KwaZulu-Natal South Africa · South Africa

Richards Bay South Africa fishing forecast

72 Good of 100

Richards Bay South Africa is a saltwater fishing spot in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa, South Africa. Anglers here target Indo-Pacific Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo. The most productive months are typically October, November, December, January, February, March.

Quick answer

Best monthsOctober, November, December, January

Top speciesIndo-Pacific Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo

Score now72/100

Local rulesSouth Africa

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Today’s verdict

Trending up — 8 points above this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+25.0Chlorophyll+18.0Current+18.0

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Next solunar peak

major 01:46

Current conditions

Live conditions are temporarily unavailable for this spot (last data Oct 15, 2026). Seasonal and regulation info below is unaffected.

What the score means at Richards Bay South Africa

Richards Bay South Africa currently scores 72 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 21.5 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +25.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Chlorophyll +18.0: plankton density — the base of the food chain
Current +18.0: moving water concentrates bait
Waves +9.0: swell energy stirring the water column
Wind +8.0: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Eddy energy +5.0: mesoscale eddies trap nutrients and bait

What’s biting now

The model expects today: yellowfin-tuna, sailfish, wahoo, spotted-mackerel, redthroat-emperor, grass-emperor, school-mackerel, king-threadfin

Bite windows

Moon

Waxing Crescent · 22% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Richards Bay South Africa:

Score history at this spot

11 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-09-23, 72/100

4 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

+14 points vs the same day last week

About this spot

Water type

Bay

Bays are sheltered and usually calmer than open water, offering protected fishing and holding structure for inshore species.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · harbor

What you can catch

Indo-Pacific Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus
Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares
Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

Best months by species at Richards Bay South Africa

Indo-Pacific SailfishIstiophorus platypterus
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
WahooAcanthocybium solandri

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)

South Africa

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents A recreational fishing permit is LEGALLY REQUIRED to fish, spearfish, collect bait or gather shellfish in South African marine and estuarine waters. Separate permit types exist (angling, spearfishing, boat/skipper, west-coast rock lobster, etc.). Permits are sold at any South African Post Office (SAPO) and online via the DFFE e-permit portal. A permit entitles the holder to catch fish for own use only — not for sale or trade., non-residents Same permit requirement applies to visiting anglers. Buy a recreational fishing permit at any Post Office or via the DFFE online e-permit portal before fishing.

FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. South African marine fishing requires a valid recreational fishing permit (from any Post Office or the DFFE online portal). Bag limits, size limits and closed seasons are set under the Marine Living Resources Act and can change; special rules apply in Marine Protected Areas, estuaries and National Parks. There is an overall cumulative limit of 10 fish per person per day. Always verify current rules with DFFE before fishing — FishRadar is not a legal source.