Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, & Lindos: Speedboat to Symi Island

Symi’s postcard harbor is the star here: pastel houses climb the hills above bright blue water, while the Aphrodite Princess gets you there quickly from southern Rhodes. You get three hours on your own, enough for lunch, a walk, and a look around without being hurried from one sight to the next.

I like the convenient departure points in Kiotari and Lardos, since you do not first need a long bus ride across Rhodes. I also like the swim stop at St. George Bay, where tall rock walls frame clear water. The main thing to watch is timing: in late September and October, the bay can be shaded if it comes after Symi.

• Fast southern departure: Start from Kiotari, Lardos, or the listed Lindos-area pickup points instead of crossing the island by coach.
• Three hours in Symi: Explore the harbor town independently, eat lunch, shop, or swim at your own pace.
• Aphrodite Princess: Pickup is offered at specific beach access points near major hotels, including Rodos Maris, Lindos Imperial, and Costa Lindia.
• St. George Bay swim: Plan on about 30 minutes in clear water beneath huge cliffs.
• Late-season timing matters: From the end of September and through October, the boat may visit St. George Bay before Symi for better sunlight.
• Good transport score: 89 percent of ratings gave the transport a perfect score, though one October outing found the shaded bay less impressive later in the day.

Why Symi makes this a worthwhile day from southern Rhodes

Symi is one of the Dodecanese islands that rewards a day trip built around the harbor itself. The arrival is the show. As the boat comes toward the fishing port, you see rows of neoclassical houses in soft colors, small church domes, and hills dropping toward the sea.

That first view is far more memorable than a generic boat ride. You are not simply crossing open water to reach another beach. You are arriving at a compact Greek island town with a strong visual identity and a harbor made for a slow walk.

The $147 price is not cheap, so I would judge it against the time and transport it saves. From the southeastern coast of Rhodes, a high-speed boat lets you avoid a long road transfer to the main port area. You also get a swim stop, roughly three hours in Symi, and transport back to your starting area.

That makes the cost easier to justify if you are staying in Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or the Lindos area. If you are already near Rhodes Town, this particular departure pattern may be less useful because the activity is designed around southern pickup points.

Getting to the Aphrodite Princess

Pickup information is specific, so do not simply walk to any beach and expect to find the boat. The Aphrodite Princess collects passengers from the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, from the Lindos Imperial Hotel area at Kiotari Beach, and from Costa Lindia Hotel at Lardos Beach.

The activity information also lists three pickup points around Lardos and Kiotari. The exact stop depends on the operating day and your booking details, so check the confirmed meeting point carefully. This matters more than it sounds, since the beaches and hotel areas are not interchangeable walking locations.

Lardos service runs only on Wednesdays and Fridays. Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach service runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. That schedule is especially important if you have only a few days in southern Rhodes.

The host or greeter languages are English, Greek, and German. No individual guide names are provided, and this is mainly a transport-and-free-time outing rather than a guided sightseeing tour. You should expect help with boarding and general directions, not a narrated tour of every Symi street.

The high-speed crossing from Rhodes

The ride to Symi takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes each way, based on the listed route timing. There is also a short 10-minute stop at Mandraki Harbour for passengers to get on and off, so the full activity lasts about nine hours.

Calling the boat high-speed is useful, but it does not mean the journey is brief. You still spend a substantial part of the day at sea. Bring sunscreen, as the boat ride and the stop at St. George Bay put you in open sun for long stretches.

The payoff is that you travel directly from the southern side of Rhodes. You avoid spending the early part of the day on a bus and gain the pleasure of seeing the coast from the water. If you enjoy being on a boat, the crossing becomes part of the day rather than dead travel time.

If you get seasick, think carefully before booking. The provided information does not state whether motion-sickness tablets or sheltered seating are available, so you should plan according to your own needs. The boat route and speed can also make the ride feel active rather than leisurely.

Your first look at Symi Harbor

Arrival in Symi is the emotional high point of the trip. The harbor water is described as turquoise, and the buildings around it have the soft pastel colors and formal neoclassical style that make Symi so recognizable.

You have about three hours to explore independently. That freedom is useful because people want different things from Symi. You can stay close to the water, walk through the fishing town, choose a taverna, or look for a place to swim.

I would begin with a short walk along the harbor before stopping for food. It gives you a quick sense of the town and helps you decide how to use the remaining time. The main harbor is also the practical center of your visit, since your free time begins and ends around the boat’s departure point.

Symi is known for local seafood, and the activity specifically points to baby shrimp as a local food to try. You will find numerous traditional tavernas, but lunch is not included in the $147 price. Allow room in your budget for a meal and drinks.

Three hours is a useful amount of time, though it is not an invitation to wander without watching the clock. A meal can take a large part of your visit, and the harbor’s visual appeal can make time pass quickly. Keep an eye on the meeting time for the return sailing.

What to do with three free hours

You do not need to force a long checklist into this stop. Symi works best when you give yourself time to notice the details around the harbor.

A sensible plan could look like this:

• Walk along the fishing harbor and take in the colorful buildings.
• Stop at a traditional taverna for seafood or baby shrimp.
• Browse the town at an easy pace.
• Leave time for a swim if you prefer water to lunch.
• Return to the boat with a buffer before departure.

The free-time format is a plus for independent visitors. You are not tied to a guide’s route or required to stay with a group for every photograph. It is also a limitation if you want detailed local history, organized sightseeing, or help choosing restaurants.

The tour description does not promise a guided walk, museum admission, or a full island tour. You should book it for the harbor atmosphere, free time, and boat experience, not for a deep cultural program.

St. George Bay and the 30-minute swim

St. George Bay is the other major reason to book. The boat pauses for about 30 minutes, giving you time to swim in clear water while huge rocks rise above the cove.

This is a dramatic setting for a short swim. The cliffs make the bay feel enclosed, and the contrast between the rock walls and bright water is exactly what makes the stop special. If you would rather not swim, you can soak up the sun on deck, but the stop is clearly designed around getting into the water.

Bring sunscreen, and consider packing anything you need for a comfortable swim. The supplied information only specifically requires sunscreen, so do not assume towels, food, or special swim equipment are included.

The timing deserves close attention. The regular plan places the swim after Symi, but from the end of September and through October, the boat may go to St. George Bay first. That change is meant to preserve the sunlight and water color.

It is not a minor detail. On an October 11 outing, the boat went to Symi first and reached the bay afterward. By then, the tall mountains had blocked the sun, and the water looked dark rather than bright. If the swim stop is one of your main reasons for booking, late-season visitors should confirm the order on the day.

Even in summer, sunlight can change during the day as the cliffs shade the cove. The bay remains a scenic stop, but photographs and water color may not match the brightest images at every hour.

How the schedule feels over nine hours

This is a full-day activity. A typical outline is:

• Pickup from Kiotari, Lardos, or the specified nearby beach point.
• High-speed boat ride toward Symi.
• A short stop at Mandraki Harbour for boarding changes.
• Around three hours in Symi.
• About 20 minutes by boat to St. George Bay.
• A 30-minute swim stop.
• Roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes back to Rhodes.
• Drop-off near the original pickup area.

The listed timings add up to a long day with significant time on the boat. That is fine if you enjoy sea views and want a straightforward island escape. It may feel tiring if you prefer short transfers and more time on land.

The boat’s fast service is important because it protects your time in Symi. A slower ferry could leave you with less free time, especially once boarding and return procedures are counted. Here, the three-hour stop gives the trip a clear center rather than making it only a ride across the sea.

The Mandraki stop is worth noting because it is not a sightseeing visit. It is a brief operational pause to disembark and collect people. Do not plan to explore the harbor during those 10 minutes.

Who gets the best value from this trip

I would recommend this outing most strongly to people staying south of Rhodes who want to see Symi without arranging separate transport to another port. Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, and Lindos-area visitors gain the most from the nearby beach departures.

It also suits you if you prefer independent time. You can choose your own lunch, decide how much of Symi to walk, and skip anything that does not interest you.

This is a good match for:

• Couples who want a scenic day on the water.
• Families who can manage a long boat day.
• Swimmers who value a short stop in clear water.
• Independent visitors who dislike tightly guided sightseeing.
• People staying in southern Rhodes who want to avoid a long bus transfer.

I would be more cautious if you want extensive historical commentary, a small personal group, or a flexible schedule. The format is fixed, and the boat rides take up much of the day.

It is also not ideal if you are booking mainly for the bright-water photographs of St. George Bay in late autumn. The operator adjusts the order in September and October, but the October experience described above shows why sunlight can still affect the result.

Price, cancellation, and practical planning

At $147 per person, this is a mid-to-high priced day trip. Its value comes from combining direct southern pickup, boat transport, three hours in Symi, and a swim stop in one package.

You pay extra for convenience and speed rather than for a long list of included activities. Lunch, drinks, and personal spending in Symi are at your own expense. If you add a meal and refreshments, set a realistic total budget before booking.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps if your Rhodes plans depend on weather or changing hotel arrangements.

The transport has a strong overall rating, with 89 percent of ratings giving it a perfect score. That fits the core appeal: the route is simple, the departure points are useful, and the boat gets you to Symi without the land transfer that can make southern island day trips feel cumbersome.

Still, I would not book it without checking three things: your exact pickup point, the operating day for that point, and the likely order of Symi and St. George Bay.

Should you book the Symi speedboat?

Book it if you are staying in southern Rhodes and want a practical way to see Symi’s beautiful harbor, eat a local lunch, and swim in a dramatic cove. The nearby departure points and fast boat service are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Think twice if you dislike long boat rides or want a guided cultural tour. Also be realistic about the swim stop in late September and October, when shade can reduce the bright colors shown in photos.

For most visitors based around Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos, I see this as a worthwhile full-day outing, provided you treat it as a scenic boat day with free time, not an all-inclusive tour of every corner of Symi.

FAQ

How long does the Symi boat trip last?

The activity lasts about nine hours, including the boat rides, free time in Symi, and the swim stop at St. George Bay.

Where does the boat pick up passengers?

Pickup is offered from the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, Lindos Imperial Hotel at Kiotari Beach, and Costa Lindia Hotel at Lardos Beach. The listed meeting points also include locations around Kiotari and Lardos.

Which days does the boat stop in Lardos?

The boat stops in Lardos on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Which days does it stop at Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach?

The boat stops at Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

How much free time do you get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours to explore Symi independently.

How long is the swim stop at St. George Bay?

The swim stop lasts about 30 minutes.

What languages are available from the host or greeter?

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