Fishing in Dominican Republic

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No matter what time of year you choose to visit, you’ll find it’s always the season for fishing in the Dominican Republic. It’s nothing short of a fi...

No matter what time of year you choose to visit, you’ll find it’s always the season for fishing in the Dominican Republic. It’s nothing short of a fishing paradise. Occupying the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic has a wide variety of fishing grounds, both inshore and offshore. Its offshore waters are world renown and home to an abundant variety of fish species that make fishing an exciting year-round activity.

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Most popular fishing boats charters in Dominican Republic

Diana

8 49,21 ft

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic (DO)

From $450
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

The Reef

3 23,00 ft

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (DO)

From $450
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Tease Me Sportfishing

8 42,00 ft

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (DO)

From $750
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Fortuna

8 42,00 ft

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (DO)

From $600
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Sherlock II

6 39,00 ft

Bávaro Beach, Punta Cana (DO)

From $550
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Gone Dog

5 121,39 ft

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (DO)

From $500
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Balyhoo

8 32,00 ft

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (DO)

From $850
Deposit non-refundable

One More Time

8 50,00 ft

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (DO)

From $950
FREE Cancellation 14 days notice

Cana

4 32,00 ft

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (DO)

From $400
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice

Reviews from the users

Super crew and captain for a super day - snorkeling, swimming, relaxing, drinking and discovering the island whilefishing a little!
Pierre Brun

The trip overall was great
Ryan Tyner

Fantastic Day. Caught a Kingfish and a Barracuda and saw 2 sightings of whales.
Tedd Tobey


Jessica Bedard

Tips & Tricks for Fishing Trips in Dominican Republic

The North Coast is known for its close proximity to deep offshore water which brings an assortment of fish that are fun for both expert and novice anglers. Mahi, red snapper, grouper, barracuda, marlin, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna are a few popular species in abundance, all a short boat ride from Puerto Plata, Samana, and Las Galeras.

Some of the world’s best marlin fishing can be found farther east along the North Coast of the Dominican Republic at Punta Cana, a self-contained sport fishing mecca. Although marlin are caught regularly on the entire coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana’s proximity to the Mona Passage takes marlin fishing to a whole new level. Boasting global record-breaking numbers of marlin catches, Punta Cana has been ranked the #2 billfishery in the world by Billfish Report.

Whether you are a seasoned billfish angler or are looking to get a taste of the marlin fishing action, Punta Cana’s resort atmosphere will put you in the mood to catch something big and feisty. While many visitors flock to Punta Cana, the entire Dominican Republic coastline has excellent access to deep water fishing grounds. Some visitors prefer the smaller villages for their local flavor and less boat traffic, so rest assured that you’ll find a variety of experiences that will make your fishing trip to the Dominican Republic unique. Along the South Coast, offshore fishing is popular out of Casa de Campo in La Romana, as well as in Bayahibe and Santo Domingo. Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs), deployed by local sports fishing enthusiasts, around 15 -20 miles offshore, attract blue marlins, some white marlin, sailfish, and large dolphin.

According to Marlin magazine, in this area a daytime deep-drop fishery for swordfish is coming online as well. What to expect There is no shortage of fishing charters in the Dominican Republic. Visitors can expect to find many expert guides and charter boats from the larger areas such as Punta Cana, as well as in the smaller towns and villages along the coast.

Boats book up quickly during the billfish tournament season (mid-March to late July), something to keep in mind when planning your trip. Most fishing charters in the Dominican Republic will have everything you need onboard: tackle, rods, reels, refreshments, etc. Bait is usually caught offshore, and ballyhoo is in abundance.

Top sport fishing species in Dominican Republic

FISHING SEASON IN Dominican Republic

Since fishing is year-round in the D.R., it really depends on what you want to catch.

Blue Marlin – July, August, September
White Marlin – March – June
Mahi – October - March
Wahoo – October – January
Tuna – July & August
Kingfish – July & August
Sailfish – October – March

TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES

When you are not fishing in the D.R., there is something for everybody to do: The most obvious choice is to enjoy the county’s 1,000 miles of beaches.

Visit Playa Rincón tucked into the side of Samana Bay, it consistently makes the list of top beaches in the world. For tourists that enjoy local culture and history, a visit to Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonial, the oldest colonial city center in the New World, is a must— it is one of the few places in the Caribbean that can boast “Christopher Columbus slept here.” Play golf in paradise— local resorts such as Casa de Campo and Punta Cana offer world-class golf courses and beautiful vistas. Enjoy the natural beauty of the island by visiting one of D.R.’s national parks.

Los Haitises is a jewel of ecotourism with primeval rainforest covering the coastal mountains and deep, lush valleys.

Cabarete on the North Shore is a world-famous windsurfing and kiteboarding destination, so what better place to learn a new watersport? The steady trade winds year-round provide thrilling experiences for the expert and the novice alike.

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 off-season 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. Technically, fishing licenses are required. However, 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 that billfish must be caught and released. 

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

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 Dominican Republic fishing trip starts at $450. A half day trips with larger boats cost 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. If the hotel is far away from the port, there can be an extra charge for the transportation.

Key takeaways

Avg Capacity: 9 people
Popular fishing techniques: Bottom Fishing, Tuna fishing, Trolling
Average price: $809 per day
Low season price: $500 per day
High season price: $3780 per day
Included: Fishing tackle, Fishing License, Bait & lures

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Dominican Republic

According to our customers, some of the most popular fishing charters in Dominican Republic are:
Diana
The Reef
Tease Me Sportfishing
Fortuna

Depending on the boat, a fishing charter in Dominican Republic can accommodate up to 20 passangers, although most charters are for 9 people.

Typically in a charter in Dominican Republic, a fishing boat charter will include the use of the boat, Fishing tackle, Fishing License, Bait & lures. Some charters may also include Snacks and Drinks, while others may allow you to bring your own.

The cost of a fishing charter in Dominican Republic can vary depending on the duration of the trip and the size of the boat (number of people in your group), the fishing technique or the fish species you want to target. Prices can range from $400 for 4 hours and 10 people to $3780 for 7 hours and 14 people.

In Dominican Republic, you can fish:
Yellowfin Tuna
Blue Marlin
White Marlin
Dorado
Wahoo
. Fishing regulations may vary, so make sure to check them before you go to Dominican Republic. We recommend Catch & Release, especially for undersized fish (for example using barbless hooks).

In Dominican Republic you can do a variety of fishing methods including Bottom Fishing, Tuna fishing, Trolling, Marlin fishing, Spin Fishing, Deep sea fishing. Regulations and restrictions vary depending on the species.

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