Big game fishing trips Boa Vista

Ready for open water? This Boa Vista fishing trip takes you from Sal Rei’s working fisherman’s pier into the Atlantic aboard a 7-meter boat built for the job. I like the small private group of up to three people, and I like that a local captain handles the search for fishing grounds while explaining techniques along the way. The main drawback is simple: fishing is never guaranteed, and the boat ride can be demanding if you are not comfortable with motion or a moderate level of physical activity.

I also like the practical equipment, especially the GPS, marine radio, fishing radar, and front sun deck. These details matter when you leave the sheltered bay and fish in open water. The roughly five-hour trip offers a real chance at blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, and amberjack, but you should book it for the experience of fishing at sea, not just for a guaranteed trophy photograph.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves from Te Manché in Sal Rei: You start at Avenida dos Pescadores, sail through the harbor and bay, then reach the open Atlantic.
• The private boat suits up to three people: Your group does not share the activity with other participants.
• Modern fish-finding gear helps the captain work efficiently: GPS, marine radio, and fishing radar are all on board.
• The main targets include blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo: A recorded speed-jigging trip also produced about nine amberjack.
• The captain teaches as well as fishes: You receive guidance on techniques and strategies rather than simply holding a rod.
• Hotel Riu Touareg requires an extra taxi payment: The €50 taxi fee is not included and is paid at the pier.

From Sal Rei’s fisherman’s pier to the Atlantic

The morning begins at 8:00 at Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei. The exact departure point is the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché, a useful detail because you will want to arrive ready to board rather than searching around town for the boat.

The route starts gently. You leave through the harbor and cross the bay before heading into open water. That transition gives the outing a clear rhythm: first the practical business of getting aboard, then the change from sheltered water to a proper sea-fishing setting.

The return is to the same meeting point, and the full activity lasts about five hours. That is long enough to give the captain time to reach fishing areas, set up the trolling gear, make several passes, and adjust plans if the fish are not cooperating.

You should expect the day to revolve around the sea rather than a series of sightseeing stops. The boat moves slowly while trolling, so the focus is patience, watching the water, and being ready when a fish takes the bait. This is not a fast sightseeing cruise with fishing added as an afterthought.

What the 7-meter boat offers

The boat is approximately 7 meters long, or about 22 feet, with a front sun deck. For a private group of up to three, that gives the outing a personal feel and leaves room for the captain and first mate to work around you.

The size is also worth considering carefully. A 22-foot boat can reach the fishing grounds without feeling like a large commercial vessel, but it will naturally respond more to waves than a bigger boat. If you are prone to seasickness, the open-water section deserves serious thought.

The equipment is one of the strongest parts of the experience. The boat carries:

• GPS for navigation
• A marine radio
• Fishing radar
• A front sun deck

These tools do not guarantee a catch, but they show that this is a purpose-built fishing outing rather than a casual boat ride. The radar and GPS help the captain assess where to work, while the marine radio provides an important communication link at sea.

The sun deck offers a place to sit between fishing activity, although the trip is still centered on the working part of the boat. You will want to listen carefully to the captain and first mate, keep your footing, and follow instructions when gear is active.

How the fishing itself works

The boat trolls through the water at low speed. In practical terms, you are not casting continuously from one fixed position. The boat moves through likely areas while lines are presented behind or around it, and the crew watches for signs of activity.

The captain can explain fishing techniques and strategies during the trip. That makes this a good choice if you want to understand the process instead of simply hoping for luck. The local captain’s familiarity with the waters is especially useful because finding fish is usually about timing, conditions, and selecting the right area.

The listed target fish include blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. These are all reasons serious anglers may want to bring this outing into a Boa Vista itinerary. They also explain why the trip should be approached with realistic expectations. Big-game fishing is about the possibility of a major catch, not a promise that one will be waiting for you.

Another fishing style reported on the boat is speed jigging. One outing produced about nine amberjack, with the crew moving between spots and working several productive drifts. That detail gives you a better sense of the boat’s flexibility: the day may not be limited to one species or one method if conditions suggest another approach.

You should ask the captain what technique fits the day’s conditions once you arrive. The supplied information confirms that advice is part of the experience, but it does not specify a fixed lure, bait, or tackle setup. Do not assume that every departure follows exactly the same fishing plan.

The captain and first mate make the difference

The captain is an experienced local fisherman, and that is more valuable here than a polished speech or a large list of onboard amenities. You are paying for access to someone who understands the fishing grounds and can help you adjust when the first location is quiet.

The crew also includes a first mate. On a reported outing, the crew was praised for organizing the trip well, taking the group to suitable spots, and checking carefully for fish. That practical role matters when a catch requires quick handling, correct technique, and attention to the lines.

The best part for a beginner is the instruction. You can ask about how to work the rod, when to react, and how the boat’s slow trolling pattern fits the fishing strategy. The trip should suit an angler who wants some help, not just an expert who already knows every technique.

At the same time, this is still a real fishing trip. The captain can improve your chances, but cannot control the fish, wind, or sea conditions. I would book this for the captain’s skill and the chance to learn, then treat any catch as a welcome result.

What happens to the fish

Fish caught during the trip are released back into the sea or sold at the fish market. This is important if you have a strong preference about catch handling. The experience is not described as a meal-focused charter, and there is no promise that your catch will be cooked for you.

The two options also reflect local fishing practice. A released fish returns to the sea, while a fish sent to the market becomes part of the local commercial system. You should clarify the intended handling with the captain if this matters to you before the boat leaves.

The possibility of releasing a large fish is another reason the outing can appeal to anglers who care more about the fight and the setting than taking a trophy home. Just keep in mind that the information does not specify catch-and-release rules for every species or situation.

Price and value for a private group of three

The listed price is $571.34 per group, not per person, for up to three people. Split three ways, that is about $190.45 per person. For two people, the cost works out to about $285.67 each, while a solo booking carries the full group price.

That pricing makes the most sense when three people share the boat. You get a private activity, a local captain, a first mate, a five-hour outing, and access to a boat equipped with navigation and fish-finding technology. Compared with a shared fishing trip, the privacy and space may justify the higher total cost.

The value is less clear for one person or a pair. You still receive the same private boat experience, but the cost per person rises sharply. If you are traveling as a family or small group of friends, filling all three places is the sensible way to use the fare.

The price also excludes a €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg. That extra cost is paid upon arrival at the pier, so include it when working out your final budget. Pickup is offered, but the supplied information only gives this specific extra fee for Riu Touareg. If you stay elsewhere, confirm the pickup arrangements before booking.

The timing, pickup, and physical demands

The 8:00 start gives you a full morning on the water and avoids using your entire day. Since the trip lasts about five hours, you should still allow time for the ride to Sal Rei, boarding, and the return journey if you are staying outside town.

A previous pickup was reported as arriving on time and dropping the group at the correct pier. That is encouraging, but you should still confirm your pickup details and allow a little margin in your morning plan. The boat leaves from the fisherman’s pier, not from a generic hotel lobby.

You need moderate physical fitness for this activity. The data does not set a particular age limit or list detailed mobility restrictions, so you should judge your own comfort with boarding, standing, moving around a small boat, and handling fishing equipment.

Service animals are allowed. Beyond that, the supplied details do not explain storage, food, drinks, or special seating. Ask the operator directly if you need any of those arrangements.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is reassuring, but it also tells you to keep some flexibility in your Boa Vista schedule if this fishing trip is a major priority.

Who will enjoy this Boa Vista fishing trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Anglers who want a serious half-day on the Atlantic
• Small groups of two or three people who value a private boat
• Visitors hoping for marlin, tuna, wahoo, or amberjack
• Beginners who want coaching from an experienced captain
• Families with older teenagers who can manage a boat and fishing gear
• People who prefer local fishing knowledge over a large organized cruise

I would be more cautious if you dislike open water, get seasick easily, or need a highly predictable schedule. You also may not enjoy it if your only goal is a guaranteed catch. Even an excellent captain cannot make big-game fishing certain.

The boat’s private format is particularly useful for mixed groups. One person can be keen on fishing, another can learn from the captain, and a third can spend time on the front sun deck. Still, everyone should be comfortable with the possibility of a long quiet spell between bites.

Booking advice for a better day

Because this experience averages being booked 44 days ahead, I would reserve early if you have fixed dates or only one morning available. That is especially important if you are traveling with exactly three people and want the private boat at the listed group price.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours before 8:00 on the local date for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so check the weather and your schedule as early as possible.

I would also confirm three points before departure:

• Where your pickup will happen
• How the €50 Riu Touareg taxi payment will be handled if it applies
• Which fishing methods and target species are planned for that day

Those questions do not change the trip, but they prevent avoidable surprises. The operator is Boat trips & Fishing Boa Vista, and the experience ends back at the Sal Rei meeting point.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a genuine fishing outing rather than a sightseeing cruise. The private three-person format, local captain, five-hour duration, and proper fish-finding equipment give it a strong case for anglers who are willing to accept the uncertainty of the sea.

I would especially choose it for a group of three, since the price becomes much more reasonable when shared. The reports of well-organized fishing and a speed-jigging catch of about nine amberjack add confidence, but they should not be read as a promise for your own day.

Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, calm water, or a low-cost activity for a large group. For the right small party, though, this is one of the more focused ways to spend a morning around Boa Vista: local crew, open Atlantic, and a real chance to feel a serious fish pull back.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The trip starts at Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei, at the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché, Cabo Verde.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the activity last?

The fishing trip 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 main listed targets are blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. Amberjack have also been caught during a speed-jigging outing.

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. If you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg, the €50 taxi fee is not included and can be paid at the pier.

Do I need to be physically fit?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. Service animals are allowed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time.