Half day or full day fishing in Cabo?
A half day is about 5 hours on the water; a full day is about 8. The short answer: a half day is right for families, first-timers and fish close to shore. A full day is right for marlin, tuna and wahoo, which are often far offshore. And on most boats, the full day costs much less than you might expect.
By Max Vargas, Top Anglers · Last reviewed
The price difference
Three extra hours add relatively little to the price. Across our boats, a full day costs $46 to $494 more than a half day; on a typical boat that's about 14% more for 60% more time on the water. For example, the 35' Bertram is $1,174 for a half day and $1,288 for a full day: $114 more.
Both prices are per boat, not per person, and include the same things: captain and crew, rods and tackle, bait (live when available), ice, bottled water, dock fees, taxes and one fishing license. Everyone 12 and older needs a license ($30 each after the first), and a license costs the same for a half or a full day.
| Boat | Up to | Half day (~5 h) | Full day (~8 h) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27' Center Console | 4 | $698 | $863 | +$165 |
| 26' Shamrock | 3 | $737 | $793 | +$56 |
| 28' Sportfisher | 4 | $809 | $865 | +$56 |
| 30' Uniflite | 5 | $824 | $881 | +$57 |
| 33' Owens | 6 | $870 | $989 | +$119 |
| 33' Uniflite | 6 | $870 | $989 | +$119 |
| 30' California | 4 | $881 | $927 | +$46 |
| 31' Bertram | 6 | $927 | $1,051 | +$124 |
| 32' Blackfin | 6 | $1,051 | $1,226 | +$175 |
| 35' Bertram | 8 | $1,174 | $1,288 | +$114 |
| 35' Owens | 7 | $1,174 | $1,288 | +$114 |
| 33' CABO Express | 6 | $1,421 | $1,746 | +$325 |
| 40' Fiorentino | 10 | $1,479 | $1,582 | +$103 |
| 35' CABO Express | 6 | $1,644 | $2,004 | +$360 |
| 35' CABO Flybridge | 8 | $1,644 | $2,004 | +$360 |
| 36' Blackwatch | 10 | $1,685 | $2,097 | +$412 |
| 44' Viking | 10 | $1,994 | $2,488 | +$494 |
| 45' CABO Express | 12 | $1,994 | $2,488 | +$494 |
| 60' Hatteras | 10 | $4,033 | $4,517 | +$484 |
Choose a half day if…
- You're fishing with kids or first-timers. Five hours keeps everyone interested and out of the midday sun. Family fishing trips.
- You're after fish close to shore: roosterfish, sierra and snapper, usually in calmer water.
- Someone in the group gets seasick. Less time offshore is easier.
- You're on a cruise ship. A half day fits your time in port. Cruise passengers.
- You want the rest of the day free; you're back at the marina by early afternoon.
Choose a full day if…
- You want a marlin. They're often several miles out, and the extra hours let the captain run to where the fish are. Marlin charters.
- You're after tuna, wahoo or a big dorado on the offshore banks.
- You're experienced anglers or teenagers who want the full sportfishing day.
- You're coming a long way for one trip and want as much time on the water as possible.
Not sure? Plenty of guests book a half day early in the week and a full day later, once they know how they handle the ocean.
Departure times
Boats leave between 5:30 and 8:00 AM, most between 6:00 and 7:00, from the Cabo San Lucas marina. Afternoon half days are sometimes possible, leaving around noon; ask us when you book. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.
The same rules either way
In Cabo we follow a local rule of one billfish (marlin or sailfish) per boat per day and strongly encourage releasing them. Tuna, dorado and wahoo can be kept within the daily limits. Fish are never guaranteed, on a half day or a full day. Licenses and limits.
Still deciding? Message the family on WhatsApp from any page and tell us who's coming and what you'd like to catch; we answer every day from 5 AM to 6 PM, Cabo time.