Indian Ocean · Tanzania

Mafia Channel fishing forecast

81 Good of 100

Mafia Channel is a saltwater fishing spot in Indian Ocean, Tanzania. Anglers here target Indo-Pacific Sailfish, Striped Marlin, Giant Trevally. The most productive months are typically September, October, November, December, January, February.

Quick answer
Best monthsSeptember, October, November, December
Top speciesIndo-Pacific Sailfish, Striped Marlin, Giant Trevally
Score now81/100
Local rulesTanzania
Pressure trend
Pressure data unavailable
Best window today
05:00 · Light wind (0 km/h) and calm seas
Next solunar peak
minor 09:40

Current conditions

Sea surface temp26.2 °C
Wind18 km/h from SE
Wave height0.8 m at 5 s
Current0.61 m/s toward NNE
Pressure1019 hPa
Depth42 m
Cloud cover8%

Last updated Jul 22, 2026 (UTC). Conditions refresh through the day.

What the score means at Mafia Channel

Mafia Channel currently scores 81 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 26.2 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score. As a rough guide, a score above ~65 reflects conditions experienced anglers would typically fish; below ~45, consider waiting for a better window or targeting different species. The score blends live weather and ocean signals and can change through the day.

Bite windows

Moon
First Quarter · 50% lit
Solunar day rating
70 / 100

Best months for Mafia Channel:

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

About this spot

Water type
Channel

Channels concentrate moving water and strong tidal flow. The bite often picks up at slack water and through the first hour of the flood or ebb.

Approximate bottom depth: 42 m Depth is GEBCO-derived bathymetry, approximate only — not a nautical chart. Do not use for navigation or anchoring.

What you can catch

Best months by species at Mafia Channel

Indo-Pacific SailfishIstiophorus platypterus
Striped MarlinKajikia audax
Giant TrevallyCaranx ignobilis

Months reflect typical catchability by species at this latitude; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

Tanzania

Licensing:

  • saltwater-recreational — residents A sport fishing licence is required to fish for leisure in Tanzanian (mainland) waters under the Fisheries Regulations 2009. Sport fishing licences may be issued for a fortnight, one month or one year. "Sport fishing" is legally defined as fishing for leisure and not for sale — catch may not be sold. Inside a marine park (e.g. Mafia Island), additional Marine Parks and Reserves Unit (MPRU) entry/activity fees apply, and no fishing is permitted in a marine reserve without the Director's authorisation., non-residents Visiting anglers also need a sport fishing licence (fortnight / one month / one year) under the Fisheries Regulations 2009. A sport fishing VESSEL licence is 50.0 USD per vessel for citizens and non-citizens (higher fees apply for vessels linked to shore-based processing). Non-citizens applying for a sport fishing vessel licence must provide an introduction letter from the Local Government Authority, a passport copy and a work permit. Marine-park fees (MPRU) are payable separately when fishing inside a park.
  • charter — residents Charter / sport fishing vessels are licensed under the Fisheries Regulations 2009 (sport fishing vessel licence: 50.0 USD/vessel). Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) may be used for sport fishing, capturing live aquarium finfish, training and research purposes only. Deep-sea fishing beyond 12 nautical miles in the EEZ is licensed separately by the Deep Sea Fishing Authority (DSFA).

Check Mafia Channel before you go

Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.

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Nearby spots

Explore 5 more fishing spots within 320 km of Mafia Channel.

Frequently asked questions

What fish can you catch at Mafia Channel?

Anglers at Mafia Channel target Indo-Pacific Sailfish, Striped Marlin and Giant Trevally.

When is the best time to fish Mafia Channel?

The most productive months at Mafia Channel are typically September, October, November, December, January, February.

What is the fishing forecast for Mafia Channel right now?

Mafia Channel currently scores 81 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.

Do you need a licence to fish Mafia Channel?

Fishing at Mafia Channel follows the local rules for Indian Ocean, Tanzania. Bag limits, size limits, seasons and licence requirements are summarised in the Local regulations section above, with a link to the official authority.

Fishing guides for this spot

Scores and conditions are forecasts for guidance only and can change rapidly. Always check local rules and current conditions, follow all fishing regulations, and prioritise your safety on the water.