Dogtooth Tuna Adventure
Praslin, Seychelles
Key Details
Accommodation
Waterfront Guesthouse
Season
October – November, March – April
Species
Dogtooth Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Amberjack, Marlin, Sailfish
Style
Jigging, Popping, Trolling
The Seychelles drop-off is one of the world’s leading trophy big game feeding grounds.
Bucket List Dogtooth Tuna.
Why We Go ➜
- Trophy Dogtooth Tuna: Praslin sits within range of some of the most reliable dogtooth tuna grounds in the Seychelles, where steep reef edges and deep structure consistently produce fish of serious size on jig and popper.
- The Seychelles Drop-Off & Big Game Variety: Access to deep bluewater and current-rich edges creates a rare overlap of reef and pelagic species, from dogtooth and GTs to yellowfin, wahoo, and billfish.
- A Complete Island Experience: Beyond the fishing, Praslin delivers white sand beaches, clear water, luxury villas, and a laid-back pace that makes it ideal for combining serious angling with a high-end tropical escape.
- The Best Base in the Inner Islands: Centrally positioned with access to surrounding banks, channels, and outer edges, Praslin offers some of the most consistent and versatile offshore fishing in the Seychelles.
8 Day Adventure
€3,000 per angler
- Round-trip ferry between Mahe and Praslin.
- Seven nights waterfront accommodation.
- Five full days guided inshore and offshore fishing.
- Breakfast, snacks on-board, and dinner.
- All tackle, equipment, & lures.
- Free rental car to drive around island.
The offshore fishery out of Praslin is built around the Seychelles drop-off, where shallow reef systems fall away rapidly into deep ocean. This structure creates a highly productive feeding zone, holding bait and concentrating predators along steep edges, pinnacles, and current lines. The run to these grounds is typically around 20 nautical miles, taking approximately 1–2 hours depending on conditions, with some days covering up to 60 nautical miles in total as boats move between productive areas. Trophy dogtooth tuna are the primary target, found holding deep along the reef edge, but the same grounds also produce giant trevally, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, marlin, sailfish and a range of large reef species including groupers and jobfish.
This is a true big game environment, where multiple techniques are used throughout the day, from vertical jigging and popping on the drop-off to trolling the deeper bluewater. The proximity of deep ocean allows for regular encounters with pelagic species, including sailfish and marlin, adding another dimension to the fishery. Conditions, structure, and current flow combine to create consistent opportunities at large, hard-fighting fish, making Praslin one of the most reliable offshore destinations in the Indian Ocean for anglers specifically looking to target trophy species and test themselves against powerful fish.
When conditions limit access to the offshore grounds, the inshore fishery around Praslin offers a highly effective alternative. Working the island’s reefs, ledges, and sheltered bays on lighter tackle provides consistent action across a wide range of species, including snapper, grouper, barracuda, and multiple trevally species such as golden trevally and bluefin trevally. These areas can be fished using poppers, soft plastics, jigs and flies, with structure and current still playing a key role in holding fish. While the focus shifts toward variety and lighter gear, there are always opportunities for something larger, with the potential for giant trevally always a possibility in this area.
The guesthouse offers a relaxed, well-positioned base for anglers fishing Praslin’s offshore grounds. Set on a hillside overlooking Baie Sainte Anne, the property combines spacious ocean-facing rooms and villas with a quiet, functional atmosphere that suits early starts and full days on the water. Accommodation is generous in size, with balconies, air-conditioning, and optional kitchen space, making it well suited for multi-day fishing trips where comfort and practicality matter.
A key advantage is its proximity to the Baie Sainte Anne marina, located just minutes away, where offshore trips depart from. While not a beachfront resort, the property functions exceptionally well as a fishing base rather than a leisure-only stay. Its central location on the island allows easy access to provisioning, transport, and charter operations, and the quieter setting away from busy tourist beaches aligns well with anglers focused on time on the water.
Praslin is the second-largest island in the Seychelles, located around 45 kilometres northeast of Mahé in the inner island group of the Indian Ocean. Known for its granite landscapes, lush vegetation, and world-class beaches such as Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette, it offers a quieter, more relaxed alternative to Mahé while still providing access to some of the most productive fishing grounds in the region.
How to get there:
Getting to Praslin from Mahé is straightforward. The most efficient option is a short 15-minute domestic flight, offering regular daily departures and scenic views over the archipelago. Alternatively, a high-speed ferry operates between Mahé and Baie Sainte Anne on Praslin, with a crossing time of approximately one hour. Both options are reliable and widely used.
Day 1 – Arrival (Mahé → Praslin)
Arrival in Mahé and transfer to Praslin by domestic flight or ferry. Transfer to accommodation in Baie Sainte Anne. Check-in, light prep, early night.
Days 2 ,3, 4 – Fishing Days 1, 2, 3
Three consecutive full days of inshore or offshore fishing, departing from Baie Sainte Anne marina. Target species include dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, giant trevally, wahoo, and reef species using jigging and popping techniques. Daily runs are adjusted based on conditions and fish activity.
Day 5 – Rest / Exploration Day
Day off the water. Optional visits to Anse Lazio, Anse Georgette, or Vallée de Mai. Time to recover, explore, and prepare gear for the remaining sessions.
Days 6 & 7 – Fishing Days 4 & 5
Final two full fishing days. Flexible approach depending on prior results, with the option to run further offshore to deeper drop-offs or focus on specific target species. Opportunity to refine techniques and maximize chances at trophy fish.
Day 8 – Departure (Praslin → Mahé)
Transfer back to Mahé by flight or ferry for onward travel.
Rates per angler:
Seven (7) Nights x Five (5) Fishing Days: €3,000 per angler (based on 4 anglers in group)
*Option to upgrade to luxury beach resort.
What’s Included:
- Ferry from Mahe (Main Island) to Praslin.
- Seven (7) nights waterfront accommodation on Praslin Island, Seychelles.
- Five full (8-hour) guided inshore & offshore fishing days.
- All tackle, equipment, lures, & jigs.
- Water, soft drinks, & snacks on-board.
- Daily continental breakfast & dinner at the guesthouse, + restaurant on-site.
- Daily housekeeping, air-conditioning, & WiFi.
- Free rental car to drive around the island.
What’s Not Included:
- International flights to Seychelles.
- Domestic flight from Mahe to Praslin (If not taking Ferry).
- Alcohol & extra meals.
- Tips for guides & staff.
- Travel Insurance.
GALLERY
Plan Your Trip:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why is Praslin considered one of the best places in the Seychelles to target dogtooth tuna?
Praslin sits directly adjacent to the Seychelles drop-off, where shallow granite reef systems fall rapidly into deep ocean, creating ideal habitat for dogtooth tuna. These fish hold tight to structure along steep reef edges, often in depths of 40–120 metres, where strong currents push bait across the drop. The relatively short run from Baie Sainte Anne allows anglers to access multiple productive areas in a single day, increasing opportunities to locate fish. Compared to more remote outer atolls, Praslin offers a rare combination of accessibility, consistent structure, and regular encounters with trophy-sized dogtooth.
What is the Seychelles drop-off and why is it so productive for big game fishing?
The Seychelles drop-off refers to the dramatic transition where the shallow inner island plateau gives way to the deep Indian Ocean. This creates steep underwater terrain including ledges, pinnacles, and reef walls that concentrate bait and predators. Ocean currents push nutrient-rich water and baitfish across these structures, triggering aggressive feeding behaviour from species such as dogtooth tuna, giant trevally, yellowfin tuna, and billfish. The proximity of deep water means pelagic species can be encountered very close to shore, making it one of the most efficient big game environments in the world.
What other species can be caught while fishing out of Praslin?
While dogtooth tuna are the primary target, the same offshore grounds hold a wide range of species. Anglers regularly encounter yellowfin tuna, wahoo, sailfish, and marlin in the bluewater, particularly when trolling between structures. On the reef and drop-off itself, large groupers, jobfish, and other bottom species are common. Inshore, lighter tackle fishing produces species such as golden trevally, bluefin trevally, barracuda, and reef fish, with the added possibility of giant trevally. This diversity allows for varied fishing across different techniques and conditions.
When is the best time of year to fish Praslin and the Seychelles?
Fishing is possible year-round, but conditions and target species vary with seasonal trade winds. The calmer inter-monsoon periods, typically April–May and October–November, offer the most stable weather and ideal conditions for accessing offshore grounds and working the drop-off. During the southeast trade winds (May–September), seas can be rougher, but fishing remains productive, particularly on the leeward side of the islands. The northwest monsoon (December–March) brings warmer water and increased chances of pelagic species such as sailfish and tuna. Overall, Praslin offers consistent fishing opportunities throughout the year, with timing often dictated more by weather windows than fish presence.
