Below are answers to the most commonly asked questions...
1. Our boats depart from Solarte, but we also offer free pick-up/drop-off in Bocas-town and Carenero. We're happy to pick you up anywhere else in the archipelago, but there is a fee based on distance. We can only pick up at suitable docks (sufficient depth, roof clearance, etc).
2. Food & beverages are not included on our trips. The boat will have plenty of cold cooler space for whatever food, booze and beverages you'd like to bring. Our coolers have ice made from non-potable water, so it's not for mixing cocktails. If you don't want to prep your own food, we're happy to give recommendations on where to pick up a to-go lunch.
3. Prices are explained in detail on each boat's specific page. Hungy Bungy is the bigger and more expensive boat. Pantera is the smaller and more economical boat, though it can still go everywhere HB can and do all the same day adventures.
4. Bocas del Toro archipelago may look small on a map, but distances can be considerable to/from many of the coolest secret spots and fishing holes. If you want to pack in as much far out adventure as possible, it's best to pack a lunch. Most of the waterfront lunch restaurants are close to town and far from the best fishing holes.
5. TIME: Typically the fishing is better very early in the morning and late afternoon-evening. Trips times can be adjusted to your needs, but if fishing is a priority then we'll give a recommended departure time based on the influencing factors (moon phase, tide state, weather, etc). Early morning fishing trips most commonly depart 5-6am. Afternoon trips typically return 6-7pm.
*The best fishing grounds are about an hour boat ride from town each way, so a 6hr trip allows time for about 4hrs fishing. The drive out and back is beautiful and part of the adventure.
6. We do not organize shared trips or open boat charters. All trips are private and customized to your group. BUT, you're welcome to organize a shared trip with other people you meet here. Just please be aware that different folks have different sea sickness tendencies, drinking programs, music preference, "die-hard" fishing desires, comfort expectations, etc.
7. Beach BBQs take up a decent portion of the day. It's an amazing experience, but must be treated as one of the activities for the day. Typically this takes about 3hrs from the time we pull up on the beach until we're off on our next adventure. While we're prepping/cooking/cleaning, you can be snorkeling off the beach, relaxing in a hammock or exploring the shoreline (we bring hammocks, frisbee, machete for coconuts, etc).
8. Offshore/nearshore species in Bocas are Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, Kingfish, Snapper & Grouper (deep dropping), with Billfish a bit further offshore. Inshore we can catch Tarpon, Jacks, Cero Mackerel, smaller Kingfish, Grouper, Snapper and Barracuda. There are certainly other species mixed in, but the aforementioned species are the bulk of it. Check out the page "Targeted Species & Seasons" for more info.
9. YES, you can keep fish that you catch to eat! We often catch lots of fish, and big ones, but we also practice catch and release. Depending on the length of your stay in Bocas and your ability to keep this quality fish cold, we're happy to fillet up some fish for your group to enjoy. We can even recommend a restaurant who will cook it for you. But within reason... You're here on vacation, so you don't need enough fish to stock your freezer for the next year or hand out to the resort staff and local friends you met at the bar last night. Nor will we stay at your dock for an extra 2 hours filleting 10 tuna and a handful of other fish.
10. We're happy to skip the fishing entirely and focus the whole day on whatever adventures you choose. Think of it as a glorified boat rental that includes a professional captain/tour guide, gear, and local knowledge. The rest is up to you, and we'll help align the best options on a particular day with what peaks your interest most!
11. All necessary gear and equipment is provided and included in the price. This includes snorkel/freedive gear, spearguns and of course all sorts of fishing equipment (plus the extras for other adventures). With SFBDT, you get a high end experience with high quality gear, which also means that one fishing rod or speargun can cost more than the trip. Normal wear and tear is planned, but to keep our prices as low as possible, we have the following policy... If you loose or damage an expensive piece of equipment as a result of negligence or not following instructions, you will be charged for the replacement cost. An example would be dropping a speargun in 5,000' bluewater after you told us you were an experienced spearo, or dropping a 50 wide trolling rod overboard. We've never actually had to enforce this policy because most of our clients are so awesome, they apologize and offer to pay for it.
*Liveaboard/overnight/multi-day trips available
*Spearfishing trips available
*Surf trips available to remote locations
*Trips to Volcano Bank and Escudo de Veraguas available
1. Our boats depart from Solarte, but we also offer free pick-up/drop-off in Bocas-town and Carenero. We're happy to pick you up anywhere else in the archipelago, but there is a fee based on distance. We can only pick up at suitable docks (sufficient depth, roof clearance, etc).
2. Food & beverages are not included on our trips. The boat will have plenty of cold cooler space for whatever food, booze and beverages you'd like to bring. Our coolers have ice made from non-potable water, so it's not for mixing cocktails. If you don't want to prep your own food, we're happy to give recommendations on where to pick up a to-go lunch.
3. Prices are explained in detail on each boat's specific page. Hungy Bungy is the bigger and more expensive boat. Pantera is the smaller and more economical boat, though it can still go everywhere HB can and do all the same day adventures.
4. Bocas del Toro archipelago may look small on a map, but distances can be considerable to/from many of the coolest secret spots and fishing holes. If you want to pack in as much far out adventure as possible, it's best to pack a lunch. Most of the waterfront lunch restaurants are close to town and far from the best fishing holes.
5. TIME: Typically the fishing is better very early in the morning and late afternoon-evening. Trips times can be adjusted to your needs, but if fishing is a priority then we'll give a recommended departure time based on the influencing factors (moon phase, tide state, weather, etc). Early morning fishing trips most commonly depart 5-6am. Afternoon trips typically return 6-7pm.
*The best fishing grounds are about an hour boat ride from town each way, so a 6hr trip allows time for about 4hrs fishing. The drive out and back is beautiful and part of the adventure.
6. We do not organize shared trips or open boat charters. All trips are private and customized to your group. BUT, you're welcome to organize a shared trip with other people you meet here. Just please be aware that different folks have different sea sickness tendencies, drinking programs, music preference, "die-hard" fishing desires, comfort expectations, etc.
7. Beach BBQs take up a decent portion of the day. It's an amazing experience, but must be treated as one of the activities for the day. Typically this takes about 3hrs from the time we pull up on the beach until we're off on our next adventure. While we're prepping/cooking/cleaning, you can be snorkeling off the beach, relaxing in a hammock or exploring the shoreline (we bring hammocks, frisbee, machete for coconuts, etc).
8. Offshore/nearshore species in Bocas are Tuna, Wahoo, Mahi, Kingfish, Snapper & Grouper (deep dropping), with Billfish a bit further offshore. Inshore we can catch Tarpon, Jacks, Cero Mackerel, smaller Kingfish, Grouper, Snapper and Barracuda. There are certainly other species mixed in, but the aforementioned species are the bulk of it. Check out the page "Targeted Species & Seasons" for more info.
9. YES, you can keep fish that you catch to eat! We often catch lots of fish, and big ones, but we also practice catch and release. Depending on the length of your stay in Bocas and your ability to keep this quality fish cold, we're happy to fillet up some fish for your group to enjoy. We can even recommend a restaurant who will cook it for you. But within reason... You're here on vacation, so you don't need enough fish to stock your freezer for the next year or hand out to the resort staff and local friends you met at the bar last night. Nor will we stay at your dock for an extra 2 hours filleting 10 tuna and a handful of other fish.
10. We're happy to skip the fishing entirely and focus the whole day on whatever adventures you choose. Think of it as a glorified boat rental that includes a professional captain/tour guide, gear, and local knowledge. The rest is up to you, and we'll help align the best options on a particular day with what peaks your interest most!
11. All necessary gear and equipment is provided and included in the price. This includes snorkel/freedive gear, spearguns and of course all sorts of fishing equipment (plus the extras for other adventures). With SFBDT, you get a high end experience with high quality gear, which also means that one fishing rod or speargun can cost more than the trip. Normal wear and tear is planned, but to keep our prices as low as possible, we have the following policy... If you loose or damage an expensive piece of equipment as a result of negligence or not following instructions, you will be charged for the replacement cost. An example would be dropping a speargun in 5,000' bluewater after you told us you were an experienced spearo, or dropping a 50 wide trolling rod overboard. We've never actually had to enforce this policy because most of our clients are so awesome, they apologize and offer to pay for it.
*Liveaboard/overnight/multi-day trips available
*Spearfishing trips available
*Surf trips available to remote locations
*Trips to Volcano Bank and Escudo de Veraguas available