Majo Fishing Lodge · Vista Mar Marina, San Carlos
You can fish for yellowfin tuna in Panama on a private charter from Vista Mar Marina in San Carlos, a short drive from Coronado and Río Hato. On one-day trips in the Gulf of Panama, the best tuna months are June and August through October. From December to April tuna is not a main one-day target, but multi-day trips toward the southern Pearl Islands and Piñas Bay have excellent tuna from June to March.
- Private boat, price per boat
- Keep your tuna, we fillet it
- IGFA-certified captain
Best months for yellowfin tuna in Panama
Our Panama fishing season calendar shows tuna next to dorado and wahoo, the other pelagics our full-day offshore trips target:
| Species | One-day trips · Gulf of Panama | Multi-day trips · south of Las Perlas and Piñas Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowfin tuna | Best June and August–October; good May, July and November; not a main target December–April | Best June–March |
| Dorado (mahi-mahi) | Best June–October | Best July–February |
| Wahoo | Best June and August–November | Best October; good November–June |
“Best” means a high probability and “good” means consistent action. Conditions change every year; nobody can promise a fish.
Recent highlight: on a multi-day trip our guests landed three big yellowfin of 100 to 140 lb, plus 27 sailfish and a marlin released. Read Captain Jorge’s fishing report.
How we find yellowfin tuna
Tuna move with food and water, so we fish today’s conditions, not yesterday’s GPS mark. Before leaving the marina we check sea-surface temperature, chlorophyll and current to pick where to start. Offshore, working birds, dolphins, bait showers and surface explosions tell us the food chain is active.
Technique follows the fish: we troll to cover water and find scattered tuna, switch to live bait when they are concentrated and feeding, and cast or jig when fish are visible or holding deeper. If the water and the life are not there, we keep searching. Learn why live bait is such an edge on tuna days.
Which tuna trip to book
Pro Fishing, full day
The trip for tuna in the Gulf of Panama, together with marlin, sailfish and dorado. Departure usually around 6:30 AM.
- Hatteras 40 “Makaira”US$2,850
- Stamas 39 “Majo V”US$2,400
Hacienda del Mar
Fish the Pearl Islands and surrounding Pacific waters for tuna, marlin and dorado, with the island hotel on Isla San José and breakfast included.
- Hatteras 40 “Makaira”US$3,300 per day
- Stamas 39 “Majo V”US$2,700 per day
Pro Fishing Expedition
We go where the bite is, such as Piñas Bay or the southern Pearl Islands, with the destination agreed in advance. Normally four fishing days.
- Hatteras 40 or Stamas 39By quote
Prices are per boat, not per person, and exclude taxes (ITBMS). A 30% online deposit confirms your date; every trip is paid in full before departure.
Our boats: Hatteras 40 “Makaira” and Stamas 39 “Majo V”
Hatteras 40 “Makaira”
Our flagship: a classic 40-foot Hatteras sport fisherman, fully remodeled, restored and updated in 2026, with flybridge, fighting chair, livewell and an air-conditioned salon.
Stamas 39 “Majo V”
Fast, stable and comfortable, with tuna tower, twin Yanmar diesels, Garmin electronics, air conditioning and a full head with shower.
Both are private for your group. Compare our fleet.
Departure: Vista Mar Marina, San Carlos
Every trip departs only from Vista Mar Marina in San Carlos, Km 92 of the Pan-American Highway: a short drive from Coronado and Río Hato and about an hour and a half by road west of Panama City. You can add round-trip ground transportation when you book (Panama City US$300; Buenaventura or Río Hato US$100), and we send the meeting time and point by WhatsApp.
Your captain: Jorge Petti
A civil engineer by training and the founder of Majo Fishing Lodge, Captain Jorge Petti is an IGFA-certified captain and fishing guide in Panama, listed in the IGFA Captains and Guides directory. He has fished the Gulf of Panama for more than 22 years, has placed more than 50 satellite tags on marlin and sailfish for Smithsonian research and hosts the Navegante TV program. Majo Fishing Lodge is an IGFA Corporate Member.
Guests rate us 4.8★ on Google. Meet Captain Jorge · Fished with us? Leave a review
Planning a winter trip? Read fishing in Panama in December, January and February, and see our guides to dorado and wahoo.
Tuna fishing in Panama: FAQ
When is the best time for yellowfin tuna fishing in Panama?
On one-day trips from Vista Mar Marina, June and August to October. On multi-day trips toward the southern Pearl Islands and Piñas Bay, June to March. See the fishing calendar.
Can I fish for tuna in January?
From December to April tuna is not a main target on one-day trips in the Gulf of Panama. Multi-day trips have excellent tuna in those months, so in January we plan Hacienda del Mar or a Pro Fishing Expedition toward Piñas Bay.
How big are the tuna?
Size changes with season and area, and nobody can promise a fish. On a recent multi-day trip our guests landed three yellowfin of 100 to 140 lb.
Can we keep the tuna we catch?
Yes. Tuna, dorado and other table fish can be kept, and the crew cleans and fillets your catch. Billfish are always released.
How much does a tuna fishing charter cost?
The private full-day Pro Fishing charter costs US$2,850 on the Hatteras 40 “Makaira” or US$2,400 on the Stamas 39 “Majo V”, for up to 5 anglers. Hacienda del Mar is US$3,300 or US$2,700 per boat per day, and the Expedition is by quote. Taxes (ITBMS) are not included.
Plan your tuna trip
Book your date and boat online, or tell us your dates on WhatsApp and we will match the trip to the tuna season.
WhatsApp +507 6306-0690
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