Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip with swimming stop and BBQ on board

Fishing, swimming, and lunch share one small boat. I like the small-group setting, limited to 12 people, and the friendly touch from Angelo and the captain. I also like that your catch may become part of a fresh onboard meal. The main drawback is that three hours of fishing can feel long for young children, and the boat is comfortable rather than polished.

This is a relaxed half-day outing from Rhodes, not a serious fishing charter built around landing a large catch. You get patient help with bait and fishing lines, a swim near the Kallithea caves, and a generous BBQ lunch. Clear communication and good food are two of its strongest points, but the fishing itself can be hit or miss.

Five things to know before you book

• Fishing takes about three hours: You may stop in more than one fishing area, but catches are not guaranteed.
• The Kallithea cave stop is the highlight for many: You can swim and snorkel in clear water near rocky beaches and caves.
• Lunch is a real part of the experience: Expect grilled food, salad, fruit, drinks, and possibly fish caught during the trip.
• Angelo helps set the mood: He assists with bait, tangled lines, and first-time fishers while keeping the group laughing.
• The boat is simple, not luxurious: There is a toilet onboard, but it may need cleaning and has no sink.
• Check the meeting point carefully: The waterfront location is at 25is Martiou 2, although map services may direct you somewhere else.

What this Rhodes boat trip is really like

The Makarounas trip works best if you think of it as a friendly day on the water with fishing included, rather than a guaranteed catch. The advertised length is about five hours, with roughly three hours set aside for fishing and one hour at Kallithea Springs, also known as the Kalithea Caves.

You meet at 25is Martiou 2 in Rhodes Town, close to the waterfront. The activity ends back at the same point, which keeps the day simple if you are staying in town or making your way back to a cruise ship.

The group limit of 12 matters. A boat this size lets the crew give more personal help than you would usually get on a large excursion vessel. That is particularly useful if you have never held a fishing rod before. You can expect guidance with bait, casting, reeling, and untangling lines.

Angelo is often the lively presence onboard. His humor and easy manner help turn quiet fishing periods into a social outing. The captain also receives strong praise for preparing lunch and helping with the practical side of the trip.

The boat itself is older and basic. I would not book this expecting glossy seating, resort-style facilities, or a silent private charter. The appeal is the informal atmosphere, the open water, and the feeling of being looked after by a small local crew.

Three hours of fishing around Rhodes

The fishing portion begins with a hands-on introduction for beginners. The crew helps you bait your hook and shows you how to manage the rod. That makes the trip accessible for families and first-time fishers, including children old enough to follow basic instructions.

More experienced fishers can get started quickly. The waters may produce several types of local fish, but the catch varies. Some outings produce a few good fish, while others result in only small catches or none at all. You should treat the act of fishing as the main activity, not the number of fish on the line.

The boat may stop in two or three fishing areas. That gives the crew a chance to look for better conditions, but it does not mean you will fish continuously at each location. The amount of action depends on the day.

This is where the trip needs an honest warning. Promotional photographs showing many fish should not be read as a promise that the group will catch the same amount. The fishing can be quiet, and one person may catch a fish while another catches nothing. The experience still has value if you enjoy learning, sitting on the water, and sharing the moment with your group.

For children, three hours may be too long. Younger members of a family can enjoy the excitement at first, then lose interest during slower stretches. Families with children aged 7 to 14 have enjoyed the outing, but I would bring snacks, sun protection, and realistic expectations about waiting.

The best part for beginners is the support. You do not need to arrive with fishing experience or specialist equipment. The crew handles the intimidating bits, such as baiting and tangled lines, so you can focus on the fun.

Swimming at the Kallithea caves

After fishing, the boat heads to the Kallithea Springs area and its rocky beaches and caves. You get about an hour for swimming and snorkeling in the water around the caves.

This stop changes the pace nicely. If the fishing has been slow, the swim gives you a clear second reason to book the trip. The water has been described as cool and clear, and the rocky setting gives you something interesting to explore from the surface.

You should bring swimwear, a towel, and anything you need for sun protection. Snorkeling is part of the opportunity at the stop, but the supplied details do not promise specific equipment or a particular quantity of marine life. Think of it as a scenic swim with the option to look beneath the surface, not as a formal snorkeling tour.

The cave setting is also a good reason to keep your phone ready for photographs, provided it is protected from splashes. The contrast between the open fishing water and the enclosed rocky cove makes the outing feel varied for a short trip.

There is one practical point worth noting. The boat has a toilet, but it does not have a sink, and the facilities may not meet everyone’s standards for cleanliness. Carrying hand wipes is a smart move. One description calls it a luxury toilet, but that should be understood as an onboard convenience, not a full marine bathroom.

The BBQ lunch may be the best part

Food receives some of the warmest praise attached to this excursion. Lunch is prepared onboard by the captain and served after the fishing and swimming portions. Depending on the catch and the day, you may receive grilled fish along with the main BBQ offering.

The meal can include grilled chicken, fish, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit. Gluten-free bread has also been available. Drinks, including soft drinks, beer, and wine, are offered onboard according to the supplied trip details.

The meal sounds simple, but simple is exactly right for a boat outing. Freshly grilled food, salad, fruit, and a cold drink taste especially good after time in the sun. If the group catches fish, having it cooked and served during the trip adds a personal touch that a standard buffet cannot match.

Portions may be generous. You should not assume you will need to buy another meal immediately after returning. The food is not presented as a fine-dining service, and the boat is not a restaurant, but the care put into the meal is a major part of the trip’s value.

I also like that lunch connects the fishing to the rest of the day. Even if you do not catch anything, you still receive a proper meal and a pleasant swim. If you do catch fish, the meal becomes a small shared success.

The crew makes a basic boat feel welcoming

Angelo is repeatedly praised for being funny, helpful, and encouraging. That matters on a trip with quiet fishing periods. His role is not just to explain the rod and bait. He helps untangle lines, keeps conversation moving, and makes first-time fishers feel comfortable.

The captain is also central to the experience. He handles the boat and prepares the BBQ, and the food is often singled out as a high point. Together, the two create the informal, family-style feeling that gives this outing much of its charm.

The service begins before you board. Communication about the meeting point and trip details has been strong, and the organizer has helped with rescheduling in at least one case. You still need to check the exact waterfront location yourself, since Google Maps may not lead you directly to the right spot.

There is a small social risk here. The tone onboard is lively and informal, which most people enjoy, but not everyone responds to the same style of humor. If you prefer a quiet, formal boat trip, this may feel too chatty. If you like an easygoing crew and shared jokes, it should suit you well.

Is the $78.60 price good value?

At $78.60 per person, the price covers about five hours on the water, fishing instruction, the swimming stop, lunch, and drinks. For a small group capped at 12, that is a fair package, particularly when you consider that the food is prepared onboard rather than handed out as a basic packed meal.

The value does not rest on fish caught. If you book only to bring home a large catch, you may be disappointed. The fishing is unpredictable, and some outings produce only a few small fish.

I see the price as paying for a full half-day experience. You get a local crew, time at sea, a cave swim, a cooked meal, and the chance to learn something new. Compared with a large boat trip, the personal help and smaller group improve the value.

The strongest value comes for couples, families with older children, and small groups of friends who want several activities in one outing. Solo participants can also fit in easily, since the group format encourages conversation.

Cruise ship passengers should be more careful. One booking went badly because the boat was delayed from an earlier trip and could not shorten the excursion to fit a ship’s departure time. If you are sailing that day, do not rely on the advertised start and return window without allowing a generous buffer. Missing a ship is far more expensive than the excursion itself.

Who should book this fishing trip?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Enjoy relaxed, social activities rather than a formal charter
• Are new to fishing and want practical help
• Like swimming and snorkeling as much as fishing
• Appreciate a hearty BBQ lunch
• Are comfortable on an older, modest boat
• Want a small group rather than a crowded vessel
• Are visiting Rhodes with children old enough to handle several hours at sea

I would hesitate if you need luxury facilities, guaranteed fishing success, or a tightly controlled schedule. I would also think twice if you are traveling with very young children who may tire after a long period of fishing.

The trip requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Standard cancellation allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear swimwear under comfortable clothes and bring a towel. Sun protection is important, since the fishing section lasts several hours and you may spend much of that time exposed to the sun.

Pack hand wipes for the toilet, as there is no sink onboard. A waterproof phone pouch is also useful around the swimming stop.

Find the meeting place on the waterfront rather than trusting Google Maps without checking. The listed address is 25is Martiou 2, Rhodes 851 00, and the return is to the same meeting point.

If you are taking a cruise, treat the timing as flexible. The trip is approximately five hours, but boat excursions can run late. I would only book it on a port day if you have a large safety margin before your ship leaves.

Should you book the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip?

Yes, if you want a friendly, good-value day on the water and can accept that fishing is not guaranteed. The cave swim, onboard BBQ, and warm crew give the outing more depth than a basic fishing ride.

Book it for the shared experience, not for a trophy catch. With a small group, helpful instruction, fresh grilled food, and a memorable swim near Kallithea, this is one of Rhodes’ more personal sea outings. Just accept the older boat, basic toilet, possible slow fishing, and flexible timing before you pay.

FAQ

How long does the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. Around three hours are set aside for fishing, with about one hour for swimming and snorkeling near the Kallithea caves.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at 25is Martiou 2, Rodos 851 00, Greece, on the Rhodes waterfront. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is fishing experience required?

No. Beginners receive help with baiting hooks, using the reel, and handling fishing lines. More experienced fishers can start fishing more quickly.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ meal is prepared onboard, with food such as grilled chicken, fish, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit. Soft drinks, beer, and wine are also available onboard.

Is there a toilet on the boat?

Yes, there is a toilet onboard. It does not have a sink, so bringing hand wipes is recommended.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.