To book your Watamu experience, please contact:
Donnae on 043 743 2043 or email [email protected]
WELCOME TO CLUB 15 - WATAMU
Club 15 has successfully operated in Kenya for over 23 years and what we promise is an affordable angling
adventure, catering specifically for the South African Game fisherman, friends and family, in one of the world’s
foremost Bill and Game fish destinations. Target Species include: Marlin, Sailfish, Broadbill Swordfish, GT’s
(Kingfish), Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Couta, Dorado, Amberjack, Snapper and a host of other sought after gamefish
species.
HOW TO GET THERE
For our South African guests, packages can include flights from Johannesburg to Mombasa with a brief stopover in
Nairobi to clear customs and transfer to the local flight into Mombasa. On arrival in Mombasa, you will be met by a
driver from our transfer service who will be waiting outside baggage collection to help you load your gear into the
vehicle and drive you north to Watamu. It's a scenic 1.5 hour drive up the coast from Mombasa to your home in
Watamu. For our guests booking their own flights or travelling from other parts of the world, the package can be
tailored to your needs to cover fishing and accommodation.
CLUB 15 BILL AND GAME FISHING, WATAMU, KENYA
YOUR HOME FOR THE WEEK - Arcadia House
The Club’s house is set on 2 acres of tropical garden and is a pleasant 50 meter stroll to the stunning Watamu
beach.
The accommodation comprises: Four double bedrooms, all en-suite and fully air-conditioned together with
mosquito netted beds with ceiling and pedestal fans, plus one double bedroom not en suite and no A/C. Extra beds
are available for young children sharing with their parents.
The house has large indoor and outdoor entertainment areas with braai facilities, a pool table, bar and plenty of
seating. The pool area has two Makuti roofed seating and day bed structures for those who need a break from the
sun and plenty of sunloungers for those wishing to catch a tan (towels are provided for our guests). The house is
fully equipped with all the comforts of home and you need only bring your personal items.
Our friendly, professional team
We employ 4 permanent staff at the house to ensure that guests are well looked after. They will do all the house
work, laundry and cooking and see to all your needs to ensure that you have a relaxing and stress free holiday.
Please note that the accommodation is self catering and you will need to do your food and beverage shopping in
Watamu village. There are several fully stocked shops nearby where you can get everything you need from fresh
bread, meat and cold beer. The house cook is hotel trained and prepares excellent meals, he can provide you
with a shopping list of ingredients he requires for the meals and can accompany you to the shops to assist with
your needs.
Arcadia House is also available for holiday rentals during the year, please contact us for our special
accommodation only rates.
THE BOAT AND FISHING
Your boat for the week belongs to the club and is for your exclusive use. Castle Lager is a 38ft Supercat
Catamaran powered by 2 x 85hp Yamaha 2 stroke engines and is capable of up to 24 knots. She is fully equipped
with 18ft Schaeffer outriggers, Fighting chair, Scotty downriggers and comfortably runs 7-9 rods in the spread.
She is safety surveyed, licensed and the electronics comprise VHF Radio, state of the art Raymarine fish finder and
GPS plotter.
The fishing deck is approx 18ft x 9ft and the large undercover seating area the same. This is the most stable of
fishing platforms and with the calm tropical seas, ensures a very comfortable fishing experience for novice and
experienced angler alike.
CLUB 15 BILL AND GAME FISHING, WATAMU, KENYA
The Crew
There is a permanent crew of Skipper and deck hand. They are competent anglers in their own right and have
years of experience fishing these waters aboard Castle Lager. They are able to assist first time fisherman as well
as guide seasoned anglers and will be as involved as required of them, please take the time to explain your
individual needs to the crew and they will do their utmost to ensure you have a sensational week of fishing.
Getting from the house to the boat and around town
We have a Toyota Minibus for your use to get from the house to the slipway at Ocean Sports hotel, just 2km's
from the house, from where the local dingy operator will transport you to and from Castle Lager which is moored
in Turtle Bay. Please ensure the group leader has an international driver's licence and carry your passport with you
at all times while driving in the Watamu village. Also, our house staff will gladly accompany you to show you
around and assist in any way to make sure you have a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.
The fishing
Once outside the protective coral reef of the Turtle Bay mooring, you will experience some of the most prolific
game fishing waters in the world. Black, Blue and Striped Marlin, Broadbill Swordfish, Sailfish and the occasional
Shortbill Spearfish comprise the targeted Billfish species. Yellowfin Tuna, King Mackerel (Couta), Ignoblis Kingfish
(Karambesi), Wahoo, Dorado, Baracuda, Amberjack, Tropical Yellowtail, Rainbow Runner, and a number of Bonito
species and other baitfish abound throughout the year.
For those who would like to test the depths, there is also an incredible array of resident reef fish comprising
various Snapper, Rock Cod and Grouper. In order to protect our valuable marine resource, we discourage any over
exploitation and ask guests to please limit their catch.
There are also numerous Shark species around headed by the mighty Tiger Shark. These are often over 1000lbs
and provide a real challenge for the strong and the brave who wish to target those species.
CLUB 15 BILL AND GAME FISHING, WATAMU, KENYA
Out at sea one can experience close encounters with Whales, Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, Turtles, Flying Fish and
Dolphins and a range of Sea Birds.
Tag and Release
Kenya has experienced the most fantastic billfishing over the last number of years with Fantasy Slams (5 species
of billfish), Super Slams (4 species) and Grand Slams (3 species) caught on one day becoming a regular
occurrence.
We fully support Tag and Release and we encourage you to assist us in ensuring the sustainability of
our fishery by releasing all Billfish, GT’s and Amberjack.
Tackle and techniques
There are 30 ,50 and 80lb matched Shimano outfits supplied on the boat for trolling lures, we do not supply any
terminal tackle, so you will need to bring along your own lures, Sampo swivels, leaders etc. Please contact us for a
comprehensive suggested tackle list.
The main fishing methods employed encompass the following – Live baiting, trolling Hard and soft head cona type
lures (with or without strip bait), trolling bibbed lures (Rapalas and Halcos recommended) as well as Vertical
jigging, plugging and throwing stickbaits.
The crew can also assist you if you are more of a light tackle enthusiast and we have had great success on Fly and
Dropshot in recent years.
The monsoon months of May, June and July produce strong winds, rain and unsettled seas and are therefore not
often fished, although the fish are still there and this is a great time for Yellowfin Tuna and Black marlin. The camp
is closed during this time and the boat is moved to Mida Creek for the offseason.
CLUB 15 BILL AND GAME FISHING, WATAMU, KENYA
WHAT TO BRING
For all South African travelers entering Kenya, a valid Yellow Fever inoculation Certificate will be required for you
to gain entry back into South Africa. South African visitors do not require a visa for Kenya.
For our International guests, please check with your travel agent or consulate office regarding visa and inoculation
regulations. Kenya is a malaria area, so please ensure you consult your doctor and take the appropriate measures
before you travel. Also, please ensure you have the appropriate comprehensive travel and medical insurances in
place before leaving SA, consult your broker or travel agent before departure.
The group leader who will be driving the minibus to and from the launch each day must have an International
Drivers License and must carry their passport with them while driving the vehicle.
Please bring along all your own terminal tackle, the boat is equipped with rods and reels from 30 to 80lb, but no
terminal tackle is supplied. Should you run short of tackle or you find that the fishing is so good you have run
short of a particular lure, Captain Andy's fishing supply at the nearby Ocean Sports hotel has everything you need
to replenish your tackle box (and not to mention a superb beachfront bar to put your feet up and relax and even
sample one of their superb pizzas on offer). Please contact us for a comprehensive list of suggested terminal
tackle.
NEARBY FACILITIES AND IMPORTANT FACTS
 Snorkelling - The Turtle Bay Marine Reserve has some superb snorkelling on offer and guided trips are
available at Ocean Sports hotel
 Scuba Diving – Please contact Aqua Ventures at Ocean Sports Hotel for all your Scuba diving needs, they
cater from beginner to advanced. See their website for further details http://www.diveinkenya.com/
 Guided Tours - are available through the local tour operators:- Gede Ruins, Butterfly Farm, Falconry, Bio
Ken Snake Farm, Tsavo East Game Reserve and Birding in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest.
 Restaurants - there are many to choose from in and around Watamu, Ocean Sports Hotel makes an
excellent pizza, as does Aquarius in Watamu, if you are after a sit down meal the Pili Pan restaurant
serves excellent fare.
 Shopping - There are several good supermarkets and delis in Watamu, there's even a fantastic Italian Ice
Cream shop in the main street, do stop by and sample their excellent home-made ice creams! The
Watamu Supermarket has everything you could need for your catering for the week and the prices for
general food stuffs are comparable with South Africa.
 Banking and payments - Credit cards are widely accepted and there are several ATM's in town to
withdraw Kenyan Shillings to pay for your locally bought goods and services.
 Crafts - Watamu and Malindi abounds with crafters and many bargains can be found. Leather sandals,
belts, baskets, beadwork, wood and stone carvings, batiks and kikois are just some of the items
available. There are also dozens of traders to barter with on the nearby beaches for Kikois and other
trinkets.
 Spa - there are superb spas and massage therapists offered at the nearby hotels, please contact the front
desk for more information on their treatments
 Language - The local language is Swahili and you will be greeted by the smiling locals with calls of
"Jambo" (Hello) during your stay. English is widely spoken and many of the locals are fluent in Italian
and German as well.
 Currency - the Local Currency is the Kenyan Shilling, US Dollars and Euros can be exchanged at all the
local banks and hotels.