The Indian Ocean is one of the world's great big game fishing grounds. Warm currents, deep water close to shore and huge schools of baitfish bring marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi within reach of island and coastal ports from East Africa to the Maldives. This guide covers big game fishing in the Indian Ocean: the main species, the best destinations, how trips work, and how to go big game fishing in the Maldives.
What is big game fishing?
Big game fishing, also called deep-sea or offshore fishing, targets large ocean-going fish in deep water beyond the reefs. The classic method is trolling: the boat tows lures or rigged baits at speed while the crew watches for birds, floating debris and fish on the surface. When a fish strikes, an angler takes the rod and fights it from the boat, often for a long time. Big game boats also use live bait, and anglers cast poppers and stickbaits to tuna feeding on the surface.
Read more about big game fishing in the Maldives and trolling.
Big game fishing techniques
Trolling with lures
The most common method. The crew sets four or more rods with skirted lures or diving plugs at different distances behind the boat, creating a spread that looks like a school of baitfish. The boat runs at trolling speed along the reef edge for wahoo, or offshore over deep water for tuna, mahi-mahi and billfish, while the crew watches for birds and surface activity.
Trolling and drifting with bait
Rigged dead baits, or live baits such as small tuna, are trolled slowly or drifted where billfish and big tuna are feeding. Live bait is often the best way to tempt a sailfish or marlin that has been raised behind the boat.
Casting to feeding fish
When yellowfin tuna are busting baitfish on the surface, the boat moves ahead of the school and anglers cast poppers and stickbaits into the action. It's fast, visual fishing and needs heavy spinning tackle.
Big game fishing tackle
On a big game charter the boat supplies the trolling gear: heavy rods with roller or ring guides, lever-drag reels loaded with strong line, and a range of lures and rigs. Anglers fight fish from a fighting chair or standing with a harness and gimbal belt. If you want to cast to tuna or pop the reef for GT on the same trip, bring a heavy spinning outfit; on Emperor, basic gear is included and a professional rod and reel setup is USD 80 per setup.
Big game species in the Indian Ocean
- Blue marlin. The ultimate big game fish: very large, powerful and spectacular when it jumps. Found in deep blue water offshore.
- Black marlin and striped marlin. Other marlin species found in parts of the Indian Ocean, each with its own areas and seasons.
- Sailfish. Fast, acrobatic billfish with a huge dorsal fin, often caught closer to the reef than marlin. See sailfish fishing in the Maldives.
- Yellowfin tuna. Strong, fast tuna that hunt in schools offshore. See yellowfin tuna fishing.
- Wahoo. One of the fastest fish in the sea, caught trolling along reef edges and offshore. See wahoo fishing.
- Mahi-mahi (dorado). Brightly coloured and acrobatic, found around floating debris and FADs. See mahi-mahi fishing.
- Dogtooth tuna and giant trevally. Not open-ocean fish, but on many Indian Ocean trips the boat also jigs and pops the reef for these hard-fighting predators.
1. Maldives
The Maldives sits in the middle of the Indian Ocean, and deep water lies just outside the reef of every atoll. That means big game fishing starts minutes from the island: boats troll along the outer reef edges for wahoo and run offshore for yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, sailfish and marlin. And because the reefs are right there, a big game day can include popping for giant trevally and jigging for dogtooth tuna, which few other big game destinations can offer.
In the remote south, Gaafu Alifu Atoll has deep ocean just beyond its long outer reef and very little boat traffic. Our private boat, Emperor, is based there on Maamendhoo, at the Maldives Fishing and Holidays Lodge. Emperor is a 32-foot boat with twin 200 HP engines for up to 5 anglers. For offshore big game, book a full day: USD 1,380 per boat, including the captain and crew, fuel, soft drinks and snacks, and basic gear.
- Private Full-Day Fishing Charter
Fishing51 locations8 hrFrom $1,380
Near Malé, the site also lists big game trips from resorts and from Hulhumalé, such as this 4-hour trip from Velassaru in South Malé Atoll:
- Big Game Fishing Trip
Fishing42 locations4 hrbeginnerFrom $1,200
Known for: yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, sailfish, marlin, plus GT and dogtooth tuna on the reef.
2. Mauritius
Mauritius is one of the best-known big game destinations in the Indian Ocean, with deep water close to the coast and a long tradition of marlin fishing. Boats run from several ports around the island, targeting marlin, tuna, wahoo and sailfish.
Known for: marlin, a well-established sport fishing fleet.
3. Seychelles
Around the granite inner islands of the Seychelles, boats fish the deep water and banks for sailfish, marlin, tuna, wahoo and dorado. The outer islands are better known for flats fishing; for a comparison with the Maldives, see Maldives vs Seychelles for GT fishing.
Known for: sailfish and mixed offshore fishing.
4. Kenya
Kenya's coast, with ports such as Watamu and Malindi, has a long big game fishing history and is especially known for billfish, including sailfish and marlin, along with tuna and other pelagics.
Known for: billfish, especially sailfish.
5. Mozambique
Mozambique's coast and offshore banks offer marlin, sailfish and tuna in deep water, as well as jigging and popping over reefs and banks.
Known for: marlin, mixed offshore and reef fishing.
6. Madagascar
Northern Madagascar, around islands such as Nosy Be, offers offshore fishing for billfish, tuna and other pelagics, plus reef fishing, often with a sense of adventure.
Known for: billfish and remote fishing.
7. Réunion
The French island of Réunion rises steeply from deep water, so big game fishing for marlin, tuna and other pelagics starts close to shore.
Known for: marlin close to the coast.
8. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's coasts give access to deep water for tuna, sailfish and other pelagics, with a big local fishing tradition.
Known for: tuna and sailfish.
Indian Ocean big game destinations compared
| Destination | Main big game species | Extra |
|---|---|---|
| Maldives | Yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, sailfish, marlin | GT popping and dogtooth jigging on the same trip |
| Mauritius | Marlin, tuna, wahoo | Established sport fishing fleet |
| Seychelles | Sailfish, marlin, tuna, dorado | Flats fishing on the outer islands |
| Kenya | Sailfish, marlin, tuna | Long billfish tradition |
| Mozambique | Marlin, sailfish, tuna | Reef and bank fishing |
| Madagascar | Billfish, tuna | Remote, adventurous |
| Réunion | Marlin, tuna | Deep water close to shore |
| Sri Lanka | Tuna, sailfish | Strong local fishing culture |
Why choose the Maldives for big game fishing
- Deep water minutes from the reef. You don't spend hours running offshore.
- Big game and reef fishing in one day. Troll for tuna and wahoo, then pop for GT or jig for dogtooth tuna.
- Calm seasons for trolling. The northeast monsoon, December to April, brings calmer seas and peak season for yellowfin tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi.
- Private boat, known price. Emperor costs USD 1,380 per boat for a full day for up to 5 anglers.
- Stay on a quiet atoll. Fish from a lodge on Gaafu Alifu, far from the busy resort atolls.
Best time for big game fishing in the Maldives
The calmer northeast monsoon, from December to April, is the best time for offshore big game fishing in the Maldives: yellowfin tuna and wahoo are in season from December to March, mahi-mahi from December to April, and the flatter sea makes trolling more comfortable. Sailfish and marlin are caught offshore at different times of the year; ask us about recent catches when you plan. For every species, see the best time to fish in the Maldives.
Big game fishing holidays in the Maldives
Our packages at the Maldives Fishing and Holidays Lodge on Maamendhoo, Gaafu Alifu, include full-board accommodation, the return domestic flight, the boat transfer and a private Emperor charter on every fishing day. A 6-night package with 5 full fishing days costs USD 4,420 per person for 2 anglers or USD 2,170 per person for 5.
MaamendhooFishing Holiday Packages6 Nights / 5 DaysFrom $2,170 per person- Stay at Maldives Fishing and Holidays Lodge
- Private Full-Day Fishing Charter
- Based in Maamendhoo
See all fishing packages and our Maldives fishing trip cost guide.
Releasing billfish
Marlin and sailfish are almost always released in modern sport fishing. To give a billfish the best chance, keep the fight as short as the tackle allows, keep the fish in the water rather than lifting it onto the boat, hold it alongside facing into the current so water flows over its gills, and let it swim off on its own. A quick photo with the fish in the water beats a photo on deck.
Tips for your first big game fishing trip
- Book a full day. Offshore fish take time to find.
- Take seasickness precautions if you're prone to it; offshore water can be lumpy.
- Let the crew rig the tackle. Big game boats supply trolling rods, reels and lures.
- Agree on catch and release before you go. Billfish are normally released; keep only what you'll eat.
- Bring sun protection. A hat, polarised sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt and reef-safe sunscreen.
Big game fishing in the Indian Ocean: FAQs
Where is the best big game fishing in the Indian Ocean?
Top destinations include the Maldives, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, Réunion and Sri Lanka. The Maldives stands out for combining offshore big game with reef popping and jigging on the same trip.
Can you catch marlin in the Maldives?
Yes. Marlin are caught trolling offshore beyond the atolls. They are a longer-range target, so a full-day charter is best. See marlin fishing in the Maldives.
What is the difference between deep-sea fishing and big game fishing?
They mean much the same thing: fishing offshore in deep water for large pelagic fish such as marlin, sailfish, tuna and wahoo.
How much does big game fishing in the Maldives cost?
A private full-day charter on Emperor costs USD 1,380 per boat for up to 5 anglers. Packages with the lodge, meals, the domestic flight, the transfer and fishing start from USD 970 per person for 2 nights with full-day fishing and 5 anglers.
Do I need experience for big game fishing?
No. The crew sets the lures, watches the rods and hands you the rod when a fish strikes, then talks you through the fight. Being reasonably fit helps, because a big tuna or billfish can take a long time to bring to the boat.
When is the best time for big game fishing in the Maldives?
December to April, during the calmer northeast monsoon, is the best time for offshore tuna, wahoo and mahi-mahi.