This was an amazing experience at Calheta on the Gavito together with Captain Graham and his capable mate who were extremely friendly and helpful. We all spent three 8-hour days at sea and it was so exciting waiting for the fish to bite. In fact during the first and second day we had a couple of close hits and then on the third day we hooked a 250kg Marlin with which I battled for 20 minutes when it finally jumped out of the surface and managed to unhook itself. The feeling of having such a big game fish on the rod albeit for a short while has made this experience memorable. This besides continuous sightings of large whales, dolphin displays and sea turtles! all this in the great company drinking beer and food supplied by the boat.

A breezy start on Gavito out of Calheta marina trolling 5 lures and 2 teasers. My target was white marlin so we set the spread accordingly. Lots of dolphins and turtles but no sign of the elusive marlin.! In the afternoon we decided to troll closer inshore when we saw some birds working a disturbance. We headed over and got in amongst it and hooked up on 3 rods.!! Complete chaos until we got squared away and I could work on the fish I had in hand. The fish went airborne on me a few times and tried to throw the hook but we got it to the boat and safely on board. The other 2 fish had managed to throw the hooks which was a shame but that’s fishing.!! It was no white marlin but a nice size Bluefish of 13.5 lbs.!! Happy days.!! A fitting end to another nice day on the water with Captain Graham and First Mate Orlando.

I have fished with Graham and Orlando many times and we have caught some great fish whether it be big game fishing or bottom fishing. Gavito is a great boat and is well looked after and upgraded regularly. Her equipent is first class and has everything you could need for any kind of trip.A full range of tackle is available and again is well looked after with lines renewed regularly. Graham has been in Madeira a long time and knows these waters well and I trust him to try his best to put us on the fish.! We are going out again soon as there are some monster blue fin tuna around and I still want to catch one of these monsters as I lost the last one after a 3 hour fight.!! Such is fishing.!! Tight lines all.!

Family trip, complete beginners and very grateful to have it all explained. Ideal boat for us as we filled it. Fishing tackle excellent and promptly rigged by Orlando so that we had 5 lines out nearly all the time. Sadly no takers, but not for want of trying ! That’s the only reason I didn’t put 5* for overall experience, which might seem a bit harsh ! We did see dolphin playing with our wake and it was a great cruise around the S/W Madeira coast.
Graham’s very knowledgeable on fishing and Madeira so good to have his company.
Our trip was extended to get fuel in Funchal but our fishing time was more than replaced, which was good too. I’d definitely recommend Gavito as it’s good value and I think would give you as good a chance of catching fish as any boat. I hope to be back - perhaps more ” in season ” next time !