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. Instead of joining a packed ferry or a giant party boat, you sail on a small yacht limited to 25 passengers, with time to enjoy the sea rather than simply endure the crossing. The colorful harbor, steep hills, and grand neoclassical houses make Symi one of the most striking day trips from Rhodes.

I like two things especially: the generous time in Symi Town, and the relaxed rhythm of swimming, eating, and sailing afterward. The crew keeps drinks moving, and lunch is served at St. George Bay, where the setting does much of the work. The main caution is the sea crossing. It can be fast, windy, wet, and bumpy, particularly at the front of the yacht, so bring a light jacket and seasickness tablets if you need them.

Key points

• Two hours in Symi Town: Walk the harbor, browse small shops, and explore the alleys of the old town without being rushed.
• St. George Bay lunch stop: Swim in clear water beneath steep rock walls while the crew prepares moussaka and Greek salad.
• Seskli Island finale: The second swimming stop brings you to a small, wild island with snorkeling and a quieter feel.
• Small-group yacht: With a maximum of 25 passengers, there is more room than on the large Symi excursions.
• Unlimited drinks: Water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included throughout the day.
• Bring a cover-up: The morning ride can be chilly, and the seats at the front receive plenty of spray.

Why the small yacht makes a difference

At $141 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Symi. It is priced as a full-day yacht outing, not simply transportation. You are paying for lunch, unlimited drinks, two swim stops, a smaller group, and crew service throughout the day.

That difference matters once you see the other boats gathered around Symi and the bays. A larger vessel may cost less, but it can feel more like a floating bus. Here, the maximum of 25 passengers gives you more room to sit, move around, and find a place in the sun or shade.

The yacht is also a better fit if you want the day to feel social without becoming crowded. The crew, including staff praised by name such as Anna, Antonio, and Emily, takes an active role in serving drinks, explaining the plan, and helping with the swimming stops. Special touches have included birthday cake, pastries, and a cocktail for honeymooners, though these extras should not be treated as standard inclusions.

There are a few practical limits. One past sailing had a broken sofa, and another passenger felt the boat was full. The overwhelming picture is of a comfortable, clean yacht, but boats live in salt water and need constant care. Do not expect a private charter with endless personal space.

The morning departure from Rhodes

The tour begins at Mandraki Port, the historic harbor of Rhodes Town. At check-in, you can start with coffee, tea, or water while getting settled aboard. The return is also to Mandraki, making this a straightforward day if you are staying near Rhodes Town.

The advertised information includes pickup instructions asking you to wait outside your hotel reception at least five minutes before the scheduled time. At the same time, hotel pickup and drop-off are listed as not included. I would confirm this point before booking, especially if you are staying in Faliraki or another resort away from Rhodes Town. One passenger specifically found that transport to the port was not provided from a Faliraki hotel.

The first sailing to Symi takes roughly an hour and twenty minutes, depending on sea conditions. The front cushions offer the best open views, but they are also the wettest and rockiest seats. If the water is lively, choose a more sheltered position toward the middle or rear of the yacht.

The east coast of Rhodes slips past during the crossing, with views of beaches and isolated coves. This is a scenic ride, but it is still a boat ride across open water. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual medication before departure and avoid treating the unlimited drinks as a challenge before the roughest part of the journey is over.

Arriving at Symi’s colorful harbor

The yacht enters Symi Yalos, the island’s main port, with the hills rising steeply behind the waterfront. Symi’s houses are the visual payoff: painted in soft colors and arranged in rows up the slopes, many with neoclassical details that give the harbor its distinctive look.

You get about two hours to explore. That is enough time to walk along the harbor, slip into the narrow lanes, visit small shops, and enjoy a drink or breakfast by the water. If you are energetic, you can walk uphill for wider views and a closer look at the old town.

Two hours is a sensible amount of time for a day trip. You can get a real feel for the port without spending so long ashore that the swimming portion becomes an afterthought. Still, you should set priorities before leaving the boat. Symi Town is steep in places, and a leisurely waterfront stroll is a different experience from trying to cover every lane and viewpoint.

I would use the first few minutes to orient yourself around the harbor. Then choose one direction and walk rather than trying to tick off every shop. The old town is protected as a UNESCO site, and its appeal is in the overall setting: colored facades, stairways, sea views, and the way the houses climb the hills.

Symi is beautiful, but it is not a large sightseeing center with a long list of major attractions. If you prefer museums and formal monuments, two hours may feel ample. If you like photographs, local shops, seafood, and wandering without a plan, the stop is just right.

Lunch and swimming at St. George Bay

After Symi, the yacht heads for St. George Bay, a sheltered cove framed by steep rock and a golden strip of sand. This is the main swimming stop and the place where lunch is served.

The water is described as clear enough for snorkeling, with fish visible below the surface. The yacht provides or lends snorkeling equipment, including masks and goggles, as well as foam noodles, floats, and life vests. You can enter the water from the boat using a ramp or platform, then climb back aboard when you are ready.

The swimming access is worth noting. One passenger found it difficult to get off the yacht into the sea. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew about the life vests and flotation equipment before entering. The boat has a changing room, so you can put on swimwear before departure or change after the stop. Bring your own towel, since towels are not included.

While you swim and sunbathe, the crew prepares lunch. The meal commonly includes moussaka and Greek salad, and the food has received particularly strong praise for a boat-based lunch. Dietary needs have also been accommodated in some cases, but you should communicate any restrictions in advance rather than assume the galley can handle every request.

Lunch is served with water, beer, wine, and soft drinks. Coffee and tea are also included, and drinks remain available during the day. The setup works well because you are not asked to choose between eating and swimming. You can cool off first, eat, then return to the water if conditions and timing allow.

St. George Bay is often the visual high point of the day. The rock walls make it feel enclosed and dramatic, while the water gives you a reason to leave the deck. The one drawback is that the bay is a swimming stop, not a beach day. You do not get a private stretch of sand to yourself, and getting back aboard can be awkward if the sea is moving.

Seskli Island and the second swim

The final stop is Seskli, a small private island with a wilder, quieter character. It is presented as a natural counterpoint to Symi Town. After the painted harbor and steep lanes, you get open sea, rocky shore, and a less developed setting.

This is another chance to swim and snorkel. Some equipment is available aboard, so you do not need to bring a mask, though your own gear may fit better. The island is also a good place to look around from the boat and enjoy the quiet rather than expect a long shore visit.

Seskli may not impress you as much as St. George Bay if your main goal is a perfect beach. The first bay is generally the more dramatic stop, while Seskli offers variety. You can swim again, spot fish, and take in a small island that feels far removed from Rhodes and the port of Symi.

The second stop also helps the day feel properly paced. You are not spending the whole afternoon on one beach or rushing straight back after lunch. There is time to dry off, have another drink, and settle into the return ride.

Food, drinks, and service aboard

The food is a major part of the value. A Greek lunch of moussaka and salad is more satisfying than the basic sandwiches often found on boat excursions, and it gives the day a local flavor without making the meal complicated.

Unlimited drinks include water, beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and tea. That is useful in the Greek sun, where water alone can disappear quickly. Beer and wine also suit the slow pace of the return trip, but remember that the crossing can be bumpy and the heat makes alcohol affect you faster.

The drink selection is not extensive. One passenger wanted more variety than beer, wine, and soft drinks. If you are hoping for a full cocktail menu or premium bar, this is not that kind of cruise. Think of it as a well-stocked basic drinks service included with lunch.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Service is friendly and hands-on, with staff checking that people have food, drinks, flotation equipment, and a comfortable place to sit. The atmosphere can be playful and warm, but it is not a formal luxury cruise with white-glove service.

What to pack for the eight-hour day

Pack lightly, but pack with the water in mind.

• Swimwear and a towel, since towels are not provided
• A hoodie, light jacket, or cover-up for the morning crossing
• Seasickness tablets if rough water bothers you
• Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Comfortable shoes for Symi’s lanes and hills
• A phone or camera with a secure case
• A change of clothes if you dislike sitting in damp swimwear

The yacht has a changing room, and snorkeling gear, life vests, and floats are available. A personal speaker is not necessary, but one past passenger noted that music was not provided. The mood depends more on the crew and the group than on a planned soundtrack.

The front of the boat is fun if you want wind and spray in your face. It is not the best choice if you want a dry, calm ride. Sit farther back if comfort matters more than the most open view.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this excursion if you want Symi, but you also want a full day on the water. It suits couples, families with older children, solo passengers, and anyone who values a smaller group over the lowest price.

It is especially good for people who want a mix of sightseeing and swimming. You get a proper stop in Symi rather than a quick photo break, then two chances to cool off. The included meal and drinks make the day easy to budget.

It is less suited to anyone who dislikes boat motion, struggles with sea access, or wants a quiet cultural tour focused only on Symi Town. The journey can be rough, the front deck can be wet, and the swimming stops are central to the experience.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the sea entry and the uneven streets of Symi deserve a direct conversation with the operator before booking. Accessibility on a yacht can vary by person and by the exact part of the outing you want to join.

Is $141 a fair price?

The price makes sense if you will use the full package. Add up a fast yacht crossing, lunch, drinks all day, two swimming stops, crew service, and a maximum group size of 25. The premium is mainly for comfort, space, and the way the day is run.

If you only want to see Symi, a cheaper boat or ferry may be the better buy. You could spend less and use the savings for food and drinks ashore. But you would give up the swim stops, the onboard lunch, and the smaller-group feel.

For me, the strongest value is not the word luxury. It is time. You are not rushed through Symi, and you are not left searching for lunch after swimming. The day has a clear rhythm, and the crew handles the practical details.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and reserve-now, pay-later booking add flexibility. Weather cancellations are fully refundable. Check the exact departure time and transfer arrangement before paying, particularly if your hotel is outside Rhodes Town.

Should you book the Symi yacht tour?

Book it if you want the best all-round day trip from Rhodes: a beautiful harbor, two memorable swim stops, a Greek lunch, and drinks without a large crowd. The crew service and the balance between time ashore and time aboard are the strongest reasons to pay more than the budget options.

Skip it if you are mainly interested in walking every corner of Symi, dislike open-water crossings, or want a true private yacht charter. Also think twice if entering and leaving the sea from a boat would be difficult for you.

For most people who want both island scenery and a day at sea, this is a strong choice. Bring a towel, cover your shoulders for the morning ride, take seasickness precautions if needed, and leave enough energy to enjoy St. George Bay after your walk through Symi.

FAQ

How long is the Symi yacht tour?

The tour lasts eight hours, including the sailing from Rhodes, around two hours of free time in Symi Town, lunch, two swimming stops, and the return to Rhodes.

What is included in the price?

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

How many people can join the yacht tour?

The yacht carries a maximum of 25 passengers, making this a smaller group experience than many large boat trips from Rhodes.

How much time do you get in Symi Town?

You get about two hours to explore Symi Town, including the harbor, small lanes, local shops, and the old town.

Are towels provided?

No. You should bring your own towel, along with swimwear. The yacht has a changing room.

Is snorkeling equipment available?

Yes. Masks, goggles, and other swimming aids such as life vests and foam floats are available on the yacht.

What happens if the weather cancels the cruise?

If the cruise is canceled because of weather conditions, it is fully refundable. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.