Fishing in Mauritius
Including Black River Coast, Grand Bay Waters, and Trou d'Eau Douce Inshore Reefs. On the map.
The vibe
Head out past the plunging drop-offs into deep blue water where targeting heavy pelagic species feels like a high-stakes chess match against the open ocean. The seasonal run of marlin and tuna draws serious anglers, particularly during the warmer summer months when the big game moves closer to the shelf. The charter scene is exceptionally well-organized out of the major marinas, blending professional crews with a polished holiday atmosphere.
local fishing licence required
Black River Coast
Black River
Sualkdd / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Located on the sun-drenched western coast, Black River is legendary in international angling circles for record-breaking blue marlin and rich offshore grounds. The deep ocean drops off relatively close to shore, making it prime trolling territory.
Access. Deep-sea charter boats and specialized game fishing guides depart daily from the Rivière Noire marina. Advance booking is recommended during peak marlin season.
Notes. Peak marlin season runs from November to April, though tuna and dorado are caught year-round. Commercial charter regulations apply.
Grand Bay Waters
Rivière du Rempart District
Hansueli Krapf / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mauritius' premier hub for big-game charter fishing, situated on the northern coast. Anglers target blue and black marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo in the deep waters beyond the barrier reef.
Access. Numerous sportfishing charter operators and deep-sea boats operate from the Grand Bay marina. Half-day and full-day trips include gear, bait, and experienced skippers.
Notes. No special personal license is required for clients booking licensed commercial charter boats, as the permit is covered by the operator. Catch-and-release is encouraged for billfish.
Trou d'Eau Douce Inshore Reefs
Flacq
otterboris / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
The sheltered east coast lagoons and surrounding reef breaks of Trou d'Eau Douce offer excellent light tackle reef fishing and bottom angling. Anglers target emperor fish, grouper, snapper, and trevally.
Access. Local local boatmen and small-scale charter skippers offer lagoon fishing excursions directly from the village waterfront. Light tackle gear can be arranged through operators or brought along.
Notes. Reef fishing is subject to local conservation rules and restricted inside certain marine parks. Check with local guides regarding permitted zones.