Some of the best trips we run are family charters. There’s something about a kid landing their first fish — the sudden run, the weight on the line, the absolute chaos of reeling in something alive — that tends to produce the kind of memory that sticks for life.
That said, fishing with kids requires more thought than booking for a group of adults. Here’s what you need to know.
What Age Works for Offshore Fishing?
Age 8 and up is generally where offshore fishing becomes genuinely enjoyable for kids. Younger children can come — and some do — but the combination of early departure, potential seasickness, and long gaps between action can be tough for kids under 7 or 8.
For very young children, an inshore half-day trip is a much better fit: calmer water, closer to land, and faster action on smaller species that kids can actually handle themselves.
Teenagers are ideal for offshore trips. They can handle the gear, the fight, and the full-day format, and a billfish encounter at 15 is the kind of thing that shapes an angler for life.
Which Tour Should You Book?
Half-day inshore (3–4 hours) is the best choice for families with young children or anyone who isn’t sure about seasickness. You’ll fish inside the bay and along the near shore reef. Target species include roosterfish, snapper, and jack — all of which fight hard and come frequently enough to keep kids engaged.
Full-day offshore is appropriate for families with older kids (10+) who are enthusiastic about fishing and don’t get seasick. The offshore experience — the open ocean, the bigger fish, the dolphins and sea turtles on the way out — is something kids remember. Just prepare them for the waiting time between action.
Private charter (which is all we do) means the trip is entirely yours. No strangers on board, no compromising on pace or destination. If the kids need a break from fishing, we can stop and swim. If they’re locked in and want to fish the whole day, we fish. That flexibility is what makes private charters the right call for families.
Seasickness and Kids
Children are often more susceptible to motion sickness than adults. Take this seriously:
- Give children age-appropriate motion sickness medication the night before and again in the morning — not on the boat.
- Bring extra doses and ginger chews.
- Have them focus on the horizon if they start feeling off — below-deck is the worst place to be.
- Feed them a light breakfast, not a heavy one.
If your child gets seasick, our crew handles it with complete calm and without judgment. It happens, and the trip can still be salvaged.
What Kids Love About It
Beyond the obvious (catching fish), here’s what kids consistently love about these trips:
The crew. Our captains and mates are genuinely good with kids — patient, encouraging, and good at celebrating a catch no matter the size. Watching a kid’s face when the mate puts a rod in their hands during a live bite is one of the better parts of this job.
The wildlife. Spinner dolphins racing the bow wave. Flying fish exploding out of the swell. A sea turtle surfacing 10 feet from the boat. These things happen constantly offshore and kids absolutely love them.
The food. There’s lunch on board. Kids are always hungry by 10 AM and the crew takes care of it.
Keeping fish. If keeping a fish is important to your kids, we can target species like dorado and tuna that are excellent to take home. Watching your catch get filleted on board is a real experience in where food comes from — more meaningful than most kids expect.
Tips for a Great Family Day
- Tell us the kids’ ages when you book. We’ll make sure the right boat and captain are assigned.
- Set expectations in advance. Talk to kids about the waiting time — it’s part of offshore fishing.
- Dress them for sun. SPF 50+, hat, UV shirt. Kids burn faster than adults.
- Let the crew lead. They know how to involve kids in the fishing without overwhelming them.
Ready to book a family trip? Contact us and we’ll put together the right plan based on your kids’ ages and what you want to get out of the day.