English
The Hotel Castellar ushers you into the marine world. Enjoy, fill up your senses, live and experience recreational and ledger fishing: expect to be surprised by the picturesque spots in Barbate, in the Andalusian province of Cádiz. Five days where recreational fishing, cultural outings and tuna fishing in the Strait of Gibraltar go hand in hand. What’s more, you can enjoy it all year round. Let top experts go with you, to give you guidance whenever you need it. Check out our alternative four day programme designed for you to come on with a travelling companion.
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 on the planet. 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, and adapting it according to the weather, your expectations, or any other considerations.
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.
- 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.
Departure from the Puerto de la Alcaidesa for a day’s fishing in the Bay of Algeciras. This bay is known for the high volume of traffic of merchant ships, oil tankers and boat companies that sail from the Algeciras port to cross the Atlantic. The strong sea currents, which sometimes reach five knots, make the waters of the strait the best fishing area in the Iberian Peninsula. It is because of these strong currents that the Bay of Algeciras provides shelter for smaller fish that, in turn, attract larger ones. The sea-floor of the bay is characterized by rocky areas with sand banks, which host both species of fish that live in rock and those that live in sand. We should also highlight the great depths found in the bay, in excess of 3,000 feet at some points.
- 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: End of the second day.
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.
- 9:00: 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.
- 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: End of the second day.
- 10:00: Reception of the group at the hotel and transfer by private vehicle to the Puerto Deportivo Alcaidesa.
- Transfer in luxury SUV.
- Pen Drive with full photo coverage of the activities.
- Tickets for visits to the centres.
- Lunch in a restaurant on the cultural visit to Barbate.
- Boat and fishing gear.
- Accident insurance.
- Attendants.
- Suitable shoes and clothing.
- Photographic camera.
- Sun protection and hat for fishing days.
