Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip with swimming stop and BBQ on board

Catch fish, then cool off in a cave. Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip combines a hands-on morning at sea with a swim near Kallithea Springs, followed by a generous BBQ lunch on board. I like the small maximum group of 12 and the friendly crew, especially Angelo and Captain Vasili. I also like that your catch may become part of the meal. The main drawback is that the fishing can be slow, and the three-hour fishing period may feel long for younger children.

This is a simple, sociable boat outing rather than a polished luxury cruise. You get fishing help, swimming and snorkeling, food, and drinks for about $78.60 per person. Just take care with the meeting point, and do not book it close to a ship departure unless you have plenty of spare time.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours of hands-on fishing: Staff help first-timers bait hooks, manage lines, and use the reels.
• A one-hour swim near Kallithea Springs: The stop includes rocky beaches, clear water, snorkeling, and cave scenery.
• Fresh BBQ lunch on board: Depending on the catch and menu, you might have grilled fish or chicken with Greek salad, bread, and fruit.
• A genuinely small group: The boat takes no more than 12 people, making it easier to get help and talk with the crew.
• A relaxed crew-led atmosphere: Angelo is often praised for his humor and help, while the captain prepares the meal.
• Allow extra time after the advertised five hours: A late-running boat caused serious problems for one cruise passenger.

What the Makarounas boat trip is really about

This outing works best if you see it as a relaxed day on the water with fishing included, not as a serious angling expedition. You may catch local fish, but there is no promise of a large haul. Some outings produce only a few small fish, while other people have caught a memorable fish on their first attempt.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. If you need a guaranteed catch, this is the wrong kind of excursion. If you enjoy learning a simple skill, spending time outdoors, and sharing a meal with a small group, the format makes good sense.

The trip lasts about five hours. Roughly three hours are set aside for fishing, followed by about an hour at the Kallithea Springs area. The remaining time covers moving between fishing spots, swimming, lunch, and the return to Rhodes.

I like that the crew does not assume you already know how to fish. Beginners receive help with baiting the hook, handling the rod, and untangling lines. More experienced anglers can get started without a long lesson. That makes the trip workable for mixed groups, including families with older children and adults with different levels of experience.

Finding the waterfront meeting point in Rhodes

The stated meeting address is 25is Martiou 2 in Rhodes, and the activity returns to that same meeting point. In practice, you should look for the departure point along the waterfront rather than relying blindly on Google Maps. This detail matters because a map pin that sends you inland can create a rushed start.

The meeting area is close to public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Rhodes Town. You receive confirmation when you book, and the organizer has been praised for sending clear contact and meeting information. Read those messages carefully on the day before departure.

If you are coming from a cruise ship, be conservative with your timing. One passenger booked the trip because the advertised schedule appeared to fit a ship departure, but the boat returned late from an earlier outing. The captain could not shorten the trip for one group, and the passenger decided not to risk missing the ship.

My practical rule is simple: do not schedule this excursion when a tight return is at stake. A full morning or afternoon free in Rhodes is a much better match.

Three hours of fishing around Rhodes

The fishing portion is the heart of the trip, but it is also where expectations need the most adjustment. The boat may stop in two or three fishing areas, with the crew setting up rods and helping you get your line ready.

For a first fishing attempt, this is a friendly way to learn. You do not need to arrive with special skills. Angelo and Vasili have been praised for showing people how to fish, helping with bait, and sorting out tangled lines. That steady assistance is especially useful when several people are fishing at once.

The setting is calm and pleasant. You are out on the water, watching the coast and waiting for the rod to bend. A catch brings a burst of excitement, but quiet periods are normal. One person caught a big fish despite having never fished before. Others caught only a few small fish, or nothing at all.

That difference explains the uneven reactions to the fishing time. An eager angler may wish the three hours lasted longer. A child or teenager who has never fished may be ready for a swim much sooner. A family with six children aged seven to fourteen enjoyed the outing, but found three hours of fishing a little long for younger children.

I would choose this trip for children who can handle patience and repetition. It is less suitable for a child who needs constant activity. The later swim and lunch help break up the wait, but the first part remains mostly rods, lines, bait, and open water.

One useful point: photographs showing many fish should not be treated as a promise of the day’s results. The actual catch can be modest. The fishing is best viewed as an activity and a chance to learn, with dinner as a welcome possibility rather than a guaranteed reward.

Swimming and snorkeling by the Kallithea caves

After fishing, the boat heads toward the rocky beaches and cave area near Kallithea Springs. You get about an hour to swim and snorkel in clear water around the rocks.

This is the visual highlight for many people. The setting offers a welcome change from sitting with a fishing rod, and the water is described as cool, clear, and beautiful. The cave swim gives the stop a little more character than a standard open-water pause.

You should think of this as a natural swim stop, not a guided historical visit to the springs. The key attraction is the rocky coast, the water, and the chance to snorkel around the caves. Bring the mood for a refreshing break, not a formal sightseeing talk.

The timing is also useful for families. Even if the fishing has been quiet, the swim gives everyone something active to enjoy. Some people who caught no fish felt the cave stop more than made up for it.

You will want to bring swimwear, a towel, and anything you need for sun protection. The supplied information does not promise snorkeling equipment, so confirm what is provided before departure if you do not have your own mask. That small check can prevent an avoidable surprise.

The BBQ lunch that earns much of the price

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. The captain prepares a BBQ on board, and the food is served after the fishing and swimming. Several menus are described in the feedback: grilled fish, chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit.

The fish may include part of the day’s catch, but you should not count on catching enough to feed everyone. The main dish is prepared separately, so a slow fishing morning does not mean a lunch of crackers and disappointment.

The portions sound generous. One person described the fish meal as huge, while another singled out the chicken as the best part of the day. The Greek salad and fresh fish also receive repeated praise. Gluten-free bread has been available for at least one meal, but I would still state your dietary needs clearly before boarding rather than assume every requirement can be covered.

Lunch is basic in the best sense. It is not a restaurant tasting menu, and the boat is not presented as a luxury dining room. But grilled food served fresh at sea, with the coast around you, can be far more satisfying than an expensive meal in a port restaurant.

Soft drinks, beer, and wine are available without an extra charge according to the practical information from the trip. That improves the value, especially when you compare the outing with separate costs for a boat ride, a meal, and a swim stop.

A small boat with a big social side

The boat is older and somewhat basic. That point comes up often, and you should take it seriously if comfort or polished facilities matter to you. At the same time, the smaller size helps create the friendly mood that people enjoy.

With no more than 12 people, you are not lost in a crowd. The crew can give personal help, and the group often eats and fishes together rather than splitting into anonymous clusters. The atmosphere is informal and family-like, with Angelo often keeping people laughing.

Angelo is a major part of the appeal. He is described as funny, warm, helpful, and full of energy. The captain is also praised for his hospitality and cooking. One less positive account found a younger crew member’s communication irritating, so the mood may depend partly on who is working that day. Still, the overall pattern is strongly positive.

The boat has a toilet, which is useful during a five-hour outing. It is not a luxury facility, though. Reports mention no sink, a need for wipes, and concerns about cleanliness and the door lock. Bring hand wipes and keep expectations practical.

There is also a downstairs toilet described in one account as a luxury facility, but the more consistent advice is to treat the onboard bathroom as basic. Use it if needed, but pack wipes and do not expect marina-style amenities.

Is $78.60 a fair price?

At $78.60 per person, the price is reasonable if you want several parts in one package. You are paying for about five hours on the water, fishing instruction, the Kallithea swim stop, a BBQ lunch, and drinks. The small group adds real value because you are not simply being carried around on a large sightseeing boat.

The value drops if fishing is your only goal. There is no guarantee of a catch, and three hours may produce little action. A dedicated angler could prefer a more specialized charter with equipment, targets, and fishing time designed around serious results.

For a couple, family, or small group looking for a social day, the calculation is better. Even if nobody catches much, you still receive the swim stop, the meal, the scenery, and time with a personable crew. The lunch alone is repeatedly treated as a highlight, and that makes the price easier to justify.

I would call it good value for a mixed fishing and swimming day, not a bargain fishing charter. The difference is important. Book it for the whole package.

Who should book, and who should skip it?

You are a good match for this outing if you want:

• A first fishing lesson without needing prior experience
• A small group and direct help from the crew
• A swim and snorkeling stop after time on the rod
• A generous informal lunch with drinks
• A relaxed activity for a couple, family, or group of friends
• A sea day where the catch is a bonus, not the only goal

You may want another option if you need luxury facilities, a modern boat, guaranteed fishing results, or a strict return time. The boat is older, the toilet is basic, and the schedule may not be flexible if an earlier departure runs late.

Most people can take part, and the group limit is 12. The supplied information does not give detailed access guidance for the boat, so contact the organizer directly if you have mobility needs or concerns about boarding.

The cancellation terms are fair: you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

My verdict on the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip

I would book this if I wanted a friendly Rhodes outing with several pleasures packed into one morning or afternoon. The swimming cove and BBQ lunch are the safest highlights, while the fishing brings the uncertainty and fun.

Go with patience, bring wipes, check the waterfront meeting point, and leave a wide time cushion if you have a ship to catch. If you can accept an older boat and a basic toilet, the combination of small-group fishing, clear water, fresh food, and a lively crew makes this a memorable way to spend five hours in Rhodes.

FAQ

How long does the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. About three hours are used for fishing, with roughly one hour set aside for swimming and snorkeling near Kallithea Springs.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 25is Martiou 2, Rhodes 851 00, Greece, and returns to the same meeting point. The practical departure point is on the waterfront, so check the organizer’s instructions rather than relying only on a map application.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 12 participants.

Is fishing suitable for beginners?

Yes. The crew helps beginners bait hooks, use the reel, and manage tangled lines. People with more fishing experience can begin without needing a long introduction.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ meal is prepared on board. The meal may include grilled fish or chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit. The day’s catch may also be served if fish are caught.

Are drinks included?

Soft drinks, beer, and wine are available on board at no additional charge according to the tour information.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.