Providence Atoll Fly Fishing Liveaboard

Fly Fish the Flats - Remote Indian Ocean

Providence Atoll lies 400 nautical miles south of Mahe and has remained mostly untouched, with fewer than a thousand visitors in the past century. After a recent six-year suspension on fishing, the Atoll reopened in 2015 with FlyCastaway Fishing Company. Providence is the largest fishable atoll in the Seychelles, the least explored, and one of the best GT fisheries on the planet.

Providence Atoll - Seychelles

Providence Atoll offers exciting and diverse saltwater fly fishing. You'll wade and sightfish on seemingly endless pristine flats (up to 28.5 miles). The Atoll has an enormous lagoon system, countless channels, and drainages.
The hardpacked white sand and turtle grass or coral flats make for easy wading. Huge shoals of bumphead parrotfish, various grouper species, milkfish, triggerfish, bonefish, and big barracuda are also found on the flats. Offshore, you'll target billfish, yellowfin, dogtooth tuna, wahoo, and GTs.
Milkfish have an incredible power-to-size ratio and execute spectacular aerial leaps, making it a demanding species to target.
Bonefishing: The Providence Atoll fishery caters to novice and highly experienced anglers. Novices can target large numbers of fairly naive bonefish while the experienced rods hunt single trophy-tailing bonefish, permit, and monster GTs.
YouTube Providence Atoll video.

Wading: Most of the fishing is wading. Anglers cover up to two miles a day over challenging terrain, so correct footwear is essential. Protective flats wading boots must be worn (hard rubber soles with ankle support). Guests will not be taken to the flats without proper footwear.
The Outfitter: FlyCastaway Fishing Company has specialized in elite fly-fishing trips since 2004 and also operates:
• Farquhar Atoll

• St. Brandon's Atoll.

Atoll Fishing Facts:

Two Seasons: There are two fishing seasons: March through April and October through November.
Group size: 12 anglers per week and four guides. Three anglers per boat and guide.
Guides: The program has four world-class English-speaking fly-fishing guides--three anglers per guide. These four young men are some of the most experienced fly-fishing guides in the Indian Ocean. They are also experts in rigging, teasing, and the handling of bluewater fish. Each guide has a skipper’s license and is first aid trained.
Fishing Equipment is not included in the package. A fly outfit rental is $100.00 per week. Fly lines are not included. A detailed list of what to bring is in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License: Fishing Licenses are not required on the Atoll. A Seychelles conservation license, $210.00 value per person, is included in the package.
Boats: Locally built panga-style skiffs are used for bluewater fishing and for transport from the Liveaboard to the fishing grounds.
Providence Atoll Bluewater Bluewater: At most anchorages, bluewater begins very close to shore, so it is possible to fish these waters from tender boats. Surface fish for dogtooth tuna, barracuda, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and an occasional marlin.
Providence Atoll Billfishing Guide and our client Bruce Tyson with sailfish.

Providence Atoll Liveaboard

The Liveaboard: Maya’s Dugong is a 135-foot expedition vessel. She sleeps 12 guests in seven air-conditioned cabins with a private bathroom and shower. Two guests per room. Laundry service is provided twice a week. Liveaboard Cabin The liveaboard also has a large air-conditioned dining area and lounge, several outdoor decks, a spacious bridge, and an observation deck. The Maya’s Dugong boasts the most experienced crew in the region. The vessel’s large back deck provides ample room for gear storage and tackle setup. The vessel is ideal for these remote Indian Ocean fly fishing adventures as she can store the four tender boats.
Security: Providence Atoll fishing was suspended for six years due to piracy in the Indian Ocean. Though the risk of attack is considered low, there are three armed security personnel on board.
Meals: Hot breakfasts, packed lunches, and buffet-style dinners.
Alcohol: All beer, spirits, and wine are available for purchase onboard and do not include a 15% GST. You’re encouraged to bring your own alcohol from home or the duty-free store at the airport.
Communications: There is no Wi-Fi or cell reception on the Atoll. The Maya’s Dugong's satellite phone can be used for $5.00 per minute for incoming and outgoing calls.

Getting to the Liveaboard:

You'll fly to Dubai, which serves as a connecting hub for regular international flights from the United States. From Dubai, you’ll take a 4.5-hour flight to Seychelles International Airport on the island of Mahe. In the morning, you'll take a two-hour charter flight on a Beechcraft 1900 to Farquhar Atoll. From the Farquhar airport, you'll take a 15-minute ride on a tractor and trailer (true island-style) to the mothership, the Maya Dugong. Once you have settled into your cabin, the Liveaboard will depart for Providence Atoll, a four to eight-hour sail. (The hotel night and ground transfers in Mahe are not included in the package. The 2-hour roundtrip air charter Mahe/Farquhar is included in the package.)
Departure Day: After fishing on the sixth day, the Liveaboard returns to Farquhar. The next day, you’ll take a return flight from Farquhar to Mahe. Then, you’ll either take a late-night flight home or, if desired, stay another night in Mahe at your own expense.

Typical Fishing Day:

7:00 a.m. You'll have a quick breakfast.
7:30 a.m. You'll head out to the flats to fish the first tide.
Midday: Anglers generally stay out on the flats with a packed lunch, especially if the prime tidal movement coincides with the lunch break. There is the option to return to the mothership for lunch if the tide allows. However, it is best arranged with the head guide the evening prior.
5:00 to 5:30 p.m. You'll return to the vessel.
7:30 p.m. A buffet-style dinner is served. The guides and captain review the fishing tides for the next day.

2024 USD Rates

Two Seasons: March through April and October through November.
Two guests per cabin, three anglers per boat
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$15,500.00 per person

One angler per cabin add $2,000.00
Single cabins are based on availability.

The Package Include:

• Roundtrip charter flight between Mahe and Farquhar
• Tractor transfers in Farquhar
• 7-nights on the Liveaboard
• All meals on the Liveaboard
• Water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea
• 6-days guided fishing
• Seychelles conservation license, $210.00 p.p.
• Laundry service
• Global Rescue Medical Evacuation Insurance
• Fuel and visitation permit fee

The Package Does Not Include:

• International airfare to Dubai, and return
• Airfare from Dubai to Mahe Island, and return
• Ground transfers on Mahe
• Hotel night, meals, and beverages in Mahe
• Beer, spirits, and wine
• Gratuities for guides and boat staff
• Fly outfit rental, $100.00 per week
• Tackle, lines, and flies
• Items of a personal nature
• Satellite phone calls, $5.00 per minute
• Travel insurance
• GST of 15% for all goods purchased on the Liveaboard
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Fly Castaway Policies:
Required Waiver of Liability Form: All clients/participants are required to sign the Reservation and Indemnity Form and Providence Terms and Conditions waiver included in the pre-trip information sent out upon booking.

Fly Castaway’s Deposit Policy: All reservations made more than 12 months in advance require an initial deposit of 20% of the total amount due to be received within 14 days of invoicing.
• Twelve (12) months prior to departure, 50% of the total amount is due.
• All reservations made less than 12 months in advance require an initial deposit of 50% of the total amount due to be received within 14 days of invoicing.
• Three (3) months prior to departure, 100% of the total amount is due.
• If a booking is made less than 90 days prior to departure, full payment is due immediately.
Fly Castaway’s Cancellation Policy:
• If a cancellation is made 12 months or more prior to departure, 50% of the deposit will be forfeited.
• Cancellations made 12 to 6 months prior to departure, 50% of charter rate shall be forfeited.
• Cancellations made 6 months or less prior to departure, the full individual charter rate shall be forfeited.
• Reservations for which payment are not received as on time as per the terms are subject to cancellation by FCA seven days after notification.
• In case of cancellation by Fly Castaway, money received will be paid back in full excluding bank charges.
• All cancellations must be made in writing. Deposit will only be refunded if a replacement can be found.
Once a deposit is received, all revisions are subject to a $100.00 handling fee. All prices are subject to availability of bookings, change by service providers, and are quoted at low-season fares. Rates are subject to change without prior notice. The ship/lodge reserves the right to cancel a sailing/trip due to bad weather conditions.
At time of quote, flight charges, island fees, and government taxes are correct but are subject to change without prior notice. Increases in any of these facets are out of the control of Fly Castaway and will be transferred to the client. Service providers used such as airlines and charter boat operators are independent business concerns and are in no way affiliated to Fly Castaway (FCA). Although all reasonable efforts will be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour, FCA cannot be held responsible in any way for bad or non-performance of service providers. While all possible efforts will be made to ensure the success of this tour, FCA cannot be held responsible in any way for cancellation in total or in part or non-performance in any way, due to bad weather or any other detrimental natural phenomenon/disaster, political unrest, or war. All guests must have a comprehensive medical emergency evacuation insurance policy, as well as a travel insurance policy to cover them for the duration of the trip. It is the right of the live-aboard service provider to cancel any booking without refund if the client is not adequately insured. In this case, adequate insurance means: an insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation from the scene of the illness or accident to the nearest best hospital and then back to your hometown. Cancellation and curtailment insurance cover is also recommended.

Fishing with Larry recommends Trip Cancellation Insurance.
Click here for our Travel Insurance page.
Medical evacuation insurance is mandatory but is included in the package rate. All guests are advised to have sufficient travel and trip insurance in place.

Providence Atoll photos

Farquhar Atoll Tractor Ride

From the airport on Farquhar Atoll, you'll take a 15-minute ride on a tractor and trailer (true island style) to the mothership.

Bruce Tyson with Giant Trevally

"Great trip! The GT is the most exciting fish I have ever caught. Sailfish was pretty cool too." - Bruce Tyson - 2018.

Bluefin Trevally

As these trips are primarily based on sightfishing the flats, having top-quality polarized sunglasses is a must. We suggest bringing two pairs with you.

Endless Wading Flats and Trophy Bonefish

The Atoll's hard white sand, turtle grass, or coral flats make for easy wading.

Exotic Species - Providence Atoll has it all!

Bring a Digital Camera with 5 million or more pixels, preferably waterproof. Bring your downloading cable so they can back up your photos every few days. Each guest is given a selection of low-res images from the week at the end of the trip.

Bumphead Parrotfish

For Bonefish, Triggerfish, and Bumphead Parrotfish, FlyCastaway, the outfitter, recommends a top-quality 9-ft./9-wt. saltwater fly rods such as G. Loomis NRX or GLX CrossCurrent. A detailed tackle list is provided in our confirmation packet.

Providence Atoll Adventure

English-speaking guides have abundant knowledge and experience in successfully targeting Providence’s flats and offshore species. Offshore, target billfish, yellowfin, dogtooth tuna, wahoo, and GTs.