Fishing in Riviera Maya

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Located in the Mexican Province of Quintana Roo, the Riviera Maya is a stretch of Caribbean coastline in the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula. The Riviera Maya is...

Located in the Mexican Province of Quintana Roo, the Riviera Maya is a stretch of Caribbean coastline in the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula. The Riviera Maya isn’t only known for its numerous all-inclusive resorts, long beaches and nightlife in Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and Tulum.

The Riviera Maya is also one of the world’s top sport fishing destinations. Thousands of people head to Mexico to go fishing in Riviera Maya: offshore it’s one of the best places for Billfish, tuna, wahoo & Mahi Mahi. Bonefish, Jack Crevalle, Tarpon, Permit, and Snook are the top species when inshore fishing.

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Most popular fishing boats charters in Riviera Maya

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

Wasabi 32 Blackfin

6 32,00 ft

Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $495
Deposit non-refundable

Lobster Tales

10 40,00 ft

Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $675
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

Tres Hermanos

4 39,00 ft

Cozumel, Riviera Maya (MX)

From $399
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice

Reviews from the users

Sehr sehr schöner Ausflug. Super Guiding sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit die Bisse der Fische unbeschreiblich. Das war sicher nicht das letzte mal 👍🏻👍🏻
Matthias Schneider

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


Daniel Isla Abenojar

Tips & Tricks, bait and more

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.

Top sport fishing species in Riviera Maya

FISHING SEASON IN Riviera Maya

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

TOURISM & OTHER ACTIVITIES

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.

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 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.

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

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.

Key takeaways

Avg Capacity: 6 people
Popular fishing techniques: Bottom Fishing, Tuna fishing, Trolling
Average price: $0 per day
Low season price: $325 per day
High season price: $1600 per day
Included: Fishing tackle, Fishing License, Bait & lures

Frequently asked questions about fishing in Riviera Maya

According to our customers, some of the most popular fishing charters in Riviera Maya are:
Hewes Redfisher
Maverick
Chutzpah
Isabella

Depending on the boat, a fishing charter in Riviera Maya can accommodate up to 10 passangers, although most charters are for 6 people.

Typically in a charter in Riviera Maya, 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.

Renting a fishingboat in Riviera Maya costs on average $123 per hour. Many factors influence the price of a boat charter, such as the duration of the trip (and distance to the fishing grounds), the size of the boat or the fishing technique. Prices can range from $275 for 4 hours and 2 people to $1600 for 8 hours and 6 people.

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

In Riviera Maya 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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