GOLDEN WAVE 3 – IGFA Captain Vic – Blue Marlin Fishing

Big fish change the whole morning. Golden Wave 3 takes up to five people from Le Morne Anglers Club on Mauritius’s west coast for a private blue marlin fishing trip, with Captain Victor Pelletier and his crew working waters known for marlin, tuna, wahoo, and mahi mahi. I like the small-group format and the serious fishing setup, including artificial lures, fresh bait, and quality equipment.

I also like that you do not need fishing experience. Captain Vic and crew handle the technical work, while you get the chance to take the rod when a powerful fish strikes. The main consideration is simple: six hours can pass quickly when you are targeting one of the ocean’s most elusive fish, so a marlin is never guaranteed. One fishing enthusiast specifically advised booking at least eight hours for a better chance at a catch.

Key points at a glance

• Private boat for up to five: Your group fishes together instead of sharing the trip with strangers.
• A serious marlin target: The crew mainly pursues blue marlin, black marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dorado.
• Early 6:00 am start: You reach the fishing grounds early, when there are fewer boats around.
• Fresh bait and artificial lures: The crew changes tactics to improve your chances of finding fish.
• Comfortable Golden Wave 3: The boat is described as spacious, clean, modern, and well maintained.
• Strong customer satisfaction: The experience carries a 4.9 rating from 52 reviews and a 98 percent recommendation rate.

Why Mauritius is a serious marlin destination

Mauritius sits in the Indian Ocean, surrounded by waters that attract large predatory fish throughout the year. That gives this trip a different feel from a casual coastal fishing outing. You are not simply dropping a line near shore and waiting for small fish. The goal is to reach productive offshore water and troll for powerful game fish.

The main targets are blue marlin, black marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dorado. Blue marlin are the prize catch, and Mauritius has a reputation for very large specimens. Fish weighing more than 1,000 pounds, often called granders, are caught around the island each year. The island also holds major big-game fishing records, including the largest blue marlin caught on 80-pound test line.

That record-setting background adds excitement, but it can also create unrealistic expectations. You might spend hours looking for a single fish and return without a marlin. The crew can improve your odds with local knowledge, fresh bait, and the right tackle, but no captain can promise a bite from a fish this difficult to find.

Meeting Captain Vic at 6:00 am

The trip begins at 6:00 am at Le Morne Anglers Club on Colonel Dean Avenue in Grande Riviere Noire. This is on the west coast, in the broad area between Port Louis and Le Morne Brabant, a useful base for reaching the island’s favored big-game fishing grounds.

The early start is not just a scheduling detail. It puts you on the water before the day feels fully awake, and it can mean fewer boats in the area. One guest specifically praised the quiet early departure and said it was worth getting up before dawn. If you are staying elsewhere in Mauritius, pickup is offered, but confirm the arrangement when you book because the listed meeting point remains the club.

You should arrive ready for a full morning and early afternoon at sea. The activity lasts about six hours and returns to the same meeting point. Since this is a private activity for your group, the morning pace can be more focused than a large shared excursion. The crew is working for your party alone, not trying to divide attention among several unrelated groups.

Getting comfortable aboard Golden Wave 3

Golden Wave 3 has earned praise for being clean, spacious, modern, and comfortable. Those qualities matter more on a fishing charter than they might on a short sightseeing cruise. Six hours offshore gives you plenty of time to notice whether the deck feels organized and whether there is room to move safely when a fish takes the line.

The boat is paired with good-quality fishing equipment, according to several detailed accounts. That is important for marlin fishing, where the fish can run hard and fight for a long time. One blue marlin was released after an hour-long fight, while another successful trip produced a 200-pound blue marlin after an eight-hour outing.

You will receive bottled water and snacks, which is helpful during a long morning on the ocean. The supplied details do not promise a full meal, so treat the snacks as basic fuel rather than a catered breakfast or lunch. If you need a particular drink or food, ask before departure.

The crew’s role is hands-on. They set up the gear, watch the lines, spot activity, and guide you through the process when a fish strikes. First-time anglers are welcome, and the captain’s experience means you do not need to arrive knowing how to rig bait or manage a large reel.

Trolling the offshore water

The main fishing method is trolling. The boat moves at relatively high speed while artificial lures trail behind it, covering water in search of predators. The crew also uses fresh bait, including small tuna as live bait or dead bait, to give fish a different presentation.

This method involves patience. You may watch several lines while the boat moves through open water, with the crew adjusting lure patterns and bait as conditions change. A quiet stretch does not mean the trip is failing. It means the crew is searching for the right fish in a very large environment.

The mix of artificial lures and fresh bait is one of the practical strengths of the charter. You are not limited to one technique. The crew can use several lures and a variety of bait to give you more chances at blue marlin, tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, and other species.

If a fish takes the line, the mood changes fast. The crew helps you get positioned and manages the equipment while you concentrate on the fight. The physical demand depends on the size and behavior of the fish. A large marlin can take an hour to bring close, and the crew’s support becomes especially valuable at that point.

What you might catch

The dream catch is a blue marlin, and the trip is built around finding one. Black marlin are also possible, as are yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado, mahi mahi, and sailfish. Several successful outings included blue marlin, while another produced a sailfish and others brought in tuna.

The catch reports show why this is best viewed as a genuine fishing charter rather than a guaranteed catch-and-photo trip. One person fished for four days and caught three marlin. Another booked two days and caught and released two blue marlin. These results are exciting, but they came from spending several days on the water, not from a single six-hour guarantee.

A blue marlin can also be released rather than kept. Several outings involved catching and releasing marlin, including a fish landed after a long fight. That approach protects the fish and allows you to enjoy the achievement without treating the catch as a souvenir.

The surrounding wildlife can add another layer to the morning. The crew has spotted whales, spinner dolphins, sperm whales, flying tuna, and other marine life. These sightings are not the stated purpose of the fishing trip, and they cannot be guaranteed, but they can make a slow fishing period far more interesting. The crew has also received praise for respecting whales and dolphins and following wildlife laws.

The crew and the learning curve

Captain Victor Pelletier is the central figure on the boat, supported by crew members including Jason, Gigi, Ludwig, and Didier on different outings. The crew’s strongest praised qualities are their fishing skill, friendly manner, and willingness to keep working when conditions are difficult.

That matters if you are new to big-game fishing. You do not need to understand drag settings, lure placement, bait rigging, or the mechanics of fighting a marlin before you step aboard. The crew sets you up and helps you through the process.

Experienced anglers should also find enough substance here. The boat targets serious fish, the equipment is described as high quality, and returning customers have fished with Captain Vic for years. The trip is not presented as a basic beginner lesson. It is a proper charter where beginners can take part and experienced anglers can focus on the fish.

The captain’s attitude toward marine life is another positive. Accounts of whale-watching outings describe careful behavior around whales and dolphins, with an emphasis on respect rather than chasing animals. That is worth noting even on a fishing trip, since you may encounter the same marine life offshore.

Is six hours enough?

Six hours is a sensible half-day length, especially if you want to fit fishing into a wider Mauritius itinerary. It gives the crew time to reach offshore grounds and troll without taking up the entire day. Families or mixed groups may prefer this shorter format, particularly if not everyone is certain they want a full day at sea.

For a dedicated marlin angler, six hours may feel short. The strongest practical advice from the supplied accounts is to book at least eight hours if catching a blue marlin is your main goal. More time gives the boat longer to reach productive water, change tactics, and wait through slow periods.

The choice depends on your priority. Pick six hours if you want a serious introduction to big-game fishing and still want your afternoon free. Ask about a longer charter if you have traveled to Mauritius mainly to catch marlin or if you want to improve your odds through extra time on the water.

The cost for a private group

The listed price is $872.36 per group of up to five people. That works out to about $174.47 per person if five people share the boat, though the total remains the same for a smaller group.

At first glance, that is a substantial half-day price. The value improves when you fill the boat because you are paying for a private charter, not five separate seats. You also get a captain and crew, a dedicated boat, fishing equipment, bait, lures, bottled water, and snacks.

For two people, the per-person cost is much higher. It may still be worthwhile if you value privacy and want the crew’s full attention, but a group of four or five gets the clearest financial advantage. The price makes the most sense for friends or family who are genuinely interested in fishing, rather than for a group where only one person wants to hold a rod.

The 98 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 score from 52 reviews suggest strong satisfaction with the overall service. Still, the cost should be judged against the fishing goal. You are paying for time, boat, crew, and access to productive water, not a guaranteed marlin.

Who should book this trip?

I would point this charter toward several kinds of visitors:

• First-time anglers who want expert help without joining a large group
• Experienced anglers chasing blue marlin and other offshore species
• Families or friends who can share the private-group price
• Couples celebrating a special occasion and looking for a focused day at sea
• Visitors who want a fishing trip with the possibility of seeing whales and dolphins

It may be less suitable if you dislike early starts, motion on the open ocean, or long periods of waiting. It is also not the best choice if you need certainty. The ocean sets the terms, and even a skilled crew can return without the fish you hoped to catch.

Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. Pickup is offered, and confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late cancellations and late changes are not accepted.

My practical tips before you go

Book early if your holiday dates are fixed. This trip is booked an average of 45 days ahead, which suggests that popular dates can fill well before arrival.

If marlin is your top goal, ask about an eight-hour option rather than assuming six hours will be enough. Extra time may be more valuable than almost any other upgrade on a fishing charter.

Share the boat with people who will enjoy the process, not only the catch. Trolling takes patience, and the best moments may be separated by long quiet stretches.

Wear clothing suitable for a morning at sea and bring any personal items you need for comfort. Bottled water and snacks are supplied, but the information does not specify a full meal or special dietary choices.

Finally, keep your expectations realistic. A 1,000-pound blue marlin is possible in Mauritius, but possible is not the same as promised. The real value is getting into the right kind of water with a crew that knows how to search, set up, and respond when the line finally screams.

Should you book Golden Wave 3?

Book it if you want a private, serious fishing outing and you are happy to trade certainty for a real chance at a remarkable fish. Captain Vic’s crew has a strong record for friendly service, quality equipment, comfortable boats, and successful marlin trips, including long fights and careful releases.

I would choose the six-hour charter for a first attempt or a shared family holiday. I would ask for eight hours or more if you are an experienced angler and catching blue marlin is the main reason you are going. Either way, Golden Wave 3 offers a focused way to experience Mauritius offshore, with tuna, dorado, wahoo, dolphins, and whales adding interest when the marlin proves hard to find.

FAQ

Where does the blue marlin fishing trip start?

The trip starts at Le Morne Anglers Club on Colonel Dean Avenue in Grande Riviere Noire, Mauritius.

What time does the activity begin?

The listed start time is 6:00 am.

How long does the fishing trip last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours and ends back at the meeting point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private boat accommodates one group of up to five people.

Do I need prior fishing experience?

No. Prior experience is not required, and the captain and crew provide guidance and handle the fishing setup.

What fish might I catch?

The main targets are blue marlin, black marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and dorado. Mahi mahi and sailfish are also possible.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.