Deep sea fishing Durban trips leave from inside Durban harbour, mainly Wilson's Wharf and Maritime Place, so most charter boats do not launch through the surf. This page compares the fishing trips and 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 Durban charter operators.
Request Availability & PricesDurban Fishing Trips Compared
| Trip | Typical length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tuna fishing | 8 - 12 hours | Yellowfin and other big game offshore |
| Couta fishing | 5 - 8 hours | King mackerel on live bait, January to June |
| Marlin and sailfish | 8 - 12 hours | Billfish, tag and release, mainly November to April |
| Inshore and reef fishing | 4 - 8 hours | Backline and reef fish, first-timers and families |
| Harbour fishing | 1 - 5 hours | Calm water, children and seasickness-prone guests |
| 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 - 5 hours | Limited time, closer fishing grounds |
| Full day fishing charters | 8 - 12 hours | Offshore big game and longer runs |
Lengths are typical published trip times. Each operator confirms the exact itinerary with the quote.
How Durban Charters Are Priced
- Per boat. Durban operators publish one price for the whole boat. We found no published per-seat shared trips.
- Capacity. Published boats take 6 to 10 people. Some add a fee per person above a set number.
- Spectators. Some boats carry non-anglers within the limit. One includes up to 2 spectators in the price.
Fishing Seasons at a Glance
| Species | Main season (published operator and club guides) |
|---|---|
| Couta (king mackerel) | January to June |
| Yellowfin tuna | All year. Bigger fish from about October |
| Marlin and sailfish | Mainly November to April, some into May |
| Dorado and wahoo | Summer, from about October or November |
| Garrick | Winter, roughly June to October, near the backline |
| Reef fish (slinger, rockcod, soldiers) | All year |
Seasons shift from year to year with water temperature and bait. Operators say what is running when they quote.
Departure Points
- Wilson's Wharf, Boatmans Road. Home to several charter boats on the harbour side of the city.
- Maritime Place. Another cluster of charter boats inside the harbour.
- Durban Marina jetties. One operator meets at the jetty at about 05:00 for full-day trips.
- Surf launches. Club ski boats launch through the surf at Vetch's Beach and from beaches along the coast. Charter visitors rarely need to.
Deep sea boats usually leave around 05:00. Published examples put 5-hour trips about 15 km out and 10-hour trips about 35 km out. The departure point is confirmed with your quote.
Deep Sea Fishing Prices in Durban
| Trip | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| Harbour or bay trip, 4 - 5 hours, whole boat (up to 10) | R2,500 - R6,000 |
| Backline trip, 5 hours, whole boat (up to 10) | R2,500 - R4,500 |
| Private 3-hour trolling trip, whole boat | R5,500 |
| Deep sea trip, 5 hours, whole boat (up to 6 - 10 anglers) | R5,000 - R10,000 |
| Deep sea or big game trip, 8 hours, whole boat | R9,000 - R15,600 |
| Big game trip, 10 - 12 hours, whole boat | R10,800 - R22,000 |
| Deep drop bottom fishing, 8 hours, whole boat | R20,000 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures taken from rates published by Durban and KwaZulu-Natal 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:
- Just Fishing Durban, Durban harbour - harbour, backline and deep sea boat rates
- Lynski Deep Sea Fishing Charters, Durban harbour - 3, 5 and 10 hour boat rates
- Hookup Fishing Charters, Wilson's Wharf - bay, backline and deep sea rates (FishingBooker)
- Aqua Nautical Adventures, Wilson's Wharf - harbour, deep sea and big game rates (FishingBooker)
- Simply The Best Fishing Charters, Wilson's Wharf - harbour, half-day, big game and deep drop rates (FishingBooker)
- Hooked Again Fishing Charters, Maritime Place - harbour, garrick and deep sea rates (FishingBooker)
- Master M Fishing Charters, Maritime Place - harbour and 12-hour deep sea rates (FishingBooker)
Price depends on trip length, boat size, how far out you go, the number of people and the time of year.
What Is Usually Included
- Rods, reels, tackle, live bait and lures.
- A skipper and deckhand who rig lines and help land fish.
- Drinks on some boats. Bring your own food unless the quote says otherwise.
- Fish cleaning on some boats, free or for a fee.
Inclusions differ by operator and are listed in each quote. The fishing permit is usually not included.
What to Bring
- A light windproof jacket for the early start, and a hat.
- Closed shoes with rubber soles.
- Polarised sunglasses and sunscreen. The KZN sun is strong even on cloudy days.
- Seasickness medication if you need it, taken before you leave the harbour.
- Your own recreational fishing permit. Most operators do not include it.
- 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 Durban and compare what operators offer for your date.
Durban Fishing FAQs
What is the difference between deep sea and inshore fishing?
Deep sea (offshore) trips run further out for tuna, dorado and billfish and are usually 5 to 12 hours. Inshore and backline trips stay closer to the coast for couta, snoek, garrick and reef fish, and are shorter.
Do I need fishing experience?
No. The crew rig the tackle, bait the hooks and show you what to do.
How many people fit on a fishing boat?
Published Durban boats take 6 to 10 people, depending on the boat and the trip. Some cap deep sea trips at 7 or 8 even when the boat takes 10 in the harbour.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Usually, within legal bag limits. Billfish are released, and some operators release large kingfish too. Some clean the catch for free and others charge, so confirm it with your quote.
Do I need a fishing permit?
Yes. Every angler needs a recreational fishing permit, also on a charter boat, and most Durban operators say it is not included. Buy one at a Post Office or online from the DFFE before the trip.
Related Fishing Trips
Deep Sea Fishing Durban 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 Durban. Pick a trip and compare operator replies.
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