We recommend bringing:Sunscreen and a hatSunglasses (polarised are ideal)Light, quick-drying clothingA light jacket or windbreakerNon-slip shoes or sandalsWaterproof phone or camera caseSeasickness tablets if you’re prone to motion sicknessPersonal medications if required

Rama Zanzibar Zanzibar Big Game Fishing

Zanzibar Big Game Fishing – Deep Sea Sport Fishing Adventure

Experience the thrill of big game fishing in the rich waters surrounding Zanzibar. Chase marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo, and other powerful pelagic species aboard a well-equipped sport fishing boat with expert local captains. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-time fisherman, this half-day or full-day adventure delivers adrenaline, stunning ocean views, and the chance of a lifetime catch.

This exciting excursion combines high-seas action, professional guidance, and the pristine beauty of the Indian Ocean, making it one of Zanzibar’s premier adventure tours for fishing enthusiasts.

Duration

Half Day or Full Day

Tour Type

Deep Sea Fishing

Difficulty

Moderate to Challenging Age

Age

12+ (with adult supervision)

Meals

Lunch (Full Day) / Snacks Drinks

Drinks

Included

Tackle

Provided

Pickup

Available

Overview

The Zanzibar Big Game Fishing tour takes you into the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean, where nutrient-rich currents attract some of the world’s most sought-after game fish. With experienced local captains and modern fishing boats equipped with quality tackle, you’ll troll the continental shelf and drop-offs in search of trophy catches.

Perfect for fishing enthusiasts, couples, groups of friends, and corporate teams, this tour offers an unforgettable mix of sport, excitement, and relaxation on the water. Professional crew, hotel transfers, top-quality fishing gear, and refreshments are all included for a hassle-free, high-adrenaline experience suitable for intermediate to advanced anglers.

If you’re looking for the best fishing experience in Zanzibar or a thrilling deep-sea adventure, Zanzibar Big Game Fishing is a bucket-list activity that showcases the island’s world-class fishing grounds and warm Swahili hospitality.

Guide: Rama Zanzibar, Guiding Since 2016

Guiding travelers across Zanzibar with a passion for sharing the island’s beauty, culture, and hidden gems. Rama and his local team are committed to delivering authentic experiences, friendly service, and unforgettable adventures across Zanzibar.

Highlights

Trophy Fish

Target marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo & more

Expert Captains

Local fishermen with decades of experience

Ocean Adventure

Cruise the deep blue Indian Ocean

Catch & Release

Sustainable fishing practices encouraged

Scenic Views

Dolphins, turtles & breathtaking seascapes

Multiple Techniques

Trolling, live baiting, jigging & popping

Photo Opportunities

Capture your catch and ocean memories

Sport-Fishing Boat

Outriggers, fighting chair & IGFA tackle

Itinerary

Hotel Pickup & Transfer to Harbour

Your adventure begins with a convenient pickup from your hotel and transfer to the fishing harbor. Your captain will brief you on the day’s plan, safety procedures, and fishing techniques.

Set Sail into the Deep Blue

Board a comfortable sport fishing boat and head out past the reefs into the open ocean. Enjoy the fresh sea breeze as you cruise toward prime fishing grounds known for their rich marine life.

Big Game Fishing Action

Deploy lines and begin trolling or drifting with live bait. Your experienced crew will help with casting, fighting fish, and landing your catch. Multiple rods are usually active, maximizing your chances of a strike.

Enjoy the Ocean & Possible Sightings

While waiting for bites, relax on deck, watch for dolphins, flying fish, or sea turtles, and soak in the vast beauty of the Indian Ocean.

Lunch / Snacks & Return (Full Day)

On full-day trips, enjoy a fresh lunch onboard or at a scenic spot. Half-day trips include snacks and drinks. After an exciting day on the water, sail back to the harbor for hotel drop-off.

Price

Includes

Proffesional fishing crew
All fishing Equipment
Boat
Lunch (for full day game)
All government fees
Transfer from and return to your hotel is available only for the extra costs

Best Time to Go Big Game Fishing in Zanzibar

Zanzibar's big game fishing runs all year, but the offshore action peaks from August to March. The yellowfin tuna run builds through August, and from September the billfish move in — marlin and sailfish following the bait right up to the coast. April and May bring the long rains and rougher seas, when charters are more limited.

JanExcellent

FebExcellent

MarGood

AprModerate

MayModerate

JunGood

JulGood

AugExcellent

SepExcellent

OctExcellent

NovExcellent

DecExcellent

Excellent — prime billfish & tuna, best offshore action Good — steady game fish, calmer building season Moderate — long rains, rougher seas, limited trips

🎣

Peak season (November–March billfish & August–November tuna) books out fast. Reserve your charter well ahead to secure your preferred date and boat.

What Guests Say

    
 
 
       Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Shaikha ahmed a 
 July 27, 2026
 
 
 Verified The Best Travel Team in Zanzibar This was our first time booking with this company, and it definitely won’t be our last. They took great care of us from the moment we arrived and paid attention to every little detail. They gave us the chance to experience so many amazing activities while always making our safety their top priority. They made us feel comfortable, welcomed, and never like we were in a foreign country. Their hospitality, professionalism, and genuine care made our Zanzibar trip unforgettable. We will definitely book with them again on every visit Highly recommended
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Dream61563114865 
 July 19, 2026
 
 
 Verified A Stress-Free & Unforgettable Zanzibar Experience أكيد، هذه بصياغة مختلفة تمامًا بحيث ما تبين نفس تعليق صديقتج، لكنها توصل نفس الفكرة: Title A Stress-Free & Unforgettable Zanzibar Experience Review We booked all our Zanzibar tours with Rama Zanzibar Beach Tours & Safaris, and they made our 4-day trip smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. The team was always responsive on WhatsApp, confirmed our plans every day, and happily accommodated any changes we wanted to make. They also recommended activities that suited our interests, which made planning s o much easier. We experienced Salam Cave, the Spice Farm, snorkeling, horse riding, Nakupenda Sandbank, Stone Town, and a private Sunset Cruise. Most of our tours were private, with our own comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, and even our boat was exclusively for our group. As a group of Arab girls, we really appreciated the privacy and the sense of security throughout the trip. Everyone we met was friendly, respectful, and professional. We never felt rushed—they were always smiling and saying “Hakuna Matata!”, which perfectly matched the relaxed atmosphere of Zanzibar. The service was excellent, the prices were fair, and the overall organization was outstanding. We wouldn’t hesitate to book with them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking fo r a safe, reliable, and well-organized tour company in Zanzibar.
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Maryam a 
 July 19, 2026
 
 
 Verified Exceptional Service, Safe, Flexible & Truly Memorable! We spent four amazing days exploring Zanzibar with Rama Zanzibar Beach Tours & Safaris, and everything exceeded our expectations. Booking through WhatsApp was easy, communication was fast, and they confirmed our schedule every day. They were always flexible, helped us choose the best activities, and adjusted our plans whenever needed. We visited Salam Cave, Spice Farm, horse riding, snorkeling, Nakupenda Sandbank, Stone Town, and enjoyed a beautiful private Sunset Cruise. Most of our tours were private with our own air-conditioned vehicle, and even our boat was just for our group. As a group of girls traveling together, we really appreciated the privacy and the high level of safety. The drivers and guides were always punctual, respectful, patient, and never rushed us. We kept hearing “Hakuna Matata!” 😄, which perfectly reflected their friendly attitude. Excellent value for money and outstanding service. We highly recommend them to anyone visiting Zanzibar. We would definitely book with them again!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Floor v 
 July 19, 2026
 
 
 Verified Amazing Rama Tours We had an amazing experience with Rama Tours! The entire team was incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuinely friendly from start to finish. They provided excellent service, gave us great local tips, and it was clear that they are very knowledgeable and truly passionate about what they do. After talking with them, we also decided to book their cooking class—and it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable experiences of our lives. Everything was well organized, authentic, and so much fun. We learned a lot while enjoying the warm hospitality. We highly recommend Rama Tours to anyone visiting Zanzibar. If you're looking for professional guides, genuine local experiences, and wonderful people, this is the place to book with. Thank you for making our trip so special!
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Aleksej P 
 October 21, 2025
 
 
 Verified Einfach unglaublicher Ausflug Mega Tag mit delphinen und schöner Sandbucht. Schwimmen und schnorcheln , das war einfach einzigartig und Delphine haben es noch getoppt
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Saf A 
 September 22, 2025
 
 
 Verified Ramadan Ramadan took us on three trips to prison island , mikoumi safari and nungwi beach also he was providing taxi services to us too he was pleasant and professional and we felt safe as two girls travelling his prices were reasonable and he provided us with clear advice and help , he sorted everything and made our holiday to Zanzibar easy and safe highly recommended
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   mr H 
 April 30, 2024
 
 
 Verified the best best service we had from ramdan , he explained to us very clear and toke us to the place we wanted , very nice guy best day we had with him
  
 
      Posted on Tripadvisor  
   
   Lucy Nyambura 
 August 2, 2023
 
 
 Verified Amazing Experience Mohammed was very informative in assisting make my Zanzibar trip a success from giving recommendations for stay to airport transfers and the excursions we went to . Always punctual and willing to answer any questions and make sure we had a perfect seamless stay . Would highly recommend him and his team and will be using this company again if I ever travel to Zanzibar .
  
 
  
  
 
 
   Tripadvisor rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 111 reviews 
 
     Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zanzibar Big Game Fishing?

Zanzibar Big Game Fishing is a deep sea fishing charter that heads offshore into the Pemba Channel, one of the world’s premier billfish and game fishing grounds. Trips are run aboard a fully equipped sport-fishing boat with an experienced local captain and crew, targeting species such as yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado, kingfish, marlin and sailfish through trolling and other techniques.

Where does the fishing take place?

Charters depart from Zanzibar’s north coast and fish the deep waters of the Pemba Channel, the 55 km stretch between Zanzibar and Pemba Island. Warm currents draw large numbers of baitfish here, attracting migratory billfish and pelagics and making it one of the most rewarding deep sea fishing destinations in the world.

How long does the trip last?

Both half-day (around 4 hours) and full-day (around 8 hours) charters are available, including hotel transfers from most areas of Zanzibar. Full-day trips reach the more productive offshore grounds and give you the best shot at billfish. Exact timings vary with your hotel’s location, weather and sea conditions.

Do I need fishing experience?

No experience is required. Your captain and crew handle the tackle, set the spread, and coach you through every hook-up and fight, so first-timers and families are very welcome. Experienced anglers are equally at home and can discuss techniques and preferred targets with the skipper.

What fish can I catch?

Barracuda, wahoo, kingfish and giant trevally are caught year-round. Yellowfin tuna run strongest from roughly August to November, while the billfish season for marlin and sailfish runs from around September through March. Dorado also appear through the billfish season. As these are wild fish in the open ocean, catches are never guaranteed.

Can I keep my catch?

Edible fish such as tuna, wahoo and dorado can be kept, and some can be prepared for you to enjoy. Billfish (marlin and sailfish) are typically tagged, photographed and released to protect these species and support sustainable fishing in the channel.

What should I bring?

We recommend bringing:

Sunscreen and a hat
Sunglasses (polarised are ideal)
Light, quick-drying clothing
A light jacket or windbreaker
Non-slip shoes or sandals
Waterproof phone or camera case
Seasickness tablets if you’re prone to motion sickness
Personal medications if required

Is it suitable for families and non-anglers?

Yes. Guests are welcome to come along and enjoy the day on the water without fishing. Parents or guardians are responsible for supervising young children on board. If anyone is prone to seasickness, we recommend taking tablets before departure, as conditions offshore can be livelier than inshore.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Guest safety always comes first. If sea or weather conditions are considered unsafe, your charter may be rescheduled or alternative arrangements discussed with you. Offshore conditions vary with the season, so some flexibility on the day helps ensure the best possible experience.

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