01 ·
Pemba Island & Pemba Channel
MarlinSwordfishGTDogtooth Tuna
Africa · Fishing World Guide
Tanzania.
Fishing Tanzania 2026 - Pemba, Marlin & Deep Sea
9
target species
Yes
license needed
Mar–Dec
best season
Scroll
Do you need a license?
License
Yes.
Sportfishing Permit: From 50 USD. Usually included in charter/lodge price.
›All license details
- Where to apply?
- Through charter boat providers or the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute.
- Cost
- Sportfishing Permit: From 50 USD. Usually included in charter/lodge price.
- Validity
- For the duration of the stay/tour
- Available online?
- No
Tanzania offers incredible deep sea fishing in the Indian Ocean, especially around Pemba and Mafia Island. Most providers organize all permits. Little developed = pristine waters!
When to go?
The season at a glance.
Best season
September to March (calm seas). Marlin peak: September-December. GT: Year-round.
Where to fish?
The top waters.
02 ·
Mafia Island Archipelago
SailfishKingfishnear-coast fishing
03 ·
Zanzibar & Nungwi
Yellowfin TunaWahooDorado
04 ·
Latham Island
'The Fish Department Store'Yellowfin TunaWahoo
05 ·
Dar es Salaam
Starting point for many charter trips
What's biting?
Your target species.
›+1 more species
Sailfish
The rules.
Four things you need to know.
Closed seasons
Closed seasons
No general closed seasons. Marine parks have their own regulations.
Catch limits
Catch limits
Moderate limits for food fish. Big Game: Catch-and-Release increasingly common.
Prohibited methods
Prohibited methods
Dynamite fishing prohibited (was a problem). Nets prohibited in marine parks.
Catch & release
Catch & release
Increasingly common with specialized providers.
What does it cost?
50 USD
License
Approx. 50 USD (usually included in lodge/charter price)
400-1,000 USD
Guide per day
Deep Sea Charter: 400-1,000 USD/day. Island Lodge: 300-600 USD/day.
100-200 USD
Daily budget
Budget: 100-200 USD (Zanzibar, simple boat). Premium: 400-800 USD/day (Pemba Lodge).
Bite times
The best fishing times — free.
Best fishing times
·Tanzania-6.37°, 34.89°
🎣 Live catches in tansania
3 verified catches
Not enough data (3 catches)
Bite-time forecast appears from 5 catches.
Plan your trip.
Everything in one place.
Fishing trips in Tanzania
Curated tours & charters with price and click data from our partner dashboards.
FishingBookerFrom
554 €
KendwaTanzania
Zanzibar Big Game Fishing – Ocean Spirit
6 seats24 ft
4.9 · 3 reviews
View charters →
FishingBookerFrom
320 €
Pwani MchanganiTanzania
Panamwe Tours & Safari
4 seats20 ft
4.0 · 11 reviews
View charters →
FishingBookerFrom
320 €
Pwani MchanganiTanzania
Life Is Good I
4 seats20 ft
3.9 · 18 reviews
View charters →
All the details
The fine print.
License in detail
Through charter boat providers or the Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute. — Tanzania offers incredible deep sea fishing in the Indian Ocean, especially around Pemba and Mafia Island. Most providers organize all permits. Little developed = pristine waters!
Rules in detail
Tanzania's waters are lightly fished and offer enormous potential. Pemba Channel is legendary for giant marlin and GT!
Freshwater
Lake Victoria: Nile perch. Lake Tanganyika: Endemic species. Little developed for tourism.
Saltwater
Indian Ocean with the deep Pemba Channel. One of the last hardly fished big game areas in the world!
Equipment
Charter boats provide everything. For fly fishing for GT: Bring your own 12wt.
Guides
Deep Sea Charter: 400-1,000 USD/day. Lodge on Pemba/Mafia: 300-600 USD/day.
Getting there
Flight to Dar es Salaam or Zanzibar. Small planes to Pemba/Mafia Island.
Safety
Malaria prophylaxis MANDATORY. Sun protection. Travel insurance. Medical care on islands limited.
Customs & fish export
Fishing equipment permitted. Visa available on arrival (50 USD).
More Countries
Discover.
Data not correct?
Help us keep this page up to date — report outdated or incorrect information
All information without guarantee. Always check with the official local authorities. Not legal advice. Last updated: April 10, 2026
Don't miss any fishing tips!
Get the best fishing destination recommendations weekly in your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.