Average Cost of Cancun Fishing Charters (Complete Guide)
Cancun is growing in popularity for fishing as it provides anglers with easy access to all major fishing spots in the region. Analyze fishing charter costs before going fishing in Cancun.
The average cost of Cancun fishing charter trips that last 4 hours is $588, 6 hours is $1065, 8 hours is $1227, 10 hours is $1901, and 12 hours is $2245.
Anglers can experience both inshore and offshore fishing in the region. It’s possible to fish in bays, grass flats, near reefs, on beaches, and in deep water. This guide will provide anglers with information on charter costs to help them plan their Cancun fishing trips.
Cancun Fishing Charters Cost by Duration
4-hour trips
The average cost of a 4-hour charter in Cancun was $588, with the cheapest being $450 and the most expensive being $900. These numbers are based on 21 charters surveyed.
4 hour trips are great ways to get a little bit of fishing in during a trip. They also work great for trips with groups or family. A 4-hour trip will most likely be an inshore trip with 30 minutes to an hour of travel time. Some species you can target on 4-hour trips include bonefish, tarpon, permit, and snook.
You shouldn’t need to bring a whole lot of extra things on a 4-hour trip, maybe some drinks and sunscreen, but not much else. These trips can be much more relaxing than longer trips and are much easier for those who don’t take fishing too seriously.
A perk of 4-hour trips is scheduling them. These trips give you the ability to plan your 4 hours during the right tide and allow you to pick whether you want your trip to be in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
6-hour trips
Based on 13 charters, the average cost for a 6-hour trip in Cancun was $1065, the cheapest trip was $600, and the most expensive trip was $2640.
6-hour trips are another solid option for a fishing trip that doesn’t take up your entire day. They allow more time for travel, which can open up the opportunity to catch bigger fish and a wider variety of species.
The extra 2 hours can go a long way, but sometimes they act as a buffer for travel time, and you are left with 4-5 hours of fishing. Either way, you will be on the water longer, with more opportunities to catch fish. 6-hour trips will still remain mainly inshore, which can be much easier than going out further, mainly because of calmer water.
8-hour trips
Based on 15 charters, the average cost for an 8-hour trip in Cancun was $1227, the cheapest trip was $850, and the most expensive trip was $1900.
You can do an 8-hour inshore trip as well and target tarpon, bonefish, and permit, but for offshore trips, you can target mahi-mahi, wahoo, and many other species.
Starting off the more intense trips are 8-hour trips. They are considered full-day trips and allow you to travel further offshore to track down fish. This means you can target bigger fish at offshore reefs and wrecks.
Travel times for these trips are usually an hour or two, and you should come prepared with plenty of water, food, and sunscreen. You will also most likely be dealing with larger waves offshore. 8-hour trips work better for one or two anglers rather than groups of people.
10-hour trips
Based on 19 charters, the average cost for a 10-hour trip in Cancun was $1901, the cheapest trip was $1600, and the most expensive trip was $2200.
A 10-hour trip is an intense trip. You will have to be out in the elements all day, usually with no stops at the shore. These trips are for experienced anglers and are not recommended for groups or for those who don’t take fishing seriously.
You should come prepared with whatever you need to last 10 hours on the water, that is a lot of time in the sun and can be very exhausting. 10-hour trips give you plenty of time to find spots, sometimes even 10-15 miles offshore. Some of the most targeted species on these trips are marlin and mahi-mahi.
Travel times are normally at least an hour and a half and can go up to 3 hours, leaving you with at least 7 hours of fishing.
12-hour trips
Based on 9 charters, the average cost for a 12-hour trip was $2245, the cheapest trip was $1900, and the most expensive trip was $3200.
12-hour trips are usually the longest trips a charter will offer. 12-hour trips are very exhausting and aren’t recommended for groups or those who don’t take fishing seriously. With 12-hour trips, you can expect around 2 or more hours of travel time, leaving you with around 10 hours of fishing time.
These trips can go very far offshore, so you can expect some bigger waves. You should come prepared with plenty of food and water, and whatever else you may need over the course of 12 hours. These trips are the most commonly canceled trips due to weather.
If there are waves too big for the boat to handle or bad weather far offshore, captains may cancel the trip due to safety reasons. The most common target species on these trips include marlin, grouper, and mahi-mahi.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Cancun
These Cancun-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 | Location |
| Sportfishing Cancun – Mamacita | Cancun, Mexico |
| Cancun Light Tackle & Fly Fishing Tours | Cancun, Mexico |
| Samaki Cancun Charters | Cancun, Mexico |
| La Patrona Fishing Charter | Cancun, Mexico |
| Fishing Cancún Charters | Cancun, Mexico |
| Balihoo Boat Fishing Charters | Cancun, Mexico |
| Family Fishing Cancun | Cancun, Mexico |
| Gardi Crew Fishing Charters | Cancun, Mexico |
| Big Boss – Water Adventure | Benito Juárez, Mexico |
| Keen M Sport Fishing – Lilly M | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Keen M International – “Andrea M” | Isla Mujeres, Mexico |
| Golu Fishing Charters | Cancun, Mexico |
| Plan B Fishing Charters | Cancun, Mexico |
Seasonal Trip Cost Breakdowns (Private Trips)
Spring
Spring is usually considered the time when fishing starts to get better in Cancun. Migratory fish are starting to migrate towards Cancun in the spring, making it a solid option for fishing.
Spring may have more tourists than normal, but fishing charters should have availability. Some of the most common species to catch in the spring include king mackerel and permit. There are usually no extra charges for a trip being in spring since demand is a bit lower than in fall and summer.
Summer
Summer in Cancun offers great fishing. Whether you’re fishing inshore or offshore, you can find fish. Some of the most popular species to target in the summer are mahi-mahi, permit, and bonefish. Anglers looking to achieve the saltwater grand slam (a tarpon, bonefish, and permit in one trip) would want to book a trip during the summer as all species will be in season during the summer.
Summer is one of the busiest times for charters in Cancun, so make sure to book ahead. Extra fees are sometimes added during the summer because of the increased demand, but that varies from charter to charter. When fishing in the summer, be prepared for the hot weather, and maybe even book a shorter trip because of the weather.
Fall
Fall is another great time to fish in Cancun. Snapper, grouper, and mackerel fishing start to pick up as the temperatures fall a bit. Since it will be cooler than in summer, it’s much easier to go out on the water for 8 hours than it would be during the summer.
Most fall fishing in Cancun will be done offshore, meaning that you will need that extra time to target the fish in the season to make up for travel times. Offshore charters will be busy during the fall, so booking ahead is a good plan to make sure you are able to go out with the charter you want.
Winter
Fishing in Cancun can be good if you’re targeting certain species, but some of the area’s most sought fish are not in season during the winter. Some of the species you can catch include barracuda, wahoo, and bonito.
The reason why so many fish leave the area is because of how cold the water gets. They migrate out of the area and will return in spring. One perk of winter fishing in Cancun is the weather. The weather will be very mild, which helps you stay on the water for longer.
Better Value if You Fish with Group
Group charters are when you pick a group of people and split the cost of the charter evenly. The cost will vary depending on the length, type, location, and the number of people on the boat. Normally, there is a flat cost for the trip and an additional cost per person after 2 people.
The cost per person is cheaper than the cost of a one or two-person trip. Being able to split costs makes trips much more affordable than a one or two-person trip. A bonus of a group trip is being able to spend the day with friends or family out on the water creating memories.
A shared charter is when the charter captain picks the group of people to take out. The group is decided on the date and time the people would like to go out, and depending on how many requests the same day, there may be more than one boat going out to the same area your group does.
The cost for these trips is evenly split among the group and is generally cheaper than a solo trip. A downside of these trips is that you most likely won’t know the group you are fishing with. You can take up multiple spots on the shared trip, but at that point, it may be easier to book a group charter.
Another downside is that you will have more competition for the same fish, and if you are trolling, you will have to take turns on who gets to reel in the fish. These trips are good for those who just want to get out on the water and not necessarily those who are looking to catch huge fish.
Cancun Charters: Factors that Impact Costs
Charter costs can be impacted by many things. Some factors that play into the cost of a charter include the season, gas prices, bait prices, and demand for charters. If a lot of fish are in their peak season, charters will experience higher demand and may increase prices.
The opposite can be true as well, if it’s winter and not a lot of fish are biting and people aren’t booking trips, they may lower the price. Gas and bait prices can affect the cost of a charter because they are two essential parts of the trip, and there is no way around buying either of those things for a charter trip.
Some charters may increase their price for weekend trips, but it usually isn’t a big jump in price. When thinking about the price of your charter, you must think about those things along with the experience of your captain, sometimes paying more for a better captain can make the difference between a good trip versus a bad trip.
Additional Costs with Charter Fishing
There are a couple of extra costs that may be involved with a charter trip. The main ones are gratuities and the things you bring on the boat for the day. Tips are customary in this industry and are normally well deserved.
Most tips will go to a first mate, who will normally be doing most of the work involved in rigging and baiting your hook, and getting your fish in. 15-20% is considered a standard tip in this industry. A day pack is almost an essential thing to bring on a trip, you should fill it with plenty of food and water, especially for longer trips.
Another possible cost is the cleaning and storage of your fish. The charter crew will normally clean your fish, but if not, you will need to do it yourself. You must also think about how you are going to freeze, store, and transport your fish, all of which will have some form of extra cost.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Cancun, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the costs of fishing charters in Pensacola, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the costs of fishing charters in Marathon, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the costs of fishing charters in Costa Rica, please check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the fishing charter costs in Corpus Christi, please check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the fishing charter costs in the Bahamas, please check out this guide. For a breakdown of the best times to fish in Benito Juarez, check out this article.
