Fishing in Cancun

FIND AND BOOK YOUR FISHING CHARTER

Cancun is in the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Not only is it renowned for its all-inclusive five star resorts, stunning white sand beaches and extr...

Cancun is in the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Not only is it renowned for its all-inclusive five star resorts, stunning white sand beaches and extravagant nightlife, it also offers a great fishing destination with outstanding inshore and offshore conditions.

That’s why thousands of tourists head to Mexico to go fishing in Cancun: for offshore fishing it is one of the best places for Billfish, tuna, wahoo and Mahi Mahi. Whilst Bonefish, Jack Crevalle, Tarpon, Permit and Snook are the top species when inshore fishing.

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Most popular fishing boats charters in Cancun

Hewes Redfisher

3 18,50 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 350
Deposit non-refundable

Maverick

2 16,40 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 300
Deposit non-refundable

Chutzpah

8 34,00 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 725
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Isabella

6 29,00 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 350
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Christine I

8 37,00 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 600
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Samaki

8 32,00 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 580
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice

Aventuras

8 33,00 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 725
Deposit non-refundable

Chutzpah Too

8 34,00 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 725
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Scout

2 19,00 ft

Cancun, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $ 380
Deposit non-refundable

Reviews from the users

Très belle sortie, le.coin de pêche est magnifique, surtout au lever du soleil. Nous avons bien pêché, et José a été un très bon guide.
Mélina JOLI

10 boats for charter near by Cancun

Tips & Tricks, bait and more

This abundance of fish species is due to the deep water channel just off the Yucatan coast, which narrows into a gulf stream as it passes by on its journey Northward. This, therefore creates a ‘funneling’ effect that causes an upwelling, with the baitfish and their predators close behind! 

Offshore Big Game Fishing Cancun

Most charter boats will begin trolling shortly after leaving the marina area, before heading off to visit the best spots, depending on the season, for Dorado, sailfish, Wahoo or Marlin.
Bottom fishing can also be very productive, often becoming the fishing technique of choice in the winter.

The best offshore fishing often takes place around 15 to 35 miles off coast. Meaning that longer charter trips are highly recommended, especially for those who have their sights set on the likes of the Billfish! Most deep sea fishing charters in the Riviera Maya troll with live bait such as Bonito or Blue Runners. Although dead Ballyhoos, cut bait and artificial lures with skirts and teasers are also very popular.

Deep sea fishing Cancun

Inshore, Isla Mujeres and the Isla Blanca pride themselves with some of the best fishing in the world, mostly for Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, and Snook.The Isla Blanca Lagoon is a twelve mile stretch of grassy, mud and sand flats that create the perfect condition for light tackle and fly fishing, whilst closer to home, the Nichupté Lagoon has great conditions for big Permit and is a hotspot for Cancun flats fishing.

Anglers who want to try some surf fishing should invest in shrimp and squid for the best bite from the local Snappers and Permit. Isla Mujeres, Isla Blanca and the Nichupté Lagoon are the best spots to attract all kinds of inshore predators with artificials like Poppers, stickbait, jigs and spinners. The mud and sand flats of Cancun are also ideal places for fly fishing. Fans can target Tarpon, Jack Crevalle, Permit and Bonefish in these stunning crystal clear waters.

Top sport fishing species in Cancun

FISHING SEASON IN Cancun

The Cancun fishing seasons depend on many factors (winds, currents, moon phases, seasons...) but no worries: fishing these Mexican Caribbean waters is a year round sport. Baby Tarpon and Snook can be found year round in the Cancun and the Isla Blanca area. The best time to target bigger Tarpon the summer months in Cancun and Isla Blanca.

If you're looking for Cancun Bonefish, the summer months are the most productive. Snook fishing in Cancun is great from February to August, being November, December & January the peak season for Cancun Snook fishing.

Isla Blanca is the hot spot for Permit fishing. You will hook them between May and August.

Barracuda, Snapper, Jack, Sea Trout and Ladyfish are present all year round.

January: Yellowtail (Amberjack), Grouper, King Mackerel, Snook, Tarpon, Tuna, Wahoo, Snapper

February: Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Snook, Jack Crevalle

March: Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Snook, Jack Crevalle

April: Marlin, Permit, Snook, Tarpon, Wahoo, Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Great Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Jack Crevalle

May: Blue & White Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle

June: Marlin, Sailfish, Permit, Snook, Tarpon, Trout, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.

July: White & Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.

August: Sailfish, Tuna, Mackerel, Wahoo, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.

September: Sailfish, Tuna, Yellowtail, Wahoo, Barracuda, King Mackerel, Grouper, Permit, Tarpon, Snook, Jack Crevalle.

October:  Tuna, King Mackerel, Wahoo, Yellowtail, Barracuda, Snapper, Grouper, Tarpon, Jack Crevalle

November: Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Yellowtail, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna

TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES

The range of options for tourists of all ages that Cancun offers, go beyond your imagination. There's more than fishing in Cancun. Ranging from diving & its underwater museum, exploring the ruins of Cozumel or the El Rey Ruins in Cancun, its trendy nightlife to golf, shopping, the premier spa destinations and much much more. Draw up an action-packed itinerary for your vacation in this intriguing city.

Book your hotel in the Zona Hotelera, this is a narrow strip between the Nichupté lagoon and the Caribbean Sea. Your kids will love visiting the Acuario Interactivo where they can swim with the fish. Don't miss great beaches like Playa del Carmen, Playa Tortugas and Playa Delfines with plenty of restaurants.

LEGISLATION / REGULATIONS

If you are fishing from the shore, you will not need a fishing license. However, Mexico has strict fishing regulations for fishing from boats. Essentially, every person aboard a boat that has fishing equipment on board is required to have a license.

You can purchase a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly fishing license via CONAPESCA.

You can find more information on their website, Conapesca

If you plan on using a fishing charter, most charter boats include fishing licenses in the cost of the charter, but to be sure it is best to ask when booking your trip.

How much does it cost to rent a boat to fish in Cancun?

Depending on the charter fishing boat and on the duration of your fishing tour, you’ll pay more or less for the tour. The price for a private 4 hour Cancun fishing trip with a smaller boat is $350. A half day trip with a 40ft charter costs around $800, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $1000.

What does the price include?

The price usually includes the captain, fishing tackle and fuel. On every listing we indicate whether drinks and food are included.

Make sure you know if bait, fishing licenses and the local tax (16%) is included in the price or not as this can make quite a difference in the final price.

Some fishing charters also offer (free) pick-up and transportation from and to the hotel. If the hotel is far away from the port, there can be an extra charge for the transportation.

Once you’ve made a booking, the captain will contact you to arrange the meeting point and the departure time. Also, we recommend you contact the captain a couple of days before the tour to confirm the weather forecast.

WHY FISH WITH

GET TO KNOW OTHER FISHING DESTINATIONS

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