We know a sport fishing vacation isn’t for everyone. Perhaps you are considering a family vacation in Costa Rica and you’re anxious to do some fishing, but you’re not sure everyone in your family is “on board”. Don’t worry, we have got you covered.
Maybe you’ve taken the family out fishing before and suffered through a lot of complaints, but our sport fishing vacations aren’t all about sitting and waiting for fish to bite. Your family will never forget the excitement of reeling in a 400-pound marlin or a 50-pound yellow fin tuna! And even if fishing isn’t their thing, there are other fun family activities that can be done from the boat.
Picnic and a Swim
Our 3/4 and full-day fishing trips include a tasty lunch on the boat. And trust us, your family will love having a picnic on the Pacific Ocean. All of our fishing boat charters, including the half-day charter, include snacks, juice, pop, water, and beer.
If you happen to catch any tuna, you could just have the freshest sashimi you’ve ever had! Be sure to bring some soya sauce and wasabi with you for dipping the thinly sliced tuna filets. You can enjoy this fine cuisine right on the boat! It’s a moment the sushi lover in your family will never forget.
You can bet it can get hot in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, even with the cooling ocean breezes. Luckily, there will be plenty of opportunities to take a cool down break in the water. How often can you say you went swimming in the middle of the ocean? By the end of the trip, you and your family will be able to say just that!
Wildlife Watching
Keep your eyes on the water, because it is not uncommon to see dolphins frolicking in the seas around Tamarindo. Spotted, spinner, bottle-nose, and common dolphins are all found in the bay and beyond.
Sea turtles can also be spotted from the boat. During mating season a pair can be seen doing its business at the surface for hours! The mating season generally occurs between April and November but it depends on the type of sea turtle. You could easily see a turtle swimming in the sea during any point of the year.
The most sought after wildlife sight on the sea is, of course, the endangered humpback whale. And thankfully Costa Rica has the longest humpback whale season in the world. This is because there are two distinct types that migrate to the warm Costa Rican waters. The Northern Hemisphere California Humpback Whales come to the Pacific coast from December to April, while the Southern Hemisphere Antarctic Humpback Whales come from July to November. The Southern Hemisphere Antarctic Humpbacks migrate in groups of about 12 for nearly 5,000 miles to Costa Rica to mate and then return nearly a year later to give birth! The Papagayo region, where you and your group will be fishing with us, is a popular spot for whale watching.
Another exciting wildlife experience to witness is the leaping manta rays that are common to see along these shores. Scientists are not sure why huge manta rays leap out of the sea like a flat disc of dough flying through the air in a pizzeria but some theories include mating rituals, communication with other rays, and parasite removal.
Deep Sea Snorkeling
This boat trip could just be the perfect opportunity for someone in your group to check out some epic snorkeling. Any rocky outcropping is sure to have sea life such as tropical fish, manta rays, and possibly even reef sharks. This is ideal for those doing some onshore fishing, which is fishing within the bay. Just be sure to keep the snorkeling to the opposite side of the boat from where the fishing is taking place so you don’t get reeled in by mistake!
Photographic Opportunities
Certain fish in Costa Rica are catch and release species, such as sailfish, so you will want to get that great shot of your marlin to remember the epic experience of reeling in one of these big beauties. It’s not just the fish that are photo-worthy, either. The possible dolphin and whale sightings and smiles of your family and friends will be moments you want to capture, too!
So, even if everyone in your group isn’t as serious about sport fishing as you, we know a family fishing vacation in Costa Rica will be an amazing and unforgettable experience for everyone.
Blog by: Jennifer LaCharite – Costa Consultants, International
