Fishing Charters in Mahebourg

Fishing from Mahebourg

Mahebourg sits on the wide bay of Grand Port on the south-east coast, the quieter side of Mauritius and the closest town to the international airport. The lagoon here is the largest on the island, sheltered by a long barrier reef with passes out to deep water, so a boat can fish calm, shallow water inside or run out to the reef edge in a few minutes. It suits anglers staying in the south-east, and anyone with a free day at the start or end of a trip.

Both boats listed here belong to the same local captain and take up to four anglers, so the boat is yours for the trip. They offer two very different days:

• Giant Trevally Popping is six hours of popping for giant trevally with an experienced captain and a popping specialist. Rods, reels, poppers and drinks are supplied, and keen anglers are welcome to bring their own outfits. Bring your own snacks or lunch.
• Small Game Fishing is a light tackle trip inside the south-east lagoon: casting, light trolling and bottom fishing, with gear and drinks supplied. It is the easier day, and the one for families, beginners or a mixed group.

What you can catch

Inside the lagoon and along the reef the light tackle trip finds barracuda, bonito, garfish, groupers, jacks such as jack crevalle, bluefin trevally and rainbow runner. The popping trip is about one fish: the giant trevally, a reef predator famous for its brutal first run. Expect hundreds of casts with heavy gear for a handful of strikes, and a fight you will remember if one connects. We wrote about what that day is really like in GT fishing in Mauritius.

The south-east coast faces the trade winds. In the cooler months, roughly June to September, the sea outside the reef can be rough and offshore plans may change on the day, while the lagoon usually stays fishable. Ask the captain the evening before. For the island wide picture by month, see the Mauritius charters page and our Mauritius fishing seasons guide.

Before you book

• Pick the day that suits the group. Popping is hard physical fishing for one target. If not everyone is a committed angler, the lagoon trip is the better choice.
• Ask about the catch. Giant trevally are usually released. If you hope to keep a fish from the lagoon for dinner, agree it before you leave; the usual arrangements are in who keeps the fish on a Mauritius charter.
• Want a bigger boat or more choice? Trou aux Biches on the north-west coast has the largest group of charter boats on the island, with offshore trolling for marlin, tuna and dorado.
• Pack for the sun. Tackle is on the boat. Sun cover, water and a seasickness tablet are on you: see what to bring on a fishing charter in Mauritius.