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

Symi is the star here: a steep-sided Greek island whose pastel houses rise above a turquoise harbor like a painted theater set. This high-speed boat gives you about three hours ashore, enough time for a meal, a walk along the waterfront, and a quick look beyond the main harbor.

I like that you avoid the long bus transfer from southern Rhodes and that the trip includes a 30-minute swim at Saint George Bay. The main catch is timing. If the boat visits Symi before the bay late in the season, the cliffs can block the sun and the water may look much darker than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Three hours in Symi: Enough for a relaxed harbor visit, lunch, shopping, and a short walk, but not a full-island tour.
• Fast boat from southern Rhodes: Depart from Kiotari or Lardos, with pickup arrangements also covering the Lindos area.
• Saint George Bay swim: You get about 30 minutes in clear water beneath tall rocky cliffs.
• Seasonal route change: In late September and October, the boat may stop at Saint George Bay before Symi to catch better light.
• Local food to try: Symi is known for tiny local shrimp, a useful menu tip if you plan to eat ashore.
• Best fit: This works especially well if you are staying south of Rhodes and want a full-day island outing without a long road journey.

Why Symi makes a strong day trip from southern Rhodes

Rhodes has enough attractions to fill several days, but the south coast can feel far from the island’s main port. A trip to Symi by road and ferry can mean a tiring start before the boat even leaves. This excursion solves that problem with pickup points around Kiotari, Lardos, and the Lindos area, followed by a direct high-speed crossing.

The boat is called the Aphrodite Princess. Pickup is arranged at the red steps on the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, at Lindos Imperial Hotel on Kiotari Beach, and at Costa Lindia Hotel on Lardos Beach. The exact departure point matters, so check it carefully when you book. The schedule is not the same every day: Lardos is served on Wednesdays and Fridays, while Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach operate on Tuesdays through Fridays.

You should plan on a long day of about nine hours. The crossing takes roughly two hours and 20 minutes each way, so Symi is not a quick side trip. Still, the faster boat leaves you with a useful three-hour block on the island instead of spending most of the day in transit.

The ride out from Kiotari, Lardos, or Lindos

The trip begins along the southeastern coast of Rhodes. The boat also makes a 10-minute stop in Mandraki Harbour to let people get on and off. That stop is part of the service pattern, not a sightseeing visit, so do not count on time to explore Rhodes Town during it.

A high-speed boat is valuable here because the journey to Symi is long enough that every saved minute counts. You can spend your crossing looking out at the sea, sitting on deck when available, or simply treating the ride as part of the day. Bring sunscreen. The open water offers little protection, and the return trip may leave you tired after a full day in the sun.

The transport earns strong marks overall, with 89 percent of published ratings giving it a perfect score. That points to the boat service as one of the safest parts of the booking decision. Still, a speedboat is not the same as a quiet sailing cruise. If you want a slow, peaceful ride, this is probably not your ideal format. If you want to reach Symi with as much shore time as possible, it makes good sense.

Arriving in Symi’s colorful harbor

Your arrival is the visual payoff. Symi’s fishing harbor is lined with pastel neoclassical houses, and colorful church domes appear among the steep hills behind the water. The setting is compact enough to explore on foot, and the main waterfront gives you an immediate sense of the island’s character.

The harbor is also the practical center of your visit. Cafes, tavernas, shops, and waterfront paths are close together, so you do not need a complicated plan to use your three hours well. I would begin with a slow walk along the water, then climb a little if your energy and footwear allow. From higher points, you get the best view back across the stacked houses and fishing boats.

Three hours is a sensible amount of time for Symi town, but it comes with a clear limit. You are not getting a broad tour of the island or a long visit to several villages. Your time is mainly for the harbor town, a meal, a swim if you choose to use the waterfront, and perhaps a little shopping.

Keep an eye on the meeting time. The boat will not wait for a late lunch or a slow stroll. It is easy to lose track of time beside the water, especially when the harbor is at its prettiest.

What to eat during your three hours

You pay for lunch separately, but this is one place where spending a little extra can make the stop feel more connected to Symi. The island is associated with baby shrimp, tiny shrimp traditionally served as a local specialty. If you see them on a taverna menu, they are the obvious dish to consider.

You will also find numerous traditional tavernas around the harbor. The information available does not specify a particular restaurant, so I would avoid promising yourself a certain table or menu. Instead, use the first part of your visit to compare a few waterfront options, then choose a place that fits your timing and budget.

A long meal can consume most of your shore time. If food is your priority, sit down soon after arrival. If sightseeing matters more, take your harbor walk first and eat later. The important point is to treat three hours as a real limit, not as a loose suggestion.

Saint George Bay and the 30-minute swim

On the return route, the boat passes Saint George Bay, a dramatic cove framed by huge rocky cliffs. The water is described as clear and bright, and the stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is long enough for a refreshing swim, but not enough for a leisurely beach afternoon.

You should bring sunscreen and whatever you need to feel comfortable around the water. The available details confirm a swim stop but do not specify whether changing facilities are provided, so it is sensible to wear swimwear under your clothes and keep a dry layer handy.

The cliffs are the main attraction even if you decide not to swim. You can stay on deck, take in the unusual setting, and let the boat pause before the long run back to Rhodes. If you are not a confident swimmer, do not feel pressured to enter the water. The stop is part of the day, but swimming is optional in practical terms.

There is one important seasonal issue. From the end of September and through October, the crew may visit Saint George Bay before Symi rather than afterward. The reason is sunlight. Later in the season, the cliffs can shade the cove by the time the boat returns from Symi, making the water appear much darker than the bright images suggest.

This is not a minor detail if the swim stop is your main reason for booking. A recent October experience found the bay in shadow after the Symi visit, with water that looked dark rather than brilliantly blue. The route change should improve the light, but the exact conditions still depend on the day and the sun.

The return crossing and the shape of the day

After the bay stop, you have roughly two hours and 20 minutes on the boat before returning to Rhodes. By then, you will have had a full morning and afternoon at sea, so the trip may feel long even though the timetable is efficient.

The return is also when the value of the fast boat becomes clearest. A slower service could leave very little time in Symi, while this arrangement gives you a proper town visit plus the swim. You are paying for transport and access to the island rather than for a guided cultural program, so the boat ride is a major part of what you receive.

The host or greeter may speak English, Greek, or German. No specific guide name is provided, and the Symi visit is independent rather than a guided walking tour. That gives you freedom, but it also means you are responsible for managing your own time and deciding what to see.

Is $147 a fair price?

At $147 per person, this is not a bargain beach transfer. It is a full-day excursion with pickup, high-speed boat transportation, three hours in Symi, and a 30-minute bay stop. Lunch and other purchases on the island are extra.

I think the price makes the most sense if you are staying in Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or the Lindos area and would otherwise need a separate trip to Rhodes Town or another port. The included pickup and the lack of a long bus ride are meaningful conveniences. You are buying back time and avoiding extra transport planning.

The value is weaker if you are already close to a regular Symi ferry, if you want a much longer stay on the island, or if you prefer a small-group guided tour. This outing gives you a practical taste of Symi, not a slow examination of every corner.

The current rating is 4.7 from 46 ratings, and the transport receives a perfect score from 89 percent of published ratings. I would read that as a good sign for the basic boat operation, while keeping your expectations realistic about the independent shore time and the seasonal lighting at Saint George Bay.

Who should book this Symi boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you:

• Stay south of Rhodes and want a straightforward island day.
• Prefer a fast crossing to a long coach transfer.
• Like having free time rather than following a guide from sight to sight.
• Want both a town visit and a short swim stop.
• Are happy with a long nine-hour day.
• Can organize your own lunch and keep track of the departure time.

It is also a good fit for couples, families, and independent visitors who want to see Symi without arranging several separate transfers. The three-hour stop is long enough to make the island feel like more than a photo stop.

I would think twice if you need a slower pace, dislike long boat rides, want a fully guided visit, or are booking mainly for the strongest possible water color in October. The bay may be shaded later in the season, even with a sensible route change.

Practical booking advice

Check the operating day for your pickup point before paying. Lardos runs only on Wednesdays and Fridays, while Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach operate Tuesday through Friday. The pickup information also refers to Lindos-area access, including the beach below Rodos Maris Hotel, so confirm the exact meeting point rather than assuming the boat leaves from central Lindos.

Bring sunscreen as a minimum. I would also pack water, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and a dry top, although only sunscreen is specifically listed as required. Wear shoes that suit walking around Symi, since the town has sloping streets and you may want to move away from the waterfront.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Rhodes plans may shift, but they do not remove the need to check the weather and the operating schedule.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the simplest way to see Symi from southern Rhodes, value a fast boat, and like the idea of three independent hours in a beautiful harbor town followed by a short swim at Saint George Bay.

Skip it if you want a guided historical tour, a full day on Symi, or a guaranteed sunlit bay in late autumn. For most people staying around Kiotari, Lardos, Pefkos, or Lindos, the combination of pickup convenience, free time, and a swim stop makes the $147 fare reasonable. Just treat it as a well-planned introduction to Symi, not the final word on the island.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about 9 hours, including the boat rides, three hours in Symi, and the 30-minute swim stop at Saint George Bay.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from locations around Kiotari, Lardos, and the Lindos area. Specific points include the red beach 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 only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

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

The boat stops at Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately 3 hours to explore Symi independently.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch at a Symi taverna is at your own expense.

What local food can I try in Symi?

You can look for Symi’s local baby shrimp at one of the island’s traditional tavernas.

How long is the swim stop?

The swimming stop at Saint George Bay lasts about 30 minutes.

Can I swim at Saint George Bay?

Yes. The tour includes a stop for swimming in the clear water of Saint George Bay, though you can also remain on the boat if you prefer.

What languages are available from the host or greeter?

The host or greeter may speak English, Greek, or German.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen is specifically recommended. Swimwear and a towel are also practical for the Saint George Bay stop, although they are not listed as required items.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reservation option also allows you to book and pay later.