Rhodes: Symi Yacht Tour with Unlimited Drinks and Transfer

Symi is the star here, but the best part may be the way you reach it. This is a fast yacht trip with a small group, a Greek lunch, and two swim stops that turn a simple island visit into a full day on the water. Symi Town’s painted houses are the visual prize, while St. George Bay supplies the big swim.

I like the generous two-hour stop in town, which gives you time for the harbor, side streets, and a drink without a mad dash back to the boat. I also like the 25-person maximum. You get more room than on the large excursion boats, and the crew can keep the drinks and lunch moving.

The main catch is the sea journey. It can be fast, windy, wet, and bumpy, especially on the open water. Bring seasickness tablets if you need them, and take a hoodie or light coat in the morning, even in summer.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours in Symi Town: Enough time for the harbor, small lanes, shops, and a meal or coffee of your own.
• St. George Bay swim stop: Clear water, steep rock walls, and lunch served while you swim or sunbathe.
• Seskli Island: A quieter second stop with wild scenery, snorkeling, goats, and a small island church.
• Small yacht, maximum 25 people: More comfortable than the crowded boats that run the same route.
• Food and drinks included: Greek salad and moussaka are served with unlimited water, wine, beer, soft drinks, coffee, and tea.
• Plan for a bumpy ride: The front cushions can be exposed to spray, and getting into the sea may be awkward for some people.

Why this Rhodes to Symi trip is worth considering

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Symi. It is priced as a full-day yacht outing rather than a basic boat transfer, and that difference matters.

Your fare covers the fast cruise, lunch, unlimited drinks, two swimming stops, and time in Symi. You are also sharing the yacht with no more than 25 people, at least in the stated setup. That means fewer bodies competing for seats, less waiting for food, and a better chance of finding a quiet corner during the long ride home.

I would compare the price with the large boats before booking. If you only want transport to Symi and a few hours ashore, a cheaper option may do the job. If you want the day to include swimming, food, drinks, and a more personal crew, the extra cost is easier to justify.

The crew is a major part of the value. Anna, Antonio, and Emily are among the staff members singled out for kind, attentive service. The crew has also marked birthdays and honeymoons with small surprises, including cake, pastries, and a cocktail. That is not a guaranteed feature, but it shows the personal tone of the operation.

Boarding in Mandraki and settling into the yacht

The day begins at Mandraki port in Rhodes. Check-in is followed by coffee, tea, or water while you get comfortable on board. The yacht has indoor and outdoor areas, a changing room, and equipment such as snorkels, goggles, life jackets, and foam floats for the swimming stops.

The front cushions are tempting because they offer the best sense of speed and open sea. They can also be the wettest and roughest place to sit. One useful warning from the crew is that the front can be rocky and full of spray during the first part of the crossing. If you prefer a smoother ride, sit farther back.

The yacht is described as fast, but the trip to Symi still takes about an hour and twenty minutes in some conditions. Wind and sea state can change the feel of the crossing. A calm day may be easy, while a rougher day can leave you damp and queasy before breakfast has settled.

I would pack a light jacket or hoodie for the morning, especially outside the main summer months. October departures can feel chilly, and the open deck offers little protection from wind. Keep seasickness medicine in your day bag rather than in luggage stored below.

Entering Symi Town after the open-water crossing

The yacht first heads to Symi Yalos, the island’s main harbor. The approach is one of the strongest moments of the trip. Colorful neo-classical houses climb the hills around the water, giving the harbor an orderly, almost theatrical look as the yacht glides in.

You get about two hours to explore. That is a useful amount of time. You can stroll along the fishing port, look into the narrow lanes, browse local shops, and stop for a coffee or something from the harbor restaurants. The more energetic can walk uphill toward the older part of town, while others can stay close to the waterfront.

Do not expect a long museum day or a packed program of sights. Symi’s appeal is the setting, the architecture, the harbor, and the pleasure of wandering without a strict route. One practical choice is to decide early how much walking you want. The hills and lanes are rewarding, but the heat can make a climb feel longer than it looks from the water.

The two-hour stop also lets you avoid a common island-tour problem: arriving somewhere beautiful with only enough time for one hurried photograph. You can get your bearings, sit down for breakfast or a drink, and still return to the yacht without sprinting.

I would not fill the entire stop with shopping. The best use of your time is a slow walk around the harbor and uphill streets, followed by a little time sitting by the water. Symi is a place to look around rather than conquer.

Lunch and swimming at St. George Bay

After Symi, the yacht sails to St. George Bay. This is the main swimming stop and often the day’s most dramatic setting. The bay has golden sand, clear water, and steep rocky walls that make the swimming area feel enclosed and remote.

You can get into the water from the yacht, use the available flotation equipment, or stay on deck and sunbathe. The water is also suitable for snorkeling, and masks and snorkels are available to use. You may see fish close to the rocks, though this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling expedition. Think of it as a beautiful swim with a chance to look below the surface.

Lunch is served while the yacht is anchored. The meal includes Greek salad and moussaka, with dietary needs handled when possible within the limits of preparing food on a boat. The food is a useful part of the package because you do not need to leave the bay in search of a meal or pay for lunch ashore.

Drinks are available throughout the day. The included selection is water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. This is not a cocktail cruise with a long bar menu, and one past note points out that the drink range is fairly simple. Still, unlimited cold drinks with lunch are valuable on a sunny day, especially after swimming.

The timing works well because you can swim before eating, have lunch, then return to the water. If you dislike jumping from a boat, ask the crew about the easier access point. The yacht has a platform at water level and a way to get back aboard, but climbing out of the sea may still be difficult for some people.

Seskli Island and the second swim

The final stop is Seskli, a small private island near Symi. It has a more untouched feel than the main town, with wild ground, open views, goats, and a small church. There are no colorful harbor streets or rows of shops here. The attraction is the quiet setting and the chance to swim somewhere less developed.

This second stop gives the day a good change of pace. St. George Bay is dramatic and enclosed by cliffs, while Seskli feels open and spare. You can snorkel, float, sunbathe, or simply look back at the yacht and the surrounding coast.

The snorkeling here may be more about exploring the water and spotting shells than seeing a large range of marine life. That is not a criticism. It is a relaxed swim stop, not a wildlife tour, and the clear water makes it enjoyable even if you spend most of the time floating.

The stops are long enough to feel like real visits rather than quick dips. That matters on an eight-hour outing. You are not spending the whole day rushing from one photo stop to the next.

The ride back to Rhodes

The return crossing takes you past beaches and isolated coves along the east coast. After a day of swimming and drinks, this is when the open deck becomes especially pleasant. You can dry off, watch the coast, and let the crew handle the return trip to Mandraki port.

The ride can still be rough. The boat’s speed is part of the appeal, but it also means more spray and motion than a slow ferry. Keep a dry layer with you and protect your phone if you plan to take photographs from the front.

The crew’s attentive service is particularly useful on this stretch. Drinks continue to be available, and the smaller group makes it easier to find a seat without feeling packed in. One point to keep in mind is that the yacht has had occasional maintenance complaints, including a broken sofa area on one departure. That does not define the trip, but you should not expect a brand-new private yacht with every cushion perfect.

What to bring, and the transfer detail to check

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a light jacket. A towel is not included, although the yacht has a changing room. Water shoes may be useful for anyone who dislikes getting into the sea from a boat, but they are not listed as required.

You should also bring seasickness tablets if you are prone to motion sickness. The crossing can be bumpy, and the trip to Symi is long enough for rough water to become a real nuisance.

The pickup information needs attention. The activity details say guests may be picked up and should wait outside their hotel’s main reception entrance at least five minutes before the scheduled time. The included items also say hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and one booking from Faliraki specifically reported no transport to the port.

For that reason, confirm your exact meeting point and transport arrangement before the day. Do not assume that staying in Faliraki or another resort automatically means a hotel transfer. Mandraki port is the operational starting point, and you may need to make your own way there.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but swimming access from a yacht can be difficult. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, ask for precise details about boarding, deck access, and getting into the water before paying.

Who will enjoy this yacht day most

I would choose this trip if you want Symi plus a proper day at sea. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and families with older children who enjoy swimming and can manage a long boat crossing. The crew’s friendly approach also makes it a comfortable option for solo passengers, especially if you enjoy a social setting without a huge crowd.

It is a good match for anyone who values food and drinks being handled for them. You can swim, return to the deck, eat Greek food, and continue looking at the coast without arranging each part separately.

You may prefer another excursion if your priority is a long, independent day in Symi. Two hours is enough for a taste of town, but not enough for an unhurried visit to every hillside lane and sight. You should also think twice if you dislike wind, spray, or boat motion.

The trip is less suitable for people who want a quiet ferry crossing. This is a yacht outing with open water, speed, swimming, and a social atmosphere. The same features that make it fun can make it tiring for someone who prefers a calm, dry ride.

Should you book the Rhodes to Symi yacht tour?

Book it if you want the strongest combination of Symi scenery, swimming, lunch, and personal service in one day. The 25-person limit, unlimited basic drinks, good lunch, and two different swim settings make the $141 price easier to defend than a bare-bones transfer.

I would book early in a Rhodes stay if possible, since weather can affect the cruise. The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and a weather cancellation is also fully refundable.

Before you go, confirm pickup, bring a towel and jacket, and prepare for a lively crossing. If those details suit you, this is a polished way to see Symi without spending the day on an overcrowded boat.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes to Symi yacht tour?

The experience lasts about eight hours. The crossing to Symi can take around an hour and twenty minutes, depending on sea conditions.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the yacht cruise, full lunch, unlimited water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. It also includes two swimming stops and free time in Symi Town.

How much time do I get in Symi Town?

You get about two hours to explore Symi Town, including the harbor, lanes, shops, and the older part of town.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel along with swimwear. A changing room is available on the yacht.

Can I use snorkeling equipment?

Yes. Snorkels and goggles are available to use during the swimming stops. Life jackets and flotation noodles are also available.

Is hotel pickup included?

The activity information asks you to wait outside your hotel reception before departure, but it also states that hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Confirm the exact meeting point and transport details, especially if you are staying in Faliraki.