Private and small-group fishing, Maldives
Fishing in Vaavu Atoll. GT and tuna. Four anglers, max.
Fish Vaavu with Arsah and Mowgli, two easy-going local guides who know the atoll’s tides, seasons and spots. They speak good English, and we leave from your island in Vaavu all year.
Maximum 4 guests
Fishing all year
English-speaking local guides
Reply within 24 hours
The fishing
Fishing in Vaavu Atoll: what you can catch
Vaavu Atoll is one of the best-kept secrets for sport fishing in the Maldives. Deep channels, healthy reefs and strong currents bring pelagic and reef fish to the atoll all year, and it’s quieter and more authentic than the busier atolls. Every fish you see on this site was caught on our boat.
Giant trevally
Reef edges and channels are prime GT ground. GTs here usually run from 10 to 20kg, with powerful strikes and a hard fight. More on GT fishing in the Maldives
Big game and tuna
Tuna here usually run from 30 to 50kg. We fish for yellowfin and skipjack mainly inside the atoll, with frenzies common on the reefs. More on tuna fishing in the Maldives
Reef and bottom
Snapper and grouper on the reefs, with groupers usually 3 to 5kg. Good for beginners and families, and still exciting.
Barracuda
Fast, aggressive predators, commonly found near channels and reef drop-offs.
How we fish: casting and jigging
Casting
Lures up to 150g
We cast near the reefs, following the current. It’s the best way to find GTs. You need stiff, powerful rods to pull them away from the rocks.
Jigging
Jigs around 100g, down to 50m
We usually jig in the afternoon, with light jigs. It’s how we catch plenty of snapper and grouper.
Gear
PE6 and PE8 braid
Shimano or Daiwa reels, with the latest lures and accessories from European brands like Fiiish, Molix and Rapala.
12 years old. Around 60 GTs.
A 12-year-old came to Vaavu with his father for his very first GT trip. Some anglers wait years for their first GT. He went with a different plan. In 5 days they caught around 60 GTs, 4 tuna, and many groupers and red snappers.
Who caught more, father or son? Our guides are far too respectful to say. We can’t promise those numbers on every trip, but that’s one very good story to take back to school.
Follow the catches on Instagram
Every photo on this website and on our Instagram is real: real guests, real fish, caught on our own Vaavu Fishing charters. No stock photos.
Crew and boat
Your local Vaavu Atoll fishing guides
Arsah
Founder and guide
30+ years fishing the atoll. A master of casting and spinning, an unstoppable jigger, and the perfect guide in and out of Vaavu.
Mowgli
Captain
Handles the waves in style, whatever the sea and weather bring that day. He can tie an FG knot with his eyes closed in 10 seconds.
Vaavu Fighter
7m, Suzuki 200hp
Our 7-metre fishing boat has a covered console and a new Suzuki 200hp outboard, set up to navigate Vaavu safely.
Your boat, your rules
Arsah and Mowgli have great experience, speak good English and are used to international customers. They’re respectful and very easy going, so the day runs the way you like it.
Photos and video
Want proof of that fish? Just ask, and they’ll take pictures or video for you.
Chatty or quiet
Happy to talk fishing all day, and happy to stop talking if you’d like some peace.
Music or no music
Play some music on board, or just listen to the sea. It’s your call.
Places to eat and sleep
Not sure where to go in Vaavu? Ask them for suggestions on where to eat or sleep.
Fishing charters
Private fishing charter in the Maldives
Vaavu Fishing runs private fishing charters in Vaavu Atoll, about 64km south of Malé. You book the whole boat for up to 4 guests, with local guides, gear and petrol included, for a half day, a full day or a 6-day fishing trip.
We pick you up from your guesthouse island in Vaavu and bring you back after fishing. It’s an easy way to go GT fishing, tuna fishing, jigging or reef fishing in the Maldives without staying at a resort.
Fishing from every island in Vaavu Atoll
Felidhoo: fishing charters from the atoll’s capital
Fulidhoo: fishing trips from Fulidhoo’s guesthouses
Keyodhoo: half-day and full-day fishing from Keyodhoo
Rakeedhoo: GT and tuna fishing from Rakeedhoo
Thinadhoo: private fishing boat from Thinadhoo
Trips and prices
Vaavu Atoll fishing trips and prices
Half day
US$350
8am to 1pm
- Leave from and return to your Vaavu island
- Drinks and snacks included
- Price per boat, up to 4 guests
One day
US$700
7am to 5pm
- Leave from and return to your Vaavu island
- Light lunch stop at a great location
- Drinks and snacks included
- Price per boat, up to 4 guests
6 days
US$3,000
7am to 1pm, works out at US$500 a day
- Leave from and return to your Vaavu island
- Drinks and snacks included
- Price per boat, up to 4 guests
Add to your trip
Rods and lures, US$50 a day
Top rods and reels, premium braid and leaders, casting and jigging lures. No surcharge for lost lures.
Guesthouse room, US$120 a night
Single room with private bathroom in a recent, clean guesthouse. The restaurant can cook your catch.
Malé transfer, US$150 one way
Between Malé and your island in Vaavu, in either direction.
Fishing in the Maldives: common questions
What happens to the fish?
Release them or keep them, as you prefer. There’s no limit on quantity, and fish that are kept are split evenly: 50% for you, 50% for us.
Can I eat my catch?
Yes. Guesthouses and restaurants in Vaavu usually agree to cook it. Ask the restaurant the day before.
Where do we fish?
Mainly inside Vaavu Atoll. Outside it the waves can be too big, and there are plenty of fish inside. Petrol and additional boat costs are always included.
Do I need experience?
No. We tailor each trip to your experience, interests and schedule, from first-timers to serious anglers.
How do I get to Vaavu Atoll from Malé?
Vaavu is about 64km from Malé, around an hour by speedboat. We can arrange a transfer between Malé and your Vaavu island for US$150 one way.
Do the guides speak English?
Yes. Arsah and Mowgli speak good English and have experience with international customers.
When is the best time?
We fish all year, and there are GTs all year. The best GT months are May to October, especially June to September. The best tuna months are August to March, and January to April brings the calmest seas and best visibility.
Do you fish responsibly?
Yes. We follow local regulations and work to protect the marine environment for future generations.
Plan your Vaavu fishing trip
Send the basics and we’ll confirm availability. We usually reply within 24 hours.
Tell us your trip, number of guests, preferred date and island.
