Big Game Fishing · Private Boat
Chase marlin, sailfish, tuna and barracuda in some of the richest big game waters of the Indian Ocean.
The waters around Nosy Be, the Mitsio archipelago and the deep drop-offs of the Mozambique Channel hold year-round populations of dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, wahoo, king mackerel and barracuda, with sailfish and marlin running seasonally. Depending on conditions and your experience we fish by trolling, jigging, popping or bottom fishing — beginners are welcome and the skipper coaches you through every strike.
Your catch can be prepared for you the same evening — several restaurants in Ambatoloaka will grill it on request. We practice responsible fishing: billfish are released whenever possible.
There is fishing every month off Nosy Be, but April to November is the reliable season: calm seas, clear water and easy access to the offshore banks. December to March is the rainy season — we still go out, but the weather decides the day.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailfish | ||||||||||||
| Marlin | ||||||||||||
| Giant trevally (GT) | ||||||||||||
| Dogtooth tuna | ||||||||||||
| Yellowfin tuna | ||||||||||||
| Wahoo |
Peak season Fish present
Sailfish season at Nosy Be runs from May to October, with good fishing in April and November.
A short run offshore, the sea floor drops away and the water turns deep blue. This is where Nosy Be's fishing happens — over the reefs and drop-offs around the Mitsio archipelago and out along the edge of the Mozambique Channel, some of the richest big-game water in the Indian Ocean. The photos below are real catches from our own boat, so you can see for yourself what comes up over a day on the water.
The prize fish are the billfish. Sailfish run in good numbers in the cooler months, throwing spray as they light up behind the boat, and blue marlin cruise the deep water further out. They are the reason serious anglers come this far. We fish them by trolling, and because we want them here for the next season too, billfish are tagged, photographed and released alive whenever we can — the photo is yours to keep, the fish swims off.
Between the billfish, the rods rarely stay quiet. Yellowfin and dogtooth tuna hit hard and pull harder, wahoo and king mackerel streak in over the reef edges, and giant trevally — the GT that popper fishermen chase across oceans — ambush lures right on the drop-offs. These are the fights that leave your arms aching in the best way, and they run through most of the year.
When you want a change of pace — or you have brought children or first-timers along — we drop over the reefs and fish the bottom. It is more relaxed and almost always productive: grouper, barracuda, snapper and bright reef fish come up steadily, and it is the easiest way to put a fresh dinner in the cool box. The crew cleans your catch on the way home so you can take it straight to the grill.
The charter is private — just your group, the skipper and a deckhand who both grew up fishing these waters. They know where the fish are holding on the day, rig the gear, coach beginners through every strike, and keep the mood easy. Bring a hat, sunscreen and a sense of adventure; we bring the boat, the rods and reels, the bait and lures, and cold water and soft drinks for the day.
See all our trips on the Nosy Be tours page. Fishing days are private and flexible — half or full day, big-game trolling or an easy reef session — so tell us who is coming and what you would like to catch, and we will plan the day around it.
Real fish, real guests, our boat — no stock photos. Every picture below was taken on board off Nosy Be.
✓ Fully equipped boat, experienced skipper, rods, reels, lures and bait, life jackets, sandwiches, fresh fruit, bottled water, soft drinks and beer. Price is per boat — up to 4–6 anglers share the cost.
April to November is the main season, with the calmest seas and the best offshore access. Sailfish peak May to October, marlin April to June and October to November, giant trevally March to May and September to November, wahoo June to November. December to March is the rainy season — we still fish, but the weather decides the day.
Absolutely. The crew rigs everything and hands you the rod when a fish strikes. Many of our best catches were landed by first-timers.
A private boat for the full day is 800€ for up to 4 anglers. Add up to 2 extra guests at 100€ each — maximum 6 people on board, so a full boat is 1,000€.
Reserve online through our contact form — no payment, card details or transfer are needed to hold a date. For some tours we ask for a deposit the day before departure, paid in cash to your guide when you meet. Everything else is paid to your guide on the day of the tour, in cash (EUR, USD or MGA) or by mobile money. We never ask for online payments or bank transfers — if anyone contacts you claiming to be us and asks for one, it is not us.
800€ for the boat, depending on the boat and the length of the trip. The price is for the whole boat, so four to six anglers share the cost. You pay your skipper on the day, in cash or by mobile money — nothing is charged when you reserve.
A fully equipped boat, an experienced skipper, rods, reels, lures and bait, life jackets, sandwiches, fresh fruit, bottled water and soft drinks.
Prefer a calmer day at sea? Try the Nosy Iranja tour or seasonal whale watching.