Best Times & Seasons to Fish Aruba (A Complete Guide)
Aruba is one of the best vacation destinations on earth but it is home to some of the world’s finest fishing as well. Knowing the best times and seasons to plan a fishing trip to Aruba can lead to huge fishing success.
The best time to fish in Aruba is between March and October, though there are many species that peak during the winter months and/or stay around all year round. The tropical climate and warm water make it the perfect time for fishing.
| Fish Species | Best Season & Times to Catch Fish |
| Marlin | September through November |
| Mahi Mahi | Year-round; spring can be very good |
| Wahoo | Year-round; fall can be very good |
| Grouper | November through February |
| Barracuda | December through March |
| Bonefish | March to October |
| King Mackerel | July through December is best |
Though it’s only 20 miles long and a shear 5 miles wide, this tiny paradise offers some of the most sought-after fish in the sports fishing world. From fishing on the shore to deep-sea waters, Aruba has it all, not to mention an incredible array of inshore shallows.
Best Time to Fish Aruba
As you already know, Aruba is a prime vacation destination all year round. Though summer is considered to be peak vacation time for many locations around the world, Aruba is popular all year round. The fishing is the same.
Though fishing in Aruba is best between March and October, there isn’t much difference between then and the rest of the year. The opportunities for both inshore and offshore fishing in Aruba will give you plenty to choose from no matter what time you come down.
Top Fishing Spots in Aruba: Best Times
Malmok Beach
Malmok Beach is on the Northern point of the island and is a favorite destination among snorkelers from all over the world. That’s because of the reef. It’s also popular among anglers for being a great location for shore fishing.
You can cast a line and expect anything from a snook or barracuda to a bonefish or grouper. The best time to go is during high tide when even larger of these species make an appearance in the shallow waters.
Manchebo Beach
When you fish at Manchebo Beach, you’ll be sheltered from the stronger winds which are prevalent on the northern shores as it is on the southern portion of the island. Fishing from the shore is great for catching juvenile snook and permit.
However, not too far from shore is one of the best places around Aruba for tuna, dolphin fish, and even kingfish. With a local charter, you’ll be on a monster in no time.
Renaissance Marina
Being in the Island’s capital city makes the Renaissance Marina home to the most fishing charters on the Island. This makes it easy to find a great charter even at the last minute. Some of the best charters call the marina home as it offers some of the easiest access to deeper waters.
Noord
Being on the northern coast makes Noord windier than its southern counterparts but being the second-largest city on the island makes it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
The wind, however, doesn’t hinder the fishing much as it’s also a great place for marlin, tuna, and dolphin fish.
Spanish Lagoon
When it comes to fly fishing in Aruba, there’s none better than the Spanish Lagoon. It is on the southern coast and is filled with kayaks and flatboats on a daily basis.
That’s because the tarpon, bonefish, and barracuda action make even a novice angler look good. You’ll still want a guide, though, as they will know which tackle is right for a specific day’s conditions.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Aruba
These Aruba-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, 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 | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Dorothy Fishing Charters | Inshore, Offshore, Billfish |
| Teaser Charters | Offshore & Billfish |
| Lady Sarah Fishing Charters | Offshore & Billfish |
| Kristel Fishing Aruba | Offshore & Billfish |
| Sunrise Charters N.V. | Inshore, Offshore, Billfish |
Aruba Species Breakdown: Best Seasons
Aruba is home to some of the most iconic fish in the world. In this section, we’re going to break these down and see what you can expect and what time of the year is best for fishing in Aruba.
Marlin
When it comes to deep-sea fishing, it doesn’t get more iconic than a marlin. The explosive, beautiful display of color and power makes this fish an incredible catch. On the northeastern side of the island, the waters drop to an impressive 1,000 feet only feet from the shore.
This means you won’t have to travel far to get to the big ones. Marlins, especially blue and white, peak in the fall season.
Mahi Mahi
Deep-sea fishing in the tropics isn’t complete without the mahi mahi making its way to your hook. This tasty fish is a favorite of many for its explosive hit and long, aggressive runs.
You’ll likely head to the west side of the Island for the dolphin fish and want to look for any floating objects, such as weeds, as the mahi mahi are likely hiding under it. The mahi mahi is a true year-round fish in Aruba.
Wahoo
The wahoo is a tropical fish, making Aruba a perfect place to fish for it. Another year-round fish, the wahoo like to be around the reefs.
This means not much travel is required to find them. Keep in mind, the larger ones will be in the deeper waters. And, if you find a dolphin fish, a wahoo is likely to be close by.
Bonefish
You cannot come to Aruba, or any place in the tropics for that matter, to fish without trying your hand at the elusive bonefish. These lightning-fast fish are popular in the shallow flats where the skill and technique of even the most experienced angler will be put to the test.
Bonefish peak from March to October. Though the fish are around all year, these months bring less wind making it slightly easier to land one.
Barracuda
Another favorite of the shallow flats, barracudas, especially the young ones, are a favorite of inshore fishermen. You can find the more mature fish out in the deeper waters, but you’re likely to enjoy the taste of the young ones better. The peak season for barracuda in Aruba is December to March, though they can also be found throughout the entire year.
King Mackerel
Among deep water species, the kingfish comes by its name honestly. While definitely not the biggest of the bunch, the king Mackerel is an excellent fish to fight, testing the skills and might of even an experienced angler.
The peak season for king mackerel in Aruba is between July and December with a slight cool-down from January to March.
Grouper
No list of fish in Aruba would be complete without adding the many species of grouper. Grouper is the supreme leader of the bottom-dwelling species, especially when it comes to the goliath grouper.
All major species of grouper can be found around Aruba. The peak time to catch grouper is November to February, though there’s only a slight difference the rest of the year.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic to create your combo.
Best Time of Day to Fish Aruba
The morning hours are the best time of day to fish Aruba. The tides are changing at this time, causing baitfish to be more active. Also, the low-light scenario is when the predatory fish are the most aggressive.
This makes for the perfect combination for fishing. Morning is also best when fishing from the shore as the high tide allows for more fish, and larger fish, to be closer to shore.
or a complete breakdown of the best time to fish near Panama, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
Storms & Aruba Fishing
Being in the Caribbean puts a large target on Aruba and the other islands around it when it comes to storms, especially hurricanes. And these storms can disrupt the fishing for many days, depending on the severity. The worse time for storms in Aruba is during the summer.
Fish will sense the change in the barometric pressure sometimes days before the actual storm arrives. They know something is about to happen, so they begin to feed like crazy in preparation for going days without much access to food.
That means the day or two before a storm comes in is some of the best fishing you will find. However, it can also be quite dangerous.
When the storms arrive, fish will seek out deeper, safer waters until the storm passes and the pressure normalizes.
This sends them into yet another feeding frenzy as they make up for not eating much during the storm. If it’s safe to do so, fishing after the storm is also a great time for fishing.
Is winter fishing bad or good in Aruba?
The fishing around Aruba knows no season as the tropical climate makes for great fishing throughout the entire year. However, the winter season does tend to bring calmer waters with fewer storms coming through. This equals fewer cancelations for rough seas and weather.
Some of the species you can expect to land in the winter months are tuna (especially bluefin), marlin, and even some sharks. You will have to compete with more tourists, though, as many will be escaping the warmer weather from the north.
Night Fishing in Aruba
Though it is possible in Aruba, night fishing in Aruba has the tendency to be unpredictable. The one sure thing is when you’re most likely to have success, and that is during a full moon. There are two reasons for this.
First is the tide. The tide is highest during a full moon as there is more gravitational force on the water. This means the tide will be in longer and, as we discussed earlier, high tides equals lots of activity.
The second reason is that the full moon gives more light in the water, mimicking the low-light scenario of early morning. The predators will use this low light to become more aggressive in their hunting. This means they will likely hit any bait you throw at them.
For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish near Barbados, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
Booking Fishing Charters in Aruba
Though there are ample opportunities to fish from the shore in Aruba, you’ll need to book a charter to experience most of what Aruba has to offer. In this section, we will help you break down when you should book a charter, as well as how long the charter should be.
Best Season to Go
It would be difficult to say what season is better than another when it comes to the fishing in Aruba; it’s just that good. However, there may be times that are better for booking a charter than others.
As we stated earlier, there’s no peak time where tourists are more likely to come; it’s busy all year round. However, if there was a specific time designated as peak travel time, it would be during the winter. That’s when many escape the cooler temps of the north.
This means the summer months are actually the best value in terms of booking a charter as there is slightly less competition.
Morning vs. Evening
This is going to be an important decision to make concerning your charter trip; do you go in the morning or afternoon. While the afternoon holds promise if you want to be sure your trip will be a success, book a morning trip. The fish are much more active in the morning.
That being said, the larger fish are likely to feed all day long so it may take an entire day to land a monster. But, if your trip’s success isn’t gauged by the size of the fish but the number of fish you catch, go for the morning trip.
Trip Length
You’ll have two main lengths of trips to choose from when booking a fishing charter in Aruba: half-day and full day.
Half-day
Half-day trips, usually between 4-6 hours long are by far the most popular in Aruba. That’s because the deep waters are literally feet from the shore. A half-day trip is plenty of time to reach the waters here most of the deep-water species dwell.
Plus, it means you’re not out on the water all day. As mentioned above, though, you will want to go for a morning trip if possible.
Full-Day
While not a necessity, a full-day trip gives you the biggest chance at landing the larger fish. Though the fishing grounds are close, it can sometimes take a few hours before you’re hooked on a larger fish. This means a half-day trip stands the chance of not getting on the big fish.
Plus, a full-day trip allows you to experience the fishing in Aruba; in the morning you could target inshore species before moving to where the larger fish are in the deep waters.
Aruba Fishing & Tidal Impacts
With deeper waters being just off the coast, the tides play a large role in the fishing in Aruba. As the tides come in, the movement causes smaller fish to begin feeding as the tides kick up debris and other smaller organisms they feed on. This, in turn, gives more prey for the larger fish, sending them into a feeding frenzy.
The tides rise and fall two different times, though the morning tide is the lowest of the day. The tides will come in till mid-afternoon before falling.
This fall in the late afternoon clears the shallows and flats as they are not likely to have enough water for the likes of bonefish and barracuda to swim. Getting a local guide who understands the tides will have a great effect on your fishing trip.
Shore Fishing: Best Times in Aruba
Shore fishing is incredibly popular in Aruba. The scenery while fishing from the beach, alone, offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience unlike anything in the world. However, since the deep waters are so close to the shore, you have more of an opportunity to land many species only found in deeper waters.
Don’t expect to land a world-record tuna from the shore, but it’s not unheard of to catch a juvenile mahi mahi or wahoo.
Shore fishing is also very popular inshore, and the flats offer a great chance at bonefish and juvenile barracuda.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Mahi Mahi in Florida, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Mahi Mahi in the Florida Keys, please check out this helpful article. To learn how good fishing in Aruba is, check out this article.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Curacao, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Turks & Caicos, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Honduras, check out this article.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Guatemala, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ecuador, check out this guide.
