Bait a hook in the piranha-filled blackwater lakes of the Amazon basin, then glide by torchlight through the flooded forest as your guide's beam catches the burning-red eyes of caiman in the dark. Thrilling, primal, and utterly unlike anything else on earth.
What to expect
As the afternoon heat softens, your motor canoe slips into a network of blackwater lakes connected to the Rio Negro. Your guide hands you a simple handline baited with raw meat — piranha fishing is technique, not tackle — and within minutes the frenzied tugs begin. You'll likely land several; your guide explains the species and their role in the ecosystem before releasing them. As darkness falls, you move into the flooded forest by torchlight, your guide scanning the shallows for the reflective eyes of spectacled caiman. The sounds of the night Amazon — frogs, nightjars, the splash of unseen creatures — are extraordinary.
Good to know
This experience is best scheduled on late port afternoons or when the ship overnights in Manaus. Confirm timing against all-aboard. Wear long sleeves and trousers for the evening portion, and apply insect repellent liberally. All fishing equipment is provided. Children minimum age 10.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Manaus — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.