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

Fishing tastes better at sea. This five-hour Rhodes outing combines hands-on fishing with swimming, snorkeling, and a fresh BBQ lunch on a traditional wooden boat. I especially like the small group of up to 10 people and the warm father-and-son team of Skevos and Captain Mike. The main consideration is that fishing depends on weather and sea conditions, so a big catch is never guaranteed.

The trip offers excellent value at $88 per person, since fishing gear, bait, lunch, beer, soft drinks, water, snorkeling equipment, Wi-Fi, and use of the toilet are included. I would bring a towel, beachwear, and a little patience. The sea can be generous, but it does not take requests.

Key points to know before you book

• Traditional 10-meter fishing boat: You sail on a handcrafted wooden vessel with a separate fishing area, dining space, toilet, freshwater shower, and safety equipment.
• Fishing for beginners and regular anglers: Skevos and Captain Mike explain the equipment and help you handle the catch, with trolling followed by ground fishing.
• Fresh fish BBQ onboard: Your catch is grilled with sea bass and gold seabream, alongside Greek salad, bread, olive oil, oregano, drinks, and beer.
• Three possible water stops: The boat may head toward Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina Bay, or a shallow sandy beach, based on the day’s conditions.
• A real small-group outing: Only 10 participants can join, making it easier to get personal help and space around the fishing lines.
• Easy harbor location: The boat leaves from the Port of Kolona, just outside Rhodes Old Town.

Setting off from the Port of Kolona

The boat is moored at the Port of Kolona, outside the Old Town of Rhodes. This is useful if you are staying in Rhodes Town, since you do not need a long transfer to reach the meeting point. If you drive, give yourself time to find parking. The port area can get busy, especially in high season.

Once aboard, you settle into a traditional, handcrafted wooden boat measuring about 10 meters. It is not a giant excursion vessel with hundreds of people and a loudspeaker. The setup is much more personal, with a fishing area designed for 10 people and a separate place to eat and relax.

That layout matters. Fishing rods and lines need room, and nobody wants to balance lunch on top of tackle boxes. The separate areas let the trip shift naturally from fishing to swimming and then to lunch without making the boat feel chaotic.

Skevos leads much of the instruction, while his father, Captain Mike, brings more than 35 years of professional fishing experience. Their work together is one of the defining parts of the outing. They know the boat, the gear, and the local waters, and they share the work of helping people land fish.

English is the stated language of instruction. The group size is limited to 10, so you should have a reasonable chance to ask questions and receive direct help. That is particularly helpful if you have never fished from a boat.

The first hour: trolling along Rhodes

The first part of the cruise takes about an hour. During this stretch, the crew uses professional trolling equipment while the boat moves through the water. Trolling gives you the chance to catch fish that follow or strike moving bait.

The possible targets include small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjacks, barracudas, trumpetfish, and great trevally. These are not guaranteed catches, and the season and sea conditions matter. Still, the range of possible fish gives the opening section some suspense. You may spend part of the time watching the rods, waiting for movement, then suddenly need to pay attention.

The fishing equipment is supplied for you. The boat uses gear from brands including Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi. You do not need to pack your own rod or buy bait before arriving.

The boat also carries a Lowrance 1000W fish finder, GPS, depth sounder, and radar. These tools support the crew’s work and help them read the water, rather than simply cruising and hoping for luck. The captain’s experience remains the most important part, but the equipment adds a serious working-boat feel.

For a first-time angler, this section is less about mastering complicated technique and more about learning the basic rhythm of sea fishing. You receive guidance on how to hold the rod, respond to a bite, and work with the crew. The team makes an effort to help each person catch something, but you should still understand that nature gets the final word.

Ground fishing for about two hours

After trolling, the boat changes approach. For roughly two hours, you use ground-fishing methods to target fish near the seabed. This is a useful contrast to the opening section, since the pace and technique change.

Ground fishing can feel more accessible to beginners. You are not only waiting for a fast-moving predator to strike. You are working near the bottom, watching your line, and learning how the equipment behaves in deeper water.

The team can help you with the practical parts, including bait and handling the line. That personal help is a major reason the small group matters. On a crowded fishing boat, you may spend more time waiting for assistance. Here, the guides can keep an eye on several people without losing the relaxed mood.

Fishing is not the same every month. One August outing was enjoyable even though the conditions were not ideal for catching fish, and the crew still worked hard to make the experience worthwhile. Wind can also affect the day. A May trip went ahead in windy conditions, with the crew adapting their approach and still producing a good outing.

That is the honest expectation to carry with you: the fishing is a central part of the trip, but not a guaranteed catch-per-person service. You are paying for time on the water, instruction, equipment, scenery, swimming, and food as well as the possibility of catching dinner.

Swimming and snorkeling in a quiet bay

Once the fishing sessions are finished, the boat anchors in a quiet bay. The exact stop depends on the weather and sea conditions. Possible destinations include famous Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina Bay, or a shallow sandy beach.

These options give the crew room to choose a suitable place rather than forcing one fixed stop in poor conditions. You may see Rhodes from the water as you cruise, then spend time in a calmer spot away from the main harbor.

You can swim, snorkel, or simply relax onboard. Snorkeling equipment is provided if you want it, and noodles are available according to one family’s experience. That can make the water stop more comfortable if you are not a confident swimmer.

Bring your own towel and beachwear. You should also expect to get splashed during the boat ride, so wear clothing that can handle some salt water. The trip takes place in rain or sunshine, but it does not operate during storms. Weather is not a small detail here. It affects the route, the fishing, the anchoring point, and how comfortable you will feel on deck.

This stop also gives the crew time to prepare lunch. You can swim while the fish is cleaned and the BBQ is fired up. It is a smart break in the schedule, since five hours of fishing can otherwise feel like a long stretch for anyone who is new to the activity.

Lunch from the boat’s handmade BBQ

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. Skevos and Captain Mike grill the fish caught during the outing, adding fresh gold seabream and sea bass weighing 250 grams or more. The fish is prepared with extra virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt on a handmade BBQ built by Skevos’s father.

The meal also includes Greek salad, charcoal-grilled bread, olive oil, sea salt, and fresh Rhodian oregano. Skevos prepares the salad, and his lemon sauce receives special praise from returning diners. The food is not a token sandwich handed over between activities. It is a proper Greek lunch tied directly to the fishing experience.

Drinks are included: unlimited bottled water, soft drinks such as cola and lemonade, and beer. That makes the $88 price easier to judge. A separate boat trip, fishing rental, lunch, drinks, and snorkeling equipment could quickly cost more if purchased independently.

The menu is especially appealing if you enjoy seafood. If you do not eat fish or Greek salad, bring a few snacks. The supplied meal is built around those foods, and there is no stated alternative menu.

Eating your catch on the boat gives the day a simple sense of place. You have been out on the same sea where the fish came from, and the meal follows the fishing rather than being a separate restaurant stop. The setting does much of the work: salt air, the Rhodes shoreline, a quiet bay, and food prepared only a short time after the rods are put away.

What the boat offers beyond the fishing gear

This is a working fishing boat, but it is set up for a half-day outing. You have access to a comfortable toilet, a freshwater shower, Wi-Fi, snorkeling equipment, and certified VHF and UHF communication systems.

The boat also follows stated safety regulations and carries navigation and radar equipment. That does not remove the normal realities of being at sea, but it shows that the vessel is prepared for more than a casual trip around the harbor.

The separate fishing and dining areas are useful for families and couples. You can focus on the activity while it is happening, then sit down to eat without rods and bait crowding the table.

The group limit is important too. A maximum of 10 people creates a social outing without turning it into a packed party boat. You may chat with other people during the cruise, but the guides can still offer individual support. Solo visitors can fit in well, while families with children have a better chance of receiving patient instruction.

Pregnant women and wheelchair users should choose another activity. The boat trip includes movement, fishing equipment, swimming, and boarding conditions that are not presented as suitable for those needs.

Who will get the most from this Rhodes boat trip

I would recommend this experience to first-time anglers, couples, families with children who already enjoy fishing, and solo visitors who want an activity with a friendly social setting.

It also suits someone who wants more than a standard sightseeing cruise. You do see the shores of Rhodes, but the point is to take part. You fish, handle equipment, swim, and eat onboard.

Experienced anglers may appreciate the quality of the rods and the chance to try both trolling and ground fishing. Still, this is not presented as a specialist trophy-fishing charter. The crew wants everyone to take part, including people holding a fishing rod for the first time.

Food-focused visitors should pay attention too. The BBQ, Greek salad, grilled bread, and drinks are not afterthoughts. Several outings were remembered most fondly for the meal, especially the fish, salad, and homemade dressing.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is a guaranteed large catch. Even with professional equipment and experienced crew, fish numbers vary. A difficult month or windy day can reduce the action. The swimming, meal, views, and instruction help balance that risk, but they do not change the basic fact that fishing is unpredictable.

Is $88 good value for five hours?

At $88, this is a strong package if you plan to use most of what is included. You receive five hours on the water, all fishing equipment and bait, snorkeling gear, a full meal, unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, and use of the boat facilities.

The value is strongest for anyone who would otherwise book several separate activities. Fishing gear rental alone is included here, and you also get a guided lesson, a swim stop, and lunch cooked onboard.

The price is less compelling if you dislike seafood, do not want to swim, or plan to spend the whole time relaxing rather than fishing. The trip is built around active participation and a fish-based meal.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your date.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Eat breakfast before you arrive. The tour includes lunch, but the fishing begins well before that meal, and the day includes several hours of activity.

Pack beachwear and a towel. Add sun protection, though the supplied information specifically identifies beachwear and a towel as the essentials. Clothing that can get wet is wise because sea spray may reach the deck.

If you drive to Rhodes Town, allow extra time for parking near the Port of Kolona. The boat is outside the Old Town, not deep inside its lanes.

Keep your expectations flexible. The crew may choose Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina Bay, or a sandy beach according to the conditions. The route is not simply a fixed sightseeing loop.

Finally, let the crew help you. Skevos and Captain Mike are central to the experience, particularly when someone catches a first fish or needs support with a stronger one. The outing works best when you treat it as a shared fishing day, not as a private contest.

Should you book this fishing trip?

I would book it if you want a small, friendly half-day on the water with real fishing, a swim, and a generous lunch. The father-and-son team, practical equipment, traditional boat, and handmade BBQ give the trip a strong local character.

Book with realistic expectations about the catch. Fish numbers can change with the month and the weather, and the tour will not run during storms. If you accept that uncertainty, the combination of expert help, peaceful bays, fresh seafood, and a $88 all-in price makes this one of the more appealing active outings from Rhodes Town.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts five hours, including the boat cruise, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment and bait are included in the price.

Do I need previous fishing experience?

No. The guides explain the fishing methods and help beginners use the equipment.

What kinds of fish might be targeted?

The trip may target small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjacks, barracudas, trumpetfish, great trevally, and fish near the seabed.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The meal includes grilled fish, Greek salad, bread, and drinks. The crew grills fish caught during the trip and also serves fresh gold seabream and sea bass.

Are drinks included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is available for use during the swimming stop.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear and a towel. It is also sensible to wear clothing that can get wet because sea spray may reach the boat.

Does the trip run in bad weather?

The trip operates in rain or sunshine but does not take place during storms. The destination can change with the weather and sea conditions.

Is the boat suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women?

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