How to choose · 4 min read
Inshore vs offshore fishing in Manuel Antonio: what's the difference?
Two kinds of water, two kinds of day. Here is where each trip from Marina Pez Vela goes, which fish it targets, when they bite and what the move from coast to blue water costs.
Updated October 2026
Quick answer
Inshore fishing stays along the coast near Manuel Antonio for roosterfish, snapper and jack crevalle, from $950 per boat for 5 hours. Offshore fishing heads to blue water for sailfish, marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo, from $1,300 per boat for 7 hours. Pick inshore for families and short trips, offshore for billfish.
Inshore and offshore, side by side
Both trips leave from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos on the same private 32-foot boat, for up to six anglers. What changes is the water, the fish and the length of the day.
Inshore
- Where
- Along the coast near Manuel Antonio
- Main fish
- Roosterfish, snapper, jack crevalle
- Charters
- Half-Day (5 h) or 3/4-Day (7 h)
- From (per boat)
- $950
- Best for
- Families, kids, first-timers, half-day plans
Offshore
- Where
- Blue water beyond the coast
- Main fish
- Sailfish, blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo
- Charters
- 3/4-Day (7 h) or Full-Day (9 h)
- From (per boat)
- $1,300
- Best for
- Billfish, bigger game, a full day on the water
What you catch inshore
Inshore trips work the coastline near Manuel Antonio. The ride out is short, so more of your time goes to fishing.
- Roosterfish: the signature inshore fish, best from December to April and released by default
- Snapper: caught all year, and can be kept when regulations allow
- Jack crevalle: a strong, common fighter along the coast
- Departures at 7:00 AM or 1:00 PM on the half day, 7:00 AM on the 3/4 day
What you catch offshore
Offshore trips run out past the coast into blue water, where the billfish and the big pelagic species live. That run is why offshore days are longer.
- Sailfish: the headline catch, best from December to April and always released
- Blue marlin: also best from December to April, and always released
- Yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi: the green-season targets, which can be kept when regulations allow
- Both offshore trips leave at 7:00 AM
Which one fits your travel dates
There is fishing on both sides all year. The month you travel mostly changes which fish are at their best.
- Dec to Apr
Peak for billfish and roosterfish
Sailfish and blue marlin offshore, roosterfish inshore. A strong season for both trips.
- May to Nov
Tuna and mahi-mahi offshore
Yellowfin tuna peak from May to November, mahi-mahi from May to October. Sailfish are still in the mix.
- All year
Snapper and roosterfish inshore
Snapper are caught year-round, and roosterfish stay outside their December to April peak too.
What the move to blue water costs
Compare the two 3/4-day trips: same 7 hours, but offshore costs $150 more per boat. With four anglers, that is about $38 more each, roughly $288 inshore against $325 offshore.
Per-person figures are a reference: the price is per boat, divided here by four anglers.
Who each one suits
Most groups know their answer once they decide what the day is for.
- Go inshore with children or first-time anglers: a shorter ride and a shorter day
- Go inshore if you only have a morning or an afternoon free
- Go offshore if sailfish or marlin are the reason for the trip
- Go offshore if you want tuna or mahi-mahi for dinner, when regulations allow
Still deciding?
See all four charters side by side, with prices for your group size.
Questions
Inshore vs offshore questions
Keep reading
-
How to chooseHalf-day or full-day fishing in Manuel Antonio: which should you book?Hours on the water, departure times and price per boat side by side, so you know which length fits your trip.
-
PricesHow much does a fishing charter cost in Manuel Antonio?Prices per private boat for all four charters, and what they work out to per person for groups of two, four and six.
-
FamiliesFishing in Manuel Antonio with kids: a family guideWhich charter works best with children, when to go out and how to keep the day short and fun.
Marina Pez Vela · Quepos
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