What's out there
Off this coast the warm Agulhas Current brings game fish close inshore. Recent KZN fishing reports name couta (king mackerel), dorado, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and sailfish offshore, with snoek around Toti and Umkomaas, and reef fish on the bottom. What bites depends on the season and the water: winter often brings wahoo and big yellowfin, while summer's warm blue water brings dorado and sailfish.
Most trips are trolling (lures or bait pulled behind the boat) or bottom fishing over reef. Charters supply the tackle; bring a hat, sunscreen and a seasickness tablet.
Does the moon affect fishing?
Partly, and mostly through the tides. The moon and sun together drive the tides. Around new moon and full moon they line up, giving spring tides: the biggest rise and fall, and the strongest tidal currents. Around the quarter moons the pull is weaker, giving neap tides with less water movement.
Moving water moves bait, and many fish feed when bait is moving, so many skippers and shore anglers favour the days around a new or full moon, often the turn of the tide. The effect is strongest inshore and on the reefs; far offshore, current, water temperature, wind and bait shoals usually matter more.
Solunar tables, which predict feeding windows from moonrise and moonset, date from John Alden Knight in 1926. They are popular, but controlled studies have not shown a consistent link, so treat them as folklore with a grain of truth rather than science.
Before you go
- Book with a licensed skipper; launches depend on the surf and are often cancelled in strong wind or big swell
- Expect an early start: boats usually launch at first light
- A recreational fishing permit is required in South Africa (charters can advise)
- Respect bag limits and closed seasons; many skippers tag and release billfish
- Ask the office to arrange it when you book: tick 'Deep-sea fishing'
Moon phases & spring tides, the next 12 months
Spring tides (the biggest tides and strongest currents) run for a day or two either side of each new and full moon. Times are South African time. For exact tide times, use the SA Navy Hydrographic Office tide tables for Durban.
| Moon | Date | Time | Spring tides around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full moon | Mon, 26 Oct 2026 | 06:11 | Sun, 25 Oct – Wed, 28 Oct |
| New moon | Mon, 09 Nov 2026 | 09:02 | Sun, 08 Nov – Wed, 11 Nov |
| Full moon | Tue, 24 Nov 2026 | 16:53 | Mon, 23 Nov – Thu, 26 Nov |
| New moon | Wed, 09 Dec 2026 | 02:52 | Tue, 08 Dec – Fri, 11 Dec |
| Full moon | Thu, 24 Dec 2026 | 03:28 | Wed, 23 Dec – Sat, 26 Dec |
| New moon | Thu, 07 Jan 2027 | 22:24 | Wed, 06 Jan – Sat, 09 Jan |
| Full moon | Fri, 22 Jan 2027 | 14:17 | Thu, 21 Jan – Sun, 24 Jan |
| New moon | Sat, 06 Feb 2027 | 17:56 | Fri, 05 Feb – Mon, 08 Feb |
| Full moon | Sun, 21 Feb 2027 | 01:23 | Sat, 20 Feb – Tue, 23 Feb |
| New moon | Mon, 08 Mar 2027 | 11:30 | Sun, 07 Mar – Wed, 10 Mar |
| Full moon | Mon, 22 Mar 2027 | 12:43 | Sun, 21 Mar – Wed, 24 Mar |
| New moon | Wed, 07 Apr 2027 | 01:51 | Tue, 06 Apr – Fri, 09 Apr |
| Full moon | Wed, 21 Apr 2027 | 00:27 | Tue, 20 Apr – Fri, 23 Apr |
| New moon | Thu, 06 May 2027 | 12:58 | Wed, 05 May – Sat, 08 May |
| Full moon | Thu, 20 May 2027 | 12:59 | Wed, 19 May – Sat, 22 May |
| New moon | Fri, 04 Jun 2027 | 21:40 | Thu, 03 Jun – Sun, 06 Jun |
| Full moon | Sat, 19 Jun 2027 | 02:44 | Fri, 18 Jun – Mon, 21 Jun |
| New moon | Sun, 04 Jul 2027 | 05:02 | Sat, 03 Jul – Tue, 06 Jul |
| Full moon | Sun, 18 Jul 2027 | 17:45 | Sat, 17 Jul – Tue, 20 Jul |
| New moon | Mon, 02 Aug 2027 | 12:05 | Sun, 01 Aug – Wed, 04 Aug |
| Full moon | Tue, 17 Aug 2027 | 09:29 | Mon, 16 Aug – Thu, 19 Aug |
| New moon | Tue, 31 Aug 2027 | 19:41 | Mon, 30 Aug – Thu, 02 Sept |
| Full moon | Thu, 16 Sept 2027 | 01:03 | Wed, 15 Sept – Sat, 18 Sept |
| New moon | Thu, 30 Sept 2027 | 04:36 | Wed, 29 Sept – Sat, 02 Oct |
| Full moon | Fri, 15 Oct 2027 | 15:47 | Thu, 14 Oct – Sun, 17 Oct |
Calculated with the standard astronomical method (Meeus), accurate to a few minutes. Neap tides fall about a week after each phase, around the quarter moons.
Questions
Is fishing better at full moon?
Full and new moons bring spring tides and stronger currents, which often help inshore and reef fishing. Offshore, water temperature, current and bait matter more. Solunar tables have not been proven by controlled studies.
Where do the boats launch?
Umkomaas is the nearest launch, 23 km (about 20 minutes) south of Cabana Mio. Boats also launch from Durban and further down the South Coast.
Do I need a permit?
Yes: a recreational fishing permit is required in South Africa. Your charter can advise.
Sources: Island Fisherman: how the moon affects fishing · Windy.app: solunar theory, science or fiction · East Coast Radio: KZN deep sea fishing update · Moon phases: calculated (Meeus, Astronomical Algorithms). Facts checked October 2026; confirm dates with the organisers.
