Dreaming of a big marlin day off Sal Rei? This private big-game fishing trip sets you up on a 7m boat with GPS and fish-finding gear, heading out from Te Manché in Sal Rei toward open water.

Two things I really like: the boat is kitted out with GPS, marine radio, and fishing radar, and the captain brings local know-how on where to fish and how to fish. The one drawback to plan for is that a taxi from Hotel Riu Touareg isn’t included (it’s listed as €50 and paid on arrival at the pier).

Quick, useful highlights before you book

• Te Manché in Sal Rei launch point: the trip runs from the fisherman’s pier and ends back there.
• Big-game targets: blue marlin, wahoo, and tuna, with the crew also working styles like speed jigging.
• Electronics on board: GPS, marine radio, and fishing radar help the captain dial in spots.
• Local captain coaching: you’ll get technique and strategy guidance during the fishing.
• Private format up to 3: your group shares the boat, not strangers.
• Budget note: pickup is offered, but the €50 taxi from Riu Touareg isn’t included.

Big-game fishing from Te Manché: the 5-hour rhythm

This is a morning-to-early-afternoon kind of outing. The start time is 8:00 am, and the activity runs for about 5 hours. It’s built around getting you off the bay and into the open sea where the captain can start putting the boat on fish.

You begin at Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei, Cabo Verde. From there, you’ll head to the fisherman’s pier at Te Manché. The plan is straightforward: sail through the harbor area and then push out to deeper water, where fishing starts once you’re in the right zone.

What makes the schedule work is that the fishing portion isn’t just random chumming. The crew trolls at low speed while you’re working lines. That matters because it keeps the boat stable and controlled, rather than doing a stop-start chase that burns time.

The boat setup: modern tech for serious fishing

You’re not on a tiny skiff with guesswork. The boat is about 22 feet (7m) and set up for offshore fishing. The key advantage here is the mix of navigation and fish-finding tools.

On board you’ll have:

• GPS
• Marine radio
• Fishing radar
• A front sun deck

In plain terms, this reduces the “hoping” part of fishing. Even if fish aren’t predictable, having radar and fish-finding helps the captain find places to try sooner, and then adjust based on what they see.

The boat also has a front sundeck, which you’ll appreciate during the transit out and while the crew resets gear. You’ll likely spend at least some time alternating between watching the water, managing your line, and listening to technique advice.

How the captain runs the fishing: trolling plus technique coaching

The captain’s role is a big part of the value here. You’re not just buying a seat on a boat; you’re getting local direction on tactics. The trip description calls out that you’ll get advice about fishing techniques and strategies, and that’s backed up by the overall tone of the feedback.

The fishing itself is described as low-speed trolling. In practice, that means the boat is moving slowly as the lines work the water. It’s a common approach for big-game chasing because it can keep your offering in the strike zone without forcing the crew to constantly reposition.

One review specifically mentions speed jigging and reports about nine amberjack. That tells me the crew doesn’t treat this as one rigid method. If conditions call for a different approach, you might see them switch tactics or adjust how they present the lure or bait.

And even when you’re not reeling in, you’re not left on your own. The crew is there to help with techniques, and you’ll get guidance while you’re out at sea.

What you’re chasing: marlin, tuna, wahoo, and realistic outcomes

The headline targets are blue marlin, wahoo, and tuna. That’s the big-game promise, and the whole outing is structured to try to reach the right spots for those species.

But Cape Verde big-game is still fishing, not a vending machine. Some days you’ll be marking and working and the fish will simply not cooperate. The good news is that the captain’s local knowledge is part of how this experience stays “earned” rather than purely hope-driven. You’ll also see the crew actively checking whether there’s fish around during the day.

A second practical point: what happens to your catch. The trip notes that caught fish are either released back into the sea or sold at the fish market. That means you should be ready for either outcome, depending on the fish and how the crew handles it.

If you end up catching something like amberjack (as one of the feedback notes indicates), you’ll likely experience the same adrenaline rush and the same hands-on crew support—even if it’s not the exact species you came for.

Pickup and meeting at Sal Rei: where people can get tripped up

Logistics can make or break a morning tour, and this one is mostly easy. Meeting starts at Avenida dos Pescadores in Sal Rei, and the end point is back at the same meeting point.

Pickup is offered. That’s helpful if you’re staying outside the immediate pier area. One feedback note praised that a taxi arrived right on time and dropped the family off exactly where they needed to be for boarding, then returned them to the right spot afterward.

One important cost detail: if you’re at Hotel Riu Touareg, the €50 taxi fee is not included in the tour price. The note says it can be paid upon arrival at the pier. So if you’re at that hotel, don’t assume pickup will be fully covered in the price you see.

Price for up to 3: when $571.34 feels fair

The price is $571.34 per group, up to 3 people. Since it’s a private outing, the cost structure isn’t per person; it’s anchored to the boat experience. That can be great value if you’re traveling with family or friends and can share the group rate.

A 5-hour private boat is the kind of thing that usually gets expensive quickly, especially when it includes offshore fishing gear and a captain who actively works tactics. Here, the presence of GPS, marine radio, and fishing radar helps explain why this isn’t priced like a basic sunset cruise.

One thing to watch: you’ll want to factor in any additional taxi costs that aren’t included (like the €50 note for Riu Touareg). After that, the per-group pricing tends to make sense for couples, small families, or small groups of friends.

Also, this activity is booked about 44 days in advance on average. That’s a hint the good slots go early. If you’re set on a specific week, booking sooner is smart.

The real experience: what the sea time will feel like

Expect a real fishing day, not a short “try it once” cruise. You leave the pier, move through the bay and harbor, and then reach open ocean. Once you’re out there, the crew starts fishing rather than waiting around for a photo moment.

While fishing, the boat trolls at low speed, so you’ll be dealing with lines and positioning rather than constantly bracing for waves from fast maneuvering. That said, you are still on the ocean for several hours. The tour description includes a moderate physical fitness level, so I’d treat that as a signal you should be comfortable moving around on a boat deck and staying engaged.

You’ll also be spending time listening and learning. The captain can explain techniques for big-game fishing, and that advice is part of what can turn an average day into a memorable one.

How to think about chances of success (and still enjoy it)

When you chase big game, your success rate can swing based on water conditions, wind, and what fish are in the area. What you can control is picking a trip where the crew is actively finding spots and adjusting tactics.

Here’s what supports that:

• The boat has fishing radar, plus GPS and marine radio.
• The captain uses local knowledge you can’t just Google from land.
• The crew provides technique and strategy guidance.
• The day is built around working fishing areas rather than only traveling.

If you hit the right conditions, you’re aiming for blue marlin, wahoo, or tuna. If not, you might still land something else—like amberjack was mentioned—while learning how the whole operation works.

Either way, the experience value is tied to the coaching and the crew’s ability to work the day, not just the final species on the hook.

Weather and timing: plan for a day that can change

Big fishing is weather-dependent. The tour requires good weather, and if it gets canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This matters because fishing plans live and die by sea state. If you’re traveling with a tight schedule, keep some flexibility in mind. An 8:00 am start is great when conditions are right, but it also means you don’t want to plan your whole day around a sure thing if the forecast is shaky.

Should you book Boa Vista big-game fishing?

Book it if you want a true private offshore fishing outing with modern navigation and fish-finding tools, plus a captain who coaches tactics. It’s also a good fit if you’re traveling as a small group (up to 3) and want to share a group rate rather than paying per person on a crowded charter.

Skip it (or at least be cautious) if you’re looking for a purely relaxed sightseeing cruise. This is built around fishing work—lines, technique, and spending hours on the water. Also budget for potential extra transport costs if your hotel isn’t fully covered by the pickup arrangement, especially the €50 taxi note for Riu Touareg.

If you’re ready for the real deal—out on the water with radar-guided spot finding—this is the kind of trip that can turn into a story you tell for years.

FAQ

What time does the big game fishing trip start in Sal Rei?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the experience?

It runs for about 5 hours.

How many people are in a booking?

It’s a private tour/activity, and the group size is up to 3 people.

Is pickup included, and is there any extra taxi cost?

Pickup is offered. However, a taxi fee of €50 from Hotel Riu Touareg is not included and can be paid upon arrival at the pier.

What fishing gear and boat equipment are on board?

The boat is equipped with GPS, marine radio, and fishing radar, and it has a front sun deck.

Which fish can you target, and what happens to caught fish?

You can chase blue marlin, wahoo, and tuna. The caught fish are released back into the sea or sold at the fish market.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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