Sunrise over the water seen from the bow of a charter boat, Cabo San Lucas

Mexico, and growing

Fifteen ports. One phone call.

A vetted boat and captain waiting in every one.

10Consecutive years

10 consecutive TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence

Awarded every year, 2017 to 2026

Find Your Port Call 800-281-5778

100,000+ guests · Since 2012 · Under 1hr response

The network

Fifteen ports today, more on the way.

Private Placement

Don't see your port? We'll bring the boat to you. Anywhere in Mexico.

Vessel, captain, crew and permits arranged by request.

Text PRIVATE to 800-281-5778

Baja California Sur and the Pacific Coast of Baja

Home water. Cabo San Lucas is where the company started, and the standard every other port is held to.

Home port, since 2012

Cabo San Lucas

Where Lands End Charters started in 2012, and still the deepest bench of boats and captains on the peninsula. Every other port in this network is run the way we learned to run it here.

Three generations on this water. Ten consecutive TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence.

Best months: Year round, striped marlin peaks October through December
Species: Striped, blue and black marlin, dorado, yellowfin, wahoo, roosterfish
Marina: Marina Cabo San Lucas
Airport: SJD
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

Now booking

La Paz

Island water, calm anchorages, and the light tackle fishing Cabo does not have.

Best months: June through November
Species: Roosterfish, dorado, yellowfin, wahoo, sailfish
Marina: Marina Costa Baja
Airport: LAP
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

Private expedition

Cerralvo Island

A short run from La Paz but a different world of fishing. Uninhabited, current swept, and loaded with roosterfish and cabrilla close to shore.

Best months: June through November
Species: Roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, dorado, cabrilla
Marina: Departs from Marina Costa Baja, La Paz
Airport: LAP
Available: Private sportfishing expeditions

Now booking

Magdalena Bay

Striped marlin on the surface in numbers that do not happen anywhere else, plus gray whales in winter.

Best months: October through December for marlin, January through March for whales
Species: Striped marlin, yellowfin, wahoo
Marina: Puerto San Carlos
Airport: LTO
Available: Sportfishing

Opening soon

Loreto

A working Baja town wrapped around a marine park of five islands.

Best months: May through September
Species: Dorado, yellowtail, sailfish, roosterfish
Marina: Marina Puerto Escondido
Airport: LTO
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

Opening soon

Ensenada

Close enough to drive from Southern California, with bluefin inside the range.

Best months: May through October
Species: Yellowtail, bluefin and yellowfin tuna, dorado, calico bass
Marina: Marina Coral
Airport: Ninety minutes from San Diego
Available: Sportfishing

On the water soonCedros IslandPhotography coming soon

Private expedition

Cedros Island

The yellowtail capital of the Pacific, a remote island most anglers only read about. LEC arranges private vessel expeditions for serious groups.

Best months: May through November
Species: Yellowtail, calico bass, white seabass, dorado
Marina: No marina, private vessel departures via Ensenada
Airport: Charter airstrip on island, or fly to Ensenada
Available: Private sportfishing expeditions

Mainland Pacific

Billfish country along the mainland coast, arranged through the local contacts who work it every season.

The bay at Puerto Vallarta and the Sierra Madre behind it

Network partner

Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta

Corbetena and El Banco put giant blue marlin and yellowfin within a day trip.

Best months: June through December
Species: Blue and black marlin, yellowfin, sailfish, dorado, roosterfish
Marina: Marina Vallarta and Marina Riviera Nayarit
Airport: PVR
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

Network partner

Mazatlan

A serious billfish port with direct flights and a short run to the drop off.

Best months: May through November
Species: Sailfish, blue and black marlin, dorado, yellowfin
Marina: Marina El Cid
Airport: MZT
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

Network partner

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo

Sailfish in volume through the winter months.

Best months: November through May
Species: Sailfish, black marlin, dorado, roosterfish
Marina: Marina Ixtapa
Airport: ZIH
Available: Sportfishing

Opening soon

Manzanillo

Calls itself the sailfish capital of the world and has the record book to argue it.

Best months: November through March
Species: Sailfish, blue marlin, dorado
Marina: Las Hadas Marina
Airport: ZLO
Available: Sportfishing

Opening soon

Huatulco

Nine bays, quiet water, and a fishery that stays productive most of the year.

Best months: November through May
Species: Sailfish, dorado, yellowfin
Marina: Marina Chahue
Airport: HUX
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

Mexican Caribbean

Blue water off the reef, where a winter sailfish run is one of the great shows in the sport.

Network partner

Cancun and Isla Mujeres

The winter sailfish run off Isla Mujeres is one of the great shows in the sport.

Best months: January through March for sailfish, April through July for blue marlin
Species: Sailfish, blue marlin, dorado, wahoo
Marina: Puerto Cancun and Marina Hacienda del Mar
Airport: CUN
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

On the water soonPuerto AventurasPhotography coming soon

Network partner

Puerto Aventuras

Quieter than Cancun, same blue water, shorter run offshore.

Best months: March through July
Species: Sailfish, blue marlin, dorado, wahoo
Marina: Marina Puerto Aventuras
Airport: CUN
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

Opening soon

Cozumel

Reef, wall, and a spring blue marlin bite, twenty minutes from the mainland.

Best months: April through June
Species: Blue marlin, sailfish, dorado
Marina: Marina Fonatur
Airport: CZM
Available: Sportfishing and yachts

Fifteen ports, one number

Not sure which port fits your group or your season?

Ask us. We will tell you honestly where you will have the better day, even when that is not the port you called about.

Call 800-281-5778 Text Us Now

How it works

You tell us where and when. Everything after that is on us.

01
Tell us where and when
Send us the port, the dates, and the kind of day you have in mind. Not sure which destination fits your group or your season? Ask. We have spent years in these waters and we will tell you honestly where you will have the better time, even when that is not the port you called about.
02
We call our people
Every destination on this page has someone in it we have worked with for years. We deal with them directly, sort out every detail on your behalf, and confirm it all before you leave home. You never have to chase a foreign phone number, negotiate in a language you don't speak, or wonder if the booking you made online actually exists.
03
You show up and enjoy it
Everything is confirmed before you travel. You have one point of contact who actually answers, before your trip, during it, and after you get home. If anything shifts, weather, timing, group size, we handle it and keep you in the loop.

We are not a booking site. We are the people who already know the captains.

The calendar

Where to fish in Mexico, and when

Mexico is not one fishery. It is three, and they run on different clocks. The Pacific side of Baja, the Sea of Cortez, and the Caribbean each peak at different times of year for different fish, which is why the honest answer to "when should we come" is always another question: what do you want to catch?

Here is how the year actually runs across our ports.

September

Warmest water of the year, fewest people, highest risk.

September is the month locals argue about. The water off Cabo hits its annual high near 84 or 85 degrees, wahoo and tuna are on, marlin are still around, and there is nobody on the water. Rates are at their lowest all year and boats are available on short notice. It is also the peak of hurricane season and the most rain filled month in Los Cabos. We are straight with people about this: if the weather holds, September is one of the best fishing months of the entire year. If it does not, you may lose a day.

The honest note

This is the single most likely month to have your trip disrupted by weather. The Port Captain closes the port when it is unsafe and no operator overrides that. We refund or reschedule when it happens, but we cannot control it.

Best for Value hunters and repeat guests who know the trade and want the water to themselves.

Port by port

Cabo San Lucas Wahoo, yellowfin tuna, sailfish, marlin. Warm water, empty marina.
La Paz Peak pelagic action continues. Excellent when the port is open.
Magdalena Bay Bait building along the coast. Dorado and tuna offshore.
Loreto Strong dorado and billfish. Hot and humid.
Puerto Vallarta The peak run starts mid month and gets better from here.
Cancun and Isla Mujeres Quietest offshore month. Inshore only for most.

Conditions

Warmest water of the year across the Pacific side. Highest humidity. Highest chance of a named storm. Air in the low 90s.

Tackle and what to bring

Wahoo means wire leaders and high speed lures in dark colors. Bring rain gear you can pack small. Book flexible flights if you possibly can.

Tell us the month you can travel and we will tell you where to spend it.

Call 800-281-5778 Text Us Now

Side by side

Compare every port

Fifteen ports, three coastlines. Use this to narrow it down, then open the destination that fits.

Fifteen ports across three coastlines
Port	Region	Best months	Known for	Nearest airport
Cabo San Lucas	Baja Sur	Year round, marlin peaks Oct to Apr	Striped, blue and black marlin, tuna, dorado, wahoo	SJD
La Paz	Baja Sur	Jun to Nov	Roosterfish, dorado, tuna, island water, whale sharks	LAP
Magdalena Bay	Baja Pacific	Oct to Dec fishing, Jan to Mar whales	Surface striped marlin, gray whales	LTO
Loreto	Baja Sur	Feb to May, Jun to Sep	Yellowtail, dorado, roosterfish, marine park islands	LTO
Ensenada	Baja Pacific	May to Oct	Yellowtail, bluefin and yellowfin tuna	Drive from San Diego
Cerralvo Island	Baja Sur	Jun to Nov	Roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, dorado, cabrilla	LAP
Cedros Island	Baja Pacific	May to Nov	Yellowtail, calico bass, white seabass, dorado	Charter airstrip or ENS
Puerto Vallarta	Mainland Pacific	Jun to Dec	Blue and black marlin, cow tuna, Corbeteña and El Banco	PVR
Mazatlan	Mainland Pacific	May to Nov	Sailfish, marlin, dorado	MZT
Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo	Mainland Pacific	Nov to May	Sailfish in volume, black marlin	ZIH
Manzanillo	Mainland Pacific	Nov to Mar	Sailfish, blue marlin	ZLO
Huatulco	Mainland Pacific	Nov to May	Sailfish, dorado, quiet bays	HUX
Cancun and Isla Mujeres	Caribbean	Jan to Mar sails, Apr to Jul blues	The Isla Mujeres sailfish run	CUN
Puerto Aventuras	Caribbean	Mar to Jul	Sailfish, blue marlin, short run offshore	CUN
Cozumel	Caribbean	Apr to Jun	Blue marlin, reef and wall diving alongside	CZM

By species

What you came to catch

Most anglers pick the fish first and the place second. If that is you, start here.

Striped marlin

Oct to AprCabo San Lucas, Magdalena Bay

The fish Baja is built on. Cabo San Lucas holds them most of the year with a long peak from October into April. Magdalena Bay is the exception to everything: from October to December they push bait to the surface in daylight, and sight casting to them is one of the great experiences in the sport. If you only do one Mexican fishing trip, this is the one to build it around.

Blue and black marlin

Jun to DecPuerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas

Summer and fall fish. Puerto Vallarta is the standout, with Corbeteña and El Banco holding blues from June through December and blacks showing from August. Cabo produces them through the same window. The Caribbean has its own blue marlin season from April into July.

Sailfish

Year round somewhereIsla Mujeres, Ixtapa, Mazatlan

The most reliable billfish in Mexico and the best entry point for a first billfish. Isla Mujeres from January to March is the famous one, with fish balling bait in shallow blue water. On the Pacific side, Ixtapa and Manzanillo run from November into spring, and Mazatlan runs the opposite calendar from May into November. Between those, some Mexican port has good sailfishing every month of the year.

Yellowfin tuna

Jul to NovCabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, La Paz

Summer into early winter across the Pacific. Cabo and Puerto Vallarta both produce big fish, with El Banco known for the largest. La Paz has excellent tuna from July into November. This is the fish that most often turns a casual trip into a serious one.

Dorado

May to NovAlmost every Pacific port

The most fun and the best eating, and the easiest fish to build a family trip around. May through November across almost every Pacific port, March through July in the Caribbean. Fast, aerial, and they rarely come alone.

Roosterfish

May to SepLa Paz, Loreto, Puerto Vallarta

Inshore, sight fished, and unmistakable. La Paz, Loreto, and Puerto Vallarta from May into September. Almost always released. If you want a fight in shallow water with the beach in sight, this is your fish.

Wahoo

Aug to DecCabo San Lucas, La Paz, Caribbean

Fast, toothy, and outstanding on the plate. August into December in the Sea of Cortez around Cabo and La Paz, November into March in the Caribbean.

Yellowtail and bluefin

Jan to MayEnsenada, Loreto

The Pacific side of Baja, and the reason Southern California anglers drive south instead of flying. Yellowtail from January into May at Ensenada and Loreto. Bluefin come into range at Ensenada through the summer.

Not fishing

Yacht days in Mexico

A yacht day is a different decision than a fishing day. You are choosing water you want to swim in, a coastline you want to look at, and an anchorage worth sitting in for a few hours. Here is where each of our ports fits.

For the clearest water and the best anchorage

La Paz. Balandra and the islands off Espiritu Santo are the best day anchorages in Mexico, with sea lions, empty beaches, and water that looks unreal in photographs because it actually is that color. Whale sharks in the bay from fall through spring. If the day itself is the point, this is the port.

For the most choice and the shortest notice

Cabo San Lucas. The largest selection of yachts in the country, the Arch and Lover's Beach minutes from the marina, and snorkeling at Santa Maria and Chileno. Sunset cruises are a fixture here for a reason. Also the easiest place to arrange something on short notice.

For big groups and big water

Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay. One of the largest bays in the Pacific, with the Marietas Islands, Yelapa, and humpback whales from December into March. Plenty of larger vessels for corporate groups and celebrations.

For Caribbean color

Cancun and Isla Mujeres. Turquoise shallows, a short crossing to Isla Mujeres, and reef stops on the way. The classic Caribbean day on the water, with the largest charter market in the country behind it.

For quiet

Loreto. A national marine park of five islands with almost no traffic on them. If your group wants scenery without a scene, this is it.

Before you call

Questions we get

Do I need a fishing license in Mexico?

Yes. Every person aboard a sportfishing vessel needs one, whether or not they intend to fish. They are issued by CONAPESCA and can be bought by the day, week, month, or year. We arrange them as part of your booking, so it is not something you need to sort out on arrival.

What is the best month to fish in Mexico?

There is no single answer, which is why we built the calendar above. If you want one recommendation for a first trip: November. Magdalena Bay is peaking, Cabo is excellent, the mainland sailfish season is opening, and the weather ashore is close to ideal.

Can we keep what we catch?

Yes for most species, within legal limits, and most ports have restaurants that will cook your catch the same day. Billfish are treated differently. Mexican law reserves them for sport fishing and limits what may be retained, and the standard practice across our network is catch and release for all billfish.

How far in advance should we book?

For peak weeks, three to six months. Magdalena Bay in the fall, Isla Mujeres in February, and the holiday weeks in Cabo book earliest. Outside of those, a few weeks is usually enough, and we can often arrange something within twenty four hours.

Is it safe?

The destinations on this page are tourism ports with established marinas and operators we have worked with for years. We will tell you honestly if a destination or a season is not a good fit for your group, which is a large part of what you are hiring us for.

Do we need to speak Spanish?

No. That is our job.

What happens if the weather turns?

Ports close, trips move, and it is normal. We watch conditions in every destination we sell and we make the call early rather than at the dock. Rescheduling is handled by us, not by you.

Can one group do both fishing and a yacht day?

Often yes, and in several ports it is the better way to structure a trip: a fishing day for part of the group, a yacht day for everyone. Tell us who is coming and we will build it.

Real anglers answer

Still deciding? A two minute call usually settles it.

Someone who has fished these ports picks up, usually within the hour.

Call 800-281-5778 Text Us Now

Reviews

What guests say

5.0 across 669 reviews. 10 consecutive TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence, 2017 to 2026.

Unbelievable, Fishing, whales, Dolphins and perfect service.

We chartered to Tourbillion for a full day and it did not disappoint. The captain, service manager, servers, fishing crew, and chef did everything they could to deliver a perfect experience. We had 7 Marlin on the line and landed 3, with 1 Mahi Mahi to round out the fishing. If that wasn’t enough we had whales and full pods of dolphins right beside us as we reeled in these fish. I know that isn’t in the crews control but they put us in the best place possible during the day. If there is one drawback to our day, it is that this trip will probably wreck every future fishing trip as this was unbeatable.

Steve P

When Only The Best Will Do…Boom Lands End!

Absolutely HIGHLY recommend Lands End Charters! Their attention to detail is unmatched, and they consistently go above and beyond to exceed expectations. Every aspect of the experience was thoughtfully handled, ensuring we had an unforgettable time. There is truly no better way to create incredible family memories than booking with Lands End Charters.

Kristine C

Marlin fishing in Cabo

We had a terrific experience on the 43’ Fish Cabo boat through Lands End Charters. The booking experience through Jenny was very professional and we received lots of information about the fishing experience in Cabo, what to expect and even a video on how to find their office, which was easy. Captain Gil and Valente took good care of us. Managed all the bait and tackle and did a great job of finding fish. We caught 3 marlin in three different spots so Captain Gil knew what he was doing. Catching marlin is like nothing else. What a great experience.

Tom T

Read all reviews on TripAdvisor

Tell us where

Not on the list yet. The network grows where guests ask it to.

Tell us the destination and dates. A real person answers, usually within the hour.

Fifteen ports. One phone call.

Fifteen ports today, more on the way.

Baja California Sur and the Pacific Coast of Baja

Mainland Pacific

Mexican Caribbean

Not sure which port fits your group or your season?

You tell us where and when. Everything after that is on us.

Tell us where and when

We call our people

You show up and enjoy it

Where to fish in Mexico, and when

September

Compare every port

What you came to catch

Striped marlin

Blue and black marlin

Sailfish

Yellowfin tuna

Dorado

Roosterfish

Wahoo

Yellowtail and bluefin

Yacht days in Mexico

For the clearest water and the best anchorage

For the most choice and the shortest notice

For big groups and big water

For Caribbean color

For quiet

Questions we get

Do I need a fishing license in Mexico?

What is the best month to fish in Mexico?

Can we keep what we catch?

How far in advance should we book?

Is it safe?

Do we need to speak Spanish?

What happens if the weather turns?

Can one group do both fishing and a yacht day?

Still deciding? A two minute call usually settles it.

What guests say

Unbelievable, Fishing, whales, Dolphins and perfect service.

When Only The Best Will Do…Boom Lands End!

Marlin fishing in Cabo

Not on the list yet. The network grows where guests ask it to.