Fishing in Seychelles
Written by Editor on 18th April 2023
Fishing in Seychelles
Introduction
Thousands of recreational and sports fishermen from around the world flock to these waters each year to catch the world’s best-known fish. Some of these include the striped bonito, bonefish, giant guitarfish, bigeye trevally, bluefin trevally, giant trevally, moustache grouper, humpheadmaori wrasse, and dogtooth tuna.
The waters off the coast of the island nation of Seychelles are known for their abundance of various fish species, such as sailfish, dorado, and wahoo. This makes them ideal for experienced and novice fishermen alike.
Deep-Sea Fishing in Seychelles
The traditional fishing method known as bottom-fishing produces a wide variety of fish, such as grouper, jobfish, snappers, and emperors, rewarding you with some of the finest-tasting fish on offer anywhere in the world. In addition, the waters off the coast of the island nation of Seychelles are known for their abundance of salt-water fly-fishing. This method allows experienced fishermen to target silver bonefish and large blue-water fish.
Fishing around Seychelles Islands
The inner islands are composed of 41 granitic islands that are located around the main islands of La Digue, Praslin, and Mahé. Some of these islands have peaks that are over a thousand meters high. There are also two coral islands within the cluster, namely Bird Island and Denis Island.
These islands are ideal for fishing because they are accessible by modern fishing vessels. Aside from being accessible by boats, these areas also have plenty of fishing grounds that are ideal for novice and experienced fishermen. The inner islands are also ideal for both full and half-day fishing trips. They can be reached by boat from Denis Island and Bird Island, which are located north of the cluster.
Big-Game Fishing in Seychelles (Marlin)
Aside from these two islands, the other outer islands of the Republic of Seychelles also have productive fishing grounds. These include Frégate, North Island, and the neighbouring island of Silhouette. Seychelles has a number of international records related to the species that it catches in and around the outer islands. Some of these include the bigeye trevally, the bonefish, and the moustache grouper. The resorts of Desroches Island and Alphonse Island are located in the Amirantes group and are ideal for guests who are looking to experience the best fishing grounds. The other remote islands that are accessible through long-range fishing expeditions such as Cosmoledo, Farquhar, and Providence are also ideal for experienced fishermen.
Different Types of Fishing in Seychelles
Whether you are a seasoned sports fisherman or a novice, you will be thrilled by the opportunities that Seychelles’ fish-rich waters offer.
Try your hand at big-game fishing and the unforgettable experience of trolling in pristine, azure waters from a range of modern fishing boats. An experienced crew will help you exceed your fishing expectations beyond your imagination. Alternatively, you can try fly-fishing in the shallow waters surrounding the Inner Islands or even practice the art of blue-water fly-fishing. The traditional technique of bottom-fishing will land you a catch of spirited coral reef fish and grace your table with some of the tastiest fish in the world.
Blue-water Fly-fishing in Seychelles Outer Islands
Meanwhile, Seychelles’ Outer Islands offer the experienced fisherman the opportunity to enter the record books in remoter waters, far from the more commonly visited fishing grounds. Big-game fishing in these virgin waters provides the ultimate challenge as does fly-fishing from the fish-rich flats of St. François, Poivre, and d’Arros atolls. Blue-water fly-fishing in the waters surrounding these lost island worlds can yield extraordinary results as can bottom-fishing expeditions in the deeper waters where the monster coralfish dwell. Not to be missed is the excitement of night-fishing for pick-handle barracuda or sharks off a variety of island locations.
Tips for Fishing in Seychelles
It’s widely believed that the country was designed to accommodate all types of fishing. With over a million square kilometres of marine area, the country has plenty of fishing opportunities. Most of the islands in the country are located outside the cyclone belt, which makes them ideal for fishing.
Fishing off the rocks on Mahe Island in Seychelles
Although you are allowed to fish in most of the country’s waters, certain rules are required to ensure that the environment is protected. For instance, in the inner islands, fishing is prohibited within the boundaries of some of the marine parks. For instance, in the Barren Natural Reserve, fishing is not allowed within 200 meters of the beach.
Also, in the outer islands, commercial fishing is strictly prohibited. For instance, no fishing can be carried out in the waters around Aldabra, which is one of the sites that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Best time for Fishing in Seychelles
There are various types of fishing available in the waters of the island nation of Seychelles. These are suitable for experienced and novice fishermen. Aside from being able to practice various types of fishing, the season for fly fishing and bottom fishing in the waters of the island nation of Seychelles can also be varied. The ocean currents in the country’s waters can vary from around 0.5 to 1.5 knots. The seasons for the trade winds in the country are from December to March and May to September. During these periods, strong and sometimes even violent winds can be observed. These winds are usually associated with tropical cyclones that are currently in the southwest Indian Ocean. Fortunately, all of the country’s islands are not in the cyclone belt.
Deep-sea fishing in Seychelles
The trade winds in the country are characterized by drier and more evenly blowing weather. The peak is in July and August. The windless periods in April and November are also known as quiet periods. They are accompanied by calm waters. The tidal effects in the country’s inner islands can be observed through the ocean currents. These currents can reach speeds of up to 2 knots. The tidal range around the inner islands can reach up to 2 meters depending on the tide. The currents caused by these strong tides can also cause damage to the lagoons. The waves around the inner islands are generally moderate. The currents generated by the tidal effects can also affect the conditions in a small area. Meteorological services are available by calling the coast station of the country on VHF channel 16. Boats can also be linked by radio via the radio Seychelles.
Equipment Rental & Purchase in Seychelles
Seychelles is known for its world-class fishing opportunities, with many tourists and locals interested in renting or purchasing fishing equipment. Here are some options for fishing equipment rental and purchase in Seychelles.
Many fishing tour operators in Seychelles offer fishing equipment rental as part of their services. These tour operators typically provide high-quality fishing gear, including rods, reels, lines, and bait, as well as an experienced guide to take you to the best fishing spots.
Local suppliers such as tackle shops and hardware stores may also offer fishing equipment for sale. These suppliers may offer a range of equipment, from basic fishing gear to more specialized equipment for specific types of fishing, such as fly fishing or deep-sea fishing.
Resorts and Hotels in Seychelles offer fishing equipment rental as part of their amenities. If you are staying at a resort or hotel, it is worth checking with the staff to see if they offer this service.
Fishing Equipment
Air Seychelles offers free allowances for sporting equipment that’s not exceeding 10 kilograms. This includes surfing, fishing, and diving equipment. All of these items are weighed separately and no supplement is required if the weight is less than 10 kilograms. If the weight of the device exceeds 10 kilograms, it will be added to the luggage’s weight. To use this equipment allowance, you must travel by Air Seychelles to Praslin Island.
In Seychelles, no fishing license is required for recreational fishing.
Seychelles Travel Information
At Inside Seychelles, you can get all your Travel Information. What Airlines travel to Seychelles and how to get around the islands? See the Latest Entry Requirements and what is the Customs Formalities for Seychelles.
Plan the Best time to travel & read about the climate in Seychelles.
Have a look at the history and culture of Seychelles, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Seychelles’s nature and wildlife, along with ‘Country Quick facts’ compiled by our travel experts. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Seychelles for yourself.
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Meble On 13th July 2023 at 9:18 PM
Your detailed descriptions transported me directly to the vibrant waters of Seychelles, creating a vivid mental picture of the region’s abundant marine life and diversity of fishing experiences. The assortment of species from striped bonito to dogtooth tuna illustrates the richness of the Seychelles’ marine ecosystem. I’m particularly impressed by the comprehensive breakdown of different fishing types available – from deep-sea fishing to fly-fishing, and big-game fishing. I appreciate your practical advice concerning the best fishing seasons, tips, and details on equipment rental in Seychelles. This information is invaluable for anyone considering a fishing trip there.