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

Rhodes has plenty of boat trips, but this one puts fishing at the center of the day. You leave from Kolona port with Skevos and Captain Mike, a father-and-son team who fish these waters professionally, then help prepare your catch for lunch on board. The result feels more like a working fishing outing than a standard sightseeing cruise.

I especially like the small group of no more than 10 people, which gives you room to fish without fighting for a rail position. I also like the practical mix of fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and a proper Greek meal. The main thing to keep in mind is that fishing depends on weather, season, and luck. You may catch several species, but no captain can promise a big haul.

Key points to know before you book

• A traditional 10-meter wooden boat: You fish, eat, and relax on a handcrafted vessel with separate areas for fishing and dining.
• Two types of fishing: The trip begins with roughly an hour of trolling, followed by about two hours of ground fishing near the seabed.
• Lunch comes from the sea: Your catch is grilled with extra virgin olive oil and coarse salt, alongside sea bass, gold seabream, Greek salad, and bread.
• Skevos and Captain Mike lead the day: Captain Mike has more than 35 years of professional fishing experience, while Skevos also works as a certified chef.
• A quiet swim stop: The boat may visit Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina Bay, or a shallow sandy beach, depending on sea conditions.
• Good value at $88: Fishing gear, bait, snorkeling equipment, food, beer, soft drinks, water, Wi-Fi, and the five-hour cruise are included.

Leaving Kolona port for a real fishing morning

The boat is moored in the port of Kolona, just outside Rhodes Old Town. That location is handy if you are staying in Rhodes Town, but allow time to reach the port and find parking if you are driving. One recent booking party found parking busy, so arriving early is sensible.

The day takes place on a traditional, handcrafted wooden boat measuring about 10 meters. This matters because you are not simply being carried from one swimming cove to another. The vessel is set up for fishing, with a separate fishing area designed for 10 people and a separate space for meals and rest.

You also get a comfortable toilet, a freshwater shower, Wi-Fi, and certified VHF and UHF communication systems. The boat carries GPS, radar, a depth sounder, and a Lowrance 1000W fish finder. Those details may sound technical, but they give you a clearer picture of the trip. This is a properly equipped fishing boat, not just a leisure boat with a few rods added for show.

The group limit is one of the strongest points. Ten people is small enough for Skevos and Captain Mike to give basic instruction, adjust tackle, and help when a fish takes the line. It also makes the social side easier. You have enough space to talk with the other people on board without feeling packed in.

Trolling begins with a chance at faster fish

The first fishing phase lasts about an hour as the boat cruises toward the chosen area. The crew provides the rods, reels, tackle, and bait, so you do not need to bring fishing equipment from home.

This opening session uses trolling, with lines worked while the boat moves. The target fish can include small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjack, barracuda, trumpetfish, and great trevally. These are the more exciting possibilities because a strike can produce a sudden burst of activity and a harder fight than simple bottom fishing.

You do not need previous fishing experience. Skevos gives practical instructions and helps beginners handle the gear. Several people with no prior sea fishing experience caught fish after receiving simple guidance. That makes this a good choice for couples or families where one person fishes regularly and the other is trying it for the first time.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The sea is not a stocked pond, and fish do not follow a tour schedule. August can be a harder month for fishing in Rhodes, and windy conditions may affect the plan. The crew will work to give you a worthwhile outing, but the experience is better understood as learning how local fishing works rather than buying a guaranteed catch.

The boat has been fitted with high-quality equipment from brands including Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi. For you, that means the gear should feel more dependable and easier to use, especially if you are new to fishing. You are not expected to arrive with specialist knowledge.

Ground fishing gives everyone more time with a rod

After trolling, the crew spends around two hours on ground fishing. The lines are lowered toward fish near the seabed, giving you a different method and another chance to catch something.

This section may suit beginners particularly well. Trolling can feel exciting but unpredictable, while ground fishing gives you a more direct sense of what is happening below the boat. Skevos and Captain Mike can explain what to do, watch the lines, and help you bring a fish aboard.

The atmosphere appears to be relaxed rather than competitive. The crew makes an effort to help people catch something, and that encouragement is important on a shared fishing trip. You can enjoy the excitement of the catch without needing to prove yourself as an angler.

For experienced fishers, the outing still has appeal because the equipment is serious and the guides bring decades of local experience. Just note that the trip is designed for a mixed group. It is an accessible fishing experience with instruction, not a specialist charter built around one expert angler’s preferred technique.

Swimming and snorkeling in a weather-dependent bay

Once the fishing is finished, the boat anchors in a quiet bay. The exact destination can be Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina Bay, or a shallow sandy beach. The choice depends on weather and sea conditions, so the route is not fixed.

Kallithea Springs is the best-known name of the three options, while Santa Marina Bay offers a quieter setting. A shallow sandy beach may be the most comfortable choice for a gentle swim. You should think of the stop as a flexible sea break rather than a guaranteed visit to one named attraction.

Snorkeling equipment is provided if you want it. You can also simply swim, float, or relax while lunch is prepared. Pool noodles were available for at least some outings, which can help if you are not a confident swimmer, but the supplied information does not promise them on every departure.

Bring beachwear and a towel. Wear something that can get wet, since sea spray and wet fishing equipment are part of the setting. The trip runs in rain or shine, but not during storms. If you are prone to seasickness, eat breakfast before boarding, as advised by the operator. That is especially useful here because the boat spends a good part of the morning moving and fishing rather than staying anchored.

Lunch turns the catch into the main event

The meal is one of the clearest reasons this trip offers good value. The fish you catch is grilled on a handcrafted barbecue built by Skevos’s father. It is cooked with extra virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt, then served with fresh gold seabream and sea bass weighing 250 grams or more.

The crew also serves Greek salad made with herbs, charcoal-grilled bread, olive oil, sea salt, and fresh Rhodian oregano. Beer, cola, lemonade, and bottled mineral water are included without a separate charge.

The food is not an afterthought packed into a plastic container. It is tied directly to the fishing experience. You have spent the morning learning how the fish are caught, then see the meal prepared on the same boat. That connection gives the lunch more character than a normal buffet stop.

Skevos is a certified professional chef, and his Greek salad receives repeated praise in the supplied feedback. A homemade lemon sauce is also prepared on some outings. If you enjoy fish and Greek food, this is likely to be a highlight.

The menu does create one practical limitation. The main meal is fish, salad, and bread. If you do not eat fish or do not care for Greek salad, bring a snack. The supplied information does not list a separate meat or vegetarian main course, so do not book this expecting a broad restaurant menu.

The father-and-son team shapes the experience

Captain Mike has more than 35 years of professional fishing experience. Skevos grew up on the boat with his father and now combines that fishing background with his cooking skills.

That family connection is part of the appeal. The crew is not simply following a script about the sea. They fish together, teach together, prepare lunch together, and help each other when a larger catch comes aboard. For you, this means the day can feel personal without requiring a private charter.

The tone is friendly and informal. The guides are described as funny, welcoming, and patient, with particular care given to first-time fishers and children. One family booked the trip specifically for a young fishing enthusiast and found the crew attentive and encouraging.

English is the listed language. If you want a quiet boat ride with little conversation, this may not be your ideal choice. The social atmosphere is part of the package, and the small group often talks and shares the excitement when someone catches a fish.

What $88 includes, and where the value sits

At $88 per person, the price is fair for a five-hour outing with food and drinks included. You are paying for much more than a short boat transfer. The cost covers the fishing equipment, bait, snorkeling gear, lunch, unlimited beer, soft drinks, bottled water, Wi-Fi, and use of the boat’s toilet and freshwater shower.

A separate fishing charter could cost more before you add food, drinks, and equipment. A normal sightseeing cruise might include swimming but not instruction, fishing gear, or a freshly grilled catch. This trip combines all three elements in one half-day.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the whole package. Fish, snorkel, eat seafood, and enjoy a small group, and the price makes sense. If you dislike fish, rarely swim, or mainly want to see the Rhodes coastline from the water, a standard boat cruise may suit you better.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Those limits are worth checking before you book, since the boat is a working fishing vessel rather than an accessible sightseeing platform.

Who should book this Rhodes fishing trip

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families with older children, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and first-time fishers. The instruction is straightforward, the equipment is provided, and the group is small enough for personal help.

It also works well for someone who wants more than a fishing lesson. The swimming stop breaks up the rod time, and the meal gives the outing a clear finish. You are not stuck fishing for five straight hours.

Experienced anglers should book if they want local guidance and a relaxed mixed-group trip. I would not book it if you need a guaranteed trophy fish, a private boat, or a fixed destination. The sea decides much of the schedule, and the captain may change the route for conditions.

The trip is also a good choice for a birthday or family occasion. The crew has experience making young fishers feel involved, and the meal gives the day a celebratory feel without needing a separate restaurant reservation.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Eat breakfast before you arrive. The operator specifically advises this, and it is sensible for a five-hour outing that includes boat movement, fishing, and swimming.

Bring beachwear and a towel. Add sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof way to carry anything you need on deck. The official requirements only list beachwear and a towel, but clothing that can handle splashes is a smart choice.

If you are driving to Rhodes Town, allow extra time for parking near Kolona port. The boat is outside the Old Town, so check your route carefully rather than assuming you can pull up directly beside the vessel.

Plan around the weather. The outing goes ahead in normal rain, but storms can cancel it or prevent it from taking place. Wind can also make fishing and swimming less comfortable, even when the trip operates.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a hands-on day at sea, enjoy fresh fish, and like the idea of learning from a local father-and-son crew. The small group, full meal, drinks, gear, and swimming stop make $88 a solid price.

Skip it if you need guaranteed catches, dislike seafood, or want a fully accessible boat. For everyone else, this is one of the more personal ways to spend a half-day in Rhodes, especially if catching your own lunch sounds better than watching another boat pass by.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes fishing trip depart from?

The boat is located in the port of Kolona, outside Rhodes Old Town. The starting and ending point is Skevos Fishing Trip.

How long does the experience last?

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

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Do I need to bring fishing equipment?

No. Fishing equipment and bait are provided, and the crew gives instructions during the trip.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included if you wish to use it during the swimming stop.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes grilled fish, sea bass, gold seabream, Greek salad, and charcoal-grilled bread. Beer, cola, lemonade, and bottled mineral water are also included.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear and a towel. It is also advised that you eat breakfast before the tour.