Belize Fishing Charters

The average price for a private 4 hour Belize fishing trip is US $374, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you US $625 based on prices on FishingBooker.com.

Which fishing charters in Belize are good for families?

Fishing charters in Belize that received great reviews from families are:

What are the top fish species I can catch in Belize?

The top 3 fish species targeted on guided fishing trips in Belize are:

What are the top fishing techniques in Belize?

The top 3 fishing techniques in Belize are:

What are the top types of fishing in Belize?

The top 3 types of fishing in Belize are:

Do Belize fishing charters provide rods, reels and tackle?

Many fishing charters in Belize provide rods, reels and tackle. Some of the top rated are:

Who are the best rated captains in Belize?

According to customer reviews on FishingBooker.com, some of the best rated charter captains in Belize are:

Who are the top awarded captains in Belize?

Who are the top awarded captains in Belize?

What fishing trips are offered by fishing charters in Belize?

Some of the fishing trips offered by fishing charters in Belize are:

Extended fishing trips – US $1,275
4-hour fishing trips – US $352
6-hour fishing trips – US $430
7-hour fishing trips – US $464
8-hour fishing trips – US $636

Fishing in Belize

If the fish gods exist, they certainly have a soft spot for Belize. The country is host to a wide variety of marine environments, all pulling together to attract game fish of all shapes and sizes to its coastline. From catching Grand Slams in the infinite flats to trolling offshore for Billfish and Tuna, Belize fishing charters have something to offer even the pickiest of sportfishermen and women. And vacation spots don’t get much better than this, either.

Known For

Belize’s fishing grounds are a sight for sore eyes, as far as most anglers are concerned. The relatively undeveloped shoreline is perfect for inshore and flats fishing—Tarpon, Bonefish, and Permit abound around the river mouths, creeks, bays, and estuaries.

Just a few miles from shore, the Belize Barrier Reef is one of the finest and most diverse examples of living coral in the world—so much so that it’s made the UNESCO World Heritage list. This is home to a thriving ecosystem presided over by predators the likes of Barracuda, Black Grouper, Snappers, and Wahoo—all prime sportfishing targets.

Beyond the offshore edge of the reef, the seafloor drops off from depths of 600 ft to 2000 ft in a matter of miles, bringing Marlin, Mahi Mahi, and Tuna within reach of a day’s fishing trip.

Belize fishing hotspots

While the fishing is good across the country, there are a few prime locations that attract anglers and holiday makers alike. Here’s our rundown:

Ambergris Caye

Light tackle and fly anglers come to Ambergris Caye to test themselves against its prolific schools of Bonefish, and Tarpon, as well as Permit, Jack Crevalle, and Barracuda. Belize fishing guides pride themselves on the speed at which they get on with the job at hand, and those in San Pedro and the rest of Ambergris Caye are no exception. 15 minutes from leaving the dock, and you can either be fishing the tidal flats or trolling the bluewater.

Get there: Ferries run from Belize City several times a day. The journey lasts between 75-90 minutes and tickets cost roughly $20 one-way. There are also regular flights to San Pedro Airport from the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport near Belize City. The flight lasts approximately 20 minutes.

Charter a fishing boat: Reef and flats fishing trips start at $250–350 for a half day trip, extending to $400–$500 for a full day. Offshore fishing ranges from $400–$600 for a half day and $550–$900 for a full day, depending on the quality of the boat and experience of the crew.

Belize City

The starting point for most Belize vacations, Belize City has its fair share of fishing opportunities, too. The highlight of fishing in Belize City is the huge Tarpon that cruise the flats in front of the Belize River, and there’s excellent Snook and Tarpon fishing upstream in the Belize and Sibun Rivers.

World-class offshore fishing is accessible from here, too. The Turneffe Islands, about 20 miles east of the city, are home to some of the country's best flats and offshore fishing. Travel another 12 miles from there, and you reach the legendary Lighthouse Reef, famous for Bonefish on the flats and its huge drop off to the south. Local anglers tell stories of behemoth Wahoo from these waters, as well as King Mackerel, Amberjack, Nassau Grouper, and even Billfish.

Get there: Most resorts and charter boats in the atolls offer a pickup service from Belize city, often coming in at an extra cost. Be sure to check this with your guide before the trip.

Charter a fishing boat: Most charter operators starting from Belize City offer multiple day trips, which can be in the range of roughly $1000 per day, all-inclusive.

Placenia

Towards the south of Belize, Placenia and Hopkins offer some of the best deep sea fishing in the country. And while the ride to the offshore fishing grounds is slightly further than it is in the north, it's more than worth the additional travel time. Inshore, southern Belize is known for its healthy Permit population, with local Permit and Tarpon being among the largest caught in the country. Combine this with schools of Bonefish in the flats, and this could be one of the best places to catch a Grand Slam in Belize.

Fishing guides in Placenia and Hopkins are especially proud of how close they are to Glover’s Reef and the offshore pinnacles. Glover’s Reef is a partially submerged atoll that lies around 30 miles from Hopkins and is also accessible from Placenia on a full day trip. Having been a marine preserve for over 25 years, its rich ecosystem attracts Blue and White Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and a variety of Sharks. Meanwhile, the dropoff at the outer barrier reef wall is a proven Blue Marlin hotspot. The inner reefs are just as eager to please, offering up a rich selection of Mutton, Cubera, and Yellowtail Snappers, Groupers, Mackerels, Bonito, and much more.

Get there: Placenia is a three hour drive from Belize City by car or bus. By plane, it’s 40 minutes from Belize City.

Charter a fishing boat: Inshore and reef fishing trips range from $250–$350 for half a day, and $450–$550 for a full 8 hours. Offshore trips are in the range of $600–$900 for a half day, which may take you up to 25 miles out to the reefs, while full day trips may travel up to 40 miles and cost $1000–$1500.

Know before you go

Many Belize fishing charters include fishing licenses as part of the package; if they don’t, you will need to purchase one from Belize’s Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA).

Fishing with scuba gear is prohibited, and catch and release is mandatory for Tarpon, Bonefish, and Permit.

Belize was the first country in the world to ban all bottom trawling, a destructive commercial fishing technique that involves dragging nets along the bottom of the seafloor. This allows the reef—and the sportfishing around it—to flourish.

The world-famous flats fishing in Belize draws anglers here from across the globe. Pay the country a visit, and see for yourself how it’s not just the flats, but also the reef and deep sea fishing, that make people want to stay.

Belize

4.8 / 5

Based on 28578 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

Belize Fishing Seasons

January

January is the middle of the dry season in North and Central Belize and is often considered to be the perfect time of year to visit. Tarpon are prolific, with up to 50–75 being spotted per day!

February

The dry season continues, although the weather can be changeable. Flats fishing is excellent as long as there isn’t too much wind, while reef fishing is consistently very good. Look out for huge Wahoo over the reefs.

March

March can be windy in Belize. There's plenty of Bonefish around, though, with Tarpon appearing on calmer days and a fair amount of Permit schooling up. Reef fishing remains excellent for Wahoo.

April

April is the beginning of the prime flats fishing season, which lasts until October. The water is calm and clear, while rising temperatures may be marked by brief rain showers. Look for King Mackerel on the reefs.

May

May is usually the hottest time of year in Belize, but that doesn’t stop the fish. This is a great time of year for enormous schools of Bonefish on the flats, with Tarpon present on the flats and the reefs.

June

Temperatures are high, with morning rain showers bringing a welcome relief. Bone fishing is at its peak, while Tarpon is still there to be caught on the flats and the reef. This makes for a summer holiday you won’t forget!

July

This is lobster season, and the numerous festivals along the coastline won’t let you forget it! With warm weather broken by showers and cool breezes, this is real summer. Flats and reef fishing are extremely good.

August

Don't miss the International Costa Maya Festival in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Escape the crowds and you’ll find that this is also peak season for Tarpon, with catches reaching over 100 lbs!

September

The celebrations continue, with locals celebrating both the Battle of St George’s Caye day and Independence day. Will you be having your own little celebration by taming the biggest Tarpon of your angling career?

October

The fish on the flats are generally larger and more aggressive at this time of year. Permit fishing is heating up, while Tarpon and Bonefish are still breaking lines whenever they can. Jack Crevalle and Snook are also plentiful.

November

Deep sea fishing is as good as it gets in Belize in November, and the Belize Game Fish Association celebrates this with their annual Bluewater Classic. Look out for Marlin, Tuna, and Belize’s famously large Wahoo.

December

Peak tourist season means it can be hard to find accomodations. But secure your lodging, and we think you won’t be in your room for long — not with Bonefish, Tarpon, Jacks, Wahoo, Groupers, and Snappers all biting.

Belize Fishing Calendar

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Featured photos from Belize

Don't let the big hands fool you, this was a nice bonefish

A nice Permit caught on a shrimp pattern

Cleaning the catch. Notice the stingray.

What anglers said about fishing in Belize

Fantastic place for Bonefish and large Permit. Placencia as a destination is a beautiful part of Belize to visit.

5.0 / 5

Fantastic place for Bonefish and large Permit. Placencia as a destination is a beautiful part of Belize to visit.

Capt. Dermin Shivers – 23'

The half day reef is great for people who want to experience ocean fishing with lots of varieties of fish, but without the swells and sea sickness!

5.0 / 5

The half day reef is great for people who want to experience ocean fishing with lots of varieties of fish, but without the swells and sea sickness!

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize

If it is your first time make sure you are well protected from the sun and brace yourself for a hot but incredible experience!

5.0 / 5

If it is your first time make sure you are well protected from the sun and brace yourself for a hot but incredible experience!

Nano Guerrero

When they say reef fishing it is man made reefs in shallower water not the 2nd largest reef in the world

5.0 / 5

When they say reef fishing it is man made reefs in shallower water not the 2nd largest reef in the world

Freedom Tours – Trolling Passion

Weather is generally favorable, but the wind can be unpredictable. We were fortunate enough to have a light day, but there were days later in our week, that I don't think deep sea fishing would be an option. Also, the sun there is nothing to joke about. Bring lots of sunscreen and use it often. Hats and light colored, sun blocking clothes can save your day.

5.0 / 5

Uprising Tours Fishing – Knotty Pirate

We were able to catch quite a few species of fish and also a good amount. We are very happy fishing in February in San Pedro.

5.0 / 5

We were able to catch quite a few species of fish and also a good amount. We are very happy fishing in February in San Pedro.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize

Good time for bonito and King Macs. Barras are always around the shallows.

4.7 / 5

Good time for bonito and King Macs. Barras are always around the shallows.

Waata Daag Fishing Adventures

Although you can catch bigger fish off shore, reef fishing has great odds of bringing home some delicious fare for your dinner to be cooked locally.

5.0 / 5

Although you can catch bigger fish off shore, reef fishing has great odds of bringing home some delicious fare for your dinner to be cooked locally.

Uprising Tours Fishing – Knotty Pirate

Keep in mind we were spear fishing, not deep-sea or reef fishing with fishing poles. We were successful in our catch and ate a great meal that same night.

4.7 / 5

Keep in mind we were spear fishing, not deep-sea or reef fishing with fishing poles. We were successful in our catch and ate a great meal that same night.

Captain Rogel Sanchez

Having your own equipment is recommended mostly so you are familiar with it. Learn the double haul cast for windy situations it's always present...be patient, it's more like hunting than fishing

5.0 / 5

Having your own equipment is recommended mostly so you are familiar with it. Learn the double haul cast for windy situations it's always present...be patient, it's more like hunting than fishing

Captain Nato

Stayed inside reef because of wind. Lots of action and had several fish on the line before they got off. Good AM fishing.

5.0 / 5

Stayed inside reef because of wind. Lots of action and had several fish on the line before they got off. Good AM fishing.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize

Get with Captain Rogel of Rogel's Adventures! He will put you on the fish!!

5.0 / 5

Get with Captain Rogel of Rogel's Adventures! He will put you on the fish!!

Captain Rogel Sanchez

Great fishing, caught Cuda, king and Spanish mackeral mutton snapper, tuna, and grunts of multiple variety This is wahoo season. We didn't catch any billfish, but they are around. Feb and March more for sails and marlin. Great fishing inshore and offshire!¡

5.0 / 5

Fish 101 Belize

Plenty of sporty fish!!! Wahoo season is now bilut the king mackrel bite was amazing. Mahogany Bay pool bar did a superior job cooking outlr catch!

5.0 / 5

Plenty of sporty fish!!! Wahoo season is now bilut the king mackrel bite was amazing. Mahogany Bay pool bar did a superior job cooking outlr catch!

Freedom Tours – Trolling Passion

If you're targeting a specific species ask to see if they're around when you're planning your trip. I was hunting permit and they are hard to find in December

5.0 / 5

If you're targeting a specific species ask to see if they're around when you're planning your trip. I was hunting permit and they are hard to find in December

Nano Guerrero

Don’t hesitate to book the trip, visit this beautiful country and experience what it has to offer!

5.0 / 5

Don’t hesitate to book the trip, visit this beautiful country and experience what it has to offer!

Freedom Tours – Lucky Strike

Communication is key, if you are booking from a cruise ship the terminals can be tricky. Stay in contact with Stef and you’ll find the boat

5.0 / 5

Communication is key, if you are booking from a cruise ship the terminals can be tricky. Stay in contact with Stef and you’ll find the boat

In 2 Deep Charters Belize – 30’ Custom Panga

Bring plenty of strong insect repellent not for the boat but for Ambergris Caye. The island has lots of standing water and trash everywhere and we were not able to go outside day or night without spraying down with repellent. We will not be going back to this island which is unfortunate because we had a great time once we were out on the boat.

4.7 / 5

Captain Rogel Sanchez Macon, VA

Be patient. If the wind isnt moving, it gets very hot, and the fish are able to see swivel/weights/etc. As soon as the wind picked up a little, we moved back to the spot we started at, and caught the fish that wouldn’t bite in the morning.

5.0 / 5

Placencia Fishing Charters – Capt. Edlin Waxahachie, TX

Fishing in San Pedro you are sure to catch a variety of fish on the reef using live bait like snapper, triggerfish and barracuda. Don't sit around the resort pool all day... Get out and fish!

5.0 / 5

Fishing in San Pedro you are sure to catch a variety of fish on the reef using live bait like snapper, triggerfish and barracuda. Don't sit around the resort pool all day... Get out and fish!

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize Alexandria, VA

How did anglers rate fishing charters in Belize?

Freedom Tours – Trolling Passion
Fishing charter in San Pedro

4.0 / 5

(170 reviews)

Although the fishing was pretty slow, Captain Byron and his first mate George kept us entertained and made some amazing fresh ceviche. We caught 7 fish overall. Tuna, mackerel, and barracuda.

Jeff L. A.

Freedom Tours – Trolling Passion
Fishing charter in San Pedro

4.7 / 5

(170 reviews)

Hillyboo was great and his crew, we caught a bunch of snapper and barracuda. They served us rum punch as well. Would recommend for a fun action packed day of fishing.

Colton M.

Freedom Tours – Lucky Strike
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(42 reviews)

We had an incredible half-day excursion with Hillyboo. Caught plenty of fish and he helped us arrange for it to be cooked for us later this evening. Would highly recommend this company.

Abram F.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(271 reviews)

Our family had a great time with captain Willie and caught plenty of fish! A wonderful experience.

Chris F.

Freedom Tours – Trolling Passion
Fishing charter in San Pedro

4.3 / 5

(170 reviews)

We had a rough start offshore with some decent swells and lost what felt like a bigger fish. We decided to move closer to shore and caught several barracudas and a really nice jack. Lunch was amazing as the crew cooked us both fresh ceviche and grilled up some barracuda which was delicious. All in a private fishing camp on the water. Great experience!

Jason S.

Esley Usher Fishing - Agua Mala
Fishing charter in Caye Caulker

4.7 / 5

(88 reviews)

Had a great time fishing with my girlfriend for a half day. The fishing was a bit slow but hey that’s fishing! Elsey was a great guy, easy going, and he knew what he was doing 🤙🏻

Colton M.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(271 reviews)

Great trip! Willie our captain was awesome. Kind, helpful and informative on the history and culture of the island. The fishing was good. Ee did the half day reef excursion. We caught a bunch of different varieties! My wife came along and was very appreciative of the large shade canopy. We would definitely come back and Fish with Willie again!

Venessa W.

Belize Candace Fish And Reef Tours
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(14 reviews)

Our captain, Mundo, made this trip amazing! My girlfriend and I were amazed at the number of fish we caught. Mundo was personable and very interactive. We had many laughs along the way. Thank you for such a great experience! We will be back soon! - Tyler-

Tyler A.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

4.7 / 5

(271 reviews)

Captain Wilfred was a phenomenal guide! I suck at fishing and he helped me actually catch a few! Great experience and beautiful views! Get out of your comfort zone and do it!

Aaron Z.

Freedom Tours – Trolling Passion
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(170 reviews)

Laidback, good vibe, nice boat. Capt & Jorge did their absolute best to make it a success! Served some us a little fresh sachimi back at port. We would highly recommend them and look forward to going out with them next time.

Charles C.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(271 reviews)

We had a wonderful time, the capitain picked us up close to where we were staying. He knew the area very well and was a great driver. He helped me baiting and we caught soo many snappers! He even fileted them for us and told us how to best cook them. Highly recommend!

Victoria S.

Nano Guerrero
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(151 reviews)

Nano is a super kind and very patient guide. He takes the time to make sure you have a wonderful experience on the water. He made sure the trip was fun and mixed it up all 3 days. We caught barracuda, bonefish, snapper, and Jack. We probably would have caught more but my fly casting wasn't up to par. I learned a lot about casting a fly line with Nano. He is an incredible teacher. Couldn't say enough good things.

Nicholas A.

Nano Guerrero
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(151 reviews)

Nano is extremely knowledgeable about the fish of belize and incredible with a fly rod. He gave me many opportunities on bonefish and taught me about their behavior patterns. Nano is a good man and outstanding guide.

Steve G.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(271 reviews)

Willie is the real deal. We had an amazing afternoon. He was super patient with our kids and we caught a lot of fish. He was super knowledgeable as well. I would definitely recommend a fishing trip with Willie!

Josh W.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(271 reviews)

Fishing was somewhat slow. We caught several lane snappers, mutton snappers and some needle fish. The highlight of the day was lunch. Wilfred cooked some snappers in several different ways. My wife doesn’t care for fish but she really enjoyed the ones he cooked for us.

Roger S.

Nano Guerrero
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(151 reviews)

Justiniano was so kind and patient with my son and I as he taught us how to fly fish in the flats. So enjoyed our time with him and even managed to catch a few fish with our poor technique. Can't recommend him enough.

Steve H.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

5.0 / 5

(271 reviews)

Mr. Willie was an exceptional guide. Took us out for roughly 7 hours, was very helpful with communication getting us ready for the trip, and had everything we needed for an awesome experience. He made us some of the freshest seafood I have ever had with our catch! Would 100% recommend.

Jackson M.

Waata Daag Fishing Adventures
Fishing charter in Placencia

5.0 / 5

(90 reviews)

Grayson is an amazing fisherman and guide. He took us out to a place where we only saw one boat in the distance the entire day. From the time he went from full throttle to neutral and sent out the lines, we were on the fish in less than 1 minute. We caught a good variety of fish: several large Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bonita, and Barracuda. It was a trip that my son and I won't forget! Grayson knows where the fish are and how to put them in the boat!

BRIAN S.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

4.7 / 5

(271 reviews)

Thank you Captain Wilfred Leslie. It was a great fishing trip with 3 or us.

Gregory G.

Reel, Grill & Chill Belize
Fishing charter in San Pedro

4.7 / 5

(271 reviews)

Great way for a couple or family to spend a day. Not purely for fishing, though we caught a nice variety of small to medium fish.The lunch was fantastic at a fabulous location. Snorkeling was equally impressive with turtles, sharks, rays and porpoise.