Experiences. Updated November 2026. 5 min read.
Ernest Hemingway came down to the coast at Malindi in early 1934, after the safari that became Green Hills of Africa, and went fishing. Ninety years on, the sailfish are still running off the Kenyan coast every October, the marlin follow after Christmas, and a boat leaving Watamu at dawn is on blue water within the hour.
Kenya is one of the few places where an angler can realistically chase a billfish slam: sailfish plus black, blue and striped marlin, and broadbill swordfish for the specialists. The season that matters is October to March, with sailfish peaking from October to December and marlin from January to March; April to June is slow and rough. The ports are Watamu, Malindi, Kilifi, Mombasa and Shimoni, a half-day charter starts at about $300 to $400 and a full day at about $800 to $900, and billfish are tagged and released, not killed. Here is how to plan it, and how to fit it into a safari and beach trip.
The season, month by month
| Months | What is running | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| October to December | Sailfish at their peak, with dorado and tuna | Calmer seas as the northeast monsoon sets in; the classic sailfish window |
| January to March | Black, blue and striped marlin; broadbill swordfish in February and March | Hot, settled weather; the big-game months |
| April to June | Little; many boats come out of the water for maintenance | The long rains and rough seas; the slow season |
| July to September | Wahoo, kingfish, giant trevally and yellowfin tuna | The southeast monsoon; windy and lumpy, but good for table fish and lighter tackle |
The ports
| Port | Known for | Pairs with |
|---|---|---|
| Watamu | Deep water close to shore, a strong tag-and-release club culture and short runs to the sailfish grounds | Watamu Marine Park, Mida Creek and the Gedi ruins |
| Malindi | The North Kenya Banks, about 55 miles out, for the long big-game runs after marlin | Malindi's old town and seafront, 20 minutes from Watamu |
| Kilifi | A quieter creek port with smaller boats | Kilifi creek and the north coast beaches |
| Mombasa | Half days for anglers staying in the city or at Nyali | Fort Jesus and Old Town |
| Shimoni | The deep Pemba Channel, famous for big marlin | Diani, an hour or so north, and the Kisite dolphin trip |
Watamu suits most visitors: the fishing is close, the hotels are good and the marine park and the forest are there for the non-anglers in the family. Shimoni is the choice for anyone already staying at Diani. Malindi's boats go furthest, and that matters for the next point.
North of Malindi: the North Kenya Banks
Malindi's boats go furthest because the North Kenya Banks lie about 55 miles out, to the north, and they are the coast's best-known grounds for marlin and other big game. Charters to the Banks usually leave Malindi early and return the same day, so it is a long day at sea, and it suits experienced anglers who want the best chance at a marlin. If your trip ends in Lamu, ask us about the fishing there as well. Watamu's own grounds and the Pemba Channel off Shimoni are shorter runs with excellent fishing for anyone who prefers a half day. Before you book, check the current U.S. State Department advisory for Kenya and confirm your travel insurance covers your route.
What a charter costs and includes
| Charter | Typical price at the time of writing | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Half day, about 4 to 5 hours | About $300 to $400 | Sailfish close in, families, first-timers |
| Full day, about 8 hours | About $800 to $900 | Serious sailfish days and mixed bags |
| Big-game day | From about $1,000 | Marlin, the North Kenya Banks and the Pemba Channel |
- Usually included: the boat, the skipper and crew, rods, reels, tackle and bait, and fuel for the agreed grounds
- Often included, worth checking: lunch, soft drinks and water, hotel transfers
- Not included: tips for the crew, which are customary on a good day, and anything you want cooked from the catch
- Bring: high-factor sunscreen, a hat with a strap, polarized sunglasses, a light long-sleeved shirt, soft-soled shoes and seasickness tablets taken the night before and in the morning
Tag and release, and the rules on the water
Billfish in Kenya are released, not landed. The fishing clubs at Watamu and Shimoni have made tag and release the norm for sailfish and marlin, and the Kenya Association of Sea Anglers has long encouraged it, with tags recording where each fish was caught so scientists can follow how billfish move around the Indian Ocean. In practice your crew will bring the fish alongside, tag it, take a quick photo with the fish still in the water and revive it before letting it go. Many skippers use circle hooks, which hook the fish in the corner of the mouth and make a clean release more likely.
- Billfish go back: sailfish, marlin and swordfish are tagged and released
- Table fish such as wahoo, dorado and tuna can usually be kept within sensible limits; ask the skipper, and your hotel can often cook it for dinner
- No fishing inside the marine national parks at Watamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Kisite; the skipper knows the boundaries
- The skipper deals with any permits the boat needs; ask if you are unsure
- Keep your hands off the leader unless the crew asks, and wear the life jacket you are given
Competitions and fishing weeks
The Watamu and Malindi clubs hold billfish competitions during the season, most of them between November and March, and they bring the best boats and skippers out at once. Dates change each year, so ask us or check with the clubs before you plan around one; outside competition weeks, boats are easier to find and the water is quieter.
Fitting it into a Kenya trip
Fishing fits best at the end of a safari, when you are on the coast anyway. Fly from the Maasai Mara or Nairobi to Malindi for Watamu, or to Ukunda for Diani and Shimoni, and give the coast four nights or more so that one rough-sea day does not cost you the fishing. A half day leaves the afternoon for the beach, and non-anglers can snorkel the marine park, kayak Mida Creek or visit the Gedi ruins while the boat is out. October to March is also the calmest, clearest time for snorkeling, so the whole family wins.
Why plan with us: Kenya Experience is two U.S. companies, GCK Travel and Roundtrip Safaris, with Kenyan guides on the ground. You can pay in full or monthly with no deposit, and we book the boats we know with the safari around them.
