Deep Sea Fishing in Abu Dhabi: Trips, Fish Species & Best Seasons
Yacht Fishing Abu Dhabi runs private fishing trips in Abu Dhabi waters, with a fleet of fishing boats, an experienced captain on every trip, and rods, bait and tackle on board. Prices start from AED 375 per hour for the whole boat, so a group of friends or a family can share one private trip instead of joining strangers on a shared boat.
The Yacht Fishing Abu Dhabi homepage for private fishing trips
This guide is for anglers planning a day on the water: which trip type fits you, what you are likely to catch in each season, and how the boats compare. If you work in marketing or tourism, you may also like how we built the Yacht Fishing Abu Dhabi booking website.
Three ways to fish in Abu Dhabi
Deep sea fishing (6 to 8 hours)
The boat heads offshore into deeper water for bigger fish such as kingfish, barracuda, trevally and queenfish. It is the choice for experienced anglers and groups who want to spend the whole day fishing, and the site lists October to April as its best window. A longer trip gives the captain time to move between several spots.
Bottom fishing (around 4 hours)
The boat anchors over a reef and you drop a baited line to the bottom for hammour, sultan Ibrahim and other reef fish. Four hours is enough, and it suits beginners, families and kids. It works all year, with early starts in summer.
Trolling (4 to 6 hours)
Lures are pulled behind the moving boat to catch fast fish near the surface: kingfish, barracuda and queenfish. It is often combined with bottom fishing on the same trip, which keeps groups busy when one method is slow.
If you are unsure, the site's own rule of thumb is simple: a half day of about four hours suits a first trip, families and the hot months, while a full day of six to eight hours suits deep sea fishing and serious anglers.
Fishing trip types: deep sea, bottom fishing, trolling, half and full day
Which fish, and when
The species guide lists more than eleven fish found on these trips. Here are the main targets and their best times according to the site:
- Kingfish: the classic trolling catch, best from October to April.
- Hammour: best in autumn and winter, caught by bottom fishing.
- Queenfish: best in winter and spring.
- Barracuda: year round, in deeper and open water.
- Sultan Ibrahim: year round and a good fish for kids to catch.
- Trevally: best in the cooler months.
Protected species and undersized fish are released, and you can keep your catch within local rules.
Abu Dhabi fishing seasons at a glance
| Months | Conditions | Fishing | Main catches |
|---|---|---|---|
| October to December | Pleasant, calm seas | Excellent | Kingfish, hammour, queenfish |
| January to March | Cool, sometimes windy | Excellent | Kingfish, trevally, barracuda |
| April to May | Warm | Good | Queenfish, reef fish |
| June to September | Hot, early starts needed | Good | Reef fish, sultan Ibrahim |
So if kingfish is the goal, plan between October and April and choose deep sea or trolling. In summer, book a short, early bottom-fishing trip and target reef fish.
Boats and trip prices
Prices are for the whole boat, not per person, and each boat has a base package plus a longer package listed with a 15% saving. A few examples from the fleet:
- Yellow Fin Fishing Boat (bottom fishing, up to 8 guests): AED 1,600 for 4 hours, or AED 2,720 for 8 hours.
- Panda 1 Luxury Fishing Yacht (up to 8): AED 1,800 for 4 hours.
- Shark Deep Sea Fishing Boat (up to 8): AED 2,400 for 4 hours, or AED 4,080 for 8 hours.
- Blue Marlin Fishing Boat (deep sea, up to 10, marked most popular): AED 2,700 for 6 hours.
- Speed Boat Ocean (marked best value, up to 8): AED 3,000 for 8 hours, which is where the AED 375 per hour starting rate comes from.
- Catamaran Fishing Yacht and Tecno Fishing Yacht (up to 18 guests) for bigger groups.
There is also a 68 Ft Super Yacht Fishing option at the luxury end of the fleet.
The fish species guide with seasons for kingfish, hammour and queenfish
What is on board, and what to bring
Every trip is private for your group and includes an experienced captain, fishing rods, bait and tackle, soft drinks and water, and life jackets and safety equipment. No experience is needed, because the captain shows you how to fish. That means your packing list is short. After booking, the team confirms exactly what you need to bring and shares the meeting point. Keen anglers are welcome to bring their own gear, according to the FAQ.
Children are welcome, and life jackets are available for all ages, which makes a short bottom-fishing trip a good family day out.
How to book a fishing trip
- Pick a trip type and a boat that fits your group size.
- Send a WhatsApp message with your date, group size, preferred boat and the fish you want to target. The team will suggest a boat and time if you are unsure.
- Receive a payment link on WhatsApp and pay by card or Apple Pay, or split it into four payments with Tabby or Tamara.
- Get the meeting point and any packing notes, then head out with your captain.
The team is open every day.
Why anglers choose Yacht Fishing Abu Dhabi
Private boats only, licensed captains, clear package prices per boat, and a species and season guide that helps you plan around the fish rather than guessing. Being able to say "we want kingfish in November" and get a boat recommendation saves a lot of back and forth.
FAQ
How much does a fishing trip in Abu Dhabi cost?
From AED 375 per hour for the whole boat. Most trips run four to eight hours.
Do I need fishing experience?
No. The captain shows you how to fish, and rods, bait and tackle are provided.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Yes, within local rules. Protected species and undersized fish are released.
Ready to cast a line? Check the boats and send your dates to Yacht Fishing Abu Dhabi on WhatsApp. The booking website was designed and built by Zaki International.