It's the heart of summer, and on Bonaire that means one thing above all: billfish season is in full swing. From April through October, blue marlin and sailfish work the deep side of the island's wall — and July and August sit right in the middle of that window.
The headline: marlin & sailfish
Summer is when we commit real time to the deep side — big lures in the spread, live bait ready for the FADs. Billfish are never a guarantee (we're honest about that), but this is the season to try: the more hours on the water, the better the odds, which is why summer is also when full-day charters earn their keep.
The supporting cast never leaves
- Yellowfin tuna — resident year-round; early mornings remain prime time.
- Mahi-mahi — around anything floating; summer current lines can stack them up.
- Barracuda — steady on the edge, always ready to crash the party.
Summer conditions, honestly
The trade wind typically freshens in mid-summer, which is why we favor morning departures — calmer water, livelier bite, cooler sun. We fish the sheltered leeward side, and the gyro-stabilized Axopar flattens what's left. Bonaire sits south of the hurricane belt, so summer here is a fishing season, not a gamble.
Planning further ahead? The month-by-month calendar has the full honest breakdown. Ready now? The calendar below shows live availability.