Rhodes: Fishing Trip, Snorkelling, BBQ, & Professional Guide

The best part of this Rhodes fishing trip is simple: you help catch lunch, then eat it on the same wooden boat. Skevos and Captain Mike, a father-and-son team, teach beginners without making experienced anglers feel bored. I like the small group of up to 10 people and the generous food and drinks. I also like the quiet swimming stop, with snorkelling gear and a freshwater shower on board.

The main thing to keep in mind is that fishing depends on the sea, weather, and season. You may catch several species, but there is no promise of a big fish. The boat goes out in light rain, though not during storms, and an hour of trolling can feel long if you only want a swim.

At a glance

• A working fishing boat, not a party cruise: The 10-meter wooden vessel gives you a close look at local fishing, with a separate fishing area for up to 10 people.
• Two kinds of fishing: You start with trolling for predator fish, then spend about two hours on ground fishing near the seabed.
• Lunch comes from the sea: Your catch is grilled with extra virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt, alongside seabream, sea bass, Greek salad, and bread.
• A proper swim stop: The crew anchors in a quiet bay for swimming, snorkelling, or an easy rest before lunch.
• A father-and-son crew: Skevos leads the fishing and cooking, while Captain Mike brings more than 35 years of professional fishing experience.
• Good value at $88: The price includes equipment, bait, food, beer, soft drinks, water, snorkelling gear, Wi-Fi, and use of the onboard toilet.

Setting out from Kolona Port

You meet the boat at Kolona Port, just outside Rhodes Old Town. That location matters. You are close to the historic center, but you are not joining a large excursion ship from a distant marina. If you drive into Rhodes Town, allow extra time to find parking, particularly when the port area is busy.

The trip lasts five hours, which is long enough to make the boat ride worthwhile but short enough to fit into a full day of sightseeing. You return to the same port, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another bay.

The boat is a traditional, handcrafted wooden fishing vessel measuring 10 meters. It has a dedicated fishing area, a separate place for eating and relaxing, a toilet, a freshwater shower, Wi-Fi, and certified VHF and UHF communication equipment. That mix of old-style boat handling and modern safety gear gives the outing a practical feel.

You should expect some spray. Bring beachwear and a towel, and wear clothes that can get wet. The crew advises eating breakfast before departure, which is sensible because the fishing and boat movement come before lunch.

Trolling along the Rhodes coast

The first part of the trip is a cruise of about an hour. During this time, the crew sets up professional trolling gear and searches for predator fish. Possible targets include small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjack, barracuda, trumpetfish, and great trevally.

You are not simply handed a rod and left alone. Skevos explains the equipment and helps you work the line. The boat uses gear from Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi, along with a Lowrance 1000W fish finder, GPS, depth sounder, and radar. For a first-time angler, this means you can learn the basic steps with equipment made for the sea, rather than struggle with improvised gear.

This part can be the most exciting and the least predictable. A strike from a strong fish gives you a real task, not a staged photo opportunity. You may need help from the crew to manage the rod and line, especially if you have never fished from a moving boat.

But sea fishing is not a vending machine. August, in particular, may not produce the best conditions for a big catch. The crew can adjust the plan and try different areas, yet the fish still decide what happens. If you need nonstop action, this may test your patience. If you enjoy the uncertainty, that is part of the appeal.

Ground fishing for about two hours

After trolling, the boat changes tactics. You spend roughly two hours fishing closer to the seabed. This usually gives beginners another way to try their luck, and it spreads the action across different depths and fishing methods.

The crew supplies bait and equipment, so you do not need to bring anything beyond suitable clothing and a towel. Skevos works closely with the group, offering simple instructions and help when a line becomes difficult to handle.

This is also where the small group matters. With a maximum of 10 participants, you get more personal help than on a large fishing boat. The guides have time to encourage a nervous beginner, help a child handle the rod, or give a more experienced angler room to work.

Several people have found this welcoming for a first fishing trip, including families with children and solo visitors. The atmosphere also makes it easy to chat with the other people on board. Still, remember that the exact number and type of fish will vary. The experience is fishing, not a guaranteed catch quota.

Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina, or a sandy beach

The swimming destination depends on the weather and sea conditions. The crew may head toward famous Kallithea Springs, the quieter bay of Santa Marina, or a shallow sandy beach.

These choices give the captain room to select a safe and pleasant anchorage rather than force a fixed route in poor conditions. Kallithea Springs is the most recognizable name, while Santa Marina and the sandy beach offer a calmer setting for swimming and lunch.

You can swim, snorkel, or stay aboard and relax. Snorkelling equipment is provided, and the boat also carries pool noodles, which can help if you are not a confident swimmer. The activity is not described as a dedicated snorkelling tour, so keep your expectations realistic. The main focus is fishing, with a useful break in the water rather than hours spent exploring reefs.

The sea can still be cool outside the main summer months, though swimming has been comfortable even in October. Pack a towel and swimsuit regardless of the season. The crew advises that the trip runs in rain but not during storms, so conditions can affect the route and the amount of time spent in the water.

A Greek lunch cooked on the boat

Lunch is the emotional center of the outing. The fish you catch is grilled on a handcrafted BBQ built by Skevos’s father. The cooking uses extra virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt, keeping the focus on the fish rather than heavy sauces.

The meal also includes fresh gold seabream and sea bass weighing 250 grams or more. That is important because lunch is not dependent only on your success with the rod. Even if the fish are shy, you still receive a substantial seafood meal.

Skevos prepares a Greek salad with herbs he keeps as a personal touch. The salad receives unusually strong praise, and several people have singled it out as one of the best parts of the day. You also get charcoal-grilled bread with olive oil, sea salt, and fresh Rhodian oregano.

Beer, cola, lemonade, and bottled mineral water are available without an extra charge. For $88 per person, the inclusion of a full meal, unlimited drinks, fishing gear, bait, snorkelling equipment, and the boat facilities makes the price fair. You are not paying only for a few hours with a fishing rod. You are paying for a guided half-day at sea with lunch and refreshments included.

If you do not eat fish or Greek salad, bring a snack. The meal is clearly built around seafood, and there is no separate alternative menu listed.

Skevos and Captain Mike

Skevos handles much of the instruction and is also a certified professional chef. Captain Mike, his father, has more than 35 years of professional fishing experience. Their family connection gives the trip a personal tone, while their separate roles keep the day moving.

The crew is trained in lifeguarding and works together when a strong fish takes the line. You can expect humor, practical help, and steady encouragement rather than formal classroom instruction.

That suits this experience. You will learn by doing: holding the rod, watching the line, feeling the pull, and following the crew’s advice. Beginners can get enough help to land a fish, while regular anglers can ask about local methods and equipment.

The small group also works well for families. One young fisherman received patient attention throughout the trip, and the crew made a point of helping every participant take part. Solo visitors can fit in too, since the shared fishing area and meal naturally create conversation.

The boat, facilities, and comfort level

This is an authentic fishing boat, not a luxury yacht. You should expect the practical movement of a working wooden vessel and the chance of getting splashed. That is part of the character, but it may not suit anyone seeking a polished resort-style cruise.

The onboard toilet is useful during five hours at sea. A freshwater shower lets you rinse off salt after swimming, and Wi-Fi is available if you need it. Safety equipment includes certified communication systems, radar, GPS, and depth-finding technology.

The boat is not suitable for wheelchair users, and pregnant women should not book. If you are prone to motion sickness, eat breakfast as advised and think carefully about how comfortable you are with several hours on the water. The crew can help with fishing technique, but they cannot remove the natural movement of the sea.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this trip for someone who wants more than a standard swim cruise. It works especially well for:

• First-time sea anglers who want patient instruction
• Families with children interested in fishing
• Couples looking for a relaxed shared activity
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting a small group
• Experienced anglers who like local guidance and varied methods
• Seafood lovers who value a fresh meal cooked minutes after fishing

I would be more cautious if you dislike fish, cannot swim comfortably from a boat, need step-free access, or want a guaranteed large catch. You should also avoid booking it for a day when you need a strict timetable. Weather and sea conditions can change the destination and the quality of the fishing.

The trip is also better for people who appreciate a social setting. It is a small group, not a private charter, so you share the fishing space and meal with up to nine other people. That can add to the fun, but it is worth knowing before you book.

Practical value at $88 per person

The strongest value comes from the combination of activities. A five-hour boat trip with fishing equipment, bait, snorkelling gear, lunch, beer, soft drinks, water, Wi-Fi, toilet access, and a freshwater shower would be expensive if each part were charged separately.

You also get something difficult to arrange independently: a local crew, a properly equipped fishing boat, several fishing methods, and a meal prepared on board. The catch may be modest, but the experience does not depend entirely on landing a trophy fish.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead gives you some flexibility, and you can reserve without paying immediately. The activity is offered in English. It operates in rain but not during storms, so check the conditions before you set out.

Should you book the Skevos Fishing Trip?

Book it if you want a friendly, hands-on morning or afternoon that combines fishing, swimming, and a generous Greek lunch. The father-and-son crew is the heart of the experience, and the small group gives you real access to their skills.

I would especially recommend it to beginners and families, since you receive the equipment, bait, guidance, and encouragement needed to take part. Experienced anglers should book it for the local setting and chance to try both trolling and ground fishing, while accepting that the sea controls the catch.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed big fish, a quiet private charter, or a tour built mainly around snorkelling. For most people who enjoy seafood, open water, and a little friendly uncertainty, $88 is a solid price for five hours on the Rhodes coast.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The boat is at Kolona Port, outside the Old Town of Rhodes.

How long does the activity last?

The trip lasts five hours, including the boat cruise, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, and lunch.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Who guides the fishing trip?

Skevos leads the trip and is also a certified professional chef. His father, Captain Mike, has more than 35 years of professional fishing experience.

What types of fish might I catch?

The crew may target small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjack, barracuda, trumpetfish, and great trevally while trolling. Ground fishing targets fish near the seabed.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment and bait are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes the fish you catch, gold seabream, sea bass, Greek salad, grilled bread, and the ingredients used to prepare the meal.

What drinks are included?

Unlimited bottled water, beer, cola, and lemonade are included.

Is snorkelling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkelling equipment is available during the swimming stop.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear and a towel. It is also wise to eat breakfast before the trip.

Does the trip run in bad weather?

The trip operates in rain but does not run during storms. The swimming destination depends on the weather and sea conditions.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women.