St Brandon's Trip Details

Included/Not Included:
Included: Accommodations and meals on the MV Gryphon, guided fishing, licenses, soft drinks and local beers, goods and services taxes.
Not Included: International flights to and from Mauritius, other accommodations and meals except as noted above, wine and alcohol, ground transfers on Mauritius, tackle and flies, mandatory medical evacuation coverage, departure tax and gratuities.

Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to St Brandon’s you need to make flight arrangements to Mauritius. You can make arrangements to arrive into Mauritius early in the morning of the day you board the ship or you can elect to arrive Mauritius the day before you board the ship and overnight (hotel independently arranged, not included). Trip days are custom so please see your itinerary for specific dates and arrival details.
Getting to the Boat: Please be at the MV Gryphon’s mooring (La Marina du Caudan, Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis) no later than 7:00AM. The mooring is just a short walk from either of the recommended hotels. Depart for St. Brandon’s at 8:00AM (cruising time is 24 hours).
Departure Information: On your departure day you will take the boat back to Mauritius (cruising time is 24 hours). Arrive Port Louis in the afternoon. Continue home.

Hotel Recommendation in Mauritius:
The following hotels are in Port Louis and just a short walk from where the MV Gryphon is moored:

Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel
Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis
Phone: 230.202.4000
http://www.labourdonnais.com/

Le Suffren Hotel
Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis
Phone: 230.202.4000
http://www.lesuffrenhotel.com

Documentation Requirements:
You need a valid passport. Visas for stays of 30 days or less are not required for American, South African or British citizens. All visitors must hold valid tickets for onward journey and documents required for next destination, adequate funds for the intended length of stay (minimum of US$100 per day), and confirmed booking for accommodation in Mauritius.

To participate in the activities with Fly Castaway, guests will be required to sign their waiver form.

Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage:
All anglers are required to have Global Rescue emergency medical evacuation coverage. It is the right of the live-aboard service provider to cancel any booking without refund if the client is not adequately insured. In this case, adequate insurance means: an insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation from the scene of the illness or accident to the nearest best hospital and then back to your hometown.

Baggage:
There are no weight limitations other than your international airlines standard flight limitations.

Customs:
Arriving passengers may import 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 liter of spirits or wine; and other normally dutiable goods worth up to 1,000 Seychelles rupees (US $200).
Firearms (including air powered devices) spear fishing equipment and non-prescription drugs are strictly prohibited.

Currency:
The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR) and is the preferred currency in Mauritius. US Dollar or Euro are however widely accepted so exchanging funds is not necessary unless you are planning on a extened trip. On board the boat cash notes in US dollar, or Euros are accepted. We suggest that you carry sufficient US $ or EURO for settling your bar tab and gratuities.

Travel Cash Requirements:
The amount of cash that anglers travel with is often a personal preference, however we can recommend the minimum requirements for cash needed. Credit cards will be accepted at all of your stops while in transit however they are NOT accepted on the boat. The major cash expense for this trip will be guide gratuities (see below) and your bar tab. For an 11 day trip we would recommend bringing a minimum of $1,250.

Gratuities:
The recommended gratuities for the guides are US $50.00 per person per day, and for the boat staff US $150.00 per person per trip. Please note that this is only a guideline for guests interested in tipping the guides and the boat staff. All gratuities are up to the discretion of the individual guest.

Fishing Licenses:
Fishing licenses are included in the package.

Climate:
Air temperatures are usually in the upper 80’s to low 90’s and water temperatures rarely vary more than a few degrees above 75°. With this said a rain coat can be handy for windy wet boat rides. A word on the sun! The sun is very intense near the equator. Plenty of sun screen, a big hat, and long sleeve shirts and pants are a must!

Medical Facilities:
For the well being of the entire group we will require all party members to have medical evacuation coverage. Trip cancelation insurance is also recommended. There is a comprehensive medical kit on board and the crew is trained in first aid. Evacuation to Mahe is possible within a few hours as the boat is always fairly close to the island airstrip. The chartered domestic flights are not guaranteed to depart in adverse weather conditions. Guests are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements in case of departure delays.

Power and Communications:
The MV Gryphon is equipped with a satellite phone which can be used by guests at an additional cost. Whilst on the main island the international access code for Mauritius is +230. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001 for the United States). City/area codes are not required. The whole island is covered by the mobile network; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international operators. Handsets and SIM cards can be hired at the airport. Internet cafes are widely available. Please check with your mobile carrier to see if they have service. Electricity is 230 volts, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs and round two-pin plugs are commonly used.

Water:
Bottled water is readily available and is included in the pacage price.

Clothing:
Dress on the boat is casual. Quick dry pants and shorts, long sleeved quick dry shirts, casual cotton pants and t-shirts, shorts and shirts, sandals, bandana, “Buff” facial sun protector, hat with wide brim, sun gloves, light rain coat, and swimsuit are recommended. Wet wading with flats boots (Simms, Patagonia) is the norm. Supportive sturdy flats boots are best, as many flats have tough marl bottoms. Boat fishing footwear: Non- scuff - white soled deck shoes or sandals: Crocs work well and are comfortable.

Laundry:
The staff will do laundry whenever it is needed.

Beverages/Alcohol:
The Gryphon has plenty of beers and a limited selection of hard liquor and wine. We recommend you bring a bottle or two of your preferred liquor.

Tackle/Equipment List:
Bonefish, Indo-Pacific Permit:
Rods: 9 weight, fast action
Reels: Saltwater, with at least 150 yards of 20lb backing.
Lines: WF floating, saltwater lines such as Mastery Bonefish or Saltwater Taper
Leaders/Tippet: 9-12 foot long leaders 10-20 lbs, clear monofilament with 10 - 20 lb tippet.
Flies: Green Machines #6, Gotchas #6, Tan Crazy Charlies #6, Tan and white Clouser Minnows #6, Chartreuse and white Clouser Minnows #6, Shallow Water H2O #6, Spawning Shrimp #6, Tan Velcro Crabs #2x, White Velcro Crab #2x, Fleeing Crab #8 Branham’s Swimming Crab #6, Milky Dreams #2

Trevally:
Rods: 12 weight, fast action
Reels: Saltwater, with at least 250 yards of 30-lb backing. A large arbor reel is an advantage with both fish species. Bring extra spools with backing and extra fly lines.
Lines: WF floating and intermediate saltwater lines such as Mastery Tarpon or Saltwater Taper Leaders/Tippet: 60lb – 100lb leaders, 6 feet in length are the norm. The guides call this the commitment rig.
Flies: GT Flashy Profile #6/0, GT Crabs #6/0, Tan Clouser Minnows #6/0, GT Brush Fly #6/0