Papagayo Gulf Sport Fishing & Surf Trips

Papagayo Gulf Sport Fishing

Papagayo Gulf sport fishing with NORTH PACIFIC TOURS offers you a wide variety of fishing: trolling, coastal, bottom, casting, fly and spear fishing. The Papagayo Gulf is known worldwide as one of the greatest sport fishing and surfing destinations in Costa Rica. We are located in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste and are a 35 minute drive from Liberia International Airport. 

Captain Daniel and Jose are local anglers with 40+ years of experience and both are live bait experts. We now have a LIVE-BAIT TANK on the boat so there will not be any time wasted fishing for bait. Live bait can not be bought in this area.

We have a large array of lures and teasers and the boat is set up according to the fish you are looking to catch. Our boat, the Don Manuel, is a legally operating boat — fully licensed for fishing & surfing, insured and registered (3 letters followed by 3 numbers on side of boat). If this is a concern for you and your family, be wary of purchasing trips on the beach.

***NEW FEATURE — SPLIT-CHARTER****

Looking to share the boat with another fisherman or surfer to bring down the cost of yourtrip? Visit our reservations page for other clients looking for the same or send us an e-mail with your dates that you would like to fish/surf.

 

 

North Pacific Tours can meet you and your family/group at the beach at these hotels: Four Seasons Costa Rica Resort, Peninsula Papagayo,Exclusive Resorts, Hotel RIU Guanacaste, Grand Papagayo, Allegro Papagayo, Giardini Di Papagayo, Casa Conde Del Mar, Ocotal Beach Resort, Villa Del Sueno, Hotel Mangaby, Hotel Playa Hermosa, La Finisterra Hotel, Bahia Pez Villa Resort, Villa Sol, Nakuti Papagayo Resort, Monarch Resort and the Hilton Papagayo Resort.

Our Boat -- The Don Manuel

The Don Manuel is equipped with outriggers, down-riggers, Penn International & Okuma Reels & Rods, fighting chair and two professional crewmen for your sport fishing adventure. Live bait techniques are used and we also troll using lures and teasers. If you want to keep what you catch, Jose will clean and bag your fish to take with you. Catch and release is practiced for sailfish, marlin and rooster.  

Boat Rental Includes: All necessary tackle (20–130 lb test), bait, licenses/permits, captain, mate, fresh fruit, beer, ice tea,soda and lunch & snacks for full day trips. All trips are PRIVATE charters unless you request a split-charter. We recommend a full day for offshore fishing.

We will work with you to plan a perfect day out on the water for you and your family and friends. Fly, casting, trolling and bottom fishing is offered for full and half day trips.

If you would like to snorkel the last hour or two of your fishing trip (no extra cost), we can have the snorkeling gear on the boat - we just need to know your foot sizes.

Gratuities to the crew is not included in our prices. 15%–20% of the total is customary. Please visit our Reservations page regarding payment options. Book 2 days of fishing with us and receive a discount off the second trip.

 

 

 

Snorkeling in the Papagayo Gulf

 

The many rock islands in the Papagayo Gulf of Costa  Rica make the North Pacific waters a premier snorkeling location.  Our snorkeling trip begins after breakfast as we board the boat and take a 20 minute trip North.

 

Along the way, we may encounter playful dolphins swimming along side or behind the boat. We may see leatherback or ridley turtles. Once we arrive, your guide will lead you to the clear water and the best spots for sighting marine life. The water surrounding the rock islands are abundant with activity with numerous species of fish are found hiding around rock coral formations. Some of the fish we may see are angel fish, moorish idol, puffers, surgeonfish, snapper, parrot fish, damsels and a variety of eels. Turtles, rays, and the non aggressive reef shark may also be spotted.

 

Your snorkeling experience will determine which site we go to first. All of our trips make a stop at Playa Huevos where you can explore a cave and snorkel from the beach.

 

 

 

 

Snorkel equipment, guide, water & fruit provided.

Sufing Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point

Surfing in Costa Rica is a must destination for surfers around the world and is every surfers dream. Surf the two favorite breaks: Witch's Rock which is 40 minutes from Playa del Coco/Playa Hermosa and Ollie's Point is 20 minutes North of Witch's Rock. Both spots are located in Guanacaste's Santa Rosa National Park and a park entrance fee is required. Please give us a days notice you want to reserve the boat to give us time to purchase tickets. If you do go out on a boat that is not authorized to be in the park, the boat may be towed and boards confiscated.

Boogie boarders are welcome to ride the waves as well. Boogie Board Rentals Available

THE BREAKS
Witches Rock has a left and right break with a sandy bottom. This spot is best surfed at mid/high tide and has off-shore winds from Dec through Mar. Witches Rock is not a beginners break and we recommend experienced surfers. Check out the 2011 tides here.

Ollie's Point is best surfed at low/mid tide and has a sandy reef bottom and for all types of surfers. Ollie's Point is one of the most northern points on the west coast of Costa Rica with a world class surf break as seen in the movie "The Endless Summer". This surf spot is also named after U.S. Military General Oliver North for his role in the Iran-Contra Affair.

**NEW**
If you are interested in sharing a boat with other surfers, please check our reservations page to see if we have other clients looking for the same.

SURF LESSONS
We offer surf lessons at Ollie's Point and Witch's Rock depending on the swell. $450 includes boat rental and lesson. Surf board rental is a separate cost.

SURF & BOOGIE BOARD RENTALS
We have long and short boards as well as Boogie Boards for rent at $25 a day.

SURFING & LIGHT FISHING
If you would like to fish on your way to and from Witches and Ollie's, we can include fishing gear, bait, and the mate on board for an additional $70.

On the boat we provide bottled water and pineapple.

PHOTOGRAPHER
Capture your surfing experience with a professional photographer while you are here in Costa Rica. We highly recommend Diego who is a native Costa Rican, bilingual, a fantastic photographer and surfer. Diego specializes in digital photos and video and he would be in the water as you surf by. If you would like your day photographed, please send us an email and we can arrange for Diego to accompany you on your trip. This is a separate cost.

Email to reserve your trip: fish@northpacifictours.com
Pura Vida!
Mauricio & Lisa

Fish of the Papagayo Gulf

The waters of the Papagayo Gulf on the North West Pacific coast are home to some of the best sport fishing in Costa Rica. Commonly caught fish include: amberjack, yellow fin tuna, marlin, sailfish, rooster fish, Dorado (mahi mahi), snapper and Wahoo. North Pacific Tours practices catch and release for Marlin, Sailfish and Rooster Fish.
Roosterfish
Available all year, there are more caught in the Papagayo Bay area from November through March. The roosters like the structure of the shoreline and islands where they're found in 50 to 60 feet of water. The dorasal fin with its ranlikie array, gives the fish its name. It's an inshore species often found in the surf, over sandy bottoms and always in moderate depths. An aggressive predator, the roosterfish is always exciting when hooked. There is no particular season for roosters so expect a hard hit anytime when fishing near shore and around rocks or islands.
Wahoo
The first showing begins about the time the rains start in mid-May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands, but you will pick one up occasionally fishing offshore. The Wahoo is a loner and when traveling with other Wahoo it's usually only a school of five or six. This fish can be found anywhere in the ocean but does seem to concentrate during the summer off of Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Considered a relatively rare species, the Wahoo is usually caught while the angler is looking for other oceanic species. That's always a nice surprise because many fishermen consider the Wahoo one of salt water's finest delicacies. Experts speculate that the Wahoo is the fastest fish in the ocean and it's no wonder that the first scorching run can burn out the drag on some reels.

Yellow Fin Tuna
Peak months are around August through October but can be caught all year long. Tuna in this region can easy reach well over 100 pounds and range up to 300 pounds.

 

 

Dorado

 

 

Sailfish
Caught throughout the year, May through August is normally the top season. Perhaps the most acrobatic of all blue water fish, the sailfish has engraved Costa Rica on every international angler's wish list. This beautiful fish spends more time in the air than in the water during the fight is not as powerful as the marlin but always spectacular. Double and triple hookups are not uncommon.

Marlin
Best time to fish for these are from mid-November to early March (exceptional) but can be caught all year long.
fish@northpacifctours.com
www.northpacifictours.com

Also known as Mahi-Mahi, the Dorado is one of the most exciting fish to catch on light tackle. Most abundant from May until October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carrying out debris that forms weed lines where they like to lie. A hooked Dorado might leap first in one direction, then another. It's been noted that they can reach speeds of 50 mph in short bursts. Troll past a floating log and you'll likely hook a Dorado.

Snapper
There are many species of snapper. A shallow water fish preferring a rocky bottom that provides bait fish and protection . Each species will be a tough fighter, particularly on light tackle and although all snapper are delicious eating the flesh of the larger fish can become course.

SPLIT-CHARTER INFO & RESERVATIONS

  
If you are interested in more information or if you would like to reserve a fishing or surf trip in the Papagayo Gulf, please send us an email at fish@northpacifictours.com. We recommend that you reserve your trip in advance if you will be here during the high season (December—May) and especially during the U.S. holidays.

 

Would you like to save money or looking for
other fishermen
to share in the cost of the boat?
Let us help you find a fishing partner(s)

 

FISHERMEN/WOMEN NEEDED for SPLIT-CHARTERS

*Need one fisherman to share the boat with one other person either for a full or half day. Available are from February 10th -- 15th. (MD)

*Need one or two more fisherman to share the boat which will be fishing south. The other share is staying in Conchal (half hour boat ride). Full Day, March 6th, 2012 (JK)

*Need one or two more fisherman to share the boat which will be fishing south. The other shares are staying in Flamingo (25 minute ride). Half or Full Day, May 30th or 31st (TW)

 

US Dollars , Colones and
Credit Cards accepted

Our prices are cash based so we encourage our clients to pay cash due to the additional 5% credit card fee (bank's commission) that we need to add. Your trip will be charged in colones at the current exchange rate.

Traveler Checks are not accepted.

Contact Numbers 011 506:
2670-1564 - Office
8398 -8129 - Cell
8893-1571 - Cell
North Pacific Tours, S.A.
Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste CR

We look forward to hearing from you.
Pura Vida!!!
Mauricio & Lisa