Kolymbia: High-Speed Boat to Symi Island & St George’s Bay

Symi is the star here, but the direct departure from Kolymbia makes this trip especially appealing. You avoid the early coach ride to Rhodes town and get more time on the island instead. The fast boat is part of the fun, though spray can leave you very wet.

I like the three hours of free time, which gives you room for a harbor walk, lunch, photos, and a swim without racing from one sight to the next. I also like the return stop at St George’s Bay, a cool and beautiful finish after a hot afternoon in Symi.

The main consideration is the boat journey. It takes about two hours each way, and one-way transfers may include a short stop or boat change at Rhodes Harbor. There is no water provided on board, so bring your own drinks.

Key points to know before booking

• Kolymbia Harbor departure: Walk straight to the local harbor instead of taking a long coach transfer to Rhodes.
• Three hours in Symi: Enough time for the harbor, shops, food, photos, and a swim.
• St George’s Bay swim: Enjoy a 30-minute stop in clear turquoise water on the return trip.
• High-speed ride: The crossing is quicker than many standard boat options, but you should expect spray.
• Bring your own drinks: Water is not available on the boat, and the full day is spent in the sun.
• Strict departure times: The boat keeps to its schedule, so return to the meeting point early.

Why this Kolymbia to Symi trip works so well

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day at sea. But price matters less when you consider what you are getting: an eight-hour outing, direct access from Kolymbia, around three hours in Symi, and a swim stop at one of the Dodecanese coast’s most striking bays.

The practical saving is the departure point. Many Symi excursions begin with a very early coach transfer to Rhodes town, followed by the main ferry crossing. Here, you meet the boat at Kolymbia Harbor. If your hotel is nearby, you may be able to walk to the harbor rather than start the day on a bus.

The schedule reported for the trip is straightforward. The boat arrives at Kolymbia around 10:15, and the return is around 18:00. Exact times can change, so check the available date before booking, but this is a far gentler start than a dawn departure.

The trip is run by Faliraki Fun Club, with English-speaking host or greeter support. The experience is wheelchair accessible, and transport receives a very strong rating, with 93 percent of customers giving it a perfect score.

The high-speed ride from Kolymbia Harbor

Boarding at Kolymbia is one of the best features. You meet at the harbor, board the high-speed boat, and get moving without a long wait. The route may include a quick stop at Rhodes Harbor to pick up or drop off passengers. This can involve changing boats, although the boats are positioned side by side and the transfer is described as simple.

The crossing to Symi takes roughly two hours, including the Rhodes stop. That is still a meaningful stretch of time on the water, so pack accordingly. Take a bottle of water, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a light layer. The ride is open to wind and spray, and one account specifically warns that you should be ready to get very wet.

That spray is part of the high-speed experience, but it may not suit everyone. You might prefer a slower vessel if you want a quiet, dry crossing. On the other hand, a fast boat makes the journey feel like part of the outing rather than a dull transfer.

Keep your phone and camera protected. The views across the Dodecanese sea are a major part of the ride, but saltwater spray is not kind to unprotected electronics.

First sight of Symi’s colorful harbor

Symi announces itself in a dramatic way. The fishing harbor is framed by pastel-colored neoclassical buildings, with bright church domes scattered across the hills behind town. The water is turquoise, and the setting feels more polished and theatrical than the plain fishing port you might expect from a small Greek island.

Your arrival point is in Symi town, giving you an easy base for the free-time section. You do not need to follow a guide through a fixed series of stops. Instead, you can set your own pace for the next three hours.

I would begin with a slow harbor walk. Symi is compact enough for you to get your bearings quickly, and the waterfront gives you the best first look at the colorful buildings. This is also the easiest place for photos, especially when you turn back toward the town and see the stacked houses rising from the bay.

Do not spend all three hours taking pictures from the same spot. Walk along the harbor, browse the shops, and look for a cafe or taverna with a view. The island’s appeal is not one single sight. It is the combination of water, boats, painted houses, hills, and small details around the waterfront.

How to use your three hours in Symi

Three hours sounds generous, and it is enough for a good first visit. It is not enough for a slow island holiday, but that is not the aim of this trip. You are here for a concentrated taste of Symi before returning to Rhodes.

A sensible plan looks like this:

• Spend the first 30 to 45 minutes walking the harbor and taking photographs.
• Set aside time for lunch or snacks at a traditional taverna.
• Leave room for a drink, shopping, or a swim near the harbor.
• Return to the boat meeting point early, since departure times are taken seriously.

Food is not included, so budget separately for lunch. Symi is known for its small local shrimp, often called Symi mini shrimps, and you can look for them on menus alongside other Greek dishes. You can also try local ouzo if that appeals to you, but remember that you still have a boat ride and a swim stop ahead.

The waterfront has many places for food and drinks. A cafe at the end of the harbor can be a pleasant choice if you want a view while having snacks or cocktails. You might also find a swimming spot near the clock tower, useful on a hot day when you need to cool down before the boat leaves.

The free-time format suits independent people. You can eat when you want, stop for photos, and choose how much walking feels comfortable. The tradeoff is that nobody is leading you around or explaining every building. You get freedom, but you need to watch the time yourself.

St George’s Bay is the day’s best cooling-off stop

The return route includes a 30-minute swim stop at St George’s Bay. This is more than a token pause. The bay is known for clear, turquoise water, steep coastal scenery, and a striking sense of isolation from the open sea.

After several hours in the heat, the swim is perfectly timed. You can jump in, float, or stay on deck and enjoy the sun. The water is described as crystal clear, making this one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a basic transfer to Symi.

There is one limitation. The boat may anchor offshore rather than close enough for you to swim to the beach and explore the bay on foot. So think of this as a swimming and scenery stop, not a beach visit. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and have a towel ready. You will not want to spend the next part of the journey in wet clothing.

If you do not want to swim, the stop still has value. You can stay on deck, take in the cliffs and water, and enjoy a break from the town. Still, anyone choosing this excursion mainly for the bay should understand that the water time is limited to about 30 minutes.

Timing is a real strength, but do not test it

The boat is known for sticking to its timetable. The listed day runs for eight hours, with a morning departure and an evening return. Several details point to a well-controlled schedule, including prompt boarding at Kolymbia and departures made at the stated time.

That precision is good news for you because the day has several moving parts: the outbound sea crossing, the Symi stop, possible Rhodes passenger transfers, and the return swim. The drawback is simple. If you are late, the boat may leave without you.

Plan to arrive at Kolymbia Harbor early rather than at the exact departure minute. At Symi, keep an eye on the time and return before the stated boarding deadline. This is especially important if you stop for lunch or walk away from the main waterfront.

A short Rhodes Harbor stop can add variety to the crossing. You may get a quick look toward the old town and its castle near the harbor, and the pause can provide a few good photographs. It can also mean a boat change on the outbound and return legs. This has not been described as difficult, but it is worth knowing so you are not surprised.

What to pack for the eight-hour outing

The trip is easy to enjoy if you prepare for sun, wind, and water. Pack:

• Your own drinking water, since none is provided on the boat.
• Sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
• A swimsuit and towel for St George’s Bay.
• A waterproof pouch or sealed bag for your phone.
• A light cover-up or spare clothes after the swim.
• Cash or a payment method for lunch, snacks, drinks, and souvenirs.

Good shoes are helpful for walking around Symi, though the information provided does not specify the exact type of streets or paths. Keep your plans modest during the three-hour stop. You can explore the harbor town, but this is not the right excursion for a long inland walk.

Food and drinks in Symi are extra. The boat itself is transport rather than a catered cruise, so do not expect a meal or bottled water to appear during the crossing.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this excursion if you are staying in Kolymbia and want to see Symi without giving up an entire morning to a coach transfer. It also suits people who prefer independent exploration to a guided walking tour.

Families and couples may like the balance: a scenic boat ride, a colorful island town, and a swim stop. The three-hour break is long enough to avoid the feeling of a rushed photo stop, while the high-speed crossing adds energy to the day.

It is also a good fit for anyone who wants a classic Greek island outing without arranging ferries independently. You have transport in both directions and a clear meeting point at Kolymbia Harbor.

I would think twice if you dislike fast boats, cannot tolerate spray, or want a long, quiet day at the beach. The journey is substantial, and the St George’s Bay stop lasts only about 30 minutes. You should also be comfortable managing your own time in Symi.

Is $106 good value?

The value depends on what you compare it with. At first glance, $106 is a serious price for a day trip. But the cost includes the high-speed boat, three hours in Symi, and the St George’s Bay stop. You also avoid the inconvenience of getting to Rhodes town for the main departure.

The direct Kolymbia start is the part that can justify the price. If you are staying close to the harbor, you save time, avoid a bus transfer, and begin the sea journey from your holiday base. That convenience has real value in the Greek summer heat.

You will still need to pay for lunch and drinks in Symi. Since water is not included, bring your own supply rather than relying on a shop during the crossing. A little preparation keeps the extra spending under control.

The strongest value comes when you want both Symi and a swim stop. If you only want to reach Symi and spend the full day there, another ferry may suit you better. If you like the idea of a fast crossing followed by a clear-water swim, this package makes good sense.

Should you book the Symi boat from Kolymbia?

I would book it if you want a well-timed day trip with minimal land transport. Symi’s harbor gives you the visual reward, while St George’s Bay gives you the memorable swim. The combination is more satisfying than a simple town visit.

Book with realistic expectations. You will spend about two hours on the boat each way, the ride can be wet, lunch is not included, and the bay stop is short. Bring water, protect your phone, and be back at every meeting point early.

For most people staying in Kolymbia, the direct harbor departure makes this one of the easiest ways to see Symi. It offers enough free time to explore without forcing you into a pre-dawn start, and the 4.9 rating from 123 reviews reflects how consistently the timing, transport, and scenery have worked for customers.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat picks you up at Kolymbia Harbor in the Dodecanese, Greece.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours. The commonly stated schedule runs from around 10:15 until 18:00, though you should check the available time for your date.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours to explore Symi independently.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is at your own expense, and you can choose from the traditional tavernas and other food spots in Symi.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat makes a 30-minute swimming stop at St George’s Bay on the return journey.

Do I need to bring my own water?

Yes. Water is not available on the boat, so bring drinks for the crossing and the full day.

Will the boat stop at Rhodes Harbor?

The boat may stop at Rhodes Harbor to pick up or drop off passengers. A boat change may also be required there, with the boats positioned side by side.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You should still confirm the arrangements for your specific booking if you need assistance during boarding or transfers.