Aruba sits at the edge of the Atlantic where deep water is just minutes from shore — making it an exceptional deep-sea fishing destination. Mahi-mahi, wahoo, blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and barracuda are all regularly caught within 20-30 minutes of the marina. The fishing here is serious fishing, not a tourist experience dressed up as sport.
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What Fish Can You Catch in Aruba
| Species | Season | Method |
| Mahi-mahi (dorado) | Year-round, best April-August | Trolling, offshore |
| Wahoo | Year-round, best Oct-March | Trolling, high-speed |
| Blue marlin | March-September | Deep-sea trolling |
| Yellowfin tuna | Year-round | Trolling, live bait |
| Barracuda | Year-round | Near-shore |
| Sailfish | December-April | Deep-sea |
Types of Fishing Trips
Half-Day Fishing (4 hours)
$400-600 for the boat (4-6 people). Good for mahi-mahi and wahoo. Covers the near-offshore grounds 5-15 miles out. Best choice for first-timers or those who want fishing without a full day commitment.
Full-Day Fishing (8 hours)
$700-1,000 for the boat. Reaches the deeper offshore banks where marlin and large tuna are found. Multiple species, multiple chances. The serious option.
Night Fishing
Several operators offer evening departures for different species behaviour at night. Squid, snapper, and grouper are the targets. A different experience from daytime offshore fishing.
Fishing Operators in Aruba
Most charters depart from the Oranjestad marina or the Palm Beach area. Aruba Deep Sea Fishing, Driftwood Fishing Charters, and Teaser Fishing Charters are well-regarded operators with modern boats and experienced captains. All trips include tackle, bait, and ice for the catch. Most practice catch-and-release for billfish.
Fishing Regulations
Aruba follows Caribbean fishing regulations. Billfish (marlin, sailfish) should be released. A fishing licence is included in your charter fee. No personal fishing licence required for charter fishing.
Yes – Aruba is excellent for deep-sea fishing. Deep water is just 20-30 minutes from the marina, and mahi-mahi, wahoo, blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and sailfish are all regularly caught. Half-day charters run $400-600 for the boat (4-6 people).
Year-round species include mahi-mahi, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and barracuda. Seasonal catches include blue marlin (March-September), sailfish (December-April), and various reef fish near shore.
Half-day charters (4 hours) run $400-600 for the boat for up to 4-6 people. Full-day charters (8 hours) run $700-1,000. Most trips include all tackle, bait, and ice.
All Aruba water activities | Private boat charters
Book a fishing charter
Aruba fishing is almost entirely private charter — expect to book the whole boat.
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Deep Sea Fishing in Aruba: What to Expect
Aruba’s position on the edge of the Caribbean shelf means deep water is genuinely close — just 20–30 minutes at speed from the marina. Most sport fishing destinations require a 1–2 hour run to reach productive grounds. In Aruba, you’re trolling over 500-foot water almost immediately after leaving harbour. The implication: more fishing time per charter hour, and less time wasted on long runs.
Mahi-mahi (dorado) are the most reliably caught species year-round — they’re fast, acrobatic, and excellent eating. Wahoo are the preferred catch for serious sport fishers — high-speed strikes, powerful runs, and among the best eating fish in the ocean. Blue marlin occasionally appear in the deeper water during the March–September window. Any of these on a half-day charter from Aruba is a real possibility, not just a theoretical one.
What Happens to the Catch
Most charter captains operate a ‘keep or release’ system. For billfish (marlin, sailfish), catch-and-release is strongly encouraged and most operators require it. For mahi-mahi, wahoo, and tuna — you eat what you catch. Several restaurants on the island will cook your catch if you bring it in — call ahead to arrange. Alternatively, the captain can fillet and ice the fish for you to take to your hotel room.
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Aruba Fishing Charters: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fishing charter in Aruba cost?
Shared half-day trips start around $85–150 per person. Private charters run roughly $450–700 for a half day (4 hours) and $800–1,200 for a full day, for up to 6 anglers, with tackle, bait and licences included.
What can you catch in Aruba?
Mahi-mahi, wahoo, barracuda and tuna year-round; blue marlin and sailfish are most common from about October to May. Bottom fishing on the reef brings up snapper and grouper.
Do I need a fishing licence?
No — the charter covers it. You just need sunscreen, a hat, motion-sickness tablets if you are prone, and any drinks the boat does not include.
Where do the boats leave from?
Most deep-sea boats leave from the Oranjestad and Renaissance marinas or Hadicurari Pier at Palm Beach, with 6–7am departures the norm for the best bite.
Can I keep the fish?
Usually yes for eating fish like mahi and wahoo — many captains will fillet your catch, and several Palm Beach and Oranjestad restaurants will cook it for you that evening. Billfish are catch-and-release.
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