Fishing Holiday Packages

Our fishing packages are built around one of the quietest fishing grounds in the Maldives. Gaafu Alifu is the northern half of Huvadhu Atoll, in the deep south of the country, one of the largest atolls in the world. Its long outer reef is broken by many channels and drops straight into deep ocean, and very few fishing boats work it. That makes it an ideal base for GT popping and jigging, dogtooth tuna on the reef walls, and trolling offshore for yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi.

You stay at the Maldives Fishing and Holidays Lodge on Maamendhoo, a local island in Gaafu Alifu, run by the same company as our fishing boat, Emperor. Your room, meals, transfers and fishing are arranged by one operator, and the fishing grounds are close to the island, so you spend your days fishing rather than travelling.

• Gaafu Atoll fishing guide
• Best fishing spots in the Maldives

Every package includes full-board twin-share accommodation at the lodge (one room for every two guests), the return domestic flight from Malé, the boat transfer to Maamendhoo, and a private boat for your group on every fishing day: Emperor, a 32-foot boat with twin 200 HP engines for up to 5 anglers, or Bluefin, a 36-foot boat for up to 6. Each charter includes a professional captain and crew, fuel, soft drinks and snacks, and basic fishing gear.

Not included: your international flight to Malé, and a professional popping or jigging rod and reel setup if you want one (USD 80 per setup). The number of fishing days is one fewer than the number of nights, so arrival and departure days are for travel.

How many nights? A 3-night package (2 fishing days) is a good short break. A 5-night package (4 fishing days) is the most popular length: enough to try popping, jigging and trolling and to ride out a windy day. Dedicated anglers choose 7 or 8 nights.

Reef, tuna or fly? Reef fishing is the classic choice for GT popping and jigging; tuna fishing for offshore trolling; fly fishing for anglers who want the challenge of the flats. Full or half days? Choose full days for serious fishing and offshore trips; half days if you want afternoons off or are travelling with non-anglers.

How many anglers? Because the boat costs the same however many people are on board, the price per person falls sharply as your group grows. On a 5-night full-day reef fishing package, 6 anglers each pay about a quarter of the solo price. Want another length, atoll or mix? Use the fishing package calculator.

• Fishing package calculator
• Sample fishing trip itinerary
• Maldives fishing trip cost

The crew plans each fishing day around the tide, the weather and the season. Popping and jigging along the reef edges and channels target giant trevally, bluefin trevally, dogtooth tuna, groupers and snappers. Trolling offshore targets yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi, with a chance of sailfish and marlin.

The season most commonly reported for GT is April to October, while December to April brings calmer seas and the peak season for yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi. Fishing runs all year.

• GT fishing in the Maldives
• Best time to fish in the Maldives
• Tuna fishing in the Maldives

Fly into Malé on your international flight. From there, the domestic flight south and the boat transfer to Maamendhoo are included in every package. Leave enough time between your international and domestic flights, and check the baggage allowance on the domestic flight if you are bringing rod tubes.

Only want a day or two of fishing? You can also book Emperor by the day: USD 1,380 per boat for a full day or USD 980 for a half day, for up to 5 anglers. To price a different package, try the fishing package calculator.

• Emperor private fishing charter
• Fishing holiday packing list