Typically enjoyed year-round (though peak season varies by location), deep sea fishing—also known as big game, offshore, or sportfishing—is an exhilarating, on-the-water activity combining the thrill of the chase with the serenity of calm, open ocean. Equal parts adventure and relaxation, laid-back fun and exciting personal challenge, it’s also a sport that takes you to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
Imagine the gentle rocking of a charter boat, the smell of fresh salt air around you, and the morning sun rising overhead as you cast your line into deep blue water to battle giant marlin, massive tuna, or speedy sailfish. And then feel the thrill of victory as you reel in your prize, all while immersed in a fabulous day outdoors. If you’re an adventure-seeker craving a new challenge or an experienced angler with a love of open ocean, a deep-sea sportfishing vacation may just be what you’re looking for.
Our Investor Relations Associate (and fishing aficionado) Jake, recently shared some of his favorite Equity Estates sportfishing destinations with us — perfect for anyone who enjoys active, on-the-water outdoor getaways. His picks are below, in no particular order!
Los Cabos, Mexico
No deep-sea fishing list would be complete without mentioning Los Cabos, the “Marlin Capital of the World,” located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. Home to multiple world-class fishing tournaments each year and frequently topping almost every annual “best of” sportfishing list, Cabo is a bucket-list spot for offshore fishing adventures.
Sport anglers from around the world flock to the area in search of wahoo, tuna, dorado, and other big game fish. Black, blue, and striped marlins are common catches (particularly in the summer and fall). And various varieties of shark, snapper, and billfish make for interesting days on the water in just about any season.
As in most places, deep-sea fishing trips in Cabo require an early start—usually 6 to 6:30am. The fish are more active earlier in the day, and the morning departure gives your charter captain plenty of time to get you to the best fishing spots (and gives you the opportunity to enjoy an amazing Cabo sunrise).
Throughout Los Cabos—from busy Cabo San Lucas to the south, the quaint town of San José del Cabo to the north, and the popular 20-mile tourist corridor in between—you’ll find multiple marinas (both large and small), well-known charter companies, and experienced crews ready to get you out on the water in search of fish.
Best of all, we have three gorgeous Equity Estates homes in Cabo, putting you close to the sportfishing action wherever you choose to stay.
The first is a gorgeous six-bedroom home in the 2,000-acre Puerto Los Cabos resort community just 15 minutes from San José’s historic downtown and 60 minutes from bustling Cabo San Lucas. With panoramic ocean and golf course views, beautiful indoor/outdoor living spaces, resort amenities, and a picturesque world-class marina with easy access to gold-standard fishing, it’s an ideal spot for a deep-sea fishing vacation.
Our second ocean-view Cabo home is also located within the gated Puerto Los Cabos community, and features five bedrooms, 13,000-square-feet of indoor/outdoor living space, resort amenities, marina access, and a stunning infinity-edge pool that soars 27 feet above surrounding rooftops.
Our third Los Cabos residence is in the prestigious gated community of Villas del Mar at Palmilla, perfectly situated between the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José, with easy access to nearby marinas and other attractions. This stunning two-story, four-bedroom, Spanish-style villa boasts a spacious indoor/outdoor floorplan, gourmet kitchen, an infinity edge pool and spa, and incredible views of the Sea of Cortez.
Costa Rica
The lush Central American country of Costa Rica is a popular fishing destination due to its unique location between the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea, calm blue waters, and fantastic four-season weather. But, where the Caribbean coast is best known for near-shore and reef fishing, it’s the Pacific side of the country that attracts the deep-sea sportfishing crowds.
Known as the “billfish capital of the world,” Costa Rica’s Pacific coastline is dotted with prime offshore fishing spots and state-of-the-art marinas, with top-notch boats and experienced crews available for day trips or overnight excursions. From the town of Flamingo and the Gulf of Papagayo in the northern Guanacaste region, to Quepos on the central Pacific coast, and all the way down to Golfito in the southern part of the country, this is where you’ll find the big prizes—black, blue, and striped marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, and wahoo.
One of the world’s largest and most prestigious fishing tournaments—the Offshore World Championship—is held on the country’s central coast each year, with dozens of teams and hundreds of visitors coming from around the world to watch or take part in the exciting week-long event.
Recent years have also seen an increasing interest in FAD fishing in Costa Rica—using floating, man-made objects tethered to offshore seamounts in the deep ocean, a hundred or so miles from shore to attract groups of larger game fish. For an adventurous angler, this may well be the ultimate fishing experience as you spend at least two nights out on open water, sleeping on the boat, followed by full days—dawn to dusk—of dropping lines around the seamounts and enjoying the excitement of fighting to reel in the massive blue marlins, mahi-mahi, sailfish, and swordfish that populate the waters there.
The country’s popular “pura vida” motto—living life to the fullest—is reflected in every aspect of daily life in Costa Rica, including its passion for sportfishing and the abundance of opportunities for guests to experience their own deep-sea fishing adventures.
Our beautiful Costa Rican vacation home, on the gorgeous Pacific coast of the country, features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and more than 4,000 square feet of luxurious indoor/outdoor living space. Enjoy panoramic views of the ocean, mountains, the Catalinas Islands, and beyond, as well as convenient access to the Pacific Ocean, nearby marinas, and two of the finest beaches in all of Costa Rica.
Big Island, Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands are a sportfishing paradise, with picturesque coastlines, comfortable year-round temperatures, and clear blue water teeming with fish.
The Kona Coast of Big Island, in particular, is considered the “mecca” for sportfishing in this part of the Pacific, thanks to a 70-mile stretch of well-populated fishing areas and a huge ocean drop-off located relatively close to shore. This deep-bottomed spot—filled with some of the world’s largest fish—provides easy access for charter boats to get you right into the action without having to head too far out into open water.
Fishing charters are plentiful on Big Island, whether you’re looking for a fun, half-day trip, full-day excursion, or unforgettable multi-day adventure. Knowledgeable guides will take you to the best spots based on the season and time of day, and will give you enough tips and tricks to get you started on your deep-sea fishing journey if you’re new to the sport.
Look for yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, and ono (wahoo) year-round (but especially spring–fall). Chase swordfish, striped marlin, and spearfish during their peak seasons (December–May). And cast your lines for massive blue marlin, bigeye tuna, skipjack, and the rarer Pacific sailfish in whichever season you visit.
Our spacious four-bedroom, ocean-facing Big Island vacation home features a detached guest ohana, an infinity-edge pool with waterfall spa, and an outdoor privacy garden and shower—designed to make you feel like you’re in your own private resort. It’s convenient to beautiful beaches, golf courses, and fishing charter boat docks, making it an idyllic destination for a fun-in-the-sun fishing vacation.
Lido Key
Another great Florida spot for deep sea fishing is the quiet barrier island of Lido Key, just off the coast of SarasotaThis lesser-known sportfishing gem, featuring white sand beaches and the clear turquoise water of the Gulf of Mexico, teems with a diverse range of fish species and offers a unique and rewarding experience for both seasoned and amateur anglers alike.
Though the best months for sportfishing in Lido Key are typically from late spring to early fall, when water temperatures are warmer and fish are more active, that’s also when Florida’s “red tide” may be more prevalent, which could keep fishing charters away from certain near-shore and deep-water locations.
Fortunately, there’s really not a bad season to visit if big game fishing is what you’re after. The most common catches throughout the year include king mackerel, cobia, barracuda, and the challenging sailfish (the state’s official saltwater fish) in the warmest months; reef species such as shark, snapper, and grouper in fall; and blackfin tuna and Mako shark in winter. Wahoo, yellowtail, amberjack, and tarpon can be found in Lido Key’s gulf or bay waters year-round.
There are plenty of experienced captains and guides available on Lido Key to take you on a memorable deep-sea fishing adventure, with most offering half-day and full-day charters, group excursions, and private trips. And the area’s deep reefs, wrecks, and underwater ledges provide an interesting mix of locations in which to troll or drop your line, whether you prefer to stay 20 miles or so from shore or head farther out.
Our spacious, five-bedroom, canal-side Lido Key residence is an easy stroll from the beach and a short drive to nearby marinas where you would catch your deep-sea fishing charters. With indoor/outdoor living space, a gourmet kitchen, and a waterfront master suite and spa-style bath, as well as a rooftop observation deck with stunning views of downtown Sarasota and miles of Florida coastline, it’s the perfect home-base for an active, deep-sea fishing holiday.
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Whether you’re looking for an amazing getaway centered around deep-sea fishing or just want to get out on the open water for a day of ocean views and unforgettable adventure during your next Equity Estates vacation, our Destination Managers and local hosts are always happy to arrange charters, gear, or anything else you might need during your trip.
