Farquhar Atoll

Farquhar Atoll was one of the earliest outer islands in the Seychelles to be pioneered for fly fishing. Its reasonable size, varied flats, coral-strewn lagoon and prolific bluewater fishery make it one of the world's best multi-species destinations. In the past it was only accessed by mothership but today anglers enjoy a small, simple lodge that makes it the perfect island fly fishing camp. Anglers at Farquhar Atoll fish primarily on foot and target giant trevally, Indo-Pacific permit, triggerfish, barracuda as well as other inshore species. The remote location and limited pressure make this one of the very best multi-species saltwater destinations in the world.

This remote atoll has a total area of approximately 60-square miles and the main group of islands form a long curve on the eastern side of the atoll. The large lagoon provides easy access to a wide range of flats, channels, and surf zones. This diversity of terrain creates perfect habitat for bonefish, various trevally species including trophy-sized giant trevally, Indo-Pacific permit, triggerfish, barracuda, bumphead parrotfish, and milkfish. In addition to the flats, Farquhar Atoll is also blessed with a very accessible bluewater fishery. Often guests head for the blue water when high tides make the flats difficult to wade. Here anglers can encounter giant trevally, barracuda, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, dogtooth tuna, grouper, bohar snapper, and sailfish.

Anglers fish two per guide, using 17-foot tender boats to access the flats and fish from while offshore. Most of the fishing is done while wading but depending on the tides, anglers can spend two to three hours per day fishing from the boat as well. Boat fishing is typically done in bluewater or drifting over vast fields of coral heads in the lagoon. Here, anglers blind cast 12-weight rods with bait fish patterns in search of GT, bluefin, snapper, barracuda, and a variety of other species. Each guide speaks English, is a qualified skipper, has first-aid knowledge, and is extremely experienced in all facets of fly fishing the remote atolls of the Indian Ocean.

Farquhar guests stay in three simple and comfortable duplex-style chalets that can accommodate ten anglers per week. Each bedroom has two single beds with an ensuite bathroom and are equipped with electricity, air conditioning, and hot water. Guests relax and have meals in a communal area overlooking the water. All meals will feature a mix of Creole and international dishes. The lodge has local beer for sale and guests may bring their own hard alcohol and wine. The rooms are fully serviced by daily housekeeping and a laundry service is available as well.

Day 1: Depart home

Days 3: Arrive Mahé, overnight

Day 4: Charter flight from Mahé to Farquhar. If time permits guests will be able to fish some of the nearby flats

Days 5-10:Six days of guided fishing on the flats of the Farquhar

Days 11:Charter flight from Farquhar to Mahé, depart for home

Days 12:Arrive home

2025 Rates:Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6 day package: $11,576 plus $3,400 round trip charter flight and $210 conservation fee

Included:Round-trip charter Mahé/Farquhar/Mahé, accommodations, meals and beverages at the lodge, guided fishing, fishing license, conservation fee.

Not Included:International airfare, accommodations, meals and ground transfers on Mahé, laundry, tackle and flies, gratuities, alcohol.

Species:Bonefish, giant trevally, triggerfish, milkfish, barracuda

Season:October - December, February - May

Capacity: 10 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? Anglers of all skill levels are welcome but to best take advantage of everything this destination has to offer, we would suggest anglers have previous bonefishing experience and are comfortable casting a 12-weight for extended periods of time.

Where is the lodge? The lodge is located approximately 450 miles southwest of the Seychelles capital, Mahe.

How do I get there? Most guests from the U.S. fly through Dubai to reach Mahe and then overnight. From Mahe, all guests take a 90-minute charter flight to the lodge.

When should I go? Farquhar has two limited seasons: mid-October to mid-December and then March through April. Both seasons are in the heart of the best weather in the Seychelles. If you are looking to have the best chance with giant trevally, you will want to be aware of the moon phases. There are very large tide swings in the Seychelles so making sure the full or new moon is at the beginning, middle or end of your trip can be a great advantage.

How will I fish? Anglers fish two per boat and guide. Most fishing is done while wading the flats but depending on the tides, anglers can sometimes spend two or three hours per day fishing from the boat. Boat fishing is typically in the bluewater or drifting over vast fields of coral heads in the lagoon, doing what the guides call “bommie bashing”. This is drifting over coral heads with both anglers blind casting 12-weights with baitfish patterns is search of GT's, bluefin, snapper, barracuda, and a variety of other species. Typically, only about 20 percent of your overall time is spent targeting bonefish, as the guides are motivated to constantly change venues and target species in accordance with the changing tides.

Is there wade fishing? Yes. On average you will spend 70 percent of your time wading.

Where will I fish? They fish the interior lagoon, ocean-side reefs, and the bluewater surrounding the atoll.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? The closest flats are minutes from the lodge and a long run is about 45 minutes.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? The primary targets at Farquhar are bonefish, GT's, and triggerfish. However additional species such as snapper, barracuda, wrasse, grouper, permit, tuna, and sailfish are often caught.

How many fish will I catch? This can vary greatly from angler to angler depending on what species you decide to target. When targeting bonefish, it is not unusual to land up to ten fish in a session. However, most guests spend a limited amount of time chasing bonefish. This means a good deal of time is spent on triggerfish, trevally, and other species that are much harder to land. We expect anglers to get several good shots at these species each day and if all goes well, land a handful of special fish each week.

Will I see other anglers? No. The atoll is exclusive to your group.

What are the guides like? The guides are almost all from South Africa. As a rule, we find them to be some of the hardest working and most professional guides in the saltwater world. The guides all speak English.

What are the physical demands? There are not major physical demands, but you should be prepared to spend much of the day walking the flats. They can vary from easy beach walking to ocean-side flats where you are navigating a fair bit of coral.

Are there any special skills required? Being proficient at casting a 12-weight will greatly increase your odds of catching a fish of a lifetime.

Does the lodge provide equipment? You should come well-prepared with all your personnel equipment, but they do have a limited supply of rod and reel set ups and flies.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? I always travel with fast action 8-, 10-, and 12-weights. The 8-weight is for bonefish and triggers, the 10-weight for permit, and the 12-weight is for the numerous larger species.

What are the top flies? The top flies are Brush Flies for giant trevally. FlyCastaway guides are very particular about the flies for this trip. We highly recommend anglers purchase custom fly kits from the outfitter for their trips.

What are the options if weather conditions become challenging? The FlyCastaway 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? This is a casual island fish camp. Once guests arrive, they typically do not put on shoes the rest of the week. They wake up, put on their flats attire and head out to fishing. At the end of the fishing day everyone relaxes around the lodge in plastic chairs or on the grass near the beach, typically in shorts and a tee shirt with a beer in hand.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? FlyCastaway's head guide will always act as the point person for the trip. The head guide will vary from season to season, but they are always professional and accommodating. It should be known that the lodging and meals portion of the trip is run by the government in partnership with FlyCastaway.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Meals are taken in the small dining area at the lodge or outside depending on weather. There is often a good mix of fresh seafood and western fare.

What is the alcohol policy? Alcohol is not included in the package. All mineral water and soft drinks are included in the package price. Plenty of beer and a limited quantity of wine and alcohol are available for purchase.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The small lodge on the island has recently been updated from a single building to a small main lodge with a bar as well as indoor and outdoor dining areas and three newly built two-bedroom condos. Each condo has two ensuite rooms, all finished with storage, two single beds, bedside tables, mini bar, and coffee station. The meals have also been upgraded and are now served on the veranda overlooking the lagoon.

Is there internet and/or cell service? No. Currently the only communication is a satellite phone at the lodge.

Are there other activities? No this is really a fish camp for hardcore saltwater fly anglers.

Are there any other expenses? Custom fly selections, tackle rental, and alcohol are the main additional expenses to be aware of.

Do I need a visa? Anglers visiting the Seychelles do not currently require any special documentation other than a valid passport.

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? Although the island environment is benign, there are stingrays, stone fish, cone shells, and sharks to be aware of. The guides are very cautious and make a point of giving a safety briefing prior to fishing.

We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center for Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.