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There’s something deeply transformative about traveling to chase fish in far-off waters. Each destination leaves its mark, but certain places call to us again and again. The truth is, fisheries evolve constantly, currents shift, bait disappears, and new political regimes can turn a once-dream locale into a fleeting memory. You won’t see Venezuela or Ascension here—not because the fishing isn’t world-class (it absolutely is), but because for most traveling anglers, they’re simply not fishable right now. I think we can all agree that a time when we can visit those locations can’t come soon enough.
The bottom line is this: The destinations that follow may not have made the “big list” this year, but that doesn’t mean they’re second tier—far from it. These are all world-class fisheries that fall just outside the featured locales, usually because of limited charter infrastructure, tricky access, small seasonal windows, or a lack of onshore amenities that can complement a trip. Still, every one of these places can, and has, produced the fish of a lifetime. So, consider this your bonus round: the shortlist of spots that deserve a place on any serious big-game bucket list when planning your calendar for 2026.
Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
A dramatic island chain in the Indian Ocean off Mozambique, Bazaruto is one of Africa’s premier black marlin fisheries, with trophy blue and striped marlin also in season. Charters are limited; however, Fish Bazaruto operates from the Benguerra and Bazaruto islands, using high-end tackle and refined live-bait techniques. Accommodations at Anantara and Marlin Lodge provide beachfront luxury, white-sand seclusion and eco-chic comfort. When not fishing, guests can dive colorful coral reefs, explore towering sand dunes, or visit nearby Vilankulo for local markets and cuisine. Remote yet welcoming, Bazaruto combines natural beauty, exceptional service and serious marlin potential, making it one of the most distinctive big-game destinations in the Indian Ocean.
Canavieiras, Bahia, Brazil
Brazil’s Royal Charlotte Bank, just 20 miles off Canavieiras, is a big-game powerhouse—home to both the IGFA all-tackle world-record Atlantic blue marlin and white marlin. Charters like Majestic Marlin and Nervous Marlin run quality, no-frills vessels equipped with top-tier tackle. Lodging in Canavieiras is simple but comfortable. Casa La Ma and similar inns serve hearty local cuisine and fresh seafood. Peak season runs October through March and can bring sporty seas. However, for anglers chasing giant blues, Brazil remains one of the world’s most potent grounds.
Exmouth, Western Australia
Situated quite literally at the end of the road in Western Australia, Exmouth offers one of the most diverse and remote offshore angling experiences on the planet. Nestled beside the Ningaloo Reef—a UNESCO World Heritage site—local charters like Peak Sportfishing and Innkeeper operate out of Exmouth, targeting all six Indo-Pacific billfish species: striped marlin, blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, spearfish and swordfish. The drop-off from the reef to 1,000-meter depths is just 10 miles offshore, creating consistent big-fish opportunity year-round. When weather keeps you inside the reef, the nearshore waters host bonefish, giant trevally, golden trevally and Indo-Pacific permit. Accommodations range from park cabins to eco-lodges and beach motels. For anglers craving variety and wild adventure, Exmouth is hard to beat.
French Polynesia
The vast South Pacific remains one of the great last frontiers in the search for grander blue marlin. We know the giants are there, but the immense distances, deep waters and logistical challenges make proper exploration nearly impossible. French Polynesia, and particularly Tahiti, provides the most accessible base for visiting anglers to tap this immense region. Premier operations such as Capt. Tom Francis’ Tahiti Sport Fishing—aboard Ultimate Lady and SeaWolf—offer multiday expeditions targeting blue marlin, yellowfin, bigeye and dogtooth tuna, wahoo and mahi. Elsewhere in the South Pacific, places like Vanuatu and American Samoa host limited operations, but none match French Polynesia’s combination of modern amenities, reliable flights and genuine bluewater potential. Add in over-water bungalows, coral-lagoon diving and the warm Polynesian culture, and Tahiti becomes the ultimate gateway to the untouched marlin frontier.
Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos archipelago stands as a legendary haven for the adventurous big-game angler. Long known for its explosive striped marlin bite—fish often ranging from 150 to 300 pounds—the fishery has seen its strongest action in more than a decade. In recent years, boats venturing farther offshore have also encountered an impressive bite for large blue marlin, proving that the Galápagos offers far more than just big stripeys. Limited charters, such as Sportfish Galapagos and Ecuador Fly Fishing, operate from San Cristóbal and Puerto Ayora, and offer quality boats and tackle for marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphinfish. Most boats depart early for a 90-minute run to bluewater grounds and return in time for snorkeling and naturalist-led wildlife excursions. Infrastructure remains modest, with boutique lodging in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno and local seafood restaurants. Rugged, remote and brimming with life, the Galápagos delivers an unmatched blend of natural wonder and top-tier marlin opportunity.
Gulf Coast, USA
Stretching from Texas to Florida, the U.S. Gulf Coast is a year-round big-game powerhouse with renowned destinations such as Venice, Louisiana; Destin and Pensacola Beach, Florida; Orange Beach, Alabama; Corpus Christi and Port Aransas, Texas; and Biloxi and coastal Mississippi. The region’s deepwater canyons teem with yellowfin tuna, wahoo, swordfish, dolphin, and blue and white marlin. Each of the locations mentioned offers dozens of top-notch charters that operate year-round, limited only by weather and sea conditions. Onshore, Cajun and Gulf Coast cuisine, lively marinas and welcoming coastal communities create a uniquely American fishing culture. The Gulf also hosts one of the world’s richest tournament circuits, from the Emerald Coast Blue Marlin Classic to Biloxi’s Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic, ensuring action for pros and weekend warriors alike. For diversity, convenience and tradition, the Gulf Coast stands as the heartbeat of U.S. offshore fishing.
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Just 8 miles from Cancún, Isla Mujeres punches well above its size in big-game prowess. Renowned as a sailfish mecca, the island’s fleet runs full- and half-day trips targeting white and blue marlin, sailfish, wahoo, tuna and dolphinfish. The island features modern facilities and marinas with seamless provisioning for U.S. or Caribbean departures. When you’re off the water, enjoy snorkeling with whale sharks, exploring coral reefs, or sipping margaritas along Playa Norte’s white sand. Accommodations range from boutique beachfront hotels to relaxed villas, all infused with low-key island charm. Isla Mujeres also boasts a refined culinary scene, featuring great Mexican fare as well as a blend of various international cuisines. Safe, easy to reach, and boasting both offshore and inshore action, Isla Mujeres is a hotspot that pairs serious fishing with a quintessential Caribbean getaway.
Madeira, Portugal
A legendary big-game hotspot in the eastern Atlantic, Madeira combines world-class blue marlin fishing with a unique blend of European charm, dramatic volcanic scenery and refined coastal living. While the marlin bite has tapered slightly in recent years—prompting some teams to explore the Azores—Madeira still produces shots at granders, along with jumbo bigeye tuna and wahoo. Notable captains like Frothy de Silva (Pesca Grossa) and Hall of Famer Peter Bristow (Katherine B) continue to lead the charge. For anglers seeking both giant fish and a storied setting, not to mention renowned scenic beauty, calm seas and phenomenal cuisine, Madeira remains a timeless target.
Mauritius
A true sleeper among big-game destinations, Mauritius remains one of the world’s top producers of grander marlin. The season runs November through April, when calm Indian Ocean waters yield extraordinary fish. More than 50 marlin over 1,000 pounds have been reported to Grander Watch, including the national record—a 1,430-pounder landed by Louis Simonis aboard Challenger I in 1984—and the IGFA men’s 80-pound-test world record, a 1,237-pound blue for Stephen Kreupl in 2007 caught off nearby Rodrigues Island. The most recent grander, a 1,072-pounder caught November 7, 2025, aboard Golden Wave with Capt. Victor Pelletier, reaffirms Mauritius’ legacy. From ports such as Grand Baie and Black River, limited yet seasoned crews pursue massive blues and occasional blacks in waters that remain one of the best kept secrets in big-game angling.
New Zealand
The North Island of New Zealand is a renowned big-game fishery steeped in history and tradition, where early pioneers helped shape the sport itself. And that rich sport-fishing culture still lives on today. Giant striped marlin remain the top target in New Zealand, with the Whanganella Banks (located about 350 nautical miles northwest of the North Island) offering “Mag Bay-like” action on fish that often exceed 200 pounds. The country’s swordfishery is equally legendary. In fact, the vast majority of world-record swordfish in recent years have come from these waters. Seasonal runs of large Pacific and Southern bluefin tuna, along with visits from larger blue marlin, add to the excitement. Wild and scenic, yet at the same time incredibly refined, New Zealand stands out as a truly iconic and must-fish location for the big-game enthusiast.
Nova Scotia, Canada
There’s no better place in the world to target giant bluefin tuna than the rugged waters off Nova Scotia. Once known primarily for commercial fishing, the region’s recreational catch-and-release fishery has boomed in recent decades, with many commercial lobstermen running charters in the offseason. From late August through early October, 800-plus-pound giants hit live bait with ferocity against a backdrop of coastal cliffs, lighthouses and cold Atlantic swells. For adrenaline-packed big-fish action and dramatic scenery, Nova Scotia is unmatched.
South Florida and the Florida Keys
The storied corridor from Fort Piece to Key West remains an epicenter of modern sport fishing. In terms of bluewater fishing, sailfish reign supreme here from December through April, when cool fronts ignite nearshore action and tournaments seem to run every weekend. Still, sails are caught year-round in these prolific waters, including a lesser-known summer bite. Swordfish—whether targeted by day or night—provide the region’s other premier big-game challenge, with the largest fish typically encountered in the fall. Blackfin tuna, dolphinfish and wahoo can also be found offshore throughout the year. Inshore, anglers enjoy world-class tarpon, bonefish, permit and snook fishing, along with reefs rich in grouper, snapper and mackerel. Home to legendary guides, tournaments and a deep angling heritage, South Florida and the Keys offer nearly everything an offshore fisherman could dream of—except, perhaps, a consistent marlin fishery, though the occasional blue and white still make an appearance.
St. Lucia
Few fisheries, if any, have experienced such a rapid rise in prominence in recent years as St. Lucia. The addition of several offshore FADs has produced astonishing numbers of blue marlin, with some boats recording double-digit releases in a single day. Local operators such as Exodus and Captain Mike’s run tournament-rigged charters from IGY Marina locations in Rodney and Marigot bays, which offer seamless access and amenities to traveling boats as well. The Republic Bank St. Lucia International Billfish Tournament has also gained momentum lately, drawing top regional teams due to the incredible numbers reported. Add in luxury resorts, lush rainforests, reef diving, and a robust tourism and marina infrastructure, and St. Lucia stands as one of the most exciting, fast-emerging big-game destinations in the world.
Virgin Islands (USVI and BVI)
british-virgin-islands-usvi-bvi
Home to the famous North Drop—one of the most prolific and revered blue marlin fisheries in the world—the Virgin Islands continue to anchor the Caribbean’s bluewater calendar. From the perennial favorite St. Thomas to emerging venues like Scrub Island, anglers flock to the region during the late-summer full moons for shots at double-digit blue marlin days, along with opportunities at trophies. Add turquoise water, island culture and high-end marinas, and it’s no surprise the North Drop remains a rite of passage for serious marlin hunters.
