The short version
- Yellowfin tuna & mahi-mahi: year-round residents. Always in the plan.
- Wahoo: peak September–March. The winter headline.
- Blue marlin & sailfish: strongest April–October. The summer prize.
- Barracuda and reef predators: steady all year along the edge.
Notice the overlap: the wahoo and billfish windows meet in September and October, tuna and mahi never leave, and Bonaire sits south of the main hurricane belt with fishable conditions in every season. That's why "there is no wrong month" isn't a slogan here — it's the actual shape of the fishery.
Month by month
| Month | What's biting |
|---|---|
| January | Wahoo peak on the drop-off; yellowfin steady; mahi around the current lines. Fresh trade winds — the stabilizer earns its keep. |
| February | Wahoo strong; tuna reliable in the early light. Classic mixed-bag winter fishing. |
| March | Wahoo season winds down; yellowfin schooling picks up — March tuna schools are a Bonaire specialty. |
| April | Billfish season opens — sailfish and the first blues on the deep side. Mahi and tuna steady. |
| May | Marlin and sailfish building; tuna and mahi consistent. Long calm mornings. |
| June | Billfish in full swing; trade winds typically freshen — mornings fish best. |
| July | Billfish continue; tuna steady on the FADs. Breezier afternoons, honest mornings. |
| August | Blue marlin prime time on the wall; mahi around anything floating. |
| September | The overlap month: billfish still here, wahoo arriving — and often the calmest seas of the year. |
| October | Overlap continues — arguably the most varied month on the calendar. Wahoo, billfish, tuna, mahi all in play. |
| November | Wahoo numbers climbing; tuna steady. Quiet-season bonus: easy bookings. |
| December | Wahoo peak begins; holiday season — dates fill early, book ahead. |
Weather, honestly
Bonaire lies at 12° north — south of the main Caribbean hurricane belt — and the fishing operates year-round. The constant is the easterly trade wind; we fish the island's sheltered leeward side, where the drop-off is, so most days are far more comfortable than the open-Caribbean forecast suggests. The gyro-stabilized Axopar flattens the rest. Genuine weather cancellations are rare, and when they happen they're a full refund or free rebook, always.
Planning advice
- Chasing a specific species? Read the guides: yellowfin tuna, wahoo, marlin & sailfish, mahi-mahi.
- Want maximum variety? September–October is the overlap window.
- Traveling in high season (Dec–Mar)? Book your date early — the boat runs one private charter at a time.
- Mornings beat afternoons in every month — lower light, livelier bite, calmer wind.