Boat Trip to Symi Island with swimming stop at St George Bay
Overview
Available languages
9 hours
Mobile ticket
Embark on a scenic voyage with Half Price Tours from Mandraki Harbor to the most picturesque island in the Dodecanese. Experience the vibrant architecture of Symi Town and dive into the emerald waters of St. George’s Bay - a secluded paradise accessible only by boat.
⚓️ Quick Facts
● Departure Point: Mandraki Harbor, Rhodes (Check-in at our office, Gallias 6, next to harbor).
● Hotel Pick-up: Available from Faliraki, Ialyssos, Ixia, Kolymbia, Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos, Gennadi, Theologos & Rhodes Town.
● Duration: ~8.5 Hours.
● Vessel Features: Cruiser with A/C lounges, sun decks, and a snack bar.
● Key Stops: Saint George Bay (1-hour swim) and Symi Town (3 hours free time).
❤️ Why Book With Half Price Tours?
● Unbeatable Value: We offer a premium experience at a "half-price" rate, making the beauty of Symi accessible to everyone.
● Modern Fleet: Our vessels feature shaded seating areas, clean restrooms, and a snack bar for your comfort.
● Trusted & Highly Rated on TripAdvisor.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Symi
Upon arrival, you have around 3 hours of free time to discover the island at your own pace: ✦ Architectural Landmarks: Walk the waterfront to see the Symi Clock Tower and the "Peace" statues of the sponge divers. ✦ Local Culture: Visit the famous Sponge Workshops to learn about Symi's deep-sea diving history and buy authentic sea sponges. ✦ Gastronomy: We highly recommend trying the famous "Symi Shrimp" (Simiako Garidaki) at a seaside taverna. These tiny, crispy shrimp are a local delicacy eaten whole. ✦ The Upper Town (Chorio): If you’re feeling active, climb the Kali Strata (500 stone steps) to reach the upper village for the best panoramic view in the Dodecanese.
Saint George Bay
On the way to Symi, we visit the legendary St. George’s Bay. This secluded paradise is famous for its 300-meter vertical cliffs that shield the turquoise waters from the wind. ✦ What to do: We drop anchor, allowing you to jump directly from the boat into the crystal-clear sea. ✦ Snorkeling: The water is incredibly transparent, making it the premier spot for snorkeling and underwater photography. ✦ We provide complimentary snorkeling gear and floating noodles so you can explore the underwater beauty.
Options
Pickup: Lindos, Pefkos, Lardos
This option includes: ✓ Boat Tickets. ✓ Hotel Pickup & Drop-off from Lindos, Pefkos, Kalathos, Lardos. Pickup included
Pickup: Lachania, Plimmiri
This option includes: ✓ Boat Tickets. ✓ Hotel Pickup & Drop-off in Lachania, Plimmiri. Pickup included
Pickup: Kiotari, Genadi, Fanes
This option includes: ✓ Boat Tickets. ✓ Hotel Pickup & Drop-off from Kiotari, Gennadi, Fanes. Pickup included
Pickup: Theologos, Kolymbia
This option includes: ✓ Boat Tickets. ✓ Hotel Pickup & Drop-off from Theologos, Kolymbia, Afandou. Pickup included
Pickup: Faliraki, Ialyssos
This option includes: ✓ Boat Tickets. ✓ Hotel Pickup & Drop-off in Rhodes city, Ixia, Ialysos, Faliraki, Kalithea & Kremasti. Pickup included
BOAT TRIP TO SYMI ISLAND WITH SWIMMING AT ST. GEORGE BAY
Meeting Point: This is the price only for the boat ticket, transfer not included. You have to come to the meeting point.
What‘s Included
Boat trip
Shower
Restroom on board
Lunch is not included. You will have free time in Symi island, where you can have lunch.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,867 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Beautiful day trip
popsUk,Jun 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We sailed on the Discovery, a beautiful boat plenty of room and air con inside which is very much appreciated on the way back from Symi. The bar is very well stocked with drinks and snacks including sandwiches and toasties. The staff were great and worked hard to make it and enjoyable trip for all. My only negative would be that more time in St George’s bay would be better and the stop there after Symi instead of before would make more sense as the town is stifling hot. But I would still highly recommend this trip.
I think if I was to...
Patricia W,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00I think if I was to re-book this trip I'd probably go with a fast boat as the journey was very long and there also wasn't really enough room for everyone. We were picked up by the transfer service promptly, everyone was really friendly and we got to the ferry 30 mins before it was due to leave and only just managed to get a seat on the top deck. I would also note the shop on the ferry only takes cash so make sure you have some if you're wanting to purchase anything. Symi itself was incredible - I think 3 hours there was a good amount of time.
A grand day out to Symi
jenniesN3265NK,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a smooth booking with half price tours. The agent was courteous and helpful. We were picked up from the hotel and taken directly to Rhodes town centre. The sail across to Symi was lovely. The boat didn't leak ... lol, so we floated along nicely. SYMI is picturesque. A place to walk, shop chill a day relax. It was worth the visit.
Beautiful St. George and unique Symi architecture
jar13080,Jun 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00St. George’s bay was beautiful and lots of fun. Symi island and town with its unique architecture felt like I was really on the other side of the world. We loved it
Amazing day at the sea
FarAway46129649737,Jun 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing day at the sea, kind staff and clear instructions. Swimming at the bay and Symi island were beautiful.
Amazing Experience - Great Tour Company
Mike K,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time on this tour. The stop at St. George’s Bay was amazing. Symi is a nice destination, too. Crew on the boat was great. Get there early to secure some spots on the top deck - towards the back.
Not a VIP trip
Parky1974,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00A bit of a disappointment Symi is beautiful and well worth visiting However, this trip is 8hrs and only gives you 3hrs actually there. Fast boat there of 1hr is completely misleading! 1.5hrs+ to get to the bay for swimming and then another 20+ mins from there On way back depart at 4.15 and 2hr return. Lots of people, busy boat nd plastic chairs on upper deck. Would not recommend
Fabulous !!
Traveler36213042435,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went on the Doll boat trip to Symi Island and St George’s Bay, and had the most amazing day! The views were absolutely stunning, and the whole experience was so well organised from start to finish. The staff were incredibly friendly, helpful, and professional. They made sure everyone felt safe, helped people in and out of the water, and gave clear instructions throughout the day. The transfers to and from the boat were smooth, with easy-to-follow meeting times and locations. We had a lovely swim in the crystal-clear waters of St George’s Bay, and the boat even provided snorkelling equipment and pool noodles, which was a great touch. After that, we had around three hours to explore the beautiful town of Symi, which was absolutely gorgeous. The snacks and drinks on board were a little on the expensive side, but nothing unreasonable for a boat trip. The toilet facilities were also clean and surprisingly spacious, much better than on most boat trips I’ve been on. On the journey back, the sea became quite rough, and everyone on the top deck had to move downstairs. The crew handled the situation quickly, calmly, and efficiently, making sure everyone was safe and reassured throughout. Overall, we had such a fantastic experience and would highly recommend this trip to anyone visiting Rhodes. If you’re looking for a boat trip, this is definitely the one to book! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 hours of travel for 3 hours of activity.
francescobB6539CR,Jun 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00The trip to the island takes way too long, 5 hours in total (round trip) for just 40 minutes of swimming in a bay (which was nice, but you can find that on Rhodes without a 2.5-hour drive), and Simy Island itself is nothing breathtaking...
Amazing trip to Symi and St George's Bay!
loladL7782XS,Jun 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked this trip with Half Price Tour through our hotel. The organization was spot on and with the included shuttle, everything went perfectly! It's worth noting that the boat ride takes about 2 hours. The stop at St George's Bay is exceptional: the bay is surrounded by huge cliffs, and it is truly stunning. You can jump right off the boat to swim, and the crew even lent us pool noodles. Regarding the stop on Symi island, it was really nice as well and the town is gorgeous. There are plenty of restaurants to eat at, but a quick tip: pack your own food. This not only avoids extra costs but, more importantly, saves precious time so you can fully explore the island at your own pace. I highly recommend it, a great day out!
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Operated by Half Price Tours