Dubai fishing guide

Dubai is considered the business hub of the Middle East, but it’s also becoming a famous destination for tourists. In the last 15 years, Dubai transformed from a desert city to the city of the future. In Dubai you can find the tallest skyscraper in the world (Burj Khalifa) and the biggest mall as well. Dubai is famous for its beautiful buildings, but it also has a great sea front. Tourists and locals can enjoy the warm weather and the sun all year-round. If you are a fishing enthusiast then you should try fishing in Dubai.

Weather

The weather is warm year-round. During summer (June-Aug) the weather gets very warm (reaches 45oC). The weather in December, January and February is cool and nice (temp between 20-12C). The months between September and May are all great for fishing.

How to go fishing in Dubai

There are plenty of fishing charters in Dubai, however it’s not easy to find them. Usually tourists ask their hotel reception to help with recommending some boats, but that doesn’t mean that they are getting the best deal. On the other hand, locals will do an online search, but the information they find is often not sufficient and prices are usually hidden or vague.

With fishfishme you’ll find a variety of boats and you can easily compare the offers and prices of each and every boat we have listed. We provide you with all of the information you are looking for with an easy online booking solution. All of the boats listed are our trusted partners and cleared several quality assurance tests to ensure their service capability. Our prices are listed directly from the Boat Owners, and we never charge extra fees to our customers.

Top 4 fish

Kingfish
Kingfish fishing  in Dubai

The Kingfish (usually also known as King Mackerel) has all of the characteristics of a true sport fish, it’s fast, strong, and big with razor-sharp teeth. This strong fighter can grow up to 2m and 70kg, and  prefers to live in warm waters with a temperature ranging between 20C to 29C.

When to fish for Kingfish in Dubai?

All year-round

Where to fish for Kingfish in Dubai?

Kingfish can be found in depths between 12-45m, usually swimming over reefs and rocks that are not so far from the shore.   

How to fish for Kingfish in Dubai?

Trolling is the best way to catch a Kingfish with various kinds of baits (live bait, dead bait, spoons, jigs or artificial lures).

Cobia
Cobia fishing  in Dubai

Cobia (or Back Kingfish) has a dark brown smooth body with a white belly. Cobia can grow up to 2 meters and weigh more than 60kg. It is considered a great fighter and it also tastes good. Cobia prefer to live in warm and tropical water temperatures.

When to fish for Cobia in Dubai?

You can catch Cobia all year long, however it is more abundant for the period between November and February.

Where to find Cobia in Dubai?

Cobia can be found at reefs, buoys or wrecks.

How to fish for Cobia?

Cobia will feed on a variety of baits, but squid is the most common bait used for Cobia and bottom fishing is the most common fishing technique.

Queenfish
Queenfish fishing  in Dubai

Queenfish is a great and beautiful fish. They can grow up to 1.5 meters and weigh more than 15kg. However, on average they are around 80cm long and weigh between 6-8kg. Queenfish have a streamlined bodies with a strong tail that allow it to swim very fast, which make them fun to tackle.

When to fish for Queenfish in Dubai?

All year

Where to fish for Queenfish in Dubai?

Queenfish can be found both off-shore and in-shore. Usually near rocks at depth levels between 4 to 27 feet.

How to catch a Queenfish in Dubai?

Cut shrimp and squid are both good to fish for Queenfish. Bottom fishing is the most common way to fish for Queenfish in the Gulf sea.

Grouper
Grouper fishing  in Dubai

The Grouper is one of the tastiest fish ever, and comes in a variety of types and sizes. The Arabian Grouper (Greasy Grouper) that can be found in Dubai generally weighs between 5-40kg with a length of around 30cm to 100cm. 

When to fish for Grouper in Dubai?

Groupers can be found year-round, especially in deep waters. 

Where to find Grouper in Dubai?

Groupers inhabit deep coastal reefs. They live on the bottom of the sea.

How to catch a Grouper?

Bottom fishing is the only way to catch this tasty fish using squid, dead or live bait.  

Fish and Fishing Seasons in Dubai

Fish Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Grouper
Barracuda
Kingfish
Queenfish
Threadfin Bream (Sultan Ibrahim)
Cobia
Sheri (Emperor Bream)
Lady Fish (Elopidae)

= Excellent

= Good

= Fair