African Safaris » Deep Sea Fishing Africa

The abundance and variety of game fish, together with well-equipped boats and professional crews make the coast of East Africa a paradise for sports fisherman.

From Pemba Channel on the Kenya-Tanzania sea border all the way north to Diani, Mombasa, Mtwapa, Kilifi, Watamu, Malindi, Lamu and Kiwayu, there are efficient charter operators available during the recognised eight-month fishing season (August to March). The high winds of the rain-bearing Kusi (south-east monsoon) make waters unfishable between late March and late July. In Tanzania there are exhilarating fishing locations off Tanga in the north. From Dares Salaam to Mafia Island and other spots along the extreme southern coast of the country there are numerous fishing opportunities.

The most challenging sport fish of the ocean—black, blue and striped marlin (Makiara inoica, Makiara nigricans and Tetrapturus audax) and Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) all abound in these waters, as do the powerful yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares).

For both the enthusiastic beginner and those experts seeking the exciting billfish (marlin and sailfish), Kenya offers many possibilities. Its located at Shimoni on the southern border with Tanzania; at Watamu big black and blue marlin are caught every year; and Malindi is one of the world’s most prolific venues for Pacific sailfish.

Kenya’s sport fishing grounds rank in the world’s top five areas for high annual average catches of billfish. But billfish are not the only attraction. Kenyan and Tanzanian waters are teeming with a wide variety of game fish including barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus), kingfish (Scomberomorus commerson), pacific bonito (Sarda spp), mako shark (Isurus spp), tiger shark (Galeocerdo cavieri), and hammerhead (Sphvrna spp). There are strong seasonal runs of yellowfin tuna and some dogtooth (Gymnosarda unicolor), especially from August to December.

The broadbill swordfish (Xiphias gladius), one of the most elusive of the ocean game fish, is found in the indigo waters off the East African coast.

Fishing tackle and boats run by Kenya’s dedicated professional operators—about 20 in all—are based at points along the 402-kilometre (250-mile) coastline.

Boats up to 15 metres (50 feet) in length include such popular “fishing platforms” as White Otter (13.5 metres/44 feet), the catamaran Pingusi (nine metres/30 feet), and Broadbill (14 metres/46 feet) at Club. James Adcock owns a fleet at Mtwapa; 01 Jogi, a 10-metre (33-foot) Bertram and White Bear, an 11.5- metre (38-foot) Sport Fisherman, are both based at Kenya’s newly-opened deep sea fishing, diving and sports venue Hemingway’s in Watamu. This 100-bed luxury resort is fully geared to cater for sport fishing. Boats are available for charter all year round subject to weather conditions.

At Malindi—the sailfish “Mecca”—there are charter operators who have become especially skilled at light tackle and fly casting for sailfish and dolphin.

Fish are plentiful off Lamu and Kiwayu on Kenya’s extreme north coastal waters bordering Somalia. Though not as accessible as areas further south, there are charter boats available both from the Peponi Hotel at Lamu and from the exclusive and remote Kiwayu Lodge. Several very large marlin have been caught in these waters.