Best Times & Seasons to Fish Punta Cana (A Complete Guide)

Punta Cana is one of the best fishing destinations in the Caribbean Sea and abound with huge numbers of gamefish. Knowing the best time of year and of the day to fish Punta Cana can make a huge difference for you and lead to more fun fishing.

Spring is the best time to catch yellowfin tuna, white marlin in Punta Cana. Winter is the best season for sailfish, mahi mahi, tarpon, and wahoo. Amberjack and grouper can be caught all year in Punta Cana.

Fish Species	Best Times to Fish in Punta Cana Waters
Sailfish	October-March. Peak activity December-February. Off-shore.
Blue Marlin	Year-round availability. The best months are July-September. Off-shore.
Yellowfin Tuna	Year-round availability. March-June are the best months. Can be caught any time of day. Off-shore.
Mahi Mahi	Year-round availability. October-April are the best months. Off-shore.
White Marlin	Year-round availability. April-June are the best months. Off-shore.
Tarpon	Year-round availability. November- March are the peak months. In-shore/Reef.
Wahoo	Year-round availability. October-February are the best months. Off-shore.
Amberjack	Year-round availability. No down months, active all year. In-shore/Off-shore/Reef are the best locations.
Grouper	Year-round availability. Good all year. In-shore/Reef are the best locations.

Punta Cana is a beautiful area on the storied “coconut coast” of the Dominican Republic. Boasting nearly 20 miles of pristine white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, it is a vacationer paradise known worldwide for windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and fishing.

With its warm temperatures year-round, a nearby reef that attracts numerous species in-shore and off, and a friendly and inviting atmosphere, let’s dive into why Punta Cana is a premier Caribbean fishing destination.

Best Time to Fish Punta Cana

With warm temperatures all year, Punta Cana is an angler’s paradise. The average temperature is around 80 degrees and there’s really no stop in the action for most species in the area, although some times of year will be better than others.

The peak tourist season is December through February and you will see prices as well as crowds at their highest during these times. The Dominican Republic is also susceptible to the hurricane season which lasts from May through November, so bear that in mind when booking as a tropical storm can really put a damper on a fishing vacation.

The best time of year from a weather and price perspective is March through May, this is when the hotels are the least crowded, the fish are active and the prices go down.

That’s not to say that you’ll have the beaches to yourself as Punta Cana does maintain a healthy tourist population year-round, but this is the time of year when you’re going to be able to get the least crowded experiences and the most bang for your buck. 

Punta Cana Fish Species

Sailfish: October-March. Peak activity December-February. Off-shore.

Blue Marlin: Year-round availability. The best months are July-September. Off-shore.

Yellowfin Tuna: Year-round availability. March-June are the best months. Can be caught any time of day. Off-shore.

Mahi Mahi: Year-round availability. October-April are the best months. Off-shore.

White Marlin: Year-round availability. April-June are the best months. Off-shore.

Wahoo: Year-round availability. October-February are the best months. Off-shore.

Tarpon: Year-round availability. November- March are the peak months. In-shore/Reef. 

Amberjack: Year-round availability. No down months, active all year. In-shore/Off-shore/Reef are the best locations. 

Grouper: Year-round availability. Good all year. In-shore/Reef are the best locations. 

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.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon in Florida, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch tarpon, please check out this helpful article I wrote.

Recommended Fishing Charters in Punta Cana

These Punta Cana-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
Tease Me Sportfishing	Offshore & Billfish
Big Marlin Charters	Offshore & Billfish
Fortuna – Big Marlin Punta Cana	Offshore & Billfish
“Big Marlin” Private Charter – Sherlock 39′	Offshore & Billfish
Santa Elena Fishing Charter	Inshore & Offshore

Best Time of Day to Fish

The best times of day to fish in Punta Cana are going to depend heavily on the species of fish you are after.

With many of the off-shore species, you’re going to be searching for the schools of baitfish that they are in pursuit of, many of which are most active in the morning and late afternoon.

The in-shore and reef species of fish tend to be pretty active all day long and it’s just a matter of being in the right spot with the right bait to catch them. You can’t really go wrong with getting an early start on the day to give yourself the best chances to catch as many fish as possible. 

Tidal impacts

The tides don’t have too much of an impact on fishing in Punta Cana because of the nature of most of the fishing that is done there.

Off-shore fishing is influenced more by overall water temperature and season than anything and in-shore and reef fishing may be a little more accessible during high tide, but generally, you can find the fishing accessible at almost any time of day.  Some lagoons are tidally impacted, so just check with a local to know if any times are better than others for those. 

Storms & Punta Cana fishing

The Dominican Republic is located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea and as such, it is no stranger to tropical storms. Hurricane season stretches from the end of May through the end of November with the peak typically happening in the summer although this can vary widely from year to year.

If a tropical storm is approaching you will generally begin to see rough seas a few days in advance and this will make fishing more difficult due to visibility limitations as well as overall dangerous conditions.

There’s really no way to plan around tropical storms other than to visit outside of the hurricane season, which is what most people tend to do which is why December through February tend to be the busiest times on the island.

Since many species of fish are active year-round and the weather stays mild all year as well, look to plan your trip at a time outside of the hurricane season to ensure you have the best shot at getting out on the water and making some incredible catches. 

Winter fishing in Punta Cana

With mild weather year-round and the vast majority of species being active all year as well, the winter months can be some of the best for fishing in the Dominican Republic. Wahoo, Sailfish, Tarpon, and Mahi Mahi are all species that have great seasons during the winter months.

With that in mind don’t hesitate to look into booking a trip to the Dominican Republic in the winter. You can enjoy a break from the cold and catch some truly fantastic fish. 

Night Fishing in Punta Cana

Many resorts in Punta Cana have their own private beaches and these are great spots to do some night fishing (as long as you are staying at the resort!).

If you haven’t had enough fishing action off-shore or in one of the many lagoons during the day, it’s very popular to go night fishing in the surf and there are plenty of fish to be caught while doing so. 

You may want to check the phase of the moon as some species can be more active during a full moon and this can help you to catch more fish. 

Shore/Surf Fishing in Punta Cana

This is a very popular activity in Punta Cana and you can catch some really great fish due to the proximity of the reef to the beaches. Anything from Tarpon to Grouper to Amberjacks can be found off of the beaches in Punta Cana.

If you do decide to fish from shore, you’ll want to keep in mind that the beaches can get quite crowded during the day, so head out early and beat the crowds or wait until nightfall and see what you can catch then.

Many resorts have private beaches, as we mentioned before, and these offer tremendous opportunities to catch all that the Caribbean has to offer.

Just make sure that you’re only fishing on the beach of the resort you are staying at as they are generally limited to guests of those resorts. If you’re not staying at a resort, just make sure you’re fishing from a public beach to avoid any trouble.

Top Five fishing spots

Mona Passage: The Mona Passage is a strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. This is a spot famous for Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, and Billfish. It’s known to be quite rough getting there and is not for the faint of heart, but if you can stomach the ride the fishing is world-class. 

Cabo Engaño: This is a beautiful spot for in-shore fishing with crystal blue water and white sandy beaches. The fishing off-shore from here is phenomenal as well with many species of Marlin being caught just a few miles from shore. Whether you’re looking to land a Tarpon by the beach or a Billfish from a charter, this is a great area to check out. 

Cap Cana: This area of Punta Cana is home to one of the larger marinas in the area. They host a number of Marlin and Billfish tournaments here annually and also offer high-end lodging and dining options.

The marina claims to be within rowing distance to one of the finest Marlin fisheries in the world so if you’re looking to put to sea in a kayak for an adventure this is where I would get things started. The grand canal here is known to be a hotspot for in-shore fishing and is a great place for landing Tarpon. 

Three Rocks: Aptly named for its three protruding coral formations, Three Rocks is a destination for divers and fishermen alike. Here you will find Marlin as well as Yellow Tail and Sergeant Majors in abundance. 

Laguna de Limon: This lagoon in the Eco Park area is brimming with many species of fish and is a prime location to visit if you’re looking for something in-shore. You will find Snook, Tilapia, and Tarpon in abundance in this area and won’t regret making the trip to check it out. 

Laguna de Nisibon: This more remote lagoon is accessible by foot or by horseback and is worth the effort.

The pristine scenery is complimented by abundant Tarpon and is a nice break from the more crowded destinations on the beaten path closer to Punta Cana. This is a great place to take in all that the Caribbean has to offer and relax with a day spent fishing. 

Booking Charters in Punta Cana

While the inshore fishing in Punta Cana is exceptional due to its proximity to a nearby reef, the real treat that this Caribbean gem has to offer is its off-shore charter fishing. Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Billfish all thrive in the waters just a few miles off of the coast of Punta Cana making for incredible fishing experiences and memories that can last a lifetime.

Punta Cana offers many chartered fishing services, but look to book early and be mindful of the season depending on the species of fish you’re hoping to catch as charters can fill quickly during peak seasons. 

Best Season to Go

The fishing is great in Punta Cana year-round but there are definitely some seasons that are better than others depending on the species you are after.

The summer months will see the in-shore activity at its peak. This is the time of year to fish for Snapper, Grouper, Tarpon, and Jacks. The big game fish and Billfish off-shore tend to run later in the summer through the fall and winter.

If you’re looking for an all-around fishing experience and want as many shots at as many species as possible look into August and September for peak activity.

The one outlier species on the list are the Sailfish who are really only around in the winter. Look to go from November to February if that’s what you’re after. 

Best Time of Day

If you’ve come to Punta Cana in search of an epic Gamefish or Billfish experience, you’re going to want to get out early and you’re probably going to want to plan to be out all day.

Due to the warm climate and abundance of schooling fish, many species in the area are active and on the hunt all day long, but that means they are constantly on the move and you’ve got to find them to catch them. Give yourself the time to work that out by getting out early in the morning and you’ll be good to go. 

Morning vs. Afternoon

While there isn’t really a downtime when it comes to fish activity in Punta Cana, it can be hot on the water in the middle of the day and see the schooling fish head to deeper waters. This can make finding the larger Gamefish you’re after harder to find and catch.

If you’re only planning on a half-day charter look to book in the morning to give yourself the best shot at getting on the fish when they are at their most active.

The afternoon can be just as good but I wouldn’t recommend banking your whole fishing trip on an afternoon excursion. If you want to do some afternoon fishing, I’d recommend making it the second half of a full-day trip. 

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in the Dominican Republic, please check out this helpful guide.

Trip Length

Punta Cana offers some of the best off-shore fishing the Caribbean has to offer. Most of the off-shore species you’ll be targeting on your charter fishing trip will be fish you need to troll for.

One of the nicest things about Punta Cana is that you don’t have to ride for hours and hours to get to the best fishing spots off-shore, but once you get there it can take some time and luck to get onto some really big fish.

It’s worth the wait, but it can take some time. So set yourself up with the best chance to get most fish on the line as possible and head out early and make a day of it with a full day trip.