The Maldives, situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, is a chain of coral islands grouped into 26 atolls stretching across the equator. It’s one of the world’s most geographically dispersed sovereign states and the smallest Asian country, it covers an incredible area of 90,000 square kilometres, including the sea, but the land area of all the islands comprises just 298 square kilometres. It’s famed as a tourist and honeymoon resort, with a year-round temperature, pearly white beaches and clear blue seas, but with a vast array of water on offer, it is no surprise that it’s considered one of the world’s best saltwater fishing destinations.
For saltwater fly fishing and popper, jig and big game fishing anglers, the Maldives is considered a saltwater playground with almost unlimited fishing opportunities. The saltwater flats of some of the famous atolls of Malé, Kaafu, Baa Atoll, Rashdoo and Noonu, to mention just a few, offer some first-class fishing for Giant Trevally, Triggerfish and even Bonefish. Whilst the deep sea fishing opportunities offshore, especially around the area of Laamu Atoll, offer some explosive action for a massive array of species from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics. It’s possible to fish for and catch some of the world’s most prestigious species like Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish, Wahoo, and Giant Trevally, to name just a few. All of which grow to truly epic proportions.
As a destination, it’s perfect for hardcore anglers, families and travelling non-angling companions, offering fantastic fishing, family-friendly resorts and an abundance of incredible eco-tours and excursions. The Maldives has it all.
The Maldives Liveaboard trip allows travelling rods to experience some of the most exciting and explosive bluewater fishing in the world, casting poppers and jigs to some of the most remote areas of the Laamu Atoll. Situated in the rich waters of the Indian Ocean, it's home to over 1,100 fish species, from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics.
The Maldives is one of the top five names that appear on anglers' bucket lists worldwide. Home to over 1,100 fish species, from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics, it offers travelling rods the opportunity to enjoy some of the finest bluewater popper and jig fishing found anywhere on the planet.
The Maldives is a saltwater fishing paradise and is up there as a destination on many anglers’ bucket lists worldwide. Whether you’re a saltwater fly fishing angler or a popper, jig or big game fishing angler, it’s the perfect destination. The flats of the numerous atolls in the region are home to excellent numbers of Trevally, both Giant and Bluefin and Triggerfish. While Bonefish are less abundant than in other destinations, like Seychelles, for example, they still get caught in good numbers around some of the outer atolls. The Maldives isn’t a dedicated Bonefish destination, but they are a species you cast your spawning shrimp to if you happen to see a school.
Offshore and in the deeper water, the number of species you can catch is almost infinite. The rich and varied waters of the Indian Ocean in and around the Maldives are home to over 1,100 fish species, from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics. However, the main draw for visitors is the Giant Trevally, Tuna, Billfish, Groupers, Snappers and Barracuda.
The fishing in the Maldives gets split into two main disciplines – saltwater fly fishing and popper, jig and big game fishing. The former is based on the region’s numerous saltwater flats and surf zones and is traditionally wade fishing and sight casting. Whilst the latter gets based around the edges of reefs, drop-offs and channels that get found just offshore.
Mac Strike III is one of the most famous boats in the region, specialising in the latter. They are based at the southern tip of the archipelago in Laamu Atoll, where the best fishing gets found. Here there are abundant numbers of reef dwellers and big pelagics that like nothing more than hammering into your popper, jig or even live or deadbait.
One of the great things about our popper and jig fishing partners in the Maldives is that you can hire high-quality saltwater Shimano reels and HOWK rods for your fishing week.
With the Maldives being a true ‘all-year-round’ destination, it’s possible to visit during any month in the calendar year; however, we recommend travelling at certain times of the year if there are particular species you’d like to catch. Our team in the office can advise on this for you can contact them on: +44 (0)1603 407596
As well as the species you want to catch, the weather can also vary at different times of the year, as there are two distinct seasons, divided into monsoon seasons. The dry monsoon starts from October/November to March/April and usually provides the best weather, with clear skies and calmer seas. While the wet monsoon starts in April/May and goes until September and usually features more rain and the chance of rougher seas.
Being popular amongst tourists and despite being remote, the Maldives is easy to travel to. Most international airports run an array of flights each week, typically making one stop on the way before landing in the capital of Malé. From Malé, there are then an array of smaller flights to other islands in the region. One of the most popular destinations is Kaadedhdhoo, which is only a short journey from Laamu Atoll.
