Family Friendly Fishing Trips in Puerto Vallarta: Fun on the Water for All Ages

Some of our favorite charters are not the ones with the biggest fish. They are the ones where a seven-year-old reels in her first bonito, holds it up with both hands and refuses to let anyone else touch it. Family fishing in Puerto Vallarta works beautifully when the boat is private, the water is calm and the crew has the patience to make every child feel like a captain.

Why Fishing Is a Great Family Activity in Puerto Vallarta

Banderas Bay is one of the largest bays in Mexico, and it is sheltered by Punta de Mita to the north and Cabo Corrientes to the south. For families that matters: on most mornings the water inside the bay is calm, the runs are short, and you are never far from a beach if someone needs a break.

The bay also delivers more than fish. Dolphins are common, sea turtles surface near the boats, and from roughly December to March the humpback whales arrive to breed and calve — the official whale-watching season usually runs from the second week of December to the third week of March. A family fishing morning in winter often turns into an unplanned whale watching trip, and nobody has ever complained about that.

And because every charter we run is private, there are no strangers on board, no fixed schedule and no pressure. If the kids want to fish for an hour and swim for two, that is the plan.

What Makes Our Charters Family Friendly

• Life jackets for everyone. Every boat carries them. Tell us the ages of your children when you book so the crew can confirm the right sizes are on board for your day — for babies and toddlers, many parents prefer to bring the infant vest their child already uses.
• Real shade. All three boats have a full canopy. Guanatuna, our most popular family boat, has her whole main deck under shade with cushioned lounge seating, plus an open bow for anyone who wants sun.
• A bathroom on board. Every boat has one. Steel n Time has two, plus an air-conditioned salon where little ones can nap.
• A crew that does the hard part. The mate rigs the lines, baits the hooks, helps the kids hold the rod when something big hits and takes care of unhooking the fish. Your job is to cheer and take photos.
• Steady boats. Guanatuna's twin diesels ride smoothly in a chop, which is exactly what you want with children or grandparents aboard.
• The boat dog. On some days our salty canine crew member comes along for the ride. Kids tend to rank her above the fish.

Best Trip Length for Kids

For families with younger children, we recommend a four-hour morning trip. Mornings are when the bay is calmest, the air is cooler and the fish are most active — and four hours is long enough for real fishing plus a swim, but short enough to end before anyone gets tired or sunburned.

On Guanatuna, the "5 hrs for the price of 4" offer gives you an extra hour on the water at no cost — perfect for adding a beach stop at the end. Families with teenagers or keen young anglers can go for six hours, which opens up the water just outside the bay and the chance at bigger fish.

Our charters start between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., so you can pick a departure that fits nap schedules. For the calmest water, aim for 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. Wondering about cost for a group? Our fishing charter prices in Puerto Vallarta page has the full rate table and per-person math.

What Fish Can Kids Catch?

The secret to a happy young angler is action. Inside Banderas Bay, these species bite often enough to keep children busy:

• Bonito — fast, strong and common. Often the first fish a child ever catches here, and they fight hard for their size.
• Jack crevalle (jurel) — a powerful fish that makes kids feel like pros.
• Sierra — sleek, silver and excellent to eat.
• Red snapper (huachinango) and pargo — colorful, tasty and found around the rocky areas of the bay.
• Small tuna — when they are running, a family can bring home dinner for everyone.

Bigger fish do happen on family trips — the photo at the top of this page is a family's sailfish — but for younger children we plan for steady bites over trophy hunting. You keep what you catch within Mexico's limits, and the crew cleans and fillets it for you. Read more in our guide to keeping your catch in Puerto Vallarta.

Combine Fishing with Snorkeling or Wildlife Watching

Kids rarely want to do just one thing all day, and a private charter doesn't make them. Every boat carries snorkel equipment, so a popular family plan looks like this:

• Fish first, while the water is calm and the fish are biting.
• Snorkel next at Los Arcos, a protected marine park with tropical fish right under the boat.
• Finish at a beach such as Las Ánimas, where the kids can swim in and you can order lunch on the sand.

In winter, add whales to the mix. Heading north instead, the area around Punta de Mita and the Marietas offers calm morning water and more wildlife. See all the options in our snorkeling charters and 12 destinations.

Safety Tips for Fishing with Children

• Sunscreen before you board, and again at midday. Reef-safe, please. Hats and UV shirts are better than reapplying every hour.
• Seasickness: if your child is prone to it, ask your pediatrician about a kids' motion-sickness remedy and give it before leaving the dock — not once the boat is moving. A light breakfast helps; an empty stomach makes it worse.
• Hydration. We have bottled water and ice on board; bring juice boxes or electrolyte drinks if your kids prefer them.
• Clothing: light, quick-dry clothes, a swimsuit underneath and a light layer for the early morning run out. Non-slip sandals or sneakers on deck.
• Life jackets on whenever the boat is moving, and always for non-swimmers.
• Listen to the crew around hooks and lines. The mate will show the kids where to stand when a fish is being landed.

What to Bring for a Family Fishing Day

• Reef-safe sunscreen, hats and sunglasses
• Swimsuits and a towel per person
• A change of dry clothes for the ride home
• Snacks, sandwiches and drinks (food is not included, so pack your favorites)
• Motion-sickness remedy if needed
• The infant life vest your baby already uses, if you have one
• A waterproof phone case for photos of the first catch
• Cash for the crew tip
• A cooler bag if you plan to take your fillets back to your hotel or rental

Getting everyone out the door early is easier when the ride is sorted. Ask about transportation when you request your quote — see fishing charters with hotel pickup for how it works.

Frequently Asked Questions