St. Brandon's Atoll

Deep within the Indian Ocean, due east of Madagascar and 300 miles northeast of Mauritius lies an obscure and remote atoll that may offer the greatest fly fishing for bonefish in the world. Scouted and eventually made accessible to fly anglers by the veteran South African saltwater outfitters at FlyCastaway, St. Brandon’s Atoll is a wade fishing paradise blessed with enormous hard sand flats and staggering numbers of large bonefish. In addition to the incomparable bonefish resource, while fly fishing on St. Brandon’s Atoll, anglers will encounter good numbers of Indo-Pacific permit, as well as a variety of species of trevally, including giant, bluefin and golden.

The Indian Ocean has become synonymous with incredible fly fishing in one of the most remote settings available to adventure anglers. For those with a lust for real adventure travel and a desire to experience the best bonefishing the globe has to offer, this might be the place.

Trips to St. Brandon's Atoll are led by a team of world-class, professional fly fishing guides, each extremely experienced in all facets of fly fishing the remote atolls of the Indian Ocean. Each guide is a qualified skipper, has first aid experience and is fluent in English. Anglers fish two per guide and most of the fishing is done while wading. While on the atoll, anglers and guides move from flat to flat by use of 17-foot panga-style boats, each equipped with two outboard engines.

On most tides, anglers can expect to see large schools of fish and will have shots at enormous singles and doubles; bonefish weighing up to 15-pounds have been landed here. St. Brandon's is also a productive Indo-Pacific permit fishery and anglers can expect multiple shots per day. As anywhere, the giant trevally fishing is challenging; some days an angler will see a fair number and at other times, none at all. St. Brandon's isn't a place where shots at GT happen every day, but the fish that are found are all large. Other notable fish species one can encounter on the flats include bluefin, golden, yellow dot and green spot trevally.

Guests stay in a simple and comfortable guesthouse on Raphael Island, which is situated in the fish-rich northern part of the atoll. The guesthouse is not luxurious, but it is clean and comfortable, and considering its remote location, is all a traveling angler needs. There are four bedrooms in the house, each containing two comfortable single beds and some basic amenities. Guests share two fully-renovated bathrooms, each containing a shower, wash basin, and toilet.

All meals are served at the outside dining area with the chef preparing a mix of Creole and international food. The lodge has plenty of local beer for sale and guests may also bring their own hard alcohol and wine. Lunches are typically enjoyed on the flats to maximize fishing time, though depending on tides and the day’s fishing area, arrangements can sometimes be made to eat lunch at the main guesthouse.

Day 1: Depart home.

Day 3: Arrive Mauritius, overnight.

Day 4: Depart for St. Brandon’s atoll via 65-foot transport vessel (~26 hour ride).

Day 5: Arrive St. Brandon's early in the morning and start fishing.

Day 6 - 12: 7 full days of guided fishing.

Day 13: Depart St. Brandon’s for Mauritius.

Day 14: Arrive Mauritius mid-day, depart Mauritius late evening.

Day 15: Arrive home.

2025 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

• 10 night/7 day package: $10,700 plus conservation fee

Included: Boat transfer Port Lewis/St. Brandon/Port Lewis, accommodations, meals and beverages including soft drinks, water and local beers at the lodge, guided fishing, fishing licenses.

Not Included: International airfare, accommodations, meals and ground transfers on Port Louis, tackle and flies, gratuities, liquor, conservation fee.

Species: Bonefish, Indo-Pacific permit, trevally

Season: October – December, April - May

Capacity: 8 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? Experienced saltwater fly anglers that are keen on extreme adventure, hard-charging saltwater species and are amenable to the unpredictable nature of traveling to one of the most remote corners of the Earth are best suited to this destination.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is located on St. Brandon’s Atoll in the Republic of Mauritius, about 1,200 miles off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean.

How do I get there? Anglers arrive to St. Brandon’s by first flying to Mauritius and overnighting in Port Louis. In the afternoon you’ll be met by your guides and taken to one of two 50-foot yachts where you’ll make the voyage to the island. Both yachts set sail at the same time with all guests. This is an approximate 26-hour journey across open ocean to get to the atoll.

When should I go? There are two prime seasons to visit St. Brandons from October – December and again from April – May.

How will I fish? Clients spend most of their time fishing from their feet with a two-anglers per guide ratio.

Is there wade fishing? Yes, almost all the fishing is on a combination of hard-sand and turtle grass flats.

Where will I fish? Guests fish the vast and varied expanse of flats on both the interior and exterior of the atoll.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? There are productive and fishable flats just meters from the lodge or runs of up to an hour are possible depending on weather conditions.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Large numbers of bonefish averaging 8lbs are considered the prime target with some specimens reaching upwards of 12lb. Some catches upwards of 15lbs have been accomplished. In addition, good opportunities exist for indo-pacific permit, triggerfish, trevally, and variety of other flats species. Although rare, extremely large GT’s are caught every season at St. Brandon’s and remain a viable, although very challenging target species.

How many fish will I catch? It is reasonable to expect double digit numbers of bonefish most days with several encounters of indo-pacific permit possible. Additionally, other target species are readily available throughout the day.

Will I see other anglers? The only other anglers allowed on the island are those of your group at the lodge. The guides do a phenomenal job of splitting up the water and spreading out angling pressure.

What are the guides like? The guides from Fly Castaway are noted for being some of the most professional, personal, highly skilled and dedicated flats guides found anywhere in the world. Typically, from South Africa, the Fly Castaway guide crew continually receives incredible marks from our clientele.

What are the physical demands? Due to the remote nature of St. Brandon’s atoll and long days spent angling from your feet, guests should be in good physical shape and absent of serious medical issues.

Are there any special skills required? Anglers that are familiar and practiced in the demands of saltwater fly fishing will be best suited to this destination. In short, the better one excels with casting in the wind, accuracy under pressure, creating high line speeds and has good skills fighting powerful saltwater species, the better the angling experience.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The operation is happy to provide top quality rental equipment perfectly suited to the demanding fishery. Due to the highly-specific nature of how the guides want the flies tied, we recommend all guests buy their flies from the outfitter.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? One fast-action 9wt fly rod loaded with a floating line and one 12wt rod with a floating line. Having two or three backup fly lines per rod is highly advised.

What are the top flies? Due to the highly-specific nature of how the guides want the flies tied, we recommend all guests buy their flies from the outfitter. Top flies are: Gtochas, Clouser Minnow, spawning Shrimp, Merkin Crab, Brush Fly

What are the options if weather conditions become challenging? The Fly Castaway guides are total professionals about having a plan A, plan B, plan C and even D. We trust them implicitly to adjust to conditions and provide a good experience on the water regardless of conditions.

What is a typical day like? Anglers begin their days early depending on the previous night’s fishing plan devised by the guide crew. Each day’s schedule may be unique depending on the conditions, fishing goals for the day and given tides. It is best for anglers to remain very flexible in terms of the schedule to take advantage of the best fishing windows.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge is a basic fish camp located on an extremely remote atoll. Rooms are small and simple but kept clean and are comfortable considering the remote nature. The atmosphere is casual, fun, and hospitable.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? There is always a head-guide on site or lodge manager that can help with any questions or issues that arise.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Meals are simple affairs and usually consist of lots of fresh seafood. Guests dine in the main lodge area.

What is the alcohol policy? The guesthouse has plenty of beer, soft drinks & mineral water available that are included in the cost, however we recommend you bring a bottle or two of your preferred wine or spirits with you unless you.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Guests will be accommodated in a simple but comfortable guesthouse on Raphael Island situated in the fish rich northern part of the atoll. Although the guesthouse is by no means luxurious, it is clean and relatively comfortable. Currently there are 4 bedrooms in the house, each containing two comfortable single beds and some basic amenities. The guesthouse currently has two fully renovated bathrooms for the guests, each containing a shower, basin and toilet.

Is there internet and/or cell service? Internet service is not available on the atoll. Satellite phone may be used by guests for a fee and is available for emergencies.

Are there other activities? No. This is a dedicated fishing operation.

Are there any other expenses? Rental equipment, satellite phone use and custom fly selections made by the guides are the only additional costs other than travel related expenses. Medical evacuation coverage is also required through Global Rescue.

Do I need a visa? No. A valid U.S. passport is all that is required. The outfitter requires a color copy of your passport photo page in order to provide you a fishing license.

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? There are no known dangers for this trip other than those associated with travel to an extremely remote atoll. Medical evacuation coverage through Global Rescue is required.