Beach Bums Fishing Charters, a South African-run operation, departs straight from the Matlai beach for half- and full-day deep-sea trips after tuna, wahoo, marlin, kingfish and dorado. Bring what you catch back to the hotel and Zatiny's kitchen will cook it — free of charge if you're on half or full board, with a preparation fee if you're on bed-and-breakfast. Big-game season peaks October through March; June through September favours reef species, and the boats go out year-round either way.
Who runs the fishing charters at Matlai, and where do they leave from?
Beach Bums Fishing Charters operates directly from the hotel beach — you can ask your butler to set it up or catch the crew directly when you see them working from the sand. They're South African-run, know the waters off Michamvi well, and offer both half-day and full-day charters. You can also reach them directly at beachbumsfishing@gmail.com or +255 625 696 822 (phone and WhatsApp) if you want to arrange something before you arrive. Their full rates are on beachbums-fishing.com: roughly USD 250–750 for a half day and USD 400–1,000 for a full day, depending on the boat — confirm the current price when you book.
What fish can you actually catch?
Tuna, wahoo, marlin, kingfish and dorado are the boats' main targets, along with barracuda in season. Zanzibar's waters see genuinely strong game fish — this isn't a token mention on a hotel activity list, it's a real reason people extend their stay to fit in a full-day charter. The crew practise catch-and-release for the more vulnerable species — billfish (marlin, sailfish, swordfish, spearfish), sharks, rays, trevally and reef fish go back into the water, according to the operator's own published policy.
When is the best time of year to fish here?
October through March is peak season for the big pelagics — marlin and the larger tuna running strongest through these months. June through September shifts the odds toward reef species instead, which is worth knowing if you're planning a June or July stay: the fishing is good, but it's a different kind of good than a January or February trip built specifically around chasing marlin. Either way, charters run year-round, so there's no dead season where the boats simply don't go out.
Half-day or full-day — which should you book?
Both are available, and the honest answer depends on how much of your holiday you want to spend on the water. A half-day gets you out to the productive grounds and back with most of the day still ahead of you for the beach or the pool; a full day gives the crew more time to work different spots if the fish aren't cooperating where they start. First-timers and families with younger kids generally do better with a half-day; anyone specifically chasing a marlin or a big tuna should build in the full day. Talk to your butler or Beach Bums directly about timing — departures are typically early, ahead of the day's heat and wind.
What is catch-to-table dining, and how does it actually work at Matlai?
Come back with fish and Zatiny — the hotel's restaurant on the beach — will clean, prepare and cook it for you, the same evening if you like. Here's the detail that actually matters: this is free of charge for guests on half-board or full-board, because it's covered by the meal plan you're already on. Guests on bed-and-breakfast are charged for the preparation. It's a small distinction, but it's the difference between a pleasant surprise and an unexpected line on your bill, so it's worth confirming with reception which board basis you're on before you plan a fishing-and-dinner day around it.
Zatiny runs a daily-changing chef's menu built around fresh local ingredients to begin with, so folding your own catch into that evening's dinner isn't a stretch for the kitchen — it's close to how the restaurant already operates. Read more about dining at Zatiny.
Is deep-sea fishing suitable for beginners?
Yes. The crews work with anglers across the full range of experience, from people who have never held a rod at sea to those who fish seriously at home. Expect help with tackle, technique and landing whatever you hook — this is a guided, crewed charter, not a bareboat trip, so the learning curve is handled for you. It is physical, especially if something larger takes the line, but that's part of what makes landing one worth the effort.
What else is there to do on the water at Matlai?
Deep-sea fishing is one of several water-based activities arranged directly from the hotel beach, alongside free kayaks out to the Mchanga sandbank, ngalawa sails, and boat trips to Blue Lagoon and Starfish Beach for snorkelling. See the full list of experiences or the complete guide to things to do near Michamvi Pingwe for how a fishing morning fits alongside everything else on offer.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need my own fishing licence for a Zanzibar charter? No — charter operators handle the permits their boats need to operate. You just need to book the trip.
Can I keep the fish I catch? Yes, for the species the crew keeps rather than releases — bring it back to the hotel and Zatiny will prepare it. Beach Bums' own published policy is catch-and-release for billfish (marlin, sailfish, swordfish, spearfish), sharks, rays, trevally and reef fish; tuna and dorado are the table fish you can keep.
Is the catch-to-table dinner really free? Only if you're on half-board or full-board — it's included in your existing meal plan. Bed-and-breakfast guests are charged for the preparation.
What's the best month for marlin at Matlai? October through March, when the big pelagics run strongest. June through September is better for reef species, with fishing available year-round either way — though at the height of the Kusi winds (July–August) seas get rougher and trips can be rescheduled, so keep a spare day in your plans.
Ready to book a morning on the water? Check availability at Boutique Hotel Matlai and ask your butler about arranging Beach Bums directly from the beach.
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