Dos Mas Sport Fishing
A 30-foot Island Hopper from Banana Bay, Golfito
Dos Mas Sport Fishing is a single 30-foot Island Hopper express sportfisher based at Banana Bay Marina in Golfito and run by Capt. Donald McGuinness, a second-generation Golfito captain. It fishes offshore for marlin and tuna and inshore for roosterfish and snapper, and it can stay out overnight. It suits small groups who want a diesel boat with a flybridge and a cabin.
At a glance
- Location
- Golfito, Southern Pacific, Costa Rica
- Boat
- Dos Mas, a 30-foot Island Hopper express cruiser built in 1998 and restored in 2019
- Engine
- a single 450 hp Cummins diesel, cruising at about 26 knots
- Captain
- Donald McGuinness, from Golfito's McGuinness fishing family
- Group size
- up to 8 on day trips; 4 is the comfortable number for overnight trips
- Trips
- half day (6 hours), 12-hour day, and 2-day liveaboard trips
- Release
- all billfish released; up to 5 fish a day can be kept
- Leaves from
- Banana Bay Marina, Golfito
Part of our complete guide: Fishing the Southern Pacific: the complete guide
Who runs it
Dos Mas is captained by Donald McGuinness, who grew up in the family that started sportfishing in Golfito: his family's boats have worked these waters since Bobby McGuinness Sr. arrived from the US in the 1960s. His booking page calls him a second-generation captain and talks of more than 40 years of fishing, though the same page's summary box shows a much shorter figure, so take the exact number loosely.
The boat is well used. Its FishingBooker listing has reviews for trips in January and February 2026, and Osa Tourism in Puerto Jiménez still books it for half days, full days and multi-day offshore packages.
The boat
Dos Mas is a 30-foot Island Hopper express cruiser, a Florida-built hull with a reputation for a dry ride. This one dates from 1998 and was restored in 2019. A single 450 hp Cummins diesel gives it a cruise of about 26 knots, and you'll spot it easily: the hull is bright orange.
It's more boat than most in the zone for its length:
- Flybridge and tower for spotting fish and birds.
- Cabin with 2 bunks, a toilet, a shower and a small galley, which makes the overnight trips possible.
- Fishing gear: a fighting chair, outriggers, tuna tubes and a live bait well, plus radar, GPS and a fish finder.
- Extras: snorkel gear, for a swim stop between fish.
Where it leaves from
The boat's home dock is Banana Bay Marina on Golfito's waterfront. Pickup from Golfito hotels and docks is included, and one reviewer was collected in Pavones, so ask if you're staying along the coast. Osa Tourism also arranges trips with it for anglers based in Puerto Jiménez.
What you'll fish for
Offshore, it's blue and black marlin, dorado and tuna. Inshore, the crew works the Golfo Dulce and the coast for roosterfish, cubera snapper and red snapper, amberjack, jacks, barracuda, Sierra mackerel and grouper.
In this part of the country, sailfish are best from about December to April, and marlin and tuna from about May to September and again late in the year. See our Southern Pacific guide for the full calendar.
Release practice
Every billfish is released on this boat, as Costa Rican law requires. Other fish can be kept up to 5 a day, which leaves plenty for a dinner without emptying the reef. Our page on how a billfish is released explains what a good release looks like.
Trips and booking
There are 3 ways to go: a 6-hour "half day" starting at 7 a.m., a 12-hour day starting at 5:30 a.m. for a proper offshore run, and a 2-day trip where you sleep aboard. The listing puts day trips at up to 8 people; for an overnight, 4 is the comfortable number.
Book on the boat's FishingBooker listing or through Osa Tourism. Each angler needs an INCOPESCA fishing licence before the trip.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Dos Mas leave from?
Banana Bay Marina in Golfito, with pickup from Golfito hotels and docks included.
Can we stay out overnight?
Yes. The boat has bunks, a toilet, a shower and a galley, and it runs 2-day liveaboard trips.
How many people can fish?
Up to 8 on day trips. For overnight trips, plan on 4.
Do they keep billfish?
No. All billfish are released. You can keep up to 5 other fish a day.
Who's the captain?
Donald McGuinness, from the family that started sportfishing in Golfito.
