Fishing in Riviera Maya

The deep-water channel off the Yucatan Coast squeezes the Gulf Stream as it passes by on its journey northward. This "funnel" effect causes an upwelling and an abundance of bait fish and of course their predators.

Big Game fishing in the Riviera Maya

The best offshore sport fishing in Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen fishing tends to take place from 15-35 miles from shore where the guides target Marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo & dorado. This means that longer trips are highly recommended for people whose sights are set on a Billfish. Most Riviera Maya deep sea fishing charters troll with live bait such as Bonito and Blue Runners, although dead Ballyhoos, cut bait, and artificial lures with skirts and teasers are also popular.

Bottom fishing in Riviera Maya

In Riviera Maya bottom fishing is good all year round. Captains prefer bottom fishing during winter time when off shore fishing and flats fishing is rather slow. Natural bait such as squid, shrimp or cut fish is ideal to catch Amberjack, Snapper, Grouper and all kinds of smaller reef fish.

Flats fishing & Fly fishing in Riviera Maya

Anglers who want to try surf fishing should load up with shrimp and squid for the best reaction from the local Snappers and Permit. Bocapaila and Ascension Bay flats, Isla Mujeres and Isla Blanca or the Nichupté Lagoon are hotspots to target all kinds of inshore predators with artificials like Poppers, spinners, stick bait and jigs.

The flats are also ideal fly fishing in Riviera Maya. Fly fishing fans can target tarpon, Jack Crevalle, Permit and Bonefish in these crystal-clear waters.

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

Playa del Carmen fishing in 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: Deep sea fishing Playa del Carmen in September will produce fish including Sailfish, Tuna, Yellowtail, Wahoo, Barracuda and King Mackerel. Inshore there's 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 (deep sea fishing)

December: Fishing Playa del Carmen in December will produce species such as Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Yellowtail, Wahoo, King Mackerel, Tuna

Apart from fishing in Riviera Maya you can also go cycling, kite surfing, mountain biking, snorkelling & diving, sailing, hiking and much much more. Visit the water & amusement Parks. Book a day trip to Tulum or Playa del Carmen.

Visit the complex of Mayan ruins Chichen Itza, by far the most well-known attraction in Yucatan and maybe in the whole country!

Enjoy the local food in the hundreds of bars & restaurants of the area.

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 through CONAPESCA’s.

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.

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 Riviera Maya fishing trip costs $275, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $1050.

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.

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

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.