Best of · RHODES ISLAND HOPPING TOURS
The 13 best rhodes island hopping tours you can book today, with the per-head price, how long the day runs and how many landings you get. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Ride a high-speed boat from Rhodes to Symi, enjoy about three hours to wander, eat, shop, or swim, then stop at Saint George’s Bay for a 30-minute swim. The 9:00 and 11:00 departures include swimming. The 15:15 sailing offers only a photo stop.
“Fantastic experience! Thoroughly recommend. Staff friendly and swim off boat at St George Bay stunning 🤩”
Set out from Mandraki Harbour at 10:00 for a full-day cruise to St George’s Bay and Symi. Swim in clear water, use the boat’s float aids, then spend about three hours in Gialos for lunch and a walk. Captain Yannis and the crew help keep the trip friendly and well organized.
“pretty well i highly recommend, the crew was super nice and there is a kind lady on the ship who gives everyone a lemon to chew on for seasickness:))”
Take the Nikolaos X ferry from Rhodes to Symi, stopping first at Panormitis Monastery for about an hour, then spend 3.5 to 4 hours in Symi Town. You’ll have open-deck and indoor seating, a snack bar, bathrooms, hotel transfers on selected options, and a map for exploring independently.
“Absolutely beautiful island Plenty time to wander and do some exploring. The monastery visit was respectful despite there being so many of us. The town of Symi is stunning, time to swim, eat or climb into the town for spectacular views.”
Spend a full day sailing from Rhodes to Symi, with about an hour to swim at clear-water St George Bay and three hours to explore Symi town. The boat has toilets and a snack bar, while hotel pickup is available for an added fee. Expect a long, sometimes choppy ride.
“Our trip to Symi Island and St. George Bay was absolutely amazing! The crystal-clear waters were breathtaking, and swimming there felt like a dream. Symi itself is stunning – it honestly feels like stepping into a movie set, with colorful houses and such a unique atmosphere. The food was delicious, and the staff were very professional, making sure everything went smoothly from start to finish. We also had transport provided, which was very convenient and made the whole experience stress-free. The only downside (and kind of a funny one) was the boat itself – a bit rusty, crowded, and not the safest-looking. But when you’re young, you just want to…”
Spend eight hours cruising from Rhodes to Symi aboard the modern Doll boat. Swim and snorkel at St. George’s Bay, then enjoy three hours in Yialos for lunch, shopping, and views of Symi’s neoclassical harbour. Hotel transfers, Wi-Fi, toilets, shade, and snorkelling gear are available.
“Communication as to which bus to get on when returning to hotel - we were told to get on the wrong bus. Driver took us off and put us in a taxi.”
Travel from Rhodes to Symi by fast boat, then explore the harbor town on your own. You get about four hours for colorful houses, shops, lunch, and waterfront views. Hotel pickup is available for an extra fee, and the mid-morning departure gives you time for breakfast.
“From booking to pickup at the hotel to the boat trip to Symi, everything was well organized, easy to follow instructions and messages to us ensuring our travel plans. The boat ride was wonderful, ample time in Symi . Overall a great experience.”
Rizos Cruises takes you from Rhodes Harbour to St Marina Bay for a 30-minute swim stop, then on to Symi for three hours of free time. Expect an eight-hour day, open-deck seating, onboard snacks and drinks for purchase, WiFi, toilets, and a slower ferry-style ride with fine sea views.
“I really liked it, but something that could improve is swimming around coral reefs, and free drinks at least if not food🙏🏻 but overall very fun experience.”
Take a fast boat from Rhodes Town to Symi, with hotel pickup available at selected resorts. You get about four hours to explore Gialos, shop for handmade goods, photograph the colorful hillside homes, and try Simiako Garidaki, the island’s baby shrimp dish.
“Trip was great exactly as advertised. George messaged me on WhatsApp confirming the arrangements for collecting the tickets which was very helpful. Would recommend booking this trip as it’s plenty of time in Symi to eat, shop and explore.”
Spend the morning among pine trees, streams, waterfalls, and seasonal butterflies in Rhodes’ Valley of the Butterflies, then cruise to Chalki for nearly four hours of free time. English-speaking guides such as Joseph add local tips, while you choose your own meal, walk, or swim.
“Bus come pick up from hotel on time. Smooth ride to the butterflies valley then head to the port to take ferry to Halki island which really beautiful had almost 4 hours to explore the village and went swim at the beach to refresh the super hot day.”
Take the high-speed Aphrodite Princess from Mandraki Harbour to Symi for about three hours of free time. Walk the pastel harbor, eat at a taverna, or swim before returning to Rhodes at sunset. This is independent sightseeing, not a guided tour, with food and drinks extra.
“It was great value for money, the staff were very friendly and it gave you plenty of time to explore Symi. I would however STRONGLY advise wearing swimwear/waterproof clothing as we were SOAKED by splashes of seawater on the journey.”
Travel from your Rhodes hotel to Symi by boat, then explore pastel houses, painted fishing boats, chapels, and the 400 steps of Kali Strata. A German-speaking guide leads the visit. Guides Zoe and Gabriel have been especially praised for their warm, informative style.
“Absolutely the most amazing trip we did on our honeymoon! Always recommend this trip to people when visiting Rhodes”
Ride the Aphrodite Princess from Kiotari, Lardos, or nearby Lindos to Symi. You get three hours to explore the harbor town, eat local baby shrimp, and swim for 30 minutes at Saint George Bay. The English, Greek, or German-speaking crew handles the boat ride, but your time on Symi is independent.
Cruise from Rhodes to Symi, stroll its pastel-painted harbor village, shop for sea sponges and spices, and pause for lunch by the water. Your guide speaks English, German, or French, and hotel pickup and drop-off make this a simple full-day island escape.
“it was very well organised and the guide was informative”
By hull, by landing, by how long you want to be out.
