A speedboat day can feel like cheating time. This one links Kiotari and Lardos with Symi on a high-speed ride, then gives you about 3 hours to roam Symi at your own pace. You also get a real swim break in St. George’s Bay, one of those spots where the water looks clear from above and even better once you’re in it.

My favorite part is the timing. You’re not stuck on a slow bus circuit. You’re on the water, you see the coast, and you arrive with enough daylight left to explore the harbor area and grab lunch when it suits you.

One thing to consider: the St. George’s Bay swim stop can feel different depending on sun and the order of stops. If the bay is shaded when you arrive, the water may look darker than the brighter photos you’ve seen online.

Key highlights at a glance

• 3 hours free time in Symi for you to wander the fishing harbor and pick your own pace
• 30 minutes swimming at St. George’s Bay with huge rocks above you
• High-speed ride from south Rhodes so you lose less time getting there
• Mandraki Harbour stop (about 10 minutes) for passenger changes
• Seasonal swap in late Sept/October: St. George’s Bay can come first to protect the swim-view quality

Kiotari or Lardos to Symi: why this speedboat setup is smart

This is a classic “south Rhodes convenience” excursion. If you’re staying around Kiotari, Pefkos, or Lardos, the big win is simple: you’re not forced into a long, twisty land transfer before you even reach the water.

The boat is the Aphrodite Princess (operated by Rhodes Sea Lines). It’s a high-speed service, and the schedule reflects that. You’re looking at about 2 hours 20 minutes on the speedboat to get to Symi, plus the same kind of return time later. That speed is what buys you the longer stretch of real sightseeing time once you’re on Symi.

And you’ll notice another practical advantage: because the pickups are set up right at the beach area, you can plan your morning without “where do we park / which bus is next” stress.

Pickup points on the beach: the Red Steps and the hotel landmarks

Your pickup is from specific beach steps—straight from the waterline—using the red steps as the marker. The tour lists pickups below well-known hotel landmarks in the area, including references like Rodos Maris Hotel and Lindos Imperial Hotel in the Kiotari area, plus Costa Lindia Hotel in Lardos.

Here’s the pattern that matters for planning:

• Kiotari Beach area is served more frequently
• Lardos has fewer service days

You’ll also want to confirm your exact meeting point the night before. Beach steps are easy once you know them, but they’re harder if you show up a half hour late and you’re not sure which access stairs the staff are using.

The ride to Symi: what that long speedboat stretch actually gives you

Once you’re aboard, you cruise toward Symi. The itinerary gives you about 2.33 hours on the water for the main leg. On a trip like this, that’s not just travel time—it’s your chance to relax, look out at the Dodecanese coast, and arrive feeling like you truly started the day at sea.

There’s also a short 10-minute stop in Mandraki Harbour to disembark and embark passengers. For you, that time usually means a quick reset: stretch your legs, grab a breath of air, and get ready for Symi’s harbor views.

This short Mandraki stop is a good reminder that the route is designed to collect people across the south and then funnel you together toward the island.

Symi for 3 hours: how to use your time well

You get about 3 hours on Symi with free time to explore. That’s the core value of the tour. It’s long enough to walk the harbor area and get a feel for how Symi works, but short enough that you’re not stuck racing the clock.

When you arrive, you’ll see the fishing harbor and the pastel-colored neoclassical buildings framing the bay, plus the church domes scattered around town. Symi is the kind of place where the first 20 minutes teach you the geography: where the water is, where the main sights cluster, and where you can find a snack or lunch without going on a long detour.

What I’d prioritize with 3 hours

• Start near the harbor first. Use the view to map your next move.
• Pick one short wandering loop instead of trying to see everything.
• Plan lunch early enough so you don’t end up eating after the best light is gone.

The tour information also mentions trying local baby shrimp if you come across it on menus. Even if you don’t eat it, asking what’s fresh is a quick way to connect your lunch to the island’s identity.

Lunch itself is at your own expense, and that’s a good setup. Symi has plenty of traditional tavernas, and you’ll get the flexibility to choose what fits your appetite and budget instead of being funneled into one option.

A small drawback to be honest about

3 hours sounds generous until you hit hills, stairs, and narrow lanes. If you’re sensitive to walking (or you’re traveling with heavy beach gear), choose your route carefully. You don’t need to go far inland to enjoy Symi, and you can still have a great time just staying closer to the harbor.

St. George’s Bay swim stop: crystal water, huge rocks, and timing

After Symi, the plan shifts toward St. George’s Bay. The itinerary shows a swim stop of about 30 minutes, with the bay described as having huge rocks above and clear, inviting water.

This is the part that usually sells the experience. You’re not just sightseeing—you get a short window to cool off, float, and see the color of the water up close.

Timing really matters here

One of the most useful details is the seasonal adjustment:

• Late September and October: the boat goes to St. George’s Bay first.
• The reasoning is straightforward: if the tour goes to Symi first and then arrives at the bay later, the bay can already be shaded. That shade can change the look of the water.

Even with the seasonal plan, it’s smart to think like this: you’re taking a short swim break, so don’t count on the lighting matching the brightest promotional photos. If you’re lucky with the sun, you’ll get that “wow” water. If not, you’ll still get a swim break in a beautiful cove, just with a darker look.

I took note of a real-world example of this: when the day order placed Symi before the bay, the sun was blocked by the larger rocks at arrival. The bay still looked like a good place to swim, but the color wasn’t as bright as expected. So yes—order and sun angle are part of the experience here.

The return cruise: keep it relaxed, keep it scenic

Your return includes another about 2.33 hours on the speedboat. There’s also an earlier short speedboat segment (around 20 minutes) before the St. George’s Bay swim time. In other words, the day isn’t one long unbroken ride: you get small transitions that help it feel like a sequence, not just transportation.

On the way back, you can expect coastal views again. If you want to see the coastline clearly, bring a bit of patience and position yourself where you can look out without craning your neck the whole time.

Price and value: is $147 worth it?

The price listed is $147 per person for a 9-hour day. That’s not cheap, but it’s also not random pricing. You’re paying for three things that often cost more separately:

1. Speedboat transport from south Rhodes (where land transfers are often longer)
2. A real island time block (3 hours in Symi)
3. A guided swim stop at St. George’s Bay with a set departure back

If you’re staying on the south side of Rhodes, this can be better value than combining buses and ferries. The tour explicitly highlights that it serves Kiotari and Lardos in a way that can avoid you doing a bus ride just to get to the boat.

Also, the tour includes your main timed activities. Lunch is your choice and expense, but everything else is scheduled: the island time, the swim window, and the return timing.

Where the value gets weaker is if you’re the type who wants a longer Symi stay. Three hours is perfect for a first taste and quick photo-and-walk loop. If Symi is your #1 goal and you want to explore deeply, you may prefer a longer day or an overnight plan.

Best for: who this speedboat trip suits

This excursion fits best if you:

• are staying south of Rhodes and want to avoid a complicated land journey
• like the idea of seeing Symi plus swimming without spending the whole day commuting
• enjoy a plan-with-freedom day: you get structure, but you choose your Symi lunch and walking pace

It’s also a good fit if you travel with mixed interests—some people want photos and harbor wandering; others want a water break and a quick reset.

What to bring (and what to do before you step on)

Bring sunscreen. That’s the one concrete item listed, and it’s not overkill—Greek island sun plus boat deck time adds up fast.

Also, I’d plan for the reality of a day that mixes land walking and swimming:

• pack swim essentials in a way you can grab quickly
• wear something you can walk in comfortably around Symi’s streets
• keep your timing calm. You don’t have to sprint to get the best Symi feel

If you care about the best-looking water, aim to be ready for the St. George’s Bay stop as scheduled. Seasonal adjustments exist, but sun can still surprise you.

Should you book the Kiotari, Lardos & Symi speedboat day trip?

Book it if you want the best kind of day: one strong destination (Symi) plus one practical upgrade (swim time), with a fast ride that respects your vacation hours. The $147 price can make sense when you compare it to slower transport plus paying separately for boat time and a swim plan.

Skip it or think twice if:

• you’re hoping for a long, unhurried Symi exploration (3 hours will feel short)
• you’re very photo-literal about water color, since the bay’s look depends on sun and timing order

If you’re okay with that timing reality, this is an efficient, scenic, and very Rhodes-south–friendly way to spend a day.

FAQ

How long is the Speedboat to Symi trip?

It runs for about 9 hours total.

How much time do I get in Symi?

You get approximately 3 hours free time to explore Symi on your own.

Is there time to swim?

Yes. There’s a swim stop at St. George’s Bay for about 30 minutes.

Are pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, with stops at Kiotari and Lardos beach areas.

Where are the pickup points?

Pickup is arranged at beach steps near listed hotel landmarks in the Kiotari and Lardos areas, using the red steps on the beach as the meeting point marker.

Is there a stop on the way at Mandraki Harbour?

Yes, there is a roughly 10-minute stop in Mandraki Harbour for disembarking and embarking passengers.

Which days does the boat stop in Lardos?

The boat stops in Lardos only on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Which days does it stop in Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach?

It stops in Kiotari Beach and Vlycha Beach every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

What languages are spoken by the host or greeter?

The host or greeter speaks English, Greek, and German.