than on a slower boat, leaving more time on the island.
• Weather-aware planning: In late September and October, the boat may visit St. George’s Bay first so the cove gets better light.
• Simple return to Faliraki: You finish at one of the same four beach-area locations.

Why this boat works so well from Faliraki

The smart part of this trip is not only the speed. It is the departure point. If you stay in Faliraki, you can board close to your hotel instead of taking a roughly 40-minute bus ride to Rhodes Town and joining a larger harbor departure there.

The four boarding locations are Faliraki Harbour, the beach at Apollo Blue Hotel, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, and Amada Colossos Resort. The listed pickup times run from 9:45 to 10:00 in that order.

There is one small wrinkle in the phrase directly from the beach. You first check in at the Faliraki Sea Lines desk, then staff may take you by minibus to the Amada Colossos beach station. The ride is only about five minutes, but you should not assume that every boarding point means stepping straight from your hotel beach onto the boat.

This arrangement still saves the long trip to Rhodes Town. If you are staying at Calypso Beach, Apollo Blue, Amada Colossos, or nearby, the convenience is hard to ignore. Free parking is available all day at the Amada Colossos boat station if you are driving.

The fast ride across to Symi

The crossing takes you along the coast and out across the brilliant blue sea. The boat is designed to get you to Symi quickly, and that matters because a day trip can easily lose its best hours to transport.

Expect wind on the open water. Several details from the day point to a boat that can feel brisk rather than gentle, especially when the sea is up. Staff may provide fleeces, which is useful even on a hot Rhodes morning. Bring a light layer of your own, too, and protect anything that should not get wet.

The trip includes a short stop at Mandraki Harbour, about 10 minutes, to let people on and off. Treat this as an operational stop rather than a sightseeing visit. You may see a little of Rhodes Town from the water, but Symi is the main event.

The boat has received praise for being clean, comfortable, and smooth when conditions cooperate. Still, this is not the best choice if you strongly dislike fast boat rides or want a quiet, slow cruise. You are choosing efficiency and sea views over a leisurely crossing.

Three useful hours in Symi Town

Symi’s harbor is the reason to make this trip. As the boat comes in, you see a fishing port ringed by neoclassical houses in soft colors. The buildings climb the hills around the water, while church domes and small details give the town its distinctive Greek character.

You have about three hours on your own. That is long enough to make a satisfying visit, but it is not a full exploration of the island. You will need to make choices instead of trying to see everything.

I would use the first few minutes to walk along the harbor and get your bearings. The waterfront gives you the classic views and makes it easy to compare the different tavernas, shops, and swimming spots before committing to lunch.

You can spend the time in several ways:

• Walk the harbor and nearby town streets
• Stop for lunch at a traditional taverna
• Shop for local items and souvenirs
• Find a place to swim
• Sit by the water and enjoy the setting at an unhurried pace

Lunch is not included, so budget separately for it. Since the time in town is limited, avoid turning the meal into a long event if you also want to swim or shop. On the other hand, the heat can make a shaded lunch a welcome break.

The three-hour window is one of the strongest parts of the trip. A faster boat crossing gives you real time on Symi rather than reducing the visit to a quick photo stop. But three hours can go quickly, especially if you want lunch, shopping, a walk, and a swim. Decide what matters most before you arrive.

St. George’s Bay and the 30-minute swim

After Symi, the boat heads toward St. George’s Bay for a half-hour swim stop. The setting is dramatic, with steep rocky sides dropping into clear water. The stop gives you a chance to cool off after walking around Symi in the sun.

Thirty minutes is enough for a proper swim, but not for a long beach visit. The boat remains the base, so you should be ready to get in and out without wasting much time. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes and keep a towel close.

This stop is more than a decorative extra. It breaks up the return journey and turns the trip into a day on the water rather than simply transportation to Symi. Many people find the water a welcome relief after the warm streets and harbor.

Weather can alter the plan. If conditions make St. George’s Bay unsuitable, the boat may use another beautiful bay with a swimming option. In late September and October, the crew may visit St. George’s Bay before Symi because the cove can be shaded later in the day, affecting the color of the water.

That seasonal note is useful. The order of stops is not a promise carved in stone, and the crew may adjust the route for weather and light. You still get the two central experiences, Symi and a swim, but the exact bay or timing can change.

The return to Faliraki

After the swim, the boat makes the return run toward Rhodes. The route includes more coastal views and gives you time to relax on deck, though the wind can be stronger on the open water.

The total activity lasts about eight hours. A day that begins around the listed 9:45 to 10:00 pickup window should bring you back in the late afternoon. One reported schedule reached Faliraki at about 5:20 p.m., but you should use the confirmed departure details for your date rather than treating that time as guaranteed.

You return to one of four locations: Calypso Beach, Apollo Blue Hotel, Amada Colossos Resort, or Faliraki Harbour. This is helpful if you have dinner plans or want to return directly to your hotel area.

Is $73 a fair price?

At $73, the value depends on what you are comparing it with. You are paying for an eight-hour day, a fast boat crossing, a three-hour visit to Symi, and a swim stop. Lunch is extra, but that lets you choose how much or how little to spend in town.

The biggest saving is time and effort. A conventional departure from Rhodes Town can require an additional transfer from Faliraki, with an early start and more waiting around. If you are already based in Faliraki, leaving from the beach area is a practical advantage that has real value.

I would compare the price with Rhodes Sea Lines directly before booking through a reseller. A direct booking may be cheaper, according to one useful note from someone who used the service. The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if the weather forecast is uncertain.

The value is weaker if you are staying near Rhodes Town, have already arranged transport to the main port, or prefer a slower boat with more time at sea. It is also less appealing if your main goal is a long, relaxed day on Symi. Three hours is respectable for a day trip, but not enough for every corner of the island.

Who should book this trip?

I would choose this for couples, families, and solo visitors staying in Faliraki who want to see Symi with minimal fuss. It works particularly well if your hotel is near one of the four beach boarding points.

The trip also suits anyone who likes a full day with several types of scenery: Rhodes beaches, open sea, Symi’s harbor, and a rocky swimming cove. The swim stop adds enough variety to keep the day from feeling like a simple ferry ride.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness, dislike wind, or need a highly predictable schedule. The boat is fast and can feel lively. Weather may change the bay, the order of stops, or the timing.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, though the boarding process includes a beach station and, in some cases, a short minibus transfer. If accessibility is central to your plans, confirm the exact boarding arrangement before paying.

Practical tips for a better day

Arrive at the correct beach stop a little early, especially if you are unfamiliar with the hotel areas. The published pickup times are close together, with only a few minutes between locations.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and a light jacket or fleece. The boat can be windy even when Faliraki feels hot, and the sea air may feel cool on the return.

Keep some cash or a payment card for lunch in Symi. Since you control the three hours, you can choose a full taverna meal or keep the visit focused on walking and shopping.

Do not pack the Symi stop too tightly. The most enjoyable plan is simple: stroll the harbor, eat or have a drink, then leave enough time to wander and return to the boat without rushing.

If you visit near the end of September or in October, pay attention to any message about the stop order. The crew may visit St. George’s Bay first to make the most of the sunlight.

Should you book the Faliraki to Symi boat?

Book it if you are staying in Faliraki and want the most direct, time-saving way to see Symi. The three hours in town are useful, the 30-minute swim is a fine extra, and the beach-area pickup avoids the nuisance of reaching Rhodes Town first.

I would not book it for a slow cruise or a long, detailed visit to Symi. This is a practical, active day with a fast crossing, a fixed schedule, and possible weather changes. For the right visitor, $73 buys a lot of scenery and removes one of the biggest hassles of a Symi day trip.

FAQ

Where can I board the boat from Faliraki?

You can board from Faliraki Harbour, the beach at Apollo Blue Hotel, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, or the beach station at Amada Colossos Resort.

What time are the Faliraki pickup times?

The listed times are 9:45 a.m. at Faliraki Harbour, 9:50 a.m. at Apollo Blue, 9:55 a.m. between Calypso Beach and Blue Sea Beach, and 10:00 a.m. at Amada Colossos.

How long do I have in Symi?

You have approximately three hours of free time in Symi Town. Lunch, swimming, shopping, and other personal expenses are not included.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The trip includes a 30-minute swimming stop at St. George’s Bay. Weather may lead the crew to use another bay or change the order of the stops.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch is at your own expense in Symi Town.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. Check the exact boarding arrangement in advance because some passengers may use a short minibus transfer to the Amada Colossos beach station.