Rio Marie Liveaboard - Brazil
Liveaboard Peacock Bass Fly Fishing Adventure
The Rio Marie, often called the River of Giants, is the most remote river in the Brazilian Amazon. Its headwaters are located more than 500 air miles northwest of Manaus, in the rainforest between Brazil and Colombia. Fly fish for world-record peacock bass and various other jungle species. Your accommodations will be on the Untamed Amazon, a 92-foot liveaboard vessel.
2026 Rates: start at $8,490 + $740 Native Comm Fee for 8 nights and 6 days guided fishing.
Rio Marie - River of Giants from Meng Syn DDS on Vimeo.
Rio Marie - IGFA World Record Peacock Bass
A new IGFA All-Tackle Length World Record was set on the Rio Marie on September 7, 2023. Brent Van Niekerk achieved this record with a 94-centimeter peacock bass, one of his first catches of the week. Since 2014, the Rio Marie has broken 15 IGFA world records. Notably, the All-Tackle length record for peacock bass was broken in three consecutive years from 2021 to 2023, and all were achieved on a fly.
The Rio Marie is a very remote river—more than 500 miles by floatplane from Manaus, Brazil. The Rio Marie begins on the northwest side of the Brazilian Amazon, near the Colombian border, and is a tributary of the upper Negro River. The river is inside an Indian territory of more than 494 million acres.
The Rio Marie liveaboard adventure is the first official sportfishing operation within Brazilian Indian territory. It is now the largest area in the world dedicated to fly-fishing-only and catch-and-release-only. There are over 425 miles of river, tributaries, and lagoons.
The Temensis peacock bass, the largest of all peacock bass, average 10 to 18 pounds in the more remote locations but have been known to reach 30 pounds.
Butterfly peacock bass are abundant and smaller, reaching up to 13 pounds.
Season: The Liveaboard season runs from August to December, during the dry season when the water levels are at their lowest. Single hooks are mandatory.
The Fishing Program:
Group size: Eight to 12 guests per week.
The Adventure begins in the upper reaches of the Rio Marie, with the liveaboard traveling downstream at approximately 75 miles each week. The crew ensures that no area is overfished, allowing anglers to experience new waters each day. This means there are always fresh and exciting trophy peacock bass fishing opportunities available.
Guides: Two anglers per pro English-speaking guide, plus one native guide who drives the boat.
Boats: 20-foot shallow-draft boats with 90-HP 4-stroke and remote-control electric motors.
Center console boats have two casting platforms (one at either end of the boat so both anglers can fish at the same time).
Flies: Fishing is mostly done using baitfish imitations. Flies are available for sale on the yacht for $15 each, but be sure to bring a good selection.
Fishing Equipment: Fly-fishing outfits are provided to guests upon request (Thomas & Thomas rods, Nautilus Reels, and Scientific Anglers Lines). A complete gear and tackle list is included in our confirmation packet.
A Fishing License is included in the package.
A Typical Fishing Day:
5:30 a.m. - Coffee is hot.
7:00 a.m. - Breakfast.
8:00 a.m. - Head to fishing grounds.
Noon - Anglers will have a picnic-style lunch on the river.
1:00 p.m. - Fishing resumes until late afternoon
5:30 p.m. - Anglers return to the liveaboard. The yacht will move every day and anchor in a different area.
6:30 p.m. - Cocktails and appetizers on the covered patio top deck.
8:00 p.m. - Dinners are served in the liveaboard's air-conditioned dining room.
The Rio Marie Fishery
The Liveaboard is strategically positioned in the most productive areas of the Rio Marie Reserve, allowing you to fish and explore the entire reserve. This expansive area covers over 425 miles of the main river, its two major tributaries, as well as numerous lagoons and bays. The fishery rotates beats across five distinct river sectors: Upper Turi, Lower Turi, Upper Marie, headwaters of Marie, and Lower Marie, all within the protected Rio Marie Preserve. This rotation system minimizes environmental impact and enables sustainable fishing practices.
The Untamed Amazon Liveaboard
The Untamed Amazon is powered by solar electricity, has state-of-the-art water treatment, and has fuel-efficient engines that comply with strict U.S. and international environmental standards. The liveaboard has three levels.
The Liveaboard Adventure
The 92-foot Liveaboard, known as the Untamed Amazon, has three levels and was built in 2015 specifically for this Amazon adventure. The main floor has eight guest suites, accommodating up to 12 anglers and two non-angler companions. The spacious living/dining room, with an open lounge for beverages, is on the top floor. The Liveaboard also has two large Jacuzzis.
Cabin Suites have extra-long twin beds. Two single-occupancy suites are available. Each room has a private bathroom with hot water, air conditioning, 24-hour solar-powered electricity, a ceiling-to-floor picture window, and storage space.
Communications: Complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi internet.
A satellite phone is available for guests to use at $5.00 per minute.
Meals: On the third level, a full-scale kitchen serves American and regional favorites. Breakfast includes made-to-order eggs and a buffet with fruit, yogurt, granola, toast, coffee, tea, and juice. Lunch is typically enjoyed picnic-style on the river, with meats, pasta, salads, and fresh fruit. Enjoy four-course dinners in the comfortable dining area. Freshly caught fish dishes, fresh-baked bread and pastries, chilled wines, ice-cold beer, spirits, and soft drinks await each guest throughout the week. With advanced notice, special diets can be accommodated.
Alcohol: The package includes wine, beer, and regular spirits.
Lounge Area on the Liveaboard
Dr. Meng Syn's Trip Recap - Blog, Videos...
Our client Meng Syn does a phenomenal job of his trip recaps. Read his blog and see his outstanding videos listed below.
Dr. Meng Syn's Vimeo Videos:
Butterflies - Butterfly Madness
Flies for the Rio Marie
Dr. Meng Syn's Blog:
The Rio Marie River of Giants
Dr. Meng Syn's Flickr Albums:
Rio Marie
More of the Rio Marie
Getting to the Liveaboard:
This guideline is for the Fly-Fishing-Only Packages.
Please request an information packet for complete details.
1.) It is best to arrive in Manaus a day early (on Friday night) rather than late on Saturday night. You'll be greeted by an English-speaking representative at the international airport in Manaus. He'll arrange for transfers to a boutique hotel in Manaus. You and another angler will share a double-occupancy room included in the package.
2.) After an early breakfast at the hotel, the driver will pick up your group, usually around 5:30 a.m., and head to the local airport. (Two planes are used for groups of 12 anglers.) You'll take a 3.5-hour 8-passenger turboprop Cessna Caravan flight to where the liveaboard is anchored and waiting for you.
Baggage Weight Limit: On the floatplane flight, there is a strictly enforced 40-pound weight (in total), divided as follows: one 10 lb. carry-on and one 30 lb. soft duffle bag with no rigid bottom (except for rod cases). Exact specifications are in our confirmation packet.
The package includes two ground transfers in Manaus, the first hotel night in Manaus, and the roundtrip flight between Manaus and the liveaboard.)
3.) On the liveaboard, you'll have a light lunch followed by a short orientation. There is no fishing on the day of arrival. You'll have a chance to get situated and prepare tackle.
Departure Day: After breakfast, you'll have a few hours to relax before the return floatplane flight to Manaus. (The plane will usually stop in Tefé to refuel on the return trip.) Depending on your departure time, you can fly home on the same day or spend another night in Manaus. (The final hotel night is not included in the package.)
Brazil eVisa now Required: As of April 2025, citizens from the United States, Canada, and Australia require an electronic visa (eVisa) to enter Brazil. The Brazil eVisa fee is $80.90 for US citizens.
• Click here for the Brazil eVisa website.
Vaccine: A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is recommended to enter any indigenous Territory in Brazil, but is no longer required.
RATES & PACKAGES
2026 USD Rates:
Our advice is free.
We never charge more than the Lodges we represent.
FLY-FISHING-ONLY packages:
Include roundtrip floatplane flights between Manaus and the mothership.
8 nights and 6 days guided fishing
Late July through December:
Two anglers per room and skiff:
$8,490 + $740 Native Comm Fee = $9,230 per person
One angler per room and 2 per skiff:
$8,490 + $865 + $740 Native Comm Fee = $10,095 per person
One angler per room and skiff:
$13,950 + $740 Native Comm Fee = $14,690 per person
Non-angler companion:
$5,570 + $530 Native Comm Fee = $6,100 per person
Rio Marie and Pirarucu Floating Lodge Combo
2026 Combo Season: Late August through early December
13 nights and 10 days guided fishing
• 1 night in Manaus
• 7 nights and 6 guided fishing days at Rio Marie
• 5 nights and 4 guided fishing days at Pirarucu
Two anglers per room and skiff:
13,762.50 + 1,290 Native Comm Fee = $15,052 per person
One angler per room and two per skiff:
$15,853 + 1,290 Native Comm Fee = $17,143 per person.
Note: Please get in touch with us for 8-day and 12-day combo package rates. All combo packages include 6 guided fishing days at Rio Marie, with the option to adjust guided fishing at Pirarucu from 2 to 6 days.
Request an Information Packet for full details.
2027 USD Rates:
Our advice is free.
We never charge more than the Lodges we represent.
FLY-FISHING-ONLY packages:
Include roundtrip floatplane flights between Manaus and the mothership.
8 nights and 6 days guided fishing
Late July through December:
Two anglers per room and skiff:
$8,790 + $760 Native Comm Fee = $9,550 per person
One angler per room and 2 per skiff:
$9,655 + $760 Native Comm Fee = $10,415 per person
One angler per room and skiff:
$14,250 + $760 Native Comm Fee = $15,010 per person
Non-angler companion:
$5,570 + $550 Native Comm Fee = $6,120 per person
Rio Marie and Pirarucu Floating Lodge Combo
2027 Combo Season: Late August through early December
13 nights and 10 days guided fishing
• 1 night in Manaus
• 7 nights and 6 guided fishing days at Rio Marie
• 5 nights and 4 guided fishing days at Pirarucu
Two anglers per room and skiff:
14,470 + 1,310 Native Comm Fee = $15,780 per person
One angler per room and two per skiff:
$15,760 + 1,310 Native Comm Fee = $17,070 per person.
One angler per room and skiff:
$23,200 + 1,310 Native Comm Fee = $24,510 per person.
Non-angler companion:
$8,690 + $840 Native Comm Fee = $9,530 per person
Note: Please get in touch with us for 8-day and 12-day combo package rates. All combo packages include 6 guided fishing days at Rio Marie, with the option to adjust guided fishing at Pirarucu from 2 to 6 days.
Request an Information Packet for full details.
The Packages Include:
• One night (double occupancy) at a hotel in Manaus upon arrival
• All necessary ground transfers in Manaus
• Roundtrip floatplane flight between Manaus and the liveaboard
• All necessary local boat transfers
• 7 nights lodging on liveaboard
• All meals on the liveaboard
• Wine, beer, and spirits on the liveaboard
• Daily laundry and maid service
• Starlink Wi-Fi on the Liveaboard
• 6 days guided fishing
• Fishing license
• Use of fly fishing outfits upon request
• Our eBook Fly Fishing for Peacock Bass
by Larry and Guy Schoenborn.
The Packages Do Not Include:
• International airfare
• A Brazilian eVisa, $80.90
• Private charter flight transfers*
(if you should miss the weekly charter flight)
• Native Community Fee paid in cash upon arrival in Brazil
• Gratuities for guides and staff
(10% of the trip cost in total is recommended)
• Fishing equipment
• Flies, $15 each
• Premium liquors, wine, and cocktails
• Food and beverages in Manaus
• City tours in Manaus
• Satellite phone calls, $5 per minute
• Extra hotel nights
• Airport taxes
• Global Rescue coverage
• Travel insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.
The Native Community Fee:
Native Community Fee: $760 USD per angler and $550 USD per non-angler paid in cash upon arrival to Brazil. This long-term social project supports the preservation of Indigenous culture and helps improve the quality of life for the local communities. The Rio Marié River has formed an association (ACIBRN) and board to protect its interests moving forward. The Association includes representatives from all 14 Indigenous communities. The community fee paid by all visiting guests helps fund social projects, infrastructure development, transportation, and medical and educational initiatives. The fee is payable in cash (USD) to the Association representative upon your arrival in Manaus and is deposited directly into the Indian Association account. Anglers receive an official receipt from the Association. This fee represents an important step in the ongoing effort to protect the communities' ability to share this remarkable and unique part of the world.
Rio Marie POLICIES:
A Signed Indemnity Release is Required: All guests are required to sign the outfitter's Release of Liability and Indemnity Agreement upon arrival and before participating in any activities.
Deposit Policy: Reservations will be held for 10 days. We require a 50% deposit to confirm the booking. Final payment must be made 90 days before arrival.
Cancellation Policy: The Deposit required to confirm your reservation is NON-REFUNDABLE unless the customer is replaced. A 10% trip fee shall be levied if the reservation is moved to an alternative date within the same season. All cancellations, changes, and provisional bookings must be confirmed by email.
Travel Insurance: Fishing with Larry strongly recommends purchasing comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage and Global Rescue medical evacuation.
Visit our Travel Insurance page.
Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit Card: A 2.5% convenience fee applies for all credit card transactions.
2.) Check: Please include your invoice number in the memo.
Mail checks to Fishing with Larry
P.O. Box 419
Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer: Send money electronically. Typical fees are approximately $15–$30 for domestic transfers and $45–$50 for international transfers.
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
4. Please review our Travel Terms & Disclaimers prior to submitting your deposit.
