I want to present a complete list of all public San Diego Sportfishing Party Boats. First, what is the difference between a Party Boat and a Charter Boat? Well, to put it simply, a Party Boat is available to anyone who would like to come. While on the other hand, you can say that a Charter is a private rental where the public is not welcome to join.
I will list all available Party boats in San Diego County, starting first up north in Oceanside Harbor.
Table of Contents
A Few Much Needed References
I have included here a link to Sportfishingreport.com. If you look towards the bottom of the list, you will see all of the San Diego Sportfishing party boats and Charter boats that go out daily. Have a look! Every Sportfishing boat in California is listed here. What I like about this site is that every fish caught is recorded.
Here is a valuable page as well-The Current California Recreational Fishing Regulations.
The Captains and crew are well aware of the rules and regulations, but it never hurts to get an idea before setting out to fish.
Also, I would like to include “Everything Thing You Need To Know About Fishing in Mexico,” as it can get very confusing.
San Diego Sportfishing
San Diego has some of the best weather in the world and some of the best Fishing! Up until the late 1970s, the city of San Diego was known as the Tuna Fishing Capital of the World. Still, to this day, in late summer and early fall, Fishing offshore of San Diego and Baja California, you will find some of the largest yellowfin tuna slobs in the world!
Other species you might encounter include wahoo, bigeye tuna, dorado, and bluefin. It must be noted that these species are targets for the longer-range boats, not the 1/2 day or 3/4 day San Diego sportfishing Party boats.
What are 1/2 Day and 3/4 Day Party Boats?
The 1/2 Day Party boats usually stay outside a kelp forest, like those found off Point Loma or La Jolla. They may also sit over an artificial reef. These boats primarily catch kelp bass, sand bass, bonito, yellowtail, rockfish, halibut, barracuda, and California sheephead.
Some 3/4 Day Party boats will look for tuna but mostly stay close to shore. Out of San Diego Bay, though, some 3/4 Day boats will take you out to the Coronado Islands, off of Mexico, which I have to say is a fabulous trip!
Let us look at what San Diego offers for Open Sportfishing Party Boats!
#I would like to note that all prices seen below are current as of September 2018. Please see all appropriate links to verify current prices
Oceanside Harbor Sportfishing Party Boats
Oceanside Harbor is located 45 minutes north of Downtown San Diego and is the only harbor in North County San Diego.
The harbor is also shared with Marine Base Camp Pendleton. Oceanside Harbor offers a variety of boats to choose from for Chartering a fishing trip, but only two companies provide such tours when it comes to open party boats.
Helgren’s Sportfishing
1395 1/2 North Harbor Dr. Oceanside, CA 92054
760-722-2133
Fleet-
- Electra- 75-foot
- Oceanside 95- a 95-foot used for long-range
- Sea Trek- 60-foot popular for 3/4 day trips
Trips offered
- 1/2 day Sun-Fri (10 am-3 pm) /Sat (6 am- 12:30 pm) – $ 40
- 3/4 day daily from 7 am- 4 pm – $ 75
- full day daily from 5 am- 5 pm -$ 120
- Military, Senior, and child discounts are available
Additional Offerings
- Overnight Charters
- Shark Fishing
- Burials at Sea
- Whale Watching
- Multi-day trips
- Twilight and Night Fishing
- Harbor Coastal Cruise Excursions
- Rod/Reel and Tackle Rental- $16.00
- 1- day fishing license (16 years old and above)-$15.60
- free parking
Oceanside Sea Center
315 South Harbor Drive, Oceanside, CA 92054
760 450-0403
Fleet-
- Blue Horizon- 55 foot, used for 1/2 day and 3/4 day as well as overnight trips
- Chubasco II– 60-foot
- Sea Star-60-foot
- Southern Cal- 65 foot
- Pronto- 45-foot
Trips offered-
- 1/2 day (6 am- 12pm)/ (10am- 4 pm)/ (12:30 pm- 5:30 pm)- $45
- 3/4 day (7 am-4 pm)- $75
- Private Charters are available as well
- San Clemente Island
- Mexico waters overnight trips
- Whale watching trips
Additional Offerings-
- Military, SSenior, and child discounts
- Private Charters
- Burial at Sea
- Floating Science Lab trips are coming soon!
- Tackle available for rent
- 1-day Fishing Licence $15.69
- Food Galley
Mission Bay Sportfishing Party Boats
Mission Bay is located less than 15 minutes from Downtown San Diego in Mission Beach. Leaving out of this landing is advantageous if you would like to fish north of the La Jolla kelp beds and venture south to the kelp beds off Point Loma. Both fishing sites are relatively close to Mission Bay. The beauty here is that there is not as much travel time to get out of the bay.
Seaforth Sportfishing
1717 Quivira Rd, San Diego, CA 92109
(619) 224-3383
Fleet-
- New Seaforth– 85-foot
- San Diego- 75-foot
- Many other vessels are available for private charters
Trips Offered-
- 1/2 day (6 am- 11:30 am), (12:30 pm- 5:30 pm)-$48
- 3/4 day Mexico Coronado Islands (5:30 am- 5:30 pm) -$155
- Overnight Trip (10 pm-8 pm)- $260
- 1.5-day Limited Load (9 pm- 6 am)- $475
- 2.5-day Baja Coast- (9 pm-6 am)- $750
Additional Offerings-
- Whale watching tours
- Private Charter Cruises
- Twilight trips
- Rod and tackle rentals
- 1-day fishing license- $15.69
Sportfishing Party Boats Out of San Diego Bay
San Diego Bay is the largest and deepest harbor in San Diego County. Here you will find many options for San Diego sportfishing party boats, as there are three companies to choose from.
H&M Landing
2803 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 222-1144
Fleet-
- Premier– 81-foot
- Malihini- 80-foot
- Grande- 85-foot
- Constitution- 75-foot
- Jig Strike- 56-foot
- Fisherman III- 65-foot
- Mustang- 70-foot
- Daiwa Pacific-60-foot
- Old Glory- 85-foot
- Ranger 85- 85-foot
- Ocean Odyssey-85-foot
- Relentless- 60-foot
Trips Offered
- 1/2 Day (6:30 am- 12:30 pm), (1 pm- 6:30 pm)-$52
- Full-Day Coronado Islands (5:30 am- 5:30 pm)- $155
- Full-Day Offshore (5:30 am- 5:30 pm)- $155
- Overnight Fishing- (9 pm- 7 pm)- $215-$275
- Multi-day Fishing-( 1.5 days to 3.5 days) $380-$1085
- Long Range Available-see website
- Twilight Fishing
Additional Offerings
- Whale Watching
- Great White Shark Cage Diving on MV Horizon from August to November off Guadalupe Island, Mexico- $2795
- Private Charters
- Family Deep Sea Fishing Charters
- Corporate Charters
- Bachelor Party Charters
- you can arrange customized charter itineraries
Point Loma Sportfishing
1403 Scott St, San Diego, CA 92106
(619) 223-1627
Fleet-
- Daily Double- 65 foot
- Mission Belle– 65 foot
- El Capitan- 65 foot
- New Lo-An- 65 foot
- Grande- 88 foot
- Point Loma- 58 foot
Trips Offered-
- 1/2 Day (8:30 am- 2:30 pm)/ (3 pm- 8:30 pm)- $50
- 3/4 Day (6:30 am- 4:30 pm)-$85
- Full-Day Coronado Islands (6:30 am- 6:30 pm)- $155
- Overnight (9 pm- 7 pm)- $260
- 1.5 day (8 pm-6 am)- $380-$435
- Two days (9 pm- 7 pm)-$590-$780
- 2.75 day (Noon- 6 am)- $700-$995
- Three days (11 am- 7 am)-$1525
- please see the website for more!
Additional Offerings
- Private Charters
- One day to up to 16-day trips
- 1.5 day -3.5 day Baja Coast Trips
- 16-23 day trips, 1000 miles south in Mexico
- Tackle rentals
Fisherman’s Landing
2838 Garrison St, San Diego, CA 92106
(800) 566-0273
Fleet-
- Dolphin- 85-foot
- Liberty- 85 foot
- Condor- 90-foot
- Islander- 85-foot
- Fortune-65-foot
- Pacific Queen– 85-foot
Trips Offered-
- 1/2 Day (6:30 am – 12:30 pm)/ (1 pm- 6:30 pm)- $50
- Full-Day Offshore (5:30 am- 5:30 pm)- $155
- Full-Day Coronado Islands (5:30 am- 5:30 pm)-$155
- Overnight ( 8pm- 6 pm)- $250
- Full-Day Bluefin Tuna (Kite and Flat Falls jigs) (10 am- 10 pm)- $650
- 1.5 Day (9 pm- 6am)- $380
- 2 Day ( 9pm- 7 pm)- $600-$650
- 3 Day (11 am- 6 am)- $860
Additional Offerings
- Private Charters
- Nature and EcologyTrip to Baja California (619-221-8500)
- Kids fish-free every Thursday!
- Tackle Rentals
Final Thoughts
Boy! Did I have fun researching for this blog? So many memories came flooding back about the Party boats that I worked on when I was a Fisheries Technician (over 20 years ago).
If I had to estimate, I would say that I have been on at least 100 Party boat trips. I would interview each angler and identify, weigh, and measure each fish. And yes, I was filthy at the end of each trip! Fish scales, guts, and grime were all over me, but it was a blast!
My favorite part, and I do not laugh at it, was taking a nap while everyone was Fishing. There is no better sleep than being rocked back and forth on a boat. Another thing that I loved was the solitude. Something is to be said about being out on the Water and looking back onto shore. Just imagining the hundreds of thousands of people back onshore while there are only a few boats offshore is the best feeling. It is surreal.
Enough about me, what do you think? Have you ever wanted to go fishing on a Party Boat?
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.
Until next time!
Additional Information if you would like to Get on the Water!
- Oceanside Harbor Cruises- Get on the Water!
- Mission Bay Habor Cruises- Get on the Water!
- San Diego Bay Cruises- Get on the Water!
- San Diego Whale Watching Tours
I have always had a deep-seated passion for the Ocean Environment which ultimately led me to receive a degree in Marine Biology. Living in the San Diego area for over 30 years, I have extensively explored the 70 miles of San Diego’s coastline, and I am here to share! Please use my website to your advantage and have a look around at all the wonders that the beaches of San Diego can offer you!
This looks my kind of vacation! Thank you so much for putting all of this information in one convenient spot. The next time I am in San Diego I will use this as my resource!
Hi Jennifer, I am so happy to hear that you appreciate. Have fun when you eventually go out fishing in San Diego!
Hello Colleen,
Whoa! I have always wanted to go on a fishing trip with my grandfather, father, and nephews. I can plan a trip with my family now and know exactly how much it’s going to cost and where we will be fishing. For 3 days it’s less than $1500 what a deal! I also look forward to drinking a beer and taking a nap lol.
Thanks!
Thanks for the comment Jaywhon. Enjoy that nap!
Thanks for all the information Colleen. I love the ocean too and enjoyed fishing with my Grandpa on his boat. So much useful information in one place. What an excellent resource.
Hi Melanie. I am so happy to hear that you found the post helpful. I hope you will be able to get down to San Diego soon!
Looks like a lot fun to have! It has been quite some time since I have been down to San Diego but these look like a blast to do next time I make my way down there! Much appreciated Colleen!
I am glad that I can help Brandon! Hope you make it down here real soon!
HOLY MOLY! I have been looking for day trip cruises for me and my family. I haven’t had any success with finding something near the mexican boarder ( I am a proud mexican american ) I like the idea of taking a day off to go see the Mexico Coronado Islands . I might check out Sunforth on that. And just within my budget too.
I am so glad that you are interested! I found this for you to give you a little more history of the Coronado Islands in Mexico. It is a spectacular site that is for sure! https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajafever/loscoronados.php
Hi Colleen, thank you for doing all the heavy lifting for us 🙂 the information you have provided is extensive and beats having to do all this research on my own. I personally dont care for fishing, I leave that part to my boys, but lazying around on the beach now that is a vacation. I have definitely bookmarked this post, I will use you as my personal guide seeing you know all there is to know about the place. 🙂 Will be planning a vacation soon and you have made my decision very easy. Thanks again.
Hi Evelyn! Thank you so much for your comment. I am happy that you have found it helpful. There sure are a lot of great trips to choose from aren’t there? Have fun on your upcoming vacation!
Awesome article Colleen, this is a great summary of the Southern California fleet! The only thing I would add is a section on Mexican fishing regulations since most of the trips outside half-days fish in Mexico.
Here is a recent guide in-depth guide I wrote about the complicated Mexican fishing regulation process, https://www.fishermanslanding.com/blog/what-you-need-to-fish-legally-in-mx-2018
If you like it or find it helpful, feel free to link it in your article
Great work!
-Fisherman’s Landing
Thank you so much for not only reading my post but taking the time to leave a comment! I will indeed include your additional Mexican fishing regulations. Wow, that is a lot to take in, just to go fishing in Mexican waters! Thanks again for visiting!
I did the full day offshore trip with Fisherman’s Landing this past summer and it was awesome!! Can’t wait to do it again next summer.
Hi Shaun! Thank you for taking the time to comment! I have never been on a full day fishing trip before. Did you happen to fish by the Coronado Islands? I am so happy to hear that you had a fabulous time!
Thank you for this list of party boats. I’m actually going to be there soon and would like to try deep sea fishing again. My first time didn’t go so well so hopefully 2nd time is a charm.
Do you have a list of party boat rentals that are not for fishing and more for hanging out, swimming, and having some coctails?
Hi Nathan! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! Why yes, there are many boats that you can experience without fishing. Here are a few to check out- https://70milesofcoast.com/oceanside-harbor-cruises-get-on-the-water/, https://70milesofcoast.com/mission-bay-cruises-get-on-the-water/, https://70milesofcoast.com/san-diego-bay-cruises-get-on-the-water/. I hope you have a fabulous time!