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

Symi’s harbor is the star here. Pastel neoclassical houses climb the hills around a bright fishing port, and the fastest boat service from southeastern Rhodes gives you a useful three hours on the island. You’ll also stop at Saint George Bay, where huge cliffs rise above clear water.

I like that you can board near Kiotari, Lardos, or Lindos instead of spending extra time on a bus to Rhodes Town. I also like the simple shape of the day: scenic crossing, free time for lunch and wandering, then a swim. The main catch is timing. From late September into October, the order of the stops matters, since Saint George Bay can fall into shade after the Symi visit.

• A fast southern Rhodes departure: Board the Aphrodite Princess near Kiotari or Lardos, with pickup also available from the Lindos area.
• Three hours in Symi town: Enough time for the harbor, a meal, photographs, and a little uphill wandering, but not a full island tour.
• A 30-minute Saint George Bay swim: The cliffs and clear water make this a memorable stop, especially when the sun is still on the bay.
• No standard bus transfer from the south: This is especially useful if you are staying around Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos.
• A full nine-hour outing: The boat ride takes a large part of the day, so plan this as one of your main excursions from Rhodes.
• Late-season caution: In October, the crew may visit Symi before Saint George Bay, when the bay can be shaded and the water may look darker.

Why Symi Makes This Boat Trip Worth Considering

Symi is one of those Greek islands that earns its reputation before you even step ashore. The approach by sea reveals a curved harbor lined with colorful houses, church domes, and fishing boats. From the water, the town looks carefully arranged, though its charm comes from the small details: painted shutters, narrow streets, and the steep hills behind the waterfront.

I like this trip because it gets you to that view without making you commit to a complicated island-hopping plan. You board in the southeastern part of Rhodes and head straight across the Dodecanese sea. For anyone based around Kiotari or Lardos, that matters. A standard excursion from the northern side of Rhodes can add a long road transfer before the boat even leaves.

The trip costs $147 per person. That is not a cheap beach outing, but the price covers a full day, the boat crossing, time on Symi, and the swim stop. The value improves if you are staying south and would otherwise need to arrange transport to another port. It is less compelling if your main goal is simply a short swim or a quiet boat ride, since this is a long day with nearly five hours of total boat travel.

Boarding Near Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, and Lindos

The boat is the Aphrodite Princess. Pickup is listed from the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, Lindos Imperial Hotel on Kiotari Beach, and Costa Lindia Hotel on Lardos Beach. The available southern pickup points include Kiotari and Lardos, while the service also covers the Lindos area.

Pay close attention to the operating days. Lardos is served only on Wednesdays and Fridays. Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach are served Tuesday through Friday. That schedule is important because a nearby pickup point may not run on the day you want.

There is also a short stop at Mandraki Harbour, where people can get on or off. It lasts about 10 minutes, so do not treat it as a sightseeing stop. You may see a little of Rhodes Town’s harbor, but the real destination is Symi.

The pickup arrangement is a strong point for people staying in the south. You avoid a long bus ride across Rhodes, and you begin the excursion close to your hotel area. Still, check the exact meeting point carefully. Beach access and hotel names are specific, and a morning spent searching for the red steps would be a poor start to an otherwise easy day.

The High-Speed Crossing to Symi

The first boat journey takes roughly two hours and 20 minutes. That sounds long, but the high-speed service is the reason this trip works as a day excursion from southern Rhodes. A slower boat could leave you with too little time on Symi.

You should expect the crossing to be part of the experience, not just a transfer. The sea views are the main attraction, and you can spend part of the ride outside if the conditions allow. Bring sunscreen, as the open deck gives you the best views but also leaves you exposed to the sun.

The ride may feel lengthy if you are hoping to spend most of the day on land. I would choose a seat with your comfort in mind, keep water handy, and avoid treating the crossing as a quick shuttle. The full outing lasts about nine hours, and the return ride is also substantial.

English, Greek, and German assistance is available. No individual guide name is provided, and this is mainly a boat transfer with free time rather than a guided walking tour of Symi. That distinction matters. You will receive help from the host or greeter, but you should not expect a detailed, hour-by-hour guided visit once you arrive.

Arriving in Symi’s Pastel Harbor

The arrival is the visual payoff. Symi’s fishing harbor is framed by pastel-colored neoclassical buildings, many built close together on the slopes around the water. Colorful church domes add another layer to the view, and the bright sea makes the whole harbor feel almost painted.

You will have about three hours on your own. That is enough for a pleasant first look at the waterfront, a traditional meal, and some time in the streets behind the harbor. It is not enough to see every corner of the island or make a long trip away from the port.

I would begin by walking along the harbor to get your bearings. The waterfront gives you the classic photographs, while the streets rising behind it offer a closer look at the town’s architecture. If you want lunch, several traditional tavernas are available, but it is at your own expense. Since the visit is fixed at three hours, keep an eye on the time before settling into a long meal.

The local baby shrimp are a well-known food to try here, and they are one of the more distinctive things to order if you want something connected to Symi. You can also choose a simpler meal or use the free time for a swim. The tour does not include lunch, so plan for that extra cost.

Three hours is a fair compromise. You get enough time to enjoy Symi without the boat arriving home too late, but you should not expect a slow island day. If you want museums, remote beaches, or a full island drive, this excursion will feel limited. If you want the harbor town and a meal by the water, the timing works well.

Saint George Bay and the 30-Minute Swim

Saint George Bay is the other major reason to book. The boat passes along the coast before stopping for about 30 minutes in a striking cove. Huge rocks rise above the bay, and the water is known for its clear blue color.

This is a swimming stop, not a beach visit. You should be ready to get into the water from the boat, and you will not have a long stretch of sand for lounging. Bring sunscreen and whatever you need for a quick swim. If you prefer to stay dry, you can use the time to sit on deck and take in the cliffs.

The timing can make a real difference. From the end of September through October, the boat may visit Saint George Bay before Symi because the bay can be shaded later in the day. One late-season account described the water after the Symi visit as dark rather than bright, with the sun already hidden behind the cliffs. That is a practical warning, not a minor detail. If the bay’s color is one of your main reasons for booking, earlier sunlight gives you a better chance of seeing it at its best.

In summer, the sequence may feel less important. In late season, ask the crew about the order of stops when you board. The schedule can change, but knowing the plan helps you set expectations. A 30-minute swim is brief, yet it breaks up the long return crossing and gives the day a welcome change of pace.

How the Day’s Timing Works

The advertised duration is nine hours. The rough pattern is:

• Pickup at Kiotari, Lardos, or the Lindos area
• High-speed boat ride to Symi, about two hours and 20 minutes
• Three hours of free time in Symi
• Boat ride toward Saint George Bay, about 20 minutes
• Thirty-minute swim stop
• Return boat ride to Rhodes, about two hours and 20 minutes
• Drop-off at the southern pickup area

The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule for your date. The day is structured and fairly simple, but the crossing dominates it. I would not book this alongside another major activity.

The best use of your three hours is to choose your priorities before arrival. You could spend the time on the harbor, lunch, and a short walk. Or you could focus on photographs and a swim. Trying to eat slowly, walk far uphill, shop at length, and swim may leave you watching the clock.

The short Mandraki Harbour stop can also affect the morning rhythm. It is a quick boarding and disembarking pause, not a chance to see Rhodes Town. Treat it as part of the transfer.

What the $147 Price Buys You

At $147, this is a premium day trip. Its strongest value comes from location. If you are staying in Kiotari or Lardos, the nearby departure can save you a long land transfer to a northern port. You are paying for direct access to Symi, a high-speed crossing, and a full day at sea.

The free time on Symi is also valuable because you control it. A guided group meal or fixed walking route can make a beautiful town feel rushed in the wrong places. Here, you decide if you want to eat, swim, photograph the harbor, or simply sit beside the water.

The price does not include lunch, and there is no indication that food or drinks are included. Budget for your own meal and bring sunscreen. If you want a highly guided cultural tour, this may not be the best use of your money. You are buying transportation and access, not an expert-led tour of Symi.

The experience has a published rating of 4.7 from 46 ratings, and 89 percent of ratings give the transport a perfect score. That supports the idea that the boat service is the central strength. Still, the late-season Saint George Bay issue shows why a high overall score does not remove the need to check the season and stop order.

Who Will Enjoy This Most

I would recommend this excursion to you if you are staying south of Rhodes and want to see another Dodecanese island without arranging several separate transfers. It also suits anyone who prefers free time to a tightly guided walking tour.

You will probably enjoy it most if you like:

• Scenic boat rides and open-water views
• Colorful harbor towns
• Traditional food, including local baby shrimp
• Short swimming stops
• Making your own plan once ashore
• Full-day outings with a clear schedule

Families and couples can use the free time differently, which is helpful. One person can focus on lunch while another walks along the harbor. Swimmers will appreciate Saint George Bay, though the 30-minute stop is short.

I would think twice if you dislike long boat rides, need lots of shade, or want a quiet day with no fixed return time. The sea crossing is a major part of the excursion. Also, anyone booking in late September or October should be realistic about the bay. The water may not have the bright look shown in sunny-season photographs if the cliffs are already in shade.

A Few Practical Ways to Improve the Day

Check the operating day before booking, especially if you are relying on Lardos pickup. Lardos operates Wednesdays and Fridays, while Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach operate Tuesday through Friday.

Bring sunscreen even if the morning feels mild. The boat ride and swimming stop put you in direct sun, and the exposed deck is likely to be the most appealing place to sit.

Plan your Symi visit before you arrive. Choose one meal, one walk, and one photo area rather than trying to cover the whole town. Three hours sounds generous until you add lunch and the time needed to return to the boat.

If you are going in the later season, ask whether Saint George Bay comes first. The timing can affect the color and feel of the swim stop more than you might expect.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking give you some useful flexibility. The host or greeter can assist in English, Greek, or German.

Should You Book the Symi Speedboat?

Book it if you are based around Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos and want a practical way to see Symi in one long day. The pastel harbor, three hours of independent time, and Saint George Bay swim create a good mix of scenery, food, and sea time.

I would book in the warmer part of the season if the bright-water swim is your top priority. For late September or October, confirm the stop order first. If you accept the long crossing and limited time on land, the $147 price can make sense, especially because you avoid a separate bus ride to another Rhodes port. If you want a guided cultural tour or a relaxed beach day, choose something else.

FAQ

How long does the Symi boat tour last?

The excursion lasts about nine hours, including the boat rides, three hours in Symi, the swim stop, and the return to Rhodes.

Where can I board the boat?

Pickup is available near Kiotari, Lardos, and the Lindos area. Listed points include the red steps below Rodos Maris Hotel, Lindos Imperial Hotel on Kiotari Beach, and Costa Lindia Hotel on Lardos Beach.

Does the boat stop in Lardos every day?

No. The boat stops in Lardos on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Which days does the boat stop at Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach?

Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach are served Tuesday through Friday.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours of free time to walk around, eat at your own expense, swim, or enjoy the harbor.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, so you pay separately at one of Symi’s traditional tavernas or choose another meal option.

How long is the swimming stop at Saint George Bay?

The boat stops for about 30 minutes. The stop is for swimming in the clear water beneath the large cliffs.

What languages are available during the activity?

Host or greeter assistance is available in English, Greek, and German.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.