Big Game Fishing in Mauritius: Marlin, Tuna, Season and Operators
Updated: August 2026
What is the best time to fish for marlin in Mauritius?
The high season for big game fishing runs from November to April, peaking in January-March for blue marlin. A half-day outing costs around 300 to 450 euros for the whole boat.
Big Game Fishing in Mauritius: A World-Class Destination
Mauritius enjoys a worldwide reputation among sport fishermen. Its deep waters, lying just a few miles from shore thanks to the island’s distinctive geographic profile (the floor of the Indian Ocean drops rapidly to several thousand metres barely 5 to 10 km from the coast), hold exceptional concentrations of large pelagic fish. Blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, bigeye tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo are among the species you can hope to encounter on a fishing trip off Mauritius.
The southwest coast, particularly around Black River (Rivière Noire), is Mauritius’s big game fishing capital. This is where the majority of sport fishing boats depart from, and where the largest concentration of clubs and specialised operators is found.
At a Glance
| Where | Main departure from the port of Black River (Rivière Noire), southwest coast |
| Price | Half-day 300-450 EUR (whole boat) or 80-120 EUR/person; full day 500-800 EUR (whole boat) or 120-180 EUR/person |
| Duration | Half-day around 4h (departure 6am-7am); full day 7 to 8h (departure at dawn) |
| How to book | Directly with the Black River clubs or through an online operator, ideally a few days ahead in high season |
| Best time | November to April, peaking January-March for blue marlin |
Species to Fish
Blue Marlin: The King of Mauritian Waters
The blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) is the flagship species of big game fishing in Mauritius. This ocean giant can exceed 600 kg, although specimens caught around Mauritius are generally between 80 and 300 kg. Recognisable by its silvery-blue colouring and characteristic bill, it is an exceptional fighter that can leap clear of the water (a technique known as the “bill jump”) and strip several hundred metres of line in seconds.
The blue marlin is the main reason fishermen travel from around the world to Mauritius each year. The waters off Black River rank among the world’s top 10 destinations for this species.
Black Marlin and Striped Marlin
Black marlin (Istiompax indica) is rarer than blue marlin but can reach even more impressive sizes. Striped marlin (Kajikia audax), smaller (generally under 100 kg), is easier to approach and offers intense sporting fights, making it ideal for beginner anglers.
Bigeye Tuna and Yellowfin Tuna
Bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) is a highly prized catch for its rich, red flesh. It lives at depth (200 to 500 metres) but rises at night and in the morning. Specimens of 100 to 200 kg are regularly caught. Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) is more common and abundant, and excellent to eat.
Sailfish, Wahoo and Mahi-Mahi
Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) is the fastest fish in the ocean (up to 110 km/h) and one of the most spectacular fighters. Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) is renowned for its blistering bursts of speed. Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus), known as “dorado” in some regions, is recognisable by its dazzling gold and green colouring; it is an abundant and delicious catch.
Fishing Seasons
High Season: November to April
The big game fishing high season coincides with the hot season in Mauritius. This is the period when the Indian Ocean’s warm currents concentrate pelagic fish in Mauritian waters.
- November to January: start of season, plenty of black marlin and sailfish
- January to March: peak season, maximum concentrations of blue marlin
- April: end of season, still good catches but waters begin to cool
Mauritius’s fishing records are almost all set during this period. In January and February, it’s not unusual to spot multiple marlin on a single outing.
Low Season: May to October
The cooler season is less productive for big pelagic game, but not without interest. Yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi remain present in good numbers. Some fishermen prefer this period for the cooler sea temperatures and the lighter boat traffic.
October marks the gradual return of marlin, as waters begin to warm again.
Fishing Operators and Clubs
Black River: Mauritius’s Fishing Hub
The village of Black River is the essential departure point for big game fishing in Mauritius. Its port is home to around twenty certified sport fishing boats. Several clubs and operators are based here.
Black River Big Game Fishing Club is one of the oldest and most reputable. It offers outings for beginners and experienced anglers alike, with quality Penn and Shimano equipment. French-speaking staff.
Sportfisher is a multi-boat operator with a fleet of vessels equipped for both casting and trolling. They also offer fishing packages combined with accommodation.
Charters Available by Boat: Big game fishing boats in Mauritius are generally 30 to 50-foot vessels, equipped with four rod holders, a fighting chair, a tuna tower for spotting, and complete fishing gear.
Rod Fishing Club (Rodrigues and Mauritius) operates a fleet out of Black River with consistently excellent results.
Prices and Packages
Half-Day Fishing
The half-day trip (around 4 hours, departing at 6am or 7am) is the most accessible option for beginners or those who want to combine fishing with another activity in the same day.
- Half-day (whole boat, 4 to 6 people): 300 to 450 euros
- Per person on a shared boat: 80 to 120 euros (depending on availability and operator)
Full Day
The full day (7 to 8 hours at sea, departing at dawn) is recommended to maximise your chances of landing the big species, especially marlin, which are found in deep waters far from shore.
- Full day (whole boat, 4 to 6 people): 500 to 800 euros
- Per person on a shared boat: 120 to 180 euros
What’s Included
Most packages include:
- Fuel
- Complete fishing gear (rods, reels, lures, lines)
- Crew (captain and deckhand)
- Water and sometimes soft drinks
- Cleaning and filleting of your catch
What’s generally extra:
- Meals and alcoholic drinks
- Professional photos and video (some crews offer this service)
- Hotel transfer (often available as an option)
The “Catch and Release” Rule
Most sport fishing boats in Mauritius practise catch and release for marlin and sailfish, in line with IGFA (International Game Fish Association) recommendations and as part of a stock conservation effort. The fish is lifted out of the water just long enough for a photo, then released alive.
For table species (tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo), keeping the catch is permitted, and you can ask to take your catch home or even have it cooked at a local restaurant or your accommodation.
Practical Tips
Preparing Your Trip
Seasickness is the main risk on an open-water fishing trip. If you’re prone to it, take a preventive medication (Dramamine, Scopoderm patch) the evening before and on the morning of departure. Eat light before boarding.
Wear closed, non-slip shoes, a hat, polarised sunglasses (essential for spotting fish at the surface) and water-resistant sunscreen. The sea can be rough in high season and the sun intense.
First Time Fishing?
If it’s your first big game fishing trip, let the operator know. The crew will explain the basics (reeling, holding the rod when you get a bite, sitting in the fighting chair). Trolling doesn’t require any particular technique to get started: the lure is set by the crew, and your role is to hold the rod and “strike” when you feel a bite.
Guaranteed Catch?
No serious operator can guarantee a catch. That’s the law of fishing. That said, outings on Black River boats have encouraging catch statistics in high season. Experienced crews know the productive areas and adapt their strategies to conditions.
On a half-day trip, a marlin bite is possible but not guaranteed. On a full day during high season, the odds are noticeably better.
Big Game Fishing: An Unforgettable Experience
Even without an exceptional catch, a big game fishing trip in Mauritius is a memorable sea adventure. Dawn departure from the port of Black River, the sun rising over the island’s mountains, the majesty of the Indian Ocean’s deep waters, and the constant excitement of waiting for a bite: all of this makes for an extraordinary day, far removed from standardised tourist excursions.
And if luck is on your side and a 150 kg blue marlin decides to bite your lure, you’ll experience an epic 30-to-90-minute battle that will stay etched in your memory forever. To book a big game fishing trip from Black River with equipment included and a cancellation policy: book a big game fishing trip from Black River.
Where to Stay Near Black River for Big Game Fishing
Since outings depart early in the morning, staying close to the port avoids a long, tiring drive before dawn. The Tamarin area, just a few minutes from Black River, offers a good range of convenient accommodation — our guide where to stay in Tamarin covers the best options.
Le Morne, a little further south, or Flic-en-Flac to the north, also work well with a rental car, which is essential for this kind of early-morning excursion. Our north-south comparison and our guide to driving in Mauritius will help you organise the logistics of your stay around this activity.
Combining Big Game Fishing With Other Marine Activities
A big game fishing trip fits well into a broader stay centred on the water activities of the west and south coasts. Many travellers pair a morning of fishing with a more relaxed afternoon on a catamaran along the coast, or a snorkelling or diving trip on the nearby reefs on following days.
For wildlife lovers, whale watching is possible in the same southwest waters, particularly between July and September for humpback whales — a different season from marlin fishing, but one that can fit within a stay of several weeks covering both periods.
For families with children too young for a full day on the open sea, kayaking and paddleboarding in the lagoon offers a gentle, accessible alternative suitable from a very young age.