Blue Makaira is the winner of the 2016 Blue Marlin World Cup. Fishing aboard this vessel in Madeira is the ultimate Big Game fishing experience – Blue Makaira has been ranked as the number one catching boat for Blue Marlin on the island of Madeira during 2017 and 2018, so you know you’ll be in safe hands when it comes to hooking the Billfish of your dreams!

The island of Madeira is a natural Big Game fish attractor – warm surrounding currents attract plenty of baitfish, while depths reaching over 1,000 meters create an ideal hunting environment for Big Game fish within just a few miles of the coast. Here you have the opportunity to catch huge Atlantic Blue Marlin, the ultimate prize, as well as a wide range of other species that will give you excellent sport!

Blue Makaira is a 34’ Rodman powered by twin 260 HP Volvo D4 engines. It comes equipped with your comfort in mind, featuring a very stable fishing platform and an onboard toilet. On board you will find a fighting chair as well as 35’ outriggers for a good spread of six lures. Blue Makaira is a member of the Shimano Pro Staff scheme, meaning you will have the best tackle available to you.

This vessel is captained by Captain Nuno, a native of Madeira who has fished the local waters for nearly 40 years. He’s joined by a crew of experienced international fishermen whose prime aim is to get you connected to fish. Fishing with them is sure to be an unforgettable experience. You can join them from mid-May to mid-October.

The Atlantic Blue Marlin off these shores are always sizeable, with one in 10 being a Grander—a fish of a lifetime. Even the ‘average’ fish, weighing a mere 650+ lbs, will put a smile on your face. There are plenty of other prestigious species to be had here as well, including White Marlin, Wahoo, and Bigeye Tuna.

Whether you are an experienced Big Game fisherman out to get that “world record,” a novice, or ‘just’ fishing for the thrill of it, Blue Makaira is perfect for you!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Oct 15
    US $814
    4 hours of Big Game fishing for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Wahoo, and more. Drinks are included. No fishing license required for Madeira's coastal waters.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Oct 15
    US $814
    This trip features 4 hours of Big Game fishing, for Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Tuna, and more. No fishing license is required. Drinks are included.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    Low rate deposit non-refundable
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 15 - Oct 15
    US $1,464
    A full day (8 hours) of Big Game Fishing. Includes drinks and lunch. No fishing license required on the coastal waters of Madeira.
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FAQs about Blue Makaira

Blue Makaira offers the following trips to customers:
  • €750 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • €750 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • €1,350 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Blue Makaira, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Enclosed, electric flush
  • Fighting Chair 130lb class chair
  • GPS 4
  • Fishfinder 2Kw Chirp Sounder
  • Flybridge Clients welcome
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen For cold meals only
  • Refrigerator
  • Multimedia System
  • Outriggers 35ft for a good spread of 6 lures
  • Radar 1

Trips booked with Blue Makaira include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Shimano Pro Staff equipped)
  • Live Bait (Prepared before the trip)
  • Lures (Massive selection)
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Snacks (Homemade sandwiches, crisps, nuts, olives, fruit)
  • Drinks (Soft drinks, water and beer)
  • First Mate (English speaking)
  • Fishing License (No payment required by client)
  • Lunch (For 8 Hour trip)

Blue Makaira offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing (Coast of Madeira)
  • Nearshore Fishing (To 6 nautical miles)
  • Offshore Fishing (To 6 nautical miles)

Blue Makaira offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle (30lb and 50lb gear all top range Shimano)
  • Heavy Tackle (130lb, 6 rods and reels all top range Shimano)
  • Trolling (30lb, 50lb, 130lb, all top range Shimano)
  • Fly Fishing (Customer to provide)
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Blue Makaira include:
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (White)
  • Spearfish (Longbill)
  • Tuna (Bigeye)
  • Tuna (Bluefin)
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Captain

Nuno Goncalves
Calheta, Madeira, Portugal
5 Customer reviews
Response time 7 hours
Member since November 2016
On the 4th of July in 2016, Captain Nuno won the Blue Marlin World Cup at the helm of Blue Makaira. Madeiran by birth, Capt. Duarte Nuno Vasconcelos Goncalves has been fishing the waters of Madeira since he was a boy, guided by his uncle (who also spent his formative years in a similar manner). As Nuno entered his teens, his passion grew stronger, putting to sea with his brother in a 10' boat (with a 4 HP engine!) to explore the waters of Madeira. There they fished for their supper, an idyllic life for two young men. Fascinated by the sea and fishing, Nuno’s big opportunity came in 2004 when the Calheta Marina opened. With the arrival of Big Game boats, his moment had arrived. He crewed and worked on the boats beside some of the great Big Game Captains and crews that had flocked to Madeira to fish for the best Blue Marlin that the oceans have to offer.

About this listing

Targeted species

Marlin (Blue) Blue Marlin
Marlin (White) White Marlin
Spearfish (Longbill) Longbill Spearfish
Tuna (Bigeye) Bigeye Tuna

Boat specs

Rodman 1040 (Sportfishing) originally built in 2006. Powered by 2 260HP Volvo D4 engines.

Length
34 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Coast of Madeira
Nearshore Fishing
To 6 nautical miles
Offshore Fishing
To 6 nautical miles

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
30lb and 50lb gear all top range Shimano
Heavy Tackle
130lb, 6 rods and reels all top range Shimano
Trolling
30lb, 50lb, 130lb, all top range Shimano
Fly Fishing
Customer to provide
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Enclosed, electric flush
Fighting Chair
130lb class chair
GPS
4
Fishfinder
2Kw Chirp Sounder
Flybridge
Clients welcome
Live Bait Well

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Shimano Pro Staff equipped
Live Bait
Prepared before the trip
Lures
Massive selection
Catch cleaning & filleting
Snacks
Homemade sandwiches, crisps, nuts, olives, fruit
Drinks
Soft drinks, water and beer
First Mate
English speaking
Fishing License
No payment required by client
Lunch
For 8 Hour trip

Cancellation policy

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Age 12 and older, must be accompanied by an adult
You Keep Catch
Catch and release for Billfish
Catch and Release Allowed
Catch and release for Billfish

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Bank Transfer

Calheta Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 5 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photo by reviewers
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for this charter yet!
Angler rating
5
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
50%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
50%
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Showing:
5 of 5 reviews
Victoria R.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fantastic full day of blue marlin fishing

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on September 16, 2023
We came to Madeira to fish for blue marlin and selected Nuno as a captain because he was local and had an impressive resume....
Victoria R. recommends Blue Makaira
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  Nuno Goncalves Captain replied

Stephen L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Crew

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 25, 2023
Captain Nuno and first mate were both very knowledgable and made us feel very welcome, had a great morning with them but unfortunately...
Stephen L. recommends Blue Makaira
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Stephen L. recommends Blue Makaira
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Robert F.
Houston, Texas
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Madeira trip

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on July 3, 2023
Boat and crew were great. We didn’t catch anything but we had a great time. The boat caught two Marlin a couple of days later....
Robert F. recommends Blue Makaira
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Robert F. recommends Blue Makaira
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Lord S. D.
Banbury, United Kingdom
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day.

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip on August 25, 2023
Lord S. D. recommends Blue Makaira
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Lord S. D. recommends Blue Makaira
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Julier R.
Machico, Portugal
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Nuno

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 8, 2022
Julier R. recommends Blue Makaira
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4 persons find this review helpful
You and 4 people found this review helpful
  Nuno Goncalves Captain replied