Kuwait isn't the first place you think of for a fishing trip, but the warm, fish-rich Arabian Gulf tells a different story. Tourist fishing trips in Kuwait are now a favourite day out for visitors and local families who want to swap the malls for the open sea.
Most boats leave early in the morning and return by early afternoon โ long enough to feel like a real expedition, short enough to keep the kids happy. All you really need to bring is sunscreen and a good mood.
Charter boats usually leave from the fishing harbours around Sharq, Salmiya, and Marina Crescent. The captain handles everything: the boat, rods, bait, and the local knowledge about where the fish are biting that day.
The crew cleans your catch on the way back, and some seafront restaurants in Salmiya will cook whatever you bring in.
Kuwait's coast is shallow and sandy, so the best fishing sits a few kilometres offshore. Most captains head straight for Failaka Island, roughly 20 km from Kuwait City, where reefs, wrecks, and drop-offs hold grouper, snapper, and bream โ old wrecks are favourite ambush points for bigger fish.
Further south, Kubbar Island's reef ring delivers steady action, and longer trips run toward the southern grounds off Al Khiran. On a calm day these island trips feel almost private โ clear water, few boats, and gulls working the surface.
The main fishing season runs from October through May, when the water cools and the fish move closer to shore. Summer trips exist but leave very early to beat the heat, and the sea is often glassy calm from June to September.
Typical catches include hamour (grouper), shaem (seabream), hamra (snapper), and kanad (Spanish mackerel). In winter, the prized suboor (shad) run draws serious anglers out early.
Agree on the price, duration, and group size before you book, and check the forecast โ the Gulf can get choppy fast.
Before you leave the marina, check the day's conditions โ the B7R app shows live sea state plus tide times for Shuwaikh and Shuaiba ports, so you can pick a window when the water is actually fishable.
Log your best catches in the B7R app's catch log โ over a season you build a personal map of your best spots, and the fish guide helps you identify anything unusual. Then let the captain handle the rest and enjoy the ride.
Take the app with you on the water. B7R is free on Google Play and gives you everything you need before you head out.
Download B7R on Google Play