# Sportfishing in Tamarindo: Bluewater Close to the Beach > Tamarindo is Guanacaste's busiest beach town, and its charter boats anchor in the bay and pick up guests from the sand. The best offshore months for sailfish and marlin are roughly May to December, roosterfish and snapper are caught inshore all year, and Marina Flamingo is a short drive north. Source: https://sportfishing-costarica.com/sportfishing-in-tamarindo/ Last checked: 2026-11-14 Leaves from: Boats anchored in Tamarindo Bay, boarded from the beach; some from Marina Flamingo Offshore: Sailfish, blue marlin, dorado, yellowfin tuna, wahoo Inshore: Roosterfish, snapper, jacks Best billfish months: About May to December Getting there: About 1 hour from Liberia airport; domestic airstrip in town ## Fishing from a surf town Tamarindo is a lively surf and resort town on the Pacific side of the Nicoya Peninsula, and it has been a sportfishing base for decades. There's no marina: charter boats ride at anchor in Tamarindo Bay, near the mouth of the estuary, and crews ferry guests out from the beach in a small tender. Wear sandals you don't mind getting wet. That beach launch is part of the appeal. You can walk from your hotel to the boat, and the deep water isn't far off this stretch of coast, so offshore trips don't always need a long run. ## What you'll catch and when FECOP, the Costa Rican sport fishing federation, puts the best offshore billfish months for the northern Pacific at roughly May to December. Tamarindo crews target [sailfish](/the-pacific-sailfish/) and [blue marlin](/marlin-the-tropical-sporting-fish/) in that period, with [dorado](/the-dolphin-fish-mahi-mahi/), [yellowfin tuna](/yellowfin-tuna/) and [wahoo](/wahoo-in-costa-rica-a-faboulous-catch/) as bonus fish. Some crews also run longer trips to offshore seamounts and banks when the weather allows. Inshore, the rocky points north toward Flamingo hold [roosterfish](/roosterfish-the-majestic-fish-of-costa-rica/), [snapper](/snappers-in-costa-rica/) and jacks all year. Inshore trips are a good fit for half days, families and anglers who want to cast lures rather than troll. In the dry season, roughly December to April, the water is usually clearer inshore, but strong afternoon winds can roughen the sea. Morning departures are the norm. ## Choosing a charter Tamarindo has a mix of long-established crews and newer operators, with boats from 20-foot pangas to 40-foot sportfishers. [Rhino Charger Sport Fishing](/rhino-charger-sportfishing/) is one of the long-running Tamarindo crews, and there are several others in town. Ask each one: - whether you'll board from the beach or from [Marina Flamingo](/sportfishing-in-playa-flamingo/), about 40 minutes north by road; - whether the INCOPESCA licence is included (Tamarindo has no INCOPESCA office, so buying it online is easiest); - what they do with fish: billfish are released, and some crews let you keep a dorado or tuna. ## A typical trip Most Tamarindo trips start early, with the crew meeting you on the beach near the estuary mouth and running you out to the boat. Offshore, the boat heads out to deep water and trolls a spread of lures and teasers, looking for birds, current lines and floating debris. When a sailfish or marlin shows behind the teasers, the crew switches to a bait on a circle hook, and once the fish is hooked, it's a team effort to bring it alongside for a photo and release. Inshore trips stay along the coast, fishing the points north toward Flamingo with live bait or lures for roosterfish, snapper and jacks. They're shorter and calmer, and you can fish lighter tackle. The sea off Playa Grande and Langosta is part of Las Baulas National Park, where fishing isn't allowed, so crews stay outside it. If your group includes non-anglers, ask about a trip that mixes fishing with a snorkeling stop. Tamarindo is also one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to fish if you're traveling with people who don't. While you're on the boat, the rest of the group can surf, take an estuary tour or simply stay on the beach, and the boat drops you back within walking distance of town. Bring a dry bag for phones and cameras. The tender ride from the beach can be splashy when there's surf, and it's worth confirming the meeting time and spot with your crew the night before. ## Where to stay Tamarindo has the widest choice of places to stay in Guanacaste, from surf hostels and small hotels to beachfront resorts and vacation rentals. The town center is busy and close to the beach where the boats board. Langosta, just south, and Playa Grande, across the estuary, are quieter. ## Getting to Tamarindo Tamarindo is about an hour by road from Liberia's Guanacaste Airport (LIR) and roughly 4.5 to 5 hours from San José. SANSA flies to Tamarindo's small airstrip from San José, and shuttles run from Liberia airport and other Guanacaste towns. ## Other things to do - **Surfing:** Tamarindo's main beach has gentle waves and dozens of surf schools; Playa Grande, across the estuary, has stronger surf. - **Las Baulas National Marine Park:** Playa Grande is a leatherback turtle nesting beach, protected as part of this park. Night visits are by guided tour only. - **Estuary tours:** boat and kayak trips through the Tamarindo estuary's mangroves for birds and crocodiles. - **Snorkeling and sailing:** catamarans sail from the bay to the Capitán Islands and nearby coves. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a marina in Tamarindo? No. Boats anchor in the bay and pick up guests from the beach. The closest marina is Marina Flamingo, about 40 minutes north. ### What's the best month to fish in Tamarindo? For sailfish and marlin, roughly May to December. Roosterfish and snapper are caught inshore all year. ### How far offshore do Tamarindo boats go? It depends on where the fish are. Inshore trips stay within sight of land; offshore trips head out to blue water, and longer trips can go much farther when conditions are good. ### Can I see turtles near Tamarindo? Yes. Leatherback and other sea turtles nest at Playa Grande, inside Las Baulas National Marine Park, mainly from about October to March. Visits are by guided night tour.