Big game fishing trips Boa Vista

The main draw here is simple: you leave Sal Rei behind and troll the open Atlantic for blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, or amberjack. This is a real fishing outing, not a quick boat ride with a rod added as an afterthought.

I like the private boat for up to three people, which gives your group room to fish without sharing the day with strangers. I also like the practical setup: GPS, marine radio, fishing radar, and a local captain who can adjust the plan when the fish are not cooperating. The catch is never guaranteed, and the €50 taxi fare from Hotel Riu Touareg is extra.

Key points for your five hours at sea

• Open-ocean game fishing: The boat trolls at low speed once it reaches deeper water beyond Sal Rei Bay.
• A private group of up to three: You share the boat only with your own party, a useful setup for serious anglers or families.
• Modern equipment aboard: The 7-meter boat carries GPS, marine radio, fishing radar, and a front sun deck.
• Local fishing help: The captain explains techniques and strategies, then assists you when a fish takes the line.
• A good catch is possible: One outing produced about nine amberjack during speed jigging, though no catch can be promised.
• Catch-and-release or local sale: Fish may be returned to the sea or sold at the fish market.

Leaving Te Manché pier at 8:00 am

Your morning begins at Avenida dos Pescadores, at the fisherman’s pier in Te Manché, Sal Rei. The listed departure time is 8:00 am, and the activity returns to the same meeting point after roughly five hours.

The trip begins with a short run through the bay and along the harbor. That opening stretch gives you time to settle aboard, watch Sal Rei recede, and get instructions from the captain before the fishing begins. It is also the least demanding part of the outing, since the boat is still in sheltered water.

Hotel pickup is offered, but the details matter. If you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg, a €50 taxi charge is not included and is paid at the pier. For other hotels, confirm the pickup arrangement when you book rather than assuming transport is included in the advertised price.

A previous outing included a punctual hotel taxi, a detail worth noting if you are arranging the morning around a resort breakfast or other plans. Still, allow enough time to reach the pier and get aboard. Boats leave on a schedule, and a fishing trip cannot wait long for a late arrival.

A 7-meter boat built for fishing, not sightseeing

The boat is about 7 meters long, or roughly 22 feet, and is equipped for offshore fishing. That size gives you a more direct connection with the water than a large excursion vessel, but it also means you should expect a compact boat rather than a roomy cruiser.

The equipment is a strong point. GPS and fishing radar help the captain locate promising areas and monitor the water. A marine radio provides a basic safety link with shore and other boats. These tools do not guarantee fish, but they are important on an open-water trip where the captain must make decisions beyond the harbor.

There is also a front sun deck. You can use it while cruising or waiting between fishing efforts, though the main purpose of the boat is to put you over fish. Bring sun protection, and plan for exposure. The supplied information does not specify shade, onboard food, drinks, or toilet facilities, so ask about those before departure if they affect your comfort.

Because this is a private activity, your group has more freedom than on a shared charter. You can focus on fishing without working around a large crowd. The trade-off is that the cost is not per person. It is $571.34 for up to three people, so the value improves sharply when three people share it.

From harbor water to the open Atlantic

After leaving the fisherman’s pier, the captain takes you across the bay and out toward open water. This transition is part of the appeal. You are not simply standing on a dock casting into a quiet inlet. The day moves from harbor traffic and working boats to a wider stretch of sea where big-game methods make sense.

Once the boat reaches the fishing area, the usual method is trolling. The boat moves slowly while lines are set behind it, giving predatory fish a chance to strike. The captain watches the gear and the water, then helps you respond if something takes the bait or lure.

The pace can vary. Big-game fishing includes periods of waiting, repositioning, and trying another patch of water. That is normal, but it may surprise anyone expecting constant action. You should book this for the chance to pursue larger fish and the experience of being offshore, not as a guaranteed five-hour stream of catches.

The captain’s local experience is valuable here. Fish are not fixed at one spot, and sea conditions can change the plan. A local skipper who knows the area can choose where to try and explain why a particular technique is being used. You will also receive advice on fishing methods and strategy, which makes this suitable for someone who has never tried game fishing.

Targeting marlin, tuna, wahoo, and amberjack

The headline targets are blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. These are powerful open-water fish, and even the chance of hooking one gives the trip its excitement. The description also highlights amberjack, with one speed-jigging outing producing about nine fish during the day.

That amberjack detail is useful because it shows the trip is not limited to one dramatic species. Conditions may favor a different approach, and the captain can guide you toward the method that fits the water. Speed jigging is one technique mentioned directly, while trolling is the standard method described for the game-fishing trip.

You should keep your expectations realistic. The captain can search, position the boat, and teach you how to work the gear, but he cannot control the fish. A marlin may never appear. A calm day can still be worthwhile if you enjoy the process, the sea, and the chance to learn.

When a fish is hooked, the captain and first mate help with the catch. One family outing included two teenagers, and the transfer from hotel taxi to boat was handled without fuss. That suggests the trip can work for a family with older children, provided everyone is comfortable with a moderate level of physical activity.

How the private format changes the day

This is a private activity, limited to your group of up to three. That arrangement matters most when your party has mixed experience. A beginner can ask questions without feeling in the way, while a more serious angler can spend more time working on technique.

The format also gives you a better chance to share the moment when a fish strikes. On a crowded boat, one person may get the rod while everyone else waits. Here, the small group means the captain can focus his attention on your party.

There are limits. A 7-meter boat has finite space, and three anglers plus crew will not have the freedom of a large charter vessel. If you are prone to seasickness, the open Atlantic and a five-hour duration deserve careful thought. The trip requires moderate physical fitness, so handling equipment and staying steady on a moving boat may be tiring.

The captain’s approach appears practical rather than theatrical. The focus is on reaching productive water, watching for fish, and using the right method. If you want a polished sightseeing cruise with a long list of included comforts, this is not the right choice. If you want time on the water with a fishing crew, it is a better fit.

What happens to the fish

The fish you catch may be released back into the sea or sold at the fish market. That gives you two possible outcomes, but you should clarify the preferred approach with the captain before fishing begins if catch-and-release is important to you.

The release option suits anglers who care more about the encounter than taking fish home. Selling the catch at the fish market connects the outing with Sal Rei’s working fishing culture. It also makes clear that this is not a staged catch for photographs. The fish are part of the local economy as well as the sport.

The supplied details do not promise that you can keep the catch or have it cooked for you. Do not book on the assumption that a fish will be prepared at your hotel. Ask the operator if that is a priority.

Is $571.34 good value for three people?

The price is $571.34 per group of up to three, before the €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg. With three people, that works out to about $190.45 each, making the private format reasonably attractive for a small group that wants dedicated boat time.

For two people, the cost is about $285.67 each. For one person, it becomes a costly private charter. The best value comes when three people share the booking and all three genuinely want to fish.

You are paying for about five hours, a private boat, a local captain, fishing equipment, and access to offshore water. You are not paying for a guaranteed marlin, and the catch itself should not be treated as part of the price. The value rests in the time, the small group, and the chance to fish with someone who knows the local waters.

The booking pattern also suggests that this trip often fills well ahead of time, with reservations averaging about 44 days in advance. That does not mean you cannot find a last-minute place, but I would reserve early if you have only a few days in Boa Vista or need a particular morning.

Practical advice before you book

The activity requires a moderate physical fitness level. Wear clothing that can handle spray and fish handling, use strong sun protection, and bring anything you need for five hours on the water unless the operator confirms it is supplied.

Ask these questions before paying:

• Is hotel pickup included for your accommodation?
• Does the boat have shade, drinks, food, or a toilet?
• What fishing method is likely for the season and conditions?
• Can your group choose release or market sale for the catch?
• What happens if sea conditions change after you arrive at the pier?

The trip is dependent on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that 24-hour window, cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund.

Service animals are allowed. The activity returns to its starting point at Te Manché, and mobile tickets are accepted.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista fishing trip?

I would recommend it most to a small group of anglers who want a focused morning on the Atlantic. It also suits a family with older children or teenagers who can handle a moving boat and moderate physical effort.

The trip is less suitable for anyone who needs guaranteed action, dislikes waiting, or wants a soft-seated sightseeing cruise. It may also be poor value for a solo participant, since the price is fixed for the boat rather than charged at a low individual rate.

The strongest reason to book is the combination of local captain, private group, and real fishing conditions. The strongest reason to hesitate is the cost if you cannot fill all three places, plus the uncertainty that comes with wild fish and weather.

Should you book Big Game Fishing Trips Boa Vista?

Book it if you have always wanted to chase marlin, tuna, or wahoo and you are happy to spend five hours in pursuit rather than counting on a catch. The private format and modern fish-finding equipment make the outing more useful than a casual rod-and-reel excursion, while the captain’s advice gives beginners a fair start.

I would book early, especially for a single available morning, and confirm the transport fee and onboard facilities before departure. If three people share the cost, you care about the fishing itself, and the forecast is good, this is one of the more focused ways to experience Boa Vista’s open sea.

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 stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the fishing 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.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered, but a €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg is not included and can be paid at the pier.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can select a different date or receive a full refund.