Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip with swimming stop and BBQ on board

The best part of this Rhodes boat trip is the change of pace: you fish in open water, then cool off beside the Kallithea caves before sitting down to a generous BBQ lunch. Angelo and Vasili help first-timers bait hooks and manage tangled lines, so you do not need fishing experience.

I like the small group of up to 12 and the way the crew turns a simple boat ride into a social day. I also like the food, especially the grilled fish, Greek salad, fresh fruit, and free soft drinks, beer, or wine. The main caution is that fishing can be slow, and three hours may feel long for young children who are waiting for a bite.

Key points to know before booking

• Fishing comes first: Expect about three hours at sea, with more than one fishing stop.
• Swimming follows: You get about an hour near the rocky beaches and caves of Kallithea Springs.
• Angelo helps make the day: He assists with bait, lines, and fishing technique, and keeps the mood light.
• Lunch is a major part of the value: The BBQ can include grilled fish or chicken, salad, bread, and fruit.
• The boat is practical, not luxurious: There is a toilet onboard, but it is basic and has no sink.
• Check the pier carefully: The meeting point is on the waterfront at 25is Martiou 2, not necessarily the spot shown by Google Maps.

A fishing morning with a real local feel

At $78.60 per person, this is not simply a short boat ride with fishing rods handed out at the rail. You spend roughly five hours on the water, receive help from the crew, stop to swim, and eat a full meal onboard.

That makes the trip especially appealing if you want a relaxed day that combines several Greek-island pleasures. You are not signing up for a serious fishing charter with a guarantee of a large catch. You are choosing a friendly, hands-on outing where the fishing is part sport, part entertainment, and part excuse to spend time at sea.

The boat carries a maximum of 12 people. That number matters. A small group gives you a better chance of getting help when your line tangles or you need bait, and it makes lunch feel more personal than a large excursion boat buffet.

The crew includes Angelo and Vasili, along with the captain. Angelo receives especially warm praise for his humor and helpful manner. He works with beginners, keeps an eye on the rods, and helps make the trip feel easygoing rather than formal.

Finding the boat at 25is Martiou 2

The listed meeting point is 25is Martiou 2 in Rhodes Town, and the activity returns to the same place. The practical detail is that the departure point is on the waterfront. Google Maps may direct you to a nearby location that is not the actual place where the boat waits.

Give yourself time to locate the pier. This is even more important if you are visiting Rhodes from a cruise ship and have a firm departure time.

The trip is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. It is near public transportation, and most people can take part. You receive a mobile ticket, which keeps the arrival process simple, but you still need to pay attention to the precise waterfront location.

Three hours of fishing off Rhodes

The fishing portion takes about three hours. The crew sets up the rods and shows beginners how to bait a hook, lower the line, and work the reel. If you have never fished before, this is the right kind of setting for learning the basics without needing to bring equipment or prepare in advance.

You might catch something. Some people have caught good-sized fish, while others have had only a few bites or small catches. The photos of fish displayed on the boat should not be treated as a promise of what you will land that morning.

That uncertainty is part of the honest calculation. If your main goal is to return with a large catch, this may disappoint you. If you see fishing as a pleasant activity on the water, a slow spell is easier to accept, especially because the day includes swimming and lunch.

The crew makes an effort to involve everyone. Beginners receive help with bait and tangled lines, while experienced anglers can get started without a long lesson. Still, three hours is a fairly long fishing session for children. Families with young children should consider whether they will enjoy waiting between bites.

You may stop in two or three fishing areas, depending on the day. The boat remains small and relatively old-fashioned rather than sleek or luxurious. That gives the trip a homespun character, but you should not expect the polished fittings of a high-end yacht charter.

Kallithea caves and a clear-water swim

After fishing, the boat heads toward the rocky beaches and caves around Kallithea Springs. You have about an hour for swimming and snorkeling in the surrounding water.

This is the part that balances out a quiet fishing session. The water is described as clear and cool, and the rocky setting gives you something interesting to explore rather than just an open-water swim. You can swim near the caves and take in the coast from the water.

Bring swimwear, a towel, and anything you need for sun protection. Snorkeling is included as an opportunity at the stop, but the supplied information does not promise specific equipment or a particular amount of marine life, so set your expectations around the setting and the swim rather than a formal snorkeling tour.

The stop also gives children and non-anglers a welcome break. Someone who loses interest in fishing can swim, snorkel, take photographs, or simply enjoy the coast from the boat.

The BBQ lunch is more than a snack

Lunch is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. The meal is prepared and served onboard, often with grilled fish or chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit. Some meals have included gluten-free bread, which is useful to know if that matters to you, though you should confirm dietary needs before booking.

The grilled fish is especially fitting after the fishing session. On some departures, fish caught during the outing may be cooked and served, but you should not count on catching enough fish to make up the meal. The main dish is prepared by the crew, so lunch does not depend on your fishing luck.

Drinks add to the value. Free soft drinks, beer, and wine are available onboard according to the supplied trip details and direct experience reports. That turns lunch into a proper mid-day pause rather than a quick sandwich break.

The meal is not fine dining, and it is not meant to be. It is generous, fresh, and tied to the setting. You eat on the boat, with the coast around you and the day’s fishing still fresh in mind. For many people, this becomes the most memorable part of the trip.

What the boat is really like

The boat is functional and comfortable enough for a half-day on the water, but it is not a luxury vessel. Several details are worth knowing before you commit.

There is a toilet onboard. It has been described both positively and critically, but the safest expectation is a basic marine toilet. It has no sink, and there have been complaints about cleanliness and the door lock. Bring hand wipes, and do not expect the facilities of a marina or hotel.

Space is limited, which is normal on a fishing boat. A maximum of 12 people keeps the group manageable, but you will still be sharing the deck, fishing equipment, and seating. If you want a quiet private charter, this is not that product.

The older boat is part of the charm for some people and a drawback for others. The crew supplies the hospitality, food, and instruction, while the vessel itself supplies the simple setting. I would book it for the people and the day on the water, not for the boat’s finish.

How the timing affects cruise-ship visitors

The advertised duration is about five hours, with approximately three hours of fishing and one hour at Kallithea Springs. The remaining time allows for the boat ride and the meal.

That schedule matters if you are in Rhodes on a cruise call. One party arrived while the boat was late returning from an earlier trip and decided not to board because there was not enough confidence about getting back before the ship sailed. The captain would not shorten the outing for one group because other people were taking the full trip.

The lesson is simple: do not book this excursion on a tight cruise schedule. Allow a generous margin between the planned return and your ship’s departure. If your ship leaves soon after the listed end time, choose a shorter activity closer to the port or arrange a private option with more control over timing.

For a normal day in Rhodes, the schedule is easier. You return to the same waterfront meeting point, and the five-hour length leaves time for the rest of your day.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes boat trip?

I would recommend it most to people who want a friendly, informal day at sea rather than a serious angling charter.

It suits:

• First-time fishers who want hands-on help
• Couples looking for a relaxed water-based outing
• Families with older children and teenagers
• Small groups who enjoy sharing a meal with other people
• Cruise visitors with plenty of time before departure
• Anyone who values local food and hospitality more than a polished boat

It is less suitable for very young children who need constant activity. Three hours of fishing can feel long when the fish are not biting.

It is also a poor match for someone who wants guaranteed catches, quiet luxury, or complete control over the schedule. Fishing is unpredictable, the boat is basic, and the trip runs for the group rather than adapting to one person’s preferred return time.

The value of $78.60

The price sits in a reasonable range for a five-hour outing that includes fishing instruction, a swimming stop, a substantial onboard meal, and drinks. The small group also improves the value because you are not simply one person among dozens on a large excursion boat.

The meal helps justify the cost. A grilled main dish, salad, bread, fruit, and drinks would add up quickly if bought separately in Rhodes, especially in a waterfront setting. You also get the time and equipment needed to try fishing without arranging a separate charter.

The price is harder to justify if you measure the trip only by fish caught. Some days produce several fish, while others produce little. Think of the catch as a bonus. The dependable parts are the boat time, instruction, swimming stop, meal, and crew interaction.

With a 99 percent recommendation rate and a 5 out of 5 average from 831 ratings, the overall record is unusually strong. Still, the lower ratings reveal the two real risks: fishing may be slow, and timing can be a problem for cruise passengers. Those are not small technicalities. They should guide your decision.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

The trip requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

It is often booked about 22 days ahead, so reserve early if your dates are fixed. That matters most during the busy Rhodes season and for cruise days when you have limited time on the island.

Should you book the Makarounas fishing trip?

Book it if you want a warm, social day built around fishing, swimming, and a generous BBQ. Angelo, Vasili, and the captain add a personal touch, and the small group makes it easier to get help and meet the people around you.

Go in with realistic expectations. You may catch a fish, or you may not. The boat is older, the toilet is basic, and the fishing section may test the patience of young children. Cruise passengers should leave a wide safety margin before ship departure and confirm the waterfront meeting point rather than relying only on Google Maps.

For a relaxed Rhodes day where the food and swimming matter as much as the fishing, I think the $78.60 price is fair. If you want luxury, guaranteed catches, or a tightly controlled schedule, choose another type of boat trip.

FAQ

How long does the Makarounas fishing trip last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours. About three hours are set aside for fishing, followed by about one hour for swimming and snorkeling near Kallithea Springs, with additional time for the boat ride and meal.

Where does the trip start and finish?

It starts at 25is Martiou 2 in Rhodes, Greece, and ends back at the same meeting point. The departure point is on the waterfront, so do not rely only on the location shown by Google Maps.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is fishing suitable for beginners?

Yes. The crew helps beginners bait hooks, handle the line, use the reel, and deal with tangles. Experienced fishers can begin fishing without a lengthy introduction.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ meal is served onboard. It can include grilled fish or chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit. Free soft drinks, beer, and wine are also available.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes, there is a toilet onboard. It is basic, has no sink, and you should bring hand wipes. The facilities have received mixed comments about cleanliness and the door lock.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a different date or a full refund.