Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat

The best part of this Rhodes outing is its simple rhythm: fish first, barbecue later. Captain Manolis takes you to several fishing spots, beginning with trolling for little tuna before switching to bottom fishing. Afterward, the catch becomes lunch on board, with Greek salad, bread, beer, water, and soft drinks.

I like the small maximum group of 10, since it gives you a fair chance to get help with the rod. I also like the mix of fishing and swimming, which keeps the trip enjoyable even when the fish are small. The main caution is clear: this is relaxed everyday fishing, not a serious big-game expedition.

Quick points to know before you book

• Little tuna and bottom fishing: The outing begins with trolling, then moves to fishing closer to the seabed.
• Barbecue on the boat: Lunch includes one fresh fish listed at about 500 grams per person, Greek salad, and bread.
• Swimming and snorkeling: You have time for a dip as part of the half-day program.
• Small boat group: No more than 10 people can join, so personal help is more likely than on a large cruise.
• Captain and crew: Captain Manolis leads the trip, while Captain Mike and Katerina are also named as hosts on some outings.
• Allow 4.5 hours: The meeting point is at Akti Sachtouri in Rhodes Town, and you return there at the end.

A half-day at sea from Rhodes Town

This tour is designed as an easygoing sea outing rather than a demanding fishing charter. You meet at Fishing Trips Rhodes Captain Manolis, at Akti Sachtouri, Rodos 851 00, then spend roughly four and a half hours fishing, swimming, and eating on the boat.

That timing works well for a holiday in Rhodes. You get a real block of time on the water without giving up an entire day. You can fit it around other plans, though the fishing and meal take up most of the scheduled period, so you should not treat it as a quick harbor cruise.

The boat carries a maximum of 10 people. That matters here. Fishing needs room for rods, bait, lines, and people moving carefully around one another. A smaller group also makes it easier to ask for help, especially if you have never handled fishing gear before.

The trip is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity returns to the same meeting point. The location is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Trolling for little tuna before bottom fishing

The first fishing section uses trolling. Your line is moved through the water while the boat travels, with the aim of catching little tuna. This gives the opening part of the trip a bit more movement than simply sitting in one place and waiting.

The important word is little. You should not book this expecting a guaranteed large tuna, amberjack, or other major catch. The description and the operator’s responses make a distinction between normal fishing and extreme fishing. The shared outing is the normal option, built around a relaxed boat trip and lunch.

After trolling, the group moves to bottom fishing. This is a different style of fishing, with baited lines lowered below the boat. It can be more accessible for beginners because you are not expected to cast long distances or master complex techniques.

The captain supplies the fishing rod and bait. His role is not just to steer the boat. He takes you to selected fishing areas and helps you use the equipment. Several accounts describe the hosts as friendly and helpful, which is especially useful when children, first-time fishers, or family groups are sharing the boat.

Still, fishing is unpredictable. One person may catch the biggest fish of the day while someone beside them catches very little. A 16-inch fish has been caught on one outing, but that should be treated as a lucky result, not a promise. Small fish are also part of the normal program.

Set the right expectation about the catch

This is the most important booking advice. If you picture a huge fish being hauled over the side, this trip may disappoint you. The operator specifically explains that the shared tour is not comparable with a private fishing charter priced at €850, where the boat is reserved for one group and the fishing is more demanding.

At $78.64 per person, the price makes more sense when you see the experience as three things in one:

• A half-day boat trip
• A beginner-friendly fishing session
• A seafood lunch with swimming time

You are paying for the full outing, not only for the weight of the fish you catch. That distinction is worth keeping in mind because the catch cannot be guaranteed. A calm day, helpful captain, good company, and a tasty meal may matter more than landing a trophy fish.

I would choose this tour for a family, couple, or mixed-age group that wants a gentle activity at sea. I would not choose it as a substitute for a specialist fishing charter. The operator’s own explanation is fair on this point, and the difference between the two products is substantial.

Swimming and snorkeling add a useful second act

Fishing can be slow. That is not a flaw in the sport, but it can test the patience of people who do not fish. The swimming and snorkeling portion helps keep the outing varied.

The supplied details do not name a particular swimming bay or promise special marine life, so you should treat this as a chance to get in the water rather than a dedicated snorkeling safari. You may prefer to swim while another person handles the rod, or simply enjoy a break before lunch.

This is one reason the trip suits groups with different interests. A keen fisher can focus on the lines, while someone else enjoys the water and the views. Families have also found the swimming useful, especially when the catch is small.

Bring the attitude of a relaxed day on a boat. The experience is not built around a long list of stops or formal sightseeing. Its appeal is the change of pace, the sea air, the shared meal, and the chance to do something hands-on from Rhodes.

Barbecue lunch served on the boat

The meal is the reward at the end of the fishing. The sample menu provides one fresh fish of about 500 grams per person, along with Greek salad and bread. Water, soft drinks, and beer are included at no extra charge.

The barbecue is prepared on the boat, which gives lunch a practical, social feel. There is no need to leave the water for a restaurant, and the meal connects directly to the day’s activity. The fish may come from the catch, but you should not assume that each person will land a fish large enough to supply the full meal. The menu is the safer guide to what is provided.

I like this format because it keeps the food straightforward. You get grilled fish, a fresh salad, bread, and drinks rather than an elaborate menu that takes attention away from the outing. It also makes the $78.64 price easier to assess, since food and drinks are included.

The meal may be particularly welcome after fishing and swimming. If you have dietary needs, check them before booking because the available information gives only the sample menu. The tour is conducted in English, but no separate menu details are provided.

Captain Manolis and the small-group feel

Captain Manolis is the named provider, and the activity is presented as a personal fishing trip rather than a large sightseeing cruise. The captain’s key job is to choose fishing areas and help you with the rods and bait.

The names Captain Mike and Katerina also appear in accounts of individual departures. Katerina is described as a first mate, while Captain Mike is described as a host on several outings. This suggests that the exact crew may vary, so you should focus on the service format rather than expect one particular person on every departure.

The strongest praise centers on hospitality. The crew is described as warm, friendly, accommodating, and helpful. That matters more here than polished entertainment because fishing equipment can be unfamiliar, and the success of the trip depends partly on the crew’s willingness to guide you.

The group limit of 10 is another practical advantage. Seven people were considered a comfortable number on one outing, while the official maximum is 10. At full capacity, the boat may feel busier around the rods and barbecue area, but it remains a small-group experience rather than a mass excursion.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes fishing trip

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time fishers who want instruction and an easy setting
• Families with teenagers or mixed ages
• Couples who want a half-day on the water
• People who like swimming as much as fishing
• Visitors who want lunch and drinks included in the price
• Small groups that prefer a personal boat outing

It is also a good fit if you want a forgiving activity. You do not need to arrive as an experienced angler, and the captain provides the rod and bait. The fishing can be enjoyed as an activity in itself, even if the catch is modest.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a large tuna, amberjack, or a serious fishing challenge. The normal program targets smaller fish and combines fishing with food and swimming. You may want to compare it with a private sport-fishing charter instead.

Value, timing, and booking advice

At $78.64 per person, the tour offers a reasonable package if you value the whole four-and-a-half-hour experience. Fishing gear, bait, a barbecue, salad, bread, water, soft drinks, and beer are included. You also receive help from the captain and access to swimming and snorkeling time.

The value drops if you judge the tour only by the size or number of fish caught. No fishing trip can control the catch, and the operator makes clear that this is not extreme fishing. Book it for the combination of activities, not for a guaranteed trophy.

The tour is often booked about 42 days ahead, so planning early is sensible during a busy Rhodes holiday period. Confirmation is provided at booking. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The trip also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date, another experience, or a refund.

Should you book Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue?

Book this tour if you want a friendly half-day on the water, a chance to try fishing without bringing equipment, and a simple Greek-style lunch served aboard the boat. The small group, swimming break, and included drinks give the outing more value than fishing alone.

Skip it if your holiday priority is serious sport fishing or a reliable large catch. The honest way to think about this experience is as a relaxed fishing-and-barbecue outing from Rhodes, with the catch providing part of the fun but never serving as a guarantee.

For most families, couples, and beginners, that is a pleasant deal. Go expecting small fish, good help, sea views, and a barbecue, and you are more likely to enjoy the day for what it is.

FAQ

How long does the fishing and barbecue trip last?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Fishing Trips Rhodes Captain Manolis, Akti Sachtouri, Rodos 851 00, Greece. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing rods and bait are included.

What type of fishing takes place?

The program begins with trolling for little tuna and then continues with bottom fishing.

Is swimming or snorkeling included?

Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are listed as part of the experience.

What food and drinks are included?

The sample menu includes one fresh fish of about 500 grams per person, Greek salad, and bread. Water, soft drinks, and beer are free.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of bad weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.