Rhodes: Symi Yacht Tour with Unlimited Drinks and Transfer

Symi is the star here: a steep island port lined with colorful neoclassical houses, reached by a fast yacht rather than a packed ferry. I like the two-hour break in Symi Town, which gives you time for the harbor, side streets, shops, and a meal or coffee without turning the visit into a rushed photo stop.

I also like the combination of two swim stops, lunch, and unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, water, coffee, and tea. The main drawback is the sea crossing. It can be windy, wet, and bumpy, especially near the front of the boat, and the swim ladder may be awkward for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours in Symi Town: See the famous harbor houses, walk the narrow lanes, and browse local shops.
• St. George Bay swim stop: Swim in clear water below steep rock walls while lunch is prepared aboard.
• Seskli Island stop: Enjoy a quieter second swim and a look at a small, mostly wild Dodecanese island.
• Small-group yacht: The maximum of 25 passengers gives you more room than the large Symi boats.
• Food and drinks included: Expect Greek salad and moussaka, plus unlimited beer, wine, water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea.
• Useful comfort details: A changing room, snorkels, goggles, floats, and life jackets are available, but you need to bring a towel.

Why this Rhodes to Symi boat 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 simple island transport, and that difference matters. Your fare covers an eight-hour trip, lunch, two swim stops, drinks throughout the day, and a smaller boat with no more than 25 people.

I like that the day has three different moods. Symi gives you architecture and town time. St. George Bay supplies the classic Greek swimming scene. Seskli adds a more natural, quiet stop before the return to Rhodes. You are not spending the entire day sitting in one harbor or repeating the same type of stop.

The service is another reason to consider paying more. Crew members named in feedback include Anna, Antonio, and Emily, though the exact team may change. They are praised for keeping drinks moving, helping with swim equipment, and marking birthdays and honeymoons with small surprises. That kind of care can make a long day at sea feel relaxed rather than merely scheduled.

The trade-off is clear: you pay extra for comfort and service, not for a private charter. A full yacht of 25 people can still feel social, and a few passengers have found the boat in need of minor maintenance. The general picture is of a clean, comfortable yacht with plenty of room, but it is sensible to keep expectations at small-group rather than private-yacht level.

Boarding at Mandraki and the first hour at sea

The trip begins at Mandraki port in Rhodes. Coffee, tea, or water is available as you check in and settle aboard. Hotel pickup is included only in the sense that you are asked to wait outside your hotel reception at least five minutes before the scheduled pickup, while hotel drop-off is not included. One important detail is that transport to the port may not be provided from every hotel, including some stays in Faliraki, so confirm your meeting point before booking.

The yacht heads directly toward Symi. The crossing takes roughly an hour and 20 minutes in conditions described by passengers, though the exact time depends on the sea. Sit toward the back or inside if you are prone to seasickness. The cushions at the front offer the best spray and open-water views, but they can be rocky and wet, especially during the first part of the ride.

A light jacket or hoodie is smart in spring and autumn, and it can help even on a summer morning if you sit outside. The ride is part of the experience, with views along Rhodes and the eastern coast, but it is not always smooth. Bring seasickness medicine if you know you need it. Do not wait until the boat is already moving.

Symi Town gives you two useful hours

The yacht enters Symi’s main port, Symi Yalos, with the hillside houses rising above the water. This arrival is one of the best parts of the day. The port is framed by rows of painted neoclassical buildings in soft colors, and the steep hills make the town feel very different from Rhodes.

You get about two hours to explore. That is enough for a walk along the harbor, a look at the narrow lanes, local shops, and a drink or snack. You may also head uphill for broader views, but remember that Symi is hilly and the heat can make even a short climb feel like work.

The time is well judged for a boat excursion. You can get a taste of the town without losing the swimming portion of the day. If your priority is museums, long walks, or a slow lunch in Symi, two hours will feel limited. If you mainly want the harbor, photographs, small shops, and a little local atmosphere, it should be enough.

The Old Town is described as UNESCO-protected, and its best pleasure is simply walking. Look beyond the main waterfront. Side streets reveal stairways, painted doors, and changing views back toward the bay. You can also pause for Symi shrimp or a coffee, as some passengers have done, but food purchased in town is at your own cost because lunch comes later on the yacht.

St. George Bay is the main swimming stop

After Symi, the yacht continues to St. George Bay. This is the stop most likely to define the day for you. The bay has golden sand, clear water, and tall rocky sides that give it a dramatic, enclosed feel. The boat anchors so you can swim from the yacht, and the crew prepares lunch during the stop.

You can use a ramp or platform to enter the water, and swim jackets, foam floats, snorkels, and goggles are available. The equipment makes the stop friendlier for nervous swimmers, though getting back aboard still requires using the yacht’s access points. One practical note from the feedback is that climbing out of the water can be difficult for some people.

Lunch usually includes Greek salad and moussaka. That is a sensible boat meal: filling, familiar, and easy to serve in a sheltered bay. Dietary needs have been accommodated in some cases, but you should tell the operator in advance rather than assume every request can be handled at short notice.

You are not forced to choose between swimming and eating. The schedule allows time in the water before and after lunch, which is one reason the stop feels generous. Beer, wine, soft drinks, and water are served during the stop, so you can eat on deck with the cliffs and beach around you.

This is also the point where the $141 price begins to make more sense. A basic boat trip might get you to Symi, but here your lunch, drinks, equipment, crew service, and time in a beautiful bay are all part of the same day.

Seskli Island brings a quieter finish

The third stop is Seskli, a small private island described as a wild Dodecanese outpost. It does not offer the colorful town experience of Symi, and that is exactly why it works as the second swimming stop. The mood shifts from harbor sightseeing to open water and quiet nature.

You can snorkel, swim, and look toward the island’s less developed surroundings. Some passengers have enjoyed spotting goats and collecting empty shells from the water. Do not expect a long shore excursion or a full range of facilities here. Seskli is mainly a place to cool off and enjoy the setting from the yacht.

The two swim stops are not identical. St. George Bay is the more dramatic and memorable location, with its sandy beach and high rock walls. Seskli is simpler and more peaceful. Having both gives the day a good rhythm, but anyone booking mainly for sightseeing on land may prefer a tour with more time in Symi.

After Seskli, the yacht returns to Rhodes. Keep watching the coast as you go. The route includes views of beaches and isolated coves that are difficult to reach by road. You arrive back at Mandraki port relaxed, sun-warmed, and probably ready for a quiet evening.

Food, drinks, and the small-group difference

Unlimited drinks are a real part of the value here, not a minor extra. You receive water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. The selection is not designed as a cocktail bar, so do not book this expecting a wide mixed-drink menu. Still, having drinks available throughout an eight-hour sea day is convenient and removes the need to budget for every bottle.

The Greek lunch is another strong point. Moussaka and Greek salad are straightforward choices, but they fit the setting and have been consistently described as good quality. The crew serves lunch while you are at St. George Bay, so you eat with a view rather than losing time in a restaurant.

The group limit of 25 is especially valuable in summer. Large Symi boats can carry far more people, which means crowded decks, slower service, and more competition for good viewing spots. This yacht is not empty, but the smaller capacity gives you room to sit, move around, and reach the water without feeling like you are part of a floating crowd.

There are a few caveats. A broken sofa area was reported on one outing, and another passenger felt the boat was full. These are not reasons to dismiss the trip, but they are reminders that this is an operating excursion yacht, not a spotless private vessel maintained just for your party.

Comfort, access, and what to pack

The yacht has a changing room, which is helpful after swimming. You still need to bring your own towel. Pack swimwear, sun protection, a light layer for the crossing, and seasickness tablets if needed.

The boat is listed as wheelchair accessible, but swimming access involves a ramp, platform, or ladder, and one passenger found it difficult to get from the yacht into the sea. Ask the operator about your exact needs before booking if you use a wheelchair or have trouble with steps.

The yacht does not supply every comfort you might want. One older comment noted that music was not provided, so bring headphones if you want your own soundtrack. The main entertainment is the sea, the views, conversation, and swimming.

The tour is conducted in English. Crew service is a large part of the appeal, and the team has been praised for being attentive, warm, and accommodating. Small touches, including birthday cake, a pastry, or a special drink, have made the trip feel personal for some couples and solo passengers. Those gestures are not guaranteed, but mentioning a celebration when you book is worthwhile.

Who will enjoy this Symi excursion most?

I would choose this trip if you want Symi plus a proper day on the water. It suits couples, friends, solo passengers, and families with older children who can manage a yacht, swimming access, and a long day in the sun.

It is particularly good for you if:

• You prefer a smaller boat to a large island ferry.
• You want lunch and drinks included in the price.
• You enjoy swimming and snorkeling as much as sightseeing.
• You want enough time in Symi for a real walk, not just a quick photograph.
• You value friendly crew service and a relaxed pace.

I would think twice if you dislike boat motion, need a completely calm crossing, or want several hours of independent sightseeing in Symi. The sea can be rough, the front seats get spray, and the town stop is limited to around two hours.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, with a full refund. If weather cancels the cruise, the trip is also fully refundable. You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans are still shifting.

Should you book the $141 yacht trip?

Yes, if you want a polished full-day outing rather than the cheapest ride to Symi. The strongest reasons are the small group, attentive crew, useful two-hour town visit, good Greek lunch, unlimited basic drinks, and two well-spaced swimming stops.

The price is harder to justify if you plan to spend most of the day walking around Symi or if you will not drink, swim, or use the included lunch. In that case, a simpler ferry or cheaper boat may suit you better.

For most people who want both the island and the sea, this is a good use of a Rhodes day. Bring a towel, a hoodie, and seasickness tablets if needed. Sit away from the very front unless you specifically want spray and motion, then settle in for a long, sociable ride through one of the Dodecanese’s prettiest corners.

FAQ

How long does the Rhodes to Symi yacht tour last?

The full excursion lasts about eight hours, including the cruise from Rhodes, around two hours in Symi Town, two swimming stops, lunch, and the return to Mandraki port.

What food and drinks are included?

A full lunch is included, usually Greek salad and moussaka. Unlimited water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are also included.

How much free time do I get in Symi Town?

You get approximately two hours in Symi Town. This allows time for the harbor, narrow lanes, local shops, a drink, and some uphill walking if you choose.

Where are the swimming stops?

The first swimming stop is St. George Bay, where lunch is prepared aboard the yacht. The second is Seskli Island, a small private island with wild surroundings.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included. You should also bring swimwear, and there is a changing room on the yacht.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup instructions are provided, and you are asked to wait outside your hotel reception at least five minutes before the scheduled time. Hotel drop-off is not included, and transport to the port may not be available from every hotel, including some hotels in Faliraki.