LiveaboardBarcelos
Tucuna Amazon Boat
Negro River
Tucuna Amazon Boat is a sport-fishing operation based in Barcelos, on the middle **Rio Negro** (Amazonas state, Brazil), built around a single focus: putting the angler on **peacock bass** (*Cichla temensis*) in one of the densest fisheries for the species in the world. The company runs **two of its own liveaboard vessels**, each hosting up to 10 anglers split into five pairs — small enough to keep the service personalized throughout the trip.
Accommodation on board consists of five double cabins with **9,000-BTU split air conditioning**, private bathroom and bed linen. The upper deck doubles as a lounge area, with an LCD TV, dining tables, chairs and a refreshing shower for the midday break. Onboard infrastructure includes a full galley, GPS, fish finder, a complete safety kit and **fast Starlink Wi-Fi** — uncommon deep in the Rio Negro and useful for anyone who needs to stay minimally connected. Two generators (one gasoline-powered) keep the boat quiet at night, and laundry service is included at no extra cost.
The fishing fleet is made up of **5.5-meter skiffs equipped with a Mercury 30 HP outboard, a bow-mounted electric trolling motor and dedicated batteries**, one per angler pair, always run by a native local pilot. Each pair leaves after a hearty breakfast and returns to the mothership at sunset, with a lunch-box option for anyone who prefers to fish straight through. Beyond the standard skiffs, the operation also offers **kayak fishing** and, when water levels allow, **wild beach camping** — two distinct ways to step outside the conventional liveaboard routine.
The trip runs **7 days**: arrival in Barcelos and a welcome cocktail, six fishing days, a beach barbecue over open coals on one of the dry-season sand banks, and a return flight out of Barcelos. The food blends regional Amazonian cooking — fresh river fish, local fruit — with full barbecues on special nights: picanha, pork ribs, chicken and side dishes prepared right on the sand.
Beyond the peacock bass, anglers can target **arowana** along flooded vegetation lines and the giant catfish of the region — **piraíba** and **redtail catfish (pirarara)** — in deep pools and channels, often on dedicated night sessions. The most productive window follows the Rio Negro dry season, typically between September and March, when the river drops, sand beaches surface and fish concentrate in known structures.
Target species
Speckled peacock bass
Cichla temensis
Melhor janela durante a vazante do Rio Negro, entre setembro e março.
Redtail catfish
Phractocephalus hemioliopterus
Pescaria em estruturas profundas, geralmente combinada com a piraíba.
Silver arowana
Osteoglossum bicirrhosum
Pescaria de superfície rente à vegetação alagada.
Goliath catfish
Brachyplatystoma filamentosum
Procurada em poços e canais profundos, especialmente em pescaria noturna.
Video
Planning
Season
Duration
7 days
Price
From $2,200
- Per-person rate for a 7-day trip in double occupancy (R$ 9,300), with the Manaus–Barcelos regional flight (R$ 2,450) and the full Barcelos fishing fee (R$ 300) rolled into the starting price — what it actually costs to get on the water.
- Not included: international/domestic flight to Manaus, hotel nights in Manaus, the closing hotel night in Barcelos, personal fishing tackle, wine and spirits, and air medical evacuation service.
- Drinks included throughout the trip: bottled water, soft drinks and canned beer ad libitum.
- Half-rate Barcelos fishing fee (R$ 150) available for eligible cases.
- USD price is an approximate reference conversion; the operation transacts in BRL.
What's included
Fishing
- Local native guideNative local pilot for each angler pair.
- Electric trolling motorBow-mounted trolling motor on every skiff.
- Artificial lures includedLures, rods, reels, lines and tackle are the angler's responsibility. The operator sends a detailed recommended-gear list.
- Onboard drinks coolerDaily cooler with drinks for the fishing skiff.
- Shore lunchOptional packed lunch so the pair can fish straight through without returning to the mothership.
- Safety kit (life jackets/first aid)Complete onboard safety kit (life jackets and required gear).
Lodging
- Air conditioning9,000-BTU split air conditioning in every cabin.
- Private bathroomPrivate bathroom in each double cabin.
- Wi-FiOnboard Starlink Wi-Fi.
- Laundry (wash)Complimentary laundry (wash) service on board.
Meals
- BreakfastHearty breakfast with breads, cheeses, cold cuts, regional fruit, cakes and juices.
- LunchLunch served on board or packed lunch on the skiff.
- DinnerDinner on board featuring regional Amazonian cooking.
- SnacksSnacks and finger food included.
- Non-alcoholic drinksBottled water and soft drinks ad libitum.
- BeerCanned beer ad libitum.
- WineWine is not part of the package.
- Premium spiritsSpirits are not included.
Logistics
- Air transfer includedpaid extraManaus–Barcelos regional flight charged separately (R$ 2,450 round-trip; subject to change). Already rolled into the catalog's starting price.
- Gateway-city hotel nightHotel nights in Manaus and the final hotel night in Barcelos are not included.
- Boat transferRound-trip transfer between Barcelos airport and the liveaboard.
Common areas
- TV roomUpper-deck lounge area with an LCD TV.
- DeckUpper deck with tables, chairs and a refreshing shower.
You arrange
Fishing license
Barcelos fishing fee: R$ 300 full rate or R$ 150 half rate (the full rate is already rolled into this catalog's starting price).
Travel insurance
Air medical evacuation is not included — anglers should arrange their own coverage.
Personal fishing gear
Rods, reels, lines, leaders, lures and all other tackle are the angler's responsibility. The operator provides a recommended-gear list for peacock bass and dedicated catfish tackle.
Personal medication
Personal medications are the angler's responsibility.
Flight to the gateway city
Commercial flight to Manaus (gateway city) and airport fees.
Gallery
Location
Contact
Want to know more about this operation?
Leave your phone number and the FishGuia team will reach out.