Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip with swimming stop and BBQ on board

Fishing is only half the story on this five-hour Rhodes boat trip. You spend much of the morning trying for local fish, then stop at the rocky Kallithea Caves for a swim and snorkel before returning to a freshly cooked BBQ. The crew, especially Angelo and Captain Vasili, keeps the mood easy and social.

I like the small group of up to 12 people, which makes it easier to get help with bait and tangled lines. I also like the food: grilled fish, chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fruit are prepared on board, with soft drinks and beer or wine included. The main caution is that fishing can be slow, and three hours may feel long for young children or anyone who mainly wants to swim.

Key points to know before booking

• Fishing comes first: Allow about three hours for several fishing stops, with help available for beginners.
• Kallithea Caves are the highlight for many: You get about an hour to swim and snorkel in clear water by the rocky beaches.
• The BBQ is cooked on board: Fresh fish, chicken, salad, fruit, and bread make this more than a simple boat ride.
• The boat is small and older: It is practical rather than polished, with a toilet but no sink.
• Angelo sets the tone: He and Captain Vasili are friendly, funny, and ready to help with fishing.
• Allow extra time after a cruise stop: A late departure can be a serious problem if you must reach a ship at a fixed time.

A fishing morning with a Greek island payoff

I like this outing because it gives you several Rhodes experiences in one compact package. You fish in local waters, eat a meal made on the boat, and get a proper swim stop instead of spending the entire morning sitting in the sun.

The fishing is hands-on, not a passive sightseeing cruise. You bait the hook, cast, wait, and learn how to manage the reel. If you have never fished before, the crew helps you get started. If you already know what you are doing, you can get to work without a long classroom session.

The catch is never guaranteed. Some departures produce a few fish, including an occasional larger one, while others yield only small fish or none at all. Go for the full day on the water, not for a promise of a large haul.

Finding the boat at 25is Martiou 2

The stated meeting address is 25is Martiou 2, Rodos 851 00, and the activity returns to that same meeting point. It is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Rhodes Town.

One practical warning matters here: the actual meeting place is on the waterfront, while Google Maps may send you somewhere else. I would not rely on the map pin alone. Read the operator’s directions carefully and allow enough time to find the boat along the harbor.

The ticket is mobile, and confirmation arrives at booking. The activity is offered in English. Since the group is limited to 12 people, the experience feels more like a small local outing than a large excursion with dozens of people competing for fishing gear.

What three hours of fishing really feels like

The fishing portion takes about three hours, usually divided among more than one fishing location. The exact number of stops can vary, but two or three fishing spots are possible before the boat heads toward the swimming area.

For a beginner, this is a pleasant way to learn. The crew can show you how to bait the hook, lower the line, handle the rod, and deal with a tangled line. The simple rhythm of waiting, checking the line, and trying again is part of the fun. You do not need to arrive as an angler.

For experienced fishers, expectations should be modest. This is not presented as a specialist offshore fishing charter with advanced equipment or a guaranteed catch. It is a social fishing trip where the pleasure comes from being on the water and sharing the attempt.

You might catch something that ends up on the lunch table, which adds a satisfying local touch. But you might also spend the fishing time with only a few bites. The photos showing many fish should not be treated as a prediction for your particular morning.

Three hours is a good amount of time for adults who enjoy fishing. For children around seven to fourteen, it can be a little long, especially if the fish are not biting. Families should explain that the swimming stop and BBQ are important parts of the day, not just a break between successful catches.

Kallithea Caves and the one-hour swim stop

After fishing, the boat heads to the Kallithea Caves, near the rocky beaches of Rhodes. You have about an hour to swim and snorkel in the water around the caves.

This is where the trip changes pace. Fishing asks you to sit and wait. The cave stop lets you move, cool off, and look beneath the surface. The water has been described as clear and beautiful, and the rocky setting gives the swim more character than a quick stop beside an ordinary beach.

Bring a swimsuit and anything you need for snorkeling if you have your own equipment. The supplied information confirms the chance to swim and snorkel, but it does not specify rental equipment, so I would not assume masks or fins are provided.

The hour is long enough for a proper swim rather than a rushed dip. Still, the stop is weather dependent, like the rest of the trip. Wind and sea conditions can affect timing or lead to a cancellation.

The onboard BBQ is a real part of the value

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over a basic fishing boat ride. The captain cooks a generous BBQ on board, and the meal can include grilled fish, chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit.

Some of the fish may come from the morning’s catch, which gives the lunch a direct connection to the fishing. Chicken is also available, so you are not dependent on catching anything yourself. The food is simple rather than formal, but that fits the setting. You are eating on a working boat after fishing and swimming, not at a waterfront restaurant.

The meal has been described as well cooked and plentiful. Gluten-free bread has also been available on at least one departure, but I would contact the operator in advance if you have a dietary need. The supplied information does not promise a fixed menu or list every allergy option.

Soft drinks, beer, and wine are available at no extra charge. That adds useful value to the $78.60 price, especially when you consider the food, several hours at sea, fishing instruction, and the swimming stop. The price is not bargain-basement, but it is fair if you value the complete outing rather than measuring it by the number of fish caught.

Angelo, Captain Vasili, and the feel of the boat

Angelo is frequently singled out for his humor, helpfulness, and infectious laugh. He appears to be the person who keeps conversation moving and helps make strangers feel like a group. Captain Vasili handles the boat and cooking, and the two create a friendly, informal atmosphere.

That warmth matters on a small boat. If the fishing is quiet, the crew’s attitude can make the difference between a dull wait and a pleasant morning. The best version of this trip feels personal and relaxed, with the crew helping you bait up, sort out lines, and enjoy the meal.

The boat itself is not luxurious. It is described as older and somewhat primitive, though still suitable for the experience. Think practical fishing vessel, not polished yacht. If your idea of a boat excursion involves padded lounges and spotless modern fittings, this may disappoint.

There is a toilet on board, but it has a few limitations. It may need better cleaning, the lock has been criticized, and there is no sink. Bring hand wipes. That is a small but useful preparation, especially if you are traveling with children.

Timing matters if you are visiting from a cruise ship

The trip lasts approximately five hours and returns to the starting point. That schedule works well for a relaxed day in Rhodes, but it needs careful thought if you are arriving by cruise ship.

A delayed departure can reduce your safety margin. If the boat is late returning from an earlier outing, the captain may not be able to shorten the trip because other people are still on board. You should not book this excursion against a tight ship departure time.

I would choose it only when the ship’s schedule leaves a generous buffer after the expected return. Losing the outing is frustrating, but missing a ship is far worse. This is the clearest practical risk attached to the experience.

For an ordinary hotel stay, the timing is much easier. You return to the same waterfront meeting point, with no need to coordinate a long transfer. The tour is also close enough to Rhodes Town transport links to be manageable without private transportation.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a strong match for first-time fishers, couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who like a relaxed day outdoors. You do not need special fishing ability, and the crew helps with the basic work.

It also suits people who care as much about lunch and swimming as they do about fishing. The clearest water at the cave stop, the fresh food, and the chance to see the coast from a small boat give the day variety.

I would be more cautious if you want a serious fishing charter. Catch numbers can be low, and the three-hour fishing segment may feel repetitive when the sea is quiet. I would also think twice if you dislike older boats, basic facilities, or informal group settings.

For young children, consider their patience. A long fishing period can test anyone under the age of ten, particularly when the lines stay still. The swim and meal help, but they do not change the structure of the morning.

Value at $78.60 per person

At $78.60 per person, you are paying for roughly five hours, fishing gear and guidance, a swim and snorkel stop, lunch, and drinks. The maximum group size of 12 helps the price feel more reasonable because you are not lost in a large crowd.

The value depends on your priorities. If you catch fish, enjoy the meal, and use the full swimming hour, the price is attractive. Even without a catch, you still receive the BBQ, drinks, coastal outing, and instruction.

The meal is especially important to the calculation. Buying a comparable lunch and drinks separately in Rhodes could take a sizeable part of the price, while a simple boat trip without food would leave you paying mainly for time on the water.

I would not judge the value by the fishing alone. A slow catch is possible, and that is part of the risk. Judge it as a small-group day combining fishing, swimming, food, and company.

Weather, cancellation, and simple preparation

Good weather is required. If poor conditions cancel the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans early.

I would bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunscreen and a hat
• Hand wipes for the onboard toilet
• A phone or camera for the cave stop
• Any preferred snorkeling gear, since equipment rental is not confirmed
• A light layer if you are sensitive to wind on the water

Wear something comfortable for sitting and moving around a small boat. The supplied information does not specify hotel pickup, so plan to reach the waterfront meeting point yourself.

Should you book the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip?

Book it if you want a friendly, social day that mixes fishing, swimming, and a generous Greek-style lunch. The crew is a major part of the appeal, and Angelo and Captain Vasili help turn a basic older boat into a warm, memorable outing.

Skip it if your main goal is a guaranteed catch, a luxury vessel, or a tightly timed cruise excursion. The fishing can be slow, the toilet is basic, and a late departure can create real problems for anyone rushing back to a ship.

For most visitors with a relaxed Rhodes schedule, I think the package offers good value. Set your expectations correctly: you are buying a good day at sea, not a promise of a full fish basket.

FAQ

How long does the Makarounas fishing trip last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. About three hours are allocated to fishing, followed by about one hour for swimming and snorkeling near the Kallithea Caves, with the remaining time used for the boat ride and meal.

Where does the activity start and end?

It starts at 25is Martiou 2, Rodos 851 00, Greece, and returns to the same meeting point. The actual meeting place 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 activity has a maximum of 12 participants, making it a small-group outing.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

Is food included?

Yes. A BBQ is prepared on board. Food can include grilled fish, chicken, Greek salad, bread, and fresh fruit. Soft drinks, beer, and wine are also available on board.

Can beginners go fishing?

Yes. Beginners receive help with baiting the hook, handling the rod, and using the reel. More experienced fishers can start fishing without needing basic instruction.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date. For your own cancellation, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time to receive a full refund.