Marlin hunting happens fast out here.

This big game fishing trip runs from Te Manché pier in Sal Rei, with a captain who targets spots and gives hands-on technique tips while your boat uses GPS, marine radio, and fishing radar. I also like the setup: a 7m motorboat with a front sun deck, so you can relax between pulls without feeling stuck below. The one catch to plan for: the trip depends on good weather, so conditions can change the schedule.

You’ll start in the bay, then head out to open water where the real work begins. A 5-hour block is long enough to try multiple tactics, but short enough that you’re not spending all day waiting. The private format also helps you get more of the captain’s attention and direction, especially if you’re new to offshore fishing.

From the style of fishing and what’s possible, you should expect a day that feels like active sport, not a passive cruise. And when you do hook up, you’ll either have fish released back into the sea or sold at the fish market, depending on what the crew is doing that day.

Key highlights worth waking up for

• Radar + GPS on a 7m boat means you’re not guessing where fish are.
• Local captain guidance: you’ll get advice on techniques and strategy, not just a nod and a life jacket.
• Low-speed trolling is part of the plan, aimed at chasing big game fish offshore.
• Some outings use speed-jigging to keep moving and checking drifts where fish show up.
• Fish handling is practical: caught fish are released back or sold at the fish market.
• Private group format (up to 3) for a more focused day on the water.

Te Manché pier in Sal Rei: getting to the action early

This experience starts at the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché in Sal Rei, Boa Vista. The meeting point is Avenida dos Pescadores, and the start time is 8:00 am. That early departure matters. Offshore fishing is time-sensitive, and the best chances often come from getting out when conditions are favorable.

After pickup, you’ll move through the harbor area and bay first. Then the boat ends up on open sea and the fishing starts there. That “bay-to-open-water” flow is a good structure for two reasons: you ease into the day without immediately bouncing offshore, and you’re positioned to start fishing as soon as the captain finds the right stretch.

One small logistics note that can matter for your budget: there’s a taxi fee mentioned for people staying at Hotel Riu Touareg—€50 is not included, and you’d pay it when you arrive at the pier. If you’re not at Riu Touareg, you might not face the same fee, but it’s worth confirming how your pickup is handled.

Your boat setup (7m / ~22-foot) and the tech that keeps you hunting

You’ll be on a 7m motorboat, described as about 22 feet, and it’s built for fishing with modern electronics. The boat has:

• GPS
• marine radio
• fishing radar
• a front sun deck

For you, the practical value is simple: the crew can read the water and navigate efficiently, and the captain can move with purpose. In big game fishing, time is everything. If the boat can locate and track promising areas without wasting an hour zig-zagging, you get more real fishing time inside your 5-hour trip.

I also like that you’re not stuck in a cramped, uncomfortable setup. The front sun deck gives you a place to reset between tactics, watch lines, and spot what’s happening without always crowding around the gear.

What you’re actually chasing: blue marlin, wahoo, and tuna

The headline target fish are blue marlin, wahoo, and tuna. Those names are exciting, but what you should really pay attention to is how the captain tries to find them.

The trip includes fishing tactics like trolling at low speed. That’s a common approach when you’re covering water and trying to present bait or lures to big game fish at the right depth and speed. You’re not just casting and waiting. You’re moving, adjusting, and working the water like an active search.

The captain brings local knowledge you can’t easily copy from the internet. That matters because the “best spot” isn’t only geography—it’s timing, sea conditions, and where fish are feeding. In other words, radar and GPS help you travel well; local expertise helps you decide where to try first.

One extra detail adds color: there are indications the crew may use speed-jigging on some days. On a speed-jigging outing, the crew brought anglers to multiple spots while checking for fish, and the group landed around nine amberjack. Even if your target list is marlin, wahoo, and tuna, that kind of success shows the operation is responsive and focused on finding action.

How the captain runs the day once you hit open water

After the bay ride, fishing begins on the open sea. You’ll usually be following the captain’s rhythm: moving to where the electronics suggest activity, then fishing a tactic long enough to see if the area produces.

You should expect active involvement. The captain provides advice about fishing techniques and strategies, and the crew helps you apply it. That’s a big deal if you’ve never fished offshore before. You don’t want a “good luck” vibe. You want coaching—how to work the line, how to handle bites, and what the captain is watching for while you’re doing your part.

Also pay attention to how the day is crewed. The trip description includes a captain, and at least one past trip highlighted how the captain and first mate handled the work and kept things organized from start to finish. For you, that typically means fewer confusing moments and better instruction when something happens fast on the line.

You also get a sense of how seriously they monitor conditions. In the speed-jigging example, the crew appeared to keep checking where fish were showing rather than sticking stubbornly to one plan. That’s what you want: flexibility, not luck.

When you catch fish: release vs. fish market

This trip has clear information on what happens to caught fish. Depending on the day and what’s caught, the fish are either:

• released back into the sea, or
• sold at the fish market

So you’re not guaranteed a “eat what you catch” outcome. But you’re also not locked into keeping every fish. The important part is that the process is practical and handled by the crew, and you’re not left guessing what happens next.

If you care about conservation and responsible fishing practices, the release option is reassuring. If you want a souvenir meal vibe, the fish-market route is what you’d look for. Since the exact outcome depends on what you catch and how the crew manages the day, it’s worth keeping expectations flexible.

Price and value: $571.34 per group (up to 3)

The price is $571.34 per group, and the group limit is up to 3. That private format is the value lever here. Offshore fishing can be pricey because fuel, boat time, and crew are real costs. But the “per group” structure can make the experience feel more reasonable when you split it with family or friends.

A quick way to think about it: if you’re a group of 3, you’re effectively dividing the total across three people. If you’re booking solo, it’s obviously less cost-friendly, but you still might choose it for privacy and more direct instruction from the captain.

One more “value” factor: booking timing. The trip’s average booking window is about 44 days in advance. That suggests this is something people plan ahead for, which usually means spots can fill up or you may want to lock in your date sooner rather than later—especially if you’re traveling during a busier period.

Don’t forget the small extra possibility of a taxi fee from Riu Touareg (€50) if that applies to you. It’s not a deal-breaker, just part of getting an accurate total cost for your morning.

The pacing: 5 hours on the water, not a whole-day commitment

The duration is about 5 hours. That’s an ideal length for offshore big game fishing for most people. You’re out long enough to run tactics, move to potential spots, and get more than one attempt. At the same time, it’s not the kind of day where you lose an entire vacation day to boat time.

The structure you can expect is roughly:

• meet and depart on time (8:00 am)
• transit from bay/harbor area to open sea
• fish using tactics like low-speed trolling (and possibly speed-jigging on some days)
• return after your fishing window

One reason this “half-day” format works well: you can still enjoy Boa Vista the rest of the day without feeling wrecked. It also helps you book around other activities.

Who should book this (and who might want a different day)

This experience is listed as suitable for people with moderate physical fitness. That usually means you can handle a boat ride and active fishing situations without needing heavy mobility. The fact that it’s a private tour also helps—your group can move at a comfortable pace and you’re not managing a large crowd.

It also allows service animals, which is helpful for travelers who need that accommodation.

Based on past outcomes, families can do well here too. One highly rated experience described a pickup that worked smoothly for a family with teenage kids, and the transition to the boat felt organized. If your group includes teens or active adults, this kind of trip can feel like a real adventure day.

If you’re someone who hates being on a moving boat for hours, or you need guaranteed calm seas, you may want to reconsider. The trip requires good weather, and the sea state can’t be controlled.

Making it work smoothly: your practical checklist

You’ll want to plan around the facts you know up front:

• Start time is 8:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
• You’ll likely be picked up (pickup is offered), but if you’re at Riu Touareg, there’s a note that a €50 taxi fee is not included.
• You’ll use a mobile ticket, so keep it accessible on your phone.
• Expect a day that depends on weather. If conditions aren’t good, the operator can offer another date or a full refund.

The best “do this” advice: give yourself a little buffer before pickup, and be ready for quick transitions at the pier. Offshore days move with the tide of the schedule, so being early helps the entire trip run smoothly.

Should you book Big Game Fishing Trips in Boa Vista?

If you want a real shot at blue marlin, wahoo, or tuna, and you like the idea of modern GPS + radar paired with a local captain’s decisions, this is a strong choice. I’d especially recommend it if you value instruction—the captain and crew are set up to talk technique and strategy, not just point you toward a rod.

Book it when:

• you’re traveling with up to 3 people and want a private outing
• you don’t mind an early 8:00 am start
• you’re okay with the reality that the trip depends on weather
• you want an active day on the water, including tactics like trolling and possibly speed-jigging

Skip it (or at least consider alternatives) if:

• you need total predictability regardless of sea conditions
• you’re booking solo and the per-group price feels too steep
• you’re hoping for a guaranteed fish-to-plate outcome, since caught fish may be released or sold depending on the day

Overall, this is the kind of trip that earns its rating because the basics are handled: organized departure, a properly equipped boat, and a crew that works spots and gives direction. If big game fishing is on your Boa Vista checklist, this one deserves a place near the top.

FAQ

Where do we meet, and what time does the trip start?

You meet at Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei, Cabo Verde. The trip starts at 8:00 am, and it ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the big game fishing trip last?

It runs for about 5 hours.

Is pickup included, and is the taxi fee from Riu Touareg included?

Pickup is offered, and the activity uses a mobile ticket. The note says a €50 taxi fee from Hotel Riu Touareg is not included and can be paid upon arrival at the pier.

What boat will we be on, and what equipment does it have?

You’ll be on a 7m (about 22-foot) motorboat with GPS, marine radio, fishing radar, and a front sundeck.

What fish are you targeting on this trip?

The trip focuses on catching blue marlin, wahoo, or tuna.

If we catch fish, do they get kept or released?

Caught fish are either released back into the sea or sold at the fish market.

What happens if the weather is bad or I cancel?

The trip requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.