Alphonse Island Fishing, Seychelles

Alphonse Island in the Seychelles offers incredible saltwater fly fishing for bonefish, trevally species, milkfish and triggerfish from the flats of St Francois Lagoon.

The finest bonefishing on the planet

Alphonse Island is the best known saltwater destination in the Indian Ocean and arguably home to the most prolific bone fishery in the world. The sheer diversity gives the angler the opportunity to target a myriad different species. The multi-national guide team pair up the 12 rods and the guides rotate every day. From Alphonse, the transfer boat makes the daily 40 minute crossing to St Francois Atoll and its 10,000 acres of flats.

With a variety of environments to fish, all abilities can be catered for. The majority of the fishing is done by wading and with both anglers fishing simultaneously. The hard, white sand flats of St Francois are teeming with bonefish. Large schools ghost across the flats and large singles and doubles feed along the drop offs.

For those in pursuit of giant trevally (GT), bluefin trevally and triggerfish, the coral edges and finger flats are ideal hunting grounds. Not for the faint of heart, the reef walks to the wrecks are a tough, but ultimately rewarding challenge.

In addition to superb bonefishing, it is a great mixed fishery with five species of trevally. There are three species of triggerfish (moustache, yellowmargin and picasso). In addition, there are Indo Pacific permit and a host of other fly-taking fish to be caught. An Alphonse specialty, milkfish (Chanos chanos), are one of the hardest fighting fish that you can land on a fly. They feed in the channels and weed lanes around the outside of the atoll and occasionally on the flats.

Casting from the skiffs is helpful in certain situations, and skiffs are often used to not only find but follow hooked milkfish and big trevally. They also enable you to fish tricky wading areas or to sneak up on fish, particularly in skinny water. At low tide it is possible to fish around the reef edges, where anglers are often surprised by a multitude of species gathered before heading to a particular area for the incoming push.

Bluewater fishing can also be arranged allowing anglers to target pelagic species such as sailfish, barracuda, yellowfin and dogtooth tuna both on the fly and using conventional tackle.

Breakfast is available from 0600 with fishermen meeting at the fishing office at 0700 each morning. Once everyone is assembled, you will be ferried out to the mothership for the 40 minute trip to St Francois. Guides rotate every day. When you arrive in the St Francois lagoon you will be transferred to your skiff with your fishing partner and your guide and set off for your day on the water.  Lunch is taken either on the mothership or on the individual skiffs and you will transfer back to Alphonse at approximately 1630. Your rods will remain on board the mothership for the duration of the week and fresh water is provided to rinse your tackle at the end of each fishing day.

Sea facing individual Beach Bungalows and Beach Suites

Along with the fabulous fishing, the accommodation at Alphonse Island is among some of the most comfortable of any fishing operation in the world. Guests stay in either the iconic A-frame Beach Bungalows or the Beach Suites.

The Beach Bungalows all have air conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and private outdoor shower, indoor bath, double vanity, toilet and bidet.  Tastefully furnished, the Beach Bungalows are all sea facing set in mature gardens. The generous wooden front porch has a comfortable lounging bed as well as more traditional table and chairs.

The five large Beach Suites are perfect for couples and for young families. The large front porch offers a shady respite with comfortable loungers as well as island tables and chairs. Returning to your room, you can walk straight in from the beach to the private outdoor shower. On two levels, the open plan Beach Suites have a comfortable seating area, writing desk and toilet on the lower level. A few steps take you up to a large, comfortable bed looking straight out toward the palm fringed waters of the Indian Ocean.  The en-suite bathroom has an indoor shower, separate toilet, twin vanities and leads directly out onto the private outdoor shower.

The hub of the island is the bar. Open on all sides to take advantage of the sea breezes, the central bar area leads down to the beach which is where you will dine most evenings, weather permitting. With the flickering firelight in the fire pit, solar lanterns emitting their soft glow and the night sky glittering above, it’s an impressive dining room. 

Alphonse is surrounded by some truly phenomenal dive sites. With a PADI registered operation on the island, it is an ideal spot for beginners and experienced divers alike.

A tiny jewel in the vastness of the Indian Ocean

Alphonse Island is part of the Amirantes chain, 292 miles to the south west of the capital island of Mahé. This idyllic tropical island combines a 5 star resort with some of the best saltwater fishing available on the planet. Accessible with twice weekly flights from Mahé the flight to Alphonse takes just under an hour. Once there, you can relax and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this tiny island.

“Time and time again, I have returned to Alphonse; it is undoubtedly one of my favourite destinations.” M.T. – UK

“Alphonse has remained at the top of my list for saltwater fishing for a decade. Every time I go I fall in love with another species. It took me a couple of years to get triggerfish out of my system, and I am now a milkfish fiend. The accommodation is second to none.” V.R. – UK