Deprecated: Constant PDO::MYSQL_ATTR_FOUND_ROWS is deprecated since 8.5, use Pdo\Mysql::ATTR_FOUND_ROWS instead in /home/seanmhak/public_html/saltwaterpros.com/app/Core/Database.php on line 31
San Juan Fishing Charters | Deep Sea & Inshore Fishing - Book Now!
Saltwater Pros

Puerto Rico · San Juan Metro

SAN JUAN
FISHING CHARTERS

30+ verified captains. Instant confirmation. Best price guaranteed.

30+
Verified Captains
4.8★
Avg Rating
3
Fishing Types
10+
Species
San Juan, PR
Select dates
All Types
Get Charter Quotes

Free account required to request pricing

Anglers:
2 Adults
Instant Booking Free Cancellation Best Price Guarantee
About

San Juan Fishing

San Juan is Puerto Rico's capital and the Caribbean's premier fishing hub. Deep Atlantic waters just minutes from the harbor hold blue marlin, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and mahi mahi year-round. The city's world-class marinas, rich history, and vibrant nightlife make it the perfect base for a Caribbean fishing adventure. Major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and MSC dock here regularly.

Travel Info

Getting to San Juan

Whether arriving by cruise ship or flying in for vacation, here's what you need to know.

Cruise Ships

Year-round, peak November-April

Royal Caribbean Carnival Princess Celebrity Norwegian MSC Holland America Oceania Disney Virgin Voyages

Excursion Alternatives:

Royal Caribbean Carnival Princess Celebrity Norwegian MSC Holland America Oceania Disney Virgin Voyages

By Air

Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)

Booking Tips

Book fishing charters 2-4 weeks in advance during peak cruise season (November-April). Half-day morning trips are most popular with cruise passengers. Confirm your ship's departure time and book a trip that returns at least 2 hours before sail-away.

Sunscreen SPF 50+, polarized sunglasses, hat, light rain jacket, motion sickness medication if needed, camera, cash for tips (15-20% customary)

DIY Fishing

Shore Fishing Guide — San Juan

Want to fish on your own? Here are the best shore, pier, and bank fishing spots.

Condado Lagoon

Shore Fishing

Wade or cast from the shore of this urban lagoon where tarpon and snook cruise the mangrove edges at dawn and dusk. The Condado bridge pilings are especially productive on the outgoing tide.

Target: Tarpon, Snook, Jacks

Escambrón Beach Jetty

Pier Fishing

The rocky jetty at Escambrón offers casting access to reef fish and roaming predators. Crevalle jacks and barracuda patrol the reef edge, and snapper hold tight to the rocks.

Target: Jacks, Barracuda, Snapper

La Puntilla Pier (Old San Juan)

Pier Fishing

The historic pier near the cruise port provides easy access for visiting anglers. Cast along the pilings for mangrove snapper and watch for rolling tarpon in the harbor at dusk.

Target: Snapper, Jacks, Tarpon

Punta Las Marías Rocks

Shore Fishing

The rocky shoreline east of Ocean Park offers wade-fishing opportunities along coral ledges. Snook ambush baitfish in the wash zone and jacks hunt the deeper pockets at first light.

Target: Snook, Jacks, Needlefish

Best Baits

Live shrimp, cut bait (ballyhoo, squid), small jigs and poppers, Gotcha plugs for barracuda

Tactics

Fish early morning or late evening for best results. Target structure like jetties, docks, and reef edges. Use light spinning gear with 10-20 lb line. Topwater lures work well for jacks at dawn.

Regulations

A Puerto Rico saltwater fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older. Catch limits and size restrictions apply to most species. Check DNER regulations before fishing.

Fishing Calendar

What's Biting in San Juan?

See which species are available each month, color-coded by activity level.

Color Key
Peak Good Fair Off Season
Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Barracuda
Nearshore
 G G G G G G G G G G G G
Blue Marlin
Deep Sea Fishing
 G G G G G P P P P P G G
Bonefish
Inshore
 G G P P P P G G G P P P
King Mackerel
Nearshore
 P P P P G G G G G G P P
Mahi Mahi
Deep Sea Fishing
 P P P P P G G G G G G P
Mangrove Snapper
Inshore
 P P P G G G G G G P P P
Wahoo
Deep Sea Fishing
 P P P G G G G G G G P P
Yellowfin Tuna
Deep Sea Fishing
 P P P P P P G G G G G G
Snook
Inshore
 - - - G G P P P P G G -
Tarpon
Inshore
 - - - G G P P P P G G -
Species Glossary

San Juan Fish Species

10+ species organized by fishing type. Click any species to learn more.

View Full Species Guide

Inshore Species

Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore.

Bonefish

Peak: Mar, Apr, May

Mangrove Snapper

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Snook

Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug

Tarpon

Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug

Nearshore Species

Target reefs, wrecks, and structure within a few miles of land.

Barracuda

Peak: Year-round

King Mackerel

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Deep Sea Fishing Species

Head to deep water for big game and bottom species.

Blue Marlin

Peak: Jun, Jul, Aug

Mahi Mahi

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Wahoo

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar

Yellowfin Tuna

Peak: Jan, Feb, Mar
Charter Guide

Fishing Charter Types in San Juan

Understanding the different charter types will help you book the perfect trip for your group.

INSHORE

Fish the bays, flats, and passes close to shore. Target redfish, speckled trout, flounder and more in calm, protected waters.

View Inshore Charters

NEARSHORE

Fish the reefs, wrecks, and structure 1-9 miles offshore. Target snapper, grouper, cobia and more over natural and artificial reefs.

View Nearshore Charters

DEEP SEA FISHING

Deep sea fishing 20+ miles out. Chase tuna, marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo and other pelagic gamefish in blue water.

View Deep Sea Fishing Charters

TROLLING

Cover water by dragging lures or bait behind a moving boat to target pelagic species.

View Trolling Charters

BOTTOM FISHING

Drop baits to the ocean floor to target snapper, grouper, and other reef dwellers.

View Bottom Fishing Charters

FLY FISHING

Sight-cast with fly rods on the flats for redfish, trout, and tarpon.

View Fly Fishing Charters

SURF FISHING

Fish from the beach or wade into the surf to target pompano, whiting, and redfish.

View Surf Fishing Charters

KAYAK FISHING

Paddle out for a more intimate fishing experience on bays and nearshore waters.

View Kayak Fishing Charters
Fishing Tips & Guides

San Juan Fishing Blog

Local insights, seasonal reports, and expert tips for fishing in San Juan.

View All Articles
Guest Reviews

San Juan Fishing Reviews

5 based on 3 reviews

Blue marlin dream come true off San Juan

We trolled the deep blue water north of San Juan along the Puerto Rico Trench and hooked into a massive blue marlin that went over 400 pounds. The fight lasted nearly two hours on 80-pound stand-up tackle. We also raised two whites and boated a beautiful 45-pound wahoo on the way back in. San Juan is a world-class billfish destination.

C
Captain Miguel
January 2025
Deep Sea
Blue Marlin Wahoo

Incredible mangrove snapper bite in San Juan Bay

Fished the structure and channels inside San Juan Bay using live shrimp and cut bait and the mangrove snapper were absolutely stacked up. We boxed over 20 nice snappers in the 2- to 4-pound range. Perfect inshore trip for visitors who want to stay close to the city and still catch great fish.

C
Captain Rosa
March 2025
Inshore
Mangrove Snapper Tarpon

Booked during our Royal Caribbean stop and it was amazing

We only had a few hours during our cruise ship stop in San Juan so we booked a half-day nearshore trip. The captain put us on yellowtail snapper and barracuda within minutes of leaving the dock. My son even caught a nice 20-pound kingfish. Best excursion of the entire cruise.

C
Captain Deshawn
November 2025
Nearshore
Yellowtail Snapper Barracuda King Mackerel
Start Your Adventure

Ready to Fish San Juan?

Post your trip request and let San Juan's top captains compete for your business. Or browse available charters and book instantly.

Post a Trip Request View Fishing Calendar
Saltwater Pros
Find Charters