Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal
+54Ocean 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 twins 370 HP Cummins engines give the boat a cruise speed of 18 knots and a top speed of 26 knots. Amenities on board include a toilet for your convenience, a kitchen to prepare your meals, and a comfortable area for leisure dining. But most important, it comes with a fighting chair, outriggers, downriggers, and all essentials of a fishing machine.
Rods, reels, tackle, lures, and bait are included. The crew is ready to receive you aboard for the offshore fishing experience and will accommodate you and your party in this unique adventure.
If Billfish is your passion, come to Portugal, the best big game fishing location in Europe. The warm waters from the Mediterranean Sea entering the Atlantic Ocean run up to the Gulf of Cadiz, making this area the only place in Europe where it is possible to catch, tag, and release the Billfish and some of the biggest Bluefin Tuna in the world.
Capt. João A. Melo a IGFA CAPTAIN and his crew welcome anglers of all skill levels, teaching you if needed and helping you reach the climax of having a giant Bluefin Tuna or a Blue Marlin at the end of the line, and it’s a fight of a lifetime. The ultimate big game fishing trips in Algarve.
The big pelagic specimens are tagged and released, and ensuring the best conditions for their survival is a priority, following the guidelines of international associations such as the IGFA and the Billfish Foundation. We also collaborate with scientific researchers from IPMA (Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere) for the study of various species.
Charter Operator
Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal
Most popular features:
Trip availability and prices
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (18)
+15Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
90%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
65%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great guys 5/5
Full Day Giant Bluefin Tuna on June 14, 2025
Really professional set up and great crew would recommend. Did everything they could to get us a catch. Thanks again!
Really professional set up and great crew would recommend. Did everything they could to get us a catch. Thanks again!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fun trip and great crew!
Half day - Family Friends day OFF on July 27, 2024
It would have been nice to have caught a tuna, but unfortunately they weren’t biting. The trip was still a good experience. The crew was great and very accommodating. Joao, Luis, and Antonio were the best!
It would have been nice to have caught a tuna, but unfortunately they weren’t biting. The trip was still a good experience. The crew was great and very accommodating. Joao, Luis, and Antonio were the best!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fishing with Joao
Half day - Reef fishing - Winter on March 26, 2025
Very attentive, premium food.
Very attentive, premium food.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Amazing fishing trip!
Half day - Family Friends day OFF on August 1, 2024
We could not be happier with this boat & crew! 10/10 experience!
We could not be happier with this boat & crew! 10/10 experience!
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
November fishing trip
Half day - Reef fishing - Winter on November 20, 2024
FAQs about Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal
What are the trip rates for Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal?
Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal offers the following trips to customers:
- €1,100 per group - Half day - Family Friends day OFF (5 hours)
- €1,100 per group - Half day - Reef fishing - Winter (6 hours)
- €1,400 per group - Full Day White Marlin (7 hours)
- €1,550 per group - Full Day Giant Bluefin Tuna (7 hours)
- €2,300 per group - Extended Full Day – Blue Marlin (11 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal?
When you book a trip with Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- 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
What's included in the trip price with Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal?
Trips booked with Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal include:
- 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)
What types of fishing does Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal offer?
Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal offers the following types of fishing:
- Nearshore Fishing (From 5 up to 15 nautical miles)
- Offshore Fishing (From 15 up to 40 nautical miles)
What fishing techniques does Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal offer?
Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Heavy Tackle
- Trolling
- Popping
- Drift Fishing
- Deep Sea Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal?
Top targeted fish species with Ocean Fun & Fishing – Big Game Portugal include:
- 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.
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Nearshore Fishing
From 5 up to 15 nautical miles
Offshore Fishing
From 15 up to 40 nautical miles
Which fishing techniques you can try
Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Trolling
Popping
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing
Which amenities are available onboard
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
What’s included in the trip price
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
How cancellations work
Deposit non-refundable
If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.
What the listing policies are
Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Older than 8 years
Catch and Release Allowed
TBF's Tag & Release Program
How you can pay
Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain
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)
Tuna (Yellowfin)