The Ultimate Guide To Big Game Fishing In Mauritius
Landing the mighty blue marlin is the stuff of dreams for most sports fisherman. Mauritius is the place to make it happen.
Posted on
Mauritius is one of the world’s best big game fishing destinations, with exotic catches available all year round. The beautiful tropical island nation to the east of Madagascar is surrounded by glittering blue seas and vibrant coral reefs. This natural breaker separates the wild Indian Ocean from a peaceful lagoon, making Mauritius a fantastic destination for relaxing on the beach. It also creates the ideal conditions for anglers.
Head out past the reef and you find a steep drop-off down to depths of about 3,000 metres. Ocean currents bringing a constant stream of cold, nutrient-rich water up from the deeps to the surface, creating a paradise for marine life. And wherever you get a lot of little fish, big fish aren’t far behind.
What can you catch in Mauritius?
The most remarkable big fish attracted to Mauritius is the blue marlin. With its flamboyant dorsal fin and long, skewer-like snout, the blue marlin is an extremely impressive catch – if you’ve got the endurance for it.
The biggest blue marlin caught off Mauritius was 1,355 lbs, hooked off the island’s west coast. That’s just a few pounds short of the world record – 1,375 lbs. Landing one of these powerful hunters can take up to three hours of hard struggle! You can fish for blue marlins around Mauritius between December and March, but they’re quite a rare catch, with only about seven caught each year.
When is the best time to fish in Mauritius?
Being in the southern hemisphere, the summer in Mauritius is from October to April and is also the peak fishing period. As well as the blue marlin, you can expect to hook dogtooth tuna, sailfish, spearfish, bull sharks and wahoo.
However, Mauritius is a year-round big game fishing destination. If you’re visiting between May and September, you might be able to bag a black marlin, skipjack tuna, hammerhead sharks and the bizarre-looking dorado. For the iconic yellowfin tuna, you want to be casting in the swing season, between March and May.
The worst time to fish off Mauritius is the day after a full moon. With good visibility and a rich pickings to choose from, the big game fish often eat their fill during the night and aren’t looking for anything to nibble on the next day, least of all your bait. Give it a few days and your chances will improve.
Where are the best spots for fishing in Mauritius?
The best spots for deep sea fishing around Mauritius are found just off the southwestern coast, near the towns of Le Morne, Black River and Tamarin. The fishing is also pretty good off the island’s capital city, Port Louis, as well as points further around the northwestern coast like Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie.
The east coast of Mauritius tends to be windy and cold during the winter (June to August), making it a less popular hunting ground for fish and anglers alike. However, if you’re around in summer and want to try your luck, try the waters off Belle Mare and Trou d’Eau Douce.
To make the most of these prime fishing spots, you’ll need to make sure that your Superyacht has the appropriate gear onboard, including heavy-duty tackle and a fighting chair. Seal Superyachts Mauritius can provide fully equipped sports fishing boats as a day boat option. We also have expert fishing guides who have an intimate knowledge of the best fishing grounds and the behaviour of the big game.
Destinations: Indian Ocean, Mauritius
Footnote:
Contact Seal Superyachts Mauritius for detailed information about cruising around Mauritius, superyacht charter regulations and about how we can support your visit.
Principle agent Noël Rault is proud to have worked with many of the World’s largest Superyachts and has extensive knowledge of Mauritius and the surrounding area.
Noël Rault
Phone: +230 5940 3656
Email: mauritius@seal-superyachts.com