Diani Beach · Things to Do
Deep Sea Fishing in Diani
Just offshore lies the Pemba Channel — one of the world’s great billfish grounds. Here’s what you can catch, when to go, and how to fish it responsibly on a charter from Diani.
Just offshore from Diani lies one of the planet’s finest big-game fishing grounds: the Pemba Channel, a deep-water corridor between the mainland and Pemba Island where billfish migrate in numbers. Anglers travel from around the world to fish it — and you can join a charter for a half or full day from Diani. This guide covers the catch, the seasons, the world-class reputation, and the conservation ethic that defines fishing here.
Why the Pemba Channel is world-famous
Long-established fishing clubs at Shimoni, south of Diani, have fished these waters for decades. Record catches from the channel include black marlin around 800 lb, blue marlin over 700 lb and yellowfin tuna near 200 lb.
What you can catch
| Species | Notes |
|---|---|
| Billfish | Sailfish, black / blue / striped marlin, broadbill swordfish, shortbill spearfish — six species in all |
| Tuna & more | Yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado (dolphinfish), kingfish, barracuda |
Striped marlin are the signature catch, sometimes appearing in packs; sailfish are the most commonly hooked billfish.
The best fishing seasons
| When | What’s biting |
|---|---|
| Nov–Mar | Striped, black & blue marlin, sailfish (peak billfish season) |
| Aug–Oct | Yellowfin tuna (multiple hook-ups), with big marlin |
| Oct/Nov & Mar | Broadbill swordfish (calmest seas) |
| Apr–Jun | Rough seas (Kusi monsoon) — low season |
See the wider seasonal picture on our best time to visit guide.
Tag and release — the conservation ethic
Charters & costs
Book through a reputable operator; confirm what’s included and how many anglers per boat. Combine it with other activities on our things to do hub.
More things to do →Best time to fish →
Frequently asked questions
Can you go deep sea fishing in Diani?
Yes — Diani sits beside the Pemba Channel, one of the world’s great big-game fishing grounds. Charters run half or full days from Diani and nearby Shimoni for billfish, tuna and more, with tackle and crew included.
What fish can you catch off Diani?
The Pemba Channel offers six billfish species — sailfish and black, blue and striped marlin, broadbill swordfish and shortbill spearfish — plus yellowfin tuna, wahoo, dorado, kingfish and barracuda. Striped marlin and sailfish are the signature catches.
When is the best season for deep sea fishing in Diani?
The main billfish season is mid-November to the end of March, when striped marlin run (March often produces the biggest). Yellowfin tuna peak from August to October. The rough Kusi monsoon in April–June is the low season.
Is the Pemba Channel good for marlin?
Exceptionally — it’s considered one of the best places in the world to catch a striped marlin, thanks to the migration corridor between Pemba Island and the mainland, and a ‘grand slam’ of three billfish in a day is genuinely achievable there.
Is deep sea fishing in Diani catch-and-release?
Reputable operators practise catch-and-release for billfish, often with tagging for research, and all sharks are protected as endangered. Choose a charter with a strong conservation ethic that releases billfish rather than killing them.
Sources & further reading
- Pemba Channel Fishing Club (Shimoni) — Big-game fishing: species, seasons, records & tag-and-release (long-established operator, primary)
- FishingBooker — Guide to fishing in Kenya (charter marketplace, seasonal overview)
Images: Wikimedia Commons, used under their respective licences — verify and attribute each per its file page before publishing. Prices, schedules, seasons and operators change; confirm current details before booking. Last updated: 2026.
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