Fishing Charters in Mauritius

What a charter normally includes

The standard package across the Mauritius boats is the boat itself, the skipper and crew, fuel, rods, reels, terminal tackle and bait. Hotel transfers, food beyond water and soft drinks, and crew tips are normally separate.

Two details are worth settling before you book rather than on the day. Ask whether the quoted hours run from the berth or from the fishing grounds, because a long steam each way changes a six hour trip into rather less fishing. And agree what happens to the catch: some crews keep it, some split it, some will fillet your share to take away. All three are normal, but you want to know which one you have agreed to.

Where the boats are

The fleet is not spread evenly, which matters if your hotel is already booked.

• Trou aux Biches on the northwest coast has the largest concentration, and the shortest transfer if you are staying in the north. See the boats there.
• Grand Baie is the other northern cluster, a few minutes up the coast.
• Mahebourg covers the southeast, a different fishery and a long drive from the northern resorts.
• Riviere Noire on the west coast is the traditional big game base, sitting closest to the deep water.
• Cap Malheureux and Pointe aux Piments each have a boat or two in the north.

Why the island fishes the way it does

Mauritius sits on a steep drop off very close to shore. Deep water is reachable within a short run from most northern and western ports, which is why a half day trip here can target species that would need a full day elsewhere, and why the island has a long record of large billfish.

The headline species are blue marlin, giant trevally, wahoo, yellowfin tuna and dorado. Methods run from trolling the drop off to popping the reef edges for GT and bottom fishing inside the lagoon.

For what is realistic in which month, see our guide to the best fishing seasons in Mauritius.

The fish people come for

• Blue marlin is the reason the island is on the big game map. Fish over 400 kg have been landed here, they are caught trolling the deep water, and a fight can run for hours.
• Yellowfin tuna is the power fish: long screaming runs, and sashimi on board if you keep one.
• Dorado is fast, acrobatic and usually travels in schools, so one strike often turns into several.
• Giant trevally is for anglers who would rather cast than wait. It is taken on heavy popping gear along the reef edges, and it has to be pulled out of the coral by force.
• Wahoo, sailfish, black marlin, kingfish, bonito and barracuda fill out the year, which is why a day with no headline fish is rarely a day with no fish.