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 unusually easy. You avoid the early bus ride to Rhodes town and get a fast, scenic run across the sea instead. Arrive at Symi’s harbor, spend about three hours on your own, then cool off in the clear water of St George’s Bay.

I like the well-kept timetable and the chance to see Symi without giving up a whole night or dealing with a long land transfer. I also like the balance of town time and swimming time. The tradeoff is simple: the speedboat can be wet and the journey to Symi takes roughly two hours, especially if there is a short pickup stop in Rhodes.

Key points at a glance

• Kolymbia Harbour departure: Walk to the boat instead of taking an early bus to Rhodes town.
• Three hours in Symi: Enough time for the harbor, shops, lunch, drinks, and a quick swim.
• High-speed crossing: Fast and exciting, but bring a cover-up because spray can reach the seats.
• St George’s Bay swim: A 30-minute stop in clear turquoise water on the return trip.
• Strict timing: The boat runs on schedule, so be back at the agreed departure point early.
• Bring your own water: No drinks are available on the boat, according to the practical information supplied by the operator.

Why the Kolymbia departure matters

Many Symi excursions begin with a bus transfer to Rhodes town, often at an hour that makes breakfast feel like a distant dream. This trip starts at Kolymbia Harbour, which is a real advantage if you are staying nearby. One account describes the harbor as only a five-minute walk from a hotel, though your own walk will depend on where you are staying.

The boat is scheduled to arrive in Kolymbia at about 10:15, with a return around 18:00. That gives you a full eight-hour outing without the crack-of-dawn start used by some other services. You still spend much of the day on the water, but the timing feels more like a holiday than a military operation.

The boat may stop at Rhodes town to pick up or drop off passengers. This can add a little time, but it is not described as a long wait. One stop lasted about five minutes, giving passengers a quick view toward Rhodes’ old town castle. On some departures, you may also change boats at Rhodes Harbour, with the vessels side by side. That is worth knowing before you book, even though it has not caused a major problem for the well-organized schedule.

The high-speed ride to Symi

The crossing is part of the attraction, not just transport. You leave Kolymbia and head across the brilliant blue Dodecanese sea, with the boat moving much faster than a conventional ferry. The ride to Symi takes about two hours, including any Rhodes stop.

High speed brings two different moods. If you enjoy wind, spray, and the feeling of racing across open water, you will find the ride fun. If you want a dry, quiet ferry crossing, sit accordingly and pack with care. A recent summer account specifically warns that you should be prepared to get very wet. Keep phones, cameras, towels, and any medication in a waterproof bag.

The boat has no drinks available, so bring water with you. This is not a small point in the Greek summer heat. You will have food and drink options once you reach Symi, but the crossing and the return trip still leave you exposed to sun and wind. A hat with a secure strap, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light cover-up are sensible choices.

The English-speaking host or greeter provides the working language for the trip. The useful feature here is not a long guided talk, but clear instructions about departure times and meeting points. The schedule is treated seriously. If the boat leaves Symi at 15:15, you need to be ready then, not wandering toward the harbor at 15:16.

Arriving at Symi’s picture-book harbor

Symi announces itself gradually, then all at once. The boat approaches a fishing harbor framed by pastel-colored neoclassical buildings. Houses rise around the bay in layers, and colorful church domes add small flashes of color above the rooftops.

This is the kind of arrival where you should put your phone away for a moment and simply look. The harbor is the main visual reward of the trip, and you see it best from the water before stepping ashore. The scene feels more intimate than a large port arrival because the town wraps closely around the bay.

Once you disembark, you are on your own for approximately three hours. There is no supplied walking tour, so you set the pace. That freedom works well here. You can stroll along the waterfront, browse shops, stop for a meal, or find a place to sit with a drink and watch the boats.

Three hours is a useful amount of time for a first visit. It is long enough to see the harbor without spending the entire afternoon in the hottest part of the day. It is not long enough for an ambitious island exploration beyond the main town, so you should think of this as a Symi harbor visit rather than a full island tour.

Making the most of three hours ashore

Start with a slow walk along the waterfront. The harbor is compact enough to explore without a rigid plan, and the colorful buildings provide the backdrop at every turn. You will find traditional tavernas and places for snacks, drinks, and lunch, but your meal is not included in the tour price.

If you want to try local food, look for Symi mini shrimps. They are one of the island’s best-known specialties and are often served whole. Pair them with local ouzo if that suits you, but keep an eye on the clock. The boat will not wait for a leisurely second round.

You can also use part of your free time for a swim near the harbor. One account describes finding a swimming spot near the clock tower, a useful way to cool down after walking through town. The harbor swim is optional and separate from the planned stop at St George’s Bay.

For a quieter finish, walk toward the end of the harbor and settle at a cafe for a snack or cocktail. A waterside stop with a view can be a better use of your final half-hour than trying to squeeze in one more shop. The important thing is to leave time to return to the boat without a sprint.

Symi is beautiful enough to tempt you into over-planning. Resist that urge. The outing gives you three hours, and the smartest plan is to choose two or three priorities: see the harbor, eat something local, and swim or stop for a drink.

The return trip and St George’s Bay

The swim stop at St George’s Bay is the second major reason to choose this outing. The boat passes along the coast before stopping for about 30 minutes in a striking bay with clear turquoise water and steep surroundings.

After a hot walk around Symi, the timing is excellent. You can jump in for a swim, cool your feet, or stay on deck and enjoy the sun. The water is the main event, so bring swimwear under your clothes and keep a towel accessible rather than buried in a bag.

The stop is a boat swim, not a beach visit. The boat does not necessarily anchor close enough for you to swim ashore and explore the beach. If you had pictured walking onto the sand, adjust your expectations. You get a refreshing half-hour in the bay, but not a land-based visit.

That limitation will matter more to some people than others. I would be very happy with the water stop if swimming is the goal. If you want to inspect the beach, take a walk, or explore the bay on foot, this trip may feel too brief. The stop may last a little longer than 30 minutes on some departures, but you should plan around the stated time rather than count on an extension.

The return crossing gives you another chance to take in the coast, but it is also when sun fatigue can catch up with you. Drink water, use sunscreen again, and sit where you are comfortable with the wind and spray.

What the $106 price delivers

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Symi. But price alone misses the key saving: you are paying for a direct Kolymbia departure and a high-speed boat, not only for the time on the island.

The value is strongest if you are staying in Kolymbia and would otherwise need a bus or taxi to Rhodes town. You save the early start, the land transfer, and the hassle of reaching the main port. You also get the St George’s Bay swim, which is not simply a transport connection.

Your own lunch, drinks, and snacks are extra. Since food is not included and the boat has no drinks available, the real cost is higher than the ticket price. Pack water before boarding and budget separately for lunch or a cafe stop in Symi.

The trip has received a 4.9 rating from 123 bookings, with 93 percent awarding transport a perfect score. The praise focuses on punctuality, direct access from Kolymbia, the beauty of Symi, and the swim stop. The main practical caution is not poor organization. It is the need to follow the timetable and prepare for a wet, sunny boat ride.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this for anyone staying in Kolymbia who wants a simple day trip with strong scenery and little land-based hassle. Couples, families with older children, and independent visitors who prefer free time over a guided walking tour should find the format appealing.

It also suits you if you want two different experiences in one day: a pretty harbor town and a clear-water swim. You can eat local food, wander at your own pace, and decide how active you want to be.

The trip is less suitable if you dislike speedboats, get seasick easily, or need a slow, sheltered ferry. It is also not the best choice if you want a detailed historical tour of Symi, a long beach visit, or a full island circuit. The schedule gives you a focused taste of the island, not an exhaustive visit.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the free-time portion is independent and the swimming stop involves entering the water from the boat. If access needs are important for your group, confirm the practical boarding and swimming arrangements before booking.

Practical planning for a smoother day

Wear swimwear beneath light clothes. That saves time at St George’s Bay and lets you handle spray on the outward crossing without fuss.

Bring:

• Water and any snacks you want for the boat
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• A towel and dry clothes
• A waterproof pouch for phones and valuables
• Comfortable shoes for walking around Symi
• Cash or a payment method for lunch, drinks, and local food

Keep your return time visible. The precise schedule is one of this outing’s strengths, but it also means lateness affects everyone on board. Set an alarm before you leave the boat, then return to the meeting point with time to spare.

If you want lunch in Symi, do not wait until the final few minutes. A sit-down meal can easily use more of your three hours than expected. If the harbor is crowded, a quick snack and drink may give you more time to walk and swim.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Availability and starting times should be checked for your chosen date.

Should you book the Kolymbia to Symi boat?

Yes, if you want the easiest practical route from Kolymbia and like the idea of combining Symi’s harbor with a short swim in St George’s Bay. The direct harbor departure, reliable timing, three hours ashore, and high-speed crossing make the $106 fare reasonable for a full day out.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are not getting a guided tour, a beach landing at St George’s Bay, or included refreshments. You are getting a fast boat, free time in one of the Dodecanese’s prettiest harbor towns, and a memorable swim stop.

Bring water, protect your belongings from spray, and treat the departure time as firm. Do that, and this is a strong, well-balanced day trip from Kolymbia.

FAQ

Where does the boat leave from?

The boat picks you up at Kolymbia Harbour.

How long does the activity last?

The total duration is eight hours. The scheduled departure is around 10:15, with a return around 18:00 on the departures described.

How much free time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately three hours to explore Symi independently.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch, drinks, and snacks in Symi are at your own expense.

How long is the swim stop at St George’s Bay?

The planned swimming stop lasts 30 minutes.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.