Wahoo
Peak season runs November through February, with the strongest concentrations in December and January. Wahoo are high-speed fish caught on fast trolling presentations. They hit hard and run fast from the first second.
Nov – Feb
Deep Sea Fishing in Roatan
Wahoo, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and billfish minutes from the dock. Half-day, full-day, and Swan Islands charters out of West End.
Book a CharterWhat You're Fishing For
Before booking a charter, you want to know what's realistically in the water. Roatan's offshore zone reaches deep blue water within 15 minutes of the dock — here's what's actively targeted out of West End.
Blackfin Tuna
Available year-round, with best numbers from March through June. Fish in the 20 to 40 lb range are common. They fight hard for their size and produce well on light tackle.
Year-round · Peak Mar – Jun
Mahi-Mahi
Peak season aligns with the blackfin tuna bite: March through June. Mahi are aggressive and acrobatic. A productive current line on a full-day trip can turn into serious, sustained work.
Mar – Jun
Kingfish
November through February, schooling along the reef edge. Kingfish are a reliable half-day target during peak months and respond well to live bait.
Nov – Feb
Billfish — Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish
Catch-and-release only. Peak season is September through January. Blue marlin are the primary target; white marlin and sailfish come through the same seasonal window. If billfish are the goal, plan for a full-day trip.
Sep – Jan · Catch & Release
The Water Advantage
Most offshore destinations put blue water an hour or more from the dock. Roatan doesn't. The reef shelf drops quickly off the western tip — from West End, you're fishing in 1,000-foot-plus water within 10 to 15 minutes.
On a half-day trip, that run time is the difference between four solid hours of fishing and two. On a full-day, it means covering more ground and running multiple presentations without burning the morning just getting offshore.
Trip Formats
Three options, matched to your target species and available time.
| Format | Duration | Best Species |
|---|---|---|
| Half-Day | 4–5 hours | Wahoo, blackfin tuna, kingfish |
| Full-Day | 8–9 hours | Mahi-mahi, billfish, mixed offshore |
| Swan Islands | Multi-day | Yellowfin tuna, sailfish, blue marlin, flats |
If you're considering combining offshore with a day on the flats, see fly fishing on the northwest flats for what the bonefish, permit, and tarpon offer is like.
Big Game Season
If marlin or sailfish are the priority, timing matters. The peak window for billfish out of West End runs September through January. The IGFA Roatan International Fishing Tournament runs each September 15th — if you're planning around it, boat availability tightens fast.
All billfish are caught and released. Blue marlin are the main target; white marlin and sailfish come through the same seasonal window.
The offshore bite doesn't stop outside big game season. Wahoo, tuna, and mahi-mahi run year-round at varying concentrations. November through June covers the strongest all-around offshore action for anglers without a specific billfish focus.
What's Included
Every charter is fully equipped. You don't need to bring any fishing gear.
Rods, reels & tackle
Matched to trip type and target species, rigged and ready at the dock.
Live and artificial bait
Sourced for the target species and conditions on your trip.
Honduran fishing license
Covered on every charter — no separate license required.
Captain and crew
Experienced, English-speaking, with local knowledge of the offshore zone.
Cooler and ice
On board throughout the trip for your catch and any drinks you bring.
Fish cleaning & filleting
Handled at the dock after the trip.
Bring: sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, and any food or drinks you prefer. Read about the captain behind the operation: 12 years guiding Roatan's offshore waters.
What Anglers Say
★★★★★ 100+ reviews
"If you're serious about offshore fishing, this is the charter to book in Roatan. We went after tuna and wahoo and the captain adjusted spots throughout the morning based on conditions instead of sticking to the same route. That experience paid off because we landed two massive blackfin tuna before noon. Easily one of my best deep sea trips in the Caribbean."
"We booked a full day deep sea charter and had nonstop action almost the entire trip. Sailfish in the morning, mahi later in the afternoon. The equipment was top tier and the crew worked together like a professional tournament team. You can tell they genuinely love fishing."
"I came to Roatan hoping for one good offshore day and ended up booking a second trip before leaving the island. The captain knew exactly where to find fish and explained everything clearly without overcomplicating it. Hooking into a big wahoo just offshore from Roatan is something I'll remember for a long time."
Book a Deep Sea Charter
Submit your dates and target species and we'll confirm availability and walk you through the options.
FAQ — Deep Sea Fishing in Roatan
Is there good deep sea fishing in Roatan?
Yes. The reef shelf drops fast off the western tip of the island, putting 1,000-foot-plus water within 15 minutes of the dock at West End. That means more fishing time per trip. The offshore species list spans wahoo, blackfin tuna, mahi-mahi, and kingfish throughout the year, with blue marlin, white marlin, and sailfish during the September-to-January big game window. For its size, Roatan offers as much offshore variety as most dedicated sport fishing destinations in the Caribbean.
What Caribbean island has the best deep sea fishing?
The answer depends on your target species. Roatan offers a wide offshore menu: wahoo and kingfish in the winter, mahi-mahi and tuna in spring, and a documented billfish fishery from September through January. Blue water is 15 minutes from the dock — shorter than most Caribbean destinations. The logistics also work in its favor: direct flights from Houston, Miami, and Atlanta, no visa required for US and EU nationals, and English-speaking operations throughout. For offshore species variety and access, Roatan fishing charters hold their own on any Caribbean shortlist.
Are there a lot of sharks in Roatan?
Caribbean reef sharks are present around Roatan's reef system and are commonly seen by divers and snorkelers. On an offshore deep sea charter, encounters are uncommon. You're trolling in open blue water at speed, well away from the reef zone. Sharks occasionally take interest in a hooked fish, but it's not a regular part of an offshore trip out of West End.
When not to go to Roatan?
September and October are the riskiest months. Roatan sits south of the primary hurricane track, but the western Caribbean is active during peak hurricane season and tropical systems can still bring heavy rain, rough conditions, and disrupted itineraries. If fishing is the priority and you have a fixed schedule, November through August offers the most reliable windows. The trade-off is real: September is also when the big game season opens. If billfish are the main reason for the trip, that risk calculation may be worth accepting.