Puerto Vallarta may be a small resort city, but the angling opportunities it offers are huge. It overlooks the Bahía de Banderas, for starters. The real jewel in its crown, though, is its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, which holds a diverse number of big game fish. Because of this, deep sea fishing in Puerto Vallarta is something every angler should experience!
If you choose to cast a line here, you’ll soon realize that the name of the game is variety. Travel a mere 25 miles from shore and you’ll hit El Morro, a collection of deep sea underwater rocks and canyons. Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and Sailfish all lurk here, and you’ll have the chance to encounter them all on a six-hour trip.
Head further from shore, around 35 miles out, and you’ll encounter White, Black, and Striped Marlin. You’ll also potentially come face-to-gills with big Yellowfin Tuna, as well as the ever-present Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, and Wahoo. Oh, and then there’s the Sharks. Big Hammerheads lurk here. Local anglers recommend opting for a 10-hour trip so you don’t miss out on the action.
Finally, if you’re an angler who likes to test your limits, you can travel a whopping 50 miles from shore to see what’s in store. The water is rough and the journey is long, but you could be rewarded with Grander Marlin, as well as every other fish mentioned so far. An overnight trip is a must, so make sure you’re comfortable with spending that much time on the water.
You’ll find a whole host of deep sea fishing charters in Puerto Vallarta, ready to take you out. Captains here offer a variety of trips and can tailor your adventure to suit your needs. As the city is small, all charters tend to depart from Marina Vallarta, which provides direct access to the deep sea fishing grounds.