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

Catch lunch, then swim beside Rhodes. This five-hour fishing trip combines hands-on sea fishing, a quiet swim stop, and a fresh BBQ meal aboard a traditional 10-meter wooden boat. I like the small group size, limited to 10 people, and the warm father-and-son team of Captain Mike and Skevos. The main thing to consider is that fishing depends on weather, water conditions, and luck, so a large catch is never guaranteed.

I also like that the trip feels like a working fishing outing rather than a standard sightseeing cruise. You use proper equipment, learn from a fisherman with more than 35 years of experience, and eat fish prepared on board. If you do not eat fish or Greek salad, bring a few snacks, since that forms the heart of the included lunch.

The details that shape the day

• A real fishing boat: The handcrafted wooden vessel is 10 meters long, with a separate fishing area for up to 10 people and another space for dining and relaxing.
• Two styles of fishing: You start with about an hour of trolling, then spend around two hours on ground fishing near the seabed.
• A father-and-son crew: Captain Mike brings decades of professional fishing experience, while Skevos handles guiding and cooking.
• Lunch comes from the sea: Your catch is grilled with fresh sea bass and gold seabream, Greek salad, bread, drinks, and a homemade dressing.
• A quiet swim stop: The boat anchors in a sheltered bay for swimming, snorkeling, or a rest in the sun.
• A strong value at $88: The price includes equipment, bait, food, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, snorkeling gear, Wi-Fi, and use of the boat’s toilet.

Meeting the boat at Kolona Port

The boat is moored in the port of Kolona, just outside Rhodes Old Town. That location makes the trip easy to combine with time in the medieval center, but it is not a hotel pickup excursion. You need to reach the harbor yourself and locate the Skevos Fishing Trip boat.

If you are arriving by car, allow extra time for parking. The port and the area around Rhodes Town can be busy, especially during the summer season. I would avoid cutting it close, since finding a space may take longer than expected.

The trip lasts five hours and returns to the same place. English is the stated operating language. Since the group is capped at 10 participants, you get more direct help than you would on a large party boat. That matters here because fishing often involves quick instructions, shared equipment, and help when a fish takes the bait.

A traditional boat with useful modern gear

The boat gives you an appealing mix of old and new. Its wooden construction and handcrafted character suit a fishing trip far better than a sleek commercial cruiser, while the onboard equipment is serious enough for beginners and regular anglers.

There is a dedicated fishing area for 10 people, plus separate room for eating and relaxing. You also have a comfortable WC, a freshwater shower, Wi-Fi, and certified VHF and UHF communication systems. Safety equipment and communication gear are not glamorous, but they make a difference when you are spending half a day offshore.

Navigation and fish-finding equipment includes GPS, radar, a depth sounder, and a Lowrance 1000W fish finder. The rods and reels come from brands such as Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi. You do not need to pack fishing gear or bait, and the crew supplies instruction throughout.

The boat is not described as wheelchair accessible, and the trip is not suitable for wheelchair users. It is also not recommended for pregnant women. Bring beachwear and a towel. You should expect some spray, so wearing clothes that can get wet is sensible.

The first hour: trolling along the Rhodes coast

After leaving Kolona Port, the boat cruises for roughly an hour toward a fishing area selected according to the day’s weather and sea conditions. Possible destinations include Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina Bay, or a shallow sandy beach.

Kallithea Springs is one of the better-known coastal areas near Rhodes, with attractive shore views and clear water. Santa Marina offers a quieter bay setting. A shallow sandy beach may be chosen when conditions make that the best option. The exact stop is not fixed, which is useful because the crew can respond to the sea rather than follow a rigid plan.

During this first part, you try trolling with professional equipment. The lines are worked while the boat moves, targeting predator fish such as small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjacks, barracudas, trumpetfish, and great trevally.

This is the more exciting form of fishing on the trip. You may need to react quickly when a fish strikes, and the crew helps you handle the rod and line. Beginners should not feel out of place. Skevos gives simple instructions and steps in when someone needs help, while experienced anglers can enjoy the chance to work with better gear than a casual beach setup.

The honest point is that conditions change. One August outing was affected by less favorable fishing conditions, yet the day still worked because the swimming, lunch, and company carried the experience. That is a useful reminder not to book this as a guaranteed trophy-fish trip.

Two hours of ground fishing near the seabed

After trolling, the boat moves to ground fishing for about two hours. Here you fish closer to the seabed, targeting different species and using a slower method.

This part gives you more time to settle into the rhythm of the boat. It is less about constant action and more about watching the rod, feeling for movement, and learning how the fish respond. The crew works to help each person catch something, though no fishing guide can promise that every line will produce a fish.

The length of this section is a plus. You get enough time to try more than one method, and the small group means the crew can move around the boat and help. Several people with no previous fishing experience have been able to catch their first fish with Skevos’s guidance.

Families may find this particularly rewarding. One young fisherman received extra encouragement from the crew, and children who already love fishing have a clear activity to focus on. Still, the five-hour schedule is a long stretch for anyone who dislikes boats, sun, or waiting. Eat breakfast before setting out, as the trip provider advises.

A quiet bay for swimming and snorkeling

Once the fishing is finished, the boat anchors in a quiet bay. This is the unhurried part of the day, with time to swim, snorkel, or simply sit and enjoy the coast.

Snorkeling equipment is provided if you want it. A freshwater shower is available afterward, which is handy after swimming in salt water. If you are not a confident swimmer, take note of the useful pool noodles mentioned by one family. The crew also pays attention to comfort and safety, and both Captain Mike and Skevos are trained in lifeguarding.

The exact bay depends on conditions, so the views and seabed will vary. You may get a shallow sandy setting, Kallithea Springs, or Santa Marina Bay rather than one fixed postcard stop. That flexibility is part of the practical value of the trip, but anyone expecting a precise sightseeing itinerary should know that the day is built around fishing and safe sea conditions.

The swim stop also breaks up the fishing. You are not locked into five hours of sitting with a rod in your hands. The change of pace makes the outing suitable for couples and mixed groups, including someone who is more interested in swimming than fishing.

Lunch cooked on the boat

While you swim, the crew prepares lunch. Your own catch may be grilled on a handcrafted BBQ built by Skevos’s father, along with fresh gold seabream and sea bass weighing at least 250 grams.

The fish is cooked with extra virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt. That simple treatment makes sense on a boat, where fresh fish needs little decoration. The meal also includes Greek salad made with herbs, charcoal-grilled bread, olive oil, sea salt, and fresh Rhodian oregano.

Food is one of the strongest reasons to book this outing. The salad receives repeated praise, and Skevos’s homemade lemon sauce is another memorable touch. The fish is served soon after the swimming stop, so lunch feels tied to the day’s fishing rather than added as a standard catering course.

Drinks are included without a stated limit: beer, cola, lemonade, and bottled mineral water. That is a real saving compared with paying separately for drinks on a boat. If you do not eat fish or Greek salad, the meal becomes much less useful, so bring snacks rather than assuming there will be another main option.

The boat provides a relaxed dining area separate from the fishing section. That gives lunch a more comfortable feel than eating from a paper box while standing beside fishing rods. It also encourages conversation within the small group.

Captain Mike and Skevos make the difference

The crew is central to the experience. Captain Mike has more than 35 years of professional fishing experience, and Skevos grew up on the boat learning the trade from his father. Skevos is also a certified professional chef.

Their roles complement each other. Captain Mike brings the practical sea experience, while Skevos gives fishing tips, helps beginners, and prepares the meal. When a stronger fish takes the line, the two work together, creating the most dramatic moments of the trip.

The tone is friendly and informal. You can expect humor, conversation, and direct help rather than a formal lecture. That suits this kind of outing. The crew’s patience is especially valuable if you have never fished from a boat or feel nervous about handling the equipment.

The English instruction is useful for international visitors, though no other language is specified. The strong 4.8 rating from 315 bookings reflects how consistently the crew, food, and relaxed atmosphere have landed with people taking the trip.

What the $88 price really buys you

At $88 per person, this is not simply a short boat ride. The price covers five hours on a small traditional vessel, fishing rods and reels, bait, guidance, snorkeling equipment, a full meal, beer, soft drinks, bottled water, Wi-Fi, and toilet access.

The included food and drinks make the cost easier to justify. A standard half-day cruise can charge extra for lunch, drinks, or equipment. Here, the main elements are bundled into one price, and the meal includes fish caught during the outing when available.

The boat size also adds value. Ten participants is small enough for personal help and a calmer social setting, but it may feel close if every place is booked and the sea becomes choppy. You are paying for a shared experience, not a private charter.

The most important value question is your goal. If you want a guaranteed catch, a private fishing lesson, or a luxury yacht, this is not the right product. If you want fishing, swimming, food, and local character in one half-day outing, the price is fair.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The trip runs in rain but not during storms, so the weather policy is practical but means conditions may not always be perfect.

Who should book this Rhodes boat trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time anglers, couples, families with fishing enthusiasts, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a break from crowded land-based sightseeing.

You do not need fishing experience. The crew explains what to do and works hard to help people catch fish, making the trip approachable for beginners. At the same time, the equipment and variety of fishing methods give regular anglers something more useful than a purely introductory outing.

It also suits a mixed-interest group. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and everyone can share lunch. The small group encourages conversation, and solo participants can join without being left on the edge of a large crowd.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness, dislike fish, need wheelchair access, are pregnant, or want a fixed list of coastal sights. The advice to eat breakfast is worth following, and you should pack swimwear, a towel, and clothes that can handle sea spray.

Should you book the Skevos Fishing Trip?

Yes, if you want an active but easygoing half-day near Rhodes Town. The best features are unusually clear: a small wooden boat, genuine instruction, a father-and-son crew, a swim stop, and a freshly cooked lunch with a particularly good Greek salad.

Book it for the full experience rather than just the catch. Fishing success changes with the month and sea conditions, as one August outing showed, but the crew adjusts the plan and gives you swimming and lunch to round out the day.

At $88, it offers good value for anyone who wants local food and time on the water without joining a large cruise. Just arrive with realistic expectations, an appetite, and a willingness to get a little wet.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The boat is located in Kolona Port, outside Rhodes Old Town. The trip returns to the same location after five hours.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts five hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity is limited to 10 participants, making it a small-group outing.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. The boat provides fishing equipment and bait, including high-quality equipment from brands such as Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided for the swimming stop.

What food and drinks are included?

The meal includes freshly grilled fish, Greek salad, charcoal-grilled bread, beer, soft drinks, and bottled mineral water. The crew grills fish caught during the trip along with fresh sea bass and gold seabream.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear and a towel. It is also sensible to wear clothing that can get wet because ocean spray may reach the boat.

Does the trip operate in bad weather?

The trip operates in rain but does not run during storms. The destination and fishing areas can change according to the weather and sea conditions.