Rhodes: Captain Manolis Fishing Trip with BBQ and Swimming

The best part of this Rhodes outing is its simple rhythm: fish with Captain Manolis or Captain Mike, stop near a beach for a swim, then eat a grilled fish lunch on the boat. You get a slice of ordinary Greek sea life, not just a cruise past the coast. Fishing is the main event, but the meal and water stop give the half-day a relaxed shape.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which gives you a real chance to handle a rod and ask for help. I also like the all-in setup: fishing gear, bait, fish, salad, bread, soft drinks, and beer are included. The main consideration is that this is not a good pick for non-swimmers or anyone prone to seasickness, and the catch can never be promised.

Key points at a glance

• Captain Mike’s practical fishing help: He has shown beginners how to fish and taken groups between several fishing spots.
• A barbecue at sea: Your meal includes one fresh fish per person, listed as 500 grams, with salad and bread.
• Small-group format: The boat is limited to 10 people, though some departures may feel almost private with only a few bookings.
• Swimming and snorkeling near a beach: Bring a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat for the water stop.
• A 4.5-hour Rhodes outing: The trip begins and ends at Kolona Port, about five minutes from the central bus station.
• Good value for an active half-day: At $92 per person, the price covers the boat, captain, fishing equipment, meal, and drinks, but not port transportation.

Fishing the Rhodian coast with Captain Manolis

This is a hands-on boat trip rather than a sightseeing cruise with a rod added as decoration. You head out from Kolona Port into the South Aegean, learn how to use the equipment, and try several fishing areas with help from the captain.

Captain Manolis is the name attached to the trip, while several outings have been led by Captain Mike. Both are described as experienced fishermen who give clear instructions. Mike, in particular, has helped beginners get started, moved between bottom-fishing spots, and even tried trolling for smaller tuna on the return to port when conditions and timing allowed.

That variety matters. You may begin with bottom fishing, where smaller fish can provide steady action, then try another method later. One outing produced puffer fish and rosetta, followed by a tuna caught on the way back. Another group caught several tuna and rosetta. These are useful examples, but you should book this as a fishing experience, not as a guarantee of a particular catch.

The captain also explains what you catch and shares information about sea life and protecting nature. That gives the activity more purpose than simply dropping a line and waiting. Still, expect the pace of fishing to depend on the sea, the fish, and the luck of the day.

What the 4.5-hour itinerary feels like

You meet at Captain Manolis Fishing Trips Rhodes at Kolona Port. The port is about five minutes from Rhodes’ central bus station, so the meeting point is fairly easy to reach if you are staying in or near Rhodes Town. Transportation to the port is not included, so plan that short connection yourself.

Once aboard, the captain provides the fishing gear and bait. The boat is fully equipped for the trip, and the group size is capped at 10 participants. That limit is important because fishing becomes awkward when too many people are competing for space, rods, and instruction. With only three or four people booked, the boat can feel almost private. With 10, it should still be a small-group outing, but expect a livelier deck.

The fishing section takes up the working part of the trip. You might use rods for bottom fishing and learn from the captain as you go. The available accounts describe several stops, with one group moving through three or four spots before heading to the barbecue. The captain’s role is practical: show you how to fish, point out useful techniques, and guide the boat toward better areas.

After fishing, the boat pauses near a beach for swimming. This is a welcome change from sitting with a rod in hand, especially in the warm Rhodes climate. Snorkeling equipment is available, so you can look at marine life near the boat if conditions suit you. The exact beach and swimming location are not specified, so do not book this expecting a named cove or a fixed beach every time.

The final part combines food, drinks, and the ride back. The barbecue is prepared on the boat, with fish, Greek salad, bread, and either soft drinks or beer. You return to Kolona Port after about four and a half hours.

The boat barbecue is the heart of the outing

The included meal adds real value to this trip. You are not simply handed a packaged snack after fishing. The stated meal is one fresh fish per person, listed at 500 grams, along with salad and bread. The fish is grilled in a plain Greek style, which suits the setting and lets the seafood do the work.

The meal has also been prepared by Captain Mike and his wife on some outings. That personal touch fits the nature of the trip. You fish with the crew, then eat what has been prepared on board, with the sea and Rhodian coast around you.

There is one point worth understanding. The catch you make during the trip may not be the exact fish served at lunch. One account describes fish being pre-bought for the barbecue, followed by more fishing after the meal and a tuna caught on the way back. So the meal is included regardless of whether your group has a lucky morning.

Drinks are available throughout the trip, including beer and soft drinks. That is convenient and means you do not need to pack a full picnic. I would still bring water if you prefer to drink more than the included supply, though the provided information does not state the exact quantity.

Swimming near the beach and seeing Rhodes from the water

The swimming stop gives this activity a second identity. If fishing is not your only reason for booking, you can enjoy time in the clear Aegean water, take a drink on board, and see the coast from a different angle.

The boat cruise also offers views of Rhodian monuments, beaches, and broad coastal scenery. The trip is not presented as a formal monument tour, so you should not expect a detailed history lesson or a set list of landmarks. The value is the changing view from the sea, with the chance to combine it with swimming and a meal.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable clothing are also listed as essentials. A camera is useful for the coastal views, but protect it around the water and barbecue area.

Snorkeling is available, but this is not primarily a snorkeling excursion. The focus remains fishing, swimming, and the meal. If your top priority is long underwater exploration, another type of boat trip may suit you better.

How the small group changes the experience

A maximum of 10 people is a useful limit for this kind of outing. Fishing requires space, and beginners need a clear view of what the captain is doing. A small group also makes it easier to chat during the cruise and meal.

Your actual experience can vary with the number booked. A group of three or four may have plenty of room and may feel close to a private charter. A full group of 10 will have more shared time at the rods and around the meal. The activity is still described as small group rather than private, so do not assume exclusive use of the boat.

The crew’s attitude appears to be a major part of the appeal. Captain Manolis is described as kind and competent, while Captain Mike is praised for his fishing instruction, cooking, and friendly manner. One account also describes a relaxed conversation about the sea, fishing, and nature protection. That is exactly the sort of personal contact that can make a basic half-day trip memorable.

English is the listed tour language. If you need detailed instruction in another language, ask before booking, since no other language is specified.

Is $92 a fair price?

At $92 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning on Rhodes. It is also more than a simple swim cruise. The price includes a fully equipped boat, fishing rods and gear, an experienced captain, a 4.5-hour outing, a barbecue, one fish per person at 500 grams, salad, bread, and soft drinks or beer.

That package makes the cost reasonable if you want to fish and eat on the water. You are paying for equipment and instruction as well as the food. You also avoid the need to rent gear or arrange a separate lunch after returning to shore.

The value is strongest for people who genuinely like fishing or want to try it. If you only want a scenic boat ride and a swim, you may find a standard cruise better matched to your interests and possibly less expensive. If you like the idea of catching fish, hearing about local sea life, swimming near a beach, and eating a simple grilled meal, the price covers several separate pleasures in one outing.

Transportation to Kolona Port is extra. The port is near the central bus station, which helps keep that additional cost modest if you are already in Rhodes Town, but you must arrange your own way there.

Who should book this Rhodes fishing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to couples, families with older children, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy active time on the water. You do not need to be an expert angler. The captains provide help, and the trip is built around learning by doing.

It is also a good choice if you want a less polished and more personal day at sea. Captain Mike’s willingness to change the fishing approach, including a quick tuna-trolling attempt on the way back, suggests that the exact flow can respond to the group’s enthusiasm and the conditions.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, get seasick, or cannot swim. The activity is specifically marked as unsuitable for people prone to seasickness and non-swimmers. The boat’s movement, sun, fishing wait times, and salt air may not suit everyone.

The catch is another consideration. You might catch several fish, or you might have a quieter session. The barbecue is included, so the trip does not depend entirely on your success, but the excitement of catching something is naturally part of the appeal.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack lightly, but bring the right things:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Comfortable clothes
• A camera
• Any personal medication you use for motion sickness, if appropriate for you

Wear clothing that can handle water, fish bait, and a little barbecue smoke. Comfortable clothes matter more than dressing up. The boat provides the fishing equipment, so you do not need to bring your own rod.

Check the starting time when you book, since departures vary. The activity lasts 4.5 hours, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes schedule is still shifting.

My call: book it if fishing matters to you

Book Captain Manolis’s fishing trip if you want a small, friendly outing where fishing is real activity, not a token extra. The combination of practical instruction, swimming, snorkeling, drinks, and a grilled fish meal gives you plenty to do during four and a half hours.

I would be especially happy booking this with a small group of friends or family. A group of three or four can get a near-private feel, while the 10-person limit keeps a full departure manageable. Just bring sun protection, accept that nature controls the catch, and avoid it if seasickness is a concern.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip begin?

You meet at Captain Manolis Fishing Trips Rhodes at Kolona Port.

How far is Kolona Port from Rhodes’ central bus station?

The boat is about five minutes from the central bus station.

How long does the trip last?

The fishing trip lasts 4.5 hours.

What is included in the price?

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

Is transportation to the port included?

No. Transportation to and from the port is not included.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The small group is limited to 10 participants.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing gear is included, along with the necessary rods and bait.

Is swimming part of the trip?

Yes. The boat stops for swimming near a beach, and snorkeling equipment is available.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The listed tour language is English.

Who should avoid this activity?

The trip is not suitable for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness.