Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip with swimming stop and BBQ on board

The best part of this Rhodes outing is the combination of hands-on fishing and a swim near the caves at Kallithea Springs. You fish from a small boat, then cool off in clear water before sitting down to a generous BBQ prepared on board.

I like the personal feel of a group capped at 12 people, and I like that Angelo and Captain Vasili make room for beginners. The food is another strong point: grilled fish, chicken, Greek salad, fruit, bread, and free soft drinks, beer, or wine turn a simple boat trip into a proper half-day outing.

The main drawback is that fishing takes about three hours, and the catch is not guaranteed. Some people catch good-sized fish, while others get only a few small bites. The boat is comfortable enough but not luxurious, and the onboard toilet has drawn complaints about cleanliness and its lock.

Key points to know before you book

• Fishing takes about three hours: You learn to bait hooks, handle the rod, and untangle lines, but the action can be slow.
• Kallithea Caves provide the swimming stop: You get about an hour to swim and snorkel by rocky beaches and clear water.
• Lunch is a real highlight: The crew serves BBQ food, fresh salad, fruit, bread, and the fish caught during the trip when there is enough to cook.
• Angelo brings the fun: He helps beginners, keeps the group laughing, and adds a warm, sociable touch.
• Small group, older boat: The limit is 12 people, but this is a working fishing boat rather than a polished yacht.
• Meet at the waterfront: Use 25is Martiou 2 in Rhodes, but check the exact waterfront position carefully because map directions may point inland.

A small Rhodes boat with a big lunch

This trip works best when you see it as a relaxed day on the water, not as a serious fishing charter. You get a rod, bait, instruction, time at several fishing spots, a swim near Kallithea, and lunch cooked by the crew. The catch adds excitement, but it is not the whole point.

The price is about $78.60 per person for roughly five hours. That is fair value if you want several activities in one outing and appreciate a meal included in the fare. It is less compelling if your only goal is to catch a large fish, since the results depend on the day, the location, and plain luck.

The small group matters. With no more than 12 people, the crew can help with hooks and lines without turning the boat into a crowded fishing platform. You still share the experience with others, but it has a more social, family-style feel than a large sightseeing cruise.

The boat itself is part of the character. It is older and basic, according to the experience details, but that also means you are on something closer to a working local fishing boat than a resort vessel. You get a toilet on board, but it is compact, and you should bring hand wipes because the bathroom has no sink. A weak door lock and cleanliness concerns have also been noted, so adjust your expectations.

Meeting at the Rhodes waterfront

The listed meeting point is 25is Martiou 2 in Rhodes, with the activity returning to the same place. The important practical detail is that the boat meets you at the waterfront, not necessarily at the spot shown by Google Maps. I would allow extra time to find the pier and look for the boat rather than relying on a pin alone.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. The activity is near public transportation, and most people can take part. It does not include a separate transfer from a hotel or cruise terminal in the information provided, so you should plan your own way to the meeting point.

This matters especially if you are visiting Rhodes from a cruise ship. One person booked the trip based on the published start and return times, only to find the boat running late from an earlier outing. The captain could not shorten the trip because other people were on board. If your ship has a tight departure schedule, allow a wide margin or choose a shore activity with less risk of delay.

Three hours of fishing off Rhodes

The fishing portion is the longest part of the experience, about three hours. You may stop in two or three places, depending on the day. The crew helps beginners bait the hook, use the rod, manage the reel, and sort out tangled lines.

That makes this a good introduction for someone who has never fished before. You do not need to arrive with special skills, and the staff can guide you through the basic steps. Children and teenagers can take part, though three hours may feel long for younger children if the fish are not biting.

The pace can change from one outing to another. Some people catch a substantial fish, while others catch only tiny fish or nothing at all. The wires of fish shown in promotional images should not be treated as a promise of the day’s catch. Go for the process, the sea air, and the chance of a catch, not a guaranteed haul.

I like that the catch can become part of the meal. When fish are caught, the crew may grill them and serve them with lunch. That gives the fishing a satisfying local touch. Still, you should not expect the entire meal to depend on what comes up from the water. The main BBQ meal is prepared separately.

For a beginner, the pleasure is often in learning the rhythm: bait the hook, lower the line, wait, and respond when the rod moves. For a practiced angler, the challenge may be modest, since this is a short group outing rather than a specialist fishing expedition. Experienced fishers may find the fishing slow, but the swimming stop and meal broaden the appeal.

Angelo is a key part of the atmosphere. He helps with the practical work and keeps the mood light. Captain Vasili handles the boat and cooking, giving the trip a friendly, informal quality. One less positive account found the younger guide’s communication irritating, so personalities can affect the experience. Most importantly, the crew’s role is active, not distant: they help with gear, lines, bait, and the overall flow of the day.

Swimming at Kallithea Springs and the rocky caves

After fishing, the boat heads toward the Kallithea Springs area, including the rocky beaches and caves. You get about an hour to swim and snorkel in the water around the coves.

This is the part that rescues a slow fishing day. The water is described as clear and cool, and the rocky setting gives you something different from a standard beach afternoon. You can swim, look around the caves, and snorkel before returning to the boat.

The stop is also a useful change of pace. Three hours with a fishing rod can feel lengthy, especially for children. The cave stop breaks up the morning and gives everyone a chance to move around in the water. If your main interest is swimming rather than fishing, this hour may be the most memorable part.

The information provided does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is supplied, so ask before you go if you do not have your own. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and something to protect your phone if you want photographs. You should also be comfortable entering the water from a boat and swimming in a rocky cove, since this is not described as a sandy beach stop.

The onboard BBQ is more than a snack

The meal is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. You do not simply receive a sandwich or a small plate. The food described includes BBQ fish, chicken, Greek salad, bread, fruit, and, in some accounts, gluten-free bread. Free soft drinks, beer, and wine are also available.

The meal is served after the fishing and swimming, when you are likely to be ready for something substantial. The fish caught during the trip may be grilled and added to the spread, giving the lunch a direct connection to the morning’s activity.

The food is basic in the best sense: fresh, filling, and suited to a boat. The Greek salad and grilled fish are repeatedly singled out as memorable, while the chicken receives high marks as well. Presentation matters here too, with the meal laid out in a way that feels more generous than the price might suggest.

Dietary needs deserve a little planning. Gluten-free bread has been available, but you should confirm any dietary requirement when booking rather than assume the full menu can be changed. The supplied details do not list vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or other menu arrangements.

This is not fine dining, and the boat is not a restaurant. But a well-cooked lunch with drinks, fruit, and salad adds real value. If you priced a fishing activity, a swim outing, and a waterfront meal separately, the combined cost would likely be higher than this single half-day package. The value depends on enjoying all three parts.

What the boat is, and what it is not

You should picture a small, older fishing boat with room for a dozen people, not a sleek yacht. That brings advantages: the group stays small, the crew can speak with everyone, and the outing feels informal. It also means less polished seating, fewer comforts, and a more practical setting.

There is a toilet downstairs, which is useful on a five-hour outing. It does not have a sink, so pack wipes or hand sanitizer. The condition of the toilet may not satisfy anyone expecting cruise-ship standards, and the door lock has been criticized.

The boat’s age did not prevent families and groups of friends from enjoying themselves, but it is worth saying plainly: comfort depends on your expectations. If you want air-conditioned interiors, wide sunbeds, and luxury fittings, choose a different type of cruise. If you like a simple, social boat trip with a crew that cooks lunch, the basic setting may feel like part of the charm.

Families, first-time fishers, and cruise passengers

This outing suits families with older children, couples, friends, and anyone who wants an active half-day without committing to a full fishing charter. Children aged seven to fourteen have taken part, though the youngest may find three hours of fishing too long if the water stays quiet.

First-time fishers are particularly well served. The crew offers practical help, and the group setting means you can learn without needing to arrange private instruction. The swimming stop also gives non-fishers something to look forward to.

Couples and groups of friends should like the mix of activity and downtime. You can fish together, swim, eat, and share photographs. The free drinks and easy conversation make it more social than a quiet, technical fishing trip.

Cruise passengers need caution. The meeting point is convenient for a port day, but the boat may run late, and the captain cannot necessarily cut the trip short. I would book this only if your ship’s departure time leaves a generous buffer. Losing the boat would erase the value of the excursion very quickly.

People with mobility limits should ask for more details before booking. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not explain boarding conditions, steps, or access to the lower toilet. The activity also includes fishing from a boat and swimming near rocky coves, so individual comfort and ability matter.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The outing lasts about five hours, with roughly three hours for fishing and one hour for swimming. The remaining time covers moving between locations, preparing the meal, and the normal pace of a small boat trip.

Weather matters. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to cancellation, a different date, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Bring sun protection, a towel, swimwear, and wipes for the bathroom. Since the boat spends several hours offshore, I would also take water-resistant protection for valuables. The tour supplies drinks, but the details do not specify every personal item available on board.

Should you book the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip?

Book it if you want a friendly, small-group day on the sea with fishing, a cave swim, and a proper BBQ. It offers good value for people who enjoy variety and do not need luxury. Angelo and Captain Vasili add warmth, and the meal can be excellent.

Skip it if you need guaranteed fishing results, polished boat facilities, or a tight return time for a cruise departure. The catch may be small, the boat is basic, and delays are possible.

My practical verdict: this is best treated as a social Rhodes food-and-sea outing with fishing included, not as a dedicated angling expedition. For families with older children, first-time fishers, and anyone keen on swimming at Kallithea, it is an appealing choice. Just arrive at the correct waterfront meeting spot, leave plenty of time before your next commitment, and pack wipes.

FAQ

How long does the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours. About three hours are set aside for fishing, and about one hour is spent swimming and snorkeling near Kallithea Springs.

Where does the trip start and finish?

It starts at 25is Martiou 2 in Rhodes and returns to the same meeting point. The boat meets at the waterfront, so check the exact location carefully rather than relying only on a map pin.

How many people can join the boat trip?

The activity has a maximum of 12 people.

Is fishing experience required?

No. The crew helps beginners bait hooks, use the rod, handle the reel, and untangle lines. Experienced fishers can begin fishing more directly.

What food and drinks are provided?

The onboard meal can include BBQ fish, chicken, Greek salad, bread, fruit, and fish caught during the outing when available. Free soft drinks, beer, and wine are also provided.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.