Fishing in Playa del Carmen
Best Deep Sea Fishing Trips in Playa del Carmen
Deep sea fishing in Playa del Carmen takes you out on a private boat with a local captain to the deep blue water of the Caribbean, where you troll for mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna and, from about April to September, sailfish and marlin. Private fishing charters run 4, 6 or 8 hours, from $330 USD per boat, with fishing licenses included.
★★★★★ 5.0 · 1,500+ reviews on Tripadvisor · family-run in Playa del Carmen since 2018
Which is the best fishing trip in Playa del Carmen for you?
We run two different fishing trips from Playa del Carmen and Tulum: a private sport fishing charter with rod and reel, where you choose the boat, and a spearfishing trip, where you freedive on the reef with a speargun and a local guide.
Sport fishing in Playa del Carmen and Tulum: a private fishing charter
This is the classic deep sea fishing trip. You book a whole boat for your group, from a 26 ft panga in the Playa del Carmen marina to a 50 ft Hatteras yacht in Puerto Aventuras, with an experienced captain and a first mate who rig the rods, choose the bait and help you land the fish. Trips last 4, 6 or 8 hours, the price is per boat, and fishing gear, bait and licenses are included. It is the best choice for families, beginners and groups who want the best chance to catch big ocean fish.
Spearfishing in Playa del Carmen: freediving with a local guide
Spearfishing is a different fishing adventure. You go out by boat with a local freediving guide, get a safety briefing, and make breath-hold dives on the reef to hunt grouper, snapper, hogfish and the invasive lionfish with a speargun. It is a 4-hour morning trip for up to 6 guests, priced per person: $400 USD for two from Playa del Carmen ($450 from Tulum), plus $100 for each extra guest. Spearguns, fins, mask and the license are included. In Mexico, spearfishing is freediving only; scuba tanks are not allowed.
“We had a great time doing some fishing and snorkeling.”
Which fishing boats leave from Playa del Carmen?
We work with 6 private fishing boats, from a 22 ft Sailfish for 4 anglers to a 50 ft Hatteras yacht for 10 guests. They leave from the marinas of Playa del Carmen, Akumal or Puerto Aventuras; Puerto Aventuras, 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, has most of the bigger sport fishing boats.
| 4 hours | $330 USD |
|---|---|
| 6 hours | $450 USD |
| 8 hours | $600 USD |
| 4 hours | $380 USD |
|---|---|
| 6 hours | $550 USD |
| 8 hours | $730 USD |
| 5 hours | $440 USD |
|---|---|
| 8 hours | $700 USD |
| 4 hours | $580 USD |
|---|---|
| 6 hours | $750 USD |
| 8 hours | $1,000 USD |
| 4 hours | $680 USD |
|---|---|
| 6 hours | $900 USD |
| 8 hours | $1,200 USD |
| 4 hours | $1,600 USD |
|---|---|
| 6 hours | $2,250 USD |
| 8 hours | $2,800 USD |
How much does deep sea fishing in Playa del Carmen cost?
A private fishing charter costs from $330 USD for 4 hours on a panga to $2,800 USD for 8 hours on a 50 ft yacht. The price is for the whole boat, so four anglers on the cheapest 4-hour trip pay about $83 each.
| Boat | Guests | Departs from | 4 h | 5 h | 6 h | 8 h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CaribeñoPanga 26 ft | Up to 5 | Playa del Carmen | $330 | – | $450 | $600 |
| AñejoPanga 25 ft | Up to 5 | Akumal | $380 | – | $550 | $730 |
| Little SecretSailfish 22 ft | Up to 4 | Puerto Aventuras | – | $440 | – | $700 |
| Reel KingWellcraft 35 ft | Up to 7 | Puerto Aventuras | $580 | – | $750 | $1,000 |
| Double Rose Cabo 31′Cabo 31 ft | Up to 8 | Puerto Aventuras | $680 | – | $900 | $1,200 |
| Lady RoseHatteras 50 ft | Up to 10 | Puerto Aventuras | $1,600 | – | $2,250 | $2,800 |
Prices in USD per boat (not per person), for the whole charter.
- Prices can vary with the boat, the duration and the date; we confirm the final price before you pay.
- Included: the boat for your group only, captain and first mate, rods, reels, tackle, bait and lures, fishing licenses, a cooler with ice and the cleaning of your catch.
- Not included: hotel transportation (we arrange it on request) and the crew tip, commonly 10 to 20% of the charter price in cash.
What fish can you catch deep sea fishing in Playa del Carmen?
The target species depend on the season, the depth and the technique. These are the common catches off Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya:
- Offshore game fish: mahi mahi (dorado), wahoo, tuna and kingfish, caught by trolling in blue water.
- Billfish: sailfish and blue and white marlin, the big game of the Caribbean, mostly from about April to September. They are released.
- Reef fish: barracuda, amberjack, snapper and grouper, caught by jigging and bottom fishing closer to the coast.
You can keep other fish within legal limits. The crew cleans and fillets them, and many restaurants in Playa del Carmen will cook your catch for a fee.
When is the best time for deep sea fishing in Playa del Carmen?
Fishing is good all year in the Mexican Caribbean, but April to September is the best time if you want a sailfish or a marlin. Reef fish like barracuda, snapper and grouper bite all year.
In winter, north winds can make the sea rough on some days, and June to November is hurricane season, so your captain checks the weather the day before your trip. Morning charters usually have the calmest water and the best scenery on the way out.
Should you book a 4, 6 or 8-hour fishing charter?
The duration decides how far out the boat can go. If you are not sure, 6 hours is a good balance between time on the water and the chance to catch bigger fish.
4 hours: the reef
Nearshore fishing on the reef for barracuda, snapper and amberjack. Good for families, beginners and anyone prone to sea sickness.
6 hours: offshore
Time to reach better offshore grounds for mahi-mahi and wahoo, with trolling and jigging.
8 hours: full day
The best chance at billfish such as sailfish and marlin, and several fishing methods in one day on the water.
Types of fishing on a charter
- Trolling: lures or bait pulled behind the moving boat in open water, for mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna and billfish.
- Jigging: metal jigs worked up and down near the bottom, for amberjack and grouper.
- Bottom fishing: bait on the reef for snapper, grouper and other reef fish, a good choice for families and beginners.
- Deep dropping: heavy tackle in very deep water for bottom species.
- Fly fishing: on the flats and lagoons of Sian Ka’an, south of Tulum, for bonefish, permit and tarpon. It needs a specialized guide and is not part of our trips.
Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Tulum or Cozumel: where should you go fishing?
Fish from the marina closest to your hotel: the fishing grounds are 30 to 60 minutes out from all of them.
If you are staying in Playa del Carmen (PDC), the panga from the town marina is the quickest option for a 4-hour trip. If you are staying in Tulum or Akumal, the Puerto Aventuras marina is the closest with bigger sport fishing boats, so a Tulum fishing trip usually starts there, and it has the widest choice of boats for an 8-hour offshore day. Cozumel, across the channel by ferry, has its own fishing charters, but from the Riviera Maya a boat from Puerto Aventuras saves you the ferry. From Cancun, Playa del Carmen is about an hour by road, and we can arrange the transportation.
Questions about deep sea fishing in Playa del Carmen
Is deep sea fishing in Playa del Carmen good?
Yes. Deep, warm water lies close to this stretch of the Caribbean coast, so you spend more of the trip fishing and less of it travelling: the fishing grounds are 30 to 60 minutes from the marina, and you pass over the reef on the way out.
How much is a fishing trip for 4 people?
Our cheapest charter is $330 USD for 4 hours on a panga for up to 5 guests, so about $83 each for four anglers. The price is for the whole boat and includes gear, bait and fishing licenses.
Are there shared fishing charters in Playa del Carmen?
Some operators sell shared charters. All our fishing charters are private: the boat, the captain and the first mate are only for your group.
Do I need a fishing license?
No need to arrange one. The fishing licenses for everyone aboard are included on every charter and on the spearfishing trip.
Is a fishing trip good for kids and beginners?
Yes. The crew rigs the lines and coaches you, and a 4-hour bottom fishing trip close to the coast is ideal for families. Life vests are on board.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Yes, within legal limits. The crew cleans and fillets your catch, and many restaurants will cook it for a fee. Sailfish and marlin are released.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. You meet the captain at the marina in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras or Akumal. We can arrange transportation from your hotel on request, at an extra cost.
What should I bring on a fishing trip?
Polarized sunglasses, a hat with a strap, a long-sleeve shirt, reef-safe sunscreen, non-slip shoes, sea sickness medication taken before you leave, and cash for the crew tip.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Safety comes first. The captain checks the sea the day before, and if conditions are unsafe the trip is rescheduled or cancelled.
How do I book a fishing charter in Playa del Carmen?
Choose a boat and book online on its page, or send us your date, number of guests and hours on WhatsApp and we recommend the right boat and confirm availability.