Our Team

AKSHAY MALAVI

Founding Partner
Royal Craft – Guide & Skipper

Born and brought up in Bangalore, South India, Akshays earliest memories are of fishing at local lakes and streams with his parents. A born enthusiastic angler, he went on to fish in bigger rivers and was fortunate to have access to some of the best freshwater Mahseer fishing in the world. After having spent most of his adolescent years fishing around South India, he progressed to look for bigger fish which led eventually to the sea. Having been fascinated with the Andaman Islands and the Andaman Sea, his first trip to the Islands came to be in Oct 2005. Within the first week in search of fish he knew he would start his charter here. By the next year they bought their first boat, the Islands second fiberglass boat to take clients out on day fishing trips. For most of the next decade since, Akshay has been actively involved in developing the Andaman Islands as a Sport fishing destination. Fishing with various individuals, groups and angling travel agents from across the world, he has helped provide guests with spectacular fishing trips since and continues to do so. The last decade led him to fish with many famous anglers from Europe, Japan and other countries. This experience has helped him sharpen his skills as a trusted guide and skipper. With his vast experience in fighting big fish, he is also a tester for tackle before it is released in the market. He also gets to discuss development of lure and various techniques with leading anglers and developers from across the world. As natural progression would have it, Akshay set out to found his own Sport Fishing Charter Company – Andaman Angler. Akshay is passionately working towards making Andaman Angler the best sport fishing Charter Company in the Andaman Islands, India.

ARJUN KUMAR

Royal Craft – Guide & Skipper

Arjun as a child has been hooked on to catching fish from the shores of Nicobar, since one of many postings of his father. Born and raised in the Andaman Islands, he has fished for as long as he can remember. He would even skive school to fish. He got his break with a job on a passenger ship between mainland India and the Islands. While it gave him time at sea, his yearning to fish did not stop. Charter fishing companies were new addition to the islands back in 2007. Arjun seized this opportunity and joined a charter company as a deck hand. There has been no looking back since. His eagerness to be out is contagious. His understanding of the ocean has grown tremendously and continues to do so with every sailing. Having good situational awareness on the boat, he takes care of all aspects makes it a pleasure to fish with him. He has been part of Andaman Angler since before the beginning and is a key pillar of the team.

NARGIS JAMAL

Founding Partner

The journey from The Nilgiri Hills in South India to Port Blair, Andaman Islands has been an interesting one. Nargis started out with the hospitality industry where she discovered accounting and numbers. A Masters in Finance led her to private banking. Next was an exclusive relocation project in South India. The successful accomplishment of the previous project was instrumental in her next opportunity. She executed motorbike and ambassador car tours across South India and the Himalayas. Close to a decade later, most of it outdoors, she decided to desk it. It was the business of running a business – One of her most hardworking and enjoyable roles. It gave her the drive to set out to make a path for her self. The sea had called. It has been the perfect marriage since – of people, of places, of life. ‘The harder I work, the luckier I get.’