Fishing in Mauritius

Mauritius is an island group that lies some 1,250 miles (2,000 km) to the east of Madagascar, and belongs to the same geographical area as the Reunion Island and the Seychelles. Apart from the main island of Mauritius, where most of the population are located, the archipelago includes several smaller islands, such as Rodrigues and Saint Brandon. The islands are volcanic in origin, surrounded by coral reefs and flats. Mauritius is African in geography and nature, and diverse in culture, mixing African, French, British and Indian influences (in fact, most of the population is of Indian origin and Hindy is the most widespread religion). It is a free and safe country, with a democratic government and infrastructure that belongs to the most developed in the region. Tourists that are attracted by Mauritius’s excellent climate and crystal clear waters can easily reach it from Europe, with direct flights through several major hubs, as well as India, Kenya, and South Africa. The island’s tropical climate ensures excellent fishing conditions year-round. For a fishing trip to Mauritius, however, the warm summer months, from December to April, are particularly favorable, especially if you plan to target nearshore species like bonefish or trevally. Offshore giants like marlin and tuna, as well as bottom-dwelling fishes, can usually be caught year round, but bite somewhat better in the Southern Hemisphere summer, too. Surprisingly, many fishing enthusiasts know very little about Mauritius, and that it offers some of the world’s best trevally, bonefish, and billfish adventure in a benign, comfortable and relaxed location. In fact, it more than deserves the title of the best-kept secrets in the tropical marine angling world. Before planning your fishing trip to Mauritius, you should invest a bit of time to research, and match your preferences with available opportunities. For more information on Mauritius, . check out our blog.

Mauritius offers excellent fishing opportunities, both inshore and offshore, but they are unevenly distributed across the archipelago. The best shore fishing is found on the smaller islands, with the flats around Saint Brandon described as some of the best destinations for bonefish and other targets of saltwater flyfishing enthusiasts. The main island, with its dense population, may be somewhat overfished, but you can still find a good spot or two among its 150-mile shoreline with wide sandy beaches. The coral barrier reef surrounding Mauritius is the third largest in the world. And last but not least, deep seas of the Indian Ocean offer excellent opportunities to target the biggest game fish.

Mauritius’s waters are home to a diverse array of fish species, making it a prime destination for anglers seeking variety and challenge. The deep Indian Ocean supports an abundance of pelagic species. Anglers can target big game fish such as blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, and yellowfin tuna in the deep waters off the coast. The seas around Mauritius are also home to species like dorado (mahi-mahi), wahoo, and barracuda, providing thrilling inshore fishing experiences. Inshore, the coral reefs and flats of Mauritius, particularly around the islands of St. Brandon and Rodrigues, are teeming with species like bonefish, permit, and various species of trevally, offering exciting opportunities for sight-fishing in crystal-clear waters.

One of the unique attractions of Mauritius is sight fishing for bonefish and other species on the flats. It is a thrilling challenge to spot a sizable fish (polarized sunglasses are a must!), carefully approach it until you can make a cast, and present the fly or lure right before its nose - but that’s when the action only begins! Local knowledge and experience are essential for this kind of fishing, so a good fishing guide can be a great help. For anglers who prefer boat fishing for fabled marlin, tuna, sailfish, or wahoo, Mauritius offers a well-organized recreational fishing industry with many reputable captains and charter boats. The trips they offer can last from a couple of hours to several days of idyllic cruising through the diverse islands. Heavy tackle trips after big-game fish usually take the whole day. Of course, jigging, spinning, and bottom fishing are also available depending on the species you want to target. Discover this Indian Ocean gem with BaitYourHook.com