REVIEW · RHODES
Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip with swimming stop and BBQ on board
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Fishing and caves in one 5-hour outing. What makes the Rhodes trip different is the mix of guided fishing and a proper swim stop at Kalithea’s rocky cave area, plus BBQ lunch on board with the crew keeping things lively. The vibe is small-boat friendly, and the staff you’ll hear most is Angelo, with the captain running the ship and often jumping in to help.
I love the hands-on feel of the fishing time, where beginners get coached on simple steps like baiting and line handling. I also love the food: a real onboard BBQ with grilled fish and side dishes, and even little extras like fresh fruit, plus drinks available during the day.
The main drawback to consider is that fishing results can be uneven day to day, and timing can be tight for cruise-ship days if the boat runs late from an earlier trip.
In This Review
- Key Highlights at a Glance
- Setting Off From Rhodes: Where You’ll Meet and What the Day Feels Like
- 3 Hours of Guided Fishing in Rhodes Waters: How Beginners Actually Fit In
- Kalithea Springs and the Cave Swim: The Stop Most People Remember
- BBQ Lunch on Board: More Than a Convenience Meal
- Bathrooms, Basic Comfort, and What to Pack for a Sea Day
- Angelo, the Captain, and the Pace of a Small-Boat Day
- Price and Value in Rhodes: Why $78.60 Can Make Sense
- Who This Boat Trip Is Best For (And Who Should Rethink It)
- Practical Tips Before You Go: Make It Smooth
- Should You Book the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip?
- FAQ
- How long is the Makarounas fishing boat trip in Rhodes?
- What does the $78.60 per person price include?
- Is this trip good for beginners?
- Where do we meet in Rhodes?
- How big is the group?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?
Key Highlights at a Glance

- Small group size (max 12) means you get more personal attention during fishing and less waiting around.
- Angelo and the captain tend to keep the mood upbeat, with practical help when lines tangle.
- 3 hours of fishing at Rhodes waters, tailored for both first-timers and experienced anglers.
- Kalithea caves swim/snorkel stop gives you the clear-water break most people remember.
- On-board BBQ lunch often includes grilled fish and Greek-style sides, plus drinks on request.
- Toilet on board, but plan for basics (one note says no sink), so bring wipes.
Setting Off From Rhodes: Where You’ll Meet and What the Day Feels Like
This trip starts in Rhodes at 25is Martiou 2, Rodos 851 00, Greece, and it ends back at the same point. That matters because it keeps your day simple. You’re not spending half the time figuring out buses or hunting down the boat at a distant marina.
The meeting spot can be confusing if you rely only on maps. One practical tip: the meeting location is on the waterfront, not always where Google Maps drops the pin. When you arrive, look for the boat and crew setup rather than a street address alone.
You’ll also get a mobile ticket, and the tour description says you’ll receive confirmation at booking. It’s one less thing to print or worry about while you’re juggling sun, bags, and finding your way through Rhodes port area.
On the water, expect a small, working-boat feel. A couple of comments note the boat isn’t new or luxury, but the crew turns it into a fun day. If you want a floating lounge with perfect surfaces, this isn’t built for that. If you want an easy, hands-on sea day with people guiding you, it fits.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Rhodes.
3 Hours of Guided Fishing in Rhodes Waters: How Beginners Actually Fit In
The fishing part is set up for real skill levels, from first cast to experienced. On paper it’s a 3-hour fishing session, but what matters is the structure. The staff will help you with the basics like baiting the hook and dealing with the line when things get messy. That one point is huge for beginners. A lot of “fishing tours” are really just you standing there. Here, you’re not left to guess.
If you’ve fished before, you’re not held back either. You can jump straight into casting and reeling, and you might spend more time actively fishing rather than learning from scratch.
Here’s the reality check: the catch can be modest. One person described just a few bites and small fish caught, and they pointed out that photos on a good day don’t always mean your day will look the same. Other days sound better, with people catching fish and even having fish grilled later.
So what should you expect? Think “guided fishing experience,” not “guaranteed big catch.” Your best odds of enjoying the time come from treating it as a hands-on lesson and a sea outing first. The fun often comes from casting, learning, and letting the crew help you untangle and reset quickly.
If you’re the type who gets frustrated when nothing happens fast, you might want to mentally shift gears: this is paced as a shared group activity. You’re on a small boat with a schedule, and everyone’s doing the same basic rhythm for the session.
Kalithea Springs and the Cave Swim: The Stop Most People Remember
After fishing, you get a 1-hour stop at Kallithea Springs / Kalithea Caves. This is where the mood usually changes from work (lines and hooks) to play (water and snorkeling).
This part is built around Rhodes’ famous rocky coastlines. The day plan includes the chance to swim and snorkel in the waters around the caves. People describe the water as cool and clear, and the caves/snorkel stop is often the highlight, even for those who didn’t catch much during fishing.
A practical note: because the entry is in a rocky, cave-adjacent area, you’ll be glad you thought about your footing. The data doesn’t specify water-shoe requirements, but in places like this, you should expect that surface matters. If you bring swim gear that helps you feel steady, you’ll enjoy the stop more.
Time is also the thing to respect. It’s one hour, so plan your energy. Don’t burn all your time on long swims right away if you want to snorkel and then still relax. The best plan is usually quick swim, then a few focused snorkel passes, then back to the boat area with time to catch your breath.
BBQ Lunch on Board: More Than a Convenience Meal
This trip sells itself on fishing and swimming, but the onboard food is what makes it feel like a real day out instead of a rushed stop-and-go excursion.
The BBQ is cooked on board, and multiple notes call it well-prepared. People mention grilled fish and sides like Greek salad, fresh fruit, and bread. One detailed note also mentions gluten-free bread and a generous plate, so it looks like they try to accommodate at least some dietary needs when possible.
There’s also a fun detail: drinks are available on board, with one person specifically calling out free soft drinks and beer/wine. That’s not the same as a full open bar, but it does mean you’re not spending the day thirsty.
If you’re traveling with kids or picky eaters, the BBQ angle helps. You’re not sitting down at a restaurant choosing from a menu. You’re eating the meal the captain’s crew already planned, and it’s served in a way that feels part of the experience.
One more practical reality: boat space is limited, so the lunch setup is efficient. Don’t expect a fancy service routine. Do expect something filling, warm, and salty in a good way after time on the water.
Bathrooms, Basic Comfort, and What to Pack for a Sea Day
You’ll have access to a toilet on board. One note says it’s a downstairs toilet, described as more comfortable, while another says there’s a toilet but no sink, recommending wipes. Both points matter because they tell you how to prepare.
So here’s what I’d do as your simple packing checklist:
- Bring wipes or hand sanitizer, since washing up may not be like on land.
- Bring a small towel or something you can dry off with after the swim.
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses, then plan for reapplying. You’ll be on open water and in bright light.
Also, the boat is small. That can be great for the group vibe, but it means you’ll want to keep your space tidy—bags, towels, and personal items need a home. One person described the boat as kind of old, but they still had a great time, which tells me the crew’s handling of the day is the real comfort level.
Angelo, the Captain, and the Pace of a Small-Boat Day
The people are a big part of why this trip earns a strong overall rating. Angelo shows up repeatedly in the descriptions, often described as funny and helpful, with an easy laugh and a hands-on approach with first-timers. Other mentions include Vasili supporting and teaching, plus the captain being kind and friendly.
What you can take from that: you’re not just paying for an activity. You’re paying for a crew that actually works the day. The fishing help isn’t just words—it’s practical. If lines tangle, someone shows you what to do. If you’re new, someone gets you started.
The pace is also group-focused. The trip includes two main segments: fishing for about three hours and a cave swim for about an hour. Between those, you’re on the water traveling and eating, so the day flows as a whole.
For cruise-ship timing, there’s one warning worth taking seriously. One experience described the boat running late due to an earlier trip and the captain being unable to shorten the excursion to guarantee the ship return time. That’s not something you can control. If you’re on a cruise with a tight all-aboard time, give yourself buffer time and confirm the plan before you pay.
Price and Value in Rhodes: Why $78.60 Can Make Sense
At $78.60 per person for about 5 hours, this is priced like a real small-boat excursion with multiple components. The value comes from stacking benefits:
- You get guided fishing time instead of a vague “try your luck” session.
- You get a dedicated cave swim and snorkel stop at Kallithea.
- You get BBQ lunch on board, plus notes of drinks.
Also, the group limit is capped at 12 travelers, which is a value driver. A larger boat can mean waiting for attention. Here, the crew can actually help individuals—especially important when you’re learning fishing basics or figuring out how to handle snorkeling gear on a short schedule.
Now, the balanced note: fishing success varies. If your top goal is catching fish nonstop, you might feel disappointed on a slow day. If your goal is a fun sea outing with hands-on learning, scenic cave water time, and a decent BBQ, the price is easier to justify.
The best kind of buyer is someone who wants the day to be enjoyable even if the fish don’t cooperate.
Who This Boat Trip Is Best For (And Who Should Rethink It)
This fits especially well if you:
- Are a beginner who wants guidance with baiting and line handling.
- Want a relaxed day on the water with a swim stop you’ll remember.
- Are traveling as a family, including teens or older kids, since the fishing and lunch can be a shared activity.
- Prefer a smaller group over big-tour crowds.
It may be less ideal if you:
- Have zero tolerance for uncertainty. Catch rate isn’t guaranteed, and the fishing can be quiet.
- Are on a cruise with strict return timing and no buffer. One timing-related issue has been reported, and the captain couldn’t always shorten the excursion.
In plain terms: this is not a high-stakes competition. It’s a guided experience with a real swim break and good onboard food.
Practical Tips Before You Go: Make It Smooth
A few “do this, not that” tips based on what’s actually been helpful for people on this kind of trip:
- Watch your meeting spot. Find the waterfront boat setup, not just the pin on a map.
- Bring wipes if you care about clean hands after using the toilet. One note says no sink.
- Plan for a short swim window. The cave time is about an hour, so be ready when you jump in.
- Treat fishing like a lesson. Enjoy the casting and help you’re given. Don’t anchor your day only on catching fish.
- If you’re connecting to a cruise, leave margin. The boat timing can be affected by the earlier run of the day.
Also, the tour requires good weather. If weather is bad, the experience is canceled and you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
Should You Book the Makarounas Fishing Boat Trip?
If you want a small-group Rhodes sea day with real people guiding you, a cave swim/snorkel stop, and BBQ lunch included, I think this is a strong pick. The crew energy, especially with Angelo and the captain, seems to be a consistent part of the experience. And the cave-water stop is the kind of memory that tends to land well even when fishing is slow.
I’d pass or rethink it if your main goal is a guaranteed big catch or if you have a very tight cruise departure window with no buffer. In those cases, the risk is less about the quality of the crew and more about timing and day-to-day catch variability.
FAQ
How long is the Makarounas fishing boat trip in Rhodes?
The trip runs about 5 hours. The fishing portion is listed as 3 hours, followed by about 1 hour at the Kallithea cave swim/snorkel stop.
What does the $78.60 per person price include?
You’re paying for the guided fishing experience, the cave swim/snorkel stop, and the BBQ lunch on board. The tour also notes free soft drinks and beer/wine available on board in some descriptions.
Is this trip good for beginners?
Yes. The activity is described as tailored to your skills, with hands-on help for beginners such as baiting the hook and line handling. Most travelers can participate.
Where do we meet in Rhodes?
The meeting point is 25is Martiou 2, Rodos 851 00, Greece, and the tour ends back at the same place. The meeting spot is on the water front.
How big is the group?
This activity has a maximum of 12 travelers, which keeps it small-boat and more interactive.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
What happens if weather is bad or I need to cancel?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.








