Average Cost of Fishing Charters in the Bahamas (Full Guide)
The Bahamas offer some of the best inshore and offshore fishing in the tropics. Anglers should study the charter costs in the Bahamas carefully before going on a fishing trip.
The average cost of the Bahamas fishing charter trips that last 4 hours is $567, 6 hours is $870, 8 hours is $1107, 10 hours is $1906 and 12 hours is $2336.
The fishing destination provides anglers with easy access to lagoons, grass flats, and reefs. Both inshore and offshore charters are available for anglers. Get familiar with charter costs highlighted in this article to prepare for a Bahamas fishing trip.
Bahamas Costs: Fishing Charter Trip Length
4-hour trips
A 4-hour trip would be the perfect choice for anglers, who are interested in short trips. Such trips are known as 1/2 day trips. Based on 21 charters surveyed, you can find 4-hour trips in the Bahamas for an average of $567, with the highest cost being $900 and the lowest being $450.
If you fish for leisure or just want to master basic angling skills, it will be enough for you to spend several hours fishing. A 4-hour trip is a good choice for anglers, who give a preference to fly fishing. Such trips allow anglers to fish in inshore waters on in bays. With 4-hour trips, anglers spend about 30 minutes – 1-hour traveling and about 3 – 3.5 hours on fishing.
During a 4 hour trip, anglers don’t have enough time to go fishing in offshore waters. So, they don’t have to deal with huge waves.
A fishing trip that lasts 4 hours is a good option for families or busy anglers, who can’t spend a day on fishing. Such trips give fishermen flexibility. With a 4-hour fishing trip, anglers can go fishing in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
On the other hand, 4-hour trips are not recommended for anglers, who want to catch huge fish during their fishing adventures. In this case, longer fishing trips are worth considering.
6-hour trips
A 6-hour trip is more expensive, but such a trip gives anglers 2 additional hours. However, anglers still don’t have to spend all day fishing. Such trips are known as 3/4 day trips. Based on 13 charters surveyed, you can find 6-hour trips in the Bahamas for an average of $870, with the highest cost being $2640 and the lowest being $600.
With a 6-hour fishing trip, anglers usually fish in nearshore waters. Such trips are longer. So, anglers can explore more spots and dedicate more time to fishing. It takes anglers approximately 1 – 2 hours to get to the necessary fishing spots. That means that anglers can spend about 4 – 5 hours fishing in the Bahamas.
A 6-hour fishing trip allows anglers to go further offshore. In this case, the angler’s travel time increases and fishing time decreases. A 6-hour fishing trip is not a suitable option for families.
8-hour trips
Based on 15 charters surveyed, you can find 8-hour trips in the Bahamas for an average of $1107, with the highest cost being $1900 and the lowest being $850.
An 8-hour trip is also known as a full-day trip. Such fishing trips allow anglers to go further offshore, explore more spots and catch more fish. But most importantly, the chance to land a trophy increases during an 8-hour fishing trip. Anglers spend more time on the water and that’s why 8-hour fishing trips are more productive.
With an 8-hour trip, anglers spend 1 – 2 hours traveling and 6 – 7 hours on fishing. It’s important to know that fishing during hot summer months can be difficult. When fishing in summer, anglers have to drink a lot of water to stay cool in hot weather.
That’s why anglers have to prepare plenty of water for trips that last more than 8 hours. Plus, it’s necessary to purchase sunscreen for a fishing trip. Also, an angler should have at least one meal.
10-hour trips
Based on 19 charters surveyed, you can find 10-hour trips in the Bahamas for an average of $1906, with the highest cost being $2200 and the lowest being $1600.
Avid anglers want to spend more time fishing. So, they can consider booking an extended fishing trip in the Bahamas. With 10-hour trips, anglers usually choose to go fishing in offshore waters.
Such fishing trips allow anglers to go further offshore, visit the most remote spots and target more species in the region. It takes anglers about 2 hours to get to the fishing spots in the area. As a result, fishermen have about 8 hours that they can dedicate to fishing.
However, 10-hour trips are only possible if the weather allows anglers to fish for a long period of time. The truth is that it’s often difficult to predict the weather for longer fishing trips in the Bahamas. If the weather is bad, a fishing trip is canceled. In this case, anglers either get a full refund or a fishing trip is rescheduled.
12-hour trips
If you would like to spend more time on the water, then consider booking a 12-hour fishing trip in the Bahamas. Based on 9 charters surveyed, you can find 12-hour trips in the Bahamas for an average of $2336, with the highest cost being $3200 and the lowest being $1900.
Such fishing trips are long. That’s why the trips of this type are recommended to the professional anglers, who are interested in landing a trophy. The fishing trips give anglers plenty of time. With 12-hour trips, anglers can get the most out of their fishing adventures in the Bahamas. When preparing for a 12-hour fishing trip, anglers need to ensure that they have enough food and water.
Anglers need to know that bad weather often makes 12-hour fishing trips impossible. Powerful storms and strong winds make fishing dangerous. That’s why 12-hour fishing trips are canceled if captains see the signs of bad weather.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in the Bahamas
These Bahamas-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a great service. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Yellowtail Charters | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Captainctours Charters | Nassau, Bahamas |
| 5 G’s Fishing Charters & Tours | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Te’vaughn Adventures Charter | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Chubasco – 48’ Hatteras Sportfishing | Paradise Island, Bahamas |
| Blue Finn Charters | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Fishing 242 Charters – 32′ SeaVee | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Yellowtail Charters – 32′ | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Wahoo Charters | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Born Free Fishing – Freestyle | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Safety First Charter | Nassau, Bahamas |
| Bonefish Paradise Fishing Services | Mangrove Bush Settlement |
Bahamas: Seasonal Trip Cost Breakdowns
Spring
Spring fishing in the Bahamas is great. Fishing is becoming more productive between April and May. Anglers can fish both in inshore and deep waters in the region during the spring months. Spring is a good time to plan Bahamas fishing trips.
Fishing in the Bahamas is much cheaper in the early spring. However, the demand for fishing increases and the prices of charters go up in the late spring.
If you are interested in longer trips, then it would be better to book a charter in spring. It’s not too hot in the region during the spring months. That’s why it’s a lot easier to fish. So, you’ll manage to spend more time on the water.
Spring fishing trips in the Bahamas are very productive. Spring is the perfect time to target such species as amberjack, barracuda, bonefish, mahi-mahi, marlin, sailfish, snapper, tarpon, permit as well as yellowfin tuna and wahoo.
Summer
More species are active in the Bahamas in summer. So, anglers usually get excellent results during the summer months. Fishing in August is less productive compared to June and July.
Anglers should plan the Bahamas fishing adventures with the weather in mind. It’s crucial for anglers to book the right type of trip. Staying on the water for a long day can be hard. So, anglers should consider booking shorter trips during the hot summer months. With such trips, anglers can fish in the morning or in the evening to avoid the summer heat.
It’s also important to note that summer fishing trips in the Bahamas require special preparation. Anglers should prepare plenty of water and sunscreen for their fishing trips.
Traditionally, summer is the peak fishing season in the Bahamas. That means that charters can be unavailable in the region. That’s the reason why anglers should book a fishing charter in the area ahead of time.
The demand for fishing in the Bahamas is high in summer. Those anglers, who are planning to go on fishing trips during the summer months, must be prepared to pay higher charter costs.
In summer, anglers can target such species as amberjack, barracuda, bonefish, grouper, blue marlin, permit, snapper, swordfish, tarpon, and tuna. This list of species could go on and on.
Fall
Fishing the Bahamas in the early fall is better compared to fishing in the late fall. The weather can be rainy in the early fall. And of course, poor weather makes fishing challenging. The ideal fishing conditions are created in the region between October and November. However, fish may not bite well in the late fall. Many anglers prefer to use the flats fishing technique during the fall months.
It’s worth noting that fall months are often overlooked by anglers. That’s why the demand for charters in the Bahamas is lower in the fall. So, anglers can book a charter at cheaper prices during the fall season.
If the weather allows, anglers can experience fishing in the region during the fall months. When fishing the Bahamas during the fall months, anglers can expect to catch such species as amberjack, barracuda, bonefish, grouper, snapper, and swordfish.
Winter
In winter, many fish species are inactive. However, fishing is still possible and anglers can get good results. Winter is a great time to target wahoo in the region. The chance to catch a trophy-sized wahoo is high during the winter months.
Keep in mind that the late winter is a peak travel season in the Bahamas. The demand for fishing is high and charters can be unavailable in February. The charter costs are higher and it would be great for anglers to book a fishing trip ahead of time. During a winter fishing trip in the Bahamas, fishermen can target barracuda, bonefish, grouper, mahi-mahi, and wahoo.
Bahamas Charters: Factors Impacting Costs
Charter costs depend a lot on the demand for fishing in the region. Therefore, charter costs are higher when the demand for fishing increases. The demand for charters is high during a busy fishing season in the Bahamas. The vast majority of fish species get active in the area between the late spring and the early fall. So, anglers must be prepared to pay higher charter costs between May and September.
Gas prices are another factor that affects charter costs. If gas prices go up, fishing is becoming more expensive. The same can be said about bait prices. Fishing is getting more expensive if bait prices increase.
Anglers can go fishing either on weekdays or on weekends. If you choose to go on a fishing trip in the Bahamas on weekdays, you’ll manage to avoid crowds and save some money.
It’s also important to note that the demand for charter costs increases when the top targeted species in the Bahamas are in season. For example, many anglers visit the region to fish for tarpon and permit during the spring and summer months. Winter is the best time of year to fish for wahoo. Keep in mind that seasonal fishing trips are more expensive.
It’s also important to note that charter costs are high when popular events such as the Bimini Wahoo Mayhem Tournament take place in the region.
Cost of Shared Fishing Charters
Booking a shared fishing charter allows anglers to reduce charter costs. Such a trip is worth considering if you fish on a budget. The cost of a shared fishing charter is a flat rate.
A flat rate is a cost for a group of anglers. That means that every angler has to pay the split cost. If more anglers are on a fishing trip, then it’s necessary to pay a flat rate as well as the extra cost for each additional angler.
Additional Costs with Charter Fishing
When planning the budget for a fishing trip, anglers have to take into account charter costs as well as the additional costs. Let’s talk about the additional costs, which are associated with charter fishing in the Bahamas.
Anglers have to prepare for a trip and bring some additional things on a boat. These include meals, drinks, water as well as sunscreen.
Anglers have to get familiar with the local rules and regulations in the Bahamas when preparing for a fishing trip. It’s important to know that a fishing license is required to fish in the Bahamas legally. If a charter captain doesn’t provide a fishing license, then an angler has to purchase one.
Some charters offer a fish cleaning service. On some boats, fish that anglers catch can be prepared. Anglers need to pay more for a trip if they would like to have their fish cleaned or cooked on a boat.
As you can see, fishing costs consist of charter costs and additional costs. That’s why anglers should increase their budgets by 15 – 25% to cover the extra costs.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the Bahamas, please check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the charter costs in Destin, please check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the charter costs in Key West, please check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the charter costs in Cancun, please check out this guide.
