Rhodes: Captain Manolis Fishing Trip with BBQ and Swimming

The best seafood may be the one you help catch. This half-day outing takes you from Kolona Port into the waters around Rhodes for rod fishing, swimming, and a simple barbecue aboard a small boat. Captain Manolis and Captain Mike help beginners handle the gear, point out useful fishing techniques, and keep the mood friendly.

I like the small group limit of 10, which gives you a better chance to receive personal help than you would on a large cruise. I also like that the $92 price includes the boat, fishing gear, one 500-gram fresh fish per person, salad, bread, and beer or soft drinks. The main caution is simple: this is a sea activity, so it is not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness, and fishing catches can never be promised.

Key points to know before you go

• Fishing comes first: You use supplied rods and bait while Captain Manolis or Captain Mike explains how to fish in the local waters.
• The meal is part of the experience: Expect grilled fish, Greek salad, bread, and drinks served on board rather than a formal restaurant lunch.
• Swimming is built into the outing: The boat stops near a beach for a swim, with snorkeling available according to the experience described.
• The group can feel nearly private: With a maximum of 10 people, a group of four or fewer may have a very personal trip.
• The boat leaves from Kolona Port: The meeting point is about five minutes from Rhodes central bus station, but you arrange your own transport to the port.
• The schedule lasts 4.5 hours: You get enough time for fishing, a meal, swimming, and a scenic cruise without giving up a full day in Rhodes.

Setting out from Kolona Port

You meet the boat at Kolona Port, about five minutes from the central bus station in Rhodes. That location is useful if you are staying in Rhodes Town, since you can reach it without arranging a long transfer. Transportation to and from the port is not included, so you need to plan that part yourself.

The trip lasts 4.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book. One recorded outing left at 2:30 p.m., showing that the activity can work well as an afternoon plan, but the exact time depends on availability.

The group limit is 10 people. That number matters on a fishing trip because the captain needs room to move around the boat and give advice. A full group will not feel empty, but it should be more manageable than a large sightseeing cruise. If only three or four people are booked, you might find the outing feels close to a private charter.

The boat is described as fully equipped, with fishing gear included. You do not need to bring a rod or bait. Bring a hat, swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, camera, and comfortable clothes. A towel and sunscreen are particularly useful because the day combines open water, swimming, and time in the sun.

Learning to fish in Rhodian waters

The fishing is not presented as a passive boat ride. You get a rod, bait, and help from an experienced captain. That makes this a good choice if you have little or no fishing experience but still want to try the activity without buying equipment or learning everything alone.

Captain Manolis is praised for giving clear fishing tips and helping people understand what to do. Captain Mike receives similar praise for showing people how to fish and keeping the activity moving. One group caught tuna, while another caught smaller fish including puffer fish and rosetta. Those catches show the range of possibilities, but they should not be read as a promise that you will land a particular fish.

A fishing trip depends on conditions, timing, and luck. You may catch several fish, or you may spend more time waiting and learning. The value is partly in the catch, but also in the chance to handle the rod, watch the water, and learn from someone who fishes these waters regularly.

Some outings use bottom fishing at several spots. One account describes moving through three or four locations before heading to the barbecue. Another group had a short period of tuna trolling on the way back and managed to catch a tuna around 40 centimeters long. These details suggest that the captain may adjust the plan depending on conditions and the group’s interest.

If you are mainly booking this for a guaranteed tuna catch, keep your expectations in check. If you enjoy the process and see a fish as a welcome bonus, you are more likely to have a satisfying time.

The barbecue is the heart of the trip

After fishing, the boat becomes a floating lunch spot. The included meal features one fresh fish per person, listed at 500 grams, along with salad and bread. Beer and soft drinks are also included. This is a straightforward Greek-style meal, not a complicated catered spread, and that simplicity fits the setting.

The fish is grilled on board. Captain Mike is praised as a very good cook, while another account describes the fish as simply prepared and tasty, served with Greek salad, roasted bread, and drinks. The meal sounds best suited to people who appreciate fresh ingredients and a relaxed setting rather than a polished dining room.

The food also gives the fishing part a clear purpose. You are not just watching a crew prepare lunch somewhere else. The trip connects the sea, the catch, and the meal in one short experience. The fish served may include fish purchased in advance, as one outing indicates, so your own catch may not necessarily be the exact fish you eat. That is worth knowing if the idea of eating only what you catch is important to you.

For $92, the meal helps the outing make financial sense. A four-and-a-half-hour boat trip with equipment, instruction, food, drinks, and a swimming stop can cost more when each part is charged separately. You are paying for the time on the water and the work of the captain as much as for lunch.

Swimming and snorkeling near the beach

The captain stops near a beach so you can swim in the clear Aegean water. This breaks up the fishing and gives you time to cool off after sitting in the sun. A refreshing drink or beer on the boat adds to the easygoing feel.

Snorkels are available according to the experience described, and one outing included snorkeling as part of the fun. The activity also includes marine-life viewing, though the exact animals you see will depend on the location and conditions.

This is not a dedicated snorkeling excursion, so you should not expect a full guided underwater tour. The swimming stop is one part of a mixed activity that includes fishing, food, and a scenic cruise. Still, it gives you a useful change of pace and a chance to enjoy the water without a schedule packed with formal stops.

You should be comfortable in the sea before booking. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. If you are prone to seasickness, an open-water boat trip may also be uncomfortable, even though the boat includes several activities to keep you occupied.

Views of Rhodes from the water

The cruise offers views of beaches, open sea, and Rhodian monuments from a different angle. You see the coast while moving between fishing spots, then take in panoramic views while the meal is prepared or the boat is under way.

I like this part because it adds context to Rhodes. Much of the island’s appeal is coastal, and the view from the water shows you beaches and shoreline sections that can feel different from the usual road-based sightseeing. The trip is not a formal monument tour, so the emphasis is on scenery rather than a detailed historical explanation.

The live guide language is English. Captain Manolis and Captain Mike also bring practical knowledge of fishing and sea life into the outing. One account describes an enjoyable conversation about fishing and protecting nature, which suggests that you can ask questions rather than simply sit back and wait for the next stop.

The boat ride itself is also a useful reason to bring a camera. You can photograph the coast, the fishing activity, the meal, and the swimming stop. Keep your camera secure around water, and pack sunscreen even if the day begins with mild weather.

What makes the small group useful

A group limit of 10 sounds modest, but it is especially helpful here. Fishing requires access to equipment and a little personal attention. If everyone is trying to cast, check a line, or ask how to handle a catch, a small group makes that easier.

The captain can give you direct instructions instead of calling out general advice to a crowd. This matters most for first-time fishers, children old enough to follow instructions, and anyone who wants more than a simple boat ride.

The group size may vary. Some outings have been limited to three or four people, creating a nearly private feel without the full cost of booking an entire boat. A larger group will have a more social atmosphere, while a very small group may offer more flexibility and conversation with the captain.

You should also remember that small group does not mean silent or luxurious. The experience is hands-on and casual. You spend time fishing, eating, swimming, and sharing the boat with other people. That is part of its charm, but it may not suit you if you want a quiet private cruise.

Is $92 a fair price?

At $92 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning or afternoon in Rhodes. It is also more than a basic coastal boat ride. The price includes a fully equipped boat, fishing gear, an experienced captain, the fishing trip itself, a fresh fish portion, salad, bread, beer or soft drinks, and swimming near the beach.

I consider that a fair package for someone who wants several activities in one outing. You do not need to rent equipment, find a restaurant afterward, or pay separately for drinks. The captain’s instruction is also part of the value, especially if you have never fished from a boat.

The value is weaker if you dislike fish, do not want to swim, or mainly want a scenic cruise. In that case, you may be paying for parts of the experience you will not use. It is also less suitable if you need a guaranteed catch or a highly polished dining service.

The strongest value comes from treating this as a social half-day on the water. You get fishing instruction, a meal, swimming, and coastal views in one package. That combination is more useful than comparing the price with a simple boat transfer.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the trip to you if you like trying local activities rather than only looking at sights. It suits people who enjoy fishing, fresh seafood, swimming, and informal conversation. You do not need to be an expert angler, since the captain provides the equipment and guidance.

It can also work well for a couple, a small family group, or friends who want a flexible day near Rhodes Town. A small booking may make the boat feel especially personal. The mix of activities helps if different people in your group have different interests: one person can focus on fishing, another can swim, and everyone can share the meal.

The trip is less suitable for non-swimmers and people prone to seasickness. It may also disappoint you if you expect a luxury yacht, a long beach stay, or a formal food tour. The boat is a working fishing boat with a barbecue, not a high-end restaurant at sea.

The activity is offered in English. If you need another tour language, this may not be the right fit.

Practical advice for a better outing

Arrive ready for sun and salt water. Wear comfortable clothes, pack swimwear and a towel, and use sunscreen before boarding. A hat is useful during the fishing portion, when you may spend long periods in direct sun.

Bring a camera, but protect it from splashes. You may also want a dry bag for small personal items, although this is not listed as required equipment.

Do not judge the trip only by the size of your catch. Fish are unpredictable, and the experience includes instruction, the scenery, the meal, and the swimming stop. The people who get the most from this outing seem to enjoy the whole rhythm of the day.

If you have a choice of departure time, consider how it fits with your plans in Rhodes. A 4.5-hour activity takes a meaningful part of the day, but it leaves room for other sightseeing before or after. Check the available starting times rather than assuming the trip runs at one fixed hour.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Those terms are helpful if your Rhodes schedule is still shifting.

Should you book Captain Manolis Fishing Trip?

Book it if you want an active, friendly half-day that combines fishing, swimming, a fresh fish barbecue, and views from the Aegean. The strongest parts are the personal instruction from Captain Manolis or Captain Mike, the small group size, and the simple meal served on board.

I would skip it if you are uncomfortable on boats, cannot swim, dislike fish, or need a guaranteed catch. For everyone else, $92 is a reasonable price for several included experiences, especially when a small group gives the outing a more personal feel. Go with an open mind, and think of the fish you catch as a bonus rather than the entire point.

FAQ

Where does the Captain Manolis fishing trip depart from?

The boat departs from Kolona Port in Rhodes, about five minutes from the 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.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a half-day fishing trip, a fully equipped boat, fishing gear, an experienced captain, a barbecue, one fresh fish per person listed at 500 grams, salad, bread, soft drinks or beers, and swimming near the beach.

Is food included on the boat?

Yes. The barbecue includes fresh fish, salad, and bread. Drinks include soft drinks or beer.

Do I need to bring fishing equipment?

No. Fishing gear is provided as part of the activity, along with bait and help from the captain.

Is swimming included?

Yes. The boat stops near a beach for swimming. Snorkeling is also available according to the activity details.

Is the trip suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for non-swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. You should also arrange your own transportation to and from Kolona Port.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide language is English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.