Imagine spending the day fishing at sea, catching fresh grouper and or juicy red snapper, and enjoying a few cold ones with loved ones. When it’s time to retreat, you don’t have to traverse a busy marina to get home — your dock is right outside your door.
That’s a day in the life of a vacationer here at Lazy Bay Villas and Staniel Cay Rentals.
But if you’re new to fishing charters, where do you begin? We’ve got you covered with this timely guide on the best fishing charters in Staniel Cay.
About Fishing Charters in The Bahamas
Photo Credit: Lostsurf
The gorgeous turquoise waters make fishing charters a pleasure — even if you’re not a fisher.
The Exuma Cays specifically is a chain of islands most renowned for their fishing across the Caribbean. From long stretches of water to cave-like openings, fish hide everywhere in Staniel Cay, and they’re just waiting for you to catch them!
For fishing enthusiasts, the region is a veritable paradise, boasting a vibrant calendar of tournaments that promise both challenge and camaraderie. From local competitions to high-stakes events, anglers of all skill levels will find ample opportunity to test their mettle.
Among the most anticipated is the exhilarating Wahoo Blitz, a favorite that draws seasoned professionals and eager amateurs alike every February, creating an atmosphere of intense competition and shared passion for the sport.
Below are the tours and rentals that will get you to the best fish spots!
- Staniel Rental
- Website: stanielrental.com
- Address: 3A Ridge Road, Staniel Cay, Bahamas
We’re experts in hospitality, but we also know our way around our fishing boats! Staniel Cay offers fishing charters that last up to 6 hours, with certified and insured fishing guides to help you enjoy your trip to its fullest. If you have a boating license, we also offer independent boat rentals where you can set the stage for your day on sea.
From the bustling sand bars to the Thunderball Grotto, we take our patrons wherever they want to go along the Bahamian waters. Of course, our guides are always here to advise on the best spots to capture your dream catch. And the best part? We can help you prepare it for dinner right here in your vacation rental!
Couples, friends, and even kids are welcome on this family-friendly adventure. You can even customize your trip with our guides so that you can fit in a few hours of fishing, along with a trip to Big Major Cay to see the swimming pigs!
2. Staniel Cay Adventures
Photo Credit: MDV Edwards
- Website: stanielcayadventures.com
- Address: Main Street Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, The Bahamas
Staniel Cay Adventures has you in good hands with a rotating staff of captains who all grew up in the Exuma Cays. Their fishing charters span a variety of fishing types. The company offers charters for deep sea fishing (also known as bottom fishing), where you can sail to caves and shelf-like habitats to capture deep-sea swellers, including queen snapper, wreckfish, and mystic grouper.
They also offer spearfishing charters in the gorgeous reefs of the Exuma Cays, as well as bonefishing charters to guide you and hopefully catch the more elusive bonefish!
Boats range in size but can generally hold up to six people. You also have the option to book a private fishing trip exclusively as a couple or with your family group.
3. Staniel Cay Yacht Club
Photo Credit: Alexander Chaikin
- Website: stanielcay.com/activities
- Address: Staniel Cay Exuma, Bahamas
A Staniel Cay veteran company, the Staniel Cay Yacht Club is a staple spot to visit during your time here. Whether for a drink on the water, a mingling cocktail event, or a fishing charter, this is the place for every opulent experience in Staniel Cay.
The Staniel Cay Yacht Club contracts independent fishing guides to take you across the crystal clear waters for sightseeing and a multitude of fishing types. They also offer fishing via free diving (lobster, anyone?) and bonefishing in Harvey Cay or Pipe Creek. We also appreciate their knowledgeable staff, who help travelers stay aligned with the country’s fishing regulations.
4. Ultimate Fishing Charters
- Website: ultimatefishingcharters.com/locations/bahamas/exumas
- Address: Call for pickup location.
Ultimate Fishing Charters offers a more luxury concierge fishing charter experience. Their suite of shadow boats and companion yachts take guests out for a minimum of three days. Each boat isn’t just equipped with fishing gear. You’ll also find flat-screen televisions, sound systems, a plush salon, and a full kitchen to cook your favorite snacks with ease.
Things to Keep in Mind about Fishing Charters
Luckily, you don’t need a fishing or boating license to enjoy a fishing charter. As long as you hire a service that offers a captain to guide the trip, you’re ready to set sail. But while it’s easy to feel like a free spirit at sea, you still have to abide by some rules established by the Bahamian government around fishing.
Some of these include:
- No coastline spearfishing: Generally, you can’t go spearfishing within one mile of the beach or 200 yards of the Family Islands, an island chain where many locals live with their families while commuting to Nassau and other more populous areas for work.
- Limits on the amount of fish: You can only have 10 lobsters, 18 pelagic (dolphins, tuna, etc), 6 conches, and 20 demersal fish (snappers and groupers) on board a vessel at one time.
- Fishing rod limits: Your group can only use up to 6 fishing rods at a time. Otherwise, you’ll be classified under a different category of fishing that requires a licensing fee of $10,000 per year.
- Billfish rules: You must return billfish back into the water unless under a specific tournament area. These fish include swordfish and marlin and are protected by the government.
Where to go Fishing in Staniel Cay
Not great with directions? Don’t worry. Even though the water’s crystal clear, you can’t always tell where to steer for the best fish.
Here are the top fishing destinations from Staniel Cay and the unique characteristics of each one:
Exuma Sound
Photo Credit: Salveo
This long stretch of water is home to some of the most diverse fish species in the world. Fishing charters traverse these waters to find tuna, lobster, saltfish (and ackee, anyone?), and marlin.
Land and Sea Park
Right off the bat, we have to let you know this isn’t the place to fish. But if you simply want to see some beautiful fish, this is definitely the place to snorkel!
The Flats
The Exumas are a flats fisherman’s paradise, particularly around Great and Little Exuma, where expansive, shallow flats provide an ideal habitat for bonefish. The crystal-clear waters offer exceptional sight-fishing opportunities, allowing anglers to spot and target these elusive fish.
Fishing Tournaments in the Exumas
If you bring a little experience, tournaments are options to make your vacation unforgettable. These are some of the most notable in the Exumas.
- Bahamas Bonefishing Tournament Series (late October)
- Staniel Cay Yacht Club (SCYC) Wahoo Blitz (early February)
- Exuma Fishy Fest Handline Tournament (Fall)
Embark on Your Fishing Adventure in Staniel Cay!
Swimming pigs, nurse sharks in Compass Cay, barrel reefs, rock iguanas — the flora and fauna are endless in Staniel Cay. But the fishing species truly offer a once-in-a-lifetime fishing experience on your vacation.
Whether you’re after a calm, music-filled day on the water or you’re on the hunt for those slippery bonefish, Staniel Cay offers abundant fishing charter options to take care of you and your family on your Bahamian trip.