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Last checked: October 2026.
A Zanzibar fishing charter is, above all, a trip into the Pemba Channel. Between Zanzibar's north tip and Pemba the sea floor drops away fast, and an upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water pushes baitfish up against the reef edge, which is where the big pelagics feed. From Nungwi the run to deep water is short. Nobody can promise what takes the lure on a given morning. What a good skipper can offer is the right water, the right season and the right tackle.
The detail
Where the boats go. The classic run is north-east out of Nungwi or Kendwa into the channel, trolling the drop-off and the current lines where weed mats and birds mark the bait. Leven Bank, an offshore seamount north of Nungwi, is the named ground fishing guides single out for black and blue marlin; listed distances from Nungwi vary, from about 6 miles to about 8 nautical miles, so the run from your beach varies; the skipper can say how long it takes. From Kizimkazi on the south coast, boats work the southern drop-off and, on extended days, out towards Latham Island: a different water, with strong dogtooth tuna and giant trevally alongside the yellowfin. Stone Town departures exist, but they spend more of the day getting to the fishing. For a Pemba stay, the channel is on the doorstep.
Seasons. Operators' calendars disagree, so here is the shape they agree on, and where they part. The kaskazi (north-east monsoon), roughly November to March, brings warmer, generally calmer seas and is the main offshore window. During the kusi (south-east monsoon), June to September, offshore seas are rougher, many boats shorten or pause their day trips, and the fishing moves inshore. Plan the day around the week's forecast with the skipper, before the charter is booked.
| Species or choice | Best months (most-cited) | Where sources disagree |
|---|---|---|
| Striped marlin | Dec–Mar | Single main source; treat as indicative |
| Blue and black marlin | Sep–Dec | One operator gives blue marlin Nov–Apr |
| Sailfish | Caught most of the year; most abundant in the billfish months (Aug/Sep–Mar) | One operator gives Jun–Sep; operators disagree |
| Yellowfin tuna | Aug–Nov, some boats through to Mar | One operator gives Oct–Mar |
| Wahoo | Year-round, better in the kusi | Broadly agreed |
| Dorado | Where current lines and weed hold; Dec–Apr cited | Few sources give months |
| Half day vs full day | Half day ~5 h: first-timers, families, inshore and near drop-off. Full day ~8 h: the better billfish water | Run times vary by boat and base |
Half day or full day. A half day of about five hours suits first-timers, families and anyone who wants a morning on the water without losing the day. A full day of about eight hours is what you need to reach the better billfish water and fish it properly. Boats take four to eight anglers and typically provide rods, reels, lures, licences, drinks and (on full days) lunch; the exact list varies by operator. Expect motion: if you are prone to seasickness, a pharmacist or doctor can advise on seasickness remedies before you travel.
Catch, release and who keeps the fish. Marlin and sailfish are released as standard by reputable operators, and release is encouraged and sometimes required. Tuna, wahoo and dorado are table fish; on some boats the catch belongs to the boat and you are given a fish for the hotel kitchen, so agree this before you go. Favour skippers who use circle hooks and bring billfish to the boat quickly.
What to ask a skipper. Ask the boat length, how many anglers it takes, what tackle and fuel are included, whether the marine fee is in the price, and the cancellation terms if the weather turns.
What it costs. Charters are priced per boat, not per person, and the boat class sets the price. Small boats run from about US$280 for a half day. Mid-size sportfishers, the usual choice for billfish, quote about $800 for a half day and $1,100 for a full day. Large, fully rigged boats start around $2,500 and climb past $3,000 for a full or extended day. The marine conservation fee is $10 per non-resident adult per day ($5 for ages 5 to 15, under 5 free) in two places: the Menai Bay Conservation Area, for Kizimkazi trips, and the Pemba Channel Conservation Area, for trips off Pemba. Ask whether a Nungwi and Leven Bank day enters one. Whether the charter price includes the fee varies by operator.
Key facts
Where: Pemba Channel and Leven Bank from Nungwi or Kendwa; the southern drop-off from Kizimkazi. Duration: half day about 5 hours, full day about 8 hours. Main season: kaskazi, about November to March; billfish September to March. Quieter: kusi, June to September, rougher offshore. Suits: first-timers and families on a half day; billfish anglers on a full day. Release: billfish released as the norm; table fish usually stay with the boat. Cost: per boat; small boats from about $300 a half day; mid-size sportfishers about $800 to $1,100; large boats $2,500 and up. Fees: a conservation fee of $10 per non-resident adult per day ($5 ages 5 to 15) inside the Menai Bay or Pemba Channel areas; whether the charter includes it varies by operator, so get the answer in writing.
Planning it with Nobu
A fishing day is only as good as the skipper, so choose by the boat and the person at the wheel rather than by price, and put the day in the part of the week and season where the sea is most likely to be on your side. It pairs naturally with a north-coast stay on the Shores of Zanzibar journey, or as the sea-going finish to the Southern Safari & Spice journey after days on Nyerere's rivers. Tell us how serious you are and we will help you weigh boat size and day length against the rest of the trip.
Is it right for you?
You have fished before and want a shot at a billfish, or you have never fished and want one morning of it with someone who knows the water. Works for a father-and-son day, a group of friends, or an angler whose partner would rather be on the beach. Less ideal if you are prone to seasickness and cannot manage it, if you are travelling in the kusi months and want calm water, or if you want to keep everything you catch; that is not how the better boats operate. Non-fishing partners usually prefer dhow sailing on the Swahili coast or the Mnemba snorkel.
Journeys to consider
- Shores of Zanzibar — a north-coast base puts the Pemba Channel a short boat ride from the beach. → Shores of Zanzibar journey
- Southern Safari & Spice — river safari in Nyerere, then the open ocean. → Southern Safari & Spice journey