Big game fishing trips Boa Vista

The main attraction here is the chance to fish open water off Boa Vista for blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. You leave the fisherman’s pier in Sal Rei, cross the bay, and troll from a compact 7-meter boat fitted with GPS, fishing radar, marine radio, and a front sun deck.

I like the private setup, since your group of up to three does not share the boat with strangers. I also like the practical local guidance. One fishing trip produced about nine amberjack through speed jigging, showing that the day can offer more than the headline marlin catch. The main consideration is simple: big game fishing never guarantees a big fish, and the €50 taxi from Hotel Riu Touareg is extra.

Key points for your five hours at sea

• Private boat for up to three: You get the captain and crew to yourselves, with room to focus on fishing rather than managing a large group.
• Departs from Sal Rei at 8:00 am: The boat leaves Avenida dos Pescadores at the fisherman’s pier in Te Manché.
• Modern fish-finding equipment: GPS, fishing radar, and marine radio help the captain work the water with a clear plan.
• Big-game targets: The trip is set up for blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo, with amberjack also possible when conditions suit.
• Local fishing instruction: The captain explains techniques and helps you handle the fishing strategy.
• Weather matters: Poor sea conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure.

Leaving Sal Rei from the fisherman’s pier

Your morning begins at 8:00 am on Avenida dos Pescadores, at the fisherman’s pier in Sal Rei. This is the working side of Boa Vista’s main town, not a polished resort marina, which gives the trip a more direct connection to the island’s fishing life.

The boat first travels through the bay and along the harbor. This short opening section lets you settle in, watch the town recede, and get used to the motion of the boat before you reach open water.

Pickup is offered, but you should check the exact arrangements when booking. If you stay at Hotel Riu Touareg, a taxi to the pier costs €50 and is not included. That extra transfer can change the real price of the outing, especially for a couple or a solo angler, so add it to your budget before comparing this trip with other fishing options.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. That matters because you do not need to arrange a separate return from another part of the coast.

A 7-meter boat built for fishing

The boat is about 7 meters long, or roughly 22 feet, and is equipped for offshore fishing rather than sightseeing alone. You have GPS for position and route information, a marine radio for communication, and a fishing radar to help identify promising water.

Those tools do not make fish appear on command. They do help the captain avoid working blindly, especially when deciding where to troll or when searching for signs of fish. The boat also has a front sun deck, giving you a place to sit between fishing periods and a useful break from the action.

A boat this size can feel lively on open sea. The experience is best suited to someone comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity and the movement of a smaller motorboat. You should expect a hands-on outing, not a calm harbor cruise with a guaranteed catch.

Because the boat is private for your group, the pace can stay focused. You do not have to wait for a dozen other people to take turns, and the captain can spend more time helping your party with technique.

How the open-water fishing works

Once you reach the open sea, the fishing begins. Big game fishing here uses trolling, which means the boat moves slowly while bait or lures are worked behind it. The captain watches the water, the equipment, and the lines while looking for places where fish may be active.

The target list includes blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. These are powerful fish, and even a strike can be a memorable moment. Still, you should book this as a day on the sea with a serious chance of action, not as a promise that you will land a marlin.

The crew also provides advice about fishing methods and strategy. That is useful if you are new to offshore fishing, but it also adds value for people who already know the basics. The trip is not simply a matter of dropping a line and waiting. The captain can explain how the boat’s speed, lure position, drift, and timing affect the fishing.

A separate account of a speed-jigging trip produced about nine amberjack after the crew worked several good drifts. That detail is worth noting because it shows how the fishing style can change with conditions. If trolling for marlin or tuna is quiet, the day may still produce action with another method or species, depending on what the captain finds.

The value of a local captain

The captain is an experienced local fisherman, and that is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip rather than fish alone from shore. Local experience matters because the best area can change with weather, sea conditions, current, and fish movement.

You are not simply hiring a boat and being left to guess. The captain helps with the equipment, explains techniques, and directs the group toward productive spots. A first mate is also involved, based on the account of a family group that praised the smooth transfer onto the boat and the care taken throughout the trip.

The information provided does not give the captain’s name, so you should not expect a named guide guarantee when booking. What you can expect is a captain and first mate working together on the fishing and boat handling.

The private format also makes the captain’s advice more useful. With only your group aboard, you can ask questions, get help when a fish strikes, and spend more time practicing instead of watching someone else fish.

What a five-hour morning feels like

Five hours is long enough to make a proper attempt at offshore fishing without committing to a full day at sea. The 8:00 am start gives you a morning departure, with the first part spent leaving Sal Rei and reaching open water.

After that, the timing depends on conditions and fish activity. Some stretches may involve steady trolling, while other periods may be spent working drifts or changing techniques. Fishing requires patience. You may spend time watching the lines before anything happens, then need to react quickly when a fish strikes.

That uneven rhythm is part of the appeal, but it is also the biggest possible drawback. If you want constant activity, this may feel slow. If you enjoy the waiting, the sea, and the anticipation of a sudden run, the quiet periods make the action more exciting.

The trip ends back at the pier rather than at a separate beach or sightseeing stop. Its purpose is clear: this is a fishing outing, not a general boat tour with fishing added as a small extra.

Catch and release, or fish for the market

Caught fish may be released back into the sea or sold at the fish market. You should ask the crew about the plan for your catch before setting out if this matters to you.

That arrangement gives the outing a local, working-fishing character. The fish are not treated as a simple trophy by default. At the same time, anyone seeking a strict catch-and-release experience should confirm how the crew handles different species and catches on the day.

The activity information does not promise that you keep fish, take fish home, or receive a meal. It only states that fish may be released or sold at the market. Keep your expectations within those limits.

Price and group value at $571.34

The listed price is $571.34 per group of up to three people. For three anglers, that works out to about $190 per person before any extra transfer cost. For two people, the per-person figure is higher, but the private boat may still make sense if you value space and personal instruction.

Compared with a shared fishing trip, the chief value is control. You do not pay for a seat on a crowded boat and then spend much of the morning waiting for access to the gear. You get a dedicated outing with a captain, a first mate, and fishing equipment intended for offshore work.

The price is easier to justify for a small group that already plans to fish. It is less appealing if you are only curious about being on the water and would be equally happy with a basic sightseeing cruise. This is a specialist activity, and its value depends heavily on your interest in fishing.

The extra taxi charge from Hotel Riu Touareg should be part of your calculation. For other accommodations, pickup details may differ, so confirm the meeting arrangement rather than assuming every hotel transfer is included.

Who should book this Boa Vista fishing trip

I would choose this outing for an angler who wants a private boat, local help, and a real attempt at offshore species. It also suits a small family group, as long as everyone is comfortable with a moderate physical level and the possibility of a quiet fishing period.

The private format works well for three friends or relatives who want the boat to themselves. A teenager can take part, though an adult should judge the child’s comfort with a moving 7-meter boat and the physical demands of handling a fish.

It may not suit you if you need a guaranteed catch, dislike early starts, or prefer a large stable vessel. You should also think twice if the main goal is a relaxed cruise, since the boat’s design and equipment are aimed at fishing rather than comfort alone.

The outing has earned a 4.4 rating from seven published ratings, with strong praise for organization and crew effort. One family described the pickup as punctual and the transfer onto the boat as smooth. Another fishing party reported about nine amberjack on a speed-jigging day and felt the crew knew how to find productive spots. Those points suggest that preparation and local direction are major strengths, even when the exact catch changes.

Practical details before you reserve

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. Bring the ticket on your phone and arrive ready for an 8:00 am start at Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei.

Service animals are allowed, and participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity is private, with only your group taking part.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund. The operator can also cancel in poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Weather is especially important for this activity. Open-water fishing depends on safe conditions, and a changed date is better than a rough or unsafe trip. Keep some flexibility in your schedule if fishing is a major part of your Boa Vista holiday.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a focused, private fishing morning and accept that the sea decides the final result. The GPS, radar, radio, capable boat, and local captain give you a sensible setup for chasing blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, and other species.

I would be most likely to book it with two other anglers, since the group price works best at full capacity. I would also confirm the hotel transfer, ask about the expected fishing method, and check how any catch will be handled.

Skip it if you want guaranteed action or a low-cost boat ride. For a small group that truly wants to fish, though, this is a practical way to reach Boa Vista’s open water without giving up the attention of a private crew.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

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

What time does the activity begin?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the trip last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

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

What fish might I catch?

The trip targets blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. Amberjack may also be caught, depending on the fishing method and conditions.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but the €50 taxi from Hotel Riu Touareg to the pier is not included and is paid upon arrival.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.