Fishing in Cancun

Cancun ranks among one of the top destinations for sportfishing. In the marinas and in nearly all the hotels, fishing tours are offered. The boats depart at 10:00 am and return in the late afternoon. You can rent a private boat or go on a group outing. February to April is a good time of year to catch kingfish, barracuda, shark, and blue marlin. From September to February, you’ll reel in barracuda, grouper, jackfish and kingfish. From April to August, you’ll hook blue marlin, sailfish, tuna, bonito and dorado. In annual fishing tournaments off the coast, these species are caught and returned to the sea.

Other fishing destinations near Cancun

Cozumel

Located off the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. You can reach the island on boats that depart from Puerto Marques and Playa del Carmen. Throughout the year, the waters of the Mexican Caribbean’s largest island offer sierra, mackerel, barracuda, kingfish, snapper and shark. From March to June, you’ll find blue marlin, sailfish, dorado and white marlin.

Akumal

Located 105 kilometers (65 miles) south of Cancun off Route 307. A quiet place where different marine turtle species arrive to lay their eggs. This place offers sportfishing outings for those looking to catch sailfish, marlin, barracuda and bonito. It has a magnificent bay with a reef that serves as a barrier to the open sea. Akumal is an ideal spot to relax as you take in the beauty of the Caribbean scenery.

Isla Mujeres

Located 14 kilometers (9 miles) off the coast of Cancun, it is one of the most beautiful spots in the Mexican Caribbean. The island is 8 kilometers (5 miles) long and 1.5 kilometers (about 1 mile) wide. To arrive there, you can take a ferry or speedboat from Puerto Juarez, Punta Sam and Playa Linda. You can arrive by taking the Garrafon Cruise, which departs from the Embarcadero in Cancun’s hotel zone at Km 4. It arrives at Parque Natural Garrafon on the southern part of the island. Fishing is the island’s mainstay of life. Off its coast, you can catch such species as marlin and dorado, among others.

Isla Holbox

Located 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the Yucatan Peninsula. Separated from the mainland by the Yalahan Lagoon, Holbox Island is far enough removed from civilization to allow you to forget about everything and enjoy some quiet relaxation. To arrive there from Cancun, take Route 180 west to Km 150 and then head north about 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the town of Chiquila. There you’ll have to cross Yalahan Lagoon in a boat to arrive at the island. The inhabitants are fishermen and they can guide you around the island. An island known for its shark fishing, you can catch hammerhead and blue sharks, as well as jackfish and tarpon.

Puerto Morelos

Located 36 kilometers (22 miles) south of Cancun off Route 307. Has calm waters, which are ideal for water sports, and reefs nearby that are certain to please scuba divers. Near the port, you’ll find a charming botanical garden and a crocodile farm. A fishing village where fishermen catch blue and white marlin, dorado, tuna and barracuda.