Big Game Fishing in Seychelles: Reel in Marlin, Tuna, & Sailfish

The Mahé Plateau drops from 60 metres to over 2,000 metres in less than a kilometre at several points off the west coast of Mahé. That shelf edge — a 15-minute boat ride from the marina at Eden Island — is where the Indian Ocean’s pelagic predators stack up. The Seychelles Exclusive Economic Zone covers roughly 1.37 million square kilometres, and the fish that move through it include Pacific blue marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo. This article covers the practical side of fishing those waters: which species run when, how the two monsoon seasons affect your chances, what a day on the water actually costs, and where to book a charter that knows the drop-off.

Big game fishing in Seychelles is not a permit or license activity — no paperwork is required before you step on a boat. That simplicity masks a more complicated set of decisions about timing, location, and boat quality. The best shore fishing and the greater selection of boats for ocean fishing are both found on Mahé, which concentrates most charter operations along its western coast. Beau Vallon Beach is the one spot on the island where you are likely to find excursion sellers with yachts advertising fishing tours; on 90 per cent of Seychelles beaches, there is no such infrastructure at all.

Understanding Seychelles Fishing Seasons and Water Conditions

Seychelles sits just south of the equator, which means two distinct monsoon seasons dictate when you can get offshore and what you will find there. The northwest monsoon from November to March brings lighter winds of 10 to 15 knots and sea surface temperatures between 28°C and 30°C. January is the wettest month, averaging nearly 396 mm of rainfall, which can make for uncomfortable mornings on the water. The southeast monsoon from May to September is the season serious anglers target: winds regularly reach 15 to 25 knots, water temperatures drop to between 23°C and 26°C in July and August, and the cooler, nutrient-rich water pushes baitfish closer to the shelf edge.

The Mahé Plateau itself averages 50 to 60 metres deep with a maximum of 75 metres before the drop-off. Currents during the northwest monsoon flow northeast at 0.6 to 0.8 metres per second; during the southeast monsoon they reverse to the southwest at up to 0.5 metres per second. That reversal pushes warmer surface water away from the islands and brings deeper, cooler water up against the shelf — the condition that concentrates billfish. Tides are mixed semi-diurnal with a maximum astronomical range of roughly 2.1 metres, which matters when you are fishing the shallower plateau edges at tide change.

Where to Fish: Mahé, the Drop-Off, and the Outer Banks

The Shelf Edge off Western Mahé

The primary big game grounds lie 15 to 90 minutes from the Mahé coast, depending on which section of the drop-off you target. The shelf edge runs roughly north-south along the western side of the island, and the distance to deep water is shortest off the southwest corner near Takamaka. Most charter skippers head straight for the drop-off at first light and troll lures along the 60-metre contour where it falls away into 2,000 metres. Police Bay on the southern coast is one of the closer access points for smaller boats, though the larger charters operate out of Eden Island marina and the fishing port at Victoria.

Yellowfin tuna and wahoo are the most consistent catches here year-round, but the real draw is the Pacific blue marlin that pushes through between October and January. The southern beaches of Mahé — Anse Soleil, Takamaka, Anse Intendance, and Police Bay — also offer shore fishing for those without a boat, though the trophy-sized fish such as sailfish, marlin, and tuna are almost exclusively caught offshore.

Outer Banks and the Amirantes Group

For anglers with more time and a bigger budget, the outer banks of the Amirantes and the Farquhar Atoll offer fishing that rivals the best in the Indian Ocean. These are multi-day trips requiring a liveaboard or a dedicated sport-fisherman. The distance from Mahé to the nearest outer bank is roughly 230 kilometres, and the crossing takes six to eight hours depending on sea conditions. The trade-off is fewer boats and less pressure on the fish: giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, and GT popper fishing are the specialties here, rather than the trolling-focused operations on the Mahé shelf.

The southeast monsoon months of July and August produce the most consistent action on the outer banks because the cooler water temperature — down to 23°C — pushes the baitfish into shallower water. One genuine limitation: the outer banks are exposed to the full force of the southeast trade winds, and sea states above force 5 will shut down fishing entirely for days at a time.

Yacht Fishing within 5 Kilometres of Shore

Not every trip requires a run to the drop-off. Yacht fishing in Seychelles takes place in the waters of Mahé, 2 to 5 kilometres from the shore, and targets smaller yellowfin tuna, rainbow runner, and barracuda. These trips are shorter — typically half-day — and cost proportionally less, though the standard price of 650–800 euros for a full day still applies to most operators regardless of distance. The advantage is that you are back on land by early afternoon with fish in the box and time to explore the island. The disadvantage is that you are fishing pressured water: the same 5-kilometre zone is worked by multiple charters every day during the peak season, and the fish are warier as a result.

Practical Planning: When to Go, What It Costs, and How to Book

The standard price for a full-day big game fishing charter is around 650–800 euros for a group of up to four people. Some operators charge up to 1,500 euros for a premium service that includes snacks, champagne, and a higher-end vessel with newer electronics. Buying fishing equipment on the islands is not easy — tackle must be purchased in Victoria, and selection is limited to basic gear. If you have specific preferences for rod action, reel drag, or leader material, bring your own.

Booking a Charter

Beau Vallon Beach is the only beach in Seychelles where you are likely to find excursion sellers with yachts advertising fishing tours. Elsewhere on Mahé, you need to book through a hotel concierge, a dedicated fishing guide service, or directly with a captain via email or WhatsApp. The best captains — those who run modern boats with GPS plotters, decent outriggers, and reliable engines — book out weeks in advance during the southeast monsoon. Do not assume a boat is available on the day you want, particularly between June and August.

What to Bring

Polarised sunglasses are not optional — the glare off the Mahé Plateau at midday is intense, and being able to see bait balls on the surface is the difference between a productive drift and a long, empty afternoon. Reef-safe sunscreen with at least SPF 50, a windproof jacket for the southeast monsoon months, and seasickness medication if you are not certain of your tolerance. The distance to the drop-off can be as little as 15 minutes in calm conditions, but a 15-minute chop at 25 knots of wind will test most stomachs.

On the Ground: Food, Customs, and Practical Logistics

Eating Your Catch

Fish is a main ingredient in Creole cuisine, and most hotels and guesthouses on Mahé will cook your catch for you — typically grilled or in a coconut-based curry with breadfruit and rice. Some charters include cleaning and filleting as part of the trip, but confirm this before you leave the dock. If you are staying in a self-catering villa, the Victoria market sells a reasonable range of spices and vegetables, but fresh seafood is abundant enough that you may not need to supplement.

Local Etiquette and Practical Tips

Seychelles is a relaxed, laid-back society, but there are a few norms worth observing. Dress modestly when away from the beach — swimwear is acceptable on the sand and at beachside cafés but not in Victoria or in village shops. The local currency is the Seychellois rupee, though euros and US dollars are widely accepted for charter payments. Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated: 10 to 15 per cent of the charter fee is standard if the crew has worked hard and put you on fish.

Visitors’ Questions About Big Game Fishing in Seychelles

Do I need a fishing licence in Seychelles?

No. Fishing in Seychelles does not require a permit or licence for recreational anglers. That applies to both shore fishing and offshore charter trips. You simply book a boat and go — no paperwork, no waiting for approvals.

What is the best month for marlin in Seychelles?

Pacific blue marlin move through the Mahé shelf edge between October and January, with the peak bite typically in November. The cooler water temperatures during the southeast monsoon (July–August) also produce marlin, but the bite is more consistent during the transition into the northwest monsoon.

Can I keep the fish I catch?

Yes, for most species. Yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi are commonly kept for eating. Marlin and sailfish are almost always released. Some charters have a strict catch-and-release policy for billfish; others will tag and release. Confirm the policy before you book if you have a preference.

Is seasickness a problem on Seychelles fishing trips?

It can be. The run to the drop-off is short — 15 to 90 minutes — but the southeast monsoon brings 15-to-25-knot winds and a short, choppy sea state. If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before you board. The night fishing experience in Seychelles is calmer, with fewer boats on the water and a steadier sea, but the same caution applies.

What happens if the weather turns bad?

Charter captains monitor the forecasts closely and will cancel or reschedule if conditions are unsafe. The southeast monsoon can produce sustained winds above 25 knots with gusting up to 35 knots, which makes trolling dangerous and uncomfortable. Most operators offer a full refund or a rebook if they cancel — but they do not refund if you cancel on the day.

The real skill in fishing Seychelles is not casting or fighting — it is reading the shelf. The drop-off runs the length of western Mahé, but only a handful of spots hold fish on any given day. The difference between a blue marlin at the boat and a long, empty drift is usually less than 200 metres of water depth. That is the kind of marginal gain a good local captain earns you, and it is worth paying for. If you want a deeper understanding of the archipelago from above, helicopter island-hopping across the Seychelles archipelago offers a perspective no boat can match.

Sources and further reading

Mahé big game fishing conditions and monsoon data. Screaming Reels, 2024.

Seychelles fishing guide: permits, costs, beaches, and equipment. Travel-4-Fun, 2024.

Mediterranean big game fishery overview. Marlin Magazine, 2024.