Deep sea fishing Cape Town trips leave from Hout Bay, the V&A Waterfront and harbours around False Bay for the fishing grounds off Cape Point and beyond. This page compares the fishing trips and fishing charters on offer so you can choose one, then request availability and prices from independent operators.
Pick a trip, send one request and compare replies from Cape Town charter operators.
Request Availability & PricesCape Town Fishing Trips Compared
| Trip | Typical length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tuna fishing | Full day, 8 - 10 hours | Offshore big-game fishing, roughly September to June |
| Yellowtail fishing | Half or full day | Fast action on lures and jigs, mainly summer |
| Snoek fishing | Half or full day | Cooler-season fishing near Cape Point and in the bays |
| Inshore fishing | 3 - 6 hours | First-timers, families and reef fish |
| Offshore fly fishing | Half or full day, private | Experienced fly anglers |
| Private fishing charters | 3 hours to full day | Your group only, your date |
| Corporate fishing charters | Half or full day | Teams and client days on one or more boats |
| Half day fishing charters | 3 - 6 hours | Limited time, closer fishing grounds |
| Full day fishing charters | 8 - 12 hours | Offshore tuna and longer runs |
| Fishing charters Hout Bay | Any | Atlantic-side departures |
| Fishing charters False Bay | Any | Simon's Town, Millers Point and Gordon's Bay departures |
Lengths are typical published trip times. Each operator confirms the exact itinerary with the quote.
Shared Trip or Private Charter
- Shared trip. You pay per person and fish with other anglers. Published minimums to launch range from 2 to 5 bookings, so a shared trip can be cancelled if it does not fill.
- Private charter. You pay per boat, usually for up to 6 anglers, and choose the date, target species and trip length, subject to weather and season.
Fishing Seasons at a Glance
| Species | Main season (published operator guides) |
|---|---|
| Tuna (yellowfin, longfin) | Roughly September to June. Yellowfin mainly November to June |
| Yellowtail | Mainly November to April |
| Snoek | Mainly May to October |
| Reef and bottom fish | Year round. Many operators focus on them from May to October |
Seasons shift from year to year with water temperature and bait. Operators say what is running when they quote.
Departure Harbours
- Hout Bay Harbour. Atlantic side. Home to several tuna boats, 1 - 2 hours from the tuna grounds depending on sea state.
- V&A Waterfront. Table Bay inshore trips and some deep sea charters.
- Simon's Town and Millers Point. Western False Bay, the closest departures to Cape Point.
- Gordon's Bay. Eastern False Bay, used for some offshore tuna trips.
The departure point is confirmed with your quote.
Deep Sea Fishing Prices in Cape Town
| Trip | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Shared full-day tuna trip, per person | R3,500 - R5,500 |
| Private full-day deep sea charter, whole boat (up to 6 anglers) | R24,900 - R27,500 |
| Private 5-hour offshore charter, whole boat, Hout Bay | R13,900 |
| Private 4-hour inshore charter, whole boat, Table Bay (up to 6 anglers) | R11,400 |
| Shared inshore or half-day trip, per person | R1,700 - R2,190 |
| Non-fishing passenger on a deep sea charter, where allowed | R1,000 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures taken from rates published by Cape Town charter operators and rounded. They are not our prices or quotations, and no operator is bound by them. Most operators do not say whether VAT is included, so confirm it on every quote.
Sources:
- Cape Point Tuna Charters, Gordon's Bay - shared and private offshore tuna rates
- Cape Oceans Boat Fishing Charters - Hout Bay and V&A Waterfront private and shared rates
- Keep It Reel Fishing Charters, Millers Point - shared inshore, bottom fishing and tuna rates
Price depends on shared or private, trip length, boat size, distance to the fish, catering and the time of year.
What Is Usually Included
- Rods, reels, tackle and bait.
- Snacks and drinks. Some full-day trips include lunch.
- A skipper and crew who rig lines and help land fish.
- A toilet on larger boats.
Inclusions differ by operator and are listed in each quote.
What to Bring
- Warm, windproof layers and old clothes.
- Closed shoes with rubber soles.
- Polarised sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
- Seasickness medication if you need it, taken before you leave the harbour.
- A cooler box with ice if you want to take fish home.
Weather and Cancellations
The skipper decides whether a trip goes ahead. Wind and swell can cancel or shorten trips, offshore trips most often. Rescheduling, credits and refunds follow each operator's own policy, so read it before you pay. No operator can guarantee a catch.
Send one request through Deep Sea Fishing Cape Town and compare what operators offer for your date.
Cape Town Fishing FAQs
What is the difference between deep sea and inshore fishing?
Deep sea (offshore) trips run far out for tuna and other big game and are usually full day. Inshore trips stay closer to the coast for reef fish, yellowtail and snoek, and are shorter.
Do I need fishing experience?
Not for most trips. The crew rig the tackle and show you what to do. Offshore fly fishing is the exception and needs real fly casting experience.
How many people fit on a fishing boat?
Most charter boats published by Cape Town operators take up to 6 anglers. Some larger boats take up to 10 people, with anglers taking turns.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Many operators let you keep legal fish within bag limits, and some clean and cut the catch for you. Confirm this with your quote.
Do I need a fishing permit?
Ask the operator when you book. Recreational permit rules and bag limits apply and can change. Some operators arrange permits and others leave it to you.
Related Fishing Trips
Deep Sea Fishing Cape Town is a free quote-comparison service. We do not own or operate boats. Trips are run by independent charter operators and your booking is with the operator you choose. Ask each one for a written quote listing the boat, inclusions, departure point and cancellation terms before you pay.
Deep Sea Fishing Cape Town. Pick a trip and compare operator replies.
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