Guatemala Sailfishing

Sailfish Oasis Lodge Fishing

The Sailfish Oasis fleet often averages 15 to 30 sailfish releases per day during peak season and a year-round daily average of 5 to 20 releases. Year-round, anglers enjoy calm waters and a friendly fishing community. Captains are in constant communication to ensure everyone has an unforgettable fishing experience.
Conventional or fly fishing methods. If you would like to try to land a billfish on a fly, the Lodge's experienced captains and mates can help.
Sailfish Oasis Lodge won the Billfish Foundation’s Overall Release category and the Sailfish Release category for the Pacific for 2014.

Species and Seasons:

Sailfish:  Sailfishing is great year-round, with peak fishing from October through June.
Blue, Black, and Striped Marlin:  Year-round. April through November have historically seen the largest numbers of blue marlin, which average between 200 and 500 pounds. They also raise black and striped marlin, but the Guatemalan waters are predominantly inhabited by blue marlin.
Dorado:  All year-round, but especially in their rainy season from May through September.
Yellowfin Tuna and Snapper:  Year-round.
Roosterfish:  Year-round, with peak season from September to November and February to April.

A Typical Fishing Day
6:00 a.m. – Enjoy freshly brewed Guatemalan coffee.
6:15 a.m. - Enjoy a hot-cooked breakfast
6:45 a.m. - You’ll be driven to the marina, a 7-minute drive.
7:00 a.m. - You’ll leave the dock for a full day of fishing.
10:00 a.m. - You’ll have a snack of fresh tropical fruit.
11:30 a.m. - Enjoy chef-prepared finger foods.
1:00 p.m. - Enjoy a freshly prepared hot lunch, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages on the boat.
3:00 p.m. - Time for afternoon snacks.
Between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. - You’ll return to the dock and from there to the Lodge. You’ll freshen up, then enjoy appetizers at the poolside bar before dinner in the open-air restaurant.

The Fishing Program:

Circle Hooks:  The Lodge exclusively uses circle hooks while billfishing, and all billfish are catch-and-release.
The Guides:  Award-winning captains have extensive experience and are considered among the best in the country.
Fishing Equipment:  The use of all conventional and fly fishing gear, including flies, is included. Equipment is subject to a breakage/loss fee at replacement cost.
Fishing License:  You will not need to purchase a fishing license as the Lodge licensing has you covered.
Boats:  The Lodge has a large fleet of boats available, including some of the best fishing boats on the Guatemalan coast. All boats are maintained to the highest safety and comfort standards. At Sailfish Oasis, groups are not mixed, so depending on the package you select, you will need to fill your own boat.
Daily Fuel Surcharge: The Lodge has introduced a daily fuel surcharge that will apply only when fuel exceeds $4.58 USD per gallon (Q35 – August 2026) at the dockside fuel pump. Potentially, an angler may expect to pay an extra $100 to $250 a day per boat. The Lodge does its best to manage fuel efficiently and keep additional costs to a minimum.
Fish Care:  You can keep some tuna and mahi-mahi. You will need to bring your own cooler. The Lodge vacuum packs it for $1 per pound.

Kevin Ferrell's Sailfish - Hosted Week

Sailfish Oasis Lodge Records

Most Sailfish Releases In A Single Day:  81
Most Sailfish Releases In A Trip:  520
Most Sailfish Releases On Fly In A Single Day:  23
Most Blue Marlin Releases In A Single Day:  7 blues released, 13 raised.
Biggest Yellowfin Tuna:  269 pounds
Biggest Dorado:  61 pounds

Archie Adams with Dorado

Peak Season – Late October to June: This is the peak billfishing season, with large numbers of sailfish, along with marlin, dorado (mahi-mahi), and yellowfin tuna. The Lodge’s fleet often averages 30 sailfish releases per day during peak season and a year-round daily average of 15 to 20. During this period, the seas are typically calm – ideal for offshore fishing. This is the dry season, with mostly sunny days, hot weather, and low humidity. Daytime highs: 85°F to 95°F (29°C to 35°C). Evening lows: 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C).

Guide and Guy Schoenborn with Sailfish

Guy Schoenborn's Hosted Week Recap:

"Day 1:  We raised 14, landing 3 on flies and 3 on bait.
Day 2:  We raised 36, landing 8 on flies and 9 on bait.
Day 3:  We raised 22 and landed 3 on flies and 3 on bait.
Day 4:  We raised 18 and landed 3 on flies, 4 on bait, and we also caught 2 large dorados.
Captain “Kiwi” Chris and his crew did an excellent job of teasing the sails to the back of the boat - for an easy cast with a fly rod.
It’s very exciting to watch a 50 to 100-pound fish eat your fly 25 feet from the boat.
The Lodge was really nice, and the meals were very good. I would highly recommend Sailfish Oasis Lodge to a flyrodder or conventional angler."
- Guy Schoenborn

Bud Callahan's Sailfish - Hosted Week

Guatemala Sailfishing with Sailfish Oasis

Read Brad's Trip Report for 2019 Hosted Week.

About Sailfish Lodge

Sailfish Oasis Lodge is open year-round and accommodates 20 guests. The Lodge is in a secure, residential, tree-lined development. This spacious property boasts an outdoor area with lush gardens, a TV lounge area, and a nice swimming pool.

Open Air Rancho

Bedroom at the Lodge

Bedrooms:  Boardwalks lead to the Lodge's five duplex-style bungalows. Each bedroom has a private bathroom with plenty of hot water, pool towels, shampoo, conditioner, and handmade soap. Hair dryers are available upon request. Daily housekeeping is included.
Communications:  Wi-Fi is available throughout the Lodge and property. Cell phones usually work at the Lodge, but please check with your carrier. We recommend WhatsApp.

Covered Lounge Area

Meals and Beverages

Meals:  Enjoy hot-cooked breakfasts. Chef-prepared lunches and finger foods on the boat. In the evenings, guests gather at the open-air bar and restaurant. Menu choices include high-end international and local Guatemalan dishes.
Alcohol:  The package includes one brand of local beer, local rum and liquor, and house red and white wine. Complimentary local beer is provided while fishing. All other alcoholic beverages are available for purchase. Your tab is signed nightly and is billed to your room.

Aerial View of Sailfish Oasis Lodge

Getting to the Lodge:
You’ll be met at La Aurora International in Guatemala City by Ismael, the Lodge's friendly driver. He will escort you to the group's private air-conditioned vehicle with complimentary cold drinks on board. It’s a 90-minute drive from the airport to Sailfish Oasis Lodge on the Pacific Coast, and this ground transfer is included in the package. (One roundtrip ground transfer per group - all group members must arrive and depart together).
Flight Times From  • Miami:  2 hours • Houston: 2 hours and 30 minutes  • Dallas:  3 hours  • Atlanta:  3 hours  or • Los Angeles:  4 hours and 30 minutes.
Departure Day:  After breakfast, a driver from the Lodge will transport you back to La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City for your return flight home.
Click here for Sherpa (up-to-date travel requirements).

2027 USD Rates and Packages

The Lodge does not mix groups. You will need to fill your own boat.

44-ft. Tranquility Packages:

Rates include double-occupancy lodging, meals, fishing, and more.
The Tranquility (up to 5 anglers) is an air-conditioned Ocean Yacht with a 23-knot cruise, a Cummins diesel motor, and a fighting chair.

5 nights and 4 days guided fishing:

4 nights / 3 days guided fishing:

3 nights / 2 days guided fishing:

2027 USD Rates and Packages

The 43-ft. Captain Hook and 40-ft. Allure II Packages

Rates include double-occupancy lodging, meals, fishing, and more.
The Allure II, their flagship boat, is a 1996, 40-foot Custom Carolina Capps vessel that cruises at 23 knots. It is widely regarded as one of the finest charter sportfishing boats in Guatemala. The Allure II is fully equipped with a marlin tower, a modern electronics package, and top-of-the-line Shimano reels and custom rods. Captain “Kiwi” Chris has been fishing the Pacific Coast of Guatemala since 2002.
Captain Hook is a 43 ft. Willis made famous by Captain Ron Hamlin. The boat has a fighting chair, is powered by twin Cummins diesels, and was built in North Carolina by master boat builders.

40-ft.+ Boats:  The Allure II or Captain Hook:

4 nights / 3 days guided fishing:

3 nights / 2 days guided fishing:

34-ft. or 37-ft. Boats:

Rates include double-occupancy lodging, meals, fishing, and more.

5 nights / 4 days guided fishing:

2 anglers per boat: $7,312 per person
3 anglers per boat: $6,023 per person
4 anglers per boat: $4,864 per person
5 anglers per boat: $4,520 per person

4 nights / 3 days guided fishing:

3 nights / 2 days guided fishing:

31-ft. Bertrams:

Rates include double-occupancy lodging, meals, fishing, and more.

5 nights / 4 days guided fishing:

2 anglers per boat: $6,769 per person
3 anglers per boat: $5,510 per person
4 anglers per boat: $4,119 per person

4 nights / 3 days guided fishing:

3 nights / 2 days guided fishing:

2027 USD Rates and Packages