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

The best part of this Rhodes outing is that your lunch starts with a fishing rod. Skevos and his father, Captain Mike, take up to 10 people out from Kolona port, teach you the basics, and grill the catch later on a BBQ built by Skevos’s father. I like the small group and the mix of fishing, swimming, and a proper meal. I also like that beginners get patient help, while experienced anglers still have real equipment and serious targets. The one catch is simple: fish do not follow a timetable, and August conditions can make the fishing slower.

• A father-and-son crew: Skevos guides the fishing and cooks, while Captain Mike brings more than 35 years of professional fishing experience.
• Two styles of fishing: Try trolling for predator fish, then switch to ground fishing near the seabed.
• A real onboard meal: Your catch is grilled with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt, alongside seabream, sea bass, Greek salad, and bread.
• A small boat group: The fishing area is designed for 10 people, making it easier to get personal instruction.
• A flexible sea stop: The route may include Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina Bay, or a shallow sandy beach, depending on conditions.
• A full half-day at sea: The $88 price includes equipment, bait, food, drinks, snorkeling gear, Wi-Fi, and use of the toilet.

Fishing from Rhodes with Skevos and Captain Mike

This is not a quick ride around the coast with a rod added as an afterthought. You spend about five hours on a traditional, handcrafted wooden boat, learning how local fishing works and taking part in several different stages of the trip.

Skevos leads much of the hands-on instruction. His father, Captain Mike, has spent more than 35 years fishing professionally. Together, they create a relaxed setup for first-timers, but they also use quality Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi equipment for people who already know their way around a reel.

The boat has a separate fishing area for 10 people, plus another section for eating and resting. That division matters. You are not trying to balance a plate over fishing gear, and you have somewhere to sit when the sun, wind, or sea air catches up with you.

The boat also carries a fish finder, GPS, depth sounder, and radar. Those tools do not guarantee a catch, but they show that this is a working fishing setup rather than a sightseeing vessel offering a casual novelty.

Leaving Kolona port for the open water

You meet the boat at the port of Kolona, just outside Rhodes Old Town. This is convenient if you are staying in Rhodes Town, though give yourself extra time if you are arriving by car. Parking around the port can be busy, especially during the main season.

The exact route depends on the day’s wind and sea conditions. Possible destinations include the famous Kallithea Springs area, the quieter bay of Santa Marina, or a shallow sandy beach. You should think of these as possible sea stops, not guaranteed fixed points.

That flexibility is sensible. A boat trip is better when the crew can choose a sheltered place rather than force the original plan in rough water. The tradeoff is that you cannot count on one specific bay or view.

The first hour is spent cruising and trolling. This means the lines move behind the boat as you search for larger, faster fish. The listed targets include small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjack, barracuda, trumpetfish, and great trevally.

That list gives you a sense of the ambition, but keep your expectations in check. Fishing is affected by weather, season, water conditions, and plain luck. A summer outing may produce fewer fish than you hope. The guides can work hard and still cannot control what takes the bait.

Trolling first, then fishing near the seabed

After trolling, the boat moves into roughly two hours of ground fishing. This change of method gives the trip a useful rhythm. You are not spending the entire morning waiting for one large catch.

Ground fishing targets fish closer to the seabed. For beginners, this can be the easier section to understand because Skevos and Captain Mike can explain the basic handling, bait, and timing as you go. Several first-time fishers have found the instruction straightforward enough to catch something, while more experienced anglers can focus on technique and the feel of the line.

The guides also work to make the fishing social. With no more than 10 people, you can talk with the others without being swallowed by a large excursion crowd. Solo visitors can fit in comfortably, and couples or families get a shared activity rather than separate entertainment.

There is also a physical side to the experience. One of the larger fish can require effort, and you may get splashed. Wear clothes that can get wet, even if the forecast looks friendly. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and beachwear. Breakfast is also a good idea because five hours on the water, with fishing and swimming, is a long stretch between meals.

Swimming and snorkeling in a quiet bay

Once the fishing is finished, the boat anchors in a quiet spot for swimming, snorkeling, or rest. The actual place depends on conditions, but the choices include Kallithea Springs, Santa Marina Bay, and a shallow sandy beach.

This is the slower part of the trip, and it helps break up the fishing. You can use the provided snorkeling equipment, take a swim, or remain on deck and enjoy the coast from the boat. Pool noodles and similar flotation aids have also been available for people who feel less confident in the water, though you should still bring your own comfort level and swim within it.

The water stop is especially useful for companions who are less interested in fishing. A partner or child can enjoy the sea while the fishing enthusiasts get their main activity. Families have also found the crew attentive with younger fishers, offering encouragement without making the day feel formal.

Do not assume the snorkeling is a separate reef excursion with a long guided underwater session. The information describes equipment and time to swim or snorkel, not a specialized marine biology tour. It is best viewed as a pleasant sea break in a scenic part of Rhodes.

The fish BBQ is the real payoff

While you swim, the crew prepares lunch. Fish you catch may be grilled alongside fresh gold seabream and sea bass weighing 250 grams or more. The fish is cooked on a handcrafted BBQ made by Skevos’s father, with extra virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt.

This meal gives the fishing a clear purpose. You are not simply collecting a souvenir catch. You take part in a local-style meal, served on the boat where the fish was caught.

The food also includes Greek salad, charcoal-grilled bread with olive oil, coarse salt, and fresh Rhodian oregano. Skevos’s salad receives unusual attention for a reason. It includes herbs and a homemade dressing, and many people consider it one of the best parts of the meal.

Drinks are covered too: unlimited beer, cola, lemonade, and bottled mineral water. That makes the $88 price easier to assess. A five-hour boat trip with fishing gear, bait, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinks, a small group, and two guides would cost more if each part were priced separately.

There are still a couple of food points to consider. The main meal is heavily based on fish, salad, and bread. If you do not eat fish or Greek salad, bring a snack, as one participant sensibly suggested. The supplied information does not promise a broad alternative menu.

What the $88 price really includes

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Rhodes. It is also not just a fishing lesson. The price covers a fairly complete half-day outing:

• Fishing rods, reels, and bait
• Trolling and ground fishing instruction
• A meal of fish, salad, and bread
• Unlimited beer, soft drinks, and bottled water
• Swimming and snorkeling equipment
• Wi-Fi and a toilet onboard
• A small group limited to 10 people

The meal is a major part of the value. You are getting more than a packed sandwich or a drink after a short boat ride. The fresh fish, sea bass, seabream, grilled bread, and salad turn the trip into a full lunch experience.

The boat’s equipment adds value for serious fishers, while the instruction keeps it accessible for beginners. You do not need to own fishing gear or know how to rig a line before arriving.

The strongest value comes if you plan to spend half a day on the water anyway. If your main aim is a luxury yacht, a large catch, or a dedicated snorkeling trip, this may not be the right match. If you want one outing that combines fishing, swimming, food, and local hosting, the price is easier to justify.

The boat, safety, and comfort onboard

The vessel is a traditional wooden fishing boat about 10 meters long. It has a separate fishing section, dining and relaxation space, a comfortable toilet, a freshwater shower, Wi-Fi, and certified VHF/UHF communication equipment.

It also carries GPS, radar, a depth sounder, and a 1000W Lowrance fish finder. These details matter because the boat is operating as a proper fishing vessel, not only as a platform for a photo opportunity.

The crew is trained in lifeguarding, and the boat complies with stated safety regulations. That does not remove the normal risks of being at sea, but it provides useful reassurance, especially for families and people trying boat fishing for the first time.

This trip is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. The boat is also exposed to the weather. It operates in rain unless there is a storm, so do not book it expecting perfect sunshine as a condition of departure. Wind can affect both comfort and the chance of catching fish.

Who will enjoy this Rhodes boat trip?

I would recommend this outing to you if you fit one of these groups:

First-time fishers: The crew gives clear instruction and helps you through the process. You do not need to arrive with fishing experience.

Families with an interested child: The small group and attentive guidance can make the activity feel personal. The day combines fishing with swimming, so it is not all waiting beside a rod.

Couples: You can fish together, swim in a quiet bay, share a meal, and meet other people without joining a huge boat party.

Solo visitors: The limited group size makes it easier to chat and join the action. You are not left on the edge of a large crowd.

Experienced anglers: The quality equipment, trolling, ground fishing, and larger target species give you something more substantial than a basic tourist lesson.

I would be cautious if you dislike fish-based food, get uncomfortable on boats, need wheelchair access, or are hoping for guaranteed big-game fishing. Also remember that the boat can get wet and conditions may affect the plan.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. The activity is conducted in English and lasts five hours.

The meeting point is the Skevos fishing boat in Kolona port outside Rhodes Old Town. If you drive, allow time to locate parking. If you are staying in town, check your route carefully so you are not rushing to the harbor.

Bring beachwear and a towel. Add sunscreen, a hat, and clothing that can handle sea spray, even though only beachwear and a towel are specifically required. Eat breakfast first, especially if you are not keen on relying only on the onboard fish lunch.

Should you book the Skevos Fishing Trip?

Book it if you want an active half-day with a real meal, not a passive cruise. The strongest reasons are the small group, the father-and-son crew, the chance to learn two fishing methods, and the unusually complete BBQ lunch.

The main uncertainty is the fishing itself. You may catch several species, or the sea may be uncooperative. That is part of the deal, and the crew can improve your chances but cannot promise a large catch.

For most visitors who like seafood, swimming, and a friendly local experience, $88 is a fair price. I would book it early if you want a small boat and a personal feel, then arrive ready to get splashed, learn a few knots, and accept whatever the sea provides.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The boat is at Kolona port, outside the Old Town of Rhodes. The listed meeting point is Skevos Fishing Trip.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts five hours, including the boat cruise, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and lunch.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to 10 participants. The boat has a separate fishing area designed for 10 people.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing equipment and bait are included. The boat also uses equipment from brands including Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi.

What fish might I catch?

The crew may target small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjack, barracuda, trumpetfish, great trevally, and other fish near the seabed. A catch is not guaranteed because conditions affect fishing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes grilled fish, fresh gold seabream and sea bass, Greek salad, and charcoal-grilled bread. Beer, soft drinks, and bottled water are also included.

Can I swim or snorkel?

Yes. The boat anchors in a quiet bay or another selected location for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear and a towel. It is also advised that you eat breakfast before the trip. Wear clothing that can get wet because sea spray is possible.