Madeira Island has some of the very best big game fishing in the entire Atlantic. The area is the go-to place for landing huge Blue Marlin, and the Balancal crew will do everything they can to help you catch one.

Captain Anibal Fernandes is a highly experienced angler from Madeira who built his experience fishing commercially in South Africa for two decades before returning home and becoming the skipper of a boat there. Over his time working on different charters, he has landed or helped land a total of 20 granders, a reputation which speaks for itself and an indication of how hard he will work to make sure you land the catch of a lifetime.

He’ll take you after not only the famous Blue Marlin, but White Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, and many other big game species. You’ll be exploring the most productive deep sea fishing spots, and the captain will show you all the tips and tricks for landing your personal best.

The 33’ Lochin 333 flybridge sportfisherman you will be fishing on is a superb fishing machine, fully equipped with GPS, fighting chair, restroom, and all the gear you will need for a variety of fishing techniques, including bottom fishing and trolling.

Marlins are strictly catch and release, but you’ll get to keep everything else (clients usually share Tuna with the crew). If you decide to keep your fish, the first mate will fillet it for your convenience. Balancal will cover all the fishing gear and bait you’ll need for a top day on the water, along with food and drinks.

Even though the captain loves having little ones on board, fighting Marlin can be very intense, so he recommends not bringing infants.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip - Off Season (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - May 31
    US $759
    This awesome morning trip will see you fishing for some of the most gorgeous local species at a discounted price. You'll be battling Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, and who knows what else.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip - Off Season (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - May 31
    US $759
    Visit Madeira between October and May and you'll get the opportunity to land some of the big game species at a discounted price. The captain will take you battling White and Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi, Tuna, and many others.
  • Private trip
    Half Day - Exclusive (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Sep 30
    US $868
    If you're an early riser and can't wait to get your hands on some of the biggest trophies, this exclusive morning trip is perfect for you! You'll be targeting White and Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi, Tuna, and whatever else crosses your path.
  • Private trip
    Half Day - Exclusive (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 3:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Sep 30
    US $868
    This exclusive afternoon trip is perfect for those who would like to target some of the most prestigious fish without having to get up early. Balancal crew will do everything possible to put you on Blue and White Marlin, along with Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, and many others.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip - Off Season
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - May 31
    US $1,410
    If you're visiting the incredible Madeira between October and the end of May, this exciting 8-hour trip will give you the opportunity to experience some of the best game fishing at a discounted price! The main stars of this trip will include heavy-weights such as Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, Marlin, and many other prestigious species.
  • Private trip
    Full Day - Exclusive
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 10:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Jun 1 - Sep 30
    US $1,627
    In addition to providing you with some of the best game fishing experiences on the Atlantic, this exclusive full day trip will also involve a picnic including beer and soft drinks for all anglers on board. The captain will do everything to put you on Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, and whatever else you lay your eyes on.
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FAQs about Madeira Marlin - Balancal

Madeira Marlin - Balancal offers the following trips to customers:
  • €700 per group - Half Day Trip - Off Season (AM) (4 hours)
  • €700 per group - Half Day Trip - Off Season (PM) (4 hours)
  • €800 per group - Half Day - Exclusive (AM) (4 hours)
  • €800 per group - Half Day - Exclusive (PM) (4 hours)
  • €1,300 per group - Full Day Trip - Off Season (7 hours)
  • €1,500 per group - Full Day - Exclusive (7 hours)

When you book a trip with Madeira Marlin - Balancal, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radio

Trips booked with Madeira Marlin - Balancal include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Snacks (Fruit)
  • Drinks (Beer, soft drinks, and water)
  • First Mate (Tips are appreciated)
  • Fishing License
  • Lunch (Sandwiches, on full day trips)

Madeira Marlin - Balancal offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing

Madeira Marlin - Balancal offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Madeira Marlin - Balancal include:
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (White)
  • Tuna (Albacore)
  • Tuna (Bigeye)
  • Tuna (Bluefin)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Charter Operator

Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
1 Fishing Report
28 Customer reviews
Response time 4 hours
Member since August 2014
Madeira Marlin - Balancal is run by Magic Dolphin Atividades Maritimas Lda, specializing in excellent game fishing and incredible customer services. Their captains are experienced, passionate, and will do everything to provide their customers with an incredible fishing experience. Born in the Madeira, Captain Fabio Abreu grew up on the sea, surrounded with boats and fishing. He used to worked many years in Magic Dolphin Catamaran, but his heart was always in fishing. When opportunity came, we did not think twice about putting Fabio in charge of Balancal big game fishing. He is one of the top captains in the area, specializing in pelagics.

About this listing

Targeted species

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Blue) Blue Marlin
Marlin (White) White Marlin
Tuna (Albacore) Albacore Tuna

Boat specs

Lochin 333 (Sportfishing) originally built in 2001, and restored in 2024. Powered by 2 300HP Perkins engines.

Length
33 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Outriggers

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Snacks
Fruit
Drinks
Beer, soft drinks, and water
First Mate
Tips are appreciated
Fishing License
Lunch
Sandwiches, on full day trips

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
No infants life jackets supplied
You Keep Catch
Sharing Tuna with the crew is customary
Catch and Release Allowed
Catch and Release Mandatory
Marlin

Payment

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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:

Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Bank Transfer

Funchal Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 28 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (31)
Great Marlin
Hard days fishing
Amazing day!
+28
Angler rating
26
1
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
93%
Friendly captain
96%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
71%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
67%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 28 reviews
Eric S.
United States
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great half day afternoon w Capt Solomão & mate Nelson

VERIFIED   Half Day - Exclusive (AM) on August 18, 2023
First of all, Funchal is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever fished. To find pelagics this close to shore is amazing....
Eric S. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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Eric S. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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RENEE G.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun family trip!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip - Off Season (AM) on December 29, 2023
Nelson and his crew took my family of 6 on a half day trip in December and it was a lot of fun! The boat was equipped with...
RENEE G. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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RENEE G. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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Johannes E.
Lisbon, Portugal
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Super Crew !

VERIFIED   Half Day - Exclusive (AM) on September 12, 2023
Best Day with cool Buddy‘s on a good Boat First Time in my Life —— 400 kg ——- 😁😁😁
Johannes E. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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Johannes E. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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Neil S.
Funchal, Portugal
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

July fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day - Exclusive (AM) on July 19, 2023
Neil S. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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Neil S. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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Mārtiņš B.
Stockholm, Sweden
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

May fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip - Off Season (AM) on May 3, 2023
Mārtiņš B. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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Mārtiņš B. recommends Madeira Marlin - Balancal
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