Join Captain Justin Walters aboard the private island’s new catamaran Real Magic to reel in yellowfin tuna, sailfish, and marlin

Watersports is an essential element of vacationing at Thanda Island, and nothing makes guests’ hearts flutter like hooking and reeling in a big game fish where the water turns blue. Key to the blue water fishing experience at the private island located 16 miles off the coast of Tanzania are the aquatic wonders of local reefs and the deep that lies just beyond the borders of Mafia Island Marine Park, the largest protected marine area in the Indian Ocean.

A Watersports Heaven

Blue water fishing is one of many specialties of Captain Justin Walters, who is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all watersports at Thanda Island. Kenyan by birth and with many years of experience captaining island fishing charters, he can arrange sailing, paddling, kayaking, jet skiing, jet boarding, water skiing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Together with the resident marine biologist, Rianne Laan, he also puts together snorkeling adventures at nearby coral reefs, and sets up scuba diving for guests at any level with Mafia Island Diving, Thanda Island’s accredited 5-star dive partner operating on nearby Mafia Island.

Blue water fishing – that is, in areas far enough from shore for the water to turn solid blue – is nearest and dearest to Walters’ heart. Captaining Real Magic, Thanda Island’s recently completely refurbished 25-foot reef runner catamaran, he knows all the prime spots and is well acquainted with the seasons for migratory big game and deep-sea fish, with yellowfin tuna and sailfish hungry and biting from October to December; dorado from October to April; and blue, black and striped marlin from December to April.

Have your heart set on snagging a wahoo, barracuda, kingfish, or giant trevally? They can be found along the reefs year-round. Prefer casting or bottom fishing? Both are available onboard Real Magic. Catch-and-release is always encouraged, especially for marlin, sailfish, and giant trevally. For guests that catch-and-keep table-ready fish, the culinary team at Thanda Island will be happy to prepare a variety of delectable dishes straight from their expedition, such as seared tuna, tuna sashimi, and carpaccio or grilled and barbequed kingfish, barracuda, dorado and wahoo. Either way, expect the captain and his crew to go out of their way to ensure all have the best experience.

Reeling in Memories on Real Magic

With Real Magic, Thanda Island has one of the few sport fishing boats in the area and offers guests exclusive blue water fishing for legendary deep-water species. Adventures are always family-friendly, included in the island rate, and a great way to give kids their first experience with fishing and perhaps even their first taste of big game fish prepared to please the pickiest palates.