The Maldives is an archipelagic state in southeast Asia, situated in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. It consists of over 1,000 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls stretching across the equator and covering around 90,000 square kilometres. It’s famed as a tourist and honeymoon resort, with a year-round temperature, pearly white beaches and clear blue water, but for many anglers, it’s considered the world’s popper and jig fishing capital.
The rich and varied waters of the Indian Ocean, where these coral islands sit, are home to over 1,100 fish species, from small reef dwellers to giant pelagics. Our partners, Mac Strike, are specialists in navigating and fishing these waters, with over fifteen years of experience. Based on the southern tip of the archipelago in Laamu Atoll, where the best fishing gets found, they allow anglers to experience a fantastic week of mixed bluewater fishing. Popper, jig and big game fishing for 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 fishing destination, the Maldives is one of the top five names that appear on anglers’ bucket lists worldwide, so if you’re a sport fisherman and looking to experience some of the best fishing on the planet, contact us today to book your trip.
In the Maldives, the range of species on offer is incredible, allowing travelling anglers to experience specimens of all shapes, sizes and colours. However, the main draw for visitors is the Giant Trevally, Tuna, Billfish, Groupers, Snappers and Barracuda.
The Giant Trevally, or the GT as commonly known, is one of the most famous quarries, and as a species, they are at the top of many anglers’ bucket lists, and the Maldives is one of the few places globally where they can get caught all year round. The biggest fish, between 30 to 100lb, congregate on the reefs and are perfect for anglers targeting them on poppers and jigs. They like nothing more than crushing a lure and catching them has to be one of the most exhilarating bluewater fishing experiences you can enjoy.
As well as GTs, another popular species is the Tuna, and the Maldives is home to an array of different types, including giant Yellowfins, the ultra-aggressive Dogtooth and smaller Skipjacks. These can be caught using various methods; however, once again, popper and jig fishing are preferred and most effective. Tuna fishing in the country is vital for the local economies, and traditional and sustainable pole and line fishing gets used by commercial fishing vessels.
As you’d expect, with a bluewater sportfishing destination, Sailfish and Marlin are both viable fishing targets. Popper and Jig fishing is the preferred method, but traditional ‘big game trolling’ also gets used. Both of these billfish species grow to epic proportions and provide some exciting sport.
Due to the island’s coral makeup, the reef fishing opportunities are unique and virtually endless. All manner of species, like Grouper, Snappers, Jacks, Emperor and Jobfish, to mention just are few are all possible targets. When dropping your lure, live bait or dead bait down to the bottom, you never know what you’ll catch next.
There are two seasons in the Maldives, 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.
The wet monsoon starts in April/May and goes until September and usually features more rain and the chance of rougher seas.
Our partner, Mac Strike, has over fifteen years of experience in the Maldives and are experts at fishing and navigating these tropical waters. The team, headed by first captain Atthelomeus, are some of the most experienced on the archipelago and will always do their best to ensure you enjoy a holiday experience of a lifetime. Their passion is fishing, and they are experts at reading the tides, weather and conditions and know when and where they should be depending on the species you want to catch and the time of year. All the crew are English-speaking and equipped to cater for anglers of all experience levels, from those enjoying their first popper and jig fishing holiday to those who have visited on numerous occasions.
With a fantastic crew, it would only be fitting to have a boat to match, and that is what’s on offer in the shape of the Mac Strike III, which is the perfect vessel for fishing in the Maldives and is an ideal blend of speed and size. Being 11 metres long, it can usually fish all year round, only missing the occasional day to extreme weather, and its two 200hp outboard engines make navigating Laamu Atoll easy work. The boat is perfect for popper fishing, with a spacious 3.5m casting deck, but it also features outriggers and a livebait tank to aid with the different fishing styles you may wish to try throughout your holiday. It’s fully equipped with a VHF radio, fish finder, all safety equipment, a toilet, an array of comfortable seats and even a blue tooth radio and freshwater shower.
All the fishing on the trip is based in the south in and around Laamu Atoll, where there are fewer boats and better fishing; the Atoll is also the perfect size, providing anglers with plenty of water during their week. Over the years of fishing, our partners Mac Strike, have also noticed a larger average size in the GTs in this area. The favoured methods for targeting the array of species on offer are popper and jig fishing.
For those that don’t know, poppers are designed to simulate a distressed fish or animal struggling on the water’s surface, and in general, a decent-sized lure, fast retrieval rate and a good ‘popping action’ should attract most species. Most poppers work best when fished around rocky outcrops and underwater structures, as this is where many big predators will sit and wait for unsuspecting bait fish.
This style of fishing can be particularly extreme at times, especially if you’re regularly hooking up and battling with big Pelagics. However, if, during the fishing day, you need a rest or want a break, you can relax on the boat and even enjoy a spot of trolling.
Jigging is a technique predominately done over deeper water as it covers the entire water column from top to bottom and can be very effective for many predatory fish. There are many different jigging techniques, but all involve dropping different lengths, shapes and colours of lures into the depths and then working them in a particular manner to entice a hungry predator to hit them. Slow, speed and butterfly all prove to be popular methods to fish with, but it all depends on what the fish are feeling on the day. The captain and deckhands will all be able to advise you on particular lures and techniques during different sets of conditions and tides.
If you don’t have the correct fishing tackle, it’s possible to hire it at a small cost – with a range of quality Shimano saltwater fixed spool reels and HOWK rods.
The award-winning Reveries Hotel is located in the heart of Laamu Atoll; it’s an untouched paradise and welcomes guests from around the world. It’s just a short two-minute walk from the boats and has a private beach, the perfect place for non-angling companions to soak up the sun or for anglers to relax between fishing days.
For anglers staying at the resort, there are several rooms to choose from, including a deluxe double room, single room and twin room. All feature comfortable beds, wardrobes, a desk, a safe, flat-screen satellite television, telephone, air conditioning, en-suite bathroom, shower, tea/coffee-making facilities and a balcony.
For larger groups of up to six people, the hotel also offers a luxury private residence. This villa is equipped with a private outdoor terrace and garden and even a kitchen, with guests able to request a personal chef to cook for them. It also has direct access to the indoor swimming pool and offers complete privacy.
Like the deluxe rooms, the residence features comfortable beds, wardrobes, a desk, a safe, flat-screen satellite television, telephone, air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and showers.
The main Reveries Restaurant offers international all-day dining and features a daily buffet breakfast with live cooking stations while providing a journey of cuisines for lunch and dinner.
The Roof-top Terrace Restaurant is a perfect spot to enjoy the stunning views of the ocean, while the Bar is the ideal place to enjoy a couple of non-alcoholic drinks and chat about the days fishing.
The Garden Café offers a wide selection of refreshments in a relaxed traditional setting, and the new Café 20 is a modern fast-food dining facility located next to the hotel, purposely designed to let guests of Laamu Atoll experience international and local cuisines.
Note: The Maldives is a country where alcohol is prohibited.
The hotel cares heavily about health and wellness and offers a 24-hour gym with the latest state of art equipment alongside the hotel’s panoramic views. There is also a traditional Spa onsite offering a range of treatments from massages to full body scrubs and facials.
There are so many extra activities for non-angling companions, families and anglers who would like days off between fishing. For those who want to stay active, the destination is perfect for surfing, diving, kayaking and cycling. While for those who like a more relaxing holiday, there are many fantastic excursions available, including an Island Safari, Private Island Excursion and Beach BBQ, to mention just a few.
To learn more about the fishing in the Maldives, visit our YouTube channel.
The below itinerary is flexible should you require additional fishing days or additional free days to explore; 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 Doha Depart Doha
Arrive Malé
Once you arrive in Malé, you’ll need to take your connecting flight to Kadhdhoo Airport, which is around fifty minutes.
Depart Malé, Arrive Kadhdhoo
Once you have arrived in Kadhdhoo and collected your bags, a representative from Mac Strike will greet you and transfer you to the Reveries Hotel.
Overnight accommodation: Reveries Hotel (Twin Room) F/B.
Over the next six days, along with your captain and crew, you’ll be fishing the rich blue waters of the Indian Ocean around Laamu Atoll from the Mac Strike III.
One of the exciting things about fishing in the Maldives is the number of species on offer willing to crush your popper or jig, prestigious species like Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish, Wahoo, and Giant Trevally, to name just a few, call these waters home.
After an action-packed (full) day on the water, you’ll return to the shore and your hotel the Reveries, where you can enjoy a drink at the bar and choose to eat at one of the multiple restaurants on site.
Overnight accommodation: Reveries Hotel (Twin Room) F/B.
In the morning, after breakfast, a representative from Mac Strike will transfer you back to Kadhdhoo Airport, ready for your journey home.
Depart Kadhdhoo
The flight from Kadhdhoo to Malé is around fifty minutes.
Arrive Malé Depart Malé
Arrive Doha
Depart Doha
Arrive Home
The season runs from All Year .
Season: All Year Round
Peak: All Year Round
Weight: 10lb to 100lb
Average Weight: 40lb
Season: All Year Round
Peak: All Year Round
Weight: 30lb to 200lb
Average Weight: 60lb
Season: All Year Round
Peak: All Year Round
Weight: 20lb to 100lb
Average Weight: 30lb
Season: December to May
Peak: December to May
Weight: 40lb to 150lb
Average Weight: 65lb
Season: All Year Round
Peak: All Year Round
Weight: 5lb to 50lb
Average Weight: 15lb
Season: All Year Round
Peak: All Year Round
Weight: 5lb to 50lb
Average Weight: 15lb
Season: All Year Round
Peak: All Year Round
Weight: 5lb to 50lb
Average Weight: 10lb
If your group size is smaller than the standard four then contact a member of the Sportquest Holidays team for an up to date price
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/04/2024 | 30/04/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 01/05/2024 | 31/05/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 01/06/2024 | 30/06/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 01/07/2024 | 31/07/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 01/08/2024 | 31/08/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 01/09/2024 | 30/09/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 01/10/2024 | 31/10/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 08/11/2024 | 17/11/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 01/12/2024 | 31/12/2024 | 10 | £3,569 | Enquire Now |
| 01/01/2025 | 31/01/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/02/2025 | 28/02/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/05/2025 | 31/05/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/06/2025 | 30/06/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/07/2025 | 31/07/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/08/2025 | 31/08/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/09/2025 | 30/09/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/10/2025 | 31/10/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 08/11/2025 | 17/11/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
| 01/12/2025 | 31/12/2025 | 10 | £3,670 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on four adults sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation (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.
Bluewater Fishing Panama offers travelling anglers the chance to enjoy a fantastic week of mixed fishing for an array of hard-fighting species. Fishing the rich waters of the Gulf of Chiriquí, an area responsible for over 50 IGFA World Records, you'll wet a line in some of the most famous fishing marks on the planet.
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.
Silver King Tarpon fishing in Brazil, is the first fly-only Tarpon fishing operation in South America and is a unique experience created for travelling rods looking to sample some world-class fly fishing sport. It offers anglers unprecedented numbers of fish and those with excellent average sizes.
This exciting new hosted popper and jig fishing trip is hosted by our guide Ross Johnson and will give you the opportunity to fish the rich waters off the coastline of Madagascar and Nosy Be, for a vast array of blue water species including Giant Trevally, huge Dogtooth Tuna, Grouper, King Mackerel, Amberjack, Black Marlin, and Sailfish, to mention just a few.
Cayo Paredón is the hottest, newest destination in the portfolio of our partners Fly Fishing the Run. Located in the province of Camaguey, the easternmost, most significant and flattest region in the centre of Cuba, it's a saltwater fly fishing paradise, home to all the 'Grand Slam' species.
