Cosmoledo Atoll, Seychelles (SUSPENDED)

Overview

(SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO THE ON GOING PIRACY THREAT - WE LOOK FORWARD TO RE-OPENING THIS DESTINATION ONCE WE HAVE RECIEVED THE ALL CLEAR FROM THE SEYCHELLES GOVERNMENT)

Over the past few seasons, Cosmoledo has become the benchmark for anglers searching for the ultimate saltwater flats destination. The sheer size and variety of fish species has rocked the fly fishing world, with anglers from across the globe queuing up to sample the ultimate fishing playground, and rightly so. It is a world filled with colour, where the daily dramas of a pristine ecosystem play out in front of your very eyes, a rare opportunity and privilege to gaze into a world which has changed very little over the last couple of hundred years. Our Cosmoledo trips are also unique in the fact that anglers may get the opportunity to fish three atolls during their week, namely Cosmoledo, Astove and Assumption.

Cosmoledo is a stone’s throw away from the world heritage site of Aldabra, and in many respects resembles the latter, which is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. Menai and Wizard islands occupy the east and west points and were named after the two ships that explored the atoll on the Moresby Expedition in 1822. South Island stands near the main entrance to the inner lagoon, while the second smaller entrance is just south of Menai. The northern islands are interspersed with numerous islets and banks, all of which see good numbers of large fish.

Guests are expected to arrive in Mahe the day before or early on the morning of the starting day of the trip which commences with a charter flight to Assumption. The group will meet an hour before the scheduled departure time at the domestic terminal (next to the international terminal). The flight from Mahe to Assumption is 2 hours 30 min onboard a private chartered Beechcraft 1900. Guests are met by their guides for the week at the landing strip and are then led on a 5 min walk to the bay where the MV Dugong, which will be their home and base for the week’s fishing, is anchored.

The MV Dugong is an ex-research vessel which has been upgraded and modified into a mother ship catering for long range sea voyages. The vessel can accommodate up to twelve fly fishermen, four FlyCastaway guides, as well as eight crew members who cater for our guests every need. A large, spacious and extremely stable vessel, the MV Dugong is the perfect base with which to explore the remote outer atolls of the Seychelles and other Indian Ocean waters. As a fly fisherman it would be difficult to find a better boat from which to operate out of, with its ability to store and transport four tender boats on its spacious aft deck.

The group will spend the next six days fishing and exploring the islands, flats and channels of Cosmoledo and Astove Atoll. On the seventh evening the mothership will cruise back to Assumption. The following morning the group will have plenty of time to pack their gear or enjoy the few remaining hours fishing Assumption. The flight from Farquhar to Mahe will leave at midday and on arrival guests can connect to their international flights or overnight in Mahe.
During your stay on the vessel there will be four FlyCastaway guides including one head guide onboard. Each guide is a qualified skipper, has first aid experience and is extremely experienced with regards all facets of fly fishing these remote saltwater destinations. Their passion and dedication is infectious and rest assured they will definitely go the extra mile in search of your fish of a lifetime.

Over the past few seasons, Cosmoledo has become the benchmark for anglers searching for the ultimate saltwater flats destination. The sheer size and variety of fish species has rocked the fly fishing world, with anglers from across the globe queuing up to sample the ultimate fishing playground, and rightly so. It is a world filled with colour, where the daily dramas of a pristine ecosystem play out in front of your very eyes, a rare opportunity and privilege to gaze into a world which has changed very little over the last couple of hundred years. Our Cosmoledo trips are also unique in the fact that anglers may get the opportunity to fish three atolls during their week, namely Cosmoledo, Astove and Assumption.

Cosmoledo is a stone’s throw away from the world heritage site of Aldabra, and in many respects resembles the latter, which is often referred to as the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean. Menai and Wizard islands occupy the east and west points and were named after the two ships that explored the atoll on the Moresby Expedition in 1822.  South Island stands near the main entrance to the inner lagoon, while the second smaller entrance is just south of Menai. The northern islands are interspersed with numerous islets and banks, all of which see good numbers of large fish.

Guests are expected to arrive in Mahe the day before or early on the morning of the starting day of the trip which commences with a charter flight to Assumption. The group will meet an hour before the scheduled departure time at the domestic terminal (next to the international terminal). The flight from Mahe to Assumption is 2 hours 30 min onboard a private chartered Beechcraft 1900. Guests are met by their guides for the week at the landing strip and are then led on a 5 min walk to the bay where the MV Dugong, which will be their home and base for the week’s fishing, is anchored.

The MV Dugong is an ex-research vessel which has been upgraded and modified into a mother ship catering for long range sea voyages. The vessel can accommodate up to twelve fly fishermen, four FlyCastaway guides, as well as eight crew members who cater for our guests every need. A large, spacious and extremely stable vessel, the MV Dugong is the perfect base with which to explore the remote outer atolls of the Seychelles and other Indian Ocean waters. As a fly fisherman it would be difficult to find a better boat from which to operate out of, with its ability to store and transport four tender boats on its spacious aft deck.

The group will spend the next six days fishing and exploring the islands, flats and channels of Cosmoledo and Astove Atoll. On the seventh evening the mothership will cruise back to Assumption. The following morning the group will have plenty of time to pack their gear or enjoy the few remaining hours fishing Assumption. The flight from Farquhar to Mahe will leave at midday and on arrival guests can connect to their international flights or overnight in Mahe.

During your stay on the vessel there will be four FlyCastaway guides including one head guide onboard. Each guide is a qualified skipper, has first aid experience and is extremely experienced with regards all facets of fly fishing these remote saltwater destinations. Their passion and dedication is infectious and rest assured they will definitely go the extra mile in search of your fish of a lifetime.

The Fishing

Cosmoledo’s large white sand flats, lagoon edges and channels are without question ruled by the notorious Giant Trevally, so much so that it is often referred to as planet earth's GT headquarters! GT’s are however not the only species which can be found here in numbers. Bonefish, Milkfish, the finicky Indo-Pacific Permit and a host of Triggerfish species all call Cosmoledo home and hence make this truly special fishing destination which should not to be missed!

Astove is a gem of the Indian Ocean. Anglers spend one or two days fishing this smaller atoll weather permitting. It is unique to the other outer atolls in that it has only one small channel linking the sea to the lagoon. This is one of the better areas to target the many large Giant Trevally that call Astove home. Astove has equally impressive fishing for Bonefish, Triggerfish and many others. Don't be fooled by its size of the small atoll, Astove has some of the best fishing we have encountered anywhere in the Indian Ocean. It offers travelling anglers the opportunity to target just about every game fish species found in the Indian Ocean.

Assumption is generally the final fishing option for all our live aboard trips to Cosmoledo, as the mothership anchors in the calm lee of the island the night before guests are scheduled to fly back to Mahe. Anglers have the option to spend their last morning either walking and fishing Assumption’s exceptionally beautiful beaches and surf zones, targeting some of the countless pelagic species which can be found just offshore or snorkelling the crystal clear waters just off the beach.

Deep water begins very close to shore at Cosmoledo, Astove and Assumption and it is possible to fish these fish filled waters from the tenders. Here the most common species encountered are Giant Trevally, Barracuda, Wahoo, Yellowfin & Dogtooth Tuna, Sailfish and the occasional Striped Marlin.

Details

Cost:
On Request

Single supplement:
Available

Max Pax:
10 anglers (2 anglers to 1 guide)

Inclusions:
·         Full board and accommodation on board mothership for 7 nights based on two people sharing

·         Six days fully guided fishing

·         Tender boats & fuel

·         Soft drinks, water & local beers.

Exclusions:
·         International flights from your home to Mahe

·         Ground transfers on Mahe
·         Meals and accommodation in Mahe or any other en route cities

·         Spirits, wine, items of a personal nature.
·         Gratuities for guides and boat staff.
·         Travel & medical insurance.

·         Tackle & flies

Location:
·         Cosmoledo Atoll - 560 nautical miles SW of Mahe

·         Astove Atoll – 570 nautical miles SW of Mahe
·         Assumption Atoll – 610 nautical miles SW of Mahe

Getting There:
Guests need to fly into the main island of Mahe. Guests will then catch a charter flight onboard a Beechcraft 1900 to Assumption (2h30min). The mothership will be on anchor waiting for its guests’ arrival and will depart for Cosmoledo or Astove (weather depending) shortly after guests have unpacked and settled in.

Target Species: Giant Trevally, Bonefish, Milkfish, Triggerfish, Indo-Pacific Permit, Bluefin Trevally, Barracuda, Sailfish, Yellowfin & Dogtooth Tuna, Wahoo, Grouper etc

Fishing Season:
November to December and again from February through to the end of April

Weather:
Temperatures range between 30° - 35°C with high humidity.

Tender Boats:
4 x 17 ft Anglers each carrying 1 x 90HP Yamaha engine

Pre Trip

Time Difference:
GMT + 4. 
Flight time from UK: 11 hours to Mahe

Visa Requirements:
UK, US, EU, USSR and RSA passport holders do not require a visa for entering into Mauritius for vacation purposes.

Medical & Health Requirements:
Mandatory emergency medical evacuation insurance
A Yellow Fever certificate is required is travelling from a Yellow Fever infected area.

Currency:
The currency of Seychelles is the Seychelles Rupee (SCR). US Dollar or Euro are however widely accepted and are the preferred currency for gratuities and expenditure on the Dugong.

Language:
Creole, English and French are spoken widely. All FlyCastaway guides and crew of the Dugong speak English.

Satellite Phone & Communications:
The main island is covered by the mobile network; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international operators.
 The Dugong is equipped with a satellite phone which can be used by guests at an additional cost.

Tackle & Gear:
Single-handed 9ft #9wt & 12wt saltwater outfits with matching tropical floating lines. The mothership will have 8 x 12 weight G-Loomis Crosscurrent Fly Rods and Shilton SL7 Reels and 8 x 9 weight G-Loomis Crosscurrent Fly Rods and Shilton SL6 Reels which can be rented on a weekly basis.
A comprehensive tackle and gear list along with an order form (should you wish to purchase your tackle through us) is issued after your booking has been confirmed. The guides will also carry limited stock of suitable flies and other terminal tackle, should you run out.

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