Fish the Maldives with Mariana

A family-run charter on Gaafaru, since 2022

In October 2026 we upgraded our fleet with a new 32 ft boat, so you now have more options for your trip. Popping, jigging and trolling in North Malé Atoll, with full-board rooms on the island.

What our guests say

Two of our returning guests filmed their trips with us and shared them on YouTube.

What you can catch

Every fish here was caught by one of our guests, fishing with us from Gaafaru.

Giant trevally

The reef's heavyweight. Explodes on poppers along reef edges and in channels.

Popping

Bluefin trevally

Fast, colourful and common around reef flats and channels.

Popping

Yellowfin tuna

Hunts in surface schools offshore. Taken on poppers, stickbaits and the troll.

PoppingTrolling

Dogtooth tuna

Raw power from the deep water along steep drop-offs.

Jigging

Wahoo

One of the fastest fish in the sea, and a trolling favourite.

Trolling

Sailfish

An acrobatic billfish found in open water.

Trolling

Grouper

Lives deep around the reef and pulls hard for cover.

Jigging

Red snapper

A strong reef fish that hits poppers in the shallows and jigs in deeper water.

PoppingJigging

Amberjack

Stubborn and powerful, holding deep over structure.

Jigging

Rainbow runner

A sleek, fast pelagic, often found mixed in with tuna.

Trolling

Mahi-mahi

Bright green and gold, and known for jumping once hooked.

Trolling

Green jobfish

A hard-pulling reef predator that takes both jigs and poppers.

JiggingPopping

Catches depend on season, weather and a bit of luck.

Our charter boats

Choose the new 32 ft speed boat for groups of up to 5 anglers, or the 24 ft for one to three. Prices are per boat, so the more of you there are, the less each person pays.

New in October 2026

Mariana 32 ft speed boat

  • Twin Yamaha 250s500 hp between two outboards for a quick run out to the fishing grounds.
  • Up to 5 anglers5 jigging or 4 casting, with deck space for everyone to fight a fish.
  • Toilet on boardComfortable for a full day on the water.
Half day$400
Full day$800

Shared by 5 anglers, a half day works out at $80 each.

Book the Mariana 32
Type
Center console speed boat, 32 ft
Engines
Twin Yamaha 250 outboards
Electronics
Garmin
Anglers
Up to 4 casting or 5 jigging
On board
Cooler with ice, toilet, heavy-duty rod holders

Mariana 24 ft

Our 24 ft center console, for one to three anglers who want a boat to themselves.

Engine
Yamaha 150 outboard
Electronics
Garmin
Anglers
Up to 2 casting or 3 jigging
On board
Cooler with ice, heavy-duty rod holders
Half day$200
Full day$400
Book the Mariana 24

Casting needs more room on deck than jigging, so each boat takes one fewer angler for popping than for jigging.

Charters and prices

Book a boat for one session or for the whole day. Prices are per boat, not per person, so the cost is shared by everyone on board.

Half day

Choose one session: morning, 6:00 to 10:30, or evening, 14:30 to 19:00

  • Mariana 32 speed boatUp to 4 casting or 5 jigging anglers$400
  • Mariana 24Up to 2 casting or 3 jigging anglers$200
Ask about a half day

Full day

Both sessions, 6:00 to 10:30 and 14:30 to 19:00

  • Mariana 32 speed boatUp to 4 casting or 5 jigging anglers$800
  • Mariana 24Up to 2 casting or 3 jigging anglers$400
Ask about a full day

Prices in US dollars. Hire a boat for 6 days and the charter price drops by 5%.

Your day on the water

We fish the cooler, more active hours at both ends of the day, with a break in the middle.

  • Morning session: 6:00 to 10:30
  • Evening session: 14:30 to 19:00
Half day is the morning or the evening session, your choice. Full day is both sessions.

When to fish the Maldives

Fishing with us isn't only for professionals. Whether you've never held a rod or you've been chasing GTs for years, you're welcome on board, and beginners can try their luck with us too. The guide below shows what bites in each month.

NE monsoon, Jan to AprSW monsoon, May to OctNE, Nov to Dec
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Popping and casting
Giant trevallyGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingFair or variableFair or variableFair or variableFair or variableFair or variableFair or variableGood fishingGood fishing
Offshore pelagics
Dogtooth tunaPeak seasonPeak seasonPeak seasonGood fishingFair or variableFair or variableFair or variableFair or variableFair or variableGood fishingPeak seasonPeak season
Yellowfin tunaPeak seasonPeak seasonPeak seasonGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingPeak season
WahooPeak seasonPeak seasonPeak seasonGood fishingGood fishingFair or variableFair or variableFair or variableGood fishingGood fishingPeak seasonPeak season
Mahi-mahiGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishingGood fishing
Billfish
SailfishPeak seasonPeak seasonPeak seasonGood fishingFair or variableOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakFair or variableFair or variableGood fishingPeak season
MarlinPeak seasonPeak seasonGood fishingGood fishingFair or variableOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakFair or variableFair or variableGood fishingPeak season
Fly fishing
Flats and bonefishPeak seasonPeak seasonPeak seasonGood fishingFair or variableOff-peakOff-peakOff-peakFair or variableFair or variableGood fishingPeak season

Scroll sideways to see every month.

  • Peak season
  • Good fishing
  • Fair or variable
  • Off-peak

GT and mahi-mahi bite all year round. Tuna, wahoo and billfish peak between December and March.

Ask about your dates

Stay on Gaafaru

We arrange your room on Gaafaru, at our own guesthouse or another guesthouse on the island. All rooms are full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

  • Single room$80/ night
  • Double room$100/ night
  • Triple room$150/ night

Want to see your room? Message us with your dates and we'll send you photos of the room you'll be staying in.

Ask for room photos

Stay longer, fish for less

  • 5%off rooms when you stay 7 nights
  • 5%off the charter when you hire a boat for 6 days
  • 5%off rooms for groups of 4
  • 10%off rooms for groups of 8, and the group leader goes free

Plan your trip

Tell us your dates and how you want to fish. The form opens WhatsApp with your details filled in, ready to send.

Fishing styles
You'll see the message in WhatsApp before it's sent.

Questions anglers ask

Do I need fishing experience?

No. Fishing with us isn't only for professionals, and beginners are welcome to try their luck. Let us know your experience when you book.

What times do the boats go out?

There are two sessions a day: morning, 6:00 to 10:30, and evening, 14:30 to 19:00. A half-day charter is whichever session you choose. A full-day charter is both.

Are prices per person or per boat?

Per boat. The Mariana 32 speed boat is $400 for a half day and $800 for a full day. The Mariana 24 is $200 for a half day and $400 for a full day.

How many anglers fit on each boat?

The Mariana 32 speed boat takes up to 4 anglers casting or 5 jigging. The Mariana 24 takes up to 2 casting or 3 jigging. Casting needs more deck space, which is why the numbers differ.

Is the 32 ft boat new?

Yes. We upgraded the fleet with the Mariana 32 speed boat in October 2026, so groups now have a bigger boat to choose, alongside the Mariana 24.

What's on board?

Both boats have Garmin electronics, a cooler with ice and heavy-duty rod holders. The Mariana 32 also has a toilet on board.

Where are you based?

On Gaafaru, a local island in North Malé Atoll. We're a family-run charter, fishing from the island since 2022, and our boats are based here.

Can we stay with you?

Yes. We arrange full-board rooms on Gaafaru, at our own guesthouse or another guesthouse on the island, with breakfast, lunch and dinner included. A single room is $80 a night, a double $100 and a triple $150. Ask us on WhatsApp and we'll send photos of your room.

Do you have discounts for groups or longer trips?

Stay 7 nights for 5% off rooms. Hire a boat for 6 days for 5% off the charter. Groups of 4 get 5% off rooms, and groups of 8 get 10% off rooms with the group leader going free.

Do you work with travel agents?

Yes. Message us on WhatsApp for partner terms and our fact sheet.

How do I book?

Send us your dates, number of anglers and how you'd like to fish on WhatsApp at +960 992 9926, or use the form above. We'll confirm the boat and room with you there.