- What can I expect from a Pescado Adventures private fishing charter?
Pescado Adventures offers exclusively private fishing charters where the entire vessel is reserved for your group and our professional crew. We do not offer shared or split-party trips, ensuring a personalized experience tailored to your skill level. Beyond deep-sea fishing for billfish, Mahi-Mahi, and Wahoo, our charters offer opportunities to snorkel colorful coral reefs and swim along the pristine Riviera Maya coastline.
- What is included in the price of the charter?
All Pescado Adventures private charters are all-inclusive, covering your professional crew, fishing licenses, gear, bait, and refreshments. Your booking price specifically includes:
- Professional Crew: An experienced, English-speaking Captain and First Mate.
- Federal Fishing Licenses: Provided for every passenger on board.
- Tournament-Grade Gear: Penn and Shimano reels with custom-made rods.
- Fresh Bait: Freshly purchased Ballyhoo and live bait when available.
- Food & Drinks: Snacks (including fresh ceviche from your catch), bottled water, and sodas.
Catch Services: Professional cleaning and filleting of your edible catch.
- What is not included in the price?
The primary exclusions from your charter price are a mandatory $20.00 USD per-person dock fee and gratuities for the crew. Ground transportation is not provided, and while soft drinks are included, beer packages must be pre-purchased or brought on board by the guest.
- What kind of boat does Pescado Adventures operate?
Pescado Adventures owns and operates ‘Lobster Tales,’ a 40ft Luhrs sportfishing vessel equipped with a tuna tower and twin 465 HP Yanmar engines. We never subcontract our services, allowing us to maintain strict quality control over every trip.
- What amenities and safety features are on the boat?
Our vessel is equipped with full air conditioning, a private bathroom (head), a kitchen, and a complete suite of marine safety equipment. For your safety and comfort, the boat includes:
- Safety Gear: Life jackets, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, flares, and an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).
- Fishing Amenities: A professional fighting chair and high-quality outriggers.
- Leisure Gear: Snorkeling equipment for exploring the reef.
- What professional fishing gear is provided on Pescado Adventures charters?
Pescado Adventures provides tournament-grade Penn and Shimano fishing tackle, custom-made rods, and high-quality big game lures on every excursion. Our fleet is outfitted with diverse setups tailored to specific target species, including 85-pound test braided line for heavy-duty Marlin and Sailfish battles and lighter tackle for Mahi-Mahi and Snapper. We ensure peak performance by sharpening our stainless steel hooks daily and purchasing fresh Ballyhoo bait weekly.
- Who is the Lead Captain at Pescado Adventures?
Captain Leopoldo Cruz leads the Pescado Adventures crew, bringing over 20 years of professional maritime experience in the Puerto Aventuras and Riviera Maya region. As a fully licensed Mexican Captain, Leopoldo is a specialist in Caribbean deep-sea techniques, including surface trolling and bottom fishing. His extensive local knowledge of migratory patterns and feeding habits ensures that guests of all skill levels have a safe, educational, and productive day on the water.
- When is the best time to fish in Puerto Aventuras?
While fishing is productive year-round, the peak season for trophy billfish and Mahi-Mahi is March through August.
- Spring/Summer (March–August): Best for Sailfish, Blue and White Marlin, and Mahi-Mahi.
- Fall/Winter (October–February): Ideal for Wahoo, Amberjack, Grouper, and Snapper.
- Can we keep the fish we catch?
You may keep all sustainable species like Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, and Snapper, but we practice a strict obligatory catch-and-release policy for all Billfish. Our crew will professionally fillet your edible catch so you can have it prepared at a local marina restaurant or your accommodation. To support conservation, Marlin and Sailfish are released as quickly as possible after photo opportunities.
- Where is Pescado Adventures located?
Pescado Adventures is based at the Puerto Aventuras Marina, centrally located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Approximate travel times to the marina:
- Akumal: 20 minutes (11 miles).
- Playa del Carmen: 30 minutes (15 miles).
- Tulum: 40 minutes (37 miles).
- What is the Pescado Adventures’ cancellation policy?
Pescado Adventures offers a full refund for client cancellations made seven or more days prior to the trip. If we must cancel due to unsafe weather or mechanical issues, we will attempt to reschedule or provide a 100% refund. Cancellations made by the client with less than seven days’ notice result in a forfeiture of the deposit.