St Maarten & St Martin Fishing Charters

St Maarten and St Martin share one island in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Virgin Islands and a short hop from Anguilla and St Barths. The southern half is Dutch Sint Maarten and the northern half is French Saint-Martin, all on about 87 square kilometres. There’s no border control between the two sides, so you can stay on one side and fish from the other with no fuss. Around 75,000 people live on the island, which blends Dutch, French, Caribbean and Latin American cultures.

Most visitors arrive through Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) or the cruise port in Philipsburg, and both are close to our departure marinas in Simpson Bay and Cole Bay. US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. The weather is warm all year, with sea temperatures typically between 26 and 29°C.

For anglers, the island’s biggest draw is how close the deep water is. The drop-offs start just a short run from shore, so even a half-day St Maarten fishing charter gives you real time with lines in the water.

Set out to the reef surrounding St Maarten and fish some of the Caribbean’s best fishing spots. When you arrive at the outside deep waters of the reef, the crew will put out 6 to 8 rods with lures or dead bait on them. These lures and baits will then be trolled along the drop off or in the deeper waters depending on which fish you are targeting. During this time “trolling” the boat will move between 6 to 8 knots and the crew will keep an eye out for birds, free jumping fish or even debris in the ocean.

Our expert skippers will offer tips on how to fish and then it's your turn to test out your skills. Whether you're a novice fisher or an experienced angler these trips will be enjoyed by all. The trips are usually offered as 4 hour or 8 hour charters but most boats can customize this according to your needs. You can also combine different activities such as snorkelling, visiting a beach or sightseeing to this trip.

Our crews all have many years of experience fishing the waters around St Maarten and our boats are equipped with the highest quality rods, reels, downriggers, outriggers and electronics. Many fishing records have been caught aboard these boats. When deep sea fishing, the main target is Blue Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Mahi-Mahi and Tuna.

When deciding where to fish in St Maarten/ St Martin it will depend on the time of the year, weather and if you have a half or full day charter.

One popular spot for instance to go on a full day charter is Tuna Shoals which is a pinnacle that rises up from the surrounding 4000 ft deep waters up to around 500 feet. This area is known for its large yellowfin tuna as well as other large predators including Marlin and sailfish.

Marlin Boulevard is an offshore fishing area known for its blue marlin, with other pelagic fish such as wahoo and mahi-mahi also found in these waters. The main attraction here is the chance to target blue marlin. Around a one-and-a-half-hour run from Saint Martin, this area is available only by special request, usually as a ten-hour charter. Bimini Nomad is currently the only boat in our fleet offering this trip. Contact our team to arrange your request; the itinerary is subject to sea conditions and availability.

The good news is that there is good fishing around St Maarten all year round. It will depend on the season which type of fish will be caught most frequently.

Around October the Wahoo start showing up in large numbers and will hang out around the drop offs surrounding the Island in about 200 — 4000 feet of water.

From spring to summer are the main months to catch Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin fish) which are considered some of the best eating fish in the sea.

Marlin and sailfish can be caught all year but the summer months tend to be the best.

Deep-sea trolling isn’t the only way to fish St Maarten and St Martin. Because every trip is private, your crew can shape the day around your group and conditions on the water.

Reef and bottom fishing. Closer to shore, the reefs and rocky ledges hold snapper, grouper, jacks and barracuda. Reef fishing usually means calmer water and steady action, which makes it a good choice when the wind is up offshore. It also suits groups who want more bites and less waiting.

Family and first-time trips. No experience is needed. Your captain and crew will set up the gear, show you how to work the rod, and help bring in your fish. A half-day trip on the drop-offs is a good introduction for children and beginners, with plenty of chances to catch something within a short run of the marina.

Fishing combined with snorkelling or a beach stop. Many guests split their day between fishing and time in the water. Fish the morning bite, then anchor at one of the island’s beaches or snorkel spots for a swim and lunch. Just let us know when you book.

Extended offshore trips. For experienced anglers, longer charters reach the offshore grounds at Tuna Shoals and Marlin Boulevard, where yellowfin tuna and blue marlin are the main targets.

Wherever you fish, your crew knows the local rules, including the protected marine areas around the island where fishing isn’t allowed.