Rhodes: Captain Manolis Fishing Trip with BBQ and Swimming

Catch dinner at sea. This 4.5-hour Rhodes outing mixes hands-on fishing, a swim stop, and a simple Greek meal cooked aboard the boat. I like the small group of up to 10 and the fact that Captain Manolis provides the rods, bait, boat, and fishing guidance. The main drawback is clear: this is not a good choice if you get seasick or cannot swim.

I also like the easy meeting point at Kolona Port, only about five minutes from Rhodes’ central bus station. The barbecue, fresh fish portion, salad, bread, and beer or soft drinks give the $92 price real weight, though you should not book this expecting a guaranteed big catch. Fishing is fishing, and the sea gets the final vote.

Key points before you book

• Fishing comes first: You use supplied rods and bait while the captain helps you find suitable spots and explains how to fish.
• Captain Mike may lead the trip: The operator is Captain Manolis Fishing Trips, but several departures were guided by Captain Mike, who also cooked the meal.
• Lunch is cooked on board: Your included meal features one 500-gram fish per person, salad, bread, and drinks.
• The group stays small: The boat accepts no more than 10 participants, with some departures feeling almost private when only a few people book.
• Swimming and snorkeling are part of the outing: You stop near a beach for a swim, with snorkels available on at least some departures.
• The catch is not guaranteed: Past outings produced puffer fish, rosetta, tuna, and other fish, but the included barbecue fish can also be prepared separately from what you catch.

From Kolona Port to the Rhodian sea

The trip begins at Kolona Port, a practical location near the center of Rhodes Town. You will find the boat about five minutes from the central bus station, so you can reach it on foot if you are staying in town or arriving by bus. Transportation from your hotel or cruise ship is not included, so plan that part yourself.

The short setup matters. You are not spending the first hour on a transfer across the island. Once you board, the boat cruise begins and the focus shifts quickly to the sea, fishing, and the coastline.

The operator describes the outing as a small-group experience limited to 10 people. That is a useful size for this kind of boat trip. You should have enough room to handle a rod without feeling lost in a crowd, and it is easier to ask the captain for help. When only three or four people booked, the experience felt close to a private charter.

The listed duration is 4.5 hours. That is long enough for several fishing spots, a meal, a swim, and a coastal cruise without taking up your entire day in Rhodes. Check the available start times carefully, since an afternoon departure can work well if you want to spend the morning exploring the Old Town.

Learning to fish with Captain Manolis or Captain Mike

You do not need to arrive as an angler. Fishing gear and bait are supplied, and the captain gives instructions before you begin. The useful part is having someone on board who can show you what to do rather than simply handing you a rod and pointing toward the water.

Captain Manolis is described as a professional fisherman who shares practical tips and helps participants find fishing spots. Captain Mike is also named in several accounts of the trip. He helped people with the technique, cooked lunch, and in one case took the boat trolling for smaller tuna on the way back to the harbor.

That difference in names is worth noting. The company is presented as Captain Manolis Fishing Trips, but your individual departure may be led by Captain Manolis or Captain Mike. Both names are connected with the operation, and the experience appears to retain its personal, hands-on character.

The fishing itself may vary. Some outings began with bottom fishing, producing puffer fish and rosetta. Another group caught tuna and other fish, including a tuna around 40 centimeters. Those are pleasant results, but they are not a promise. Weather, season, location, and luck all matter.

I would treat the fishing as the central activity, not as a guaranteed way to fill a cooler. You may catch several fish, or you may spend more time learning, watching the water, and moving between spots. That uncertainty is part of the real fishing experience, but it is also the main reason not to book this solely for the catch.

Several fishing spots instead of one quick cast

The boat may stop at more than one location during the fishing period. One outing moved through three or four spots before heading to the barbecue area, giving the group a chance to try different water and methods.

This variety helps keep the half-day interesting. If one place is quiet, you are not stuck there for the whole trip. You also get a better sense of the waters around Rhodes rather than treating the excursion as a single anchored activity.

The captain can explain what you catch and offer basic information about sea life. That small educational element adds value, especially for families and first-time fishers. You are not simply pulling up a line without knowing what is below the surface.

Still, remember that this is a working fishing trip with leisure added, not a formal marine biology tour. The emphasis is on taking part, enjoying the sea, and eating well afterward.

The onboard barbecue and the 500-gram fish portion

After the fishing, the boat serves a simple meal cooked on board. The included food is one fresh fish per person, listed at 500 grams, along with salad, bread, and either soft drinks or beer.

This is one of the strongest parts of the value. You are not heading back to shore hungry after a few hours on the water. The meal is straightforward Greek-style boat food: grilled fish, salad, bread, and a cold drink, with roasted bread mentioned during one outing.

The cooking is part of the experience. Captain Mike is praised for preparing the food, while Captain Manolis is described as keeping the boat clean and making sure people were comfortable. That combination of fishing and lunch gives the trip a friendly, informal feel rather than the atmosphere of a large commercial cruise.

One detail needs careful interpretation. Your included fish portion does not necessarily mean that the fish you personally catch will become your lunch. One departure used fish bought in advance for the barbecue, then added extra fishing afterward. On other outings, the group caught fish and ate grilled fish as part of the day.

So, if you catch nothing, you still receive the planned meal. If you catch something, it may or may not be the exact fish served. That is a sensible arrangement for a short excursion and avoids making lunch depend on luck.

Swimming near a beach, with time for snorkeling

The trip includes a swimming stop near a beach. After the fishing and meal, you can get into the clear Aegean water, cool off, and enjoy the boat from a different angle.

This pause breaks up the fishing nicely. Four and a half hours with a rod can feel long for anyone who is not fully committed to fishing, while a swim gives you a relaxed stretch in the middle or later part of the outing. A refreshing drink or beer on board adds to the easy pace.

Snorkeling is also mentioned, and snorkels were available during at least one trip. You may see marine life beneath the boat, though the information provided does not promise a particular reef, beach, or underwater site. Think of this as a swim stop with the option to look around, not a dedicated snorkeling tour.

You need to be comfortable in the water. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you should bring swimwear and a towel. Sunscreen and a hat are just as important because there may be little shade while you are fishing or eating on deck.

Coastal views and monuments from the boat

The cruise offers views back toward Rhodes, including coastal beaches, broad sea views, and Rhodian monuments. The scenery is not a separate sightseeing circuit with scheduled stops at each monument. Instead, you take it in while moving between fishing spots or relaxing after lunch.

That makes the boat a pleasant supplement to sightseeing in Rhodes. From the water, the island’s shoreline feels different from the streets and fortress walls of Rhodes Town. You get a wide view without having to spend another half-day walking in the heat.

The trip is best for people who enjoy the combination of activity and scenery. If you want a detailed historical commentary on every landmark, this is not the right format. The English-speaking guide is there mainly to support the fishing and manage the outing, with conversation about the sea, fishing, and nature included along the way.

Is $92 good value for 4.5 hours?

At $92 per person, this is more than a basic sightseeing boat ride, but you receive more than transportation around the coast. The price includes a half-day fishing trip, a fully equipped boat, rods, bait, an experienced captain, the barbecue, a 500-gram fish portion, salad, bread, drinks, and swimming time.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat cruise, a seafood lunch, and a water activity. You also avoid the cost and hassle of renting fishing equipment. For a small group, the personal guidance is more useful than it would be on a crowded excursion.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is simply swimming. Rhodes has other ways to reach the sea, and you would be paying for fishing equipment, instruction, and the captain’s time. It is also not a bargain if you dislike fish or do not drink beer or soft drinks, since those parts contribute to the package.

For people who want several activities in one morning or afternoon, the price is fair. You get fishing, a boat ride, a meal, a swim, and views in one compact outing. The lack of guaranteed catches is the only major value question, and the included meal helps protect you from that risk.

What to bring and what to expect on board

Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, comfortable clothes, and a camera. You will want clothing that works for both fishing and swimming, since the trip moves between those activities rather than keeping them separate.

Keep your camera protected from spray and wet hands. You may also want to bring water, though soft drinks and beer are included. The boat was described as clean, which matters on a fishing trip where bait, food, and equipment share a limited space.

The outing is conducted in English. The captain helps with the fishing, explains useful tips, and can talk about sea life and protecting nature. The tone is informal and friendly, with the captain and crew preparing food and spending time with the group.

You should also be honest about seasickness. This is a small boat trip lasting 4.5 hours, and the itinerary includes cruising between fishing spots. If you are prone to motion sickness, this may not be the relaxing sea day you want.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes fishing trip most?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who like being active on the water. You do not need fishing experience, and the captain’s help makes the activity approachable.

It is particularly good for anyone who wants a more personal outing than a large group cruise. The limit of 10 people keeps the boat social without turning it into a party vessel. With only a few bookings, you might get a very personal departure.

This is also a good fit if you enjoy simple food and local-style hospitality. The barbecue is not a formal restaurant meal. It is grilled fish, salad, bread, and drinks served on a boat, which is exactly why it works.

I would skip it if you cannot swim, get seasick, dislike fish, or need a carefully timed sightseeing itinerary. You should also skip it if catching a large fish is your only goal. The strongest version of this trip is the whole package, not the promise of a trophy catch.

Should you book Captain Manolis Fishing Trip?

Book it if you want a small, friendly half-day combining fishing, swimming, coastal views, and a cooked meal. The strongest features are the hands-on help from the captain, the compact group size, the generous included food, and the chance to finish the outing with a swim and a drink.

Before booking, accept two conditions: your catch is not guaranteed, and the person leading the trip may be Captain Manolis or Captain Mike. If those points suit you, $92 is a reasonable price for a meal, equipment, boat time, and four and a half hours on the Aegean.

FAQ

Where does the Captain Manolis fishing trip start?

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

How long does the fishing trip last?

The activity lasts 4.5 hours, including fishing, the boat cruise, the barbecue, swimming, and scenic viewing.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The boat is fully equipped, and fishing rods, bait, and other necessary fishing gear are included.

What food is included?

The meal includes one fresh fish weighing 500 grams per person, salad, bread, and soft drinks or beers.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The trip includes swimming near a beach. Snorkeling is also mentioned as an available activity during the outing.

Is the trip suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to the booking terms.