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Fishing calendar · Cancún & Isla Mujeres
Cancún Fishing Season, Month by Month
What bites each month off Cancún and Isla Mujeres: sailfish, blue marlin, mahi mahi and wahoo, plus which boat and trip length we recommend for each one.
Month-by-month calendar
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailfish | ★ | ★ | ★ | ● | ● | ● | ● | ○ | ||||
| Blue marlin | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Mahi mahi | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ○ | ||||
| Wahoo | ● | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Barracuda, kingfish, bonito, grouper, snapper | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Peak seasonGood seasonSome fish, fewer bites
Seasons are a guide, not a promise. Weather, currents and water temperature move the fish from year to year. Message us before your trip and we’ll tell you what’s biting that week.
Species by season
Sailfish: best January to July
Cancún and Isla Mujeres are one of the best places in the Caribbean for sailfish. The season is best from January to July, with the peak from January to March, and the first fish usually arrive in late December. For sailfish we recommend a trip of at least 8 hours. All sailfish are released. Read more in our Sailfish Season in Cancun guide.
Blue marlin: July to September
Summer is blue marlin time. Marlin live in deep water far offshore, so plan a full day (8 to 12 hours) on one of our bigger boats. All marlin are released.
Mahi mahi (dorado): April to October
Mahi mahi is strongest from April to October, and there are still some in November. It is a fast, colorful fish that is great for beginners and kids, and it makes excellent ceviche on board.
Wahoo: good from October
Wahoo fishing is good from October. They are one of the fastest fish in the ocean and great to eat.
All year: barracuda, kingfish, bonito, grouper and snapper
These fish are around most of the year, so even short trips usually have action.
Which boat and trip length?
Sailfish
8 hours or more. Fish’s (up to 9 guests) or Cape Escape (up to 11), from Cancún or Isla Mujeres.
Blue marlin
Full day, 8 to 12 hours, on Fish’s, Cape Escape or Totopo.
Mahi mahi & wahoo
6 to 8 hours on any boat. Nuj Kay is a great value for groups of up to 4.
First time or with kids
4 to 6 hours for barracuda, kingfish and bonito. Every boat works.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go fishing in Cancún?
There is something to catch all year. For sailfish, the best months are January to July, with the peak from January to March. Blue marlin runs July to September, mahi mahi is strongest April to October and wahoo is good from October.
Can I catch a sailfish on a 4-hour trip?
We don’t recommend it. The sailfish grounds take time to reach and fish properly, so for sailfish we recommend at least 8 hours. A 4-hour trip is great for barracuda, kingfish, bonito and, in season, mahi mahi.
Do you keep the sailfish and marlin?
No. Sailfish and marlin are always released. You get your photos and the fish goes back to the sea. Fish like mahi mahi, wahoo or kingfish can be kept, and the crew cleans and fillets them for you.
What can we catch in November and December?
Wahoo is good from October, there are still some mahi mahi in November (fewer than in summer), and the first sailfish usually show up in late December. Barracuda, kingfish, bonito, grouper and snapper are around most of the year.
Is a catch guaranteed?
No. Fishing is nature and no honest charter can guarantee a catch. What we do guarantee is an experienced captain who goes where the fish are biting. Message us before your trip and we’ll tell you what’s biting that week.
Ready to plan your trip?
Pick your boat and date online, or tell us your dates on WhatsApp and we’ll recommend the best trip for the season.