Astove Atoll is situated 1,055 kilometres southwest of Mahe and is just one of the remote jewels scattered throughout the azure waters of the Indian Ocean. It’s a tiny and unique atoll that spans just six kilometres from north to south and just under four kilometres from east to west at the widest point. A raised coral island of most peculiar form, it almost entirely encloses a shallow lagoon of which there is only one exit, a winding passage to the south of the island known as the Gueule Bras Channel. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and a world filled with colour, where the daily drama’s of a pristine ecosystem can play out in front of your eyes. It also offers a rare privileged opportunity to gaze into a world that has changed very little through time.
Astove has a rich but desolate history and has been responsible for numerous shipwrecks dating back to 1500AC. It was also the atoll where Jacques Cousteau filmed some of the acclaimed underwater documentary ‘The Silent World’ along the edge of the “Wall”. The ‘Astove Wall’, which runs the entire length of the Western side of the atoll, is an impressive sheer drop-off and is often described as gazing down into an underwater Grand Canyon. It consists of the large flats and reef dropping a vertical 90 degrees, from ankle-deep water to water well over a kilometre deep. This unique feature makes it one of the most famous dive sites in the world.
Amongst hardcore saltwater fly anglers, Astove Atoll has become the go-to destination for Giant Trevally, not just in the Indian Ocean but worldwide. It features some of the most impressive populations globally, both in terms of numbers and the sheer size of fish.
Its shallow lagoon – with one small entrance, surrounded by sheer drop-offs – is truly unique. It’s also home to an unusual phenomenon that occurs on every tide cycle. The ebbing tide falls for ten hours of the twelve-hour process, emptying the lagoon, and then the flooding tides fill it back up again in just two. The strong currents created by this create the ideal feeding conditions for all the flats species, especially the GT’s, who prey on the juvenile fish that fill the lagoon. In recent years Astove Island Lodge has produced some stunning results in terms of GT captures. In one week, a group of saltwater fly fishing anglers landed an incredible 92 Giant Trevally, with a staggering 12 of them measuring over the magical 100cm mark. It’s not been usual for competent saltwater flats anglers to land between six and 10 Giant Trevally in a week.
Aside from big GT’s, Astove offers innumerable flats opportunities for Bonefish, Permit, Bluefin Trevally, triggerfish, Barracuda and Milkfish. Offshore fishing isn’t to be ignored either, starting just a few metres from the edge of the flats, it allows anglers to test their skills against Yellowfin Tuna, Dogtooth Tuna, Wahoo and Sailfish.
All Astove Island Lodge trips are led by a team of world-class professional fly fishing guides, who have amassed a very considerable amount of hard-earned experience fishing the waters of the Indian Ocean. Each guide is a qualified skipper, has first aid experience and speaks English. Their passion and dedication is infectious, and rest assured, they will go the extra mile in search of your fish of a lifetime.
Utilizing Mitzi skiffs, specifically designed for fly fishing Astove and moving anglers throughout the fishery, the fishing team usually comprises of two guests fishing with a different guide each day. The fishing itself is a mixture of either wading or fishing from the skiff over larger areas.
For fly fishing, as a general rule, an 8-weight or 9-weight outfit is sufficient for the Bonefish & Permit, whereas a 10-weight or 12-weight outfit is more suitable for the Giant Trevally and Triggerfish.
The bluewater fishing is conducted further offshore on slightly larger 19-foot Mini-Mahe tender boats and uses conventional tackle. However, it is also possible to fly fish using the switch and tease method. Here you can target species like Sailfish and Tuna.
Lying south of the Equator, in the western Indian Ocean, Seychelles has a tropical climate: warm and humid with strong maritime influences. The temperature is consistently around 24-32°C, and there is no distinct dry season.
The fishing lodge is open to anglers from early November to late April, coinciding with the hot and humid northwest trade winds and ignoring the cooler southeast trade winds, that define April through to October. This avoids the irregular weather patterns that the island can sometimes experience during this period. You can, however, enjoy some excellent fishing at any stage during the season.
Weeks with full or new moons tend to be at a premium as the increase in tidal range and flow of water, in and out of the flats, benefit the GT’s that lie in ambush. Sometimes when fishing for the other flats species, the opposites may apply, as many of them form part of the Giant Trevallys diet.
Over a typical six days of fishing, you should always experience a taste of both sets of conditions. This variety is one of the significant attractions of fishing in the Indian ocean.
Uninhabited since 1969, this atoll has seen very little human pressure, something that always makes for a wild experience. Ensuring that the atoll stays pristine, the small coral lodge caters exclusively to only six guests per week. `
The newly renovated building is very comfortable and accommodating and offer its guests six single occupancies, air-conditioned rooms surrounded by a central courtyard. Each private room has its own bathroom, and while the accommodations is basic, the rooms are comfortable and private. In addition to the six rooms, the main lodge area serves as the lodge’s dining room and social space.
The lodge is famed for its attentive service as well as exquisite dining. All meals are served in the lodge’s main dining area, with the chef preparing a mix of Creole and international food. The menu usually comprises of an English breakfast in the morning, a packed lunch choice to take to the flats and a Creole buffet dinner served in the evening in the dining room.
All mineral water and soft drinks are included in the package, and the lodge has plenty of local beer for sale. If you want spirits or any other beverages, we recommend purchasing these at the Duty-Free store in the airport en route.
All Astove trips are seven nights and include six and a half days of guided fishing. Because the island can only be accessed by a charter flight that runs once a week, all packages are fixed at one week in length.
The reason to make the trip to Astove is to fish. There is minimal infrastructure on the island, aside from wading the flats, walking the beach or snorkelling, there’s very little for the non-angler to do.
There is no Wi-Fi or cell reception on Astove. However, the guesthouse is equipped with a satellite phone that can be used by guests if needed.
To find out more about Seychelles and Astove Atoll visit our YouTube channel.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Dubai Depart Dubai
Arrive Victoria Mahe
On arrival, you will take a taxi to your hotel.
Overnight Accommodation: Le Relax Hotel (Twin Room) B/B
At a pre-arranged time you will make your way to the domestic terminal of the Mahé International Airport, where a Blue Safari representatives will meet you ready for your short flight to Astove.
Depart Mahe
Arrive Astove
On arrival, you will be transferred to the lodge where the orientation and tackle set-up begins. After lunch, you can start your fishing with an unguided session wading the local flats.
Overnight Accommodation: Astove Island Lodge (Single Room) F/B
Breakfast is at 07:30, fishing begins at 08:30 and lunch is taken in the form of a packed lunch which is enjoyed while out on the flats. You can spend the whole day fishing with your guide targeting the species of your choice.
Overnight Accommodation: Astove Island Lodge (Single Room) F/B
All the skiffs will have Yeti cooler boxes with ice, drinks and desalinated water in our Yeti Rambler bottles. Lunch packs will be taken onto the skiffs unless otherwise requested. You will enjoy another 8 hours fishing with your guide. You will arrive back at the lodge by 17:30 but are free to continue fishing unguided until sunset.
Overnight Accommodation: Astove Island Lodge (Single Room) F/B
Breakfast is at 07:30, you can then pack, settle your tab and gratuities, and prepare for the three-hour flight back to Mahé.
On arrival, you will take a taxi to your overnight hotel.
Overnight Accommodation: Le Relax Hotel (Twin Room) B/B
You will take a taxi back to the International Airport for your return flights.
Depart Victoria Mahe
Arrive Dubai Depart Dubai
Arrive Home
The season runs from November to April.
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 2lb to 9lb
Average Weight: 4lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 1lb to 17lb
Average Weight: 4lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 1lb to 20lb
Average Weight: 6lb
Season: Oct to Nov& Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 5lb to 50lb
Average Weight: 9lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov& Feb to April
Weight: 1lb to 25lb
Average Weight: 7lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 5lb to 120lb
Average Weight: 36lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 1lb to 40lb
Average Weight: 14lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 10lb to 50lb
Average Weight: 25lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov& Feb to April
Weight: 10lb to 100lb
Average Weight: 30lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Febto April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 10lb to 80lb
Average Weight: 30lb
Season: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Peak: Oct to Nov & Feb to April
Weight: 50lb to 100lb
Average Weight: 80lb
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Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/03/2025 | 25/03/2025 | 11 | £17,400 | Sold Out |
| 22/03/2025 | 01/04/2025 | 11 | £17,400 | Sold Out |
| 29/03/2025 | 08/04/2025 | 11 | £17,400 | Sold Out |
| 05/04/2025 | 15/04/2025 | 11 | £17,400 | Sold Out |
| 12/04/2025 | 22/04/2025 | 11 | £17,400 | Sold Out |
| 19/04/2025 | 29/04/2025 | 11 | £17,400 | Sold Out |
| 01/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 08/11/2025 | 18/11/2025 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 15/11/2025 | 25/11/2025 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 22/11/2025 | 02/12/2025 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 29/11/2025 | 09/12/2025 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 06/12/2025 | 16/12/2025 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 13/12/2025 | 23/12/2025 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 20/12/2025 | 30/12/2025 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 27/12/2025 | 06/01/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 03/01/2026 | 13/01/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 10/01/2026 | 20/01/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 17/01/2026 | 27/01/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Sold Out |
| 24/01/2026 | 03/02/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Enquire Now |
| 31/01/2026 | 10/02/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Enquire Now |
| 07/02/2026 | 17/02/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Enquire Now |
| 14/02/2026 | 24/02/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Enquire Now |
| 21/02/2026 | 03/03/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Enquire Now |
| 28/02/2026 | 10/03/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Enquire Now |
| 07/03/2026 | 17/03/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Enquire Now |
| 14/03/2026 | 24/03/2026 | 11 | £16,663 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on two adults sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation in Mahe and single accommodation on Astove (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharges.
It may take a while to travel there, but for me, it was worth every second in the air and on land, as it was simply incredible. The accommodation in Astove was a beautiful as the surroundings and was the perfect base to fish from. A huge shout out to my guide too, he was fantastic.
The fishing on Astove was simply mind-blowing. We landed numerous Bonefish, GT's, Milkfish and even Triggerfish. It seemed whatever we wanted to catch the guides could take us to a flat where it was possible. I loved every second of my trip from start to finish, a massive thank you to everyone involved in making it possible.
The most beautiful destination I've ever visited by some considerable margin. I've been lucky enough to visit a few flats fishing destinations and I'd even probably go as far as to say that this was the best fishing I've ever experienced.
We are incredibly pleased to be able to offer the most exceptional fishing trips Cape Town and South Africa has to offer. Team this up with the best boats, guides and tackle available and you will soon find yourself hooked up to one of the hardest and dirtiest fighting Tuna that swim in the world's oceans.
This fishing adventure is like no others out there! Rodrigues Island in Mauritius offers anglers a unique opportunity to fish for some of the worlds most incredible species. The fishing style used is completely down to you and we can tailor the itinerary to suit how you wish to fish and the species you wish to target.
Looking for your next extreme fishing adventure? Well, we are extremely pleased to be able to offer the very best popper and jig fishing Madagascar has to offer. Utilising our live aboard Catamaran and top of the range sport boats, you will be fishing a huge diverse range of unspoilt and un-fished areas.
Tropical Flats Fishing Lodge on Christmas Island is a unique and natural operation that magically combines all the elements critical to fly fishing success. Endless hard sand flats, remarkable numbers of cruising fish, the best guides on the island and consistent year-round weather is what awaits all who visit this unique atoll.
Due to the amazing fishing at Rodrigues Island, Sportquest Holidays decided to put on their very own hosted Jig fishing trip to the fish packed waters that surround Rodrigues Island in Mauritius. This trip is for the anglers out there who seek adventure and excitement with some pretty extreme fishing for fish that absolutely pull your arms off.
