Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal
Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal
Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Fishing Portugal is a charter company and registered brand created in 2016 by Capt. João A. Melo, dedicated to Big Game Fishing on the Algarve shore, departing from the Olhão Marina.
The "Sal X” is a 36' Riviera refitted in 2023. It is stable, reliable, and designed for the deep blue ocean. The twin 370 HP Cummins engines give the boat a cruising speed of 18 knots and a top speed of 26 knots. Amenities on board include a toilet for your convenience, a galley to prepare your meals, and a comfortable area for leisure dining. But most importantly, it comes equipped with a fighting chair, outriggers, downriggers, and all the essentials of a true fishing machine.
Rods, reels, tackle, lures, and bait are all included. The crew is ready to welcome you aboard for an offshore fishing experience and will take care of you and your party throughout this one-of-a-kind adventure.
If Billfish is your passion, come to Portugal – the premier big game fishing destination in Europe. The warm waters flowing from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean sweep up to the Gulf of Cadiz, making this area the only place in Europe where it is possible to catch, tag, and release Billfish and some of the largest Bluefin Tuna in the world.
Capt. João A. Melo, an IGFA CAPTAIN, and his crew welcome anglers of all skill levels, offering guidance when needed and helping you reach the pinnacle of the sport – having a giant Bluefin Tuna or a Blue Marlin on the end of your line in the fight of a lifetime. The ultimate big game fishing trips in the Algarve.
The large pelagic specimens are tagged and released, and ensuring the best conditions for their survival is a top priority, in accordance with the guidelines of international organizations such as the IGFA and the Billfish Foundation.
As in previous seasons, we have a Marine Biologist on board to provide insights into the marine life along our coastline and to explain the tagging study of White and Blue Marlins that we are conducting in partnership with IPMA/ICCAT.
Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Fishing Portugal is a charter company and registered brand created in 2016 by Capt. João A. Melo, dedicated to Big Game Fishing on the Algarve shore, departing from the Olhão Marina.
The "Sal X” is a 36' Riviera refitted in 2023. It is stable, reliable, and designed for the deep blue ocean. The twin 370 HP Cummins engines give the boat a cruising speed of 18 knots and a top speed of 26 knots. Amenities on board include a toilet for your convenience, a galley to prepare your meals, and a comfortable area for leisure dining. But most importantly, it comes equipped with a fighting chair, outriggers, downriggers, and all the essentials of a true fishing machine.
Rods, reels, tackle, lures, and bait are all included. The crew is ready to welcome you aboard for an offshore fishing experience and will take care of you and your party throughout this one-of-a-kind adventure.
If Billfish is your passion, come to Portugal – the premier big game fishing destination in Europe. The warm waters flowing from the Mediterranean Sea into the Atlantic Ocean sweep up to the Gulf of Cadiz, making this area the only place in Europe where it is possible to catch, tag, and release Billfish and some of the largest Bluefin Tuna in the world.
Capt. João A. Melo, an IGFA CAPTAIN, and his crew welcome anglers of all skill levels, offering guidance when needed and helping you reach the pinnacle of the sport – having a giant Bluefin Tuna or a Blue Marlin on the end of your line in the fight of a lifetime. The ultimate big game fishing trips in the Algarve.
The large pelagic specimens are tagged and released, and ensuring the best conditions for their survival is a top priority, in accordance with the guidelines of international organizations such as the IGFA and the Billfish Foundation.
As in previous seasons, we have a Marine Biologist on board to provide insights into the marine life along our coastline and to explain the tagging study of White and Blue Marlins that we are conducting in partnership with IPMA/ICCAT.
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (42)
All reviews (27)
What can I say what an incredible experience! We were celebrating my 50th birthday, and the five of us decided to go marlin fishing. I’ve been many times before but had never caught one. Then, on my 50th birthday, it finally happened: I landed a 70lb white marlin, which we successfully tagged and released! The crew were amazing from start to finish. They even surprised me with a birthday cake, and I loved raising the flag to show that I had caught my first marlin. The boat was perfect, spacious and extremely well equipped. If you’re thinking about going marlin fishing, these guys are the real deal. An unforgettable experience for all five of us and the perfect way to celebrate my 50th birthday!
John, it was a great pleasure to take part of your 50th birthday celebration with a tag and release white marlin as a birthday surprise! Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us and knowing that it exceeded your expectations it’s very rewarding! We hope to welcome you and your friends soon in another life event!
This trip was for my husband, who has always wanted to fish for marlin. we did not have luck this trip, but notfor lack of trying. the captain and crew worked so hard to find he fish,butit was not our day. We did however see a shark, dolphins,and a sun fish. The entire crew was amazing and friendly. They fed us well and even added a bottle of bubbly for our anniversary celebration.
Dear Brooke and Carlos, thank you for your kind words: your feedback means a lot to us. Although we didn’t have the luck to catch a fish, we are very happy that you liked us and the all experience. We take great pride in offering products that meet hight standarts and it’s wonderful to know that you recognize and appreciate our efforts to please you. It was really great to meet you (and your lovely family photos😊) and hope to see you soon and have the luck to make a catch!
Captain and crew were very friendly and welcoming. Went Reef fishing and caught about a dozen fish between the 4 of us. Was hoping for some larger fish but experience was fun overall.
Dear Ricardo, It was realy a pleasure to have aboard tou and tour family, and for you have a experience that so long you wait for it. I hope you come back to the experience with pelagics like Bluefin tuna, White or Blue Marlin. Best regards e muito obrigado Capt.Joao A Melo
Thank you Charles, a great day in the ocean and a pleasure having you on board. Hope to see you soon.
lovely experience. knowledgeable captain and crew. would definitely book them again.
Seth, it was a pleasure having you on board and we are glad you enjoyed the experience. The crew always strives to do their best so your compliments are very welcome. We hope you come back for another trip next year. Thank you and see you soon!
FAQs about Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal
- €1,100 per group - Half day - Family Friends day OFF (5 hours)
- €1,100 per group - Half day - Reef fishing - Summer (5 hours)
- €1,400 per group - Full Day White Marlin (7 hours)
- €1,450 per group - Full Day Live Bait Bluefin Tuna (7 hours)
- €1,550 per group - Full Day Giant Bluefin Tuna (7 hours)
- €2,900 per group - Extended Full Day – Blue Marlin (12 hours)
- Toilet The bathroom is private. Sink, toilet and shower with hot water, we have moisturizing and sun creams, hairdryer and other details.
- Air conditioning
- Fighting chair
- GPS Raymarine Axion
- Fishfinder Hondex - Sonar
- Bed Captain authorization
- Flybridge You can seat 4 people
- Snorkeling equipment
- Live bait well
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Multimedia system
- Outriggers
- Ice box
- Radar Furuno
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live bait (We only use live bait on Reef fishing or deep sea fishing, and is included in the price.)
- Lures
- Snacks (Breakfast )
- Drinks (Limited )
- First mate (We have in all fishing trips 2 mates, the first mate is focused on fishing and the second is attentive to the needs of customers, drinks, food, etc. Normally the tip is 10% to 15% of the final price of the trip.)
- Fishing license (The fishing license we carry on the boat is valid for 24 hours, we need a angler identification number, like passport or drive license.)
- Lunch (Breakfast/Lunch - depending on the fishing trip)
- Nearshore fishing (From 5 up to 15 nautical miles)
- Offshore fishing (From 15 up to 40 nautical miles)
- Light tackle
- Heavy tackle
- Trolling
- Popping
- Drift fishing
- Deep sea fishing
- Bonito
- Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
- Marlin (Blue)
- Marlin (White)
- Swordfish
- Tuna (Albacore)
- Tuna (Bigeye)
- Tuna (Bluefin)
- Tuna (Skipjack)
- Tuna (Yellowfin)
Your operator
Olhão, Faro District, Portugal
'João Melo, the Skipper, born in 1969 in Portugal has the passion for the sea and fishing, since he was a child. With a wide professional experience in tourism and events, in 2013 he opened a tourist maritime business activity, focusing on Big Game fishing at the Olhao-Algarve, thus fulfilling the desire to work on what he likes the most. Along with this achievement, he is committed to practice sustainability and protection of the species, by catching, tagging, and releasing them, as well as collaborating with scientific researchers. His motto is: 'Protection is Fun' In 2016, Ocean Fun &Fishing Big Game Portugal was created, with the vessel EOLLA III, a Starfisher 840. The continued will to improve services of excellence lead to the current moment: the recent acquisition of the vessel 'SAL X', a Riviera 36 (renovated in 2023), prepared to provide the best experience of Big Game in Portugal.'
Real catches by this captain
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
How cancellations work
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 30 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.
What the listing policies are
Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
How you can pay
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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
Visa
Mastercard
PayPal
Bank transfer
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 1.5% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Olhão right now
Bonito
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Blue)
Marlin (White)
Swordfish
Tuna (Albacore)
Tuna (Bigeye)
Tuna (Bluefin)
Tuna (Skipjack)
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