Private Deep Sea Fishing Charters in San Diego
Offshore full day $3,495 · Coronado Islands ¾ day $2,895 · Trophy bluefin $4,895. Prices are for the whole boat, not per person. Up to 6 anglers on our 36′ Riviera sportfisher, with Captain Alan Clowers at the helm, leaving from Point Loma.
· Call (619) 800-3474
Deep sea fishing in San Diego puts you within reach of bluefin and yellowfin tuna, yellowtail and dorado. These are some of the hardest-fighting game fish on the West Coast. A party boat sells spots to dozens of strangers. On a private charter, the boat, the captain and the whole day belong to your group. You get personal coaching, a pace that suits your group, and a captain who plans the day around your goals. Guests rate us 4.9 stars across 160 Google reviews (October 2026).
Choose your deep sea trip
Offshore full day: 11 hours, $3,495
This is our most-booked trip and the one we recommend for most deep sea anglers. Eleven hours gives the captain enough range to run to the offshore banks, temperature breaks and kelp paddies where tuna, yellowtail and dorado are feeding, then spend real time fishing. Trips usually leave around 5:00 a.m. Where we fish depends on the latest reports, the weather and what your group wants to catch.
Coronado Islands ¾ day: 8 hours, $2,895
The Coronado Islands sit just across the border in Mexican waters and are known for yellowtail, bonito and seasonal bluefin. The ¾-day trip is a good fit when you want serious fishing on a shorter day. It also includes coffee and ice. Because you fish in Mexico, every angler needs a passport and a Mexican fishing license. See the Coronado Islands fishing charter guide for details.
Trophy bluefin tuna: 12 hours, $4,895
This trip is built for one goal: a big bluefin. The extra hour gives the captain more range and more time to work schools of trophy fish. We bring heavy tackle and the right baits for the job. Trophy bluefin can test even experienced anglers, so we recommend this trip for groups ready for a long day and a hard fight. Read more on the trophy bluefin tuna charter page.
The boat: a 36′ Riviera sportfisher
Every deep sea trip runs on our 36′ Riviera sportfishing yacht, About Time. It is West Coast rigged, carries Furuno side-scanning sonar and takes up to 6 anglers. The charter is private, so the only people aboard are your group, the captain and the crew. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided, so you don’t need to bring any gear.
What to expect on the day
- Departure: We leave from Point Loma on San Diego Bay. Your confirmation will tell you exactly where to meet.
- The run: Getting to productive water is part of a deep sea day. The captain uses sonar, water temperature, birds, bait and kelp paddies to find fish.
- Fishing: Depending on how the fish are behaving, we fish live bait, jigs or surface iron, or troll. First-timers get hands-on coaching. Experienced anglers can talk through techniques with the captain beforehand.
- Your catch: The crew fillets your fish and bags them in ziplock bags on the ride home. There is a per-fish fee for tuna under 50 lb. Tuna over 50 lb are not filleted on the water and go home whole. Arrange processing before your trip. We recommend Fast and Easy Fish Pickup, or Five Star Fish Processing if you need fish processed and shipped.
What to bring
- A California fishing license, or a Mexican fishing license if we fish Mexican waters
- A passport if we fish inside the 12-mile zone in Mexican waters. Contact Captain Clowers before your trip to confirm license and passport needs.
- Food and drinks. Beer is fine if it’s in cans. No hard liquor.
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses (polarized recommended)
- Rubber boots, sandals or old shoes, because the deck gets wet and bloody
- Layers. Early mornings offshore are colder than the dock.
- A camera, plus a big ice chest or trash bags for your fish once we’re back at the dock
When to go: deep sea seasons in San Diego
You can fish San Diego year-round, but the offshore season follows warm water and migrating fish. Late spring through early fall usually brings the widest mix of bluefin, yellowfin, yellowtail and dorado. Summer dates book up first, so reserve early. Timing changes every year with water temperature and bait. Check the bluefin tuna season guide and the latest San Diego fishing report, or call and ask what’s biting. In the colder months, try a night San Diego lobster fishing trip ($1,195, October through March).
Need a shorter trip?
For families with young children, or if you want a shorter morning on the water, our half-day trips are a better fit: San Diego Bay ½ day ($1,095, 4 hours) or inshore ½ day along the Point Loma kelp ($1,495, 5 hours). For a full planning guide, read Deep Sea Fishing in San Diego: Seasons, Prices & Tips.
Deep sea fishing San Diego: FAQ
How much does a private deep sea fishing charter in San Diego cost?
Our private trips cost $2,895 for the Coronado Islands ¾ day (8 hours), $3,495 for the offshore full day (11 hours) and $4,895 for the trophy bluefin trip (12 hours). Each price covers the whole boat for up to 6 anglers. Prices are based on fuel costs, so a fuel surcharge may apply if fuel prices rise. A 30% deposit holds your date when you book online.
How many people can come?
Up to 6 anglers on the 36′ Riviera. The trip is private, so there are no strangers aboard. We don’t take toddlers or infants.
Do I need a fishing license or passport?
Everyone who fishes needs a California fishing license, or a Mexican fishing license if we fish Mexican waters such as the Coronado Islands. A passport is needed when we fish inside Mexico’s 12-mile zone. Call before your trip and we’ll confirm what your group needs.
Is gear included?
Yes. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided. Bring your own food and drinks (canned beer is fine, no hard liquor). Lost equipment is not included: if a rod goes overboard, the guest pays for it.
What happens to the fish we catch?
The crew fillets and bags your catch on the ride in. There is a per-fish fee for tuna under 50 lb. Tuna over 50 lb go home whole, so arrange processing before your trip.
Which trip is best for tuna?
Pick the offshore full day or the trophy bluefin trip. Tuna are often far offshore, and a full day gives the captain the range to reach them. Shorter bay and inshore trips are better for families and local species.
Book your San Diego deep sea fishing charter
Pick your trip and date online, or call Captain Clowers to talk through the best trip for your group.
· Call (619) 800-3474
Fishing seasons, regulations and fish locations change. We will always confirm your route and required documents before you go. See our refund policy for cancellation terms.