Rhodes Town: Fishing Boat Trip with Fish Meal and Swim Stops

The best part of this Rhodes outing is that your lunch can come from the water beneath you. You fish from a traditional 10.5-meter boat, then the crew grills the catch with Greek salad, garlic bread, and drinks. I like the small capacity of 12 people and the hands-on help from Angelo, Vassilis, and the captain. The crew also makes the trip work for beginners, children, and experienced anglers.

I also like the balance between fishing and swimming in a secluded cove, since you are not stuck holding a rod for five hours. The main consideration is the sea: one participant suffered strong seasickness, so take the possibility seriously and consider travel-sickness tablets. The water may also feel cool outside the height of summer.

Key points to know before you book

• A 10.5-meter traditional fishing boat: The boat carries up to 12 people and has seating, a toilet, and room to fish, eat, and swim.
• Angelo keeps beginners involved: He explains bait, rods, reeling, and the fish you catch, with help for both children and adults.
• Your catch becomes a barbecue lunch: Fresh fish is served with Greek salad, garlic bread, and drinks. Chicken and vegetarian meals can also be arranged.
• Swimming and snorkeling follow the fishing: The crew supplies masks, life jackets, and other needed equipment at a sheltered cove.
• Mandraki Harbor is the meeting point: Find the Evangelismos church and kiosk 2, marked Makarounas.
• The price covers a full half-day: At $76 per person, food, drinks, fishing gear, crew help, and snorkeling equipment are included.

A small fishing boat from Mandraki Harbor

Your meeting point is at Mandraki Harbor, by the Evangelismos church and kiosk 2 Makarounas. This is a useful location in Rhodes Town because the harbor gives you an immediate sense of place: boats, open water, and the city edge all come together before you even leave shore.

The boat itself is 10.5 meters long and limited to 12 people. That matters. You are not joining a large party boat with a crowd packed around one fishing rail. The group size leaves space for the crew to show you what to do and answer questions as the boat moves between fishing spots.

The vessel has a comfortable seating area and a toilet on board. Those are modest details, but they make a five-hour outing easier, especially for families and anyone who does not want a bare-bones fishing charter.

The crew includes Angelo and the captain, identified in some accounts as Vassilis, with Mike also helping behind the scenes. Angelo is a large part of the experience. He helps with fishing, keeps the mood light, and has been described as taking on every role from lifeguard to cook to line untangler. Expect a lively host rather than a quiet, technical fishing lesson.

Fishing lessons for complete beginners

The first main activity is fishing in the waters around Rhodes. You do not need prior experience. The crew shows you how to put bait on the hook, hold the rod, and reel in a fish without turning the line into a knotty mess.

The instruction is practical and personal. Angelo has helped first-time fishers understand the two fishing methods used during the trip, while the captain directs the boat to suitable areas. Children and adults can receive assistance, so this is a good choice for a family that wants an activity everyone can try together.

You might catch something, or you might not. That is part of fishing, and the crew does not present a catch as guaranteed. One participant caught nothing but still enjoyed the activity, while others brought in fish. The crew can show you what you have caught and explain which fish are edible.

I like that this approach takes pressure off beginners. You can enjoy the process even if your hook comes back empty. For experienced fishers, the outing gives you a chance to handle the gear and try your luck in local waters, though it is still a short recreational trip rather than a serious fishing expedition.

The boat pauses at several fishing spots, giving you more than one chance to catch something. Lines can tangle, especially when several people are learning at once, but that is where the crew earns its keep. Angelo has a reputation for sorting out snags while keeping everyone laughing.

Rhodes Town from the water

The route also gives you a different view of Rhodes Town. One account describes going around the city gate early in the outing, offering a fine look back at the harbor and the waterfront before the boat settles into its fishing routine.

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a long list of monuments and formal commentary. The scenery works as a backdrop to the day. You see the coastline from a low position on the water, then shift your attention to the rod, the bait, and the next possible catch.

That mix is valuable if you have already spent time walking Rhodes Town. From shore, you see the harbor as a place to visit. From the boat, you see how the city meets the sea and how quickly the built waterfront gives way to open water.

Bring your camera, but keep it secure. The boat provides a moving, saltwater setting, and the most memorable moments may be the simple ones: a fish coming aboard, the crew preparing lunch, or the coast sliding past while you eat.

A secluded cove for swimming and snorkeling

The second half of the trip shifts from fishing to the water itself. The boat stops at a secluded cove where you can swim and snorkel. The crew provides masks, life jackets, and the other equipment needed for the stop.

You might see colorful fish, marine life, and underwater rock or coral areas. The exact conditions depend on the day, and the supplied details do not promise a particular species or visibility. Still, the cove gives the trip a welcome change of pace after the fishing sessions.

If you prefer not to get in, you can stay aboard and enjoy the stop from the seating area. One participant found the water too cold for a swim in April, so temperature is worth considering outside the warmest summer months. The ability to choose makes this easier for mixed groups, since eager swimmers and cautious non-swimmers can both take part.

The swimming stop is also useful for anyone feeling uncomfortable after time at sea. One participant with seasickness was advised that swimming could help re-equalize the body, though you should treat seasickness as a real concern rather than rely on a swim to solve it.

Fresh fish, Greek sides, and a choice for non-fish eaters

At some point during the outing, the crew fires up the onboard grill. The fish caught during the trip is prepared and served with Greek salad, garlic bread, and drinks. The meal is eaten at sea, usually as part of the return journey after the fishing and swim stops.

This is where the $76 price begins to make sense. You are not paying only for a boat ride and a rod. The fee includes the meal, drinks, fishing equipment, crew assistance, and snorkeling gear. For a five-hour activity, that is a solid package, especially if you value a meal made during the trip rather than a basic snack.

The catch may vary, so do not book expecting a specific quantity of fish. The fun is partly in seeing what comes aboard. When the catch is limited, the crew can still provide food. Chicken and vegetarian options are available, and the crew may contact you before the trip to ask about your preference, allergies, or intolerances.

That advance food check is helpful. It means a person who does not enjoy fish does not have to sit out lunch. One family chose chicken because they were not fish eaters and still found the meal satisfying.

The food seems to be one of the strongest parts of the outing. The meal is generous, and the crew prepares it while you are still surrounded by the Rhodes coastline. A fish meal eaten on a boat has a clear sense of place that a restaurant lunch cannot quite copy.

The crew makes the difference

The boat and the food matter, but the crew shapes the day. Angelo is repeatedly described as funny, attentive, and willing to help with almost every part of the experience. His humor can make a difference when the fish are not biting or the lines are tangled.

The captain handles the boat and helps locate the fishing areas. Vassilis is also described as the owner, captain, and cook, while Mike helps with fishing and the barbecue. Roles may overlap, but the practical point is clear: you are not left alone with equipment and vague instructions.

The crew also appears comfortable with mixed skill levels. A first-time fisher can get step-by-step help, while someone with experience can take the rod and work independently. Children receive assistance too, making the trip more approachable for families.

There is a social side to the outing. You share a small boat, meal, and fishing spots with the rest of the group. That can be a plus if you enjoy an easygoing communal atmosphere. It may be less appealing if you want total privacy or a quiet charter just for your own party.

A small personal touch has also been used on the trip: photos of the catch have been turned into a little souvenir magnet with a shell. This is not listed as a guaranteed feature, so treat it as a possible extra rather than part of the promised package.

Timing, weather, and comfort

The trip lasts five hours, long enough to include several fishing spots, a swimming stop, lunch, and the return to Mandraki Harbor. It is a half-day commitment, not a quick harbor cruise.

Starting times vary, so check the available departure when booking. The meeting point is specific: Mandraki Harbor, Evangelismos church, kiosk 2 Makarounas. Allow enough time to identify the kiosk rather than assuming every boat at the harbor belongs to this operator.

The boat carries up to 12 people, but the actual group can be smaller. One outing had eight people aboard, leaving a comfortable amount of room. A smaller group generally makes it easier to get help with bait, rods, and tangled lines.

The main comfort issue is motion on the sea. One person became badly seasick, even though the crew tried to help. If you know you are sensitive, talk with a medical professional about suitable travel-sickness medicine before the trip and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. That advice is general preparation, not a promise that symptoms will be prevented.

Weather affects more than comfort. It can change the feel of the fishing, the swim stop, and your ability to enjoy lunch outside. The trip is most appealing when you want an active day on the water, not when you are hoping for a guaranteed calm-sea experience.

Who will get the most from this Rhodes outing

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, and small groups that want several activities in one booking. You can fish, look back at Rhodes Town from the water, swim, snorkel, and eat lunch without arranging separate excursions.

It is especially suited to beginners. The crew teaches the basic technique and helps children and adults, so you do not need to bring fishing experience. It also works for a group with different interests because nobody has to fish every minute, and non-fish eaters can request chicken or vegetarian food.

The trip suits you less if you want a quiet, private boat or a serious fishing charter. It is social, hands-on, and humorous, with shared equipment and a meal prepared for the group. You should also think twice if you have severe seasickness or strongly dislike being on a moving boat for several hours.

Snorkeling fans should keep expectations measured. Gear is supplied and the cove offers a chance to see marine life, but this is not presented as a specialist snorkeling tour. Fishing and the shared barbecue are just as important as the time in the water.

Is $76 a fair price?

At $76 per person, I consider the outing good value if you plan to use most of what is included. The fee covers five hours on the boat, fishing gear, crew instruction, food, drinks, and snorkeling equipment. Add the fresh-catch barbecue and the small group size, and the package compares well with paying separately for a boat trip, lunch, and water equipment.

The value is strongest for someone who wants an experience rather than simple transport. You are learning a local activity, handling fishing gear, eating fish cooked by the crew, and seeing the coast from the sea.

The calculation changes if you know you will not fish, swim, or snorkel. You can still enjoy the views and meal, but a five-hour boat trip may feel long if you only want a short cruise. The price also does not guarantee a catch, so do not judge the outing only by how many fish come aboard.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and a reserve-now, pay-later option make the booking less rigid. Starting times depend on availability, and the crew operates in Greek and English.

Should you book the Makarounas fishing trip?

Book it if you want an active, friendly half-day with real participation. The strongest reasons are the small boat, personal fishing help, fresh barbecue, and the chance to combine fishing with a swim and snorkel stop.

I would give families and first-time fishers the clearest recommendation. You receive enough instruction to join in, and the crew can adapt the meal for fish-free or vegetarian preferences. If you are prone to seasickness, prepare carefully or choose a land-based activity instead.

The catch is never the only measure of success here. Some people catch fish, others do not, yet the boat still offers lunch, scenery, swimming, and a good deal of crew attention. With a 4.9 rating from 73 bookings, the experience has a strong record, and the repeated praise centers on the food, the crew, and the relaxed fun of learning something new.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip meet?

Meet at Mandraki Harbor in Rhodes Town, by the Evangelismos church at kiosk 2 Makarounas.

How long does the activity last?

The trip lasts five hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

How many people can fit on the boat?

The traditional Greek fishing boat is 10.5 meters long and has a capacity of up to 12 people.

Is fishing gear included?

Yes. Fishing gear is provided, and the crew assists both children and adults with bait, rods, and reeling.

Is food included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included. The usual meal features freshly caught fish, Greek salad, and garlic bread. Chicken and vegetarian options can also be arranged.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The crew provides equipment for the snorkeling and swimming stop, including masks and life jackets.

What are the cancellation terms?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve the trip and pay later.