Rhodes: Captain Manolis Fishing Trip with BBQ and Swimming

The best part of this Rhodes excursion is that fishing is only half the outing. You spend time trying bottom fishing or trolling, then stop near a beach for swimming, drinks, and a barbecue cooked on board. Captain Manolis and crew member Mike help beginners handle the rods and explain what you catch.

I like the small group limit of 10, which can make the boat feel friendly rather than crowded. I also like the honest, simple meal: grilled fish, Greek salad, bread, and a beer or soft drink, eaten with open views of the Rhodian coast. The main drawback is that this is not a serious big-game fishing charter, and people prone to seasickness or unable to swim should choose another outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Captain Manolis and Mike offer hands-on fishing help, making this suitable for beginners as well as regular anglers.
• The 4.5-hour trip mixes several activities, including rod fishing, scenic cruising, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.
• The boat carries no more than 10 participants, though smaller groups may have a near-private outing.
• One 500-gram fish per person is included, along with salad, bread, and soft drinks or beer.
• The catch is not guaranteed, but past outings have included tuna, puffer fish, and rosseta.
• You meet at Kolona Port, about five minutes from Rhodes’ central bus station, and arrange your own transport there.

A fishing trip that also feels like a Greek lunch cruise

This experience works because it does not ask you to spend four straight hours staring at a fishing line. You get a taste of local fishing, a short cruise along the coast, time in clear Aegean water, and a cooked meal before returning to port.

The fishing is practical rather than polished. Captain Manolis provides the rods, bait, and other gear, then shows you how to use it. Mike is also named by several people as a helpful fishing guide and cook. That matters if you have never fished from a boat, since the fun depends on getting started quickly rather than figuring out unfamiliar equipment alone.

The boat trip can include bottom fishing at several spots, and sometimes trolling for smaller tuna on the way home. Your results will depend on the sea and luck. One outing produced tuna and rosseta, while another caught puffer fish and a 40-centimeter tuna. You may catch something, but you should not book this as a guaranteed catch-and-keep fishing charter.

From Kolona Port to the first fishing spots

The meeting point is Kolona Port, about five minutes from Rhodes’ central bus station. Transportation to and from the port is not included, so allow time to reach the harbor on your own. This location is useful if you are staying in Rhodes Town or already visiting the old harbor area.

Once aboard, you receive the equipment needed for the half-day trip. The boat is described as fully equipped, with rods and fishing gear supplied, so you do not need to bring your own tackle. The English-speaking guide gives instructions during the outing, and the small group setup should allow more direct help than a large sightseeing boat.

The exact order of activities can vary. Bottom fishing may come first, with the crew moving between several locations. One detailed account described fishing at three or four spots before stopping for the barbecue. If you are keen on fishing, tell the crew early. One group that was especially enthusiastic got an extra attempt at tuna trolling on the return to Rhodes.

What fishing is really like on this half-day outing

The fishing is the most hands-on part of the experience. Captain Manolis and Mike show you how to work the rod, where to place the bait, and what you have caught. You do not need to arrive as an angler, and the trip is designed to provide the gear and basic instruction.

Bottom fishing can bring smaller or less glamorous catches, including puffer fish and rosseta. That is still useful if you want to see local marine life up close, but it may not match the picture of hauling in a large fish. The mood is more relaxed than competitive, with fishing mixed into a social day at sea.

The possibility of tuna adds a little excitement. A past group caught one tuna while trolling near the harbor on the way back. Another outing produced several tuna. These examples show what can happen, not what you should count on. Sea conditions, timing, and luck matter.

The crew also discusses the sea and the fish you catch. That makes the activity more than a simple ride with a rod. If you care about marine life or responsible fishing, the conversation about protecting nature may add value. Just keep expectations realistic: this is a short recreational fishing trip, not a specialist lesson in local fisheries.

The barbecue: simple food, good setting

After fishing, the crew prepares a barbecue on the boat. The included meal consists of one fresh fish weighing 500 grams per person, salad, bread, and soft drinks or beer. The wording does not mean you must catch the fish served at lunch. In at least one outing, fish for the barbecue had been purchased ahead of time, while the group still fished during the trip.

That distinction is useful. You can enjoy the meal even if the fish are not biting, and you are not left hungry because your catch was small. At the same time, the meal is tied to the fishing theme and is cooked in a straightforward way rather than presented as a restaurant lunch.

Expect grilled fish, Greek salad, and bread. One especially praised version included roasted bread, and the cook was identified as Captain Mike. The food is best understood as a fresh, informal sea lunch. You eat on board with views of the coast, which adds more to the experience than a complicated menu would.

The drinks help keep the meal easygoing. Beer and soft drinks are included, and one outing had plenty available throughout the trip. If you have special dietary needs, the supplied details do not specify alternatives, so ask before booking.

Swimming and snorkeling near the beach

The swimming stop breaks up the fishing and gives you a chance to cool off. The boat stops near a beach, where you can swim in the sea and, according to the experience details, use snorkeling equipment. One reported stop was described as an especially good swimming location.

This is not presented as a dedicated snorkeling tour with a long guided exploration. Think of it as free time in the water after the fishing and before the return to port. You can bring your camera, but protect it from splashes and keep in mind that you are on a working fishing boat rather than a resort boat with extensive storage.

You must be comfortable in the water. Non-swimmers are not suited to this activity, and seasickness is also listed as a concern. Even strong swimmers should bring a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and a hat. Comfortable clothing is sensible because the trip combines fishing, sun, food, and spray.

Views of Rhodes from the water

The boat provides a different angle on Rhodes. During the cruise, you may see coastal beaches, broad sea views, and Rhodian monuments from offshore. The scenery is not the sole purpose of the trip, but it gives the fishing time more variety.

I like this combination because the day does not depend on one kind of fun. If fishing is slow, you still have the coastline and swimming. If the sea is too active for a long swim, the meal and fishing remain part of the plan. The strongest outings seem to be the ones where the group treats the day as a shared sea adventure rather than a mission to catch the biggest fish.

The boat also gives you a chance to watch marine life and learn about what you pull from the water. The scale is intimate enough for conversation with the captain, which is one reason the small group matters.

Group size, pace, and the Captain Manolis feel

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is small enough for a more personal outing, though the actual group may be much smaller. Several bookings had only three or four people, creating what felt like a nearly private trip without the price of chartering the entire boat.

A small group also affects the fishing. You have more room to handle a rod, ask questions, and get attention from the crew. On a full boat, the experience will be more social and you may need to share space during the meal and at the rail.

The tone is friendly and informal. Captain Manolis is described as both an experienced fisherman and a capable host. Mike is praised for teaching fishing and cooking the barbecue. The names appear separately in the booking information and feedback, so the exact crew may vary. Either way, you should expect an English-speaking captain or guide who is directly involved in the activity.

Is the $92 price good value?

At $92 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use the whole package. You receive a 4.5-hour boat trip, fishing gear, instruction, a swimming stop, snorkeling access, a cooked fish meal, salad, bread, and drinks. You also avoid the separate cost of hiring equipment or buying lunch during the outing.

The value is strongest for someone who wants several activities in one morning or afternoon. A pure fishing enthusiast may prefer a longer charter with a stronger focus on catches. Someone who only wants a swim may find a regular beach or boat cruise cheaper. But if you like fish, swimming, food, and coastal views, the combination makes the price easier to justify.

The included fish serving is listed as 500 grams per person, which is a substantial part of the meal. Still, the trip is casual and the menu is limited. You are paying for the boat time and the captain’s help as much as for the food.

Timing, practical concerns, and what to pack

The experience lasts 4.5 hours, with departure times available according to the date you choose. A mid-afternoon departure has been used before, so this can fit around other plans, but check the actual start time when booking.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Hat and sunscreen
• Comfortable clothes
• Camera
• Any personal items you need for seasickness

The experience is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. The open sea, boat movement, and fishing pace can be hard on anyone who feels unwell on the water. If that is a concern, consider a land-based activity instead.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes plans may change. These flexible terms are useful, but they do not change the basic need to reach Kolona Port yourself.

Who should book this Rhodes fishing trip?

I would choose this outing if you want a friendly, active half-day on the water rather than a formal cruise. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people in a compact setting.

It is particularly good for beginners. You get equipment, bait, and instruction, so there is no need to know fishing techniques in advance. It also suits people who like simple local food and prefer a lunch cooked during the activity instead of stopping at a restaurant.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a guaranteed large catch. The trip can produce tuna and other fish, but the catch varies. I would also skip it if you cannot swim, suffer badly from seasickness, or want a luxury boat with lots of space and a long formal meal.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want fishing, swimming, and a grilled fish lunch in one compact outing. The captain’s personal instruction, small group size, and useful mix of activities give the trip more substance than a basic boat ride.

Go in with the right expectations. You may catch fish, but the sea makes no promises. The real value is the full day-at-sea feeling: learning a little about fishing, eating a simple Greek-style meal, swimming near the coast, and seeing Rhodes from the water. At $92, that is a fair deal for active visitors who are comfortable on a boat.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip meet?

The boat meets at Kolona Port, about five minutes from Rhodes’ central bus station.

How long is the activity?

The fishing trip lasts 4.5 hours.

How many people can join the boat?

The group is limited to 10 participants. Smaller groups are possible, and some outings have had only three or four people.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. The boat provides fishing gear, rods, and bait for the trip.

Is a fishing guide included?

Yes. An experienced captain and English-speaking guide provide instruction during the activity. Captain Manolis is named as the captain, and Mike is also identified as a crew member on several outings.

What food is included?

The barbecue includes one fresh fish weighing 500 grams per person, salad, and bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks or beers are included.

Is swimming part of the trip?

Yes. The boat stops near a beach for swimming, and snorkeling equipment is available.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimsuit, towel, camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing.

Is the trip suitable for non-swimmers or people with seasickness?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.