Big game fishing trips Boa Vista

The ocean is the real fishing guide here. This private five-hour trip takes you from Sal Rei into open water aboard a 7-meter boat, where you troll for blue marlin, wahoo, tuna, and other large fish. I like the small group setup, with space for up to three people, and the fact that a local captain chooses the fishing grounds rather than simply following a fixed sightseeing route.

I also like the boat’s useful equipment: GPS, marine radio, fishing radar, and a front sun deck. Those features matter once you leave the shelter of the bay. The main consideration is that fishing is never guaranteed, and the separate €50 taxi charge from Hotel Riu Touareg can make the final cost higher than the headline price.

Key points before you book

• You fish from Te Manché pier in Sal Rei, leaving at 8:00 am and returning to the same meeting point after about five hours.
• The private boat suits up to three people, making the $571.34 group price easier to justify for a small party.
• The captain uses GPS and fishing radar to search for productive water and can explain trolling, jigging, and other fishing methods.
• Big catches are possible but not promised, with blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo among the target fish.
• A recent speed-jigging outing produced about nine amberjack, showing that the trip can offer more than the headline species.
• The €50 taxi from Hotel Riu Touareg is extra, while pickup is offered in other arrangements.

Leaving Sal Rei from Te Manché pier

Your morning begins at Avenida dos Pescadores, at the fisherman’s pier in Te Manché, Sal Rei. The listed start time is 8:00 am, and the boat returns to this same meeting point at the end of the trip.

That location gives the outing a useful sense of place. You are not boarding at a large resort marina or a polished cruise terminal. You leave from the working harbor area, where fishing is part of daily life in Sal Rei. I like this start because it gets you close to the island’s sea-based economy before the boat even reaches open water.

Pickup is offered, but you should check the exact arrangement when booking. If you are staying at Hotel Riu Touareg, the taxi costs €50 and is not included in the tour price. That fee is worth adding to your budget before you compare this trip with other activities.

The transfer itself can be important on a fishing morning. You do not want to spend time trying to find the pier or arrive late with tackle and personal bags. One family outing had a taxi arrive exactly on time and drop the group at the correct place, so a prearranged transfer can make the start much easier.

The 7-meter boat and its useful equipment

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. This is a working fishing boat built to search for fish, not a floating lounge with a full cabin and restaurant service.

The equipment is a real advantage:

• GPS helps the captain mark and return to productive areas.
• A marine radio supports communication at sea.
• Fishing radar helps locate promising water.
• The front sun deck gives you a place to sit when you are not actively fishing.

You will spend much of the trip exposed to sun, wind, and spray. The front sun deck is useful for taking a break, watching the water, or simply letting someone else handle the rod. It does not turn the boat into a shaded resort platform, so you should think about sun protection before leaving the pier.

The private format is especially appealing here. Only your group participates, and the maximum is three people. That means the captain can give direct advice instead of dividing attention among a boatload of strangers. For a pair of serious anglers, or a family with one teenager who wants a proper fishing experience, the space should feel more personal.

At $571.34 per group, the price looks steep if you are alone. Split between three people, however, it works out to about $190 per person before any taxi costs. You are paying for a private boat, a captain, equipment, fuel, and a half-day search for game fish. The value improves when all three places are filled.

From the bay to the open sea

The route starts inside Sal Rei Bay. You pass along the harbor before heading out toward open water. This first stretch gives you time to settle in, hear the captain’s instructions, and watch the island recede.

Once the boat reaches open sea, the character of the trip changes. The main activity is trolling, where the boat moves at low speed while lines are presented behind it. The aim is to cover water and tempt large predatory fish as the captain searches for the right conditions.

This part can require patience. A five-hour trip does not mean five hours of constant action. You might spend long periods watching rods and water while the captain adjusts the boat’s course. That is normal for big game fishing, and it is also why the radar, GPS, and local experience matter.

The captain can explain fishing techniques and strategies as the day goes on. You may learn why the boat is slowing, changing direction, or moving toward another area. That guidance is a major reason to choose this trip over simply renting a boat without an experienced fishing crew.

Chasing marlin, tuna, wahoo, and amberjack

The headline targets are blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. These are powerful fish, and the chance of hooking one is the main reason many people book the trip. Still, you should treat these species as possibilities, not promises.

Fishing conditions vary. The captain may find a different kind of fish on the day, or you may spend much of the outing waiting for a strike. A strong result from one trip cannot predict your own catch. The right mindset is to value the time at sea and the chance to learn as much as the final number of fish.

The experience can also include speed jigging rather than only trolling. On one outing, the crew took the boat to suitable spots, watched carefully for fish, and helped produce about nine amberjack during the day. That detail is useful because it shows the boat is not locked into one narrow fishing plan.

If conditions favor another method, the captain may guide you through it. You should ask at the start what techniques are likely to be used and what fish are currently being targeted. The tour information specifically highlights advice on fishing methods and strategy, so this is not simply a case of being handed a rod and left to guess.

The captain’s role makes the difference

A local captain is the heart of this experience. Fish-finding technology is helpful, but equipment alone does not tell you where to fish, how long to wait, or when to move. The captain’s feel for the water gives the outing its best chance of success.

You can expect help with the practical side of fishing. The captain and first mate assist with the equipment, point you toward the right technique, and help when a fish takes the bait or lure. For beginners, this support keeps the trip from becoming frustrating. For experienced anglers, it gives you a chance to test local methods and conditions.

The crew also appears to take the fishing seriously. The speed-jigging outing was described as well organized, with the crew checking spots carefully and moving to useful drifts. That kind of active attention is reassuring. You are not simply motoring offshore and hoping for luck.

The captain’s ability to explain what is happening also matters if your group includes mixed experience levels. One person can focus on technique, another can enjoy the sea and scenery, and a younger angler can get direct help instead of feeling lost.

Catch, release, or fish market

Fish caught during the trip are either released back into the sea or sold at the fish market. That gives you an important choice to clarify with the crew before fishing begins.

If you prefer catch-and-release, say so early. If you want to keep a legal catch for the local market, ask how that process works. The information provided does not promise that every catch can be kept, so you should follow the captain’s instructions about the fish and the local arrangements.

The release option will appeal to you if the thrill is in the strike and the fight rather than taking fish home. It also keeps the focus on the experience itself. The fish-market option connects the trip with Sal Rei’s working fishing culture, but it should be discussed clearly so everyone understands the plan.

Timing, comfort, and physical demands

The outing lasts about five hours, starting at 8:00 am. A morning departure is practical in a hot island climate, and it gives you the rest of the day after returning to Sal Rei.

You should be ready for a moderate level of physical activity. The experience is not described as suitable for people who need only gentle, seated sightseeing. Handling fishing gear, staying balanced on a moving boat, and helping with a fish can take effort.

A moderate fitness level is recommended. Service animals are allowed. The boat has a front sun deck, but the supplied details do not promise extensive shade, a toilet, food, or drinks. You should confirm any personal needs before departure rather than assume a fishing boat has resort-style facilities.

Bring practical sun and sea protection. A hat, sunscreen, water, and clothing that can handle spray are sensible choices. The boat’s marine radio and GPS are useful safety equipment, but they do not remove the need to listen to the captain and follow instructions.

Is the $571.34 group price fair?

The listed price is $571.34 for a private group of up to three. That makes the cost easier to assess by group size.

For three people, the shared price is about $190 per person. For two, it is about $286 per person. For one person, the full group price is a large outlay unless private access and serious fishing are your main priorities.

I think the price can be fair for a small group that wants a dedicated boat rather than a shared excursion. You get around five hours on the water, a local captain, a 7-meter motorboat, navigation equipment, fishing radar, and direct instruction. The private format is the strongest part of the value.

The calculation changes if you need the taxi from Hotel Riu Touareg. The extra €50 is not part of the advertised price, so add it before making your decision. Also remember that a high price cannot guarantee a marlin, tuna, or wahoo. You are paying for the opportunity, the equipment, and the captain’s effort, not a guaranteed trophy fish.

Who will enjoy this fishing trip most?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who already enjoy fishing or who want a serious introduction to big game methods. The private boat and direct coaching make it a good fit for a couple or small family willing to share the cost.

It can also suit a parent and teenagers. A previous family group included a teenage son and daughter, and the day ran smoothly from hotel pickup through boarding. That is useful reassurance if you are planning the outing with older children, though each person should be comfortable with a moving boat and a moderate physical challenge.

You may want to choose another activity if you need guaranteed wildlife sightings, a relaxed cruise, or a fully catered day. Fishing has quiet stretches, changing conditions, and uncertain results. The best reason to book is that you enjoy the process as much as the possibility of a large catch.

Booking, cancellation, and weather

Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes are not accepted less than 24 hours before departure.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy is sensible for an open-ocean trip, where sea conditions affect both comfort and safety.

The activity is private, so only your group takes part. That gives you more control over the pace and makes it easier to tell the captain what you want from the day, such as learning technique, targeting larger fish, or favoring catch-and-release.

Should you book Big Game Fishing Trips Boa Vista?

Book this trip if you want a real fishing morning from Sal Rei, not a short tourist boat ride with a fishing rod added as an afterthought. The private format, local captain, fish-finding equipment, and reports of well-run speed jigging make it a strong option for a small group.

Go in with sensible expectations. Blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo are targets, not guarantees. If you can fill all three places, accept the extra taxi cost when needed, and enjoy several hours of patient trolling or jigging, the experience offers good value and a direct connection with Boa Vista’s fishing culture.

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 trip begin?

The listed start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately five hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity is for your group, with up to three people included in the group price.

Which fish might I catch?

The target fish include blue marlin, tuna, and wahoo. Another outing produced about nine amberjack while using speed-jigging techniques.

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.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.