Punta Cana Private Fishing Charter on 39 Foot Boat with Bevarages

Punta Cana’s Atlantic waters can produce the kind of fishing story you repeat for years: a blue marlin on the line, a string of mahi mahi in the cooler, or whales passing close to the boat. This private charter uses a 39-foot boat with a fighting chair, large cockpit, fly-bridge seating, toilet, shower, bar, and swim platform.

I like the private boat arrangement, which gives your group room to fish at its own pace. I also like the full package: hotel pickup, gear, bait, fishing licenses, fuel, and drinks are covered, so you can focus on the lines instead of the details.

The main caution is simple: fishing is never guaranteed. Several outings produced excellent catches, while others brought only one or two fish. The Atlantic can also be rough, and seasickness has shortened some trips.

Key points to know before you book

• A 39-foot private boat: Your group has the boat to itself, with a fighting chair, cockpit, forward seating, fly-bridge, bar, toilet, shower, and swim ladder.
• Mahi mahi are the most consistent target: Catch reports include multiple dorado, barracuda, tuna, sailfish, and occasional blue marlin.
• The crew does the hard work: Captains Richard and Rosario, along with first mates such as Andy, Hector, Louie, Tony, and Havi, have helped beginners land fish.
• Hotel pickup starts early: Pickup is scheduled around 7:30 a.m. from Punta Cana hotels, with private vehicle transport included.
• The $699 price covers up to six people: That can be good value for a full group, but less attractive for one or two anglers unless you value privacy.
• Plan for the catch: The crew may fillet your fish, but cooking it is not included. A local restaurant or your hotel may prepare it for an extra fee.

A private 39-foot boat built for a serious day on the water

This is not a quick ride along the coast with a fishing rod added as an afterthought. You get a proper 39-foot fishing boat set up for offshore work, with heavy-duty tackle, fresh bait, a large cockpit, and a Pompanette fighting chair.

That chair matters if a large fish takes the line. A mahi mahi can be lively enough, but a marlin puts real strain on both angler and equipment. The crew can guide you into the chair and help manage the line while you concentrate on the fish.

The boat also has white leather seating, a television, a bar, a shower, and a toilet. Those details will not replace good weather or a strong bite, but they make a long outing easier. The swim platform and marine ladder offer a useful change of pace after fishing, with time for swimming, snorkeling, or simply cooling off if conditions allow.

The boat is private for your group, with space for up to six people. That makes it a better fit for a family, a group of friends, or a small fishing party than for someone looking to meet other anglers. You can ask for as much instruction as you need, while experienced fishers can take a more hands-on role.

One booking detail deserves clarification before payment. The tour information says the boat holds up to six people, but it also contains a separate note saying a maximum of one person per booking. Those statements conflict. Since the price is listed per group of up to six, confirm the number in your party directly with Big Marlin Charters before booking.

What the morning pickup and marina start are like

The scheduled start time is 7:30 a.m., and hotel pickup in Punta Cana is included. The ride is by private vehicle, with a driver handling the transfer to and from the marina. This is a real benefit in Punta Cana, where arranging your own early taxi can add cost and uncertainty.

One particularly strong account described the driver arriving at 7:30 sharp, then providing a smooth ride back after the fishing. Another account noted a short wait at the marina before departure. Allow a little patience at the start, since boats, crew, and marina timing do not always line up perfectly.

Once aboard, the captain and first mate prepare the tackle and bait. Your license, fuel, and fishing equipment are already covered. You are not expected to bring rods, reels, terminal tackle, or bait.

The crew members named in the fishing accounts include Captain Richard, Captain Rosario, and first mates Andy, Havi, Hector, Louie, and Tony. Andy receives especially strong praise for explaining the fishing, talking about Dominican history, and helping younger anglers. Havi and Andrew were also credited with keeping lines ready and the deck organized during a full-day trip.

That personal attention is important for beginners. Offshore fishing can look confusing at first, with several lines, heavy gear, and fast decisions when a fish strikes. The first mate handles much of the practical work and tells you when to reel, when to hold, and how to bring the fish alongside.

The Atlantic fishing grounds and what you might catch

The boat heads into Atlantic waters known for marlin, tuna, sailfish, dorado, and other species. The exact fishing area and route depend on the conditions and the captain’s judgment.

Mahi mahi, also called dorado, appear most often in the catch accounts. Some days produced one or two, while better days brought seven, eight, twelve, or even seventeen fish. One outing landed a dozen mahi mahi and a barracuda, with several fish lost near the boat. Another produced seven large mahi mahi and a barracuda.

Mahi mahi are colorful, fast, and strong for their size. They also make excellent eating. If you catch one, ask the crew about having it filleted. Several groups took their fish to a nearby beach restaurant or back to their resort, where it was cooked for an extra charge.

Barracuda also appear in the catch. They may not be the main goal for many anglers, but they add action when the mahi mahi are quiet.

Marlin is the prize fish here, but it should be treated as a lucky possibility rather than a promise. One solo angler landed an 80-plus-inch blue marlin after catching eight mahi mahi. Another group caught a big blue marlin. Yet other full outings produced no billfish at all.

The season can affect your chances. One account noted that blue marlin were caught outside the prime season, which made the result especially fortunate. The captain can put you in the best available position, but no charter can control fish movement, weather, or appetite.

Whales have also been spotted. On one trip, Captain Richard noticed whales and brought the boat closer for a look. Another family saw a humpback whale during a four-hour outing. These sightings are not part of the guaranteed program, but they can turn a slow fishing period into a memorable one.

How the fishing feels for beginners and experienced anglers

You do not need to arrive as an expert. The crew provides supervision and instruction, and several families used the boat with children, including an 11-year-old and teenagers.

The first mate’s role is central. Andy, for example, helped explain the equipment, the day’s plan, and the process of landing fish. Other crew members have been praised for keeping bait ready, watching the lines, and stepping in when an angler needed help.

That said, you still need a moderate level of physical fitness. Heavy tackle and large fish require effort, especially in a moving boat. Holding a rod for a long period can tire your arms and shoulders.

If you are an experienced angler, tell the crew how much help you want. You can let them manage the setup and focus on the fight, or ask questions about the local fishing and equipment. The private format gives you more freedom than a shared boat.

Families should think carefully about seasickness. The Atlantic can be rough, and one group of teenagers became sick during the outing. Another family had to cut the trip short after their children became ill about 30 minutes after departure. The captain and crew were described as sympathetic, but an early return may not qualify for a full experience.

Bring sunscreen and consider medication for motion sickness if you use it. Sunscreen and towels are not included. The boat provides bottled water and other drinks, but you should still protect yourself from the sun.

Four, six, or nine hours on the water

The advertised duration ranges from four to nine hours. A four-hour trip can work well for a family, a first offshore outing, or anyone unsure how well they handle the sea.

A six-hour trip gives the crew more time to reach productive water and wait for changing conditions. It also leaves room for a slow start. Fishing often includes periods of waiting, repositioning, and resetting lines.

Longer trips suit anglers who want a serious shot at larger fish. The account of the blue marlin came from a full-day outing, and more time on the water gives you more chances to encounter changing conditions. The tradeoff is more exposure to sun, motion, and fatigue.

Clarify how the duration is measured. One group felt that a six-hour trip ended about 30 minutes short when counting from boarding the transfer boat to returning. Ask whether your selected duration covers fishing time only, boat time, or the complete period from departure to return.

The captain may also decide how to use the available hours. If the fish are active, you may remain in productive water. If conditions change, the boat may move. The crew’s job is to make the best use of the time, not to guarantee a certain number of casts or fish.

Drinks, comfort, and what you need to bring

The open bar includes rum, beer, Coca-Cola, Sprite, bottled water, and ice. That is useful on a hot boat, though alcohol and rough seas are not always a good mix. If you are prone to motion sickness, start with water and take care with drinks.

The boat has a toilet and shower, along with indoor and outdoor seating. The swim platform and ladder make it easier to enter the water after fishing, though swimming time should be treated as an optional part of the day rather than the main activity.

Bring sunscreen and towels. Lunch is not included. The provided food and drink details do not list a meal, so eat beforehand and confirm whether you may bring anything of your own.

The crew can fillet your catch, but cooking is separate. A useful plan is to ask ahead about a local waterfront restaurant or your hotel kitchen. Several groups had fresh mahi mahi prepared the same day, which can be one of the best rewards of the trip.

Is $699 good value for your group?

The price is $699 per group of up to six people. For six anglers, that works out to about $116.50 per person before any tip or extra cooking charge. For four people, it is about $174.75 each. For one or two people, the price is much harder to justify unless privacy and a dedicated boat are your main priorities.

The fare includes a long list of costly basics: captain, first mate, fuel, bait, heavy tackle, fishing licenses, drinks, bottled water, private transport, hotel pickup, taxes, and fees. You do not need to rent gear or arrange your own ride to the marina.

The private format also has value beyond the arithmetic. You are not sharing the cockpit with strangers, and the crew can focus on your group. That is helpful if one person needs extra instruction, if children are aboard, or if your group wants to split time between fishing and relaxing.

Budget for a tip if the crew provides good service. Also budget for cooking your catch if that is part of your plan. Neither tip nor lunch is included, and preparing the fish is separate.

The stated rating is 4.8 from 83 ratings, with 94 percent recommending the experience. Those numbers fit the main pattern: crew service is usually praised, while fishing results and sea conditions vary. The price buys a well-equipped private outing, not a guaranteed catch.

Who should book this Punta Cana charter?

I would consider this a strong choice for a small group that wants a private day offshore and understands that fishing has uncertain results. It suits couples, families with older children, friends, and experienced anglers who want control over the boat.

It is also a good option if you want a first fishing charter with help close at hand. The crew has repeatedly worked with beginners, and the first mate’s guidance can make the equipment less intimidating.

I would be more cautious if your group is very sensitive to motion, needs a guaranteed timetable, or wants a relaxed sightseeing cruise. The Atlantic may be rough, the boat may return with few fish, and the day requires physical effort.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Everyone should have a moderate level of fitness. If anyone in your group has serious concerns about seasickness, discuss the trip before booking.

Big Marlin Charters offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The trip depends on good weather, and a weather cancellation brings the choice of another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this charter if you want a private boat, strong crew support, and a real chance at mahi mahi or a larger Atlantic fish. The best fit is a group of four to six people, where the $699 cost spreads well and the private setup adds real comfort.

Go in with the right expectation: the captain can find productive water, but cannot make fish bite. Confirm the trip length, group-size wording, marina timing, and catch-cooking plan before you go. If you accept those limits, this offers a well-equipped fishing day with a good chance of memorable action and, on the right day, a fish worth putting on the dinner table.

FAQ

How much does the private fishing charter cost?

The price is $699 per group of up to six people.

What time does the experience start?

The stated start time is 7:30 a.m., with hotel pickup offered from Punta Cana hotels.

Are fishing equipment and licenses included?

Yes. The charter includes heavy-duty tackle, bait, fishing licenses, fuel, a captain, and a first mate.

What drinks are provided?

The open bar includes rum, beer, Coca-Cola, Sprite, bottled water, and ice.

Can the crew cook the fish we catch?

Cooking is not included. The crew may fillet your catch, but cooking at a local restaurant or hotel requires a separate payment.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.