Big game fishing trips Boa Vista

The ocean sets the pace here. This five-hour fishing trip leaves Sal Rei for open water, where you troll for blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo from a 7-meter boat guided by a local captain who knows the area well. It is a focused outing, not a crowded cruise, and your private group of up to three people gets the boat to itself.

I like the small private format, which gives you more room and direct help with the rod. I also like the useful onboard gear: GPS, marine radio, fishing radar, and a front sun deck. The main drawback is simple: big-game fishing never guarantees a catch, and the €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg is extra.

Key points before you book

• A private boat for up to three people keeps the trip personal and gives each angler more time with the equipment.
• The 7-meter motorboat carries GPS, radar, and marine radio, useful tools when you leave the harbor and fish offshore.
• The captain teaches techniques while you fish, so this suits beginners as well as people who already know their way around a rod.
• The target species include blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo, with amberjack also caught on a speed-jigging outing.
• The fishing is usually done by slow trolling, while the crew helps you react when a fish takes the bait.
• The trip begins and ends at the fisherman’s pier in Sal Rei, with pickup offered, but transport from Riu Touareg costs an additional €50.

Leaving Te Manché pier at 8:00 a.m.

Your morning begins at Avenida dos Pescadores, at the fisherman’s pier in Te Manché, Sal Rei. This is a working harbor rather than a polished resort marina, which gives the start a local feel and makes the connection to Cape Verde’s fishing life clear from the first few minutes.

The boat heads through the bay, passing along the harbor before reaching open sea. That short run matters because it eases you into the trip. You are not instantly thrown into rough offshore water, and the change from sheltered harbor to open ocean gives you a clear sense of the day ahead.

Pickup is offered, which can make the morning easier if you are staying near Sal Rei. You should check the exact pickup arrangement when booking. If you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg, plan for a separate €50 taxi charge to the pier, paid on arrival. That extra cost can affect the value, especially for a group of only one or two people.

The tour returns to the same meeting point after fishing. The listed start time is 8:00 a.m., and the total trip lasts about five hours, so you should have much of the afternoon free for the beach, lunch, or another Boa Vista activity.

What the 7-meter boat means at sea

The fishing boat is about 7 meters long, or roughly 22 feet. It is described as well equipped rather than luxurious, which is the right way to think about it. You are booking a practical fishing platform built to reach offshore spots, not a large sightseeing vessel with multiple indoor areas.

The onboard equipment is a real plus. GPS helps the captain return to productive areas, while the fishing radar can help locate fish activity beneath or around the boat. A marine radio is important safety equipment on an offshore trip. These tools do not make a catch certain, but they show that the outing is set up for serious fishing rather than a casual ride along the coast.

There is also a front sun deck. That gives you a place to sit between fishing periods and a better spot to watch the sea during the ride. Bring sun protection, since you will spend much of the morning exposed to the elements. The supplied details do not specify shade, food, drinks, or toilet facilities, so ask about those points before you confirm if they matter to you.

Because the boat is limited to your group of up to three, you will not be sharing the fishing space with a large crowd. That is especially useful when a fish strikes. You have more room to handle the rod, listen to the captain, and move as needed without a line of other people waiting their turn.

How the fishing works offshore

Once the boat reaches open sea, the main method is slow trolling. The captain moves the boat at low speed while the lines trail behind. This method is well suited to large predatory fish such as marlin, tuna, and wahoo, but it also requires patience.

You may spend time watching the rods and waiting for movement. That is part of the sport. The five-hour schedule gives you a proper fishing window, but it does not turn the ocean into a guaranteed catch machine. Conditions, fish location, weather, and luck all matter.

The captain gives advice on techniques and strategy as you fish. That hands-on help is one of the best reasons to choose this trip instead of simply renting a boat. You do not need to arrive as an expert. The captain can explain what to do and help you respond when a fish takes the line.

An outing with this crew using speed jigging produced about nine amberjack, which shows that the fishing may not always be limited to the three headline species. It also suggests that the crew can work different methods when conditions call for them. Still, you should treat that catch as an example, not a promise for your own morning.

If you are new to fishing, listen closely to the captain’s instructions. Big fish can make the rod and line feel very different from ordinary shore fishing. Following the crew’s guidance helps you avoid wasting a strike or tiring yourself too quickly.

Blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, and amberjack

The headline appeal is the chance to pursue blue marlin, tuna, or wahoo. These are strong, fast fish, and even a brief strike can make the trip memorable. The wording matters here: you have a chance to catch these species, not a guarantee.

The ocean around Boa Vista is also part of the appeal. You leave the harbor behind and spend the fishing period on open water, with the boat’s movement and the changing conditions shaping the morning. If your idea of a good holiday outing includes time at sea and a little uncertainty, this is a stronger choice than a fixed sightseeing tour.

The fishing style also makes this a good match for people who enjoy the process, not just the final photograph. The slow trolling, changing spots, and attention to the rods all require patience. A person who dislikes waiting may find the quiet stretches frustrating.

The catch is either released back into the sea or sold at the fish market. That gives you two possible outcomes for the fish, depending on the arrangement and the catch itself. If you care about release practices or want to know exactly how the crew handles a particular species, ask before setting out.

The captain and crew make the difference

A local captain is central to the value of this trip. Fishing depends on timing and location, and a captain who works these waters can take you toward places you would not find on your own. The captain also explains techniques during the outing, so the trip has an instructional side rather than being a simple boat transfer.

The crew has earned strong praise for organization and judgment. One five-star account describes the pickup arriving on time, the transfer onto the boat going smoothly, and the captain and first mate working well together. That kind of practical efficiency matters. A fishing trip loses precious time if the morning is spent waiting for transport or sorting out the launch.

Another five-star account described the crew checking likely spots carefully, finding good drifts, and catching around nine amberjack during a speed-jigging day. The same account praised the trip as well organized and felt the crew knew what they were doing. That is the most important kind of praise for a fishing charter: not fancy talk, but good decisions on the water.

The overall rating is 4.4 from seven reviews. That is a positive result, though the sample is small. I would give the strongest weight to the repeated practical points: punctual transport, a smooth start, organized fishing, and a crew that actively helps rather than leaving you to work everything out alone.

Is $571.34 fair for three people?

The price is $571.34 per group, with up to three people included. If three people share the boat, that works out to about $190.45 per person before any extra transport costs. For a private five-hour boat trip with fishing equipment and a captain, that can be reasonable, particularly if you value privacy and direct access to the crew.

For two people, the per-person price rises to about $285.67. For one person, the full group price is a much bigger commitment. The best value comes when three anglers share the booking and all three genuinely want to fish.

You should also add the €50 taxi cost if you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg. That fee is not included in the advertised price and is paid at the pier. Pickup being offered is helpful, but it does not mean every hotel transfer is included.

The value depends on your expectations. If you need a guaranteed marlin photograph, the price may feel high because no offshore fishing trip can promise that result. If you enjoy the boat ride, the instruction, the private setup, and the possibility of a serious catch, the price is easier to justify.

I would compare this with the cost of several smaller activities. A private morning on the sea can be a better use of money than a short shared excursion, but only if fishing is a real priority for your group. If one person wants to fish and the others simply want a relaxed cruise, the arrangement may not suit everyone.

Who will enjoy this fishing trip most?

This outing is best for a small group of anglers who want an active morning and are comfortable with uncertainty. It works well for friends, couples, or a family group with no more than three people, provided everyone is happy spending several hours on a fishing boat.

It also suits beginners. The captain provides advice on technique and strategy, and you do not need to arrive with expert offshore skills. A confident angler may enjoy the chance to work with local guidance, while a first-timer can treat the morning as a practical introduction.

Teenagers can also fit the format if they are interested in fishing and can manage a moderate level of physical activity. One successful booking included a parent with a teenage son and daughter, with transport and the boat transition handled smoothly.

You should think twice if you dislike open water, long periods of waiting, or direct sun. The activity requires moderate physical fitness, and the boat is a working 22-foot vessel rather than a large cruise boat. Service animals are allowed, but you should still confirm the practical arrangements for bringing one aboard.

This is not the best choice for someone who only wants to see Boa Vista’s shoreline. The main purpose is fishing, and the scenery is secondary to the rods, lines, and search for productive water.

Practical advice for a better morning

Arrive ready for an early start. The meeting time is 8:00 a.m. at the fisherman’s pier, and the boat returns to that same point. If you have hotel pickup, make sure you know the exact collection time and location rather than assuming it will be the same as the boat departure.

Wear clothing suited to sun and sea spray. A hat, sunscreen, and water-friendly shoes are sensible choices. The provided information does not confirm what refreshments or personal equipment are supplied, so ask before the trip if you need to bring water, food, or special fishing gear.

Keep your expectations flexible. The captain may change locations or techniques during the morning, and the best plan can change with the conditions. A quiet spell does not mean the crew is doing nothing. Finding fish often means moving, watching, and waiting.

If a fish strikes, focus on the captain’s instructions. The crew is there to help with technique and strategy, and their advice is more useful than trying to force the rod or line. The goal is not just to hook a fish, but to handle the fight properly.

The trip operates only in suitable weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Boa Vista fishing trip?

Book it if you want a private offshore fishing morning, you are willing to accept that catches are never certain, and you like the idea of learning from a local captain. The small group size, solid navigation equipment, organized crew, and chance at blue marlin, tuna, wahoo, or amberjack make this one of the more serious fishing options in Boa Vista.

I would be more cautious if you are mainly looking for a scenic boat ride or if the full group price is difficult to share. The extra €50 taxi fare from Riu Touareg also needs to be included in your budget.

For three people who genuinely want to fish, the price is easier to defend. For one person, it is a costly private outing. My practical call: book this for the fishing, not for a guaranteed trophy, and choose it when the process of being on the water matters almost as much as the catch.

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 listed start time is 8:00 a.m.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The activity 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 has also been caught during a speed-jigging outing with the crew.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund.