Rhodes: Captain Manolis Fishing Trip with BBQ and Swimming

Cast a line, then eat your catch. This half-day outing combines fishing in the South Aegean with swimming, a boat barbecue, and views of Rhodes from the water. I like the way the trip balances activity and downtime: you fish with help from an experienced captain, then stop for food and a swim instead of spending four and a half hours focused only on catching fish. I also like the small-group size, limited to 10 people, because it should give you more room on the boat and better access to the captain.

The main consideration is simple: this is not ideal for non-swimmers or people prone to seasickness. Fishing success also depends on the conditions and the fish. You may catch several fish, as some groups have, or spend more time learning and enjoying the sea than filling the boat’s cooler.

Key points at a glance

• Captain-led fishing: Captain Manolis, and on some departures Captain Mike, provide instruction, gear, bait, and help finding fishing spots.
• A real meal on the water: The included food is one fresh fish per person, listed as 500 grams, along with Greek salad, bread, and soft drinks or beer.
• Fishing and swimming in one outing: You fish first, then stop near a beach for swimming, snorkeling, and a refreshing break.
• Small group, limited to 10: A useful size for asking questions and getting help with the rods.
• Convenient Rhodes port: The boat is at Kolona Port, about five minutes from the central bus station.
• Good value at $92: The price includes the boat, captain, fishing gear, food, drinks, and a four-and-a-half-hour trip, but not transport to the port.

Leaving Kolona Port for the Rhodian seas

The trip begins at Captain Manolis Fishing Trips in Kolona Port. The port is about five minutes from Rhodes’ central bus station, which makes the meeting point fairly easy to reach if you are staying in Rhodes Town or arriving by bus. You need to arrange your own way there, since transport to and from the port is not included.

The boat is fully equipped for the outing, and fishing gear is supplied. That matters if you are traveling light or do not want to pack rods, hooks, and bait for one holiday activity. You will not need to know how to fish before you arrive. The captain shows you what to do and helps you work with the equipment.

The boat carries no more than 10 participants. That does not guarantee a private trip, but it is a much more personal setup than a large cruise boat. It also means the captain can give practical help rather than simply pointing toward a rod and moving on.

The English-language guiding is useful for learning the basics and understanding what you catch. The experience is built around participation, not a formal lecture, so expect friendly instruction and conversation rather than a detailed marine biology tour.

Fishing with Captain Manolis and Captain Mike

Fishing is the heart of the outing. You receive the rods, bait, and other needed equipment, then try different methods with guidance from the captain. The details may vary with the day, but past departures have included bottom fishing at several spots and trolling for smaller tuna on the way back to the harbor.

That variety gives the trip some life. Bottom fishing can bring quick action, including smaller species such as puffer fish and rosseta. One group also caught a tuna measuring about 40 centimeters after the captain added a short trolling session on the return to port.

You should keep your expectations sensible. Fishing is not a guaranteed catch, and the sea decides much of the outcome. A successful group may catch tuna and several other fish. Another group may enjoy the instruction, the views, and the simple pleasure of sitting on the Aegean with a line in the water.

The captain’s role is a major part of the experience. Captain Manolis is described as kind and highly competent, while Captain Mike is praised for giving clear fishing instructions and cooking lunch. The names suggest that the exact crew may vary by departure, so you may meet Manolis, Mike, or another member of the team.

The best part for a beginner is that you do not have to arrive with fishing knowledge. The captain explains useful techniques and helps you identify what you catch. You can ask questions about the sea, fishing, and marine life as you go.

One practical point: fishing can involve standing, handling bait, and moving around a boat. Comfortable clothing is a sensible choice. A hat and sunscreen are important in the open sun, and a camera is worth bringing if you want pictures of the coast and the fish.

A Greek barbecue prepared on board

After the fishing sessions, the outing turns into a lunch or dinner cruise with a simple meal on the boat. The included food is one fresh fish per person, listed at 500 grams, with salad and bread. Soft drinks or beer are also included.

The cooking is intentionally straightforward. The fish is grilled, the bread may be roasted, and the salad gives the meal a fresh Greek touch. This is not a polished restaurant meal with a long menu. It is a seafood lunch prepared close to the water, using the day’s fishing theme as part of the experience.

The cooking has earned especially strong praise. Captain Mike has cooked for groups alongside his wife, and the meal has been described as delicious. Captain Manolis is also praised for keeping the boat clean and preparing fish in a simple, tasty way.

Do not assume every fish on the plate will come from your own rod. The included meal is clearly part of the package, while the fish you catch may vary. One departure included fish bought in advance for the barbecue, then added more fishing afterward. That is sensible: you get lunch even if the fish are not cooperating.

The food is one reason the $92 price feels reasonable. You are paying for half a day on the water, equipment, a captain, a cooked seafood meal, salad, bread, and drinks. A separate boat trip plus a seafood lunch could easily approach that cost, though the value depends on how much you enjoy fishing.

Swimming and snorkeling near a Rhodes beach

The swimming stop gives the trip a useful change of pace. After fishing and eating, you can get into the sea near a beach and cool off. Snorkeling equipment is available, so you can look beneath the surface rather than simply float beside the boat.

The water is described as crystal-clear, and the stop is meant to be scenic as well as refreshing. You may see marine life while snorkeling, but the activity should not be sold as a dedicated wildlife excursion. The main appeal is the chance to swim in a quiet coastal setting during a boat trip.

Swimming ability matters here. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you should be comfortable in open water before booking. Bring swimwear and a towel, since the stop is a central part of the day rather than an optional extra.

You will also want a dry place for your phone and camera. The supplied information recommends bringing a camera, but it does not specify waterproof storage, so bring your own protection if you want to take pictures near the water.

Coastal views and a different side of Rhodes

From the boat, you see Rhodes in a different way. The route includes panoramic sea views, beaches, and views toward Rhodian monuments. Instead of moving from one historic site to another on land, you get a broad view of the coastline and the island’s relationship with the sea.

That setting helps the outing feel more like a Rhodes experience than a standard fishing lesson. The sea is not just the place where you cast a rod. It becomes your dining room, swimming area, and moving viewpoint.

The boat cruise itself is relaxed. You can enjoy a drink, watch the coast pass, and talk with the captain or other people in your group. The small capacity helps keep the atmosphere friendly. One four-person group effectively had a private-feeling outing, though you should not book expecting privacy unless you reserve the whole boat.

How the four and a half hours unfold

The total duration is about four and a half hours. The day typically includes several connected parts:

• Meeting at Kolona Port and boarding the fully equipped boat
• Fishing with rods, bait, and help from the captain
• Moving between fishing spots in the Rhodian waters
• Enjoying a barbecue with fish, salad, bread, and drinks
• Stopping near a beach for swimming and snorkeling
• Cruising back to Kolona Port with coastal views

The exact order can change. For example, one departure began with bottom fishing, then moved to a barbecue, followed by extra tuna trolling on the way home. That flexibility is a good sign for a small boat trip, since the captain can respond to the sea and the group’s enthusiasm.

You should allow the full four and a half hours rather than planning a tight connection afterward. The start time varies, so check availability when booking. If you are fitting this around a museum visit, ferry, or airport transfer, leave extra time beyond the advertised duration.

What the $92 price includes

At $92 per person, the cost is not just for a boat ride. The package includes:

• A half-day fishing trip
• A fully equipped boat
• Fishing gear and bait
• An experienced captain
• One fresh fish per person, listed as 500 grams
• Barbecue preparation
• Salad and bread
• Soft drinks or beer
• Swimming near the beach
• Snorkeling and marine-life viewing as part of the sea stop

You still pay for your own transport to Kolona Port. Since the port is close to the central bus station, this is less of a problem for people staying in Rhodes Town. If you are staying farther away, factor in a taxi or other local transport.

The value is strongest if you want several activities in one booking. A fishing lesson, a short cruise, a seafood lunch, drinks, and a swim would take more planning if arranged separately. The price is less attractive if you do not care about fishing, since the rods and instruction make up much of the experience.

Who should book this trip

I would point this outing toward people who enjoy the sea more than formal sightseeing. It suits couples, families with confident swimmers, friends, and solo visitors who like meeting a small group. Beginners are welcome because the captain provides practical help.

It is especially good for you if you want:

• A hands-on activity rather than a passive cruise
• Fresh seafood and a relaxed meal
• A short outing that fits into a Rhodes holiday
• Swimming and snorkeling without booking a separate beach trip
• Friendly guidance in English
• A small boat rather than a large excursion vessel

You should think twice if you get seasick, dislike handling bait, or want guaranteed large fish. The trip includes food even when fishing is slow, but no fishing excursion can promise a particular catch.

The boat’s compact size is both an advantage and a possible limitation. You get closer contact with the captain, but you have less personal space than on a large cruise boat. The water and weather also shape the day, so bring sun protection and dress for a practical day outdoors.

Booking details that matter

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Rhodes schedule is still changing.

The tour is conducted in English and is limited to 10 participants. Check the available start times before booking, especially if you want a morning or afternoon departure.

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes. A bottle for personal belongings and protection for electronics would also be sensible, though those items are not specifically included in the provided packing information.

Should you book Captain Manolis’s fishing trip?

Book it if you want a friendly, active half-day at sea with fishing, swimming, and a cooked seafood meal in one package. The captain’s instruction, the small group, and the barbecue receive the strongest praise, and the price covers more than the fishing itself.

I would not choose it for a serious angling holiday or a guaranteed trophy catch. I would choose it for the simple pleasure of learning to fish, eating grilled fish on the Aegean, and swimming near the coast of Rhodes. For confident swimmers who enjoy boats and fresh seafood, it offers a good mix of fun and value.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The boat departs from Kolona Port, about five minutes from the central bus station in Rhodes.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately four and a half hours.

What is included in the price?

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

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The boat is fully equipped, and fishing gear and bait are provided for the trip.

Will I be shown how to fish?

Yes. The captain provides guidance and useful tips, making the activity suitable for beginners.

Is swimming part of the experience?

Yes. The boat stops near a beach where you can swim, and snorkeling is also available.

Is the trip suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The experience is not suitable for non-swimmers.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, swimwear, towel, camera, sunscreen, and comfortable clothes.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Soft drinks or beers are included with the trip.

Is transport to the port included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to and from Kolona Port.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.