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Oahu Deep Sea Fishing Guide
Best times to catch Marlin, Mahi & Tuna in Hawaiian waters
Year-Round Fishing Paradise
Hawaii offers world-class deep sea fishing every month of the year. While you can catch fish any day, knowing the peak seasons helps you target specific species and maximize your chances at a trophy catch.
Blue Marlin
A'u
Blue marlin can be caught year-round in Hawaii, but the biggest fish over 500 pounds are most common during summer months. The best time to fish is early morning or just before sunset.
Pro Tip: Hawaii is the only place in the world where marlin over 1,000 pounds have been caught every month of the year!
Mahi Mahi
Dorado
Mahi mahi are available year-round but become especially abundant during spring and fall months. In March, they average 10-15 pounds, but by late spring can reach 40-50 pounds.
What to Look For: Mahi mahi congregate around floating debris and structure offshore, making them easier to locate.
Yellowfin Tuna
Ahi
Yellowfin tuna over 100 pounds are caught more frequently during summer months than any other time of year. Tuna hang around Hawaii year-round, with the optimal time to target them from April through December.
Local Favorite: Ahi is the most prized fish for eating in Hawaii — perfect for sashimi or seared rare!
Ono
Wahoo
The best time to catch ono is from May to October, with fish averaging 20-30 pounds in Hawaiian waters. We typically find them on the ledge around 40 fathoms, but when we catch them farther offshore, it's often a sign that ahi are in the area!
Seasonal Chart
Winter (Dec-Feb)
- • Striped Marlin appear
- • Bigeye Tuna season
- • Skipjack & small Yellowfin Tuna
- • Occasional Mahi Mahi
Spring (Mar-May)
- • Mahi Mahi peak!
- • Ono start showing up
- • Good Ahi action begins
- • Great overall fishing
Summer (Jun-Aug)
BEST FOR BIG FISH
- • Blue Marlin over 500 lbs
- • Yellowfin Tuna over 100 lbs
- • Peak Ono season
- • Consistent Mahi Mahi
Fall (Sep-Nov)
- • Marlin & billfish season
- • Mahi Mahi second peak
- • 20-50 lb Yellowfin
- • Spearfish more abundant
Hawaiian Trolling Tips
Hawaiian fishing primarily involves trolling with lures at speeds up to 9-10 knots. Often, six lines are in the water as soon as you leave the harbor, allowing you to hook Ono, Spearfish, and Mahi Mahi even before reaching the main fishing grounds.
Best Times of Day
- ✓Early morning (sunrise)
- ✓Late afternoon (before sunset)
Fishing License Requirements
As of May 2024, the State of Hawaiʻi requires all non-resident anglers age 15 and older to purchase a recreational marine fishing license before fishing — including on charter boats.
Important: We recommend purchasing your license online before your trip to avoid any delays. You can buy it on your smartphone right up until departure if needed.
$20
1-Day License
$40
7-Day License
$70
Annual License
Who's Exempt:
- Hawaiʻi residents
- Active-duty military, their spouses, and minor children
- Youth under 15
What to Bring
How to Choose an Oahu Fishing Charter
Every boat targets the same fish. These are the things that actually separate one trip from another.
Departure point
Oahu charters leave from Kewalo Basin in Honolulu, Ko Olina Marina on the west side, and Haleiwa on the North Shore. The leeward west coast is protected from the trade winds, so mornings are typically calmer, and the sea floor drops off fast: boats out of Ko Olina reach deep water minutes after leaving the dock.
Boat size and stability
Bigger hulls ride smoother, and gyro stabilization matters more than anything else if anyone in your group is prone to seasickness. Ask whether the boat has a SeaKeeper before you book. Reel Addiction III is a 62' yacht carrying the only SeaKeeper in the Ko Olina fleet.
Trip length
A 3/4 day trip covers the prime morning bite and gets you back for the afternoon. A full day means more water covered and more techniques deployed. Dark-to-dark trips reach grounds shorter runs never touch. Book the longest trip you're comfortable with: more time on the water means more chances.
Private or shared
A private charter gives your group the whole boat and the captain's full attention. Shared charters split the cost with other anglers, a good fit for couples and solo travelers who don't need the entire deck.
Booking direct vs. a booking site
The price is usually the same either way. The difference with booking direct is that you talk to the captain before you commit: about conditions, what's biting, and which trip fits your group. Call the boat first and see how the conversation feels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What anglers ask before fishing Oahu
How much does a deep sea fishing charter cost on Oahu?
Private charters on Oahu generally run from around $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the boat, trip length, and group size. Aboard Reel Addiction III, a private 3/4 day trip is $3,095, a full day is $3,495, and the dark-to-dark Extravaganza is $3,800, each for up to six guests. Shared charters run $500 per person with a four-guest minimum.
Where do deep sea fishing charters leave from on Oahu?
Most Oahu charters depart from three harbors: Kewalo Basin in Honolulu, Ko Olina Marina on the leeward west side, and Haleiwa on the North Shore. Reel Addiction III departs Ko Olina Marina, Slip F7, where the leeward coast offers calmer water and deep ocean just minutes from the dock.
What fish can you catch deep sea fishing on Oahu?
Blue marlin, yellowfin tuna (ahi), mahi mahi, ono (wahoo), skipjack tuna (aku), and spearfish are the main targets. All are caught year-round in Hawaiian waters, with summer producing the biggest marlin and ahi.
When is the best time of year for deep sea fishing on Oahu?
Fishing is productive every month of the year in Hawaii. Summer (June through August) is best for big blue marlin and yellowfin tuna over 100 pounds. Spring and fall bring peak mahi mahi runs, and winter offers striped marlin and bigeye tuna.
Do I need a fishing license for a charter on Oahu?
Yes. The State of Hawaii requires non-resident anglers age 15 and older to carry a recreational marine fishing license, even on charter boats. A 1-day license is $20 and can be purchased online at fishing.hawaii.gov, right up until departure.
Is deep sea fishing on Oahu good for beginners?
Yes. The crew handles rigging, baiting, and boat positioning, so first-timers just fight the fish. A larger, stabilized boat makes a big difference for comfort: Reel Addiction III carries the only SeaKeeper gyro stabilizer in the Ko Olina fleet, which takes most of the roll out of the ride.
Ready to Book Your Adventure?
Reel Addiction III departs from Ko Olina Harbor with the only SeaKeeper gyro stabilizer in the fleet — meaning we fish when other boats can't!
Staying at Aulani, Four Seasons, or Marriott Ko Olina? The boat is inside your resort.
$3,095
3/4 Day (6 hours)
$3,495
Full Day (8-10 hours)
$3,800
Extravaganza