Mauritius: Big Game Fishing Trip from Grand Baie

Big fish, open water, early start. This private fishing trip from Grand Baie gives you a full day on a 50-foot sportfisher, with serious Shimano and Penn equipment aimed at marlin, tuna, dorado, and other powerful fish. I like the private boat setup and the fact that the crew supplies proper rods, reels, lures, and harnesses rather than sending you out with basic holiday gear. I also like the relaxed mix of fishing, drinks, lunch, and ocean time.

The main drawback is simple: fish are never guaranteed. You may spend hours watching the lines and waiting for a strike. The trip is also a poor match for anyone prone to seasickness or anyone who needs easy mobility aboard a working fishing boat.

Key things to know before you book

• Private group up to 10: The boat is most comfortable with six people, though up to 10 can join with the crew.
• Serious fishing equipment: Shimano Tiagra and Penn International rods, reels, lures, and harnesses are provided.
• A full day at sea: Meet at 7:00 am and return around 4:00 pm, with the trip lasting about six to nine hours depending on conditions.
• Target species include marlin, tuna, and dorado: The crew heads into deep water where large game fish may be found.
• Food is flexible: Drinks are included, but lunch must be ordered as a supplement or brought as your own picnic.
• Coin de Mire stop: The day includes a cruise toward Coin de Mire and a BBQ break at sea, listed at about five hours into the outing.

Leaving Sunset Boulevard at 7:00 am

Your morning starts at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie, a useful meeting point on the waterfront. Shops and cafés line the area, and the boats sit directly along the jetty. Look for the Blue Safari Showroom, the Angling Experts team, and the Paille en Queue vessels.

You do not need to search a hidden marina or arrange a complicated transfer. The location is known and easy to reach within Grand Baie. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the waterfront and arrive ready for an early morning departure.

The boats used for this outing are named Paille en Queue II and Paille en Queue III. They are 50-foot fishing boats built for long hours on the water, not small sightseeing launches. That matters when you are spending most of the day offshore with fishing gear spread around you.

The crew gives you a safety introduction and an onboard briefing before the lines go out. English and French are spoken. You will also receive an explanation of the fishing setup and how to use the equipment, including the harnesses used when a strong fish takes the line.

What a 50-foot sportfisher adds to the day

The boat is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. You are not asked to bring a rod from home or make do with light recreational gear. Shimano Tiagra and Penn International equipment is supplied, along with lures, fishing gear, and safety equipment.

That equipment is useful because the fish being pursued are not small reef fish. Marlin, tuna, and dorado can make a hard run, and the harness helps transfer the strain away from your arms. The crew and skipper handle the boat and help manage the fishing process, while you get the exciting part: waiting for the strike and trying to keep control once the line is tight.

The private arrangement also changes the mood. Your group has the boat to itself rather than sharing the fishing space with a large mixed crowd. At a listed price of $1,229 for up to 10 people, the value depends heavily on your group size. Ten people brings the cost to roughly $123 per person. Six people brings it to about $205 each. A smaller group pays more per person, but gets more room and time at the rail.

The operator describes six people as the ideal number and 10 as the maximum. I would take that advice seriously. Six gives you a better balance of personal space, fishing access, and comfort. Ten can work for a group that wants to share the boat, but it may feel busier when several people are handling lines or moving around at once.

The long wait for a marlin, tuna, or dorado

Once the boat reaches suitable water, the crew releases the fishing lines and begins searching for productive spots. The skipper adjusts the route and fishing areas according to conditions and the day’s prospects.

This is where you should set realistic expectations. Big game fishing is built around anticipation. The boat may run quietly with lines trailing behind it, then suddenly the whole mood changes when a fish strikes. You might get a memorable battle. You might also spend much of the day waiting.

That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it is also the central risk. The price pays for the boat, crew, equipment, and day on the water, not for a guaranteed catch. If your main goal is to bring home a trophy fish, you need to accept that nature controls the result.

Marlin are the headline target, but tuna and dorado offer other chances for action. The information provided does not promise a particular species or size. The crew heads into deep water known for game fishing, yet actual catches depend on sea conditions and fish activity.

For a first-time angler, the value is not limited to catching fish. You get to see how offshore fishing works, learn to manage a heavy rod, and experience the teamwork needed when a large fish takes the lure. For an experienced angler, the appeal is the chance to use strong gear in a well-equipped boat with an experienced skipper.

Cruising toward Coin de Mire

The route includes a cruise toward Coin de Mire, an islet off Mauritius that gives the day a scenic pause from the fishing action. This part of the outing helps break up the long hours of waiting for a strike.

The schedule lists a BBQ stop at Coin de Mire at around five hours into the trip. It is not presented as a shore visit or walking excursion. Think of it as an at-sea lunch break and a chance to enjoy the surroundings before fishing resumes.

The timing can change. Sea conditions may require the captain to adjust the itinerary for safety, so you should treat the route as a plan rather than a fixed promise. The boat may spend more or less time in certain fishing areas, and the captain has the final say.

This is a useful feature for anyone joining the trip with mixed interests. A keen angler can keep watching the lines, while others can enjoy the calm of the ocean, have a drink, and take a break from the fishing routine.

Lunch, drinks, and the cost of eating onboard

Drinks included in the trip are local rum, wine, beer, mineral water, soft drinks, and fruit juice. That is a generous range for a full day at sea, particularly if you are not keen on buying drinks separately throughout the day.

Food works differently. Lunch is not included in the base price unless you order it as an extra. You can choose from the available food and beverage selection, including BBQ options, or bring your own picnic. Sandwiches and canapé selections are also extra, as are premium wines and additional beverages.

I like the flexibility here. Bringing your own food lets you control the menu and budget. Ordering lunch saves preparation time and may suit you better if you want the crew to handle the catering. Clarify the food supplement before departure so you know exactly what is included in your final cost.

You should also pack more than sunscreen and a hat. A towel, spare clothes, a jacket, and a waterproof bag are specifically recommended. Even in warm Mauritius, a long day on a boat can include spray, wind, and changing temperatures. Keep phones, cameras, passports, and other valuables in the waterproof bag rather than loose on deck.

Sea conditions and seasickness

This trip is not ideal for anyone who already knows they struggle at sea. Motion sickness prevention is specifically recommended, and the open-water setting can be demanding even when the boat itself is stable.

Take any usual motion sickness medication before departure according to its instructions. Bring water, protect your eyes with sunglasses, and use the jacket if the wind picks up. A hat with a secure fit is better than a loose one that can blow away.

The captain can change the route for safety. That is good practice, but it means you should not expect a precise sequence of fishing spots or a fixed amount of time at Coin de Mire. The return time is listed as about 4:00 pm, with the overall duration given as six to nine hours.

Smoking is not allowed on the boats. High heels, weapons, sharp objects, glass items, littering, and feeding animals are also prohibited. These rules are practical on a moving fishing boat, where loose or dangerous objects create real problems.

Accessibility and who will enjoy this most

The activity information marks the experience as wheelchair accessible, but it also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Those statements do not fully agree, so you should contact Blue Safari Mauritius before booking if you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility.

A fishing boat has narrow working areas, equipment underfoot, and movement caused by the sea. Even if access to the boat is possible, moving around the deck and using a fishing harness may be difficult. Ask for clear details about boarding, seating, toilets, and deck access before you pay.

This trip suits you best if you:

• Want a private day on the ocean with family or friends
• Enjoy fishing, even when the catch is uncertain
• Are comfortable with an early start and many hours at sea
• Want access to professional fishing rods and reels
• Like having drinks and a flexible lunch arrangement
• Can handle possible motion and changing weather

It is less suitable if you want a short sightseeing cruise, dislike waiting, need guaranteed wildlife sightings, or are highly sensitive to sea movement.

Is $1,229 good value for your group?

The price looks high at first, but this is a private charter for up to 10 people, not a standard shared boat trip. You get a 50-foot vessel, skipper, crew, fishing gear, safety equipment, drinks, and a full day built around offshore fishing.

For a group of six to 10, the cost can be reasonable for a special occasion. It is particularly attractive if several people in your party want to fish and you value having the boat to yourselves. For two or three people, the price becomes much harder to justify unless big game fishing is a major holiday goal.

Remember to budget for lunch if you do not want to bring your own picnic. Premium wines, extra beverages, hotel transport, photos, souvenirs, sandwiches, and canapés are not part of the base price.

The private format receives strong praise in the available feedback, especially the feeling that the whole boat belongs to your group. The crew also earns clear appreciation. That matters here because a good offshore crew affects the whole day, from the safety briefing to handling the lines and helping you manage a fish.

Booking details worth keeping handy

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the trip for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while arranging your Mauritius plans.

The standard meeting time is 7:00 am at Sunset Boulevard, Grand Baie, with a return around 4:00 pm. Starting times can vary by availability, so check the date you want.

Blue Safari Mauritius operates the experience, with English and French available. The group is private, and the stated capacity is six people for ideal comfort or 10 at maximum, plus crew.

Should you book this Grand Baie fishing trip?

Book it if you want a serious private fishing day and your group can share the cost. The professional Shimano and Penn equipment, 50-foot boat, experienced crew, included drinks, and deep-water targets give the trip real substance. You are paying for time, space, and proper equipment, not just a short boat ride.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed catch or know that several hours offshore will make you miserable. For the best balance of comfort and value, I would choose a group of about six, bring motion sickness protection and a waterproof bag, and decide in advance if you will order lunch or pack a picnic.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The trip starts at Sunset Boulevard in Grand Baie. Look for the Blue Safari Showroom, the Angling Experts team, and the Paille en Queue boats along the jetty.

What time does the trip leave and return?

The meeting time is 7:00 am, and the planned return time is about 4:00 pm. The total duration can range from six to nine hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The boat can take up to 10 people plus crew, but six people is described as the ideal group size.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included in the base price. You can order food from the available selection or bring your own picnic. Drinks including beer, wine, local rum, water, soft drinks, and fruit juice are included.

What fish might I catch?

The main target species are marlin, tuna, and dorado, along with other game fish. A specific catch is not guaranteed.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a jacket, a towel, spare clothes, a waterproof bag, and motion sickness prevention if needed. High heels, smoking, glass objects, weapons, and sharp items are not allowed.