Where We Fish

Real fishing grounds off Guanacaste's Pacific coast

From the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Papagayo to the rocky reefs of Captain Island, these are the real spots our captains have fished for over 30 years.

Fishing Grounds

20+

Target Species

30+

Years Fishing These Waters

50+

Miles of Coastline

Our Home Base: Tamarindo Beach

All three boats in our fleet depart from Tamarindo Beach via water taxi. From here, you can reach every fishing ground on this page.

Tamarindo Beach

The authentic Costa Rica fishing experience. Water taxi from the beach, 3 boats, and the fastest access to the continental shelf.

Coyote Tres (35ft), Flamingo II (31ft) & Salsa (27ft)
Under 1 hour to blue water
1 hour from Liberia airport (LIR)

View Tamarindo charters →

Inshore vs. Offshore: Which Trip Is Right for You?

Understanding the difference helps you pick the perfect charter for your group.

Inshore Fishing

Stay close to shore along reefs, rocky points, and beaches. Non-stop action with lighter tackle and calmer water.

Distance 1-15 miles from shore

Trip length Half-day (4-6 hrs)

Best for Families, beginners

Top species Roosterfish, Snapper

Offshore (Deep Sea) Fishing

Head to blue water for the big game species. This is where you chase trophy marlin, sailfish, and tuna.

Distance 20-40+ miles offshore

Trip length Full-day (8+ hrs)

Best for Trophy hunters, groups

Top species Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna

Not sure which to pick? Ask Captain Frank — he'll recommend the right trip based on your group, experience, and what's biting.

Our Fishing Grounds

Real spots our captains have fished for over 30 years. Every location is a proven producer — no filler, no fiction.

Offshore

Gulf of Papagayo

Guanacaste's premier offshore fishing ground. The seasonal Papagayo winds create powerful upwellings that push nutrient-rich deep water to the surface, triggering a food chain reaction that attracts massive billfish, tuna, and pelagic species. This is where most tournament-winning fish are caught and where our captains head when conditions align for a trophy day.

Distance: 20-40 miles offshore

Travel: 45 min - 1.5 hrs

Best season: November - April

Target Species

Blue Marlin Pacific Sailfish Yellowfin Tuna Wahoo +1 more

Departs from

Tamarindo

Inshore & Offshore

Catalina Islands

Located roughly 45 minutes from Tamarindo, the Catalinas are legendary among Guanacaste anglers. Underwater rock formations and strong currents concentrate massive schools of baitfish, drawing in roosterfish, cubera snapper, and yellowfin tuna. The islands offer both inshore action along the rocky shoreline and blue-water trolling just beyond the drop-off.

Distance: 15 miles from Tamarindo

Travel: 45 minutes

Best season: Year-round

Target Species

Roosterfish Cubera Snapper Yellowfin Tuna Pacific Sailfish +2 more

Departs from

Tamarindo

Offshore

Bat Islands (Islas Murcielago)

The Bat Islands sit at the northern tip of the Santa Rosa National Park inside the Gulf of Papagayo. Deep water drops off sharply around these rocky islands, creating prime conditions for big blue and black marlin, especially during the dry season. The nutrient-rich currents here are among the strongest in Guanacaste — this is where Captain Frank has landed some of his biggest fish over 30 years.

Distance: 35-45 miles from Tamarindo

Travel: 2 - 2.5 hrs

Best season: November - March

Target Species

Blue Marlin Black Marlin Pacific Sailfish Yellowfin Tuna +1 more

Departs from

Tamarindo

Offshore

Offshore Seamounts

A series of underwater ridges and peaks 25-40 miles off the Guanacaste coast. These seamounts rise from the ocean floor and disrupt deep currents, concentrating bait and attracting large pelagic predators. On a full-day offshore trip, our captains run to specific seamounts based on current conditions, water temperature breaks, and satellite data. This is deep blue water fishing at its finest.

Distance: 25-40 miles offshore

Travel: 1 - 1.5 hrs

Best season: Year-round (peak Dec-Apr)

Target Species

Blue Marlin Striped Marlin Yellowfin Tuna Mahi-Mahi +2 more

Departs from

Tamarindo

Inshore

Tamarindo Reef Line & Captain Island

The rocky reef structure stretching from Tamarindo Beach past Captain Island is the go-to inshore fishing ground for our half-day charters. Live sardines drifted along the reef edges produce explosive roosterfish strikes, while bottom fishing the drop-offs yields cubera snapper and grouper. This area is close to shore, making it ideal for families, first-timers, and anyone who wants non-stop action without a long boat ride.

Distance: 1-5 miles from beach

Travel: 10-20 minutes

Best season: Year-round

Target Species

Roosterfish Cubera Snapper Jack Crevalle Grouper +1 more

Departs from

Tamarindo

Inshore

Playa Grande & Witch's Rock

North of Tamarindo, the beaches and rocky points around Playa Grande and the iconic Witch's Rock offer outstanding inshore fishing. Roosterfish cruise the surf line here in healthy numbers, especially during the early morning tide changes. The sandy bottom transitions to rocky structure where snapper and grouper hold. This stretch is also part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, home to nesting leatherback sea turtles — a reminder of the rich ecosystem that supports this incredible fishery.

Distance: 5-10 miles north of Tamarindo

Travel: 20-30 minutes

Best season: Year-round (peak Apr-Aug)

Target Species

Roosterfish Cubera Snapper Jack Crevalle Snook +1 more

Departs from

Tamarindo

Find Us on the Map

Our home base in Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste.

Tamarindo Beach

Beach pick-up point, north end

Fishing Grounds FAQ

What is the difference between inshore and offshore fishing?

Inshore fishing stays within 1-5 miles of the coast, targeting species like roosterfish, snapper, and jack crevalle along reefs and rocky structure. Trips are typically 4-6 hours and ideal for families and beginners. Offshore (deep sea) fishing heads 20-40+ miles out to blue water for marlin, sailfish, tuna, and wahoo. Full-day trips (8+ hours) are recommended for offshore.

How close is Tamarindo to the best fishing grounds?

Tamarindo is perfectly positioned to access all of Guanacaste's top fishing grounds — the Gulf of Papagayo, the seamounts, the Catalina Islands, and the Bat Islands are all reachable from Tamarindo Beach. Inshore spots like the reef line and Playa Grande are just minutes away. Your captain will choose the best grounds based on current conditions.

How does the captain decide where to fish on my trip?

Our captains check water temperature charts, satellite imagery, current patterns, and reports from other boats before every trip. They also factor in the tide, wind, time of year, and what species you want to target. After 30+ years on these waters, Captain Frank and our crew know exactly where the fish will be on any given day.

Can I request a specific fishing ground?

Absolutely. If you have a preference — say you want to fish the Catalina Islands for roosterfish or run offshore to the seamounts for marlin — let us know when booking and we will build the trip around it. Our captains are happy to customize based on your goals.

Do I need a full-day trip for offshore fishing?

We strongly recommend it. Offshore grounds are 1-2 hours from port each way, so a half-day trip limits your actual fishing time. A full-day charter (8 hours) gives you 5-6 hours of productive fishing at the best spots. For inshore fishing, a half-day is plenty — the reef line and Playa Grande are just minutes from Tamarindo Beach.

Ready to Hit These Fishing Grounds?

Tell us what species you want to target and we'll recommend the best grounds, trip type, and departure point for your dates.

Book Your Charter View Prices & Packages

Questions? Call Captain Frank directly:

Call us at +506 83633509