Deep sea fishing St Lucia trips launch off the open beach, pushed in by the St Lucia Ski-boat Club tractor, into the iSimangaliso marine protected area. Several small operators run gamefish trips for couta, tuna, sailfish and marlin.
Give your date and group size to check St Lucia fishing trips.
Request Availability & PricesSt Lucia Fishing Trips
| Trip | Published details |
|---|---|
| Private trip | 22 to 30 ft boats, usually up to 5 or 6 anglers, pickup around 06:00 |
| Shared trip | 6 to 7 hours, up to 5 anglers on one published boat |
| Short trip | Some reviews mention 3-hour trips |
Target Species and Seasons
| Species | Season (Ski-Boat magazine) |
|---|---|
| Couta (king mackerel) | All year, best February into winter |
| Natal snoek (queen mackerel) | May to August |
| Kingfish and GT | September to March, best November to March |
| Sailfish | August to November, mainly between St Lucia and Cape Vidal |
| Blue, black and striped marlin | November to April |
| Yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo | On the deeper ledge, season varies |
iSimangaliso Rules
- Gamefish only. Bottom fishing and vertical jigging are not allowed in the iSimangaliso marine area.
- Billfish released. Operators release marlin and sailfish, and tag and release is the norm.
- No-fishing zones. Sanctuary and wilderness zones are closed to fishing. Your skipper knows the boundaries.
- Launch limits. The park caps the number of boat launches per day at each site.
- Park fees. Entry fees apply at the gate, plus launch fees. Charter operators pay a daily activity permit.
Launching
Sea launches at St Lucia are controlled by the St Lucia Ski-boat Club. Boats are pushed in by tractor, and the tractor stops at 14:00. Your operator handles the launch.
Estuary Fishing
The St Lucia estuary is separate from the sea trips. It is rod and line only, without artificial lures, and there are crocodiles and hippos, so never swim or wade.
Included and What to Bring
- Usually included: tackle and bait.
- Every angler needs their own recreational fishing permit, sold at Post Offices and online by the DFFE. Some operators include it, most do not.
- Bring: sunscreen, a hat, polarised sunglasses, seasickness tablets and a cooler box with ice.
St Lucia Fishing Prices
| Trip | Ballpark price |
|---|---|
| St Lucia, private trip, whole boat (up to 5) | R5,500 |
| St Lucia, shared trip, 6 - 7 hours, per person | R1,500 |
Prices JUST UPDATED. Ballpark figures taken from rates published by St Lucia 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:
- Astrix Charters, St Lucia - private and shared rates (last published in 2021)
Most St Lucia operators do not publish prices and the published rates are old, so expect current quotes to be higher. Park entry and launch fees may be extra.
Weather and Cancellations
The skipper decides on the day whether it is safe to launch. Wind and swell can cancel or shorten trips. Rescheduling and refunds follow each operator's policy.
Deep Sea Fishing St Lucia FAQs
Where do St Lucia fishing boats launch?
Off the beach, using the St Lucia Ski-boat Club tractor. The club controls all sea launches at St Lucia.
Can I keep a marlin?
No. Billfish are released in iSimangaliso.
Can I do bottom fishing at St Lucia?
No. Bottom fishing and vertical jigging are not allowed in the iSimangaliso marine area. Trips target gamefish.
When is sailfish season at St Lucia?
August to November, mainly between St Lucia and Cape Vidal.
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 St Lucia. Request availability and prices from operators serving St Lucia.
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