English
Hotel Castellar ushers you into the marine world. Enjoy, fill up your senses, live and experience Bluefin tuna fishing as you’d never dreamed of. Four days in the open sea, in a life changing experience with the greatest experts who will be your guides at all times to ensure you have a truly unforgettable personal experience.
Sailing, feeling with all your senses, contending and winning are the fundamentals of fishing born out of passion. The Strait of Gibraltar provides the unique opportunity to contend with the Bluefin tuna, one of the fastest and toughest creatures in the world. Just as highly-prized as the Marlin, and equally rewarding to hunt.
Look on in awe as the cunning killer whales guide you to the great tuna shoals, or just relax and make the most of the rich sea floor, fishing and enjoying the open sea in an unparalleled and unique setting.
The strong currents, the deep trenches and the unusual sea bed of the Strait of Gibraltar combine to make this one of the most famous recreational fishing areas in the world, and most certainly the best in the Iberian Peninsula. Surrender all your senses to your passion.
Our coordinator will welcome you at the hotel, checking and explaining the schedule to you, as well as adapting it according to the weather, your expectations, or any other considerations.
- Day of arrival: For this cultural outing we will travel to the nearby coastal village of Barbate, learning about the capture and commercialisation of the Bluefish tuna in the Strait of Gibraltar. We will visit some of the key spots that will help us to understand this fascinating animal and its peculiar traits –Barbate’s Tuna Information Point and the Visitors’ Centre.
- 09:00: Reception of clients at the hotel and departure in a private luxury vehicle bound for Barbate with an accompanying guide. Brief stop en route for a rest.
- 10:45: Arrival at the port of Barbate, where there’s a scheduled visit to a producer of salted and smoked fish.
- 11:00: 90 minute visit to the producer. The tour will include the quartering of a tuna, as well as an overview of the facilities for understanding the whole craft of the production process (salting, smoking and canning). There will be the chance to sample the fish, along with a glass of wine.
- 12:30: Second visit, this time to the La Breña and Marisma de Barbate Information Point.
- 13:30: Barbate Tuna Visitors’ Centre. Departure by boat to visit the “Almadraba” (trap nets) and watch the tuna only a few metres away.
- 14:00: Departure for lunch at an appointed restaurant.
- 15:00: Back on route, bound for Zahara de los Atunes.
- 16:00: Arrival at Zahara de los Atunes and the cave of the Killer Whales, “a Paleolithic guide to tuna fishing techniques and seasons”.
- 17:30: Departure from Zahara to the hotel, with a brief rest-stop en route.
- 19:00: Arrival at the hotel.
- Dinner at the Hotel Castellar at the end of the day.
Departure from Puerto Alcaidesa, in La Linea de la Concepción, bound for the Strait of Gibraltar in a recreational fishing boat to track and capture the Bluefin tuna. The boat-owner, aided by his expertise and long experience, will pinpoint the location of the tuna through the movement of the killer whales.
Catch and release season goes from the 15th of June to 15th of October. During 20 days of the season the Andalusian Regional Government will decree the dates in which the tuna can be caught and kept. Trolling will be the technique of choice for this, although jigging, which clients sometimes find more entertaining, will also be available.
First fishing day
- 10:00: Reception of the group at the hotel and transfer by private vehicle to the Puerto Deportivo Alcaidesa.
- 10:45: Crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, with possible whale sightings.
- 11:00: Preparation of the fishing gear and release of bait.
- 14:00: Picnic lunch, prepared by the Hotel Castellar.
- 15:30: End of the activity and return to port.
- 16:00: Departure to the hotel by private vehicle.
- 16:30: Arrival at the hotel and free time.
- 10:00: Reception of the group at the hotel and transfer by private vehicle to the Puerto Deportivo Alcaidesa.
- 10:45: Crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar, with possible whale sightings.
- 11:00: Preparation of the fishing gear and release of bait.
- 14:00: Picnic lunch, prepared by the Hotel Castellar.
- 15:30: End of the activity and return to port.
- 16:00: Departure to the hotel by private vehicle.
- 16:30: Arrival at the hotel and free time.
- 12:00: Check-out. Each client will receive a pen drive with the photo coverage of the whole stay.
- Suitable shoes and clothing.
- Photographic camera.
- Sun protection and hat for fishing days.
