Mauritius: Big Game Fishing Trip from Grand Baie

The fish are only half the adventure. This private fishing trip from Grand Baie gives you a full day on a 50-foot sportfisher, professional crew, serious Shimano and Penn equipment, and a real chance at marlin, tuna, dorado, and other powerful ocean fish. I especially like the private boat setup, which keeps the day personal rather than turning it into a crowded fishing outing. I also like that drinks, safety equipment, rods, reels, lures, and harnesses are supplied.

The main catch is the price: $1,229 per group, up to 10 people, is a large bill for a fishing day. It becomes much better value when shared by a group, especially six people, which is the suggested ideal capacity. Food is another point to plan for, since the lunch break is included but meals must be ordered as an extra or brought along.

Key points before you book

• A serious 50-foot sportfisher: Paille en Queue II or III provides a stable, purpose-built base for a full day offshore.
• Quality tackle included: Shimano Tiagra and Penn International rods, reels, lures, and harnesses are supplied.
• Private group format: The boat is best with six people and can take up to 10, plus crew.
• Big target fish: The crew searches for marlin, tuna, dorado, and other game fish in deeper water.
• Grand Baie departure: You meet at Sunset Boulevard, right beside the jetty and the Blue Safari Showroom.
• Lunch needs planning: Drinks are included, but lunch is ordered separately or brought as a picnic.

Setting out from Sunset Boulevard at 7:00 am

Your morning starts at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, a waterfront spot lined with cafés and shops. The boats sit directly along the jetty, and you are told to look for the Blue Safari Showroom, the Paille en Queue vessels, and crew members in uniform.

That clear meeting point matters. You do not need to search for a hidden marina or guess which boat is yours. Still, I would arrive early. The official meeting time is 7:00 am, and a fishing trip loses precious time if your group is still looking for the jetty or sorting bags when the crew is ready to leave.

Once aboard, the crew gives you a safety introduction and explains how the equipment works. The combination of English and French instruction makes this practical for many visitors, though you should ask questions before the lines go out if you are new to game fishing.

The boat is a 50-foot vessel called Paille en Queue II or Paille en Queue III. It is described as a modern, powerful sportfisher, with the space and equipment needed for a long day at sea. The exact boat used is not specified in advance, so you should expect one of these two vessels rather than a guaranteed particular hull.

Why the tackle matters on a big fish trip

This is not a casual rod-and-line outing with basic rental equipment. The supplied tackle includes Shimano Tiagra and Penn International rods and reels, plus lures and harnesses. That matters because marlin, tuna, and similar fish can put heavy pressure on a line, reel, and your own back.

The harnesses are particularly useful. If a large fish takes the bait, a harness helps spread the strain and gives you a better way to fight the fish without relying only on your arms. The crew will guide you, but you should still expect a physical activity. Big game fishing is not a guaranteed photo opportunity. You may spend long periods waiting for action, then face a sudden burst of work when a fish strikes.

The crew and skipper handle navigation and select fishing areas. Your job is to listen closely, keep the line and deck organized, and follow instructions when a fish comes on. The exact fishing locations are not promised, since conditions and fish movement change. That uncertainty is part of the sport, but it is also why you should not book this expecting a guaranteed marlin.

The run toward deeper water

After leaving Grand Baie, the boat cruises toward fishing grounds where the water is suitable for larger game fish. Coin de Mire is included in the route, and the day combines cruising, fishing, and a long meal break near this well-known northern island setting.

The open-water section is the heart of the trip. The crew releases the fishing lines, places the boat in position, and keeps watch for a strike. You may be chasing marlin, tuna, dorado, or another catch, but the exact result depends on sea conditions and fish activity.

I like the fact that the route is not presented as a quick fishing session squeezed between other activities. The planned day runs from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm, although the general duration is given as six to nine hours. That gives the skipper room to adjust the timing and route. Sea conditions can require changes for safety, so the published plan should be treated as a guide rather than a rigid promise.

A full day also gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the sea. The first hour may feel exciting simply because everything is new. Later, the pace becomes quieter. You sit with the rods ready, watch the water, and wait. Some people find that calm spell relaxing. Others may find it slow, especially if they want constant action.

Coin de Mire and the five-hour meal break

The itinerary places a BBQ stop near Coin de Mire, with five hours listed for this part of the day. The supplied details describe a lunch break at sea, with meals available to order or the option to bring your own picnic. The long stop is useful because it gives the group time to eat, rest, and enjoy the ocean without immediately returning to the rods.

Food is not automatically included in the base price. Drinks are supplied, including local rum, wine, beer, mineral water, soft drinks, and fruit juice. Premium wines and extra beverages cost more, while sandwiches and canapé selections are also excluded. If your group wants a particular lunch, plan it before departure rather than assuming a meal will appear onboard.

A personal picnic can be the simpler choice, especially if someone in your group has specific food needs. Use a waterproof bag and pack items that travel well. The boat provides a lunch setting at sea, not a restaurant kitchen with unlimited choices.

The five-hour listing for the Coin de Mire portion may sound long, so clarify the day’s timing with the crew when you arrive. The overall experience is scheduled for about nine hours, and safety or weather can change the route. You should not interpret the stop as five hours of nonstop BBQ service. It is best understood as a major pause in the day that includes the meal break and time around the sea.

What is included, and what you still need to bring

The package covers the parts of fishing that are expensive or difficult to arrange yourself. You get the boat, professional skipper, experienced crew, rods, reels, lures, harnesses, fishing equipment, and safety gear. You also get the onboard briefing and the listed drinks.

You need to bring your own personal comfort items. The recommended list is sensible:

• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen
• A towel and change of clothes
• A jacket
• A waterproof bag
• Motion sickness prevention

The jacket is worth taking even if the morning feels warm. Wind on the water can make the boat feel cooler, and a spare layer is easier than spending the day wishing you had packed one. A waterproof bag protects phones, wallets, and spare clothes from spray.

Motion sickness deserves honest attention. The trip is not suitable for people prone to seasickness, according to the activity information. If you know you get sick on boats, this is a poor place to test your courage. If you are only occasionally affected, bring your usual prevention and tell the crew early.

High heels, weapons, sharp objects, glass items, smoking, littering, and feeding animals are not allowed. All boats are non-smoking. These rules are practical on a working fishing boat, where loose glass and sharp objects can become a safety problem.

Group size changes the value

The cost is $1,229 for a private group of up to 10 people. That means the price is not per person, which changes the calculation completely. Ten people would bring the cost to about $123 per person, while six people would pay about $205 per person. A smaller group of four would pay about $307 per person.

The boat is considered ideal for six people, with 10 as the maximum, plus crew. I would take that recommendation seriously. Ten people can lower the price, but a full boat may feel less comfortable when rods are active and people move around the deck. Six gives you more room to handle equipment and enjoy the trip without feeling packed in.

For a family or group of friends who already want a private boat day, the price can make sense. You are paying for exclusive use, a substantial boat, trained crew, specialist tackle, and a long time on the water. For one or two people, it is difficult to justify unless big game fishing is a major personal goal.

The two available ratings both praise the private arrangement and the crew. One verified booking from Norway in January 2026 gave the experience five stars with a short, enthusiastic note. A Swiss group also gave five stars and specifically praised having the entire outing for themselves, along with the crew. That is the clearest sign of the experience’s strongest feature: privacy paired with friendly service.

The crew makes the difference

The skipper and crew do more than drive the boat. They choose fishing areas, manage the gear, explain safety, and help you respond when a fish strikes. On a sportfishing trip, that support can be the difference between a confusing afternoon and a genuine chance to land something memorable.

The supplied information does not name individual crew members, so you should not expect a particular guide by name. You can expect professional crew support in English and French. The friendly welcome noted in the booking information is a useful detail, but the real test will be how clearly the team explains the tackle and how actively they help during the fishing.

Ask the crew about the day’s plan at the start. Confirm the lunch arrangement, the expected return time, and what to do if the sea becomes rough. These are small questions, but they help you settle in and avoid misunderstandings later.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this trip to people who genuinely want to fish, not simply cruise past the coast. You need patience for quiet periods and enough stamina to handle a strong fish if one takes the line.

It suits:

• Experienced anglers who want access to larger game fish
• Families or friends splitting a private boat cost
• Groups who value personal space over a shared excursion
• Visitors who want a full day rather than a short harbor activity
• People comfortable with open-water conditions

It is less suitable for anyone with serious mobility limits, since the experience is specifically not recommended for people with mobility impairments. The boat also has a maximum capacity rather than unlimited room, so movement and balance matter.

It is also a poor fit if you need guaranteed sightseeing, a fixed route, or constant action. The skipper may alter the itinerary for safety, and the fish cannot be ordered like a menu item.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Wear comfortable, practical clothing and shoes suited to a boat. Leave the high heels at home, and keep your personal items in a waterproof bag. A change of clothes is not overkill.

Bring sun protection even on a cloudy morning. You are exposed for much of the day, and the water reflects bright light. Sunglasses and a hat are basic equipment, not fashion extras.

If you want lunch beyond the optional onboard choices, bring your own picnic. Remember that the included drinks cover local rum, wine, beer, water, soft drinks, and fruit juice, but premium wines and extra drinks are not part of the base arrangement.

Keep expectations realistic about the catch. Marlin, tuna, and dorado are target species, not guaranteed results. The value is in the private boat, serious tackle, crew support, and the chance to fish in suitable offshore water for a full day.

Cancellation is flexible enough for normal trip planning. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms are useful if your Mauritius schedule may change, though they do not remove the need to check the sea conditions on the day.

Should you book the Grand Baie fishing trip?

Book it if your group can share the cost and you would be disappointed to leave Mauritius without trying for a serious game fish. The private format, 50-foot boat, Shimano and Penn tackle, included drinks, and experienced crew give the day real substance. The strongest praise focuses on having the boat to yourselves and receiving good support from the crew.

Think twice if you dislike long waits, get seasick, need a cheap activity for one person, or expect a guaranteed marlin. Also budget for lunch, since the main meal is not included unless ordered as an extra.

For six friends or family members who want a focused day on the water, I think this is a strong choice. For a larger group, compare comfort against the lower per-person cost. For a small party, book only if the fishing itself is worth the premium. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a fishing rod added. It is a proper private fishing day, and that is exactly why the right group can find it worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

You meet the crew at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie. The boats are moored beside the jetty near the Blue Safari Showroom.

What time does the trip begin and end?

The scheduled meeting time is 7:00 am, with a planned return at 4:00 pm. The general activity duration is listed as six to nine hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat is best suited to six people and can carry a maximum of 10 guests, plus crew.

What fish might I catch?

The target fish include marlin, tuna, and dorado, along with other game fish. A catch is not guaranteed.

Is lunch included in the price?

The lunch break is included, but food is not included in the base price. You can order meals as an optional extra or bring your own picnic.

What drinks are provided?

Included drinks are local rum, wine, beer, mineral water, soft drinks, and fruit juice. Premium wines and additional beverages are not included.

Is fishing equipment supplied?

Yes. The boat provides Shimano Tiagra and Penn International rods and reels, along with lures, harnesses, fishing gear, and safety equipment.

What languages does the crew speak?

Instruction is available in English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes, a jacket, a waterproof bag, and motion sickness prevention if needed.