OFFSHORE / FULL DAY
Open water, remote islands and the big Pacific species
$1,300Full day
The Pearl Islands Archipelago is a group of more than 200 islands and islets in the Gulf of Panama, roughly 50 kilometres from the capital. This is where the Panamanian Pacific stops being a bay and becomes open water, and where the kind of fishing you can do in one day changes completely.
This is not the relaxed afternoon run. It is a full day, with an early departure and several hours of running spread through the day. In exchange, it is the route where the species people come to Panama for actually show up.
Depending on season and conditions, the realistic list includes:
No trip guarantees a catch, and anyone who guarantees you one is selling smoke. What we do control is reading the water, choosing the route and spending the day in the right zones for those conditions.
The Pearl Islands include Contadora, Isla del Rey, Saboga and dozens of islets with white sand beaches and clear water. Almost every group that runs this route ends up anchoring somewhere to swim, eat on board and slow down before the trip home.
Between July and October it is also a humpback whale corridor. It is not a guaranteed sighting and it is not the goal of the trip, but it happens, and when it does it becomes the part of the day everyone talks about afterwards.
Early departure from the marina in Panama City. Ninety minutes to two hours to the fishing grounds, depending on the sea. Several fishing sessions through the day, with an anchorage stop to swim and eat. Return to port in the afternoon.
It is a long day fully exposed to the sun. We recommend plenty of sunscreen, a cap, polarized sunglasses and a light layer for the wind while running.
For groups that already know they want to fish seriously, or who want the complete Pacific day experience. If this is your first time on a boat, or the group includes small children, the Panama Bay run or the Taboga day are better starting points.
1,300 dollars for a private full day, up to 8 guests, with captain, crew, offshore fishing gear, fuel, ice and water included.
Ninety minutes to two hours running from Panama City, depending on the sea.
Depending on season: mahi mahi, tuna, roosterfish, snapper, bonito and jack. Mahi mahi and roosterfish are the most sought after targets in the Panamanian Pacific.
Yes. The crew cleans it and packs it on ice for you to take at the end of the day.
Yes, and almost every group does. We anchor at an islet to swim and eat before the run home.
Other routes
Four ways to see Panama from the water, all private and all adjustable to your group, your date and the sea conditions.
2, 4, 6 or 8 hours
Direct quote
Run Panama Bay on a private yacht, with the city skyline, the Bridge of the Americas and full Pacific sunsets. Two to eight hour trips, optional fishing, captain and gear included.
Read more ↗Half day · Flexible
Direct quote
Fish the coast on the way to Taboga, watch the city fall away and finish the day on the Island of Flowers: clear water, a swim and a beachfront pause 45 minutes from Panama City.
Read more ↗Half day · Full day
$1,300 · Jul–Oct season
From July to October humpback whales cross the Gulf of Panama to calve and raise their young. A private full day for $1,300 to the water where they gather, with a captain who keeps the legal distance.
Read more ↗Built to order
Quoted per group
Fishing first, family day, birthday, bachelor party, swim stop, grill on board or sunset run. Build the boat day you came to Panama for.
Read more ↗