Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip with swimming stop and BBQ on board

Fishing, swimming, and a freshly cooked BBQ make this small-group boat trip one of Rhodes’ more personable half-day outings. Angelo and the captain keep the mood warm and playful, while the crew helps first-time anglers bait hooks, manage lines, and handle the catch.

I like the chance to eat fish prepared on board, and I like the swim stop at the rocky coves near Kallithea Springs. The main caution is simple: three hours of fishing can feel long, especially for young children, and catching fish is never guaranteed.

Key things to know before you book

• Fishing comes first: You spend about three hours at several fishing spots, with hands-on help for beginners.
• Kallithea Caves provide the change of pace: The one-hour swim and snorkel stop brings clear water and rocky scenery.
• Lunch is a major part of the value: Expect a generous BBQ meal with fish or chicken, salad, bread, and fruit.
• The group is capped at 12: This keeps the outing more personal than a large excursion boat.
• The boat is practical, not polished: There is a toilet on board, but reports note no sink, a poor lock, and a need for better cleaning.
• Cruise passengers should plan carefully: Delays can happen, and the captain may not shorten the trip to meet a ship departure.

Fishing off Rhodes with Angelo and the captain

The day begins at the waterfront in Rhodes, where you board the fishing boat for the first part of the outing. The experience is built around participation rather than passive sightseeing. You are handed fishing gear, shown how to bait the hook, and helped with tangles or tricky lines.

If you have never fished before, the crew gives you a clear way into the activity. You do not need to arrive with special skills. The fishing is suitable for beginners, while experienced anglers can get straight to work instead of sitting through a long lesson.

Angelo is a big part of the atmosphere. He is described as funny, helpful, and full of energy, with an infectious laugh. The captain handles the boat and cooks the meal, and the two work together to make the outing feel informal and sociable.

The fishing usually takes place at two or three locations. The exact catch will vary with conditions, timing, and luck. Some outings produce several fish, including a memorable catch for a first-time angler. Other times, you may get only a few bites or small fish. The photographs showing many fish should not be treated as a promise of what you will catch that day.

That uncertainty is worth understanding before you pay. This is a fishing experience, not a guaranteed catch-and-keep excursion. I would book it for the fun of learning, handling a rod, and spending time at sea. If your only goal is to bring home a large fish, this is a risky choice.

Why the three-hour fishing session matters

Three hours gives the boat time to reach more than one fishing area and gives you a fair chance to get a bite. It also allows the crew to help several people without rushing from one person to the next.

Still, the length changes how suitable the trip is for your group. Older children and teenagers may enjoy the steady activity, especially if they can take turns and stay involved. Younger children may lose interest before the swimming stop arrives. One family found the fishing section a little too long for its younger children, even though the full outing was very successful.

I would set expectations clearly with children. The fishing is not a nonstop stream of catches. There can be quiet spells, repeated baiting, and time spent waiting. That is part of real fishing, but it can test a child’s patience.

The crew’s help improves the experience for beginners. Lines can tangle, bait can slip, and fish can be difficult to handle. Having Angelo and the captain nearby means you are not left to work out every problem alone.

Kallithea Caves and the one-hour swim stop

After fishing, the boat heads to the rocky beaches and caves around Kallithea Springs. This is the visual and physical break in the day. Instead of sitting with a rod, you can get into the water, swim around the rocky shoreline, and snorkel in the clear sea.

The cove gives the trip a useful second purpose. You do not need to be a keen angler to enjoy the outing, since the swimming stop provides time to relax and enjoy the setting. If fishing has been slow, this hour can rescue the day.

The stop is also a good reason to bring swimwear, a towel, and anything you need for time in the water. The supplied information confirms swimming and snorkeling, but it does not promise specific equipment, so I would not assume that masks or fins are provided.

Some people may prefer a longer swim, but the schedule divides the day fairly evenly between fishing and the later meal and water stop. You should not book this expecting a full beach afternoon. It is a short sea excursion with one planned swim break.

The BBQ lunch is more than a snack

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. The captain prepares a BBQ on board, and the food is served as a proper lunch rather than a token sandwich.

Meals described include grilled fish, chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit. One gluten-free meal included grilled fish, gluten-free bread, salad, and fruit. The portions can be generous, with enough food that some people could not finish everything.

The fish may include part of the day’s catch, which gives the meal a nice connection to the fishing session. If you catch something suitable, the idea of seeing it cooked and served later adds a memorable touch. But the main meal does not depend entirely on a successful catch, so a quiet fishing morning should not leave you without lunch.

Soft drinks, beer, and wine are available at no extra charge, according to the supplied details. That adds value, especially on a five-hour outing in warm weather. Still, you should bring water if you have particular hydration needs, since the available drink selection is not described in full.

I like that lunch is part of the experience rather than an afterthought. You get food, conversation, and a chance to sit together after the activity. The boat may be older, but the meal and the crew’s hospitality help give it a family-style feel.

The boat is small, older, and part of the appeal

The maximum group size is 12 people. That is a useful limit. You are not one face in a crowd, and the crew can give individual help with fishing lines and bait.

A small boat also changes the feel of the outing. You are closer to the crew, closer to the other people on board, and more involved in the rhythm of the day. That can feel friendly and personal, particularly when Angelo is keeping everyone laughing.

The trade-off is comfort. The boat is described as older rather than luxurious. If you want polished fittings, wide sun decks, or a high-end yacht atmosphere, this is not that kind of outing. I would think of it as a practical working boat that has been adapted for a relaxed day at sea.

There is a toilet downstairs. That is useful during a five-hour trip, but it has drawn practical criticism. The toilet may need a better clean, the lock may not work well, and there is no sink. Bring hand wipes. This is a small point, but it matters when you are spending most of a day on board.

Meeting point and timing deserve care

The listed meeting address is 25is Martiou 2 in Rhodes, and the trip ends back at the same meeting point. The boat is on the waterfront, but the map pin may not guide you directly to the correct place. Confirm the exact boarding location with the operator before setting out, especially if you are unfamiliar with Rhodes town.

The trip lasts about five hours. That sounds straightforward, but timing matters greatly if you are visiting Rhodes from a cruise ship. A delayed departure can reduce your safety margin, and the captain may not be able to shorten the excursion because other people are still taking part.

I would not book this if the scheduled return leaves only a narrow window before your ship sails. A delay from an earlier trip can affect the start, and the boat cannot promise to tailor the whole outing around one party’s departure. Build in a generous buffer or choose an activity with a firm return time closer to the port.

For a hotel stay or a flexible day in Rhodes, this concern is much smaller. The trip begins and ends at the waterfront, and the area is near public transportation.

Who will get the most from this trip

This experience suits you if you want several activities in one outing. You can fish, swim, snorkel, eat a full meal, and spend time with a small group without booking separate activities.

It is especially suitable for:

• First-time anglers who want instruction and help with equipment
• Couples looking for an easy day on the water
• Families with older children and teenagers
• People who care as much about lunch and swimming as the catch
• Cruise passengers with a wide return window
• Anyone who prefers a friendly, informal boat over a large tour vessel

It is less suitable if you need a luxury boat, guaranteed fishing results, or a tightly controlled schedule. It may also be a poor match for very young children who will find three hours of fishing too long.

The group size helps families and couples meet other people, but the social tone is part of the deal. You will be sharing a compact boat, a meal, and the fishing equipment. If you prefer quiet privacy, a private charter would suit you better, though that would likely cost more.

Is $78.60 a fair price?

At $78.60 per person, the price covers about five hours on the water, fishing instruction, the Kallithea swimming stop, a BBQ lunch, and drinks including soft drinks, beer, and wine. That is a solid package if you take part in all the main elements.

The value is strongest when you think of it as a combined fishing, swimming, and lunch trip. The food alone is more substantial than the usual basic excursion fare, and cooking fish on board gives the meal a local, hands-on quality.

The value is weaker if you only want to fish. A slow catch, an older boat, and a long wait between bites may leave you feeling that the activity did not deliver enough. The trip works best when you welcome the other parts of the day as equal attractions.

The 99 percent recommendation rate and 5-star average from 831 ratings indicate very strong satisfaction overall. I would still read the practical details carefully rather than assuming perfection. The most consistent strengths are the crew, food, swim stop, and relaxed atmosphere. The recurring cautions are the boat’s age, the toilet, uneven fishing results, and timing for cruise departures.

Booking, cancellation, and weather notes

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience is offered in English. Most people can take part, and the group is limited to 12.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. The experience depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The outing is often booked about 22 days in advance, so early booking is sensible during busy periods. I would also contact the operator before the day to confirm the waterfront meeting point and expected return time.

Should you book the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip?

Book it if you want a sociable, good-value day that mixes fishing with swimming and a generous meal. The crew, especially Angelo and the captain, are central to the experience, and the food sounds like a genuine highlight rather than a box-checking extra.

Go in knowing that the boat is older, the toilet is basic, and the fish may be small or absent. For families, think carefully about the three-hour fishing period. For cruise passengers, leave a wide safety margin before departure.

My call: yes, for flexible visitors who value atmosphere, food, and the swim stop as much as the fishing. Skip it if you need luxury, privacy, or a guaranteed catch.

FAQ

How long does the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. About three hours are used for fishing, followed by about one hour at Kallithea Caves for swimming and snorkeling, with time also allocated for the meal and boat travel.

Where does the tour start and end?

The listed meeting point is 25is Martiou 2, Rodos 851 00, Greece. The activity ends back at the meeting point. The boat boards on the waterfront, so confirm the precise location before arrival.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is the fishing suitable for beginners?

Yes. The crew helps beginners bait hooks, manage the reel, and handle tangled lines. Experienced anglers can also fish without needing a long introduction.

Is catching fish guaranteed?

No. Catch sizes and results vary. Some outings catch several fish, while others produce only a few bites or small fish.

What happens at Kallithea Caves?

You stop near the rocky beaches and caves around Kallithea Springs. You can swim and snorkel in the surrounding water for about one hour.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch is prepared on board. Meals can include grilled fish or chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit. Soft drinks, beer, and wine are also available.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or select another date.