Booking a Riviera Maya fishing charter is mostly three decisions: which boat, how many hours, and what month you are coming. Get those right and the rest takes care of itself. This guide walks through all three with real numbers, then tells you exactly how booking works.
Quick truth first
"Riviera Maya" covers about 80 miles of coast, but almost none of it has a marina deep enough for sportfishing boats. Cancún has one at the north end. Everything from Puerto Morelos to Tulum runs out of Puerto Aventuras Marina, which sits roughly halfway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. That is where our boats live, and it is a genuine advantage: the drop-off is close enough that you are fishing within 15 minutes of leaving the dock instead of burning an hour of your charter getting there.
Where you actually fish
The Yucatán shelf falls away fast here. Within a mile or two of the beach the bottom drops from 100 feet to well over 1,000, and that ledge is where the blue water sits. It is the reason this stretch fishes so well on short trips: in most of the world a serious offshore run costs you an hour each way, and here it costs you fifteen minutes.
Closer in, the Mesoamerican Reef runs parallel to shore, the second-largest barrier reef on earth. That gives you two different days on the same boat. Push out past the reef for billfish, tuna and mahi, or stay on the inside for snapper, grouper and barracuda, with a snorkel stop on the way home if the group has non-anglers in it.
The three boats, and how to choose
All charters are 100% private. You are never put on a boat with another group, which matters more than people expect once someone gets seasick or a kid decides they are done fishing after two hours.
32' Blackfin
Up to 6 guests. Deep-V hull, so it handles a lumpy day better than its size suggests. The right pick for couples, small families, and anyone whose main goal is to fish rather than to lounge. Most-booked boat we run.
38' Luhrs Express
Up to 10 guests. Wider beam, full galley, and a proper bathroom with a shower, which is the detail that decides it for most mixed groups. Comfortable enough for a full eight-hour day without anyone getting cranky.
45' Viking Express
Up to 15 guests. Tournament-grade boat with the speed to reach fish other boats give up on, plus a lounge and sleeping accommodations below. For larger groups, celebrations, or anglers who want the serious billfish setup.
Riviera Maya fishing charter prices
Prices below are per boat, not per person, and they are current as of 2026. A group of six on the Blackfin splits one price six ways.
| Boat | Max guests | 3 hrs | 4 hrs | 6 hrs | 8 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32' Blackfin | 6 | $450 | $550 | $750 | $1,000 |
| 38' Luhrs Express | 10 | $670 | $750 | $1,050 | $1,150 |
| 45' Viking Express | 15 | $700 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,450 |
Add a $15 USD per person dock fee, which covers marina parking, restrooms and wifi. Fishing licences are already included, so there is nothing to buy at the dock.
How many hours do you actually need?
Honest guidance, because booking too long is the most common mistake:
- 3 hours — reef fishing and a snorkel stop. Fine for kids and first-timers, but not enough to chase billfish.
- 4 hours — the sweet spot for most families. Enough time to work the drop-off properly and still be back for lunch.
- 6 hours — what you want if a sailfish or marlin is the goal. Gives the captain room to move if the first spot is quiet.
- 8 hours — serious anglers, peak season, or groups who want to run further for tuna and wahoo.
If you are visiting in May or June and billfish are the reason you are coming, book six. Any other month, four does the job.
What is biting, month by month
This is the calendar our captains actually plan around. It is worth building your trip around it if you have any flexibility, because the difference between a peak month and a slow one for a given species is not subtle.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barracuda | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Wahoo | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Kingfish | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Spanish Mackerel | Rare | Rare | Rare | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Fair | Rare | Rare |
| Bonito | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Rare | Rare | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Tuna | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Amberjack | Peak | Peak | Peak | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Mahi Mahi | Rare | Rare | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare |
| Sailfish | Rare | Fair | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare |
| White Marlin | Rare | Rare | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare |
| Blue Marlin | Rare | Rare | Fair | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare | Rare |
Three things fall out of that table:
- May and June are the best two months of the year. Sailfish, blue marlin, white marlin and mahi are all peaking at once. Nothing else comes close.
- October through March is the underrated window. Billfish thin out, but amberjack and bonito peak, tuna and wahoo hold steady, and you are fishing in perfect weather with far fewer boats around.
- There is no dead month. Barracuda are excellent all twelve, and wahoo never drop below good. Even in the slowest stretch you are catching fish.
For a closer look at the offshore side of this, read our guide to deep sea fishing in the Riviera Maya. And before you travel, the current fishing report shows what has actually been coming over the rail this week.
Check your dates
Tell us the day and the size of your group and we will come back with availability, usually within 24 hours.
Check AvailabilityWhat is included
A private charter covers the whole day, not just the boat:
- Experienced English-speaking captain and mate
- All rods, reels, tackle and fresh bait
- Fishing licences
- Snorkelling gear for a reef stop
- Ice, bottled water, soft drinks, fresh fruit and chips
- Fresh ceviche and guacamole made onboard from your first catch
- Your keeper fish cleaned, filleted and bagged
The ceviche is not a throwaway detail. The mate makes it on the boat from what you just caught, and it is the single thing guests mention most often afterwards. Marina restaurants will also cook your catch for a small fee if you would rather eat it right there.
Optional add-ons include roundtrip transport from your hotel, drink packages and food packages. See additional services ›
Getting to the marina
Puerto Aventuras Marina is a gated marina community directly off Highway 307, the road that connects Cancún to Tulum. Rough drive times:
| Coming from | Drive time | Roundtrip transport (1-6) |
|---|---|---|
| Playa del Carmen | 20-25 min | $160 USD |
| Tulum | 30-40 min | $180 USD |
| Puerto Morelos | 45-55 min | $200 USD |
| Cancún hotel zone | 60-75 min | Ask when booking |
Free parking is available across from Dolphin Discovery. If you would rather not drive, air-conditioned roundtrip transport can be added to any charter, with pickup anywhere from Puerto Morelos down to Tulum.
What to bring
Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a light layer for the run out, and a card for the dock fee. Everything else is on the boat. If you are prone to seasickness, take something an hour before you board rather than once you feel it.
Why book with us
- 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice winner, awarded on a full year of guest reviews
- Hundreds of five-star reviews, with crew named individually in most of them
- Captains and mates who grew up fishing this coast, all fluent in English
- 100% private charters, never shared
- 30% deposit to hold a date, fully refundable if weather cancels the trip
How booking works
Pick a boat and a number of hours, send us your date, and we confirm availability, usually within 24 hours. If the boat is free we send a payment link for a 30% deposit by card, and that locks your date. The balance is settled at the marina.
Unsure which boat or how many hours? Tell us the group size and what you are hoping to catch and we will tell you honestly what fits.
Ready to book?
Private charters out of Puerto Aventuras Marina, seven days a week.
Check AvailabilityFrequently asked questions
How much is a fishing charter in the Riviera Maya?
Private charters run from $450 USD for three hours on the 32' Blackfin up to $1,450 USD for eight hours on the 45' Viking. That is the price for the whole boat, split however many people you bring, plus a $15 per person dock fee.
Are the charters private or shared?
All of our charters are 100% private. You will never be placed on a boat with another group.
Where do the boats leave from?
Puerto Aventuras Marina, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, directly off Highway 307.
What is the best month to fish the Riviera Maya?
May and June, when sailfish, blue marlin, white marlin and mahi-mahi all peak together. October through March is quieter for billfish but excellent for amberjack, bonito and tuna, with better weather and fewer boats.
Do I need a fishing licence?
No. All required licences are included in the charter price.
Can I keep what I catch?
Yes. Your keeper fish are cleaned, filleted and bagged before you leave the dock, and marina restaurants will cook them for you for a small fee. Billfish are released.
Is it good for kids and non-anglers?
Very. A three or four hour reef trip with a snorkel stop suits families well, and because the boat is private you can head in early if the group has had enough.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Weather here is extremely local and forecasts are often wrong for this stretch of coast. Our captains track conditions hour by hour and will tell you the same day if a trip cannot run. If we cancel for weather, your deposit is fully refundable.
How far offshore do you go?
Usually one to three miles. The shelf drops off very close to shore here, so blue water is about fifteen minutes from the dock.
How far in advance should I book?
For May and June, or Christmas and New Year, book several weeks out. Other months a week or two is usually enough, though weekends fill first.