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

The best part of this Rhodes boat trip is simple: you help catch lunch, then watch it cook on a handmade barbecue. Skevos and Captain Mike run the 10-meter wooden boat with the easy humor and practical skill of people who have spent most of their lives on the sea.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which gives you real time with the fishing equipment and guides. I also like the mix of fishing, swimming, and a proper Greek meal rather than five straight hours of sitting on a boat. The main consideration 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

• Fishing becomes lunch: Fish you catch may be grilled alongside fresh sea bass and gold seabream.
• A true father-and-son operation: Captain Mike brings more than 35 years of professional fishing experience, while Skevos handles guiding and cooking.
• Two types of fishing: The trip starts with about an hour of trolling, followed by roughly two hours of ground fishing.
• A quiet swim stop: The final bay may be Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina, or a shallow sandy beach, depending on sea and weather conditions.
• Small and well-equipped: The boat has room for 10 in its fishing area, plus a dining space, toilet, freshwater shower, Wi-Fi, GPS, radar, and fish finder.
• Plan for wet conditions: Bring swimwear and a towel, and expect sea spray. Eat breakfast before setting out.

Setting out from Kolona Port in Rhodes

You meet the boat at the port of Kolona, just outside Rhodes Old Town. This location is useful if you are staying in Rhodes Town, but allow extra time if you are driving. Parking around the port can be difficult when the area is busy.

The boat is a traditional handcrafted wooden fishing vessel, about 10 meters long. It is not a sleek modern yacht, and that is part of the point. You get a working fishing boat with a separate fishing area for up to 10 people, along with an independent place to sit, eat, and relax.

The design makes a real difference during a half-day at sea. You are not expected to fish from wherever you can find a spare corner. The fishing area is set up for the group, while the dining and resting spaces give you somewhere to sit when your arms need a break.

The boat also has a comfortable WC, freshwater shower, Wi-Fi, snorkeling equipment, and bottled water. Safety equipment and certified VHF and UHF communication systems are on board. The navigation setup includes a Lowrance 1000W fish finder, GPS, depth sounder, and radar.

The first hour: trolling along the Rhodes coast

Once the boat leaves port, the first part of the trip is a cruise of about an hour. During this time, you try trolling with professional fishing gear supplied by the crew. Trolling means the lines move behind the boat as it travels, giving you a chance to target fish that chase moving bait.

The possible catch includes small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjacks, barracudas, trumpetfish, and great trevally. These are more exciting targets than the small fish many beginners associate with casual fishing, though you should keep your expectations sensible. Sea conditions, water temperature, and fish activity all affect the result.

The equipment comes from brands including Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi. That matters even if you have never held a fishing rod before. Good equipment is easier to handle, and the guides can spend their time showing you what to do instead of fighting with worn or unreliable gear.

Skevos gives instruction in English and works closely with his father. Beginners are not left to guess how to hold the rod or respond when something takes the bait. At the same time, experienced anglers have proper equipment and a chance to work on larger fish rather than being treated as complete novices.

When a fish strikes, the crew takes over only as much as needed. Several people describe the excitement of being helped through a difficult catch, including first-time anglers who initially felt unsure. That approach is useful for families and couples with different levels of experience.

Two hours of ground fishing near the seabed

After trolling, the boat changes method. For around two hours, you try ground fishing, targeting fish close to the seabed. The pace here can feel different from trolling. Instead of watching a line trail behind the boat, you work your bait at depth and wait for movement below.

This is likely the most hands-on part of the excursion. The crew supplies bait and explains the technique, so you do not need to bring fishing gear or prepare anything in advance. Some people catch several different species, while others have a quieter session. The guides work to give everyone a fair chance, but fishing remains fishing.

That uncertainty is worth understanding before you pay. If your only goal is to land a large tuna, this may not be the right choice. If you want to learn, try more than one fishing method, and enjoy the day even when the fish are slow, the format makes much more sense.

Conditions can affect the outing. The trip operates in rain but does not run during storms, and strong wind can make the sea less comfortable. August is not always the best month for fishing around Rhodes, according to the experience described by one family, yet the crew still worked hard to keep the day worthwhile.

Choosing the swim stop: Kallithea, Santa Marina, or sand

After the fishing, the boat anchors in a quiet bay. The exact destination is chosen according to the day’s wind and sea conditions. It may be the well-known Kallithea Springs area, the quieter Santa Marina bay, or a shallow sandy beach.

This flexible plan is sensible. A fixed stop might sound more impressive, but a captain who chooses the safest and calmest water on the day is making the better call. You get time to swim, snorkel, or simply rest while lunch is prepared.

Snorkeling equipment is provided if you want it. Pool noodles are also available, according to one account, which can help if you are not a confident swimmer. Still, this is a boat trip in open Mediterranean water, not a supervised swimming pool. Bring swimwear and a towel, and tell the crew if you need extra support in the water.

The stop also gives you a break after several hours of fishing. Holding a rod, managing a catch, and standing on a moving boat can be tiring. The swim is not filler. It resets the pace before lunch and gives you time to enjoy the coast from the water.

Lunch on the handmade barbecue

The meal is the feature that gives this trip its character. While you swim, Skevos prepares lunch and the fish is cooked on a handcrafted barbecue made by his father, Skevos’s grandfather. The barbecue uses extra virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt.

Fish you catch is grilled along with fresh gold seabream and sea bass weighing 250 grams or more. Depending on the day’s catch, the meal may include tuna or other fish as well. You are not guaranteed to eat only fish you caught, which is a sensible arrangement. It means lunch does not depend entirely on luck.

Skevos is also a certified professional chef. His Greek salad receives especially strong praise, with fresh ingredients and secret herbs that give it a distinct taste. The meal includes charcoal-grilled bread with olive oil, sea salt, and fresh Rhodian oregano.

Drinks are included throughout the trip: bottled mineral water, unlimited soft drinks such as cola and lemonade, and unlimited beer. That makes the $88 price easier to assess. You are paying for five hours, equipment, bait, a prepared meal, drinks, snorkeling gear, and the work of two experienced hosts. It is not the cheapest way to get on the water, but the package covers much more than a basic boat transfer.

If you do not eat fish or Greek salad, plan ahead. One useful suggestion is to bring your own snacks, since the supplied meal is strongly centered on seafood, salad, and bread.

Why the father-and-son crew matters

Captain Mike has more than 35 years of professional fishing experience. Skevos grew up on the boat with his father and has carried that knowledge into his work as a guide and chef.

Their roles complement each other. One person can concentrate on the boat and the catch while the other helps guests with rods, bait, and technique. When a larger fish appears, the teamwork becomes part of the entertainment. You see how a working fishing crew responds rather than receiving a simple scripted demonstration.

Both men are trained in lifeguarding. That does not remove the need for you to act carefully around the water, but it is a useful safety detail. The boat also has proper communication and navigation equipment, not just basic recreational gear.

The atmosphere is informal. The guides explain things clearly, encourage beginners, and keep the mood relaxed. This is one reason the trip works well for solo visitors, couples, families, and mixed groups. You have enough structure to learn, but not so much that the morning feels like a classroom.

Who will get the most from this Rhodes fishing trip

I would choose this outing if you want an activity that combines several parts of a Greek holiday in one half-day. It suits you especially well if you:

• Have never fished and want patient instruction
• Already fish and want to try sea fishing with better equipment
• Want a small group rather than a large party boat
• Enjoy fresh seafood and a relaxed lunch
• Are traveling as a couple, family, or solo visitor
• Like a social activity where you can meet the other people on board
• Want time to swim without giving up the main purpose of the trip

It is also a good choice for a young person who is excited about fishing. The crew makes an effort to involve children and beginners, though the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

You should think twice if you dislike fish, do not want to get wet, or need a guaranteed catch. The boat may operate in rain, except during storms, and sea spray is part of the experience. Wear clothing that can get wet and keep your expectations flexible.

Practical details that affect the day

The full outing lasts five hours, including the cruise, trolling, ground fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Eat breakfast first. The trip includes lunch, but fishing begins before the meal and the sea can make you hungry. Bring beachwear and a towel. You may also want sun protection, though the supplied information specifically requires swimwear and a towel.

English is the stated language. The group is limited to 10 participants, which is small enough for direct help with the equipment. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later if you want to keep your plans flexible.

The experience currently carries a 4.8 rating from 315 reviews, with 90 percent of people giving the transport a perfect score. The strongest pattern is clear: the crew, food, and friendly small-group mood receive more praise than any single fish species or fishing technique.

Is Skevos Fishing Trip worth $88?

For five hours on the water, the price is fair if you value the full package. You get a traditional boat, professional fishing equipment, bait, two fishing methods, snorkeling gear, lunch, beer, soft drinks, water, Wi-Fi, and the attention of two hosts. A simple sightseeing cruise may cost less, but it will not give you the same meal or hands-on activity.

I would book it if you want your Rhodes boat trip to feel personal and active. The handmade barbecue, Skevos’s salad, and the chance to eat your catch give the day a local flavor that a standard swim cruise may lack.

I would skip it if you need luxury, guaranteed sunshine, or a guaranteed trophy fish. For everyone else, this is a well-rounded half-day with a rare combination of sea fishing, swimming, and a cooked lunch aboard a working-style wooden boat. The best reason to go is not the promise of a particular catch. It is the chance to learn a little, eat well, and spend time at sea with a father-and-son crew that clearly knows how to run the boat.

FAQ

Where does the Rhodes fishing trip start?

The boat is at the port of Kolona, outside Rhodes Old Town. If you are arriving by car, allow extra time to find parking because the port area can be busy.

How long does the fishing and snorkeling experience last?

The complete activity lasts five hours. It includes the boat cruise, trolling, ground fishing, swimming or snorkeling, and lunch on board.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes grilled fish, fresh gold seabream and sea bass, Greek salad, charcoal-grilled bread, and fish caught during the trip when available. Beer, cola, lemonade, and bottled mineral water are included without a stated limit.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The crew supplies fishing rods, equipment, and bait. The boat carries high-quality gear from brands including Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi.

Can beginners join the fishing trip?

Yes. Skevos and Captain Mike provide instruction in English and help beginners use the equipment. The trip also suits experienced anglers.

What should I bring, and what restrictions apply?

Bring beachwear and a towel, and wear something that can get wet because sea spray is possible. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. It runs in rain but not during storms.