Marupiara Boat

The Marupiara Boat is a two-deck liveaboard based in Barcelos, the self-proclaimed World Capital of Sport Fishing, on the mid-Rio Negro in the heart of the Brazilian Amazon. The name comes from an indigenous Amazonian language meaning "luck in hunting and fishing," a fitting tribute to an operation built around the largest giant peacock bass on earth. The vessel launched in 2021, founded by two fishing partners who turned a shared passion into a full expedition operation.

Ten anglers share five air-conditioned double suites (9,000 BTU split units) with private bathrooms and provided linens. The dining room is air-conditioned, and the upper deck features a minibar, background music system, freshwater shower, and seating to unwind between sessions. A hull draft of just 80 cm gives the Marupiara access to shallow backwater channels that larger vessels cannot reach, a meaningful tactical advantage when tracking peacock bass concentrations. Starlink satellite internet keeps the boat connected throughout.

Each pair of anglers fishes from a dedicated 5–5.5 m aluminum skiff with cushioned seats, a 25–30 HP Mercury outboard, an electric trolling motor, a daily fuel allocation of 30 liters, and an onboard drinks cooler. Native local guides navigate to the best holding water on the Rio Negro and its black-water tributaries.

The 8-day itinerary begins with a Friday arrival in Manaus (hotel night included), a Saturday charter flight to Barcelos, five and a half days of remote fishing on the Rio Negro, and a Friday return hotel night in Barcelos before the Saturday departure flight. On the fifth fishing day, the crew sets up a beachside luau: open barbecue with beef picanha, pork ribs, chicken, fish, cold beer, and soft drinks. The package covers the Manaus–Barcelos charter flight, all ground transfers, the Barcelos tourism and fishing tax, and full board: breakfast at 5:30am, noon lunch onboard or on the beach, 8pm dinner with regional dishes, snacks, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and beer.

Giant peacock bass (Cichla temensis) are the headline species, but the dark-water tributaries of the Rio Negro also hold capa preta and pirarara (red-tailed catfish), large-bodied catfish that give heavy-tackle anglers a compelling secondary target.