Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat

The best part of this Rhodes boat trip is that fishing leads directly to lunch. You start by trolling for small tuna, switch to bottom fishing, then enjoy a barbecue on board with one fresh fish per person, Greek salad, and bread. It is a relaxed half-day at sea rather than a serious big-game expedition.

I like the small maximum group of 10, which gives the captain time to help beginners. I also like the simple, generous setup: rods and bait are supplied, and water, soft drinks, and beer are free. The main caution is that catches can be small, so you should book this for a pleasant sea outing, not a guaranteed trophy fish.

Key points to know

• Two types of fishing: Start with trolling for small tuna, then try bottom fishing.
• Fresh lunch on board: Your meal includes one fish of about 500 grams, Greek salad, and bread.
• Swimming and snorkeling included: The day is not only about fishing.
• Small-group format: The boat carries no more than 10 participants.
• Friendly crew: Captain Mike and Katerina are named as crew on several trips.
• Good weather matters: The trip can be moved or refunded if conditions are poor.

A four-and-a-half-hour taste of life at sea

Captain Manolis Fishing Trips gives you a compact slice of the Rhodes fishing day. You meet at Akti Sachtouri in Rhodes Town, board the boat, and spend about four and a half hours fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and eating what comes from the sea.

That timing works well if you want time for another activity later. It is long enough to settle into the rhythm of the boat, but short enough for families, first-time fishers, and anyone fitting a boat trip into a busy Rhodes stay.

The trip is offered in English. The boat has a maximum of 10 participants, which matters here. Fishing needs a little room for rods, lines, and movement, and a smaller group gives you a better chance to get help when baiting a hook or bringing in a fish.

You should think of this as a shared social outing. It is not the same product as a private fishing charter aimed at large tuna, amberjack, or other demanding catches. The shared trip is built around an easygoing day, a bit of fishing, and a barbecue.

Leaving Rhodes Town for the first fishing session

The meeting point is Fishing Trips Rhodes Captain Manolis, at Akti Sachtouri, Rhodes 851 00. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate return from another harbor.

The first fishing method is trolling for small tuna. In trolling, the bait or lure moves behind the boat as you travel. This gives the opening part of the trip a sense of motion rather than having everyone sit in one place from the start.

The wording matters: the goal is small tuna, not a guaranteed large catch. Fishing is unpredictable, and the size of the fish depends on conditions and luck. If you arrive expecting a large fish on every line, you may be disappointed. If you enjoy the process, the sea views, and the possibility of a catch, the experience makes more sense.

The crew’s role is important for beginners. Captain Mike and Katerina are named as members of the crew on several outings, and the strongest praise centers on their friendly, helpful way of working with people on board. That kind of assistance can make a real difference if you have never held a fishing rod at sea.

Bottom fishing and the reality of the catch

After trolling, the boat moves to bottom fishing. This changes the pace. Instead of fishing while the boat travels, you wait for fish below the boat, using bait and tackle supplied as part of the trip.

Bottom fishing can be more accessible than serious game fishing. You do not need specialist equipment, and the captain can guide you through the basic technique. It also gives children, older participants, and beginners a fair chance to take part without needing prior skill.

You should set your expectations carefully. Some catches may be small, including fish around two inches, while a stronger catch of roughly 16 inches is possible. One participant caught the biggest fish of the day at 16 inches, but that should be treated as good fortune, not a promise.

This is the most important point when deciding if the trip suits you. Captain Manolis’s shared program is normal fishing paired with a boat ride and barbecue. It is not an extreme fishing charter. A private trip costs far more and is aimed at more demanding fishing, so you should not compare the two as if they offer the same day.

The price is $78.64 per person. That is fair value if you use the whole package: four and a half hours on the water, equipment, bait, a cooked fish meal, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, and a small group. It is less compelling if your only goal is to land a large fish.

Turning the catch into a Greek barbecue

The barbecue is the feature that gives the excursion its shape. Rather than returning to shore with your catch or treating lunch as an afterthought, the crew prepares the fish on the boat.

The stated meal includes one fresh fish of about 500 grams per person, Greek salad, and bread. Water, soft drinks, and beers are also free. That makes the meal feel more like a proper midday break than a quick snack between fishing sessions.

A fresh fish barbecue, eaten after time at sea, is a simple pleasure. You do not need a long restaurant menu when the main course is the catch of the day and the setting is the boat itself. The Greek salad and bread provide familiar sides, while the included drinks help keep the meal informal.

There is one detail worth understanding. The menu says one fresh fish per person, but the fishing itself is not guaranteed to produce a large fish for each individual. The advertised portion should guide your food expectations, while the actual fishing remains subject to luck.

The crew has received particularly strong praise for the food and hospitality. Captain Mike and Katerina are described as warm and helpful hosts, and the combination of fresh fish, salad, and lunch on the water is repeatedly singled out as a high point.

Swimming and snorkeling between the fishing sessions

Swimming and snorkeling are part of the experience, so the trip is not dependent on fish biting every minute. This is a welcome balance. If the fishing is slow, you still have time to enjoy the sea from the boat.

The available information does not specify the exact swimming location, water depth, or whether snorkeling equipment is supplied. You should check directly if you need gear or have a particular snorkeling requirement. The tour does explicitly include swimming and snorkeling, but it does not promise a guided marine-life session.

For families, this can be a useful feature. A child or teenager who loses interest in fishing has another way to enjoy the boat. One family especially appreciated the swimming portion after catching only small fish, which tells you how the day can work even when the fishing is modest.

This also makes the trip suitable for mixed-age groups. A day on a boat can be hard to plan when one person wants serious fishing and another wants a swim. Here, the schedule offers both, though neither activity should be treated as an intensive specialist program.

What the small group changes

The maximum group size is 10. That is small enough to keep the boat from feeling anonymous, but it is still a shared trip rather than a private charter.

You will likely spend part of the day fishing beside other people, which means lines and space need to be managed sensibly. The benefit is that the captain can give more direct attention than on a large excursion boat.

The small format also helps with the social side of the outing. Fishing is naturally conversational, and the barbecue gives everyone a common break. If you want a quiet private day with your own schedule, this is not the right format. If you enjoy meeting a few people while doing something outdoors, it is a good fit.

Several accounts describe a group of seven on board as a comfortable number. The official limit is 10, so the exact feel can vary by departure. At full capacity, the boat will be busier than at seven, but it remains a small-group activity by excursion standards.

Who should book this Rhodes fishing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you meet one or more of these descriptions:

• You want a half-day on the water without committing to a full-day charter.
• You are new to fishing and want equipment, bait, and help supplied.
• You are traveling with family or a mixed-age group.
• You enjoy a relaxed barbecue more than a serious fishing challenge.
• You want swimming and snorkeling included as a backup to fishing.
• You value a small group and direct contact with the captain.

It is also a good choice if you want a different view of Rhodes beyond beaches and town streets. The boat provides a change of pace, and the sea becomes the setting for both the activity and the meal.

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced angler hunting a large tuna or amberjack. The normal shared trip is not designed for that. You should ask about a private, specialist charter instead, accepting that the price will be much higher.

Price, timing, and practical details

At $78.64 per person, the cost covers more than fishing alone. You are paying for the boat trip, captain, rod, bait, barbecue, salad, bread, and drinks, plus swimming and snorkeling time. Compared with paying separately for a meal and a short boat ride, the package offers solid value for a relaxed half-day.

The tour is often reserved about 42 days ahead, so you should not assume you can always arrange it at the last minute during a busy Rhodes visit. Booking early is sensible if your schedule is tight, especially since weather can affect departures.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but you should consider your own comfort with a moving boat, fishing equipment, and time at sea.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours ahead is not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Since the trip requires suitable weather, a cancellation by the operator for poor conditions brings an alternative date or a full refund. If the minimum number is not reached, you receive the same choice of another date or a refund.

The honest verdict on Captain Manolis Fishing

Book this trip if you want a friendly small-group day at sea with lunch built in. The strongest reasons are the manageable length, helpful crew, included equipment, swimming time, and fresh barbecue. You do not need fishing experience, and the format works well for families and mixed groups.

Do not book it expecting a large catch or a professional fishing challenge. Small fish are part of the normal experience, and the actual catch is down to luck. For the right expectations, this is a pleasant way to see Rhodes from the water and eat a simple Greek meal aboard the boat.

FAQ

How long is the Captain Manolis fishing trip?

The experience lasts approximately four hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the fishing trip start?

It starts at Fishing Trips Rhodes Captain Manolis, Akti Sachtouri, Rhodes 851 00, Greece.

Where does the activity end?

The trip ends back at the original meeting point.

What kind of fishing is included?

The trip begins with trolling for small tuna and then continues with bottom fishing.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. A fishing rod and bait are included.

What food is included?

The barbecue menu includes one fresh fish of about 500 grams per person, Greek salad, and bread.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Water, soft drinks, and beers are free.

How many people can join the trip?

The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the trip is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.