Full Day Offshore Private Charter - Playa Flamingo
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 8hour offshore charter aboard 27' Stamas center consoleTarget sailfish, marlin, mahi, tuna, and giant red grouperAccommodates up to 5 guests with experienced local captains
Picture yourself stepping aboard the Skipjack at dawn, watching the sun paint Playa Flamingo's coastline golden while twin 200 HP Suzuki motors fire up beneath you. This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience – you're getting the whole 27-foot Stamas Tarpon center console to yourself and up to three fishing buddies for a full eight hours of blue water action. Our local captains have been working these Pacific waters for years, and they know exactly where the big fish are biting. With comfortable seating, plenty of shade, and enough deck space to fight even the biggest marlin, you're set up for the kind of fishing day that becomes the story you tell for years.
Once we clear Playa Flamingo's bay, it's about a 20-minute cruise to reach the deep blue where the real action happens. The Skipjack cuts through swells like butter, thanks to that center console design and twin outboard setup – no bouncing around like you might on smaller boats. Your captain will start reading the water, looking for temperature breaks, bird activity, and debris lines where baitfish congregate. That's where you'll find the predators. We'll have lunch sorted for the crew, so you can focus entirely on what you came here for – hooking into some of Costa Rica's most prized gamefish. The boat's equipped with outriggers for trolling spreads, plus downriggers when we need to get baits deeper for those suspended schools of tuna.
Out here in the Pacific blue water off Guanacaste, trolling is king. We'll run a spread of four to six lines at different depths and distances, using a mix of large lures, rigged ballyhoo, and fresh-caught bonito when available. The outriggers keep your lines spread wide, preventing tangles when multiple fish hit at once – and trust me, that happens more often than you'd think. When we mark fish on the finder or spot working birds, we might switch to live bait fishing, dropping down live sardines or small tunas on circle hooks. The 27-foot length gives us stability for fighting fish, while the open deck layout means you can move around the boat when a big marlin starts jumping. Your captain will coach you through the fight, calling out when to pump and wind, when to give line, and how to work that fish to the boat.
Red Grouper are the heavyweights down deep, often pushing 40 to 60 pounds and built like underwater bulldozers. These guys hang around rocky structure and seamounts, usually 200 to 400 feet down. When you hook one, it's an immediate test of strength – they'll try to dive straight back to their rocky hideouts. The meat is phenomenal, with firm white fillets that make for world-class ceviche. Peak season runs from December through April when they're most active in shallower waters.
Blue Marlin are the holy grail of offshore fishing here, with fish ranging from 200-pound females up to true giants over 400 pounds. These apex predators cruise the deep water columns, often following schools of tuna or mahi. When a blue marlin takes your bait, everything changes – the reel starts screaming, the boat shakes, and suddenly everyone on deck is wide awake. They're notorious for their aerial displays, jumping completely clear of the water multiple times during a fight. Most anglers practice catch and release with billfish, making for epic photos before a safe release.
Mahi Mahi, or dorado as locals call them, are pure gold both in color and eating quality. These fast-growing fish school up around floating debris, logs, or weed lines. They're aggressive feeders that will slam trolled baits or lures, then put on an acrobatic show with multiple jumps and long runs. Most mahi here run 15 to 30 pounds, though bull dolphins over 40 pounds show up regularly. They're also one of the most sustainable fish you can target, with rapid reproduction rates.
Indo-Pacific Sailfish are Costa Rica's signature species, and these waters hold some of the highest concentrations in the world. Averaging 80 to 120 pounds, sails are built for speed and aerial acrobatics. When they light up and start hunting, their colors shift to brilliant blues and purples – an absolutely stunning sight. They often travel in small groups, so multiple hookups are common. The best sailfish action typically runs from December through August, with peak months being February through May.
Striped Marlin are smaller than their blue cousins but no less exciting, typically running 120 to 200 pounds. They're known for cooperative feeding behavior, where multiple fish work together to herd baitfish. When you find feeding striped marlin, the action can be non-stop with multiple hookups and releases. They prefer slightly cooler water than blue marlin, often showing up when upwelling brings nutrient-rich water to the surface.
At $1,175 for your private group of up to four anglers, you're getting premium access to some of the Pacific's best blue water fishing without sharing the boat with strangers. The Skipjack delivers the perfect combination of performance, comfort, and fish-fighting capability that makes the difference between a good day and a legendary one. Our captains' local knowledge is worth its weight in gold – they know which seamounts are producing, where the water temperatures are breaking, and how to read the constantly changing conditions. Payment is simple with cash, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp, though remember that deposits are non-refundable once you commit. These prime offshore dates fill up quickly during peak season, especially when the bite is hot and word gets around the marina. Book your full-day charter now and get ready for the
Meet the Skipjack, your ticket to Costa Rica's legendary offshore fishing grounds. This 27' Stamas Tarpon center console cuts through Pacific swells with authority, thanks to twin 200 HP Suzuki outboards that'll get you to the action fast. Built tough for serious anglers, she's got everything you need for a full day chasing sailfish, marlin, and monster mahi. The spacious deck gives up to four guests plenty of room to fight fish without bumping elbows, while the GPS and fish finder help locate schools cruising the deep blue. Top-shelf Shimano gear is ready to go, and the live wells keep bait fresh all day. When you hook into a screaming billfish or feel the weight of a giant tuna, you'll appreciate the stable platform and smooth ride this boat delivers. The icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh as you work the productive waters off Playa Flamingo's coast.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the ultimate offshore target - these massive billfish can reach 400+ pounds and put on aerial shows that'll leave you speechless. We hunt them in deep blue water, usually 200+ feet, around current edges and temperature breaks. Peak season runs December through April when the big females move through. What sets them apart is their raw power and acrobatic jumps - they can strip 300 yards of line in seconds. The fight can last hours, testing both your tackle and endurance. While they're not the best eating (high mercury), the thrill is unmatched. Males rarely exceed 100 pounds, but the females are true giants. Here's the key: when trolling, make sure your ballyhoo skips properly on the surface - that erratic action triggers their predatory instincts better than a perfectly swimming bait.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are pure excitement - these golden beauties average 15-30 pounds and put on colorful light shows when brought to the boat. You'll find them under floating debris, weed lines, and around current breaks in 100-400 foot depths. They're most abundant during our dry season from December through April when conditions are prime. What guests love is their aggressive strikes, strong runs, and that incredible color display as they change from blue-green to brilliant gold. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and mild-flavored, perfect for dinner. They mature fast and reproduce quickly, so they're a sustainable choice. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep it in the water and look around - mahi travel in schools, so there's usually more nearby. We often catch multiple fish from the same spot.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter around our rocky bottoms and reefs. These rusty-red beauties average 5-10 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds, with that meaty build and large mouth perfect for ambushing prey. We find them on structure from 30-200 feet deep, especially around ledges and wrecks. They're year-round residents here, but the cooler months from December through March often produce the biggest fish. What makes them special is that bulldogging fight - once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight back to the rocks. The meat is outstanding too, firm and sweet with that shellfish flavor from their crab and shrimp diet. Pro tip: use a heavy leader and keep steady pressure - give them slack and they'll cut you off on the reef every time.
Kajikia AudaxStriped marlin are considered the most beautiful of all billfish with those pale blue stripes that stay visible even after the fight. They average 200-300 pounds and have a more slender, torpedo-shaped body than their blue marlin cousins. We find them in deep water from 150-400 feet, especially around current edges during our cooler months from December through March. What sets them apart is their incredible acrobatics - they'll jump repeatedly and put on aerial displays that rival any gamefish. The fight is aggressive but more manageable than a blue marlin, making them popular with serious anglers. Their meat is actually quite good, often used for sushi. Best technique is trolling with live skipjack tuna when available - striped marlin love chasing schools of tuna, and a live one swimming behind the boat is irresistible to them.
Istiophorus PlatypterusSailfish are Costa Rica's signature billfish and the reason many anglers make the trip here. These speed demons average 80-120 pounds with that massive dorsal sail and sword-like bill. We target them in 80-300 feet of water along current edges and temperature breaks. Peak season is December through April during our dry season when baitfish are thick. What makes them special is their lightning-fast runs and spectacular jumps - they're built for speed, not endurance like marlin. The fight is intense but usually shorter, making them perfect for all skill levels. Most guests practice catch and release since they're not great eating. The real thrill is watching that sail light up during the fight. Pro tip: when trolling with ballyhoo, rig it so it swims naturally - sailfish are picky about presentation and will often follow a bait before striking.
Guanacaste Province, Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica