Fortuna 42, Private Charter

Overview

Big Marlin Charters runs this private deep-sea fishing trip from Punta Cana on a 42-foot (13-meter) motor yacht. Your group, up to eight people, gets the boat to itself for 4 hours on the open water, with a local captain and two crew members working the lines and the tackle. All fishing gear and fresh bait are on board, so nobody needs to bring their own equipment.

The trip is built around sport fishing, but it is not only that. The listing says you can ask to stop at local beaches along the way for swimming, snorkeling and some time to relax, and reviewers have done exactly that, with one group snorkeling at the end of their fishing time. Drinks are included too: rum, beer, Coke, Sprite, bottled water and ice.

Hotel pickup and drop-off within the Punta Cana area is part of the package, along with the fuel surcharge. Gratuities are the one cost listed as extra. The trip suits anglers and first-timers alike, since reviewers who had never fished this way said the crew walked them through everything, though the minimum age is 12 and the sea can be rough.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPrivate pickup from your Punta Cana area hotel, with round-trip transport included in the booking.
2. Board the Fortuna 42Meet the captain and two crew members and load onto the 42-foot motor yacht.
3. Deep-sea fishingHead out on the open ocean for the 4-hour charter. The crew handles the tackle and bait, and you reel in whatever bites.
4. Optional beach stopOn request, the boat can stop at local beaches for swimming, snorkeling and relaxation. One reviewer noted the crew accommodated a snorkeling request even though it had not reached them beforehand.
5. Return to shoreCruise back to shore, then take the included transfer back to your hotel.

What To Expect From The Tour

Here is what past guests and the listing say the trip actually involves, so you can plan for it.

• Rough seas happen. Several reviewers ran into choppy water, and more than one trip had passengers getting seasick. If you are prone to seasickness, take precautions before boarding, and know that conditions vary a lot day to day.
• The crew does the work. Reviewers repeatedly said the captain and mate handle the hard parts, from setting lines to coaching first-timers. One guest who had never fished this way said the crew explained exactly what to do, and another said they take care of everything while you reel in the fish.
• Drinks on board. Rum, beer, Coke, Sprite, bottled water and ice are included. The minimum drinking age is 18. Food is not listed as included, so do not count on a meal.
• Photos with your catch. One reviewer said the captain took pictures of the group with their own camera so they could keep the memory. If you want photos of the day, plan to have a camera or phone with you.
• Fitness and mobility. The listing asks for a moderate level of physical fitness and says the boat is not wheelchair accessible. It is also not recommended for travelers with back problems or for pregnant travelers. Children must be accompanied by an adult and the minimum age is 12.
• Catching is not guaranteed. Catches varied widely among reviewers, from blue marlin and tuna to days with very little biting. Several guests made a point of saying the crew was not at fault when the fish did not cooperate.

Common issues. The honest downside of any fishing charter is that the ocean does not cooperate every day. Multiple reviewers reported slow fishing, with one boat circling the same area for most of the trip and another catching only three fish. Seasickness affected several groups, and one reviewer was unhappy that the crew kept trolling for a long stretch after passengers asked to head back in. Gratuities are not included, and the trip needs good weather, with a different date or a full refund offered if it is cancelled for that reason.

Choosing Your Pickup Time