Galápagos Islands Fishing

Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago located in the remote Pacific Ocean. These islands were instrumental in shaping Darwin's theory of evolution and continue to serve as an invaluable living laboratory for scientists today.
The Galapagos Islands and their underwater seamounts are surrounded by three major marine currents that create highly productive upwellings and large bait balls. These nutrient-rich waters lead to upwellings that occur near underwater structures, ranging from steep drops of up to 2,000 feet to shallow peaks of around 300 feet. These conditions attract food sources for striped marlin and mid-sized blue marlin.

Santa Cruz - Isabela Island

Isabela Island is the largest island in the Galapagos, and it does not have any road network.
Santa Cruz Island is the gateway to the Galapagos. Santa Cruz has the widest selection of hotels, nightlife options, and daily flights, combined with exceptional fishing for striped marlin, wahoo, tuna, and bottom fishing. The calmest seas are from mid-December to mid-June. You'll fish Isabela Island, which is less than a 30-minute boat ride from your waterfront accommodations for incredible blue and black marlin. Isabela's waters are fast becoming among the best for targeting giant marlin. Blues can exceed 600 pounds here.

Tesoro Fishing Charters

Tesoro Game Fishing
The company, founded by Nicolas Schiess, specializes in big game fishing and adheres to the country's strict Marlin catch-and-release laws and the IGFA. Tesoro utilizes various techniques, such as circle hooks, to ensure a positive and sustainable impact on the Galapagos ecosystem.
Packages include an English-speaking host/guide, an experienced captain, and crew on The Tesoro, a 33-ft. Florida John Allmand Sportfisher with twin Suzuki 300-HP engines and a cruising speed of 24 knots. All trolling gear and tackle are provided. All fishing charters are private for your group of one to five guests. Customize the package to fit your needs.

Tesoro Sport Fishing Yacht

The Tesoro:  The 33-foot Tesoro was built in Florida by John Allmand, known for his renowned "Allmand Yachts." In 2010, it was brought to Guayaquil, Ecuador, where the owner utilized it as a pleasure fishing yacht. 2015, the Tesoro underwent a complete refit, including installing twin DF 300 Suzuki motors. With a fuel capacity of 920 liters and a cruising speed of 24 knots, the Tesoro has the range and speed to take you to any fishing location you desire. Air-conditioned cabin.

Navigation Equipment:  Simrad GPS + Fish Finder, VHF radio, two-way radio, EPIRB.

Striped Marlin Fishing

To catch striped marlin, they use 50-pound standup trolling tackle. To switch and bait, they employ a set of Shimano Talica 20-pounds, spin or fly gear. Surface lures such as Black Barts, Koya, Pakula, Moldcraft, and Tantrum are effective for trolling. However, anglers sometimes prefer the bait-and-switch technique, which involves presenting a teaser to the marlin while trolling with a hookless lure. Once the marlin raises and follows up, they switch to a circle hook rigged with a ballyhoo bait.
These apex predators feed on sardines, squid, anchovies, and small tunas. Seamounts such as 0’30, Espanola, Rosa Blanca, and 88’ are among the most remarkable hotspots for marlin outbound from San Cristobal Island. It’s not uncommon to experience up to 40 raises per day and achieve double-digit releases.

Blue Marlin Fishing

Blue Marlin Season: May to December for 0’30 Bank in Santa Cruz. Tesoro Galapagos is the only fishing operator on the islands to catch and release 600+ pound Blues repeatedly. Isabela Island's steep drops-off for blue marlin are less than 30 minutes from your waterfront accommodations, and additional seamounts are just over an hour farther to sea. During this season, you can also bottomfish for grouper and snapper. Gear up with light and heavy tackle, popping, jigging, and trolling, then switch bait to fly fishing, spinners, or trolling with 30lb reels. All gear is provided.
Two Options:  This package has two options, depending on your departure point. Departing from Puerto Ayora (the main port in Santa Cruz), you will visit San Luis, Hanckoc, Banco Ruso, Floreana, and Santa Fe´s Eastern drop-off. Departing from Itabaca Channel, the channel dividing Santa Cruz from Baltra (where the airport is located), you will practice your game fishing at the shorelines and underwater sea mounts of Bainbridge, Rabida, Tiburon Arrecho, and La Draga.

33-ft. John Allmand Sportfisher

The Fishing Program:

Blue Marlin Season:  From December to June, heavy tackle is used to chase blue marlin when the seas tend to be warmest and calmest.
Year-Round Species:  Year-round deep sea fishing for striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi.
Fishing Day:  Private pick up from the hotel and drive you to the port for a 7- to 8-hour day of deep-sea trolling. Return to your hotel.
Captain and Crew:  Tournament-class captains, crew, coaching from start to finish. For both novices and experienced anglers.
Fishing Methods:  Pursue marlin on light tackle, flies, spin tackle, pitch baits, and lures.
Equipment:  Light and heavy tackle. The use of Shimano Talica 20# CFW reels, Penn Squall 50# custom-made rods by Connley, 130# are included in the package. A limited supply of conventional #80 and #130 tackle is provided. They fish mainly lures. If a guest wants to fish pitch baits instead, they can provide bait but need to know beforehand to have it shipped to the Galapagos. A comprehensive gear and tackle list is provided in our confirmation packet.
A Fishing License is not required for the Galapagos, but a $200 Entrance fee is required for the Galapagos National Park.

Baitfish

Yellowfin Tuna

Grouper Fishing, Too

Accommodations and Meals:

Meals:  All meals are included per itinerary. Breakfasts at the hotels, lunches while fishing and during tours, and dinners at local restaurants.
Alcohol:  Soft drinks and beers while fishing.

Non-Angler Tour Options

If your group includes non-fishing members, consider tour day excursions or multi-day itineraries that feature Galapagos Sea Safaris, snorkeling, wildlife spotting, beachcombing, and land-based activities.

Add Tour Days to Your Itinerary

Getting to Isabela Island:

You'll fly to the Jose Joaquin de Olmedo International Airport in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Daily direct flights are available from Fort Lauderdale and Miami and arrive in Guayaquil in under four hours. Outside of Customs, you'll be greeted by a host and driven to your hotel. (Hotel nights and dinner in Guayaquil are not included in the package.)
The next day, you'll take an under 2-hour flight to Baltra Island and gain an hour. (There is a one-hour time difference between Guayaquil and Isabela Island. No airfare is included.)
The host will meet you at the Baltra Airport outside the arrival hall. He will drive you to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz. Along the way, you'll have lunch at the Reserve. You'll dine at a restaurant for dinner, which is included in the package, and stay the night at a hotel in Puerto Ayora.

2024 USD Rates:

5-nights and 4-days guided fishing
San Cristobal:
5-anglers per boat:  $3,202.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:  $3,739.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:  $4,097.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:  $6,730.00 per person
Santa Cruz - Isabela Island:
5-anglers per boat:  $3,671.00 per person
4-anglers per boat:  $4,324.00 per person
3-anglers per boat:  $5,338.00 per person
2-anglers per boat:  $7,251.00 per person
Upgraded lodging options are available.
Please email us for details.

The Packages Include:

The Packages Do Not Include:

Sample 5-night Itinerary

All meals are included in the package. There are two lodging options--standard and premium hotels.
• Captain, crew, and tackle provided, and an English-speaking crew member.
• Beverages, snacks, and lunches on the boat are provided.
Day 1 - Arrival Day:
• Arrive Baltra Airport, Galapagos, Ecuador
• Meet your host/guide outside the arrival hall.
• Private Transfer to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.
• Welcome briefing at your hotel.
• Lunch at a local restaurant.
• First hotel night in the town of Puerto Ayora.
• Dinner included at a restaurant.
Day 2 - 1st Billfishing Day:
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Pick up by your guide at the agreed time
Transfer to the main dock board the Tesoro.
• Departure to 0’30 sea mounts for big game fishing.
• Lunch on board.
• Second hotel night in Puerto Ayora.
• Dinner at a restaurant (included).
Day 3 - 2nd Billfishing Day:
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Pick up by your guide at the agreed time
Transfer to the main dock and board the Tesoro.
• Departure to Puerto Villamil sea mounts.
Be prepared for a great day – crossover to Isabela Island – Home of some of the largest blue and black marlin in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Isabela Island’s waters are fast becoming amongst the best to target giant marlin. Fishing can start just 8 miles from the port and rarely run over 20 nautical miles out. Most of the time, you are fishing while viewing the shoreline. This is where you can increase your chances of getting a large marlin.
• Arrive at Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island approx. 5:00 p.m.
• Transfer to your hotel.
• First hotel night on Isabela Island.
• Lunch onboard and dinner at a restaurant.
Days 4 and 5 - Billfishing Days:
• Breakfast In the hotel.
• 7:00 a.m. pick up by host or crew member and transfer to the boat for a full day of billfishing.
• Return to port approx. 4:30 p.m.
• Second and third hotel nights on Isabela Island.
• Lunch onboard and dinner at a restaurant.
Day 6 - Departure Day:
• Early wake up – at 5:30 a.m., your host will drive you to the dock to board the ferry/speed boat.
• You'll take the two-hour crossing to Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island.
• Enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant with your guide.
• A driver will drive you to the Itabaca Channel.
• You'll cross the Itabaca Channel and take a bus to Baltra Airport.
• Arrive at Baltra Airport - Check in for your flight to Guayaquil.