What a Cape Town fishing charter actually costs

Because the question is the most common one in the market and almost nobody answers it. Hiding a rate behind an enquiry form buys an email address at the cost of the customers who simply leave, and it makes the page useless to anyone — or anything — trying to answer the question on your behalf.

The full rate card is on this site, so you can compare like for like before you message.

Three things, and they compound:

• Trip length. A twelve-hour offshore day burns several times the fuel of a three-hour coastal cruise, and fuel is the single largest variable cost.
• Distance offshore. The grounds move. A 40 nautical mile run costs materially more than an inshore one.
• Shared or private. A shared charter splits the boat cost across anglers. A private charter buys the whole boat, the schedule and the decisions.

All tackle, bait, terminal gear and fighting harnesses. Safety equipment. Ice and cleaning of your catch. Fuel, and an experienced captain and mate. Food and drinks are included on every trip; the three-hour sunset cruise has no braai.

Not included: gratuities, and a recreational fishing permit for each person fishing, which is arranged for you when you book.

No. No deposit is required and the trip is settled on the day. A cancellation fee applies only inside 72 hours: 10 per cent between 24 and 72 hours out, 20 per cent within 24 hours or for a no-show.

There is never a fee when the trip is called off for weather or fishing conditions. The full terms are on the cancellation policy page.