I’ve searched the world for a luxury, full-featured sport fishing boat that focuses exclusively on trophy fish. Most other charters I’ve been on have boats that are dirty, use subpar equipment, and are content with catching any fish just to claim success. The boats are usually in basic working condition, designed to maximize the owner’s profit.

Marlin, however, has taken a different approach. They provide a premium trophy fishing experience aboard a fully functional, luxurious sport fishing boat, dedicated to targeting only large fish. If you’re looking for a clean, well-maintained boat run by an experienced crew, and you’re seeking an unforgettable memory—even if it means possibly not catching a fish that day—this is the boat for you. But if you’re just looking to catch any fish, this may not be the right choice.

In life, you pay for what you get, and the money spent on this trip is absolutely worth the experience and the lasting memories you’ll create. I’m already looking forward to returning to Kona and heading out with Marlin again.

Marlin’s boat and crew are fantastic, and though they are still a growing charter company, I believe they will become one of the most sought-after in Kona. Their operation is top-notch, and I say this after having been on several other boats that don’t come close to matching Marlin’s standards.

Our experience with Captain Marlin & Kona Blue was top notch from start to finish.

Communication, punctuality, professionalism were all outstanding & very much appreciated.

When booking, we messaged Captain Marlin to let him know that our target species would be the “prestigious grander” somewhat in jest & knowing that these chances are few and far between.

To our surprise, he didn’t shy away from the tall order & seemed to relish the challenge with an humble confidence.

At the end of the day, we landed 2 blue marlin, 1 wahoo & had a blast learning about the culture & history of the island in the process.

The captain and crew were fun to talk to about the boat, the fishing environment of Kona and the industry in general. As as catching the fish is, there is a lot of cruising and the air conditioned cabin, the cleanliness of the entire boat all made the day fun.

We booked this boat because it looked beautiful. First we caught a spearfish, 5 minutes later another spearfish hit. An hour and a half later we landed a striped marlin. Then the grand slam with 20 minutes left in our trip we caught a 200 lb Marlin. Cheers to Captain Marlin & first mate Mikey- you crushed it for us! Thank you for a charter we will never forget.

Captain and crew were amazing. The boat is beautiful and it was an overall great experience. Will for sure book with Kona Blue on our next fishing adventure.