Marlin Fever
7
36,00 ft
Cap Cana Marina, Punta Cana (DO)
From
$ 750
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
Fishing in Punta Cana
If you want to know why the Dominican Republic is ranked the #2 billfishery in the world, then you must go marlin fishing in Punta Cana...
Read more..If you want to know why the Dominican Republic is ranked the #2 billfishery in the world, then you must go marlin fishing in Punta Cana. The blue and white marlin bite is strong and plentiful in the offshore waters east of Punta Cana due to its geography and proximity to the Mona Passage: a 65 kilometer channel between the island of Hispaniola and Puerto Rico.
Punta Cana is a popular tourist destination known for its beaches and balnearios. Besides fishing Punta Cana it's also a great place for windsurfing, golf and diving (due to the fantastic Marine biodiversity).
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Most popular fishing boats charters in Punta Cana
Tease Me Sportfishing
8
42,00 ft
Cap Cana Marina, Punta Cana (DO)
From
$ 650
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
Reviews from the users
24 boats for charter near by Punta Cana
Tips & Tricks, bait and more
As is true with most of the Dominican Republic, at Punta Cana deep water is very easy to get to; boats will have fishing lines in the water 5 minutes after leaving the dock. But proximity to the Mona Passage is what makes Punta Cana fishing exceptional. Major currents flow through the channel, and combined with tropical trade winds, can create the conditions for rough seas. But it’s those same currents which make the passage a major thoroughfare for pelagic species of fish, migrating from one body of water to the next.
The Mona Passage: Marlin Country
Punta Cana fishing is closely related to the Mona Passage. Punta Cana is right next to a fish highway, with easy access to game fish such as wahoo, dolphin, tuna, and every species of Atlantic billfish. In addition to the accessibility, the Mona Passage also boasts of a unique series of banks, known to locals as “the rocks.” These underwater rocks are attractive to pelagic species because they provide reef-like shelter and food sources for bait fish— this is what Saltwater Sportsman calls “marlin country.”
Reef fishing in Punta Cana
When the marlins are not biting there are plenty of alternatives. Deep dropping or deep sea fishing in Punta Cana for snappers and groupers always brings a healthy catch home, and it’s hard to troll a line and not catch some dolphin. Inshore fishing in Punta Cana is mostly reef, lagoon, and beach. Although many good fishing grounds are located on private property, and inaccessible, beach and shore fishing is available in certain areas.
Inshore fishing in Punta Cana
If you are staying at a hotel it is a good idea to ask permission, some beaches and inshore areas are only open to hotel guests. Inshore fishing focuses on catching jacks, groupers, small snappers, barracudas, and needlefish. Permit are known to roam in between the reef and the beach. According to local fishing captains, a good place to fish from shore is Cap Cana channel, Cabo Engaño, and Bravero Beach, but be mindful when wading, boots are recommended.
Lagoons are also popular inshore fishing spots, where you’ll find tilapia, snook, and tarpon. Laguna Limon, Laguna de Nissibon, and Laguna Cabeza de Toro are all recommended and accessible from Punta Cana. Reef fishing by kayak is another inshore option, and a great way to catch smaller grouper, snappers, wrasse, and other reef species.
Punta Cana is a luxury resort area with over 50 international hotel chains, private cabanas, and condos for rent— some which have a sportfishing boat docked right in the backyard! Punta Cana airport is one of the busiest in the Caribbean region. The climate is tropical, and the rainy season is in the fall (October – November).
Top sport fishing species in Punta Cana
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Mahi Mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are also commonly referred to as dorado, dolphin or dolphinfish. They are recognizable by their bluntly shaped heads, long dorsal fin and their bright colouring, dark blue and green on their dorsal side and yellow on their sides and underside.
MORE INFO >Dorado
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The Blue Marlin (Makaira nigricans) is probably the most wanted fish in the sport fishing world. The magnificent fighter usually feeds during day time on fish, octopuses and squids. Blue Marlin is mainly caught trolling with artificial lures or with dead bait (bonito, mackerel...).
MORE INFO >Blue Marlin
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The great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), often referred to as barracuda, is a long predator that can be found in tropical and subtropical waters where they like to patroll mangroves, reefs and drop-offs. Record barracuda can grow to 1,5m and weigh over 45kg (100lb+).
MORE INFO >Barracuda
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Yellowfin tuna grow fast, up to 400 pounds (180kg) in about a 7-year lifespan, and they range in length from 59 inches to 88 inches long. They’re known for their torpedo shape, with a pointed nose and a sickle-shaped tail, and have dark blue backs with yellow sides (thus their name) with a silver underside.
MORE INFO >Yellowfin Tuna
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Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), also known as Ono (meaning “delicious” in Hawaiian), are found in many subtropical and tropical waters. They’re identifiable by their blue-green upper body which shifts into silver towards their belly. They also have blue vertical striping along their sides. These predators are torpedo-shaped and have long and largemouths with teeth.
MORE INFO >Wahoo
FISHING SEASON IN Punta Cana
Punta Cana is known for its unique beauty and the best deep sea fishing spots for Marlins (Bill Fish). Within 10 minutes from departure time you can start fishing in Punta Cana. In no time, you will be ready to catch Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Blue and White Marlins, Yellowfin Tuna, Albacora, Barracuda, and Carite.
Punta Cana fishing and its fish species. Generally speaking, from January to May, we have white marlin, sailfish, mahi mahi and wahoo. And from July to December there's blue marlins, mahi mahi (dorado), yellowfin tuna, and wahoo.
Although there's mahi mahi all year round, the best time to catch mahi mahi in Punta Cana is from November to March.
Blue Marlin: July – September, but you can catch them until December
White Marlin: March, april, may & june are great months
Wahoo: September – December
Sailfish: February – May
Yellowfin Tuna: July to December
The following fish can be found year-round, from the shore or on board a Punta Cana fishing charter:
Snapper, grouper, cobia, jack, mackerel, kingfish, swordfish, tarpons, permit, bonefish, and shark.
TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES
There are 62 miles of shoreline and tons of things to do instead of fishing in Punta Cana. Humpback whales migrate to the warm tropical waters off of the North Shore from January to March, so check out the whale watching tours from Punta Cana to see these giants up close.
Watersports are very popular activities in Punta Cana. You’ll find everything from speedboat rides, sailing, discovery cruises, dolphin tours, dive tours, and snorkeling. You can also explore the reef and shallows by renting a kayak or stand up paddleboard (SUP).
Windsurfing and Kiteboarding in Punta Cana are very popular activities thanks to the steady trade winds year-round. Cabarete is a world-famous windsurfing and kiteboarding destination, so if you’ve never tried windsurfing or kiteboarding before, it’s a great place to try it out!
Golf enthusiasts will want to explore some of the Domincan Republic’s world-class golf courses. The D.R. has 26 golf courses, 11 of which are in Punta Cana!
The most popular sport in the Dominican Republic is baseball, and it is home to 10% of Major League baseball players, including David Ortiz, Luis Pujols, and Jose Reyes. If you happen to be in D.R. during the months of October – January, you can get your offseason baseball fix by scoring tickets to one of the 50 games during the Dominican Republic Winter League season.
LEGISLATION / REGULATIONS
Fishing in the Dominican Republic is lightly regulated. Although technically fishing licenses are required, fishing regulations are rarely enforced, therefore it is difficult to find places that sell fishing licenses to even buy one. The one rule that is enforced is the catch and release of billfish species.
Fishing charters in Punta Cana and in the Dominican Republic normally include the local fishing license in their service and you don't have to worry about permits.
How much does it cost to rent a boat to fish in Punta Cana?
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 Punta Cana fishing trip with a smaller boat is $450. A half day trip with a 40ft charter costs around $600, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $1250 tot $1350.
What does the price include?
The price usually includes the captain, fishing tackle, fuel, bait & lures and licenses. On every listing we indicate whether drinks and food are included. Some fishing charters also offer (free) pick-up and transportation from and to the hotel.
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.
