Fishing Charters Cape Town: Ultimate Guide to Your Next Trip
If you're in Cape Town, sea fishing is one experience you don’t want to miss. With its wide open waters and rich variety of fish, it’s the perfect place to cast a line and test your skills. Round up your fishing buddies, hop on a boat, and see who can reel in the biggest catch of the day.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to find the best fishing charters Cape Town offers, the ideal times to head out, and what to prepare before you go. Without further ado, let's get started!
Types of Fishing Charters in Cape Town
Cape Town offers a wide range of fishing charters to suit every skill level and adventure style. From deep sea challenges to relaxed inshore trips, here’s a quick look at the main types you can choose from.
Deep Sea Fishing Charters
Cape Town is surrounded by the sea on all sides, and the waters are very wide. If you want to catch some of the big guys, get as far away from the coast as possible. A deep sea fishing charter program is preferable. Trips can be as long as 8 to 11 hours round trip.
You can harvest anything from yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, bluefin tuna, Marlin, or albacore tuna. However, Cape Town deep sea fishing charters can be pricey due to fuel, travel distance, and specialized equipment costs.
Inshore Fishing Charters
New to fishing? Inshore fishing charters are a more beginner-friendly and budget-conscious option. These trips stay closer to shore, usually lasting under 6 hours. They’re much more affordable than deep sea options but still offer exciting catches. Cape Town’s inshore waters are teeming with species like yellowtail, cod, snapper, Cape salmon, and red roman—plenty of action for any enthusiast.
Fly Fishing Charters
For seasoned anglers looking for a technical challenge, fly fishing might be the perfect choice. Watching a fish leap from the water and strike your fly is a thrill like no other. In Cape Town, you can even catch large species like yellowfin tuna using fly fishing techniques.
Fly fishing charters provide specialized gear and can target species like Cape Town mackerel during winter. If you're heading out in the colder months, be sure to read up on winter canoe camping tips to stay safe.
Private vs. Shared Charters
Many operators in Cape Town offer both private and shared charter options:
Private Charters: A private charter means that you can rent an entire boat. This will give you unrivaled privacy and freedom. The cruise company will provide you with a professional crew, and you can customize your trip to your liking. This option is suitable for families or groups traveling together. It costs more, and you need to coordinate and communicate with the captain throughout the trip.
Shared Charters: A shared charter means you are sharing the boat with strangers for the duration of the trip. You will have less personal space, but accordingly, you will have the opportunity to make new friends. This type of program usually determines the itinerary and activities in advance, so all you have to do is enjoy the trip. Shared boat rentals are more suitable for small groups or solo travelers. The cost of the charter is shared equally among everyone on board, making it cheaper.
How to Choose the Best Fishing Charter in Cape Town?
With so many fishing charters in Cape Town, how do you choose the right one? Consider the following:
1. Research reviews on major forums
Browse sites like Viator and FishingBooker for reviews. Find captains who suit your style, which is the key to your outdoor recreation.
2. Find out what kind of fish you want to catch
Deep sea and inshore fishing target different species. If you want to catch yellowfin tuna, marlin, or mackerel, go with a deep sea fishing charter; if you want yellowtail or cod more, go inshore. Also, if you're still new to fishing, start trying inshore fishing.
3. Find out the costs
When picking a fishing charter, be sure to find out if tackle is provided and how fuel, bait, food, and drinks are charged. Consider tipping as well. Generally speaking, prices are high for deep sea and fly fishing, while inshore charters are cheaper.
You may come across cheap fishing charters Cape Town offers—but always confirm their safety standards and hidden fees before booking.
Top-rated companies include Ocean Life Fishing Charters, Cape Boat Charters, Big Blue Fishing Charters Cape Town, and Hooked On Africa Fishing Charters. Start with these if you don’t want to spend too much time comparing options.
What to Bring on Your Fishing Charter?
“I’m ready to go—what should I pack?” Here’s a handy checklist:
Clothing: The weather at sea can be changeable, so you’ll want to bring extra layers that are easy to put on and take off, such as a windbreaker and light shirts. It’s best to wear light-colored clothes and sneakers and consider bringing scratch-resistant gloves and rubber boots. You can also pack a waterproof jacket and rain pants for inclement weather.
Sun protection: With water reflections and no shade at sea, you can easily get sunburned. Bring sunscreen, lip balm, a sun hat and sunglasses.
Medications: Be prepared with seasickness medication, insecticide, band-aids, and disinfectant. You never know when you might get a cut during boat trips in Cape Town. If you suffer from a chronic illness, be sure to have your regular medication on hand and let the captain know ahead of time.
Bags: You’ll need to bring a durable backpack for your fishing gear. Also, prepare waterproof bags to store your passport, fishing license, and other important documents.
Camera: You must be the first to take a picture when you catch a big fish.
Towels and wipes: Messes are inevitable—these keep you clean and dry.
Portable Power Station: A sea voyage maybe six to ten hours in length. You don’t want to run out of power for your cell phone, camera, and various electrical devices. Bring along a portable power station that can power your electric fishing tackle, electronic devices, and even small appliances like refrigerators, coffee makers, and microwaves. Your voyage will be much more convenient with electricity.
The EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station is a perfect choice. It comes with a South African standard plug, which is surely applicable to Cape Town. It can fully charge devices in just an hour and is lightweight enough to carry with one hand.
And if you're planning to stay out even longer or love being fully prepared, you can opt for a package with solar panels. This way, you can use it as a generator without fear of running out of energy.
Best Time to Go on a Fishing Charter in Cape Town
Cape Town’s geography, being surrounded by two oceans, makes it ideal for fishing all year round. But if you want to catch the peak of the fish run, check out the information.
Summer from November to April: During this period, warm ocean currents bring large fish like tuna and flying fish close to the coast. You can also catch yellowtail, Marlin, and Cape salmon inshore.
Winter from May to October: This is the best time to catch Red Roman and Hottentot. You may also see a variety of sharks. This is also a good time for winter Snoek fishing.
Conclusion
Cape Town is truly a paradise for sea fishing lovers. From deep sea adventures chasing tuna to relaxed inshore fishing or skillful fly fishing, fishing charters in Cape Town offers something for every angler. Finding the right fishing charter, knowing the best time to go, and preparing properly can turn a simple trip into an unforgettable experience. So gather your friends, pick your fishing style, and get ready to cast your line into Cape Town’s rich and beautiful waters—your next big catch is waiting!
FAQs
Where to go fishing in Cape Town?
Cape Town offers both deep sea and inshore fishing. Top spots include Hout Bay, False Bay, and Langebaan Lagoon. Other prime locations are Cape Point, Robben Island, Clifton Beach, Gordon’s Bay, and Strandfontein—truly an angler’s paradise. Be sure to secure your fishing license before you go.
What time of year is best for charter fishing?
The summer months—from November through April—are ideal for charter fishing in Cape Town. Warm currents during this period mean tuna, marlin, and yellowtail are most abundant.
What services are offered by Cape charters?
Cape charters provide a range of activities, including deep sea fishing, inshore fishing, shark cage diving, scuba diving, wildlife tours, and more.
What month is best for deep sea fishing?
In Cape Town, the prime season for deep sea fishing runs from October through December.