Seychelles Fishing

The fish are only half the story. This Seychelles fishing trip combines trolling, bottom fishing, and a private boat, giving you a full day on the Indian Ocean rather than a quick cast near shore. I like the private setup, which keeps the outing focused on your group, and I like that gear, bait, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks are included. The main catch is uncertainty: fishing depends on weather, and rough conditions may keep you on the inner banks.

At $809.24 per group of up to four, the price makes more sense for four people than for one or two. A full day lasts about eight hours, while shorter four-hour trips are available by request. An early start can pay off, with one reported schedule leaving at 5:30 a.m. to reach the drop-off around 7:30 a.m.

Key things to know before booking

• Trolling and bottom fishing in one day: You can work different fishing methods and target different species rather than relying on one style.
• A private boat for up to four people: Your group gets the boat and fishing time without sharing the outing with strangers.
• Species can range from tuna to red snapper: Catches reported on the trip included tuna, kingfish, groupers, red snapper, sailfish, and marlin.
• Lunch, drinks, gear, and bait are included: You do not need to build the day around separate fishing supplies or a restaurant stop.
• October through May is the preferred season: This period is presented as the best time for fishing, though weather can still change the plan.
• Poor weather brings a choice: If conditions cancel the outing, you can move to another date or receive a full refund.

What this Seychelles fishing trip is really like

Seychelles fishing is not just a matter of sitting in a boat and waiting. This outing uses two main approaches: trolling and bottom fishing. That matters because each method gives the day a different rhythm, and you have more than one way to find fish.

Trolling is usually done while the boat is moving. Lines trail behind the boat as you travel toward productive water. It can produce fast-moving fish such as tuna and kingfish, and it also gives you something to do during the journey to the deeper fishing grounds.

Bottom fishing is more stationary. Once the boat reaches a suitable drop-off, you lower baited lines toward the sea floor. This method produced red snapper and grouper on one outing, with larger catches also reported. The contrast between moving and settled fishing helps make a full day feel varied.

I would choose the eight-hour option if fishing is a main purpose of your Seychelles holiday. Four hours can work well for a first attempt or a mixed-age group, but the shorter trip leaves less time for travel, changing techniques, and waiting for the right conditions.

An early start toward the drop-off

The most useful timing detail is the 5:30 a.m. departure reported for one full-day outing. That is early by holiday standards, but it allowed the boat to troll on the way out and reach the drop-off at about 7:30 a.m.

You should confirm the exact pickup time when booking because the details can change according to your request. Pickup is offered, which removes some of the trouble of arranging transport before sunrise.

The journey itself is part of the fishing plan, not wasted time. Trolling while heading toward deeper water means the boat can fish two areas during the same trip. One outing reached the drop-off after catching tuna, kingfish, and other fish on the way.

That schedule also shows why a full-day trip can offer better value. You are not paying only for time with lines in the water. You are paying for the boat’s movement between fishing areas, the crew’s work, and the chance to change methods when conditions or catches shift.

Trolling for tuna, kingfish, and larger fish

Trolling gives the day its most active moments. The boat keeps moving, and a strike can arrive without warning. Tuna and kingfish were caught during the outward run, which makes this part especially appealing if you prefer action over waiting.

The listed fishing area is the Indian Ocean around Seychelles, where the possible catch includes red snapper, amberjack, grouper, and other species. The actual catch will never be guaranteed, so you should treat the species list as a guide rather than a promise.

Sailfish and marlin were also caught during one full-day trip. Those fish add excitement, but you should keep expectations sensible. The weather, the location reached that day, and the movement of the fish all affect what comes aboard.

A useful point is that even a weather adjustment does not always mean a wasted day. One outing had to remain on the inner banks because of conditions, yet trolling still produced enough fish before the group moved on to bottom fishing. That is a good sign for flexibility, though it does not remove the risk of a slower catch.

Bottom fishing at the drop-off

The drop-off is where the fishing changes pace. After trolling, you can settle into bottom fishing and work baited lines toward deeper water. This is where red snapper and groupers were caught, along with other fish.

For a first-time fisher, bottom fishing may be easier to understand than more specialized big-game methods. The guide and host provide instruction, and the equipment and bait are supplied. You can arrive without buying a rod, reel, tackle, or bait for a single holiday outing.

Experienced anglers may appreciate the range of species and the ability to combine bottom fishing with trolling. Still, this is not presented as a technical charter built around highly specific targets. If you want a narrowly focused hunt for one species, you should ask the operator what can realistically be targeted on your date.

The change in technique also gives the trip a natural structure. You start with moving lines and open-water possibilities, then spend time working a productive area from a more settled position. That variety is one of the strongest reasons to choose the full-day option.

A private boat and a small group

The boat is private for your group, with space for up to four people. That is a major practical advantage. You do not have to adjust your fishing time around a boatload of unrelated parties, and beginners can ask questions without feeling rushed.

The small capacity also makes the $809.24 group price easier to judge. Split four ways, it works out to roughly $202 per person before any personal extras. For two people, it becomes about $404 each, and for one person the total cost is high.

The boat was described as clean, and the fishing guide and host were reported to be informative. No guide names are provided, but the crew’s role is important here because the value of a fishing charter depends on more than the boat itself. Help with equipment, bait, technique, and changing locations can make the difference between a frustrating morning and a good one.

I would book this for a couple, family, or group of friends who can fill most or all of the four places. Solo anglers should compare the group price with other local options before committing.

Lunch, drinks, equipment, and bait

The practical inclusions are strong. Fishing equipment and bait are provided, so you can pack for the sea rather than bring a complete fishing kit from home. Lunch and non-alcoholic drinks are also included.

That makes the day simpler, especially with a very early pickup. You do not need to search for food during the outing, and you can keep your attention on fishing. The food is described only as lunch, so you should not book this expecting a particular menu or special dietary arrangement unless you confirm it in advance.

Non-alcoholic drinks are supplied, but alcoholic beverages are not listed. If you want anything beyond the included food and drinks, ask before departure rather than assuming it will be available on the boat.

The clean boat and included supplies also help first-time fishers. You can try the activity without making a large equipment purchase. If you already fish regularly, the included gear saves luggage space, though you may want to ask what tackle is used if you have strong preferences.

What happens when weather changes the plan

Fishing in the Indian Ocean depends on conditions. If the weather is poor, the trip may be canceled, moved to another date, or fully refunded. This is sensible, but it means you should avoid placing the charter at the very end of your Seychelles stay if catching fish is important to you.

Conditions can also alter the fishing grounds without canceling the day. One group remained on the inner banks rather than reaching the intended outer area, then made the most of trolling and bottom fishing closer in. That flexibility is encouraging, but the catch and route can still differ from the ideal plan.

The preferred fishing season is October through May. Booking within that period may improve your odds, but it does not guarantee calm seas or a particular species. Weather remains a real part of the decision.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local Seychelles time.

Who will enjoy the four to eight-hour format

This outing suits a mixed group particularly well. An experienced angler can enjoy the chance of tuna, kingfish, sailfish, marlin, and bottom species, while a beginner can learn with supplied gear and help from the crew.

It also works for a partner who wants to give fishing as a surprise. One booking was made as a surprise for a husband during a Seychelles holiday, alongside other island excursions. That kind of gift works best when the recipient genuinely likes fishing, since much of the day is built around time on the water rather than sightseeing.

Families can consider it too, though the available information does not specify a minimum age or child equipment. Ask the provider before booking if young children will join. Most people can participate, but the activity is still a full day in a boat, and you should be comfortable with that setting.

The four-hour choice may suit someone testing the waters, a group with limited time, or anyone unsure about spending eight hours fishing. The price is adjusted according to the requested duration, so confirm the final cost before you commit.

How the cost compares with the experience

At $809.24 for up to four people, this is a premium activity rather than a casual add-on. The private boat is the key value point. You are not simply paying for a seat and a short ride. The cost includes a dedicated outing, fishing equipment, bait, lunch, non-alcoholic drinks, and the chance to work both trolling and bottom fishing.

For four people, the arithmetic is much more favorable. For a couple, the price is still defensible if fishing is a central holiday goal, but it will compete with several other Seychelles activities. For one person, I would be cautious unless a private boat and a full day of fishing are exactly what you want.

The trip also offers value through flexibility. If the outer water is unsuitable, the boat can use inner banks and change methods. That does not guarantee a large catch, but it gives the crew more ways to use the available time.

Your decision should rest on the group size and your interest in fishing, not only on the number of species listed. A big-game possibility is exciting, but no charter can promise tuna, marlin, or sailfish on demand.

Small details that can make the day better

Book early if your dates are fixed. This experience is often reserved around 70 days ahead, so leaving it until the final week could limit your choices.

Ask about the exact departure time, pickup location, requested duration, and lunch details before the day. The available information confirms pickup, but it does not provide one fixed meeting point or menu.

If you want the best chance to use both techniques, request the full eight-hour outing. The early departure reported for one trip allowed trolling on the way to the drop-off, followed by bottom fishing later. That is a more complete fishing day than a short session near shore.

Bring only what you need and confirm any personal requirements in advance. The boat supplies fishing equipment, bait, lunch, and non-alcoholic drinks, but details about clothing, personal snacks, medication, and special diets are not provided.

Should you book Seychelles Fishing?

I would book this trip if you can share the cost with three other people and want fishing to be one of the main events of your Seychelles holiday. The private boat, clean vessel, helpful crew, included gear, and combination of trolling and bottom fishing give the day a solid structure.

I would hesitate if you are traveling alone, have very limited time, or would be disappointed without a specific fish. Weather can change the route, and catches are never guaranteed.

For the best fit, choose the eight-hour option during October through May, keep your schedule flexible, and arrange the trip early enough to reschedule if conditions turn bad. If that sounds like your kind of Seychelles day, Ocean Blue Travel Seychelles offers a well-rounded private outing with a fair value for a full group.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip take place?

The trip takes place in the waters around Seychelles, in the Indian Ocean. Fishing may include inner banks and a deeper drop-off, depending on conditions.

How long is the fishing experience?

You can request either a four-hour or eight-hour trip. The full-day option lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The price covers one private group of up to four people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What fishing methods are included?

The experience includes trolling and bottom fishing. The trip can use both methods during a full-day outing.

What fish might I catch?

Possible catches include red snapper, amberjack, grouper, tuna, kingfish, sailfish, and marlin. A specific catch is not guaranteed.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. All fishing equipment and bait are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch and non-alcoholic drinks are provided.

When is the best time to go fishing?

The best fishing period is stated as October through May. Weather can still affect the route or cancel the trip.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered. The exact pickup details should be confirmed when you book.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. You can also receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.