Blackwater Explorer Amazon Fishing Yacht

Living aboard the Blackwater Explorer Yacht, while fishing remote Amazon backwaters in nimble bass boats, provides anglers with the best of both worlds. The air-conditioned yacht boasts both incredible mobility and relaxed comfort.

The yacht's great mobility - based on a low draft and high-tech displacement-style hull - allows access to the most productive, remote Amazon tributaries even in the face of sudden, changing conditions. Endless miles of majestic, fish-holding waters with hidden lagoons, winding creeks, placid lakes and sandy beaches.

The yacht's captain specializes in finding the rivers or regions with optimal water levels and productivity, according to the fishing season, and the result is high daily catch averages: from 10 - 50 peacock bass a day; trophy fish in the teens are routine; and many monsters over 20 lbs. are taken every week. Anglers can also do battle with huge red-tailed catfish (up to 100 pounds) that are abundant in many of these river systems, and go fly-fishing.

Return each evening to the comfort and security of the Blackwater Explorer to share stories of your day's fishing with a cold beverage.

9-Day Amazon River Game Fishing Itinerary: Blackwater Explorer Yacht

Spend your day on fast bass boats fishing productive, hidden backwaters, then return each evening to the comfort and security of the Blackwater Explorer.

Added to this, the high level of personal service provided by our staff, and the dedicated fishing expertise provide by the guides, make the Blackwater Explorer the ultimate way to access the incredible Amazon peacock bass, as well as thrilling catfish.

Fishery: Tributaries in the Rio Negro, Branco and Madeira Basins

Season: September - February.

Day 1: Fri: Manaus: Arrival
(Lunch & Dinner)

Upon arrival in Manaus, you are welcomed and transferred to the domestic airport for a charter flight to the Blackwater Explorer.

Arrive in time for lunch aboard, then get your cabin assignment and prepare your gear for an afternoon of fishing. Overnight in your air-conditioned cabins.

Days 2 - 7: Sat - Thurs: Six Full Days of Sport Fishing
(All meals)

Your angling day begins with a 5:30am wake-up call, followed by breakfast at 6:00am. Your guide will be ready to depart at first light, although you can stay and relax on the Blackwater Explorer if you prefer.

In order to provide the best possible opportunities to catch peacock bass, fishing is done using custom-made, shallow-draft, 18-foot welded aluminum bass boats. They are equipped with 40 HP Yamaha outboard motors and 45lb-thrust Motorguide trolling motors. These fast and efficient boats are robust and maneuverable while keeping anglers comfortable.

Two stable fishing platforms provide solid footing and casting access for any size of angler. The padded seats can be pedestal mounted or anglers can fish standing, to suit. Expert guides are equipped with Boga-grips, fishing tools and landing nets.

A cooler with food and drinks of your choice is essential, and lunch consists of a hearty boxed lunch followed by an hour's relaxation ... in a hammock, if you like!

Return to the yacht at around 5.30pm, just before dusk, for appetizers, cocktails and bragging, followed by a delicious dinner.

Jungle hikes, spotlighting trips, night catfishing and local village visits can be arranged.

Day 8: Fri: Return Manaus
(Breakfast)

Transfer back to Manaus via charter flight.

Upon arrival in Manaus, the rest of the day is free to relax, book a city tour, shop or enjoy great Brazilian restaurants.

Overnight at the Tropical Hotel. 

Day 9: Sat: Depart Manaus
(Breakfast)

Today, we transfer you to Manaus Airport, for your onward flight.

NB. Itineraries may vary depending on air carriers’ schedules and availability.

Sport Fishing Yacht: Blackwater Explorer: Departure Dates

2013

~ Fri, 11th - Sat, 19th January

~ Fri, 18th - Sat, 26th January

~ Fri, 25th January - Sat, 2nd February

~ Fri, 1st - Sat, 9th February

~ Fri, 8th - Sat, 16th February

~ Fri, 15th - Sat, 23rd February

~ Fri, 22nd February - Sat, 2nd March

~ Fri, 11th - Sat, 19th October

~ Fri, 18th - Sat, 26th October

~ Fri, 15th - Sat, 23rd November

~ Fri, 29th November - Sat, 7th December

~ Fri, 6th - Sat, 14th December

~ Fri, 27th December - Sat, 4th January

2014

~ Fri, 3rd - Sat, 11th January

~ Fri, 17th - Sat, 25th January

~ Fri, 24th January - Sat, 1st February

~ Fri, 31st January - Sat, 8th February

~ Fri, 7th - Sat, 15th February

~ Fri, 14th - Sat, 22nd February

~ Fri, 21st February - Sat, 1st March

Please note that the Blackwater Explorer is available for charter from March to September.

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Game Fishing Tour Prices: Blackwater Explorer Yacht

9-Day Amazon River Game Fishing Itinerary:

~ Air-Conditioned Cabin:                              $4,699

Amazon River Game Fishing Charter:

~ 9 days (with 6 full days of fishing)              $59,500

~ Other itineraries                                       Please ask. 

Price Policy:
- All prices listed are PER PERSON in DOUBLE OCCUPANCY Cabins
- Published Prices for 2013 Amazon Cruises only
- Individual occupancy of cabin and fishing with another angler: additional $600 
- Individual occupancy of cabin and fishing alone: additional 65%
- Children sharing cabin and fishing boat with two parents: $375
- Children sharing cabin and fishing boat with one parent: Full Price

Included:
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- 1 night's accommodation at Tropical Hotel, Manaus
- 7 nights' accommodation in double cabins
- 6 full days' fishing
- Guided fishing (2 anglers per boat)
- Open bar
- Charter flights to/from Blackwater Explorer
- Fishing licenses
- Rods & reels
- Airport assistance & transfers
- Excursions as described in the itinerary

Not Included:
 - Lures
 - International or Domestic Airfares to Manaus
 - Airport Taxes
 - Cost of medical emergencies including evacuation
 - Gratuities
 - Souvenirs or additional services
 - Travel Insurance
 - Cost of relevant visas
 - Anything else not listed as included

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The modern Blackwater Explorer is one of the most attractive yachts sailing the Amazon basin. Her classic and graceful Amazonian Regional design blends perfectly with the pristine black water habitat she calls home.

Most importantly, she's been built to fish! Her broad beam maximizes her functional interior space while keeping her length manageably short. This gives her great maneuverability, letting her safely and easily penetrate into inaccessible, meandering headwaters streams.

The yacht's impressively low draft (she displaces only 1.2 meters / 4 feet) allows her to pass shallow sandbars and obstructions that would keep less efficiently designed boats back in port.

The Blackwater Explorer is designed for fishermen. Her well-organized debarkation deck lets a full group of anglers get started on their fishing day quickly, without crowding, fuss or confusion. The debarkation deck's waterline exit lets you walk right onto your fishing boat, with no ladders to climb. All of your fishing gear and take-along items can remain right at hand and be ready to go when you are.

They have done their homework and designed the best purpose-built sport fishing vessel in the Amazon. Plus, the Explorer is a fishing mother ship of the highest caliber, with more comfort than anyone could expect hundreds of miles away from the last vestiges of civilization! The list of her luxurious features is long.

1. Private bathrooms w/sink, toilet and hot shower in each cabin.
2. Roomy cabins with plenty of storage space, reading lamps and 100V A/C personal air-conditioners.
3. Two meter high ceilings. Gone are the days when six-footers have to duck!
4. Huge (6 and 1/2 x 7 meter) common area. Spacious dining room and lots of walk-around space.
5. Big, wide, non-slip stairwells.
6. Cabin doors that open directly to outside spaces.
7. Shallow draft for improved access - almost 1/2 meter less than typical Amazon yachts. The Explorer can fish areas we've never accessed before.
8. Daily Laundry Service: every day you can have your clothes washed, dried, folded and returned to your cabin, whatever the weather.

The Blackwater Explorer is pleased to provide its guests with drinks and appetizers whenever they gather. All drinks are provided at no charge, any time. Options include beer, wine, domestic liquors, mixed drinks, soft drinks, juices, water, and of course, Brazil's national drink, the ever popular caipirinha.

Vessel Specifications:

Decks: 3

Length Over All: 23.5m / 77 feet

Maximum Width: 6.5m / 22 feet

Draft: 1.2m / 4 feet

Cabins:10

All have 2 bunk beds; 4 have a double-sized bed as the lower unit.

Passengers: 20 max

Anglers: 16 max

Crew: 8

Cruising Range: 1000 miles

Cruising Speed: 10 mph

Top Speed: 18 mph

Air-conditioning: Cabins / Salon

Electricity: 110 VAC

Generator: 3 x Diesel:70kw main unit; 40kw heavy duty backup; and 15kw daytime appliance unit

Communications: Shortwave Radio; Emergency SATfone

Navigation: Garmin Chart Plotter; Depth Finder

Safety Features:

Dense, crackproof, displacement-style wooden hull, divided into three independent compartments by waterproof bulkheads.

Life-jackets

Life Rafts

Blackwater Explorer Yacht Game Fishing Charters

The Blackwater Explorer is available for exclusive, custom-designed excursions in Brazil's Central Amazon. Whether you want fast, efficient float plane access or leisurely cruise to the fishery, we can create the trip that perfectly suits your desires. From a few days to a few weeks, tell us what you want and we will make it all happen.

Here are two sample itineraries of what is available: 

1. 4-Day Executive Peacock Bass Fishing Trip:

Day 1: Manaus - Blackwater Explorer
(All meals)

Early AM. Transfer to domestic airport for chartered floatplane flight to water landing nearest the fishery.

Arrive on the yacht and enjoy breakfast. Enjoy a full day of fishing for the incredible peacock bass.

Days 2 & 3: Two full days of fishing
(All meals)

A normal angling day begins with a 5:30 AM wake up call followed by breakfast at 6:00 AM.

Your guide will be ready to depart as early as 6:30 AM, although you can remain on board at your leisure.

Pack a boxed lunch and relax or take a midday snooze in a hammock on the riverbank.

Return to camp by dusk for appetizers, cocktails and bragging, followed by a delicious dinner.

Depending on our location, anglers may also enjoy village visits, jungle walks, spotlighting excursions or catfishing.

Day 4: Blackwater Explorer - Manaus
(Breakfast)

Early AM transfer back to Manaus via charter flight.

Catch your flight back to the US or overnight in Manaus, depending on carrier selected.

2. 3-Week Central Amazon Fishing Safari: 

Day 1: Arrive in Manaus (All meals)

Upon arrival at Manaus airport we welcome you and transfer you to Manaus harbor to board the Blackwater Explorer. After settling in, the Explorer sets sail on the mighty Amazon River.

Week 1: Cruise to the western Amazon basin and explore Brazil's spectacular national parks.

Visit Mamiroa and fish for arapaima, apapa and other species.

Explore the beautiful Rio Jurua and Japura.

Return each day to the comfort and security of the Blackwater Explorer.

Week 2: Descend the Solimoes River and explore its mysterious tributaries.

Probe the Rio Purus in pursuit of tambaqui and matrincha.

Explore the Rio Manacapuru and Mamori.

Return each day to the comfort and security of the Blackwater Explorer.

Depending on our location, anglers may also enjoy village visits, jungle walks, spotlighting excursions or catfishing.

Week 3: Cruise to the Rio Madeira basin and fish for trophy peacock bass in an enormous Indian reservation.

Explore 4 big rivers and an enormous flooded forest. Visit indigenous villages.

Final Day: Return to Manaus

Leave the Blackwater Explorer early AM and transfer back to Manaus via charter flight.

Relax at the Tropical Hotel or book a city tour, shop or enjoy great Brazilian restaurants.

Catch your flight back to the US or overnight in Manaus, depending on carrier selected.

Contact us to explore the amazing possibilities.