Reviewed · RHODES TOURS

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat

★ 5.0 · 157 reviews 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) From $78 Operated by Captain Manolis Fishing Trips in Rhodes · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this Rhodes outing is the simple rhythm: fish for a while, stop for a swim, then eat a barbecue lunch on the boat. I like the small group of no more than 10, and I like that Captain Mike and Katerina have been praised for making beginners feel comfortable.

I also like that the price includes rods, bait, one fresh fish portion, Greek salad, bread, water, soft drinks, and beer. The main caution is expectations: this is relaxed fishing, not a serious big-game expedition, and your catch may be small.

Key points to know before you book

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - Key points to know before you book

  • Trolling comes first: You begin by trying for little tuna before moving to bottom fishing.
  • Lunch is cooked aboard: The meal includes fresh fish, Greek salad, bread, water, soft drinks, and beer.
  • Swimming and snorkeling are included: You get time in the water as part of the 4.5-hour outing.
  • The group is capped at 10: That gives you a better chance to receive help with the rod and bait.
  • Big catches are not promised: The shared trip is designed for normal fishing, not extreme fishing for large tuna or amberjack.
  • It returns to the same place: You meet at Akti Sachtouri in Rhodes Town and finish back there.

A relaxed morning on the water from Rhodes Town

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - A relaxed morning on the water from Rhodes Town

Captain Manolis Fishing Trips leaves from Akti Sachtouri, Rodos 851 00, a practical meeting point in Rhodes Town. You make your own way there, and the boat returns to the same spot after roughly four and a half hours.

That timing works well in a Rhodes holiday schedule. You get a substantial morning or afternoon on the water without giving up an entire day. It also leaves room for a beach visit, a walk through the Old Town, or dinner elsewhere.

The boat carries a maximum of 10 people. That matters more than it may sound. Fishing requires a little help with bait, lines, and technique, especially if you have not used a rod before. A smaller group gives the captain and crew more time to assist you than a large sightseeing boat could.

The people named in the trip feedback include Captain Mike and Katerina, described as warm, helpful hosts. The booking is under Captain Manolis Fishing Trips, so your exact crew may differ. Still, the strongest pattern is clear: personal attention and friendly hosting are central to the outing.

Trolling for little tuna

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - Trolling for little tuna

The first fishing stage uses trolling. The boat moves while your line is set out, giving you the chance to catch little tuna or similar small fish.

This is an exciting way to begin because you are not simply sitting at anchor waiting. The boat is taking you toward fishing areas selected by the captain, and the crew helps you understand what to do. If you have never fished from a boat, that guidance is useful. You can concentrate on the line rather than worry about handling every detail alone.

There is also a practical limit to keep in mind. The trip does not promise a tuna catch, and it does not promise a large fish. Fishing remains a matter of luck and conditions. One person may catch a respectable 16-inch fish, while another may spend the same time bringing in small fish or nothing at all.

That difference explains why you should read the trip as a fishing-and-food outing rather than a trophy-fishing charter. If your goal is a serious battle with yellowfin tuna or amberjack, you need a different, private fishing product. This shared trip is far less costly and far more casual.

Bottom fishing and help from the crew

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - Bottom fishing and help from the crew

After trolling, the boat moves on to bottom fishing. The method is slower and more relaxed. You drop bait below the boat and wait for fish near the seabed.

This part may suit families particularly well. The fishing is easy to understand, and the captain can help you when a fish takes the bait. A family account described the captain helping with the catch, while the swimming stop gave everyone something to enjoy even when the fish stayed small.

That balance is important. A fishing trip can be frustrating for anyone who expects constant action. Here, the boat ride, views, swimming, and lunch soften the risk of a quiet fishing spell.

You should also be ready for modest catches. The trip is described as normal fishing, and the listed meal includes one fresh fish weighing 500 grams per person. That meal provision should not be read as a promise that each person will personally catch a fish of that size. The catch depends on luck, and the prepared lunch is the dependable part of the food plan.

Swimming and snorkeling add a useful break

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - Swimming and snorkeling add a useful break

Swimming and snorkeling are included in the outing, giving you a change of pace between fishing sessions. The available information does not specify the exact swim location or provide snorkeling equipment details, so ask the operator if gear is important to you.

I see this stop as one of the tour’s strongest features for mixed groups. A keen angler can focus on the rods, while children, teenagers, or anyone less interested in fishing can enjoy time in the water. One family particularly liked the swimming portion after catching only small fish.

Bring the usual swimwear and sun protection for a boat outing. The tour details do not list towels or specialist equipment, so you should not assume those are supplied. Water, soft drinks, and beer are included, which helps on a warm day, but you should still plan for time in direct sun.

The swim also keeps the trip from feeling repetitive. Four and a half hours is long enough for a proper outing, but a single activity for that entire time can test the patience of casual fishers. Alternating between fishing, swimming, and lunch makes the schedule easier to enjoy.

A few other Rhodes mornings to price up

Barbecue lunch with Greek salad and cold drinks

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - Barbecue lunch with Greek salad and cold drinks

Once the fishing is finished, the crew prepares a barbecue on the boat. The menu provides one fresh fish portion of 500 grams per person, Greek salad, and bread. Water, soft drinks, and beer are free.

This is where the tour earns much of its appeal. You are not rushing back to shore to find lunch after handling fishing gear. The meal is part of the outing, and the boat becomes a small floating lunch table with the sea around you.

The food is straightforward rather than elaborate. That is a good fit for the setting. Fresh grilled fish, salad, and bread make a sensible midday meal after time outdoors, and the drinks are a useful inclusion in the price.

Do not book this for a broad menu or a restaurant-style meal. The supplied menu is limited to fish, salad, and bread. If you have dietary needs, ask before booking, since no other options are stated. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the details do not explain the boat’s facilities or accessibility arrangements.

What $78.64 buys you

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - What $78.64 buys you

At the stated price of $78.64 per person, the value depends on how you define a successful fishing trip. You receive about four and a half hours on the water, rods and bait, captain-led fishing, swimming and snorkeling time, a barbecue meal, and drinks.

That is a fair package for someone who wants several activities in one half-day. You do not need to hire equipment, plan a separate lunch, or arrange a second boat trip for swimming. The small group also gives the price more weight because you are not simply being carried around on a crowded excursion.

The price is less attractive if your only aim is to catch a large fish. The operator makes a clear distinction between this shared outing and a much more expensive private trip, quoted in one response at €850. The private option targets demanding catches such as yellowfin tuna and amberjack, while the shared outing focuses on normal fishing.

That comparison is useful, but it should not make this trip sound poor value. A private big-game charter is a different product. You are paying for a relaxed boat day with food and several activities here, not for specialized equipment and a guaranteed fight with a large fish.

The tour is commonly booked well ahead, around 42 days in advance on average. If your Rhodes dates are fixed, booking early is sensible, especially during the busy season. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, and changes made inside that window are not accepted.

The right expectations make or break the day

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - The right expectations make or break the day

The most important booking decision is deciding what kind of fishing you want. This outing suits you if you want to learn basic boat fishing, enjoy a scenic ride, swim, and eat lunch without making the day too demanding.

It also suits families and mixed-age groups. A family with teenagers and seniors found the flexible pace worked well for everyone, which makes sense: not every person has to fish every minute. The 10-person limit keeps the setting more personal, and the crew can help first-time fishers.

You may also enjoy it if you are traveling with someone who does not fish. The barbecue and swim stop provide reasons to join even when the catch is slow. The friendly approach associated with Captain Mike and Katerina is another plus for beginners who might otherwise feel awkward handling a rod.

I would hesitate if you want a guaranteed catch, large fish, technical instruction, or a private boat. The fishing can produce small fish, and the sea cannot be made to cooperate on schedule. A two-star assessment of the value and fish size makes the point plainly: promotional images or expectations of big catches can lead to disappointment.

The best mindset is to treat the fish as a bonus. The reliable elements are the boat ride, help from the crew, water time, and grilled lunch.

A practical plan for your half-day

Captain Manolis Fishing with barbecue on the boat - A practical plan for your half-day

Meet at Fishing Trips Rhodes, Akti Sachtouri, Rodos 851 00. Since the activity starts and ends there, you should allow enough time to reach the meeting point without relying on a tight connection.

Once aboard, expect the captain to take the group to suitable fishing areas. The sequence begins with trolling for little tuna, followed by bottom fishing. Swimming and snorkeling fit into the day, and the barbecue comes after fishing.

The exact order of the swimming stop and meal is not specified, so you should follow the crew’s timing rather than expect a fixed minute-by-minute schedule. Weather affects the outing, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity requires a minimum number of people to operate. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Near public transportation is listed, which makes the departure point easier to reach without a car. No hotel pickup is stated, so plan to get to Akti Sachtouri independently.

Who will enjoy Captain Manolis Fishing Trips

I would recommend this trip to:

  • First-time fishers who want patient help with rods and bait.
  • Families looking for a half-day activity with swimming and lunch.
  • Couples who prefer a social small-group boat outing.
  • Friends who want fishing without paying for a private charter.
  • Anyone who likes fresh fish, Greek salad, and a simple meal at sea.
  • People who want a short boat experience from Rhodes Town rather than a full-day cruise.

I would choose something else if you need a private boat, a specialist fishing guide for large species, or a menu with several meal choices. You should also think twice if small catches would spoil the day for you.

The 97 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating point to a strong overall experience, but the lower ratings reveal the key issue rather than canceling out the praise. People who enjoy the hospitality, views, swimming, and barbecue tend to get the most from the trip. People who focus mainly on fish size may not.

Should you book this Rhodes fishing trip?

Book it if you want a friendly, compact boat day built around normal fishing, swimming, and a grilled lunch. The small group, included equipment, helpful crew, and free drinks make the $78.64 price reasonable for a broad half-day outing.

Do not book it expecting extreme fishing or a large personal catch. For the best chance of enjoying Captain Manolis Fishing Trips, bring a relaxed attitude, accept that fishing is unpredictable, and see the barbecue and time on the water as equal parts of the plan.

FAQ

How long does Captain Manolis’s fishing trip last?

The activity lasts approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the fishing trip begin and end?

It begins at Fishing Trips Rhodes, Akti Sachtouri, Rodos 851 00, Greece, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What type of fishing is included?

The trip begins with trolling for little tuna and then continues with bottom fishing. It is normal fishing rather than an extreme big-game fishing charter.

Is food included?

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

Are drinks included?

Water, soft drinks, and beer are included at no extra charge.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of travelers can also result in a different date or a full refund.

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