Fish Costa Rica · Overnight charters
Overnight Fishing
Charters in Costa Rica
Go past day-trip range, sleep on the boat, and fish the dawn bite far offshore. One or two nights at sea is the perfect first step beyond a day charter, with marlin, tuna and dorado, and a night on the ocean you won’t forget.
Choose your trip
Day trip, overnight or FAD?
| Day trip | Overnight (this page) | FAD expedition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time at sea | One day | 1–2 nights | 2–4+ days |
| How far | About 25–40 miles | Beyond day range, to the offshore grounds | The far FADs and seamounts |
| Sleep | Your hotel | On the boat | On the boat |
| Main fish | Sailfish, tuna, dorado | Marlin, tuna, dorado, sailfish | Blue marlin |
| Best for | Everyone | A first long trip | Dedicated marlin anglers |
Going all in? See the FAD fishing guide and FAD packages. Still deciding? FAD vs day trips.
Why go overnight
More time where
the big fish live.
A day trip has to turn around in the afternoon. An overnight trip doesn’t. You run past the usual day-charter range, fish into the evening, and you’re already on the grounds at first light, when blue marlin are often most active.
- Less time running, more time with lines in
- Fish the evening and dawn bites
- Water that day boats rarely reach
- Sunsets, starry skies and glowing plankton in the wake
A typical overnight
From dawn to dawn.
- Before dawnLeave the marina. The captain runs offshore while you settle in and the crew rigs tackle.
- Midday–afternoonArrive on the grounds and set the spread. First strikes are often dorado, tuna, or a first marlin.
- SunsetKeep fishing, then fresh tuna on the grill and cold drinks in the cockpit.
- NightDrift under the stars. Deep baits for tuna, especially around a full moon, while the crew keeps watch.
- First lightCoffee and lines in. Early morning is prime time for blue marlin.
- Day 2Fish the morning, then run home, or stay a second night for more.
What you’ll catch
Big fish, day and night.
Blue marlin are the headline offshore. Sailfish keep the action going between marlin bites, and yellowfin tuna bite at night and make the best dinner aboard.
How we fish
Four techniques offshore.
Tackle: 80–130 lb class, heavy leaders and circle hooks. How the crews rig: pro marlin rigging.
Boats & safety
Adventure, with
the comforts.
- 40–60 ft sportfishers with twin diesels and long range
- 4–6 berths, air conditioning and a generator
- Galley, plus a bathroom with a shower
- Live-bait wells, tuna tubes and modern electronics
- Life raft, EPIRB, radios and satellite communication
- Experienced, bilingual crews
Captains watch the weather closely, and trips only leave in suitable conditions.
When to go
Pick your season.
May–October
The best time for an overnight marlin trip, especially June to early September, with steady bait and fewer boats offshore.
December–April
Overnights are possible but less common. Sailfish and dorado are closer to shore, so many anglers fish day trips instead.
See the fishing calendar for every species.
Departure points
Where overnights leave from.
What to bring
Pack light.
- Soft-sided bag, light clothes and a light rain jacket
- Hat, polarized sunglasses and sunscreen
- Motion-sickness tablets
- Toiletries and a towel
- Passport or ID, and your fishing license
- Camera or GoPro (bring a USB drive for the crew’s photos)
The boat provides bedding, meals and drinks. Full list: offshore gear guide.
Billfish are always released, using circle hooks and careful handling. Booking with licensed operators helps protect Costa Rica’s fishery. Catch and release in Costa Rica →
Overnight questions
Quick answers.
First time offshore overnight? Ask us anything.
What is an overnight fishing charter?
A trip where you stay offshore on the boat for one or two nights, so you can fish the evening and dawn bites far beyond day-trip range instead of running back to the marina.
How is an overnight trip different from a FAD trip?
An overnight trip is usually one or two nights and a great first long trip. A FAD expedition is two to four days or more, running to the far FADs and seamounts specifically for blue marlin.
How far offshore do overnight charters go?
Beyond the 25–40 miles of a typical day trip, out to the offshore grounds. The exact distance depends on your departure marina and where the fish are.
Where do you sleep on an overnight fishing trip?
On the boat. Overnight boats have 4–6 berths, air conditioning, a galley and a bathroom with a shower.
When is the best time for an overnight fishing trip?
May to October, especially June to early September for marlin. From December to April, day trips are usually the better choice.
Is it safe to fish offshore overnight?
Yes. Boats carry life rafts, EPIRBs, radios and satellite communication, and captains only leave when the weather is suitable.
Plan your trip
Spend a night
with the marlin.
Tell us your dates, number of anglers, one or two nights, and your preferred marina. We’ll match you with the right boat and crew.