Big game fishing trips Boa Vista

Boa Vista’s big-game fishing trip gets you away from the resort shore and onto the open Atlantic, where the target may be a blue marlin, tuna, or wahoo. You begin in Sal Rei’s harbor, then troll at low speed once you reach deeper water, with the captain watching the fish finder and adjusting the plan.

I like the small private format, which gives your group of up to three the full attention of the captain and first mate. I also like the practical boat setup: GPS, fishing radar, marine radio, and a front sun deck all matter when you spend five hours offshore. The main consideration is simple: fishing is never guaranteed, and the €50 taxi from Hotel Riu Touareg is extra.

Key points to know before you book

• Blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo are the headline targets, but you may also encounter amberjack and other species.
• The 7-meter boat carries only your private group of up to three, making it a focused trip rather than a crowded excursion.
• GPS and fishing radar help the captain locate productive water, while local experience guides the final choice of fishing spots.
• The trip leaves at 8:00 am from Te Manché fisherman’s pier on Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei.
• Fishing uses slow trolling and captain-led instruction, so you do not need to arrive as an expert.
• The catch is released or sold at the fish market, rather than automatically kept for your group.

Leaving Sal Rei from Te Manché pier

Your morning begins at 8:00 am at the fisherman’s pier in Te Manché, on Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei. This is the practical working side of Boa Vista, not a polished marina built only for excursions, and that gives the departure a more local feel.

The boat first moves through the bay and along the harbor. This short opening section lets you settle in, watch Sal Rei recede, and get a feel for the boat before the fishing begins. The trip then heads into open water, where conditions can change quickly and the boat’s equipment becomes more important.

Pickup is offered, which helps if you are staying away from Sal Rei. If you are at Hotel Riu Touareg, allow for a separate €50 taxi fee to the pier. That cost is not part of the advertised price, so add it before comparing this trip with other Boa Vista excursions.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That makes the day easier to plan, since you do not need to arrange a separate return from another harbor.

A private 7-meter boat built for offshore fishing

The boat is about 7 meters long, or roughly 22 feet, and is set up for fishing rather than sightseeing alone. You have GPS, a marine radio, fishing radar, and a front sun deck.

Each item has a clear purpose. GPS helps the captain navigate and return to productive areas. The marine radio is useful for communication at sea. Fishing radar helps locate promising water, while the front sun deck gives you a place to sit between fishing attempts.

The boat is not described as a luxury vessel, and you should not book it expecting a large cabin, padded lounge, or extensive onboard facilities. Its value is in the fishing setup and small size. A 7-meter boat can get you close to the action, but it also means less room to move around than on a large sport-fishing vessel.

For that reason, pack light and keep your belongings secure. The supplied information confirms the boat has a front sundeck, but it does not specify toilets, food, drinks, or shaded seating. You should confirm those details directly if they matter to you.

How the trolling and fishing work

Once the boat reaches open sea, the captain begins the fishing process. Big-game fishing here uses slow trolling, with lines presented as the boat moves through the water. The captain chooses the speed and direction, then watches the conditions and the fish-finding equipment.

Your job is not just to hold a rod and wait. The captain explains techniques and strategies, then helps you respond when a fish takes the bait. That guidance is especially useful if you have never tried offshore fishing or have only fished from shore.

The main targets are blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. These are powerful open-ocean fish, but no responsible operator can promise a catch on a particular morning. Sea conditions, fish movement, weather, and timing all affect the result.

You might also encounter amberjack. One successful speed-jigging outing produced about nine amberjack, which shows that the day may offer good action even if a marlin or wahoo does not appear. That kind of result should be viewed as a possibility, not a guarantee.

The captain’s local experience is the key part of the trip. Modern gear can show useful information, but a person still has to interpret the water, choose where to troll, and decide when to move. The strongest reason to book this outing is the combination of that local judgment with a boat designed for the task.

What the captain and first mate add

The captain is described as an experienced fisherman, and a first mate also helps on board. You receive advice on fishing methods, and the crew assists with the practical work of handling a catch.

That support matters more than it may sound. Offshore fishing can become confusing when a fish strikes, especially if you are managing a rod, line, and moving boat at the same time. A first mate can help you follow instructions and keep the process orderly.

You also get a more direct connection to the local fishing culture than you would on a large group cruise. The boat leaves from a working fisherman’s pier, and the catch is either released into the sea or sold at the fish market. You are not promised to keep the fish, so book this as a sport-fishing outing, not a guaranteed seafood supply.

The captain and first mate are also the people who make the trip feel worthwhile when the fish are slow. They can explain what they are looking for, adjust the approach, and keep you involved instead of leaving you to sit quietly for five hours.

Five hours on the Atlantic: the good and the hard parts

The tour lasts about five hours. That is long enough to get beyond the harbor, spend real time fishing, and give the crew several chances to find active water. It is also short enough to fit into a wider Boa Vista holiday.

The tradeoff is that five hours on a small boat can feel demanding. You need a moderate level of physical fitness, according to the operator’s requirements. The activity is not presented as suitable for someone who needs a fully accessible or low-effort outing.

Sea conditions are another factor. The tour requires good weather, and the operator may cancel if conditions are poor. In that case, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This is sensible for an offshore trip, but it means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

The boat has a front sun deck, yet shade and shelter are not fully described. Bring practical sun protection and dress for exposure, but check directly about food, drinks, and other onboard supplies before departure. Since those details are not specified, do not assume they are included.

Is $571.34 good value for three people?

The listed price is $571.34 for a private group of up to three. Split three ways, that works out to about $190 per person before any hotel taxi cost. For a private boat with a captain, first mate, fishing radar, GPS, marine radio, and roughly five hours at sea, that can be fair value for a serious fishing day.

It is less compelling if only one person in your party wants to fish. The price is charged by group, not per angler, so a solo participant or couple pays more per person. The private format is a benefit only if everyone in your group is happy to spend the morning offshore.

Compared with a standard sightseeing boat, this is a different kind of purchase. You are paying for specialist equipment, crew attention, and the chance to pursue strong game fish. You are not paying for guaranteed catches, luxury facilities, or a fixed sightseeing route.

Plan ahead if you want a particular date. This experience is booked, on average, 44 days in advance, so last-minute availability may be limited. That does not guarantee every date will sell out, but it is a useful signal to reserve early during a busy holiday period.

Who will enjoy this fishing trip most?

This outing suits anglers who want a private, hands-on morning rather than a passive boat ride. It also works for families or small groups with teenagers, provided everyone can manage five hours on a boat and has a moderate fitness level.

Beginners can take part because the captain explains techniques and helps with the fishing process. You do not need to arrive with specialist knowledge, though you should enjoy the idea of learning as you go and accepting that the sea controls the outcome.

Experienced anglers may appreciate the smaller boat and local guidance. The combination of speed jigging, trolling, and possible amberjack action gives the crew room to adapt instead of following only one rigid plan.

This is less suitable if you dislike open water, want a guaranteed catch, or prefer a short harbor cruise with fixed sights. It is also not the best match for someone who needs extensive onboard comfort or a fully detailed meal and facilities package.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you can keep the booking on your phone. The tour is private, meaning only your own group participates.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. If you cancel later, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time in Boa Vista.

Service animals are allowed. The operator requires a moderate level of physical fitness, so think carefully about your comfort on a small boat before reserving.

The most important planning point is the meeting place. You need to reach Avenida dos Pescadores at Te Manché fisherman’s pier in Sal Rei. If you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg, budget an additional €50 taxi fee, payable at the pier.

Should you book Big Game Fishing Trips Boa Vista?

Book it if you want a focused fishing trip with a small crew, a local captain, and real time in open water. The strongest reasons are the private group size, the well-equipped 7-meter boat, and the chance to pursue blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, or amberjack rather than simply cruise along the coast.

Think twice if you need guaranteed results or resort-style comfort. Fish may not cooperate, the sea can be demanding, and the extra taxi fee makes the total cost higher for some hotel locations.

For three people who genuinely want to fish, the price makes more sense because you share the private boat. Reserve well ahead, keep your schedule flexible for weather, and arrive ready for an active morning rather than a sightseeing trip. If that sounds like your kind of Boa Vista day, this is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip begin?

It begins at Avenida dos Pescadores, at the Te Manché fisherman’s pier in Sal Rei, Cape Verde.

What time does the activity start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The activity lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes back at the original meeting point in Sal Rei.

How many people can join the private trip?

The price covers one private group of up to three people.

What fish might I catch?

The main target species are blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. Amberjack may also be caught.

What equipment is on the boat?

The 7-meter boat has GPS, a marine radio, fishing radar, and a front sun deck.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. A taxi from Hotel Riu Touareg costs €50 and is not included in the tour price.

What happens to the fish that are caught?

Caught fish are either released back into the sea or sold at the fish market.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather may also lead to a different date or a full refund.