Mombasa

Sport Fishing

Trolling, bottom fishing and deep water off the Kenya Coast

Mombasa · Kenya CoastFull day or half dayModerate — open water, movement underfoot

Fishing boats on the water off Nyali Beach in Mombasa

A fisherman on his small sailing boat on the water in Mombasa

Overview

A day on the water with a local skipper — trolling the blue beyond the reef and bottom fishing over structure, with the crew reading the conditions.

The water off this coast drops away quickly once you are past the reef, which is what makes the fishing here worth the early start.

We run two styles on the same trip, and the balance depends on the day: trolling, where lines are worked behind a moving boat for pelagic species, and bottom fishing, where the boat holds over structure and you fish down.

The skipper decides what the day looks like based on the sea, the season and what is actually happening out there. That is the honest way to run a fishing trip — anyone who sells you a guaranteed catch is selling you something they cannot deliver.

Experience is not required. If you have never held a rod, the crew will show you. If you fish seriously, tell us what you are after and we will talk about what is realistic for your dates.

Highlights

Trolling
Bottom fishing
Deep sea adventure
Local skipper and crew

Itinerary

Early
Meet the crew
A briefing at the boat: the plan for the day, the safety brief, and how the tackle works if you have not fished before.
Out
Beyond the reef
Run out past the reef into deeper water and set the trolling lines.
On the water
Trolling and bottom fishing
The skipper works the day between trolling and holding over structure for bottom fishing, depending on the conditions.
Return
Back in
Run back to the launch point and settle the catch with the skipper.

What’s included

Included

Boat, skipper and crew
Rods, reels and terminal tackle
Bait and lures
Drinking water on board
Road transfer — From coast hotels, by arrangement

Not included

Food and drinks — Can be arranged in advance
Gratuities
Travel insurance
Any licences or fees that apply — Confirmed in writing if they do

Meeting point & pickup

The departure point on the Mombasa coast is confirmed in writing with your booking.

Hotel pickup can be arranged from the north and south coast. Share your hotel when you book.

What to bring

Sun protection — hat, sun cream, sunglasses, and a long-sleeved layer
Soft-soled shoes
Motion sickness tablets if you are prone to it, taken before you board
Food and drinks for the day unless catering has been arranged
A waterproof bag for anything electronic

Important information

No catch can be guaranteed. Conditions, season and luck all matter, and the skipper will be straight with you about the day.
Catch handling — what is kept, released or shared — is agreed with the skipper before you leave.
Exact departure and return times are confirmed in writing when your booking is confirmed. Timings on this coast follow the tide, the sea state and the day’s conditions rather than a fixed timetable.
Deep water can be uncomfortable if you are prone to seasickness. Take something before you board rather than after.
What is and is not included is restated on your booking confirmation. If anything here is unclear, ask us before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need fishing experience?

No. The crew will set you up and show you what to do. Plenty of our guests have never fished before.

What will we catch?

That depends entirely on the season, the conditions and the day. We will tell you what is realistic for your dates rather than list species to make the trip sound better than it is.

Can we keep the fish?

Catch handling is agreed with the skipper before departure, and it depends on the species and on local practice. Ask when you book and you will get a straight answer.

Half day or full day?

Both are possible. A full day gets you further out and gives the skipper more options; a half day is a gentler introduction. Tell us which you want and we will quote accordingly.