Family fishing charters in Cabo San Lucas
Top Anglers is a family business: the Vargas family has run fishing charters from the Cabo San Lucas marina since 2004. This page covers how to plan a day on the water with kids: which boat, how long, what it costs and what to bring.
By Max Vargas, Top Anglers · Last reviewed
Half day or full day?
For most families with children, a half day (about 5 hours) is the right length. Kids stay interested, nobody gets too much sun, and you're back at the marina by early afternoon with the rest of the day free. Boats leave between 5:30 and 8:00 AM, most between 6:00 and 7:00.
A full day (about 8 hours) makes sense with teenagers or anglers who want to go farther offshore for marlin, tuna and wahoo. If you're not sure, start with a half day; plenty of families book a second trip later in the week.
Inshore or offshore?
Inshore trips stay close to the beaches and rocky points, usually in calmer water, and target roosterfish, sierra and snapper. They suit young kids and first-timers. Offshore trips run several miles out for dorado, tuna and marlin: bigger fish and longer fights, better for older kids and adults who want the full sportfishing experience. Ocean conditions change day to day; the captain picks the area with the best mix of fish and comfort.
Which boat for your family
- 23' Panga: up to 3 people, from $453 for a half day. The simplest and most affordable way to fish; best for a parent and one or two kids on a short inshore trip.
- 33' Uniflite: up to 6 people, from $844. Our usual recommendation for families: twin engines, which is safer in open water than a single engine.
- Air-conditioned cabin boats, from the 32' Blackfin at $1,019: shade and a cool cabin for little ones who need a break from the sun.
- Big families and groups: up to 12 people on one boat; the 40' Fiorentino takes up to 10 from $1,435.
Prices are per boat, not per person, and include captain and crew, rods and tackle, bait (live when available), ice, bottled water, dock fees, taxes and one fishing license. See every boat and its price.
Kids, licenses and what it costs
Everyone aged 12 and older on the boat needs a Mexican sport fishing license, even if they don't fish; children under 12 don't need one. One license is included in every charter and each extra one is $29. License rules and daily limits.
Example: two adults and two children under 12, half day on the 33' Uniflite: $844 for the boat (one license and one set of bait included) + $29 for the second adult's license = $873. Tips for the crew are not included; 10–20% of the charter is customary in Cabo.
Tell us the ages of everyone when you book. The crew baits the hooks, helps every child with their fish, and keeps the day at a pace that works for the youngest person on board.
When to come
There is something to catch every month. Families who want steady action close to shore often like roosterfish season (peak May to July) and dorado (peak August to November), which are colorful, fight hard and are great to eat. Winter is striped marlin season. Check today's fishing conditions before you choose a day.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Striped Marlin | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Some | Some | Peak | Peak | Peak | Oct–May |
| Blue Marlin | Some | Off | Off | Some | Some | Some | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Some | Jul–Nov |
| Black Marlin | Off | Off | Off | Off | Some | Some | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Some | Aug–Sep |
| Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) | Good | Good | Some | Some | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Aug–Nov |
| Yellowfin Tuna | Good | Good | Some | Some | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Jun–Nov |
| Wahoo | Good | Some | Some | Some | Good | Some | Some | Some | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Nov–Dec |
| Roosterfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Some | Some | Good | Good | May–Jul |
| Pacific Sailfish | Some | Off | Off | Off | Some | Some | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Some | Aug–Oct |
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What to bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen, hats and polarized sunglasses for everyone
- Light long sleeves for the sun and a light jacket for the early morning run
- Shoes with non-marking soles that can get wet
- Seasickness medicine if anyone needs it (taken the night before and in the morning)
- Snacks the kids like; food and drinks can also be arranged if you don't bring your own, just ask when you book
- A phone or camera for the first-fish photo
Arrive 15 minutes before departure. Rods, tackle, bait, ice and bottled water are on the boat.
Questions families ask
Is a fishing charter in Cabo good for kids?
Yes. Most families do a half day (about 5 hours) so younger kids don't get tired, and the crew baits hooks, helps with every fish and keeps the pace easy. Children under 12 don't need a fishing license. We can match the boat to your group: a panga for a short inshore trip, or a cabin boat with shade and a bathroom for a longer day.
What is the best boat for a family?
For a family of four to six, we usually recommend the 33' Uniflite: twin engines, which is safer in open water than a single engine, and room for up to 6. Bigger groups or anyone who wants air-conditioning can choose one of our cabin boats, up to 12 people on one boat.
How much does a family fishing charter cost?
The price is per boat, not per person. A half day on the 33' Uniflite is $844, including captain and crew, tackle, bait, ice, water, dock fees, taxes and one fishing license. For two adults and two children under 12 you add one license ($29), for $873 in total, plus the tip for the crew.
Do kids need a fishing license in Mexico?
In Cabo, everyone aged 12 and older on the boat needs a Mexican sport fishing license, even if they don't fish. Children under 12 don't. One license is included in every charter; each extra one is $29.
What if someone gets seasick?
Take seasickness medicine the night before and again in the morning, eat a light breakfast, and stay in the fresh air looking at the horizon. Tell us when you book if anyone in the group is prone to it, and the captain will plan the day around calmer water when conditions allow.
Can we keep and eat the fish?
Yes, within the daily limits. Tuna, dorado and wahoo are excellent to eat. We can recommend a smokehouse near the marina that cleans, vacuum-seals and freezes your catch, and several restaurants near the marina will cook it for you the same day. We encourage releasing all billfish.
Questions before booking? Message the family on WhatsApp from any page; we answer every day from 5 AM to 6 PM, Cabo time.