MadagasCaT Fishing Liveaboard Expeditions
Extreme Liveaboard Sport Fishing in Madagascar
Leave the crowds behind and venture into some of Madagascar's wildest and least-fished waters on an extraordinary liveaboard sport-fishing expedition from Nosy Be.
These itinerant fishing adventures are all about going further. Instead of returning to the same base each evening, you travel through remote islands, offshore banks, reefs and deep-water drop-offs, following the conditions and fishing some of the most exciting waters in the western Indian Ocean.
Target species include giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, king mackerel, yellowfin tuna, grouper, amberjack, wahoo, sailfish and black marlin, with fishing techniques ranging from heavy popping and jigging to slow jigging, casting, trolling, bait fishing and downrigger fishing.
Choose between our Fish & Live Aboard power catamaran, where you fish, eat and sleep aboard the same vessel, and our Nomad Expedition, combining a fast, specialist sport-fishing boat during the day with a comfortable catamaran as your floating base each evening.
With itineraries extending north, south and far offshore from Nosy Be, the route is never simply about getting from A to B. It can be adapted to weather, sea conditions and fishing activity, allowing the crew to concentrate on the most productive waters available during your expedition.
Sleep on the water. Wake up on the fishing grounds. Go where the fish are.
Choose Your Fishing Expedition
From the remote northern tip of Madagascar to vast offshore banks and the wild waters of the south, each expedition offers a different fishing experience.
Your itinerary is not set in stone. Weather, sea conditions and fish activity all play a part, and routes can be adapted along the way to make the most of the fishing.
Two Ways to Fish. One Extraordinary Adventure.
FISH & LIVE ABOARD
Fish, eat, sleep and explore aboard the same 47-foot power catamaran.
4–8 guests • One 47-foot power catamaran
NOMAD EXPEDITION
Fish by day from specialist sport-fishing boats, then eat, sleep and relax aboard your liveaboard catamaran each evening.
4–8 guests • Up to two fishing boats • Maximum 4 anglers per boat
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Head north from Nosy Be into an extraordinary fishing territory stretching from Cape San Sebastian towards Cape d'Ambre, via the Intermediate Bank, Bay of Courrier and the islands and reefs of the far north.
More than 120 kilometres of coastline, islands, shoals, underwater canyons and dramatic drop-offs create an incredibly varied fishing environment. One day might see you throwing poppers across shallow reef for giant trevally; the next, dropping jigs over deep structure for dogtooth tuna or trolling open water in search of pelagic predators.
Giant trevally and dogtooth tuna are two of the headline species, with king mackerel, grouper, barracuda and amberjack adding to the action. Venture into deeper water and yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado, sailfish and black marlin may also make an appearance.
The Wild North is particularly appealing to anglers who don't want to concentrate on just one technique. Popping and jigging are at the heart of the fishing, but casting, trolling, bait fishing and downrigger techniques can all come into play as the expedition moves between different fishing grounds.
BEST FOR: Popping • Jigging • GTs • Dogtooth Tuna • Variety
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Around 40 kilometres northwest of Nosy Be lies one of Madagascar's great offshore fishing territories: the Leven Bank and its extensions.
Together with the neighbouring Big Castor, Voltigeur and Cordelière banks, this vast volcanic formation creates an offshore fishing ground covering approximately 2,500 square kilometres. Rising dramatically from deep water, with some areas coming to within around 15 metres of the surface, the banks create exactly the sort of structure big predatory fish love.
This is serious dogtooth tuna country and the expedition for anglers with a passion for jigging. Dogtooth of all sizes are encountered here, with the possibility of very large fish, while GT, other trevallies, grouper, jobfish and amberjack patrol the structure below. Out in the blue water, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado, sailfish and black marlin add another dimension.
Although jigging is the star of the show, it isn't the only option. Shallower areas provide opportunities for popping and casting, while trolling, bait fishing and downrigger techniques can be used to target fish holding deeper in the water column.
The sheer size and offshore location of the Leven system is precisely why the liveaboard concept works so well here. Instead of spending valuable fishing time travelling back to Nosy Be, you remain out in this remote fishing wilderness, ready to start again the following morning.
BEST FOR: Dogtooth Tuna • Hardcore Jigging • Big Fish • Offshore Adventure
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Turn south from Nosy Be and the fishing grounds become progressively wilder and more remote.
The southern expedition explores the waters around the Radama Archipelago, Nosy Lava, Narinda Bay and Moramba, with longer expeditions able to venture even farther south towards Majunga. Across this enormous stretch of coastline, islands, coral reefs, shoals and deep-water drop-offs create a remarkable variety of fishing opportunities.
This is particularly exciting popping territory. Shallow banks, reef edges and concentrations of baitfish provide excellent hunting grounds for giant trevally, including the possibility of some seriously big GTs.
But the Deep South is far from a one-species expedition. Dogtooth tuna, king mackerel, yellowfin tuna, grouper, snapper, amberjack, barracuda and emperor fish are among the other potential targets, while deeper and more open waters can produce wahoo, dorado, sailfish and black marlin.
Popping can be alternated with jigging and slow jigging, while feeding yellowfin provide exciting casting opportunities. Trolling, bait fishing and downrigger techniques further broaden the possibilities as you move between shallow reef and deeper water.
For anglers who love the idea of casting big surface lures in remote, lightly fished waters with wild Madagascar as the backdrop, the Deep South is hard to beat.
BEST FOR: Giant Trevally • Popping • Mixed Techniques • Remote Exploration
What Does a 7-Night Fishing Expedition Look Like?
DAY 1
ARRIVE & BOARD
Arrive in Nosy Be, meet the crew, transfer to the vessel and settle in before departing towards the fishing grounds.
DAYS 2–7
FISH, EXPLORE, MOVE
Full fishing days across your chosen expedition area. The exact route remains flexible, allowing the crew to adapt to weather, sea conditions, currents and fish activity.
DAY 8
FINAL FISHING & RETURN
Enjoy a final fishing session before returning to Nosy Be and disembarking.
There is no rigid day-by-day route — and that is deliberate.
Your expedition area is chosen in advance, but the daily fishing plan is adapted to the conditions encountered so the crew can concentrate on the most productive water available.
Life Aboard
Your floating home in the wild
After a full day on the water, your liveaboard becomes a place to slow down, share the day's stories and recharge for tomorrow.
Comfortable cabins, bathroom facilities, freshly prepared meals and relaxed living spaces mean that heading into remote fishing grounds doesn't mean leaving all the comforts behind.
Explore the 47-foot power catamaran for yourself. Use the interactive 360° tour below to look around the cabins, bathrooms, living areas and outdoor spaces that become your home at sea.
The 360° tour shows the 47-foot power catamaran used for our Fish & Live Aboard experience. Catamarans used for Nomad Expeditions vary according to group size and the level of comfort selected.
MORNING
Wake up where you fish
After breakfast aboard, the fishing begins. With no need to return to Nosy Be each night, you're already out among the reefs, banks and offshore grounds you came to explore.
A Day on the Water
From first light to the last cast, the day revolves around the fishing.
ON THE WATER
Follow the fish
Fishing can include popping, jigging, slow jigging, casting, trolling, bait fishing and downrigger techniques. The crew adapts the day's approach to the location, conditions and fish activity, moving between spots and changing techniques as opportunities develop.
EVENING
Back aboard
After a full day of fishing, settle back into life aboard. Shower, relax over dinner and swap stories from the day while the expedition prepares for another day on the water.
Ready to Fish Madagascar?
Tell us how you like to fish, and we'll help you choose the right expedition.
Whether you're planning a dedicated fishing trip with friends or adding a serious fishing expedition to a wider Madagascar holiday, we'll help you match the right fishing area, vessel and expedition style to your group.
Tell us your preferred travel dates, number of anglers and the type of fishing you're looking for, and we'll take it from there.