Zanzibar archipelago set along the East Africa coastline is undoubtedly one of the world’s sought after tropical big game fishing destination flanked by a biodiversity of aquatic life in great underwater ecosystem structures from underwater mountains, creeks, channels and reefs. Zanzibar is therefore one of the most rewarding angling excursions. In this guide we shall cover some of the top locations in the archipelago where you can go for deep sea fishing and some of the fish varieties to expect in your full/ half day charter.
Pemba island and pemba channel
The 55 km long channel straddling the Pemba island and the East African coastline is possibly the most promising big game fishing spot in the Tanzanian coast. The channel is well known worldwide for its marlin catches with all the 3 marlin varieties (black, blue and stripped marlin) relatively thriving along this stretch. Besides the marlin varieties other billfish found along the channel include sailfish which is the most sought deep sea fish in the Eastern Indian seas, broadbill swordfish which is popular with night fishing and spear fish. Sharks varieties like Tiger, thresher, hammerhead and mako are also quite common in pemba waters. Additionally, closer to the island west coast smaller bait fish are occasionally caught amongst them Barracuda, wahoo, skipjack, bonito and rainbow runners.
Nungwi and leven banks
Nungwi is a small village in the fascinating silvery coastline on the northernmost tip of the main island. The island is set just 6 miles to the leven banks which are some of the most rewarding big game fishing areas in the Zanzibar archipelago. Here there are large numbers of the black and blue marlin which are premium interest for most anglers. You can also embark on reef fishing which is a more family friendly exercise that can be done by anglers of all ages. Some of the reef fish found in the shallow waters of nungwi include Barracudas, snappers, groupers and a variety of small and medium sized tropical fish. There are also impressive numbers of swordfish which are the most sought after night hunt in the Indian ocean.
Mnemba
Mnemba is a small private island close to the north eastern coast of the main Unguja island. The island is surrounded by a range of underseas mountains parallel to the East coast of Africa and which are thriving with biodiversity of open sea fish like blue and black marlins, sailfish, barracuda. Importantly, mnemba atoll which forms the mnemba marine conservation is a protected reef ecosystem and fishing is not allowed in the waters. Mnemba island is therefore not a destination for reef fishing like in the case of leven banks. The fishing charter heading to the mnemba waters set off from Matemwe in the unguja island and anglers doesn’t necessarily anchor in the mnemba island.
Songo songo archipelago
Songo songo archipelago are situated to the north of Kilwa in Zanzibar south coast. The islands are largely underdeveloped and not inhabited. The surrounding waters are largely unexplored despite having big numbers of open sea fishes. The songo songo islands waters are popular with dolphins with large concentrates some flocking around your charter. The archipelago also has beautiful and unexploited coral reef that are a dwelling for large schools of bait fish. Anglers in Songo songo normally combine the excursion with fishing in Mafia islands which are quite close.
Latham island
Latham island is a small island to the south eastern side of the main unguja island. The flat island coral island also known as “fungu baraka” or “ Fungu Kizimkazi” remains largely uninhabited making it a perfect getaway for anglers seeking an exclusivity as they continue with their fishing activities. This part of the Zanzibar archipelago is the worlds leading destination for angling the giant dogtooth tuna. During your fishing you could come to an encounter with a pack of over 30 of them some weighing to 150 kg. Additionally, latham is a great destination for popular other popular fish like yellow fin Tuna, Wahoo, sailfish, green jobfish, emperors, snappers and giant trevally.
Mafia archipelago
Mafia archipelago are group of island clustering around the Mafia island situated to the south of Zanzibar and Latham island. The mafia island is one of the culturally rich settlements in the Tanzania coastline with an ancient civilization dating to back to the 8th century. Much of the fishing here are done in the south eastern and north eastern side of the Mafia island as well as the water to the south of okuza and fanjove island. Since the chole bay marine park is protected all fishing activities are carried out outside the bay. Mafia is particularly regarded as the best location for anglers tracking the giant trevally fish. The mafia water also fall within the range of the dogtooth tuna which extends to the Latham island in the north. Other fish you are likely to encounter in mafia include sailfish, wahoo, dorado, yellowfin, Barracuda and kingfish.
Kilwa archipelago
Kilwa archipelago are cluster of island situated off the coast of Kilwa in Dar es salaam south coast. The archipelago the region is known for its historical place in the history of slave trade in the east coast of Africa. Boasting incredible deep blue water which are largely yet to be fished, Kilwa is the best fishing destination for anglers seeking to catch most of the pelagic fishes found in the Tanzanian coast. Kilwa banks and the impressive reef drop are popular range for varieties like giant trevally, dogtooth tuna, wahoo, yellowfin tuna and black marlin.
When to go for big game fishing in Zanzibar
Zanzibar has incredible angling excursions all round the year. However the months between July to October and Dec to April when the kusi and Kaskaz trade winds are blowing are the best seasons for deep sea fishing. The winds have great impact in the migration pattern of different varieties of fish. The blue and stripped marlin are abundant in the pemba channel in the kaskaz season. This is also the perfect time to go fishing in the mafia with large numbers of pelagic varieties. Dorado would also appear in different parts of the Zanzibar waters over this season. Kusi season from July to October are the peak of tuna, kngfish and sailfish in the latham island. Swordfish are more common in the calmer months of March/ April and October/ November. September as well as February and march are the seasons for angling wahoo.
