Private Fishing Charter in Puerto Vallarta for up to 6 people

Banderas Bay gives you a short, focused fishing trip with a real chance at hard-fighting fish in the 5 to 20-pound range. Jack Crevalle, Spanish Mackerel, small Mahi Mahi, and Skipjack Tuna are the main targets, so you are not simply motoring around hoping something bites.

I like the private boat for up to six people, which lets your group fish at its own pace, and I like that live bait, ice, a fishing license, a captain, and a deckhand are included. The main drawback is the short four-hour schedule. Add the $3 port fee per person, food and drinks, and a customary 10 to 20 percent tip, and the final cost is higher than the advertised charter price.

Key points to know before booking

• Banderas Bay fishing: You stay inside the bay, targeting fish such as Jack Crevalle, Spanish Mackerel, Skipjack Tuna, and small Mahi Mahi.
• Private group setup: Only your party participates, with room for up to six people.
• Useful basics included: Live bait, a cooler with ice, a fishing license, a captain, and a deckhand are provided.
• A productive possibility: One outing produced 10 fish, including Mackerel, Skipjack, and Trevally.
• Simple meeting point: The charter starts and ends at Los Peines, Isla Iguana, in Puerto Vallarta.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, but ordinary cancellations are non-refundable.

Four hours on Banderas Bay

This charter is built around one clear idea: get your group onto the water and fishing without spending a full day offshore. The boat operates inside Banderas Bay, where the target fish generally weigh between 5 and 20 pounds.

That range matters. You are not booking a giant-game expedition with promises of enormous marlin. You are booking a shorter trip aimed at active, manageable fish that can still put a serious bend in the rod. Jack Crevalle are especially appealing for their strength, while Spanish Mackerel and Skipjack Tuna can make the action feel quick and lively.

Small Mahi Mahi are also possible, along with other local species. Fishing is never guaranteed, but the mix gives your crew more than one target. If one species is not cooperating, the captain can work toward another listed fish.

The four-hour length is both a strength and a limit. It is practical if you are fitting fishing between other Puerto Vallarta plans. It is also short enough for children, first-time anglers, or anyone who is unsure about spending an entire day on a boat.

You should not expect endless time to search every part of the bay. After meeting the captain, getting settled, and handling the short trip back, the actual fishing window is limited. Still, for a private outing, four hours can be a sensible middle ground.

What the private setup changes

A private charter means only your group joins the boat. That is a big advantage over a shared fishing trip, especially if your party includes mixed skill levels.

You can keep the mood relaxed and avoid sharing the boat with strangers. Experienced anglers can focus on fishing, while beginners can ask questions without feeling self-conscious. If someone wants a break, there is no larger group waiting for that person to return to the action.

The capacity is up to six people. That makes the trip a good fit for a family, two or three couples, or a small group of friends. Six is also the upper limit, so you should think about how much personal space your group needs. A private boat does not mean unlimited room, and anglers often need space to cast, handle fish, and move around safely.

The strongest value comes when you fill several places. A solo angler or couple may find a private charter more expensive per person than a shared trip. A group of six can spread the charter cost across the full party, making privacy and flexibility easier to justify.

The private format also makes the trip feel more personal, but the supplied information does not identify the captain or deckhand by name. You should not book this expecting a particular guide unless the operator confirms one directly.

The departure at Los Peines, Isla Iguana

The meeting point is Los Peines on Isla Iguana, Puerto Vallarta, with the address listed as 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The activity ends at the same point.

That return-to-start arrangement keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate pickup after fishing, and you can plan your next activity from the same general area. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are making your own way there.

Your booking confirmation arrives at the time of booking. Keep it available on your phone, since the experience uses a mobile ticket. You will want to allow enough time to reach Los Peines, find the departure area, and meet the crew without cutting into your fishing time.

No separate hotel pickup is included in the supplied details. Plan your own transport to the meeting point. Also remember that the $3 port fee is charged per person. For a full group of six, that adds $18 before tips, meals, or drinks.

Live bait, ice, and the practical inclusions

The included items are modest but useful. Live bait is supplied, so you do not have to find a bait shop before the trip or guess what works in the bay.

A cooler with ice is also provided. This is handy for keeping drinks cold and storing a catch if that is handled according to local rules and the crew’s instructions. Food and drinks are not included, so you should bring what you need unless you plan to buy supplies before reaching the departure point.

A fishing license is included as well. That removes one common task from your list and helps keep the outing organized. The captain and deckhand are included, giving you two crew members to manage the boat, bait, tackle support, and fishing help.

The exact equipment is not described in the available information. If you have specific needs, such as a certain rod style or gear for a young angler, ask PV Charters before booking. The same applies if you want to know how fish are handled after landing.

What the fishing may feel like

The fish listed for this trip offer different kinds of action. Jack Crevalle are known as powerful fighters, so even a fish in the stated weight range can give an angler a workout. Spanish Mackerel and Skipjack Tuna can bring faster action, while small Mahi Mahi add variety if conditions are right.

The point is not to chase one guaranteed species. You are fishing for a selection of bay fish, and the captain will likely adjust the plan around what is active. That flexibility is useful on a short charter because sitting in one unproductive spot would quickly eat into your day.

A reported outing brought in 10 fish, including Mackerel, Skipjack, and Trevally. That is an encouraging example of what a productive trip can look like, though you should treat it as a possibility rather than a promise. Weather, season, water conditions, and fish movement all affect the result.

You should also set your expectations correctly. This is not a sightseeing cruise with fishing added as a minor extra. The activity is centered on fishing, and the main reward is time spent working the bay with a crew focused on finding fish. If you want a relaxed boat ride with no concern about the catch, another Puerto Vallarta excursion may suit you better.

Weather, timing, and the cancellation risk

Fishing depends heavily on safe weather and water conditions. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you can receive a full refund or move the trip to a different date.

That policy protects you from being sent out in unsuitable conditions. It does not protect you from changing your mind, changing your plans, or asking for an amendment. This experience is non-refundable for those reasons.

I would book this only after your Puerto Vallarta schedule is fairly firm. A four-hour charter may be easy to fit into a holiday, but the strict policy means you should avoid reserving it on a day when another commitment could interfere.

Good weather is also important for comfort. The available information does not give a season-by-season fishing calendar, so ask the operator about current conditions if catching a particular species matters to you. Do not assume that every listed fish is equally likely on every date.

What the charter costs beyond the base price

No charter price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact dollar value. I can explain what you are paying for and which extras to allow for.

The private format has its clearest value when several people share the boat. You receive a captain and deckhand, live bait, a cooler with ice, and a fishing license. Those inclusions reduce the number of small arrangements you must make before departure.

You still need to budget for the $3 port fee per person. Food and drinks are not included, and tips normally run 10 to 20 percent. On a private trip, tipping should reflect the quality of the captain’s and deckhand’s work, including their help with bait, fish handling, and keeping the outing organized.

A small group should compare the total cost per person with shared fishing options in Puerto Vallarta. Six people may find the private arrangement attractive. Two people may prefer a shared boat if the main goal is to keep the price down.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this charter to anglers who want a short private outing rather than a full-day fishing commitment. It also suits families and small groups that value having the boat to themselves.

Beginners can participate, since a captain and deckhand are provided and most people can take part. You do not need to arrive with a fishing license, and live bait is already included.

This may not be the right choice for someone chasing trophy fish or planning a highly specialized offshore trip. The stated targets are mostly 5 to 20 pounds, with small Mahi Mahi among the possibilities. The trip stays inside Banderas Bay and lasts about four hours.

It is also less suitable if your group wants a complete meal service or an all-inclusive boat day. You need to arrange your own food and drinks, and the cooler only solves part of that problem.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta fishing charter?

Book it if you want a private, manageable fishing trip with a real chance at several hard-fighting bay species. The strongest reasons are the private group format, included live bait and license, and the support of both a captain and deckhand.

Think twice if you need a flexible cancellation policy, want a guaranteed catch, or are searching for large offshore game fish. The four-hour schedule keeps the outing practical, but it also limits fishing time and species range.

For a group of up to six, this can be a sensible way to spend part of a Puerto Vallarta day. Confirm the total price, port fees, food plans, meeting details, and weather policy before paying. If those terms suit your group, PV Charters offers a straightforward bay fishing experience with enough variety to keep the rods interesting.

FAQ

Where does the fishing charter start?

The charter starts at Los Peines, Isla Iguana, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the fishing trip?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private charter?

The private charter is available for up to six people, and only your group participates.

What fish might I catch?

The listed targets include Jack Crevalle, Spanish Mackerel, small Mahi Mahi, Skipjack Tuna, and other fish weighing about 5 to 20 pounds.

What is included in the charter?

Live bait, a cooler with ice, a fishing license, a captain, and a deckhand are included.

Are food, drinks, and port fees included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, and the port fee is $3 per person. Tips are also not included, with 10 to 20 percent described as the normal range.