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

Symi is the star here, but the smart part is how you reach it. Instead of taking a bus from Faliraki to Rhodes Town, you board near the beach and travel straight across on a fast boat. You get about three hours in Symi Town, enough for the harbor, lunch, a swim, and some shopping.

I like the easy Faliraki pickup and the refreshing stop at St. George’s Bay. The boat saves time compared with a slower crossing, and the crew can adjust the bay stop if weather changes. The tradeoff is a long day with wind, sun, and a brisk ride, while three hours in Symi can pass quickly.

Key points

• Four Faliraki boarding points: Choose Faliraki Harbour, Apollo Blue Hotel beach, the beach near Calypso Beach Hotel, or Amada Colossos.
• About three hours in Symi: Explore independently, eat at a taverna, swim, or shop without being tied to a guided walking group.
• Fast crossing: The sightseeing ride to Symi takes about 80 minutes, with a short stop in Mandraki Harbour along the way.
• St. George’s Bay swim: You get roughly 30 minutes in clear water, a fine way to cool down after time ashore.
• Useful hotel-area access: A five-minute minibus transfer may take you from the Faliraki Sea Lines desk to the final beach boarding point.
• Good value for Faliraki visitors: At $73 per person, the trip includes boat transport and pickup, but not lunch.

Why this Faliraki to Symi trip makes sense

If you are staying in Faliraki, this boat solves the main nuisance of a Symi day trip: getting to Rhodes Town before the boat even starts. The service has four pickup points along the Faliraki coast, so you can reach the sea without a long morning bus ride.

That convenience matters more than it may sound. A day on Symi already takes about eight hours, and cutting out a separate transfer leaves more of your energy for the island itself. The boat returns you to the same Faliraki area, with drop-offs at Calypso Beach, Apollo Blue Hotel, Amada Colossos Resort, and Faliraki Harbour.

The price is $73 per person. I see that as a fair price for the direct access, return crossing, and swim stop, especially if a Rhodes Town transfer would otherwise add time and cost. You still need to budget for lunch and any drinks or shopping in Symi, and direct booking with Rhodes Sea Lines may be cheaper than booking through a reseller.

Boarding from four Faliraki beach stops

The published departure times are close together:

• Faliraki Harbour at 9:45 AM
• Apollo Blue Hotel beach at 9:50 AM
• The beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel at 9:55 AM
• Amada Colossos beach at 10:00 AM

Check the exact meeting point carefully. The practical detail is that the Faliraki Sea Lines desk on the beach may direct you to a minibus. That minibus takes you about five minutes to the Amada Colossos boat station, where you board the high-speed vessel.

If you are driving, Amada Colossos has free beach parking for the day. If you are staying near one of the listed hotels, ask for the nearest boarding point rather than assuming the boat leaves from Faliraki Harbour itself.

The close timing of the stops means you should arrive early. Staff speak English, German, and Greek, and the operating team has been praised for being helpful when weather or rain affects the morning arrangements. The company has also used a minibus to keep people out of the rain before boarding.

The fast crossing to Symi

The ride to Symi takes about 80 minutes, with a 10-minute stop at Mandraki Harbour so people can get on or off. The high-speed boat is the main reason this day works well from Faliraki. You spend less time simply getting there and more time on the island.

A fast boat is not the same as a slow, sheltered ferry. Expect wind and spray, particularly when sitting outside. Some passengers found the ride smooth and quick, while others noted that it was quite windy. Fleeces may be provided, but bring a light layer of your own, even on a warm Rhodes morning.

The crossing gives you changing views of the Dodecanese coast and open sea. The boat ride itself is part of the outing, but it is also transport, so do not expect a long narrated cruise with a full program of commentary. The available host languages are English, German, and Greek.

If you are prone to seasickness, choose your seat with care and consider your usual response to fast boats. The trip is designed for speed, and weather can affect both comfort and the exact route.

Three hours among Symi’s pastel harbor buildings

Symi Town is the payoff. The boat enters a striking fishing harbor framed by pastel-colored neoclassical houses, with church domes adding color higher up the surrounding slopes. The setting is compact and photogenic, but three hours is not a huge amount of time.

You leave the boat and explore on your own. That freedom is useful because you can set your own pace instead of following a guide through every street. You might spend the first part walking around the harbor, then stop for lunch, browse shops, and find time for a swim.

The main harbor area is easy to use as your reference point. Still, keep an eye on the clock. It is tempting to wander farther uphill for better views, but the return boat will not wait for a relaxed final coffee.

Lunch is not included. You will find traditional tavernas around town, but the tour price does not cover a meal or drinks. If you want a leisurely lunch, allow enough time to be seated, eat, and return to the boarding area without rushing.

Symi can also feel very hot, particularly during the middle of the day. Wear a hat, use sunscreen, and carry water. The shaded streets and harbor restaurants provide relief, but your three hours are best planned rather than spent searching for a place at the last moment.

How to use your three hours wisely

I would divide the stop into three simple parts:

• First, walk the harbor and get your bearings.
• Next, have lunch or a drink at a traditional taverna.
• Finally, leave time for shopping, photographs, or a short swim before returning to the boat.

You can adjust that plan. If Symi’s architecture matters most, spend your time walking and looking up at the houses and domes. If the heat is strong, a long lunch and a quick wander may be more comfortable.

The stop is independent, so this is not the right trip if you want a detailed guided tour of every corner of Symi. It suits you better if you prefer choosing what to see, where to eat, and how long to linger.

Three hours is enough for a good first look. It is not enough to explore the whole island at a slow pace, and you should not expect a full-day visit to remote villages or beaches. The attraction here is a focused visit to the harbor town combined with a swim from the boat.

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

After leaving Symi, the boat makes a swimming stop at St. George’s Bay for about 30 minutes. The bay is reached by sea, and the steep coastal setting and clear water make it a memorable contrast to the built-up harbor.

This is a simple stop, not a full beach visit. You swim from the boat, then return aboard before the group continues to Rhodes. Bring a swimsuit under your clothes and keep a towel handy. If you do not want to swim, you can remain on deck and enjoy the sun and views.

Thirty minutes sounds short, but it works well after a hot walk through Symi. The water offers a genuine cooldown rather than a token photo stop. Several people considered this the best finishing touch of the day, though some wished they had more time.

Weather can change the plan. If conditions make St. George’s Bay unsuitable, the boat may stop at another bay with a swimming option. From late September and during October, the order may change, with the bay visited before Symi so the water remains in better light and the stop is not shaded later in the day.

That seasonal adjustment is worth knowing if you are booking for an autumn visit. The exact bay or order is not guaranteed, but the company aims to keep the swim stop attractive and safe.

Returning to Faliraki after a full day

The return includes about 1.5 hours of sightseeing by boat after the swimming stop. Depending on conditions and the day’s timing, the boat returns to the Faliraki-area drop-offs at the beach locations listed for the morning.

The full activity lasts about eight hours. A typical day begins around 9:45 to 10:00 AM and returns in the late afternoon. One reported return was around 5:20 PM, though weather, boarding, and sea conditions can affect the exact time.

By the ride home, you may be ready for a quiet evening. This is a full sun-and-sea day, not a short excursion squeezed between hotel activities. The high-speed boat helps, but it does not remove the distance between Rhodes and Symi.

The return ride is also when the wind may feel most tiring. Keep your fleece or light jacket close, protect your phone from spray, and do not leave your towel or valuables loose on deck.

What the $73 price really covers

At $73, you are paying mainly for transport convenience and time saved. The fare includes pickup directly from Faliraki, the fast return boat, the Symi stop, and the St. George’s Bay swim. It does not include lunch.

For someone staying in Faliraki, the value is stronger than it first appears. You avoid traveling to Rhodes Town by bus, and the boat picks up from the hotel beach area in several cases. That can make the day easier for families, couples, and anyone who dislikes early transfers.

The price is less compelling if you are already staying near Rhodes Town or if you want a slow, quiet ferry ride. In that case, compare the total transport cost and schedule with other Symi services. This particular trip is about direct access from Faliraki and a fast crossing.

Booking through a third-party site may offer flexible cancellation and reserve-now, pay-later terms, but the direct company price may be lower. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund under the stated policy.

Who will enjoy this boat day

I would recommend it most to:

• People staying in Faliraki who want to see Symi without a Rhodes Town bus transfer
• Couples and families who like independent time rather than a tightly guided visit
• Swimmers who will appreciate a clear-water stop after walking in the heat
• First-time visitors who want the harbor town, lunch, and a taste of Symi in one day
• Drivers who can use free parking at the Amada Colossos boat station

You should think twice if you dislike fast boats, wind, or long days in direct sun. The ride can be windy, and the three hours in Symi may feel brief if you want a slow exploration.

It is also not ideal if you need a fully guided cultural tour. Staff are available in English, German, and Greek, but the time in Symi is your own.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, though the beach boarding process and any minibus transfer are worth confirming before you book if you have specific mobility needs.

Small details that make the day better

Arrive early at your chosen pickup point and confirm whether you need to check in at the Faliraki Sea Lines desk first. Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking in town and easy to remove near the boat.

Pack sunscreen, water, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and a light jacket. The combination of bright sun and wind can fool you into forgetting both heat protection and a warm layer.

Keep cash or a payment method ready for lunch, since food is not included. Most important, watch the time in Symi. A final swim or coffee is only enjoyable if you are back at the boat before departure.

If the forecast looks unsettled, do not assume the day is automatically lost. The crew may change the bay, adjust the order, or provide a short minibus transfer when rain affects the beach meeting point. The sea still controls the final details, so keep a little flexibility in your plans.

Should you book the Faliraki to Symi boat?

Yes, if you are based in Faliraki and want the simplest route to Symi. The direct beach pickups, quick crossing, three hours in the harbor town, and St. George’s Bay swim create a well-balanced day for $73.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are getting a fast boat outing and an independent visit, not a slow ferry, a private cruise, or a full guided tour. If you can handle wind and sun, and you plan your three hours carefully, this is one of the most practical ways to add Symi to a Faliraki holiday.

FAQ

Where can I board the boat in Faliraki?

You can board from Faliraki Harbour, Apollo Blue Hotel beach, the beach between Calypso Beach Hotel and Blue Sea Beach Hotel, or Amada Colossos beach. Check the exact meeting instructions before departure.

What time does the boat leave?

The listed pickup times run from 9:45 AM at Faliraki Harbour to 10:00 AM at Amada Colossos. The other stops are scheduled at 9:50 and 9:55 AM.

How long do I get in Symi?

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

Is lunch included?

No. You pay for lunch and drinks yourself at one of Symi’s traditional tavernas or elsewhere in town.

How long is the swimming stop?

The stop at St. George’s Bay lasts about 30 minutes. Weather may lead the boat to use another bay or change the order of the stops.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you need a minibus transfer or beach boarding assistance, confirm the exact arrangements before booking.