Enjoying the best Fishing Trip in Cartagena
Sitting on the beautiful, pristine shore of the Caribbean and overlooking the clear blue sea, Cartagena is a fantastic destination for anyone who loves the ocean. While thousands flock to the area every year for snorkeling around the islands, or to enjoy time on those pristine beaches, fishing remains one of the most popular activities in Cartagena.
As with any port, especially one that revels in a seafood cuisine, fishing has been part of the history of Cartagena for most of its history. While today there are still commercial fishers serving local restaurants and more, there is a wide choice of charter boats for recreational fishing available to choose from.
We can help with every aspect of your stay to make sure you have the best fishing experience possible for you and your group. Take the guesswork out of your fishing vacation and let us organize everything for you. All you need to do is turn up and fish.
Why Choose Cartagena?
With clear open water right on the doorstep, as well as hundreds of islands and inlets, there is a range of fishing options for anyone vacationing in Cartagena. You can even spend a day with local fishers among the mangroves, trying out traditional fishing techniques that have been in use for years, including a meal prepared from the day’s catch.
Whatever your fishing preferences, or if you want to try something completely different, Cartagena has something to offer. It is also a city with so much beyond fishing too. From incredible historical architecture to a vibrant nightlife, a fantastic climate and a choice of quality hotels to suit every budget, Cartagena is a great place to spend time off the water as well as on it.
Fishing in Cartagena
Fishing has been part of the culture around Cartagena throughout its history, and even today, professional fishing boats are part of the normal traffic for the port. Surrounding the city are a number of fishing villages, communities that grew around the provision of fish for the region, and still today are dominated by commercial fishing of all kinds.
From casting nets off the beach to open water fishing for larger species, there is something for all in Cartagena. There are options for both inshore and offshore fishing, with inshore, within 10 miles of the coast, being suitable for everyone, even beginners. However, for larger fish and a real challenge, offshore fishing has it all, but is best for those with sports fishing experience.
There are a wide range of species found, too, depending on the type of fishing you opt for. Stay inshore, and you will find Barracuda, Snapper, King Mackerel, Tarpon and Bone fish, however overfishing has seen the numbers of the Bone fish, dwindle dramatically. Head out into the offshore waters, more than 10 miles out, and you can expect to catch Marlin, both blue and white, Mahi Mahi and Wahoo in significant numbers.
There are a range of quality tours and charter boat options to get you out on the water, so whatever your skill level or fishing goals, you can find the perfect guide for your needs. Boat charters and fishing tours provide everything you need including rods, bait and experienced guides to help you find the best spot for success. Food and drink are usually provided too.
As local experts, we can help find the very best option for you and have everything in place for your arrival, not just the boat but fishing licenses and everything else, making your Cartagena fishing trip completely hassle-free and maximizing your time in this wonderful part of the world. Talk to our team today to see how we can bring your dream fishing trip to life.
When to travel to Cartagena for fishing?
For fishing inshore and the many inlets and other shallower waters found around Cartagena, the best time of year for fishing is between October and December, however offshore fishing can be enjoyed year-round, although they offer the best fishing between March and May. The most popular months for general tourism are December, January, June and July, so it is possible to organize a fishing trip to Cartagena at the best possible times while avoiding the busiest tourist periods too.
That is not only great for getting restaurant bookings, but it means you can usually find great accommodation at even better pricing too.
Cartagena fishing lodges and accommodation
As one of the most popular travel destinations in Colombia, Cartagena has accommodation to suit every taste and budget. Whether you want the luxury and convenience of modern hotels, the charm of the walled city and its colonial style housing, or something more independent with a whole house for you and your group, there is endless choice.
A view over the ocean and within easy reach of the beach for relaxing away from the boat or a place in the heart of the nightlife where you can share drinks with locals in the rooftop bars and enjoy live music every evening. The choice is yours, but whatever you are looking for, we can help you find the right hotel for your needs.
Other things to see and do in Cartagena
Cartagena is a key historical port, and as a result the older part of the region, the walled city, is a wonderful place to visit. The original walls, colonial houses, museums and more offer an insight into the history of the area and with many tours on offer, there is always something to do.
Sitting on the shores of the Caribbean, fishing is not the only water activity you can enjoy in Cartagena either, with snorkeling and other water sports on offer from numerous tour operators. You can also take a bout tour of the nearby islands, where you can have great food on the pristine sands overlooking the ocean.
In addition, there are plenty of places on land to see as well, and of course, brilliant nightlife with live music and more to enjoy every evening. Cartagena has trips and tours for everyone, but if you don’t want to do anything too active, the beaches are perfect for relaxing between fishing trips. Whatever kind of vacation you are looking for, you will find it in Cartagena.
Cartagena Fishing FAQs
Yes, although in most cases the boat charter will organize this for you. We can help with this and make sure that everything is in place before you arrive.
That depends on the charter chosen, parties up to 6 or 8 can be accommodated on the larger boats.
Throughout Colombia, the standard tip for any service is 10%. If you can, always tip in local currency, it makes it much easier for your fishing crew.
Yes, you can. However, many of the boat operators can supply suitable equipment for you, avoiding the need to bring all that extra luggage with you if uou want to travel light.
In general, conservation is the name of the game when it comes to fishing in Cartagena, so local reef fish such as rooster fish, tarpon, and cuberas must be released. However, if you go further out, tuna, mahi mahi and wahoo are all fish you can catch and eat.
While many countries, including the US, allow you to send fish to your home, the reality is that charter boats don’t really have the facilities to store and prepare your catch for transport, so it is impractical to do so.
Cartagena is an exciting destination for anyone who is interested in fishing. With a range of fishing activities to choose from, whether chasing big fish on the open ocean or a quiet day exploring the inlets for something smaller, there is something to satisfy any fishing taste. Quality boat services mean that even if you are new to fishing, you can still have an amazing time and learn as you go too, there really is something for everyone.
With extensive local connections, whatever you are looking for from fishing in Cartagena, we can organize the perfect experience for you, making sure that you can have the hassle-free, fun day out on the water during your stay. Get in touch today to discuss your fishing trip with our local experts.
Wrote by Juliet
Experience Planner Manager