Marlins and tuna off Madeira sound serious. This trip is built around big game species in the Atlantic and guided fishing techniques like trolling and bottom fishing, with an experienced skipper who knows where to aim. I like that marlins are catch-and-release, so you’re fishing for the thrill without turning the trip into a trophy haul.

One thing to consider: reviews are mixed, and a few departures have had boat start-up problems or less guidance than you’d expect, so go in with a mindset for teamwork and ask questions early.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

• Catch-and-release for marlins (blue marlin and white marlin are treated this way)
• GPS-equipped 33’ Lochin 333 flybridge sportfisherman with a fighting chair, restroom, and full fishing gear
• Experienced skipper from Madeira with a decade of commercial fishing experience
• You can keep most species like tuna, wahoo, mahi, and more (marlins are the exception)
• Food and drinks included, but based on reports it may be more snack-style than a full meal
• Private or small groups, which generally makes it easier to learn and stay involved

Big Game Fishing Off Madeira: What You’re Really Booking for $199

At $199 per person, you’re not just paying for a seat on a boat. You’re paying for a whole fishing setup: gear, bait, a licensed operation, and crew help—plus cleaning and filleting if you keep your catch. That matters in Madeira, where a day on the Atlantic can be the main event of your trip.

The big appeal is the mix of targets. The route and tactics are meant to give you a real shot at big-game encounters: blue marlin, white marlin, tuna, wahoo, mahi, and other species in the same offshore zone. Even if the fish aren’t cooperating, the day is designed to feel like an active fishing mission, not a slow sightseeing cruise.

Still, this is water-based fun, which means a few variables can swing the experience. The overall rating is on the low side, and at least one departure included problems at the start plus a smaller vessel than expected. On the other hand, there are also reports of a motivated team turning a rough morning into a positive day. Your best bet is to confirm key details ahead of time and show up ready to work with the crew.

The 33’ Lochin 333: Comfort and Fishing Gear That Makes a Difference

You’re sailing on a 33’ Lochin 333 flybridge sportfisherman, which is the right kind of boat for serious line handling and long runs out to productive water. The layout is built for fishing. That’s not a marketing line—it shows in the equipment.

Here’s what I’d call the practical wins:

• GPS for locating productive areas (helpful when you’re trying to stay on structure and depth changes)
• A fighting chair, which is exactly what you want if something heavy grabs your bait
• A restroom, which keeps the trip comfortable over a 4 to 7 hour schedule
• Fishing gear and bait provided, so you’re not trying to figure out tackle basics on the dock

You’ll also want to dress like you’re spending a chunk of the day in ocean wind. The included sunscreen advice is there for a reason. Madeira can give you sun and glare even when the water looks calm.

How the Day Flows: Starting at Avenida do Mar 9000 and Working Offshore

Meeting points can vary by option, but the trip is anchored around Avenida do Mar 9000 in Funchal. From there, the day is about getting offshore to the spots with the best odds. The captain will guide you on what you’re doing and where you’re going, using local knowledge built from years of commercial fishing.

The day typically follows a simple logic:

1. Get underway to deeper water
2. Switch tactics based on conditions and where fish are likely feeding
3. Fish, adjust, and fish again
4. Keep marlins catch-and-release; keep other species if you like
5. Head back after the scheduled time window

Two techniques are specifically part of the plan: bottom fishing and trolling. That’s important because it affects what you’re paying attention to. With trolling, you’re watching line behavior and keeping your role tight while the boat is moving. With bottom fishing, you’re more focused on bites and how your bait sits relative to depth. Either way, you should expect the crew to explain what they want and when.

A small but real consideration: on at least one bad experience, there wasn’t much interaction early on, and passengers weren’t sure what to use or where to fish. That’s why I’d treat this as a learning-focused trip even if you’re an experienced angler. Ask fast. If guidance feels vague, speak up early rather than waiting until you’ve lost half your day.

The Target Game Plan: Marlin (Release) and the Rest (Keep)

The headline targets are blue marlin and white marlin, and the rule is clear: marlins are strictly catch and release. That means you can still experience the intensity of a big strike and the fight on tackle, but you’re not taking the fish home.

What’s different is everything else. For species like tuna, wahoo, mahi, and other big game, the trip is set up so you can keep what you catch (with the option to share tuna with the crew). That’s one of the best reasons to book: the day can end with a meal you didn’t have to cook from a restaurant.

If you’re planning your expectations:

• If you land a marlin, the win is the fight and the photo moment, not the dinner
• If you land tuna or other keepable fish, you get the practical payoff of filleting

Also, the captain’s local expertise matters here. The day is designed around productive deep-sea spots around Madeira, and the whole operation depends on knowing when and where the bites might happen. That’s why an experienced skipper from Madeira with a decade of fishing experience is a big deal—not just a credential.

Catch Cleaning and Filleting: The Real Bonus After a Long Day

One thing that separates a good fishing charter from a stressful one is what happens after the fish is landed. Here, catch cleaning and filleting are included, along with the first mate’s services.

That matters because you’re on a schedule. If you keep tuna or other species, you don’t want to spend your evening figuring out how to process fish in an apartment or trying to find a shop. The trip gives you a smoother handoff: the crew handles filleting for your convenience.

There’s also a social element mentioned in the trip outline: clients usually share Tuna with the crew if you like. You don’t have to treat that like a rule, but it’s a nice way to end the day with good vibes, especially if the crew worked hard for your chances.

Fishing Techniques Onboard: Learning How to Aim, Set, and Adjust

You don’t need prior fishing experience. The trip is positioned as hands-on and teachable, with a skipper who will show you the tips and tricks for landing your personal best.

In practice, that means you should expect:

• Guidance on what to use (bait and setup)
• Help as you cast, set lines, and respond to bites
• Coaching when the tactics change between bottom fishing and trolling
• Real direction about where the boat is headed next

However, based on mixed reports, the quality of interaction can vary depending on conditions and how smooth the operation is at the start. One experience described long stretches with limited communication. Another described a team that stayed attentive and turned a difficult morning into a good day even without fish.

So here’s my straightforward approach: treat the crew as a resource you need to engage early. When you board, ask the simplest questions you can:

• What technique are we using first?
• What should I watch for?
• If I get a bite, what’s your signal or instruction?

If you do that, you’ll squeeze more value out of your time on the water.

Food, Drinks, and the 4 to 7 Hour Reality

The trip includes food and drinks, plus you’ve got restroom access. For a 4 to 7 hour outing, that’s not optional—it’s the difference between enjoying the day and feeling drained.

Still, “included” doesn’t always mean a full sit-down meal. One report described food as minimal snacks (a shared bag of chips). Another praised the day overall but suggested the meal could be more substantial given the activity length.

So plan like this:

• Bring water and assume you might be hungry for more than a few snacks
• Expect at least some included refreshment, but don’t plan your day around it being a feast

If you’re the type who gets cranky when hungry, consider eating before you arrive and bringing extra water if the rules allow it. The official “what to bring” includes water, which is a good clue that hydration is expected to be on you.

Managing Seasickness and Staying Safe on the Atlantic

This is not the tour for everyone. It’s listed as not suitable for people prone to seasickness, and that’s sensible. You’ll be on the Atlantic, and even calm conditions can change as you move offshore.

Practical tips:

• Wear comfortable clothes suited to wind and sun
• Bring a hat and sunscreen (sun and glare can be intense)
• Take it slow on your feet and keep your balance gear in mind

The boat rules also spell out what not to bring: no pets, no oversized luggage, and no mobility scooters. There are also restrictions on things like glass objects and intoxication. It’s a working fishing environment, so the rules exist to keep lines clear and decks safe.

Price Value Check: Is $199 a Smart Deal Here?

Let’s be honest. Big game fishing can cost a lot elsewhere, and the question for you is whether this one gives you value. On paper, it does, because your package includes:

• Gear and bait
• Food and drinks
• First mate services
• Fishing license
• Catch cleaning and filleting
• A full day range of 4 to 7 hours

For $199, you’re buying the experience infrastructure. If you had to pay for those items separately, the total would likely rise quickly.

But value also depends on reliability. With a 2.8 rating across four reviews, you should pay attention to execution. One experience involved a boat being fixed midstream, a smaller boat than advertised, and a lack of guidance that left passengers unsure what to do. Another described a morning problem but a motivated team that still produced a good day.

My take: this can be a good value, especially if you want to fish and you’re okay with the day being weather- and operation-dependent. If you want a guaranteed polished experience with constant explanations from minute one, you may want to compare with alternatives before you lock in.

Who This Trip Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This charter makes the most sense if you:

• Want a serious shot at tuna, wahoo, mahi, and other big game species
• Are interested in trolling and bottom fishing and want to learn
• Like the idea of catch-and-release marlin as the thrill without keeping everything
• Prefer small groups or private settings, which generally help you get hands-on attention

It’s probably not ideal if you:

• Get seasick easily
• Want a long, quiet cruise with minimal effort
• Need heavy reassurance that everything will run flawlessly start-to-finish, every time

Should You Book This Madeira Big Game Fishing Trip?

I’d book it if your priority is the fishing day itself and you’re prepared for the Atlantic to be unpredictable. The combination of a purpose-built sportfisherman, included gear, and filleting for keepable fish makes it feel like a real charter package rather than a watered-down activity.

But I would also be picky. Before you go, double-check the boat you’ll be on for your specific option, ask how guidance is handled during the first hour, and don’t be shy about asking what bait and tactic you’re using. If you go in informed and proactive, you’ll stand a much better chance of turning your day into a memorable Madeira story—whether or not the marlins cooperate.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the big game fishing trip from Madeira?

The duration is listed as 4 to 7 hours. Starting times can vary, so you’ll want to check availability for the exact departure.

What kinds of fish can you catch on this trip?

You can target big game species such as blue marlin, white marlin, tuna, wahoo, mahi, and other big game fish.

Are you allowed to keep marlin?

No. Marlins are strictly catch and release on this trip.

What fish can you keep?

You can keep everything besides marlins. Tuna and other non-marlins are typically kept, and the crew may also share tuna with you if you like.

Is fishing gear provided?

Yes. All fishing gear and bait are included.

Is food and drinks included?

Yes. Food and drinks are included on board.

Where does the trip start in Funchal?

The meeting point can vary depending on the option booked, and the listed meeting area is around Avenida do Mar 9000. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Do you need experience to go?

No. You don’t need experience, and the skipper will teach you what you need to know.

What should you bring?

Bring a hat, camera, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes.