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. You'll stay aboard the Untamed Amazon, a 92-foot liveaboard vessel.
2027 USD Rates: start at $8,790 + $760 Native Comm Fee for 8 nights / 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 northwestern edge of the Brazilian Amazon, near the Colombian border, and feeds into 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. It includes over 425 miles of rivers, tributaries, and lagoons.
The Temensis peacock bass, the largest of all peacock bass, averages 10 to 18 pounds in more remote locations but has 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 early 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 no area is overfished, so that anglers can experience new waters each day.
Guides: Two anglers per pro English-speaking guide, plus one native guide who drives the boat.
Boats: 21-foot shallow-draft boats with 90-HP 4-stroke and remote-control electric motors.
Center console boats have two casting platforms (one at each end), so both anglers can fish at the same time.
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.
Flies: Mostly baitfish imitations are used. Flies are available for sale on the yacht for $15 each, but be sure to bring a good selection.
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 moves every day and anchors in a different area.
6:30 p.m. - Cocktails and appetizers on the covered patio top deck.
8:00 p.m. - Dinner is 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, and its two major tributaries, plus numerous lagoons and bays. The fishery rotates beats across five distinct river sectors within the protected Rio Marie Preserve: Upper Turi, Lower Turi, Upper Marie, headwaters of Marie, and Lower Marie. This rotation system minimizes environmental impact and enables sustainable fishing practices.
The Untamed Amazon Liveaboard
The Untamed Amazon runs on solar power, features state-of-the-art water treatment, and uses fuel-efficient engines that meet 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 $5 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. Guests typically enjoy lunch 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 advance 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 with 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. An English-speaking representative will greet you at the Manaus–Eduardo Gomes International Airport. He'll arrange for transfers to a boutique hotel in Manaus. You'll share a double-occupancy room with another angler, 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 flight on an 8-passenger turboprop Cessna Caravan 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 limit (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 time to get situated and prepare your 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
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 early December:
NCF = Native Community Fee
Two anglers per room and skiff:
Rates are per person.
$8,790 + $760 NCF = $9,550
One angler per room and 2 per skiff:
$9,655 + $760 NCF = $10,415
One angler per room and skiff:
$14,250 + $760 NCF = $15,010
Headwaters Camp:
$10,790 + $760 NCF = $11,550
Non-Angler Companion:
$5,570 + $550 NCF = $6,120
Rio Marie and Pirarucu Floating Lodge Combo
2027 Combo Season: Late August through early December
NCF = Native Community Fee
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:
Rates are per person.
14,470 + 1,310 NCF = $15,780
One angler per room and two per skiff:
$15,760 + 1,310 NCF = $17,070
One angler per room and skiff:
$23,200 + 1,310 NCF = $24,510
Non-angler companion:
$8,690 + $840 NCF = $9,530
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.
2028 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 early December:
NCF = Native Community Fee
Two anglers per room and skiff:
$9,250 + $790 NCF = $10,040 per person
One angler per room and 2 per skiff:
$10,150 + $790 NCF = $10,940 per person
One angler per room and skiff:
$14,800 + $1,260 NCF = $16,060 per person
Headwaters Camp:
$11,250 + $990 NCF = $12,240
Non-Angler Companion:
$5,570 + $530 NCF = $6,100 per person
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 (recommended 10% of trip cost)
(10% of the trip cost 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 medical evacuation coverage
• Travel insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.
The Native Community Fee:
Native Community Fee: The native community fee is to be paid in cash upon arrival in Brazil. This long-term social project supports the preservation of Indigenous culture and improves 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 arrival in Manaus, and it is deposited directly into the Indian Association account. Anglers receive an official receipt from the Association. This fee supports 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.
A Signed Indigenous Land Responsibility Agreement is also required. It is basically a Visitor Code of Conduct for the Rio Marié Sport Fishing Tourism Project.
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 reservation is transferred to a replacement guest approved by Untamed Angling.
A reservation may be rescheduled to another available week within the same season only in cases of force majeure, duly documented by the guest, and subject to availability within the destination's schedule. Such requests must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the original trip departure date and will be subject to a rescheduling fee equal to 10% of the total trip price.
Requests submitted fewer than 90 days prior to departure, or those that do not meet the conditions above, will be treated as cancellations and will be subject to the applicable cancellation policy.
All cancellations, rescheduling requests, and provisional bookings must be submitted and confirmed in writing via 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.
