Kenya - When & where to fish

When & Where to fish

MALINDI

Best Time: July to Mid-December

Malindi coast, approximately 105km north of Mombasa, is renowned for being one of the top Sailfish destinations in the world and these can be found close to shore all year round. Approximately 30km offshore, there are a group of marine mountains and banks, which is locally known as the Rips. Here is some of the best Marlin fishing the country has to offer.

Closer to shore you will find the Malindi Banks, and if you head south towards Watamu you will find some interesting topography which leads to spots such as the Boiling Pot, which due to the abundance of bait fish can also be a hotspot for billfish.

Further out from Malindi, approximately 60-70km, southern tip of the North Kenya Banks is found, which runs north all the way up to Lamu.

WATAMU

Best Time: Mid-December to late March

Watamu’s shoreline, 15km south of Watamu, features white sand beaches and offshore coral formations arranged in different bays and beaches - protected under the Watamu Marine National Park.

The fishing grounds off Watamu are much the same as Malindi, as they are situated very close to each other. Once outside of the reef, a series of underwater mountains are easily accessible, where bait and big game are concentrated.

LAMU

Best Time: July to March

The Lamu Archipelago is located close to the most northern part of the Kenyan coast. The largest and most popular islands are Manda Island and Lamu Island which are situated approximately 190km north of Mombasa.

Due to the convergence of the East African current and the nutrient rich Somali current, the sea life off of Lamu is thriving. With the Tana River delta pouring its silt laden, nutrient water into the sea, large numbers of fish are attracted, and fishing for both game fish and billfish can be outstanding.

With the North Kenyan Banks situated just off of the Archipelago, lots of big billfish have been fought in these waters.

Jumping Marlin