Fishing boat off Vilanculos, Mozambique

Bazaruto Archipelago · Mozambique

Fishing
in Vilanculos.

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Overview

One of the Indian Ocean’s last well-stocked grounds.

Fishing in Vilanculos works the edges of the Bazaruto Archipelago — billfish and tuna in the deep water beyond the islands. Fifty years of marine-park protection shows in the stocks: the billfish here run healthier than most of the coast, one of the Indian Ocean’s last well-stocked grounds.

Headline species: billfish (black marlin, blue marlin, sailfish), game fish (kingfish, queenfish, dorado, GTs), tuna (yellowfin, skipjack), and bottom-fish (rock cod, snapper, parrotfish). The deeper water beyond the archipelago is where the offshore action is; the inshore sandbanks fish well for flats species.

We’re not a charter operator ourselves — we connect you with the local skippers and boats that know these waters. Tell us your dates, your target fish, and your group, and we’ll set it up. Boats range from local skiffs for inshore work to bigger sport-fishing rigs for offshore.

Duration
Half-day or full-day
Group
Up to 4–6 anglers per boat
Runs
Year-round · marlin Oct–Mar · sailfish Jun–Sep
Departure
Vilanculos town
Difficulty
Easy
Best for
Saltwater anglers · Billfish chasers · Small groups and families · Mixed fishing + island travelers

Highlights

The good bits.

  • Black and blue marlin offshore in the warm season (October–March)
  • Sailfish and wahoo run in the cooler winter months (June–September)
  • Yellowfin tuna and dorado in the warm season
  • Year-round inshore game fishing on the sandbanks
  • Bottom fishing for rock cod, snapper, parrotfish
  • Catch-and-release inside the marine park
  • Boats matched to your group size and target species

What you get

What’s included.

Included

  • Boat charter with skipper and deckhand
  • Tackle, rods, and bait
  • Drinking water and refreshments on board
  • Marine park fees (where applicable)

Not included

  • Travel insurance
  • Lunch on full-day charters (sometimes available, ask)
  • Accommodation
  • Hard tackle / lures (BYO if you have favourites)

What to bring

Pack light.

Essentials

  • Sun protection — hat, long sleeves, polarised sunglasses
  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • Drinking water
  • A windbreaker for early morning departures

Nice to have

  • Your own rod and reel if you’re particular
  • Camera with a strap
  • Seasickness tablet if you’re prone (taken before the boat leaves)

Questions we get

Before you book.

What fish can you catch in Vilanculos?
Vilanculos and the Bazaruto Archipelago offshore are known for billfish (black marlin, blue marlin, sailfish), game fish (kingfish, queenfish, dorado, GTs), tuna (yellowfin, skipjack), and bottom-fish (rock cod, snapper, parrotfish). The deeper water beyond the archipelago is where the offshore action is; the inshore sandbanks fish well for flats species.
When is the best fishing season in Vilanculos?
Billfish split by season here. Black and blue marlin: the warm season, October through March. Sailfish and wahoo: the cooler winter months, roughly June through September. Tuna and dorado: best November to April, though tuna run much of the year. Inshore game fish (kingfish, queenfish, GTs): year-round. Seas are calmest and most reliable in the dry season (May–October).
Are there fishing charters in Vilanculos?
Yes — a small set of operators run charters out to the archipelago and beyond. Boats range from local skiffs for inshore work to bigger sport-fishing rigs for offshore. We can connect you with the right operator for what you’re after — message us with your dates, group size, and target fish.
Is fishing in Bazaruto National Park allowed?
Catch-and-release only inside the park boundary, and only with a permitted operator. Spearfishing is prohibited in the park; line fishing for game species is regulated. The healthier-than-average billfish stocks here are a result of that protection — reputable charters keep to the rules.
How much does a fishing charter cost?
It varies a lot — from ~$300–500 USD for a half-day inshore trip on a smaller boat to $1,500–2,500+ USD for a full-day sport-fishing charter on a bigger rig with crew, tackle, lunch, and bait. We’ll get you a current quote based on what you want when you message.

Last reviewed by EKAYA on . Pricing and inclusions verified on this date. Anything off? Tell us.

More days on the water

Other Vilanculos trips.

Tell us your target.

Marlin? Tuna? An inshore day with the kids? Send us your dates, group size, and what you'd like to chase, and we'll match you to the right boat and skipper.

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We usually reply in a few hours · Catch-and-release inside Bazaruto National Park

From $300  per group · half-day inshore Half-day or full-day · Up to 4–6 anglers per boat
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