Calm, quiet, and peaceful—who doesn’t love a good fishing trip? Whether you seek a solo trip or family activity, fishing is a great way to unwind on vacation or a day off. Plus, if you visit one of the world’s most abundant fishing beaches, you may get a free meal out of the outing! That’s why we’ve researched and compiled a list of fifteen of the world’s best beaches for fishing, sorted by continent. Many of these beaches have designated fishing spots, so be sure to check the rules and regulations prior to your visit.

Africa

Henties Bay, Namibia

Don’t want to leave the comfort of the warm sand? The beach at Henties Bay is known for its surf fishing opportunities; by simply casting a line from the edge shoreline, you may catch galjoen, blacktail, kob, or west coast steenbras. From the beach you can also appreciate the abundant marine life, including dolphins, whales, mola mola, seals, and pelicans. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a guided deep sea fishing excursion and you may catch yellowfin tuna, dorado, marlin, asilfish, and more.

Poste Lafayette Beach, Mauritius

Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, is the perfect secluded fishing spot. Poste Lafayette Beach offers plenty of onshore angling fishing opportunities, with a common catch being Trevally. The island is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs, which are protected from most fishing activity, but worth checking out through one of the many snorkeling or diving trips offered.

Asia

Hikkaduwa Beach, Sri Lanka

Not looking to embark on a deep-sea fishing trip? The continental shelf lies right off Sri Lanka’s coast, making impressive catches close to shore very feasible. From a small boat you can find swordfish, marlin, skipjack, or sailfish. However, be sure not to interfere with the sea turtles habitats during your outing, they’re plentiful and loved by visitors.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali’s clear, calm waters and white sand beaches are perfect for lounging, but also fishing. On Jimbaran Beach, you can either stay on the sand or journey off shore with local fishermen to find snapper, trevally, barracuda, and even reef sharks. For a beach with rockier areas, check out Nusa Dua Beach, where you can find giant trevally, Spanish mackerel, and barramundi.

Australia

Waitpinga Beach, Adelaide

Waitpinga Beach lies on the southeast coast of Australia, a quick drive from the scenic town of Victor Harbor. You don’t even need a boat, and can find garfish, salmon, mullet, and flathead from the rocks or sand. For bigger catches like rays, gummy sharks, mulloway, and elephant sharks, check out the Chiton Rocks, with rougher and deeper water that draw in larger fish. This choppier water also makes Waitpinga Beach a popular surf spot. 

Waitpinga Beach and the nearby town, Adelaide, are also a ferry ride away from Kangaroo Island, over one third of which is dedicated to natural reserves. Kangaroo Island doesn’t offer much fishing, but does house national parks that showcase Australia’s wildlife, from penguins to koalas.

Ninety Mile Beach, Victoria

Ninety Mile Beach is one of the best-preserved beaches, kept clean and scenic with several wildlife protection measures. For that reason, you’ll have to reference this guide before your trip to find designated fishing areas, fill out a quick application, and report the details of your trip. It may seem complicated, but if you follow these regulations, you set yourself up to catch salmon, snapper, sad whiting, tailor, flathead, trevally, mullet, or even mulloway.

Cable Beach, Broome (great for fishing species such as barramundi, threadfin salmon, and trevally)

This gorgeous white sand beach on Australia’s western coast may seem better fit for tanning than fishing, but in the waters surrounding northern points of the beach you can find whiting, bluefish, and flatheads. After a long day of fishing, be sure to sign up for one of Cable Beach’s picturesque sunset camel rides.

Europe

Dingle Peninsula, Ireland:

This spot on the southwestern coast of Ireland features a dramatic landscape, with everything from rocky beaches and steep cliffs. The varied environment is well suited for both surf and rock fishing. Popular surf fishing spots include Derrymore Strand, Brandon Bay, and Ballybrannigan Beach, where you can find flatfish and bass. To catch conger, wrasse, and dogfish, try rock fishing in Brandon Creek or Parkmore Point. Fun fact: parts of Star Wars: The Last Jedi were filmed in the Dingle Peninsula! Maybe you’ll find a few extraterrestrial fish during your stay.

Algarve Coast, Portugal

For a warmer option, visit Portugal’s southern Algarve Coast, which is famous for its striking caves and rock formations. The landscape offers several onshore fishing spots, from sandy to rocky and everything in between, including Cabo de São Vicente, Praia da Rocha, and Praia do Carvoeiro. You can hope to catch mackerel, seabass, and bream.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled lies at the foot of the eastern region of the Alps, formed by glacial runoff from the mountain range. The lake’s pure mountain water makes it great for fishing. Plus, heavily enforced restrictions on motorboats allow for idyllic, calm waters for your fishing trip. You can fish from one of the lake’s sandy beaches, or rent a rowboat to take to a deeper region. You must buy a permit to fish in Lake Bled, but after that you can catch catfish, pike, carp and lake trout.

North America

Santa Maria Beach, Cabo San Lucas, MX

Located at the very end of the Baja California Peninsula, this region offers views and 800+ species of fish. You can either fish from a nearby beach or port, or take a deep sea fishing trip out into the banks. Golden Gate Bank, Finger Bank, and Gordo Bank are all hotspots for dorado, blue marlin, skipjack, striped marlin, and yellowfin!

Bahia Honda State Park, Florida, USA

Yes, we’re asking you to leave the comfort of a resort beachfront, but we promise it’s worth it. From the shores of this park’s beaches you can find groupers and mangrove snappers. If you aren’t having any luck fishing from the sand, check out the Bahia Honda Bridge, which has clusters of wildlife living underneath it. Being a state park, there are restrictions on where/when you can fish, so be sure to check regulations here and elsewhere before embarking on your trip. While you’re there be sure to rent a snorkel and admire the wildlife in the expansive reef ecosystem protected by park services.

South America

Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil

Located In southern Brazil, Florianópolic offers two very different onshore fishing experiences depending on what you seek. At shallower beaches with calm waves, you’ll want equipment for long casts, and you may have to leave the dry sand and walk through the water to find good spots. Popular shallow beaches include Ponta das Canas, Jurerê, Saint Anthony of Lisbon, and Barra da Lagoa. Beaches like Campeche, Cruet, Mozambique, and Morro das Pedras, on the other hand, have rougher waters which quickly get deep. Here you can find larger catches like sea bass close to shore, and if you venture about one hundred feet may see large croakers and dogfish.

Puerto Madryn, Chubut Province, Argentina

Puerto Madryn is renowned for its abundant marine life, including sea lions, dolphins, whales, and penguins. Where there are predators, there must be prey; beaches along the northern coast of the Chubut Province are great for fishing. Most areas require a license, and it is recommended that you are cautious while fishing due to strong currents and rough waters. Conveniently located close to the city lies Punta Cuevas, where you may catch snook or sea bass. Also nearby is Playa Paraná, a popular swimming spot, but it's also frequented by anglers looking to catch snook, flathead, and croaker.

If you don’t mind leaving the city, check out El Doradillo Beach, about ten miles north. Its rocky shore and deep channels are ideal for onshore catching snook, sea bass, and sometimes even larger fish.