Portugal Part 2 – Reef Fishing Turned Into a Shark Encounter

After the frustrations of Part 1, me and Connor knew we needed to change something.

The fishing from the shore hadn't exactly gone to plan, and while we'd still enjoyed exploring Quarteira and the surrounding area, we were desperate to put a few more fish on the bank—or in this case, in the boat.

Our original plan had always been to book onto one of the famous big game fishing trips available from Vilamoura.

Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, every single trip was fully booked.

We were gutted.

With limited options remaining, we decided to book a reef fishing trip through Vilamoura Watersports Centre.

At the time it felt like second best.

By the end of the day, we'd realised it was one of the best decisions we made all holiday.

As usual, we arrived far earlier than necessary.

Anyone who knows us knows that's pretty standard lol.

Rather than sit around waiting, we spent some time walking around Vilamoura Marina, admiring the incredible boats, soaking up the atmosphere and watching fish swimming around the docks.

Predictably, he couldn't walk past it lol.

I genuinely love that kid's enthusiasm for life. Whether it's fishing, travelling, boxing or trying something new, he throws himself into everything with 100% effort.

After wasting some time and enjoying the scenery, it was finally time to head over and check in.

Once onboard, we met Captain Paul and crew member Leo, along with the other guests joining us for the day.

It was a truly international group.

People had travelled from Ireland, Canada, Brazil, Portugal, the USA and beyond.

One of the best things about fishing is how quickly complete strangers become friends. Within minutes everyone was chatting, sharing stories and excited about what the day might bring.

After making sure everyone was happy appearing on camera, we cast off and headed out towards the reef.

During the journey, we got chatting with Leo about how disappointed we'd been to miss out on a big game trip.

Instead of simply brushing it off, he invited us below deck and showed us the equipment used for targeting sharks and tuna.

The gear was unbelievable.

Massive rods, huge reels and setups designed to tackle some of the ocean's most powerful fish.

Even though we weren't targeting those species that day, it gave us a fascinating insight into what to expect when we eventually return for a dedicated big game fishing adventure.

Leo's knowledge, enthusiasm and willingness to go the extra mile instantly stood out.

He genuinely made us feel welcome from the moment we stepped aboard.

When we reached the reef, Captain Paul gathered everyone together and explained what to expect before getting us fishing.

It wasn't long before the first fish of the day arrived.

A young angler named Millie was first on the scoreboard.

The smile on his face as he reeled in his fish was priceless.

Watching him brought back memories of Connor's first catches all those years ago. There is something truly magical about seeing young people discover a passion for fishing.

Not long afterwards, another young angler named Finnan landed his first fish of the day.

The youngsters were making the rest of us look silly.

And honestly, that's exactly how it should be.

The action continued steadily throughout the trip.

Fish after fish came aboard, keeping everyone entertained and involved.

The catches included:

* Various species of Bream

* Red Snapper

* Mackerel

* Weaver Fish (known locally as Spider Fish)

The Weaver Fish required a little extra care due to their venomous spines.

Thankfully, Leo handled every one of them safely, ensuring both the children and adults onboard stayed well away from the dangerous parts before releasing them back into the sea.

As the trip was drawing towards a close, something happened that completely changed the atmosphere onboard.

Keith, who had travelled from Cork in Ireland, hooked a decent bream and began reeling it towards the boat.

Suddenly, a large Blue Shark appeared behind it.

The shark followed the struggling fish right to the surface.

Instantly everyone onboard was on their feet.

He grabbed one of the heavy shark outfits and quickly deployed a bait.

The shark took the bait almost immediately.

The fight was on.

Unfortunately, after a short battle, the hook pulled free.

The line went slack.

The entire boat groaned in disappointment.

But Paul wasn't finished.

Within minutes he had another bait in the water.

Once again the shark struck.

This time Keith climbed into the fighting chair determined not to lose it.

The atmosphere onboard was electric.

Cheers erupted every time the shark came closer to the boat.

When it finally surfaced properly, everyone fell silent for a moment.

It was absolutely magnificent.

A powerful Blue Shark gliding through crystal-clear Portuguese water.

Nobody could quite believe what they were witnessing.

What had started as a simple reef fishing trip had suddenly become something truly special.

With the shark safely alongside the boat, Paul and Leo worked quickly and professionally.

Photos were taken, memories were made, and after a brief moment of admiration, the shark was carefully released back into the ocean.

Watching it swim away was every bit as impressive as seeing it arrive.

The reactions from the children onboard said everything.

Their excitement was infectious.

It was one of those moments that reminds you exactly why fishing is such an incredible hobby.

You never know what might happen next.

As if the day hadn't already given us enough memories, young Finnan provided one final surprise.

After hearing me mention that I'd really wanted to try Red Snapper, he kindly offered me one of the fish he'd caught.

A genuinely thoughtful gesture that I won't forget.

Back at the apartment, we cleaned and prepared the day's catch before sitting down to what can only be described as a feast.

Fresh fish, great memories and a fantastic day behind us.

The Red Snapper?

Absolutely delicious.

What started as a backup plan turned into one of the highlights of our entire Portugal adventure.

The fishing was great, the company was fantastic and the surprise shark encounter elevated the trip into something truly unforgettable.

A massive thank you goes to Captain Paul and Leo from Vilamoura Watersports Centre for creating such a brilliant experience.

Their professionalism, knowledge and humor made everyone feel welcome from start to finish. I 100% recommend them if you are ever in the area and don't forget to tell them that we sent you :) their details are below!

Marina de Vilamoura, Office 4, Cais Q, 8125-309

Phone: +351 937 777 913 

Email: bookings@watersportsvilamoura.com

Website: www.watersportsvilamoura.com

We're already planning our return and next time we hope to finally get out there and tackle one of those big game trips.

Until then, this incredible reef fishing adventure will live long in the memory.