Zanzibar Deep Sea Fishing Day Tour

Zanzibar offers world-class deep-sea fishing, particularly for Tuna, Marlin, and Dorado, with peak seasons from August to November and from November to March.

A full-day (8-hour) deep-sea fishing tour in Zanzibar, particularly from Nungwi or Kendwa, offers thrilling, year-round, or seasonal big-game fishing for Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Dorado. Fully equipped boats with experienced crews typically provide tackle, lunch, and refreshments, targeting areas between Unguja and Pemba. 

Half-day deep-sea fishing tours in Zanzibar typically last between 4 and 6 hours and depart from major hubs like Nungwi, Kendwa, and Kizimkazi. These excursions offer a high-adrenaline experience targeting world-class game fish in the deep channels of the Indian Ocean. 

Zanzibar  deep-sea fishing Full-Day Itinerary (approximately 8 Hours)

0600 Hours – 0630 Hours: Tour begins with a hotel pickup followed by a briefing at the marina. You depart early to take advantage of the best fishing conditions at sunrise.
 0700 Hours – 1100 Hours: Deep Sea Trolling. The boat cruises to deep-sea zones (like Leven Bank or the Pemba Channel). The crew sets up heavy-duty gear (Shimano/Penn reels) for trolling with artificial lures or live bait.
1100 Hours – 1300 Hours: Peak Action & Lunch. While waiting for a strike from species like Mahi-Mahi or Wahoo, you are served a picnic lunch and refreshments on board.
1300 Hours – 1430 Hours: Continued Exploration or Reef Fishing. Some tours switch to different techniques, such as jigging or popping, for Giant Trevally, or move closer to reefs for a variety of smaller catches.
1430 Hours – 1530 Hours: Return to Shore. The boat heads back to the harbor. Many crews offer to clean your catch, which you can often grill at a local restaurant for dinner.

Half-Day Option (approximately 4–5 Hours)

Ideal for those with limited time or beginners, these tours follow a condensed schedule
Morning Session: 0700 Hours – 1200 Hours
Afternoon Session: 1300 Hours – 1800 Hours
Focus: These trips often stay closer to the shore or focus on the Leven Bank area to maximize fishing time within the shorter duration

Top Fishing Locations & Details

Nungwi & North Zanzibar: Known as the hub for deep-sea fishing, offering quick access to prime fishing grounds.
Pemba Channel: Renowned for big game fishing, especially for Marlin (Blue and Black), Sailfish, and Yellowfin Tuna.
Best Time to Fish: August to November is ideal for Yellowfin Tuna, while November to March is prime time for Billfish (Marlin, Sailfish)

Tour Packages

Full-Day Charter (8 Hours): Usually departs early (around 6:00 am – 7:00 am) for maximum time on the water, often including lunch, water, and soft drinks
Half-Day Charter (4-5 Hours): Available for those seeking a shorter, high-action experience
Inclusions: Modern, well-equipped boats with GPS, fish finders, and experienced skippers who assist both beginners and experienced anglers
Techniques: Trolling, vertical jigging, and popping are commonly used to catch tuna, marlin, dorado, barracuda, and kingfish

Highlights

Experience: Suitable for both novices and seasoned anglers
Additional Activities: Many tours offer chances to snorkel in vibrant reef ecosystems and see dolphins
Target Species: Big Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Wahoo, and Barracuda

Seasonal Fishing Highlights

Zanzibar offers year-round fishing, but specific seasons peak for trophy fish:
Billfish (Marlin & Sailfish): Best from November to March
Yellowfin Tuna: Peak season is August to October/November
Wahoo & Dorado: Commonly caught in February, March, and from September to November
Techniques Used: Charters primarily use trolling with artificial lures or live bait, but popping, jigging, and bottom fishing are also available upon request.

Popular Fishing Locations

Pemba Channel: Renowned for all three marlin varieties (Black, Blue, and Striped)
Leven Bank: Located just 5 miles north of Nungwi, it is a prime spot for Giant Trevally and Kingfish
Latham Island: An uninhabited coral island to the south-east, famous for giant dogtooth tuna and yellowfin tuna

Zanzibar Deep Sea Fishing Day Tour: Zanzibar is home to some of the best big game and deep sea fishing opportunities in the Indian Ocean. Join us for a half day, full Day, or night fishing for big game fishing in the waters of Zanzibar.

Big Game Fishing is done at Latham Island, Mafia Island, Pemba Island, and the famous Pemba Channel. Our fishing crew is based in Nungwi, a fishing village on the northwestern tip of Zanzibar Island, where the fishing grounds of Zanzibar, Mafia, and Pemba, and the famous Pemba Channel, are not even a stone’s throw away.

The deep-sea fishing charter boats are fully rigged and ready to take you out for an unforgettable fishing experience. We fish by trolling a combination of artificial lures, natural dead baits as well as by live baiting.

Zanzibar Deep Sea Fishing Day Tour skippers and crew are also experienced in all disciplines of fishing, whether your requirements are spinning, fly fishing, jigging, popping for Giant Trevally, power chumming, or drifting with baits.

Our well-equipped, well-catered-for sports fishing boats and resourceful crews will ensure your absolute enjoyment on the water.

There are no fewer than six different types of billfish in Zanzibar’s Pemba channel, just north of  Nungwi, and your chances of catching at least  3  different types in a season are really good. Billfish such as Striped, Black, and Blue Marlin, as well as the acrobatic and dazzling Sailfish, and elusive Shortbill Spearfish are found in these crystal waters.

Zanzibar’s waters are also home to various shark species: mako, tiger, thresher, and hammerhead. All season, you will find dorado, barracuda, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, king and queen mackerel, and kingfish (trevally).

These waters also hostlesser game fish such as bonito tuna, skipjack tuna, and rainbow runner, which provide endless hours of adrenalin filled Game Fishing

The seasons are: tuna runs from August to October, and from November to March, it is billfish season (marlin and sailfish). The main striped marlin season takes place from December through to March, whilst large black and blue marlins are caught from September to December.

In between seasons, you will still find game fish; large tuna can reach up to 100 kg, with many schools of 50 kg tuna still migrating through Zanzibar’s waters.

The seasons run as follows: tuna from August to October, and billfish (marlin and sailfish) from November to March. The main striped marlin season takes place from December through to March, whilst large black and blue marlins are caught from September to December.

In between seasons, you will still find game fish; large tuna can reach up to 100 kg, with many schools of 50 kg tuna still migrating through Zanzibar’s waters.

Zanzibar Deep Sea Fishing Rates below Include:

✓ All meals on the live-aboard charters
✓Soft drinks (sodas), mineral water, fruit, snacks
✓ All equipment, tackle, lures, bait, fuel, skipper, and deckhand
✓ A packed lunch on full-day charters, a packed dinner on night fishing charters

Please note: The rates below are for the boat, NOT per person

Mobile: +254-721-242-711
WhatsApp: +254-721-242-711
Reservations: +254 718-179-967
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://africanspicesafaris.com