Catch your lunch in Rhodes. This half-day outing is built around real fishing skills with Skevos and Captain Mike, then it turns into swimming and snorkelling in a calm bay, plus a proper onboard feast on a handcrafted BBQ.

I especially liked the small group size of 10, which keeps the vibe relaxed and lets the guides work with you instead of herding you. I also love that you’re not just watching, you’re using real Shimano, Daiwa, Penn, and other pro tackle and getting hands-on help for both trolling and seabed fishing.

One drawback to consider: the trip runs rain or shine and stays on the water unless storms cancel it, so if you get motion sick easily, plan ahead.

Key highlights worth your time

• Skevos and Captain Mike run the day as a tight father and son team, with decades of fishing experience and lifeguarding training
• 10 people max on board, so instructions are practical and you get attention even if it’s your first time
• Real fishing tackle and electronics, including a Lowrance fish finder plus GPS and radar
• Two fishing styles during the same 5 hours, trolling first, then ground fishing near the seabed
• Snorkelling plus swimming time in quiet, scenic spots chosen by the captain based on conditions
• Lunch turns into the meal you cooked, with grilled fish you catch, Greek salad with secret herbs, and Rhodian oregano bread

Meeting at Kolona Port, where the boat feels like part of the plan

Your day starts at the port of Kolona, just outside Rhodes Old Town. You’ll be looking for the boat at Kolona port, not a marina far away, which makes the whole thing feel easy from the start.

The boat itself sets the tone. It’s a traditional, handcrafted 10-meter wooden fishing boat with a separate fishing area for up to 10 people, plus space to relax and eat. There’s also a toilet, a freshwater shower, and Wi-Fi, which sounds minor until you realize you will get splashed, sun on your shoulders, and salt in your hair.

If you’re driving, I’d give yourself extra time around Rhodes Town. Parking can get tight, and you do not want your half-day to start with stress.

Boarding Skevos Fishing Trip: what makes the crew so effective

This is the kind of boat trip where the guides actually matter. Captain Mike brings over 35 years of professional fishing experience, and Skevos has grown up on the water while also working as a certified professional chef.

You feel that mix right away. The instructions are built to work for everyone, from first-timers to people who already know how to hold a rod. And because they both have lifeguarding training and work in coordination, big-catch moments stay controlled instead of chaotic.

Safety is taken seriously too, with certified VHF/UHF communication systems and full safety compliance. That matters because you’re not just “on a nice boat,” you’re on a working fishing vessel headed to spots picked for fish activity.

The cruise out and trolling for predator fish

After you meet, you head out on a route chosen by weather and sea conditions. Depending on the day, you might target the Kallithea Springs area, the quiet bay of Santa Marina, or a shallow sandy beach.

Then it’s about an hour of cruising while you’re set up for trolling. Trolling is where the day starts to feel like fishing, not just sightseeing. The guides provide professional trolling equipment onboard, and they guide you through the motions so you’re not guessing.

This is also the part of the trip where you’re aiming for predator species, including small tuna, mahi mahi, amberjack, barracuda, trumpetfish, and great trevally. Even if you don’t land a trophy, the technique is the fun part. You learn how to keep lines moving at the right pace and how to respond when something hits.

Ground fishing near the seabed: patience with a purpose

After trolling, the plan shifts to ground fishing for about 2 hours. This is the quieter, more methodical side of the trip, with fish often hanging out closer to the seabed.

What makes this section valuable is the “why.” The captain isn’t just guessing. The boat’s electronics help, including a Lowrance 1000W fish finder, GPS, a depth sounder, and radar. For you, that translates into more time fishing in places that are actually showing promise, rather than random stops.

You’ll use the provided gear and bait, and you’ll get guidance on how to work it depending on what’s happening underwater that day. The mood here is relaxed, but you’ll still feel engaged because everyone knows a bite can happen at any moment.

Anchoring for swimming and snorkelling in a quiet bay

Once the fishing time is done, the boat anchors in a calm bay. This is your break and reward, and it’s also where the Rhodes scenery does its job.

You can swim, snorkel, or just float and recover. Snorkelling equipment is provided if you want it, and you can adjust based on how confident you feel in open water. In practice, many people appreciate that there are comfort aids like pool noodles and snorkels mentioned in the experience.

The bay stop is also timed so you can eat after being in the water. That’s a smart flow, because you’ll already feel hungry by the time the BBQ starts.

The onboard BBQ lunch: fish, Greek salad, and Rhodian oregano bread

Lunch is one of the main reasons to book this. You get a traditional meal prepared onboard, and the big point is that it centers on fish from the sea.

They grill the fish you catch, and they also serve fresh gold seabream and sea bass (250g and up). The BBQ itself is handcrafted by Skevos’s father, and it’s cooked with extra virgin olive oil and coarse sea salt.

The Greek salad gets special attention. Skevos’s Greek salad comes with secret herbs, and several people highlight that it’s some of the best salad they’ve had on Rhodes. One person even mentioned a homemade lemon sauce, which fits the idea that this is not a generic salad. Charcoal-grilled bread rounds it out, served with olive oil, sea salt, and fresh Rhodian oregano.

Drinks are included throughout lunch, with cold beer, soft drinks like cola-lemonade, and bottled mineral water. It’s not a tiny snack either. You’re set up for a full meal after a day on the water.

What you really learn: fishing technique without the stress

This trip is sold as learning fishing, and it actually delivers. The guides don’t just hand you a rod and wave from the back. They teach you how to fish the area, how to use the equipment properly, and how to respond when you get a bite.

The equipment is also a real quality signal. The gear brands listed include Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma, Penn, WFT, and Ryobi, so you’re working with reliable tackle rather than mystery tools.

For beginners, that matters most. You get simple, repeatable instructions and coaching during the moments you need them. For experienced anglers, it’s still fun because the day mixes trolling and ground fishing, and you get to see how the captain reads the water and picks spots based on what the boat electronics are showing.

Views of Rhodes, but not as a theme park

You’re out on the water with Rhodes around you, and you’ll notice the coastline and shorelines from a very different angle than from roads or tour buses.

The route is flexible, so you might end up near places like Kallithea Springs or Santa Marina, or a shallow sandy beach. The exact spot depends on conditions, which is why the day feels “real.” The captain chooses what works for fishing and what’s safe and comfortable for swimming.

The best part is that you’re not rushed. You get an hour of cruising for trolling, two hours of ground fishing, then time to swim or snorkel before lunch. That pacing makes the scenery feel less like a checklist and more like a slow, honest outing.

Price and value: what $88 covers on a working fishing boat

At $88 per person for 5 hours, this can feel like a deal when you look at what’s actually included.

You get:

• Fishing equipment and bait
• Snorkelling equipment (if you want it)
• A full onboard meal with fish you catch plus seabream and sea bass
• Greek salad, charcoal-grilled bread, and drinks (beer, soft drinks, and bottled water)
• Wi-Fi, toilet, and freshwater shower on board

Most boat trips charge for the ride, then sell food separately. Here, your meal is part of the activity. And since the captain targets multiple types of fishing during the same session, you’re paying for time that’s actively spent with technique and actual chances to land fish.

That’s also why the small group matters. With only 10 people onboard, the guides can keep the day moving while still giving you attention.

Practical advice before you go

A few things will make your day smoother.

Bring beachwear and a towel. You’ll get wet, and the freshwater shower is nice, but you still want a place to dry off.

Eat breakfast beforehand. The day runs at sea with fishing and then lunch, so going in hungry is a fast way to feel cranky.

Wear something you’re okay with getting splashed. It’s open water, and even if you never get thrown around, you will probably get water on you.

If you’re driving into Rhodes Town, plan parking time. People find Kolona port easy to locate, but parking around the Old Town area can be the slow part.

Who should book this trip, and who should skip it

This trip is a strong fit if you want a hands-on half-day in the Mediterranean that mixes fishing, swimming, and a real Greek meal. It’s also a good match for couples and solo travelers because the group stays small and conversation comes easily on a working boat.

It may not be the best choice for:

• Pregnant women
• Wheelchair users

That’s not about comfort on board only. It’s about the overall activity setup and what’s involved in an open-water fishing day.

If you get seasick, take that seriously. The trip operates rain or shine (but not during storms), so you should assume you’ll still be on the water even when the sky is grey.

Should you book Skevos Fishing Trip in Rhodes?

If you want one memorable half-day that feels local, not staged, book this. You’re getting real fishing time, learning from a father and son team, and then eating what you caught, plus seabream and sea bass, with Skevos’s Greek salad and Rhodian oregano bread. The small group size keeps it relaxed, and the boat is equipped to handle the day properly.

I’d especially recommend it if you’re new to fishing. The guides are set up to teach you, and the pace leaves room to learn without feeling lost.

If your top priority is sitting back and sightseeing with zero chance of saltwater splashing on you, you might prefer something less active. But if you want to do something hands-on and eat a standout Greek lunch in the same afternoon, this is a very strong choice.

FAQ

How long is the Rhodes fishing trip?

The trip lasts 5 hours.

Where do I meet the boat?

You meet at the port of Kolona, outside the old town of Rhodes, where the fishing boat is located.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing equipment and bait are included, and snorkelling equipment is also provided if you wish.

What food is included on board?

Lunch is included and consists of grilled fish, plus Greek salad and bread. Drinks included are beer, soft drinks, and bottled mineral water.

Do I need to know how to fish to join?

You can join even if you are new to fishing, because the activity includes an English instructor and hands-on guidance while you use the provided equipment.

What fish are you targeting?

The trip targets predator fish such as small tunas, mahi mahi, amberjacks, barracudas, trumpetfish, and great trevally, plus ground fishing near the seabed.

Is there swimming or snorkelling time?

Yes. After fishing, the boat anchors in a quiet bay where you can swim and snorkel, and snorkelling equipment is available.

What should I bring?

Bring beachwear and a towel.

Does the trip run in bad weather?

It runs rain or shine, but it will not take place during storms.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. The tour is in English and is for a small group limited to 10 participants.