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Seasons
There is no single best month.
There are patterns — wind cycles, current shifts, clarity changes and bait movements. Understanding them dramatically improves your odds.
Northwest monsoon
Lighter winds, hotter and more humid, more variable water clarity, easier travel and logistics. More consistent access to the grounds and excellent surface activity, though fish behaviour can be more scattered. Suits mixed-species and tuna-focused trips.
Southeast trade winds
Stronger, more consistent winds, cooler air and water, cleaner water offshore and defined current lines. Some days are unfishable and some are exceptional. Suits experienced offshore anglers and longer expeditions that can wait out weather.
Shoulder seasons
Transition months, and often misunderstood. Rapidly changing conditions and shifting currents, with fewer crowds. Some of the best fishing of the year can happen here — or very little, depending on timing. These months reward flexibility.
Plan around targets, not months
Peak seasons by species.
| Species | Peak months | Primary technique | Depth zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellowfin Tuna | April–May & Sept–Nov | Popping / trolling | Surface to 60 m |
| Dogtooth Tuna | May – September | Vertical jigging | 40–120 m |
| Giant Trevally | October – May | Popping / fly | 0–30 m |
| Sailfish | Oct–Nov & March–April | Trolling / fly | Surface |
| Marlin | November – March | Heavy trolling | Drop-off |
| Wahoo | October – February | High-speed trolling | Surface / rips |
| Barracuda | All year | Casting / trolling | Variable |
| Reef species | May – September | Bottom fishing / jigging | 20–100 m |
Month by month
What actually happens, and when.
January
Peak of the rainy season. Wet and humid, but northwest winds blow weakly with pleasant lulls between showers. A premier month for marlin as they follow warm currents onto the Plateau; dogtooth, amberjack and wahoo also active. Fish early.
February
Rain decreases, sunshine increases, and the sea stays largely calm. One of the most reliable months for offshore fishing. Marlin and sailfish highly accessible; outer atolls see exceptional GT activity. A genuine mixed-bag month.
March
End of the rainy season. Hot and humid with weakening northwest winds and often glassy seas. A peak month for sailfish, and the calm water suits sight-casting for GT, milkfish and permit on the flats. Visibility is at its best.
April
Monsoon reversal and the most pleasant sea conditions of the year. Light variable winds, often flat calm. Legendary yellowfin bites are recorded in April, and amberjack peaks. The best month for popping and jigging specialists.
May
Southeast trades set in and winds pick up, though the sea is not yet forbidding. The sunniest part of the year. Yellowfin remain active and dogtooth become more aggressive as currents strengthen. Shift toward jigging the windward side.
June
The cooler, drier season begins. Trades are well established and the sea becomes choppy. Trolling for sailfish is very productive, and dogtooth are prime jigging targets. Nearshore and leeward fishing keeps things comfortable.
July & August
Coolest and windiest months, with rough seas and the lowest rainfall. Bottom fishing and jigging for grouper, snapper and amberjack peak on the deeper drop-offs. Outer atoll charters typically cease operating — safety comes first.
September
The trades decline but stay fairly strong, with warmer and slightly wetter weather. Sea conditions moderate, allowing longer offshore trips. The start of prime black and blue marlin season, with yellowfin and bonito increasing.
October
The second peak of the year. Winds weaken considerably and conditions return to the glassy states of April, with the highest number of dry days. GT activity is super active, and sailfish, yellowfin and marlin are all present in numbers.
November
Temperatures rise and the northwest monsoon sets in. Winds drop and swing west; afternoon storms become more frequent. A peak month for marlin and sailfish, with GTs still aggressive on reef edges and flats. Focus on early mornings.
December
Well into the rainy season with high humidity, but generally light winds make sea conditions pleasant. Trolling for sailfish, wahoo and dorado is highly effective, and dogtooth remain consistent around the granitic inner islands.
Not sure?
Decide your primary target first, then choose the seasonal window, then match the trip style. Choosing dates first and forcing a goal into them is the most common planning mistake.
Ask usConditions
Sea state and water temperature.
| Parameter | NW monsoon (Dec–Mar) | April | SE monsoon (May–Sep) | October |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominant wind | Northwest 10–15 kts | Variable / light | Southeast 15–25 kts | Variable / light |
| Sea state | Calm to moderate | Glassy / flat | Choppy to rough | Calm / slight |
| Air temperature | 30–32°C | 31–33°C | 25–29°C | 29–30°C |
| Rainfall | High (200–400 mm) | Moderate / low | Very low (<100 mm) | Low |
| Visibility | Moderate | Excellent (30 m+) | Low, current-driven | Excellent (30 m+) |
Sea surface temperatures stay between roughly 26°C and 29°C through the year. Above 30°C, pelagics may retreat below 60 m.
Next step
Plan backwards from conditions.
The best trips are planned around the season, not the calendar. Tell us your target and we'll find the window.