Galapagos Islands Fishing

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands' nutrient-rich waters attract blue marlin, black marlin, and striped marlin. Blue marlin are found all around the waters in the Galapagos Islands. However, to increase your chances of getting more bites, there are areas where they tend to frequent more. The Galapagos Islands offer 10, 20, 30, and 50-plus raises of striped marlin per day. Plus, excellent topwater tuna, wahoo, and bottom fishing.

San Cristobal Island

San Cristobal Island is renowned for its striped marlin and tuna fishing, and it offers an abundance of fishing opportunities. The high volume of striped marlin bites is legendary, with most days producing five to 50 raises a day. Some days, anglers may experience over 100 fish in the spread, a testament to the island's rich marine life. Several striped marlin banks are accessible from a 13 to 68-mile run, with daily runs averaging 25 to 35 miles. Striped marlin feed here year-round, ensuring a successful and rewarding fishing trip. Blue and black marlin are more abundant during the warmer months from December to June when water temperatures average 74 to 80 F. The fishing grounds are typically no more than 37 miles from the pier.

Tesoro Fishing Charters

Tesoro Sportfishing:
Founder Captain Nico was a passionate advocate of the strict Marlin catch-and-release laws of the Galapagos Islands and the IGFA. Tesoro Charters utilizes various techniques like circle hooks to ensure a positive and sustainable impact on the Galapagos ecosystem.
The Tesoro:
The Tesoro is a 33-ft. Florida John Allmand Sportfisher with twin Suzuki 300-HP engines and a cruising speed of 24 knots, 5kw gen. set., and air-conditioned galley. Experienced captain and crew. All trolling gear and tackle are provided. All fishing charters are private for your group of one to five guests. Customize your fishing package to fit your needs. Several non-angler tours are available.

The Fishing Program:

Season:  Fishing is available year-round. Peak fishing months are from January through June, when the seas tend to be warmest and calmest. From December to June, heavy tackle is used to chase blue marlin.
Boats:  33-ft. John Allmand Sportfisher has twin DF 300 Suzuki motors and an air-conditioned cabin.
Captain and Crew:  Tournament-class captains, crew, coaching from start to finish. For both novices and experienced anglers.
Fishing Methods:  Pursue marlin on light tackle, flies, spin tackle, pitch baits, and lures.
Equipment:  The use of Shimano Talica 20# CFW reels, Penn Squall 50# custom made rods by Connley, 130# are included in the package. A limited supply of conventional #80 and #130 tackle is provided. They fish mainly lures. If a guest wants to fish pitch baits instead, they can provide bait but need to know beforehand to have it shipped to the Galapagos. A comprehensive gear and tackle list is provided in our confirmation packet.
A Fishing License is not required for the Galapagos, but a $200 Entrance fee is required for the Galapagos National Park.

All Fishing Equipment is Provided.

San Cristobal Big Game Fishing

Accommodations and Meals:

Lodging:  You'll stay in mid-range hotels with the option of upgrading to a higher-end hotel.
Meals:  All meals are included per itinerary. Breakfasts at the hotels, lunches and snacks while fishing and during tours, and dinners at local restaurants.
Alcohol:  Soft drinks and beers while fishing.

Non-Angler Tours

If you have non-fishing members in your group, tour day excursions or multi-day itineraries that include our Galapagos Sea Safaris, snorkeling, wildlife spotting, beach combing, and land-based activities.

Add Tour Days to Your Itinerary

Sample Itinerary
5-nights and 4-days Fishing

Day 1:  Arrival Day:
• Arrive San Cristobal Airport, Galapagos, Ecuador
• Meet your host/guide outside the arrival hall
• Private transfer to your hotel
• Welcome briefing and lunch
• Dinner and hotel night in Puerto Baquerizo
• Optional and under request:  Half-day excursion during the afternoon.
Days 2 - 5:  Billfishing Days
• Breakfast at the hotel
• 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. - You'll be picked up by a host or crew member and driven to the boat.
(You'll return to port about 4:30 p.m.)
Fishing Day Options:
• Outbound to marlin grounds at Espanola sea mounts. - Location: 27 miles away from the pier. The mount is 8 miles across. Its shallower spots rise to 500 ft., whereas the South and East drop to 2000/3000 ft. At the shallower end, a high congregation of striped marlin occurs where we care about the number of fish we raise, strike, and release.
Estimated navigation:  1 hour and 20 minutes.
• Outbound to Rosa Blanca sea mounts. Location: 37 miles away from the pier. It has two main fishing grounds, south and north head, with six miles in between. Striped and Blue marlin to pitch and bait.
Estimated navigation:  2 hours.
• Outbound to 0'30' sea mount. Location: 27 miles away from the pier. The sea mount hosts black, blue, and striped marlin, where striped bites all year around with dramatic underwater topography reaching shallower spots of 180 ft. and just a third of a mile drops to 1500 ft. The baitballs here have a diversity of mahi-mahi, bonito, albacore, and Peruvian congregations. Estimated navigation:  1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Outbound to North-head Rosa Blanca and Pitt Point. Location: 37 miles from the pier. The steep drops near the shore attract black marlin, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi near the FAD.
Estimated navigation:  2 hours
• Hotel nights
• Dinner included at the restaurant.
Day 6:  Departure Day:
• Breakfast in your hotel
• Hotel pick up at the agreed time by the host
• Private transfer to Puerto Baquerizo Airport

2025 USD Rates:

5-nights and 4-days fishing
Standard Lodging:
5-anglers per boat:  $3,202.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:  $3,739.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:  $4,097.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:  $6,730.00 per person
Lodging Upgrade:
5-anglers per boat:  $3,620.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:  $4,125.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:  $5,211.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:  $6,913.00 per person
Request an information packet.

The Packages Include:

• Airport reception
Your adventure is monitored 24/7.
• English-speaking host
• All necessary land and water transfers in Ecuador
• One hotel night in Puerto Baquerizo or Puerto Ayora
• 5-nights standard lodging
• Breakfasts and dinners at the hotel
• Lunches on the boat
• Soft drinks, beers, and snacks onboard
• 4-days fishing on 33 ft. Sportfisher
• Captain and crew
• Use of all fishing equipment.

The Packages Do Not Include: