Portugal Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

Portugal Blue Marlin Fishing Charters

Top Portugal Blue Marlin Fishing Destinations

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Best Blue Marlin Fishing Charters in Portugal

Blue Marlin Fishing in Portugal

Blue Marlin
  • Size 200 to 400lbs
  • Food Value Good
  • Game Qualities Excellent
  • Habitats Offshore

(Makaira nigricans)

No country in Europe has better billfishing to offer than Portugal. Swordfish, short- and longbill Spearfish, White Marlin, and of course Blue Marlin, can all be caught here. Not so much from the mainland, but from the Islands of Madeira and the Azores in the Atlantic Ocean. The seafloor drops close to the Islands, which means you can hop aboard and experience the Marlin fishing Portugal has to offer in no time.

Where and When to Go

Madeira has some of the best billfishing in the world. Between April and September you will encounter plenty of Blue Marlin here, with the peak season between May and August. Most local charter boats depart from Funchal or Calheta on the southern coast of the Island.

On the Azores, the fishing season doesn’t start until June, but lasts until November. Peak season is in August and September. Short as it is, the peak season makes up for it in intensity! Three “Granders” have been caught here by a single boat in one day! You’ll find most charter boats for hire on Sao Miguel and Ponta Delgada, but all of the larger islands have captains willing to take you out on the water, too.

How to Fish

Trolling is the method of choice when it comes to targeting Marlin. It’s common to use heavy tackle in combination with a fighting chair, because these giant predators pack a hefty punch. Artificial lures will serve you well, as will live bait.

Whether you want to spice up your vacation in the sun, or cross a Blue Marlin off your bucket list, Portugal is the right place for you!

Portugal Blue Marlin Fishing Seasons

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Seasonality

Blue Marlin fishing in Portugal varies moderately throughout the year. High season is June to September. Low season is January to April and November to December. There is no closed season.
Portugal
Excellent
4.4 / 5
Based on 27,954 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
Portugal: 34 fishing charters available
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(49 reviews)
Calheta
 Instant Confirmation
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(12 reviews)
Funchal
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $646
Excellent
4.4 / 5
(17 reviews)
Funchal
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $754
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(43 reviews)
Ponta Delgada
trips from $485

What anglers said about Blue Marlin Fishing in Portugal

Understand that nothing is guaranteed- itโ€™s fishing. Enjoy the time out on the boat and youโ€™ll have a good time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Understand that nothing is guaranteed- itโ€™s fishing. Enjoy the time out on the boat and youโ€™ll have a good time.
Joe  R.
Joe R.
Our trip was a 4 hour bottom fishing trip 4 of our family had not fished before ,but all managed to catch with the help of the crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Our trip was a 4 hour bottom fishing trip 4 of our family had not fished before ,but all managed to catch with the help of the crew
Colin  T.
Colin T.
Check the weather conditions and contact the captain to see if it is ok to go out in the open.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Check the weather conditions and contact the captain to see if it is ok to go out in the open.
Jan  D.
Jan D.
The boat was well appointed, spotlessly clean. Hennie and Franklin made a great team, professional, courteous and hard working. They really worked hard, and agreed plans were always flexible as they sought out fish for us. We would thoroughly recommend them as we had a great experience. We arrived as clients and left as friends so will be booking again as soon as we can.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
The boat was well appointed, spotlessly clean. Hennie and Franklin made a great team, professional, courteous and hard working. They really worked hard, and agreed plans were always flexible as they sought out fish for us. We would thoroughly recommend them as we had a great experience. We arrived as clients and left as friends so will be booking again as soon as we can.
Michael  C.
Michael C. Aberdeen, Scotland
Plan the fishing trip according to the weather and the direction of the wind. Fish in the wind shadow of the island for smaller waves.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Plan the fishing trip according to the weather and the direction of the wind. Fish in the wind shadow of the island for smaller waves.
Lukas  R.
Lukas R. Madeira, 30
Initially I was a little surprised that the boat was small . However, it was sufficient and we had a great time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Initially I was a little surprised that the boat was small . However, it was sufficient and we had a great time.
Janet  T.
Janet T.
Go to Pedro from Azores Fishing and Adventures Trails of Nature - Azoren Expert Tours
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go to Pedro from Azores Fishing and Adventures Trails of Nature - Azoren Expert Tours
Saskia  H.
Saskia H. Lisbon, Lisbon
Bring plenty of water, snacks and sun screen. Be ready for a relaxed day of fishing on a beautiful Island.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring plenty of water, snacks and sun screen. Be ready for a relaxed day of fishing on a beautiful Island.
Frank  M.
Frank M. Visalia, CA
Check the predicted/expected wind speed & direction as a strong Westerly can rain on your parade and lead to cancellations. There are some great free wind apps to keep track.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Check the predicted/expected wind speed & direction as a strong Westerly can rain on your parade and lead to cancellations. There are some great free wind apps to keep track.
Ren  G.
Ren G. London, England
Coastal fishing was nice. Itโ€™s my second visit in, July. I fished with a crew I met last time in the Marina and once again, there was a lot of Dolphins. Seeing all the Dolphins is absolutely amazing, but makes fishing a bit challenging.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Coastal fishing was nice. Itโ€™s my second visit in, July. I fished with a crew I met last time in the Marina and once again, there was a lot of Dolphins. Seeing all the Dolphins is absolutely amazing, but makes fishing a bit challenging.
Adelino  J.
Adelino J.
Yes itโ€™s a good fun trip! Capt Miguel will accommodate to your skill level of fishing!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Yes itโ€™s a good fun trip! Capt Miguel will accommodate to your skill level of fishing!
Nigel  S.
Nigel S. Lagos, 08
Book with Native Crew! Theyโ€™ll do the rest. Captain is fluent in English which helped communication greatly. Be sure to get out early in the morning while still cool and fish are biting.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with Native Crew! Theyโ€™ll do the rest. Captain is fluent in English which helped communication greatly. Be sure to get out early in the morning while still cool and fish are biting.
Nancy  E.
Nancy E. Lake Junaluska, NC
Very nice time of year to fish. Couldnโ€™t ask for better weather. The seas were calm
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Very nice time of year to fish. Couldnโ€™t ask for better weather. The seas were calm
Kevin  A.
Kevin A. Sandwich, MA
Keep in mind that it is fishing. There is no guarantee that you might catch something, or catch what you expected on forehand. The fish might be somewhere else then where you are.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Keep in mind that it is fishing. There is no guarantee that you might catch something, or catch what you expected on forehand. The fish might be somewhere else then where you are.
Michel  K.
Michel K. North Providence, RI
Big game can be hit or miss depending on which whales are around the islands. Inshore fishing is basically a sure thing and the landscape vistas are top notch. Well worth the experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Big game can be hit or miss depending on which whales are around the islands. Inshore fishing is basically a sure thing and the landscape vistas are top notch. Well worth the experience
MICHAEL  D.
MICHAEL D.
Do bottom fishing for fun and big game fishing if you want to have a unique experience but without having the garantee to catch fish
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Do bottom fishing for fun and big game fishing if you want to have a unique experience but without having the garantee to catch fish
Jessica  H.
Jessica H.
Just go, but be patient so if you can book a whole day to increase your chance on success.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Just go, but be patient so if you can book a whole day to increase your chance on success.
Eelco  V.  H.
Eelco V. H. Berghem, NB
You are in the open water and the wind can be chilly even on a cloudless day. Bring sunscreen & a number of layers that permit flexibility. That said the captain provided us with coats when we were a little cold.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
You are in the open water and the wind can be chilly even on a cloudless day. Bring sunscreen & a number of layers that permit flexibility. That said the captain provided us with coats when we were a little cold.
John  M.
John M. Madrid, MD
Don't expect to catch a big game first time! I've been 4 times all over the world and still not had my big catch but still pulled up all kinds of colourful fish!! And some big snapper! A day out on the boat is better than a day not on the boat! Just go and have fun and you may get lucky! Also check season times, summer is best for certain types of fish so can be hard before the season
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Don't expect to catch a big game first time! I've been 4 times all over the world and still not had my big catch but still pulled up all kinds of colourful fish!! And some big snapper! A day out on the boat is better than a day not on the boat! Just go and have fun and you may get lucky! Also check season times, summer is best for certain types of fish so can be hard before the season
Craig  A.
Craig A. London, England
Use a local captain. If you can fish with Capt. Anders, do not hesitate to do it. My wife and I stayed at a convenient Airbnb Loft - Madeira - Funchal - Calheta.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Use a local captain. If you can fish with Capt. Anders, do not hesitate to do it. My wife and I stayed at a convenient Airbnb Loft - Madeira - Funchal - Calheta.
HENRY  B.
HENRY B. Bethune, SC

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