Every fishing trip in the Maldives is guided: boats always go out with a local captain and crew who know the reefs. The real choice is between a private charter, where the boat is yours for the day, and a shared trip, where you join other guests on a set excursion. This guide compares private and shared fishing charters in the Maldives, with real prices, so you can choose the right trip for your group.
What is a private fishing charter?
On a private charter you hire the whole boat, captain and crew for a half day or a full day. Only your group is on board, and the day is planned around what you want to catch: popping and jigging for giant trevally, trolling offshore for tuna and wahoo, jigging for dogtooth tuna, or calmer reef fishing. The price is per boat, so it stays the same whether one angler goes out or the boat is full.
Our own private charter boat is Emperor, a 32-foot fishing boat with twin 200 HP engines for up to 5 anglers, based on Maamendhoo in Gaafu Alifu Atoll. Charters can also be arranged in other atolls at the same rate, depending on dates and where the boat is.
- Private half-day charter: USD 980 per boat, about 4 hours
- Private full-day charter: USD 1,380 per boat, about 8 hours
Both include a professional captain and crew, fuel, soft drinks and snacks, and basic fishing gear.
- Private Full-Day Fishing Charter
Fishing51 locations8 hrFrom $1,380
What is a shared fishing trip?
A shared trip is a set excursion that you join with other guests, usually for a few hours. The most popular in the Maldives is the sunset fishing trip: a local boat takes a group out to a reef near the island in the late afternoon, and everyone fishes with handlines, a simple line and hook held in the hand, as the sun goes down. It's relaxed, sociable and cheap, and it's how many visitors try fishing for the first time.
On our site, shared sunset trips from Maafushi start at USD 25 per person and USD 30 per person. You'll usually catch reef fish such as snappers, groupers and emperors, and some trips will cook your catch for dinner.
- Sunset Fishing Trip
Fishing42 locations3 hrFrom $30
Private vs shared fishing charters compared
| Private charter | Shared trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Who's on board | Only your group (up to 5 on Emperor) | Other guests |
| Price | Per boat: USD 980 half day, USD 1,380 full day | Per person: from USD 25–30 |
| Length | About 4 or 8 hours | Usually a few hours |
| Fishing | Your choice: popping, jigging, trolling, reef fishing | Set by the trip, usually handline reef fishing |
| Target species | GT, tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, dogtooth tuna, reef fish | Reef fish: snappers, groupers, emperors |
| Where you go | Planned around your targets, tide and weather | A reef near the island |
| Tackle | Basic gear included; pro setup USD 80 | Handlines provided |
| Best for | Keen anglers, groups, specific species | Beginners, families, a fun evening |
A day on each: what to expect
A private full-day charter
You meet the crew at the departure point in the morning and talk through what you want to catch. The captain plans the day around the tide: perhaps popping the channel mouths for GT while the water runs, trolling offshore for tuna and wahoo on the way to the next spot, and jigging the reef wall for dogtooth tuna or groupers when the tide slackens. Soft drinks and snacks are on board, and you stay as long on each spot as the fishing deserves. After about 8 hours on the water, you head back.
A shared sunset trip
You meet the boat at the island jetty in the late afternoon with the other guests. The crew hands out handlines and bait and shows everyone how to drop the line to the bottom and feel for a bite. The boat anchors or drifts over a reef near the island for a couple of hours while the sun sets, and everyone fishes for snappers, groupers and other reef fish. Then it's back to the island, often with the catch ready for the grill.
Who should book a private fishing charter?
- Anglers targeting a species. If you want a giant trevally, a yellowfin tuna or a dogtooth tuna, you need a boat that goes where those fish are, at the right time of tide. Only a private charter gives you that.
- Groups of three to five. Because the price is per boat, sharing it brings the cost down fast: a full day on Emperor with five anglers comes to USD 276 each.
- Anyone who wants to choose the plan. Start time, how long you stay on a spot, whether to switch from popping to jigging: on a private charter, it's your call with the captain.
- Families who want their own boat. Children can fish at their own pace, with breaks whenever they want.
Who should book a shared fishing trip?
- First-timers. Handline fishing is easy to learn and the crew helps everyone.
- Travellers on a budget. At USD 25–30 per person, a sunset trip is the cheapest way to fish in the Maldives.
- Solo travellers. You don't pay for a whole boat, and you fish with other people.
- Anyone after an evening out rather than serious sport fishing. The sunset is half the point.
What about resort fishing trips?
Many resorts run their own fishing trips from the resort's watersports or dive centre, from sunset handline trips to big game trolling. They are convenient if you're staying there, but prices are usually higher, and the trips are limited to the waters near the resort. If you're staying at a resort and want a serious fishing day, ask us whether a private charter can be arranged near you.
Private charter or fishing package?
If you want to fish several days, a fishing package is often better value than booking charters one by one. Our packages at the Maldives Fishing and Holidays Lodge on Maamendhoo include the lodge, full-board meals, the return domestic flight, the boat transfer and a private Emperor charter on every fishing day. A 3-night package with 2 full fishing days costs USD 2,170 per person for 2 anglers or USD 1,270 per person for 5.
MaamendhooFishing Holiday Packages3 Nights / 2 DaysFrom $1,270 per person- Stay at Maldives Fishing and Holidays Lodge
- Private Full-Day Fishing Charter
- Based in Maamendhoo
For a full breakdown of what everything costs, see our Maldives fishing trip cost guide. To check an operator before you book, read how to choose a fishing charter in the Maldives.
Private vs shared fishing charters: FAQs
Are fishing trips in the Maldives guided?
Yes. Fishing boats in the Maldives go out with a local captain and crew, whether you book a private charter or a shared trip. The crew finds the fish, rigs the tackle and helps you land your catch.
Is a private fishing charter worth the money?
If you want to catch a particular species, or you're a group of three or more, yes. A full day on Emperor costs USD 1,380 per boat, or USD 276 each with five anglers, and the whole day is planned around your fishing.
How much is a shared fishing trip in the Maldives?
Shared sunset fishing trips from local islands such as Maafushi start from USD 25–30 per person.
Can I join other anglers to share a private charter?
Ask us when you enquire. If other anglers are booked for your dates, sharing a boat can lower the price per person.
Can I catch a GT on a shared trip?
It's unlikely. Shared trips usually fish reefs near the island with handlines for reef fish. To target giant trevally, book a private charter that can fish the outer reef edges and channels.