Most children have never felt a fish pull back. The first time it happens — the rod bending, the reel singing, a grown-up yelling “keep winding!” — something switches on that no water park can match. Banderas Bay happens to be one of the best places in Mexico for that moment: sheltered, calm in the morning and full of fish that bite readily. This guide is for parents planning a family fishing trip in Puerto Vallarta, and it is built around the operator we trust with our own readers’ kids, Ol’ Salty’s Ranch.
We will cover why a private boat matters more with children than without them, which boat to choose, when to go, what kids actually catch, how to handle seasickness and boredom, and how to fold snorkeling, a beach or whales into the same morning.
Why Banderas Bay Works So Well for Young Anglers
Three things make this bay unusually forgiving for a first fishing trip.
It is sheltered
Banderas Bay is one of the largest bays in Mexico, and its mouth faces west with mountains wrapped around three sides. Inside it, the swell is usually gentle in the morning. You do not need to run an hour offshore to find fish, which means less time bouncing and more time fishing.
The fish bite
Inshore species such as bonito and jack crevalle travel in schools and hit lures hard. For a child, a steady stream of small fights beats a single trophy that might never come.
The boat is the attraction too
Pelicans diving next to the hull, dolphins surfing the bow wave, the Sierra Madre turning blue behind Puerto Vallarta — on a slow fishing moment, there is always something to point at.
Why a Private Charter Beats a Shared Boat with Kids
On a shared boat, your family is a few seats among strangers. That sounds fine until your seven-year-old needs a bathroom, gets bored at minute fifty or hooks a fish and needs two adults to help. A private charter changes every one of those moments:
- Your pace. Stop fishing for a snack. Swim. Start again. Go home early if someone has had enough.
- Every rod is yours. The kids get the strikes, not the guy who booked the stag party.
- The crew works for your family. They bait, untangle, coach and help land the fish — patiently, and as many times as it takes.
- Price per boat. With a family of five or six plus grandparents, a private boat often costs less per person than buying seats.
Exact numbers for every group size are in our breakdown of Puerto Vallarta fishing charter prices.
Choosing the Boat: Guanatuna Is the Family Boat
Ol’ Salty’s runs three boats from Marina Nuevo Vallarta, and for most families the choice is easy.
Guanatuna — the natural pick
The Guanatuna family fishing boat is a 34-foot Gulfstream with twin turbo 250 HP Cummins diesels. Diesels give a heavier, steadier ride than outboards — noticeably kinder to small stomachs. The whole deck is shaded, the seating is cushioned, there is an open bow for sunbathers, a bathroom on board and room for up to 15 guests. It is open-air rather than air-conditioned, which on the water is rarely a problem in the morning. She is also the cheapest per hour (3,200 MXN) and currently gives five hours on the water for the price of four.
Steel n Time — for extended families and A/C lovers
If you are travelling with three generations or several families, the 53-foot Steel n Time Hatteras carries up to 22 and adds an air-conditioned salon, two cabins, a full kitchen and two bathrooms — a cool place for a toddler nap or a grandparent break. She costs 7,000 MXN per hour.
Peaceful Easy Feeling — for older kids
The 32-foot super panga carries up to eight, is fast and fun, and suits families with teenagers who want to reach the fish quickly. With very young children, we would still lean toward Guanatuna’s steadier ride.
When to Go: Mornings, Four Hours
If we could give parents only one piece of advice, it would be this: book a four-hour trip starting early in the morning.
- The sea is calmest early. On most days the breeze builds after midday. Morning water is flatter, which matters more than anything for seasickness.
- The fish are hungriest early. First light and the hours after are prime feeding time.
- Kids are at their best. Fed, rested, curious — and back at the hotel pool by lunchtime.
- The sun is gentler. Even under shade, the midday glare off the water is fierce.
Departures run from 7:00 a.m., and four hours is the minimum. With Guanatuna’s promo, that four becomes five, which leaves room for a swim stop without cutting fishing time. For which species are around in your travel month, see our month-by-month Banderas Bay fishing calendar.
What Kids Actually Catch
Forget the marlin on the brochure for a moment. The fish that make children happy in Banderas Bay are the ones that bite often and fight hard for their size:
- Bonito — fast, silver and plentiful. Often the first fish of the day.
- Jack crevalle — a bulldog of a fish that pulls far above its weight. Kids remember these.
- Sierra — sleek, spotted and good eating.
- Red snapper (huachinango) and pargo — from the rocky bottom, and the classic fish for dinner.
- Small tuna — a proper “big game” feeling at a child-friendly size.
Older kids and teenagers on a longer trip may get a shot at dorado or even a sailfish in season. For younger children, though, quantity beats size every time.
Ages and Stages: What to Expect
Every child is different, but after years of hearing back from families, a rough pattern emerges. Use it to set expectations — yours and theirs.
Toddlers and preschoolers
Very young children will enjoy the boat ride, the birds and the dolphins more than the fishing itself. Keep the trip to the four-hour minimum, choose a shaded, steady boat, bring familiar snacks and a favourite toy, and let them “help” reel in a fish the crew has hooked. Ask the crew about life jacket sizes well before the day.
Ages 5 to 8
The magic age for a first fish. They can hold a rod with help, they love the drama of a strike and they will tell everyone at school about it. Short attention spans are normal; plan a swim or snorkel break halfway through.
Ages 9 to 12
Old enough to fight a fish largely on their own with coaching, and often the most enthusiastic anglers aboard. This is the age when kids start asking to go further out and stay longer. A five-hour trip on Guanatuna is a good stretch.
Teenagers
Teens can handle a proper six-to-eight-hour day and a shot at dorado or sailfish in season. Give them responsibility — let them watch the fish finder, help the mate with the lines or keep the photo log — and they will stay engaged long after the phone battery dies.
Safety on the Water
Life jackets
Life jackets are carried on board. When you book, tell the crew your children’s ages and rough sizes so they can confirm the right fit before the day. If your child has a vest they already wear comfortably, bring it — familiarity helps.
On-deck rules worth explaining beforehand
- Stay seated or hold on while the boat is moving.
- Hooks belong to the crew — never grab a line or a lure.
- Nobody goes near the stern while a fish is being landed unless the crew says so.
- Sunscreen and water every hour, no arguments.
Sun and heat
Guanatuna’s full canopy does most of the work, but bring hats, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen and a light long-sleeve layer. Bottled water and ice are included; pack extra electrolyte drinks for kids who forget to drink.
Seasickness: Prevention Over Cure
- Go in the morning and stay inside the bay.
- Light breakfast, nothing greasy or acidic.
- Ask your pediatrician about a child-appropriate motion-sickness remedy, and give it before leaving the dock.
- Eyes on the horizon, fresh air on the face, and keep them busy — a child reeling in a fish rarely feels sick.
- Have a plan B. On a private boat, heading for calm water or a beach is your call.
Keeping Them Engaged: The Boat Dog, Snacks and Small Jobs
Kids last longer on the water when they have roles. Give them jobs: spotting birds (birds mean fish), counting dolphins, keeping a tally of the catch, photographing everything. Pack favourite snacks — food is not included, so bring what your children actually eat.
And there is a secret weapon: Ol’ Salty’s has a boat dog who sometimes rides along. No promises on any given day, but when she is aboard, she tends to become the most popular crew member.
Mix It Up: Snorkeling, Beaches and Whales
A family charter does not have to be fishing from start to finish. Snorkel gear is included, and the best family days we hear about combine two or three activities:
Snorkeling at Los Arcos or the Marietas area
The granite arches at Los Arcos and the waters around the Marietas area are known for colourful reef fish. A half hour in the water after a fishing session is the perfect reset for restless kids.
A beach stop at Las Ánimas
Las Ánimas is a road-less beach on the south shore with soft sand and palapas — a classic family stop. Browse the operator’s beach destinations by boat, or read our own guide to Vallarta beaches.
Whale watching, December to March
Humpback whales visit Banderas Bay in winter, with the official season running roughly from the second week of December to the third week of March. Seeing a whale breach from your own boat is unforgettable for a child. Ol’ Salty’s offers private whale watching from Nuevo Vallarta, and it combines naturally with a morning of fishing. Our whale season guide has more.
After the Trip: Cooking the Catch
Few things impress a child like eating the fish they caught. The crew cleans and fillets your catch, and many restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, Bucerías and La Cruz will cook it for a per-person fee. Rules, limits and tips are in our guide to keeping your fish in Puerto Vallarta.
Family Packing List
- Hats, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen
- Swimsuits, towels and a change of dry clothes
- Light long-sleeve layer for the early run out
- Snacks, sandwiches and drinks (water and ice are provided)
- Motion-sickness remedy, given before departure
- Your child’s own life vest if they have one
- Phone in a waterproof pouch for photos
- Cash for the crew tip (10–20% is customary)
How to Book a Family Fishing Day
- Message Ol’ Salty’s on WhatsApp (+52 322 220 3092) with your dates, number of adults and children, and the kids’ ages.
- Choose the boat — most families choose Guanatuna — and a morning departure.
- Hold the date with a 30% card deposit online, or reserve and pay later.
- If plans change, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fishing in Puerto Vallarta good for kids?
Yes. The bay is sheltered, mornings are usually calm and inshore fish bite often enough to keep children engaged.
Which fishing charter is best for families?
We recommend Ol’ Salty’s Ranch family fishing trips. Its Guanatuna has steady diesels, full shade, a bathroom and room for 15, at 3,200 MXN per hour for the whole boat.
How long should a family fishing trip be?
Four hours in the morning. On Guanatuna, four paid hours currently give five on the water.
Are there life jackets for children?
Life jackets are on board. Share your children’s ages and sizes when booking so the crew can confirm the fit, or bring your child’s own vest.
What can kids catch in Banderas Bay?
Bonito, jack crevalle, sierra, red snapper, pargo and small tuna — exciting but manageable with the crew’s help.
Can we combine fishing with snorkeling or whales?
Yes. Snorkel gear is included; Los Arcos, the Marietas area, Las Ánimas and winter whale watching all pair well with fishing.
Do kids need a fishing license?
No separate purchase: licenses are included in the charter.
Give the kids their first big fish
A private boat, a patient crew and a calm morning on Banderas Bay — the easiest way to plan a kid-friendly fishing charter in Mexico.
Plan your family trip →More for families: Puerto Vallarta with kids, the Guanatuna boat charter, our hotel-to-marina transport guide and the Puerto Vallarta weather guide.