Review · CANCUN FISHING TRIPS
Sport Fishing at the Caribbean Sea. Enjoy an amazing time with friends & family
Big fish are never guaranteed. That is part of the appeal of this four-hour Caribbean fishing trip from Puerto Morelos. You head out with a small group, troll for sailfish, marlin, tuna, barracuda, and other species, then switch to bottom fishing if the big ones stay away. I like the capped group of 10 and the two-person crew, since you should get real help rather than watch from the sidelines. I also like that drinks, bait, tackle, and the fishing licence are included. The main drawback is communication: pickup arrangements, meeting details, trip length, and catch preparation have caused confusion.
The meeting point is Marina de El Cid at 7:00 am, and the boat returns there after the outing. The listed price is $155 per person, but you should add the $20 Caribbean Sea dock fee, bringing the known cost to $175 before transportation, photos, or optional cooking. Fishing conditions also matter. One family caught only a few small fish, while another group landed a large barracuda and yellowfin snappers during a slow day.
Key points to know before you book

- Small group of up to 10 anglers: You have a better chance of getting help with bait, lines, and technique than on a crowded charter.
- Two crew members aboard: A captain and sailor work together to bait lines, manage equipment, and switch between fishing methods.
- Trolling and bottom fishing: The crew can change tactics when open-water fishing is slow.
- Puerto Morelos departure: You meet at Marina de El Cid, not at a Cancun hotel, unless transportation has been arranged separately.
- Extra $20 dock fee: This cost is not included in the advertised $155 price.
- Seasonal fishing matters: A direct crew comment points to June and later as a stronger period for fishing, though conditions can change.
Leaving Marina El Cid at 7:00 am

Your morning begins at Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort on Boulevard El Cid, Unidad 15, Km. 3, in Puerto Morelos. The marina is the practical starting point for this trip, but it is important to note the location carefully if you are staying in Cancun or elsewhere along the Riviera Maya. Transportation is not included.
The team meets you at the marina, explains the activity, and gets you aboard. This early start gives the boat time to reach fishing water during the cooler part of the day. It also means you need to plan your morning transport with care. One particularly frustrating issue reported by a family involved a driver arriving after they had already arranged their own ride. I would confirm the meeting point, pickup plan, and expected return time directly before the day of departure.
The published duration is about four hours. Some booking information has apparently shown a longer six-hour duration, so you should rely on the confirmed local schedule rather than assume you will be on the water all morning. The supplied meeting information lists a 7:00 am start and a return to the same marina.
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A small boat setup with room for real instruction
The group limit of 10 anglers is one of the strongest features here. Fishing charters can become frustrating when too many people share a handful of rods. A smaller group gives you more space and should make it easier to ask for help when a line tangles, a fish strikes, or you need guidance with the equipment.
The crew includes a captain and sailor. Their job is not limited to steering the boat. They provide the bait and fishing gear, prepare the lines, help with trolling, and assist with bottom fishing. Several strong reports specifically praise the crew’s effort and friendliness. Eddy and Lorenzo were singled out for working hard during a slow first part of the trip, then helping the group land a large barracuda and several yellowfin snappers.
Tomas and Pepe also received praise for changing tactics during rough seas. That is worth noting. A good fishing day is not only about luck. It also depends on whether the crew keeps trying sensible options when the first plan fails.
The crew’s approach appears especially useful for families. One father described receiving good instructions for jigging with his son, while another account praised the way a child was given chances to do more aboard the boat. I would still treat the trip as a moderate physical activity, as stated in the booking information, rather than a passive sightseeing cruise.
Trolling for sailfish, marlin, tuna, and barracuda

Once you reach the fishing area, the first main method is trolling. Lines are placed behind the moving boat while you wait for a larger fish to strike. This is the part of the outing built around the dramatic possibilities: sailfish, blue and white marlin, tuna, barracuda, dorado, giant horse mackerel, peto, and sierra are among the species listed for the area.
The species list gives you a sense of what the trip is aiming for, not a promise of what you will catch. Sport fishing is governed by weather, water conditions, season, luck, and the behavior of the fish that day. You might spend a long stretch watching the lines without a strike. That can feel slow, especially if you expected constant action.
One family reported catching nothing at all, while another group had little success for the first couple of hours. That does not necessarily point to poor effort by the crew. It does show why you should book this for the pleasure of being on the water and trying different methods, not only for a guaranteed trophy fish.
The quiet periods are easier to accept if you know what you are buying. You are paying for a staffed fishing charter with equipment, bait, a licence, drinks, and access to open-water fishing grounds. You are not paying for a guaranteed catch.
Bottom fishing gives the day a second chance

When trolling is slow, the crew can switch to bottom fishing. This change is an important practical feature because it gives the outing another way to produce action. Instead of waiting only for a large pelagic fish, you work closer to the seafloor for smaller species.
The successful catch described in the supplied information included yellowfin snappers, which were later taken ashore for cooking. Bottom fishing can be the part of the trip that saves the day for families or first-time anglers who mainly want to feel a fish pull on the line.
The crew’s willingness to change methods was praised during rough conditions. That flexibility matters more than a long list of possible fish. A charter that insists on one technique can leave you staring at empty lines. Here, you have trolling and bottom fishing available, although the crew cannot control the sea or guarantee results.
If your priority is a large sailfish or marlin, you should keep your expectations measured. If your priority is a pleasant morning with a chance to catch something for the table, the combination of methods gives you a better reason to go.
Same water, a different day on it:
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Drinks, equipment, bait, and the real price

The advertised rate is $155 per person. Included are fishing equipment, bait, the fishing licence, the captain and sailor, and drinks aboard the boat. The drink selection listed is soda, beer, and bottled water.
The required dock fee adds $20 per person for the Caribbean Sea. That makes the known base cost $175 per person before any optional extras. For two people, that is $350. For a family of four, it is $700. Transportation, photos, and cooking the catch are not included.
At that price, the value depends on how much you care about crew attention and included gear. You do not need to arrange your own rods, bait, or fishing licence. The small group also gives the fee more weight than a cheaper, crowded boat might offer.
The optional cooking service needs special care. The information says cooking the catch may be available at an extra cost, but one account describes a family being told their fish could be prepared at a nearby restaurant, only for the crew to take the fish instead. Another group did successfully have barracuda and yellowfin snappers prepared at a restaurant on shore for about $20 for the whole meal, plus a glass of wine and a beer.
That mixed outcome means you should confirm the cooking arrangement before boarding. Ask who keeps the catch, where it will be cooked, what the price covers, and whether the restaurant option is available that day. Do not assume it is automatic.
Rough seas, slow fishing, and the honest trade-off

Sea conditions can shape the mood of the trip. One positive account notes rough water but praises the crew for continuing with different fishing methods. Rough seas may make the ride uncomfortable, particularly if you are not used to boats, and the booking information asks for a moderate level of fitness.
The activity also requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.
The biggest practical weakness is not the fishing itself. It is the communication around the fishing. Several problems involved unclear transport, delayed replies, missing names on the operator’s side, and uncertainty about the finish time. I would keep all confirmations in writing and ask these questions before departure:
- Is transportation included or not?
- Where exactly should you meet the crew?
- Is the trip four hours or six?
- What time should your return ride arrive?
- Is the $20 dock fee paid separately?
- Can the catch be cooked, and what is the cost?
Those questions take only a few minutes and can prevent a long wait at the marina.
Who will enjoy this Puerto Morelos charter

This trip suits friends and families who want a shared morning on the Caribbean and are comfortable with uncertain results. The group size is useful for beginners, and the crew’s hands-on approach should help you learn basic trolling, jigging, and bottom-fishing techniques.
It is also a good match for an adult and child who want something more active than a standard boat cruise. The reports about children receiving extra attention are encouraging, though you should remember that the day may include long quiet spells.
Anglers focused only on catching a billfish may want to research current conditions and seasonal timing before paying. The direct advice provided by the crew points to June and later as a stronger period for fishing. That does not guarantee a catch, but it may help you choose your dates.
You should also think carefully about transportation. Since the departure point is in Puerto Morelos and no transport is included, this is easiest if you can reach Marina El Cid independently or have a clearly confirmed paid transfer.
What to bring and what to confirm

The boat supplies the main fishing equipment and bait, so your preparation can stay simple. Wear practical clothing suitable for a morning on the water, and bring anything you personally need for comfort during a four-hour outing. The supplied information does not list a detailed packing list, so I would confirm any special needs with the operator.
Bring money or a payment method for the $20 dock fee if it is collected separately. You may also want funds for photos, optional transportation, or cooking the catch. Do not count on those extras being part of the $155 rate.
Most important, confirm the exact meeting point at Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort, the 7:00 am start, and the expected return time. The activity ends back at the marina. The operator offers the experience in English and sends booking confirmation at the time of purchase.
Should you book this fishing trip?
I would book it if you value a small group, active crew support, and the chance to try more than one fishing method. The strongest part of the outing is the human side: Eddy, Lorenzo, Tomas, and Pepe were praised for working hard, giving instructions, helping with bait and lines, and keeping the trip moving when fishing was slow.
I would be more cautious if you need perfect logistics or a guaranteed catch. The $20 dock fee raises the real price, transportation is separate, cooking the catch is unclear, and communication has been a repeated weak point. Confirm every detail before you go.
For a family or small group that sees fishing as a fun morning rather than a sure path to a trophy, this can be a worthwhile Puerto Morelos outing. Go for the sea time, the crew, and the possibility of a good catch. If a barracuda or a few yellowfin snappers come aboard, consider that a fine bonus.
FAQ
Where does the fishing trip begin?
It begins at Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort, Boulevard El Cid, Unidad 15, Km. 3, 77580 Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
What time does the activity start?
The listed start time is 7:00 am.
How long does the fishing trip last?
The stated duration is approximately four hours.
How many people can join the boat?
The activity has a maximum of 10 participants.
What is included in the price?
The price includes soda, beer, bottled water, fishing equipment, bait, a fishing licence, and the captain and sailor.
Is transportation included?
No. Transportation is not included in the listed price.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can also lead to a rescheduled date or full refund.
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