“When is fishing season in Puerto Vallarta?” is a slightly wrong question, because there is no off-season. Banderas Bay sits where warm tropical currents meet deep Pacific water, and something is biting every single month. The better question is: which fish, in which month, and how far out? This calendar answers it month by month, based on the patterns local captains plan around — including the crews at Ol’ Salty’s Ranch, the Nuevo Vallarta charter we recommend, who share their own take on the best time for fishing in Puerto Vallarta.
A fair warning before the tables: fish do not read calendars. Water temperature, currents and bait shift from year to year, and a “peak” month can be quiet while a shoulder month surprises everyone. Use this as a planning guide, then ask your captain what has been happening that week.
The Calendar at a Glance
Key: ●● typical peak · ● present, worth targeting · – possible but less likely.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sailfish | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ●● | ●● |
| Blue & black marlin | – | – | – | – | – | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | – |
| Yellowfin tuna (big fish offshore) | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ●● |
| Dorado | ●● | ● | – | – | – | – | – | ● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● |
| Roosterfish | ● | ● | ● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ●● | ● | ● | ● |
| Bonito, jack crevalle, sierra, snapper | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Typical patterns only; they vary year to year. Yellowfin are present offshore all year; the largest fish at Corbeteña and El Banco tend to show best from about December to May.
The Seasons Behind the Fish
Dry season: November to May
Clear skies, little rain, calm mornings and cooler water as winter sets in. This is when sailfish fishing is usually strongest, dorado are still around early on, big yellowfin show at the offshore banks and humpback whales fill the bay.
Rainy season: June to October
Hot, humid, green and quieter on land. Rain typically arrives as afternoon or evening storms, so mornings are often perfectly fishable. Water temperatures climb, and with them comes the blue and black marlin peak.
Hurricane season: June to November
The Pacific hurricane season overlaps the rainy months. Banderas Bay is sheltered and most days are unaffected, but on rough days the port authority can close the harbor — in which case your trip is rescheduled. With Ol’ Salty’s, cancellation is also free up to 24 hours before departure, so build a spare day into your trip if you are coming in late summer. Our Puerto Vallarta weather guide has month-by-month temperatures and rain.
Month by Month
January
Peak winter fishing. Sailfish are in good numbers, dorado are hanging on at the end of their peak and big yellowfin begin to show at the offshore banks. Dry and pleasant, and whales are everywhere — many charters combine both. A strong all-round month.
February
Much like January: sailfish strong, offshore tuna good, dorado thinning out. Mornings can be cool on the run out, so bring a layer. One of the busiest months for whale watching, which makes a fishing-plus-whales day an easy sell.
March
Sailfish still in their prime; tuna at Corbeteña and El Banco still worth the run for serious anglers. Whale season winds down around the third week of the month. Spring Break and Easter can make the marina busier — book ahead.
April
The transition. Sailfish remain good, the water starts to warm and roosterfish begin to show along the rocky points and beaches, especially toward Punta Mita. A quietly excellent month for inshore fishing.
May
Roosterfish in full swing near shore; big tuna still possible offshore at the end of their best window. Warm, dry and generally calm early in the day, with afternoon breeze building. Good value before summer.
June
Warm water arrives and marlin season begins. The first rains usually come in the second half of the month. Roosterfish remain strong inshore. Hurricane season starts officially, though early-season storms rarely affect the bay.
July
Hot and humid, with afternoon storms. Blue and black marlin are a realistic target offshore, roosterfish are still peaking along the north shore, and the bay is quiet with fewer visitors. Fish early and be back before the afternoon clouds build.
August
Peak summer. Marlin fishing is at its warm-water best; dorado start to appear just outside the bay. The heat is real, so a boat with shade — or the air-conditioned salon of the 53-foot Steel n Time sport fisher — makes a difference.
September
A serious angler’s month: marlin still strong, dorado building toward their peak, roosterfish finishing their season. It is also the rainiest month and the one most likely to bring a weather day, so keep your dates flexible. Low season means quiet marinas.
October
Arguably the best month for variety. Dorado are peaking, marlin are still around, sailfish start to build again and the rains taper off toward month’s end. If you can only come once and want the widest menu, October and November are hard to beat.
November
The sweet spot. The rainy season is over, the water is still warm, marlin season is closing out, dorado are excellent and sailfish are moving into their strongest months. Visitor numbers rise but the true high season has not yet started. Our favourite month on the water.
December
Sailfish strong, dorado still peaking, big yellowfin season starting offshore and the first humpback whales arriving around the second week of the month. Holiday weeks fill up quickly, so book early. Ol’ Salty’s runs private whale watching in Banderas Bay through the season, and it pairs easily with a morning of fishing; see also our whale season guide.
Species Spotlights: When and Where
Sailfish — present all year, best November to April
The signature fish of the bay, famous for aerial jumps. They can be caught in any month, but late fall through spring is when they are most consistent. Many anglers photograph and release them; our guide to keeping your fish in Puerto Vallarta explains the rules.
Blue and black marlin — June to November
The trophy of the warm months. Marlin live offshore, so give yourself eight hours or more toward Corbeteña or El Banco — a short trip inside the bay is unlikely to find one. If marlin is the whole point, say so when you book so the crew plans the boat, the hours and the route around it.
Yellowfin tuna — year-round, biggest December to May
Tuna are offshore all year. The large fish that make reputations tend to show at Corbeteña and El Banco from about December to May. Small tuna often turn up closer in and are a fun target for families.
Dorado — September/October to January
Fast, acrobatic, colourful and delicious. Dorado often gather around floating debris and current lines just outside the bay, which makes a six-to-eight-hour trip the classic choice in autumn and early winter.
Roosterfish — April to September
Hunted close to shore around Punta Mita and the rocky points of the north bay. Spectacular fighters, usually released. Nuevo Vallarta’s position at the north end of the bay makes these grounds a short run.
The year-round crew: bonito, jack crevalle, sierra, snapper
These are the reason no month is a bad month. They live inside Banderas Bay all year, bite readily and are ideal for beginners and children — see our guide to fishing with kids in Puerto Vallarta.
Matching the Season to the Hours You Book
The month tells you what is around; the length of your charter decides whether you can reach it.
| Charter length | Range | Best months to book it |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 h | Inside Banderas Bay | Any month; roosterfish Apr–Sep, sailfish when they come in Nov–Apr |
| 6–8 h | Just outside the bay (~5–8 miles) | Dorado Sep–Jan, sailfish Nov–Apr |
| 8–10 h | Corbeteña | Marlin Jun–Nov, big tuna Dec–May |
| 10+ h | El Banco | Trophy tuna Dec–May, marlin Jun–Nov |
For short, fast runs with a small group, the 32-foot Peaceful Easy Feeling super panga gets to the fish quickly; for long offshore days, Steel n Time is the comfortable choice. What each length costs per boat is laid out in our guide to Puerto Vallarta fishing charter prices and on the operator’s fishing charter rates page. Note that runs to Corbeteña and El Banco carry a fuel surcharge.
Why the Calendar Shifts: Water, Bait and Wind
Seasonal patterns in Banderas Bay come down to three things, and understanding them helps you read any fishing report.
Water temperature
Warm water pushes up from the south in summer and autumn, bringing marlin and dorado with it. In winter the water cools, the pelagic action shifts and sailfish and big tuna take centre stage. A warm or cool year can move every date in the table above by a few weeks in either direction.
Bait
Predators follow food. When schools of sardine, mackerel and other baitfish move into the bay, the bonito, jacks and roosterfish follow them inshore, and the billfish are rarely far behind. Captains watch for diving birds and bait balls the way farmers watch the sky — one flock of frigatebirds can change the plan for the morning.
Wind and swell
Mornings are usually calm almost all year. From spring onward, an afternoon sea breeze tends to build, and in the rainy months evening storms are common. That is why every season in this calendar comes with the same advice: go early.
When to Book, Season by Season
- December to April (high season): whales, sailfish, dry weather and the most visitors. Book your boat as soon as your dates are firm, especially around Christmas, New Year, Spring Break and Easter.
- May and June: the shoulder. Quieter marinas and good inshore fishing; a week or two of notice is usually enough.
- July to October (low season): serious offshore fishing and the fewest crowds, but the highest chance of a weather day. Book with a spare day in mind; the free cancellation window up to 24 hours before departure helps.
- November: rising demand as the snowbirds arrive. Book early in the month for the best choice of boats and departure times.
What to Pack, by Season
- Winter mornings (Dec–Feb): a light jacket or long sleeves for the run out — it can feel surprisingly cool at speed before sunrise.
- Spring (Mar–May): strong sun with low humidity; hat, polarized glasses and reef-safe sunscreen are non-negotiable.
- Summer and autumn (Jun–Oct): breathable sun shirts, plenty of extra drinks for the cooler (bottled water and ice are provided), and a light rain layer just in case.
- All year: motion-sickness remedy taken before departure, cash for the crew tip, and a cooler bag if you plan to keep fish.
The Best Time of Day
Whatever the month, the answer is the same: early morning. The sea is calmest before the breeze builds, the fish are feeding, the light is soft and, in summer, you are back before the afternoon storms. Ol’ Salty’s departures start at 7:00 a.m.; take that slot whenever you can.
Planning Tips by Traveller Type
- Families: December to April for calm, dry mornings and whales as a bonus. Read about family fishing trips in Puerto Vallarta.
- Marlin hunters: June to November, long offshore charters, flexible dates.
- Eat-what-you-catch crowd: October to January for dorado.
- Light-tackle fans: April to September for roosterfish along the north shore.
- Value seekers: November, or the April–May shoulder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time for fishing in Puerto Vallarta?
The bay fishes all year. For variety, October through January is hard to beat; for marlin, June to November. Ask Ol’ Salty’s Ranch what is biting the week you travel.
When is marlin season?
Typically June through November, offshore. Plan eight hours or more.
When is sailfish season?
Year-round, strongest from about November to April.
When do dorado bite?
Usually from September or October through January, often just outside the bay.
Can you fish during rainy season?
Yes. Storms usually come in the afternoon, so morning trips often go ahead. If the port closes, trips are rescheduled.
What time of day is best?
Early morning, for calmer sea and active fish.
What can you catch year-round?
Bonito, jack crevalle, sierra and snapper inside the bay, and yellowfin tuna offshore.
Pick your month, then pick your boat
Three private boats out of Marina Nuevo Vallarta, fishing every month of the year — ask the crew about the Puerto Vallarta fishing season for your dates.
See the best time to fish →More reading: our complete fishing guide, fishing charters in Puerto Vallarta, the Peaceful Easy Feeling charter and the hotel-to-marina transport guide.