Africa · Tanzania
Fishing in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Zanzibar's north coast at Nungwi fishes the deep channels between the island, Pemba and the Tanzanian mainland — some of East Africa's most productive billfish water. Sailfish and marlin ride the current lines through the southern summer, while yellowfin tuna run the channels hard from August into October.
See live conditions & Bite Score for Zanzibar →Best time to fish
August–March (billfish peak November–February)
Where fish hold
Deep channels between Zanzibar, Pemba and the mainland, with steep ledges and current lines close to the island's north tip
What you can catch in Zanzibar
Tactics & tides
Crews troll dead baits and lures along the channel edges for billfish and yellowfin, and work closer to the reef for kingfish, trevally and barracuda.
Big Indian Ocean spring tides move a lot of water through the channels; offshore trolling fishes through, but reef edges are kinder on neaps.
Baitful scores all of this for you. It reads the live tide stage, barometric pressure trend, solunar feeding windows, wind and storm-aware weather at Zanzibar and turns them into a 0 to 100 Bite Score with a 72-hour best-window view.
Fishing in Zanzibar: FAQ
What fish can you catch in Zanzibar?
Popular targets in Zanzibar include Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, and 5 more. The mix shifts with the season and conditions.
When is the best time to fish in Zanzibar?
The prime season is August–March (billfish peak November–February). Day to day, the bite is usually best on moving water around dawn and dusk. Big Indian Ocean spring tides move a lot of water through the channels; offshore trolling fishes through, but reef edges are kinder on neaps.
Where should you fish in Zanzibar?
Focus on Deep channels between Zanzibar, Pemba and the mainland, with steep ledges and current lines close to the island's north tip. Crews troll dead baits and lures along the channel edges for billfish and yellowfin, and work closer to the reef for kingfish, trevally and barracuda.
How do I know if it's a good day to fish in Zanzibar?
Open Zanzibar, Tanzania in Baitful to see the live Bite Score, tides, solunar windows, and storm-aware weather, all scored for the day and the next 72 hours.
Fish Zanzibar with a local captain
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