Are wahoo and mahi-mahi the same fish?

No. Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) and mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) are entirely different species. Wahoo have firm, white flesh with large circular flakes and a mild, clean flavor, while mahi-mahi has softer, sweeter flesh with smaller flakes. Both are caught on offshore charters from Los Suenos.

How fast can a wahoo swim?

Wahoo are among the fastest fish in the ocean, reaching speeds up to 60 mph. Their torpedo-shaped body and aggressive hunting style allow them to accelerate instantly, producing the violent strikes they are known for on offshore fishing charters.

What is the best time of year to catch wahoo in Los Suenos?

Peak targeted wahoo season in Los Suenos runs from July through October, when these fish are most concentrated along offshore temperature breaks. Wahoo are also caught as a bonus species on sailfish and marlin trips from October through April, making them available year-round.

What tackle do you use for wahoo fishing?

Dream Boats CR uses heavy-duty rods, high-speed reels, and wire leaders on all wahoo setups. Wire leaders are essential because wahoo have razor-sharp teeth that can cut through standard fishing lines. High-speed trolling lures and vertical jigs are commonly used.

Is wahoo good to eat?

Wahoo is considered one of the best-eating fish in the ocean. Its firm, white flesh has a mild, clean flavor that works well for grilling, searing, and raw dishes. In Hawaii, wahoo is called 'ono,' meaning delicious. Catches can be filleted dockside at Los Suenos Marina.

How much does a wahoo fishing charter cost in Los Suenos?

Full-day offshore charters targeting wahoo from Los Suenos vary depending on boat size and group. Trips typically include tackle, bait, food, drinks, and crew. Contact the charter provider for current pricing and trip options.

When to Come — Species by Season

Los Sueños produces action every month of the year. Here is a full species breakdown:

See full species guide at dreamboatscr.com/what-we-catch

Los Sueños Triple Crown Tournament

The Los Sueños Triple Crown has been running since 2004 — three legs in January, February, and March on the same Central Pacific drop-off we fish every day. Forty to fifty boats compete per leg. The cumulative total has surpassed 5,500 billfish released. It is the highest-profile tournament event in Costa Rica and the reason January–March weeks book fastest every year.

Dream Boats CR operates in the same waters and the same season as the Triple Crown. If your dates overlap a tournament leg, book early.

The Boats

Dream Boats CR runs two Luhrs Open Express vessels out of Los Sueños Marina. Both carry Raymarine GPS, sonar, and radar, and run the same tackle suite: St. Croix and Black Bart rods, Shimano and Fin-Nor reels, and a Black Bart lure rotation. Both boats can be booked together for groups of 6–10 anglers on the same day.

Full specs and pricing: dreamboatscr.com/our-boats

Standard on every charter (both boats):

Premium rods, reels, bait, and tackle — St. Croix and Black Bart rods, Shimano and Fin-Nor reels
Raymarine GPS, sonar, and radar
Air-conditioned interior cabin
Snacks, drinks, and catered lunch from Los Sueños Resort on full-day trips
Safety gear, first aid, and emergency communications
Captain and dedicated mate

A Complete Offshore Experience

Dream Boats CR wahoo trips run as full-day offshore charters from Los Suenos Marina. Trips include all tackle (heavy-duty rods, high-speed reels, wire leaders), fresh and artificial baits, a light breakfast, lunch, cold drinks including local beer, and an experienced bilingual crew.

Wahoo fishing pairs naturally with other offshore targets. On most trips, you'll also encounter dorado, yellowfin tuna, and potentially sailfish or marlin on the same trolling runs. This multi-species action means the rods stay busy all day.

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The Fastest Strike in Offshore Fishing

A wahoo strike is unlike anything else in sportfishing. There's no slow buildup. The rod loads, the reel screams, and the fish is running before you can get out of your seat. Wahoo hit at full speed and keep running, often peeling 100+ yards of line in the first seconds. The fight is fast and violent, with sharp directional changes and burst runs. Wahoo fishing in Los Suenos demands fast reflexes and a willingness to hold on tight.

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What to Expect on a Wahoo Fishing Trip

Los Sueños Fishing Charters

Los Sueños fishing charters are private sportfishing trips out of Los Sueños Resort & Marina in Herradura Bay, Costa Rica, targeting Pacific sailfish, blue and striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, roosterfish, and cubera snapper on the Central Pacific drop-off 22 to 28 miles offshore.

Dream Boats CR has run sport fishing charters from this marina for 20+ years aboard two Luhrs Open Express vessels: the 36-foot Los Sueños and the 32-foot Dream II. From January through April, crews regularly post 15–20 sailfish release days. Los Sueños has hosted the Triple Crown tournament series since 2004, with more than 5,500 billfish released across its three legs. For serious offshore trips, FAD and seamount runs push 70–140 miles out over multi-day overnights.

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Gallery

Full specs and pricing

Regulations and Conservation

Costa Rica takes its fisheries seriously. INCOPESCA regulates licensing and catch limits; FECOP leads conservation work on the Central Pacific. These rules apply on every Dream Boats CR trip:

Mandatory catch-and-release for all billfish (sailfish, blue, black, and striped marlin) and all roosterfish.
Circle hooks required for billfish — our crew rigs them on every offshore trip.
Every angler must hold a current INCOPESCA license ($15/week or $30/month). See the Fishing Certificate page.
All releases use boatside handling, minimal air exposure, and reviver when needed.

Why Dreamboats

Three Ways to Fish Out of Los Sueños

Each format targets different water and different species. The right choice depends on your group, experience level, and what you want to catch.

Offshore Sport Fishing

The trip Costa Rica is known for. We run to the bluewater drop-off, work current edges and temperature breaks, and target big-game species. Blue marlin in these waters average 200–400 lbs. Yellowfin run up to 300 lbs. Dorado average around 40 lbs. The drop-off is 22–28 miles out — a 45–60 minute run from the slip.
Species: Pacific sailfish · blue marlin · yellowfin tuna · dorado (mahi-mahi) · wahoo

Inshore and Reef Fishing

Rocky points and reef structure 5–15 miles from the marina hold roosterfish in the 40–60 lb class during the December–April peak, plus cubera snapper, grouper, and jacks. Inshore is the right call for families, first-timers, and anyone who wants steady action in calmer water.

Species: roosterfish · cubera snapper · grouper · jacks

FAD and Seamount Trips

For experienced offshore anglers, multi-day FAD and seamount expeditions run 70–140 miles offshore where Costa Rica's deep-water structure concentrates trophy blue marlin and large yellowfin tuna. Trips run overnight; the itinerary is built around current, moon phase, and live reports from the FAD network.

Book a Charter

Peak season (December through April) fills 4–8 weeks out. Triple Crown weeks in January, February, and March move fastest. Send your dates and group size and we will confirm availability.

Phone (Costa Rica): +506 8361 6621

Phone (US): +1 (561) 427-2137

Email: info@dreamboatscr.com

Book online: dreamboatscr.com/contact

Book Your Roosterfish Charter

Getting to Los Sueños Marina

Los Sueños Resort & Marina is inside Herradura Bay — about a 90-minute drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) via Highway 27. Most guests rent a car or arrange a private driver. Many stay at the Los Sueños Marriott, a Herradura condo, or a rental in Jacó and walk to the slip on charter morning. We can help coordinate ground transport from SJO. Contact us here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Private sport fishing charters run roughly $1,100+ for a half-day, $1,500+ for a full-day, and from $2,500/day for multi-day FAD trips. Add the INCOPESCA fishing license ($15/week or $30/month) and crew gratuity (15–20%). See dreamboatscr.com/our-boats for full details.
Yes. INCOPESCA requires every sport angler to hold a valid license. A one-week license is $15 and a one-month license is $30. We arrange yours at the marina on charter morning. See dreamboatscr.com/fishing-certificate.
All billfish (Pacific sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin) and all roosterfish must be released alive under Costa Rican law. Circle hooks are required for billfish. Yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, snapper, and grouper can be kept within legal limits.
January through April is the peak window for billfish. Sailfish releases of 15–20 in a single day are common during the Triple Crown window (Jan/Feb/Mar). For dorado and yellowfin tuna, September through November is the stronger window.
Day charters work the bluewater drop-off 22–28 miles from the marina — a 45–60 minute run. Multi-day FAD and seamount trips push 70–140 miles offshore.
The Triple Crown runs three legs in January, February, and March. Dream Boats CR operates in the same waters and the same season. Tournament weeks book fastest — reserve early if your dates overlap a leg.
Yes. Multi-day FAD and seamount trips run 70–140 miles offshore targeting trophy blue marlin and large yellowfin tuna. Contact us at dreamboatscr.com/contact to plan a multi-day expedition.
Yes. Each boat carries up to 5 anglers. An inshore half-day trip is the best fit for families — the water is calmer and the action is more visual. See dreamboatscr.com/gallery.
All rods, reels, bait, and tackle; light breakfast; hot and cold appetizers; a catered lunch from Los Sueños Resort; and drinks including local beer. The INCOPESCA license and crew gratuity (15–20%) are separate.
Los Sueños Resort & Marina is in Herradura Bay, about a 90-minute drive from SJO airport via Highway 27. Our team can help coordinate transport — contact us at dreamboatscr.com/contact.

What You Need to Know Before You Fish Costa Rica

All billfish are mandatory catch-and-release in Costa Rica — Pacific sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), black marlin, and striped marlin (Kajikia audax). Roosterfish are also catch-and-release. Circle hooks are required for billfish.
Every angler needs an INCOPESCA fishing license. $15 for a one-week license, $30 for a one-month license. We arrange yours at the marina on charter morning. See the Fishing Certificate page for details.
You can fish year-round. Different species peak in different months, but both boats run nearly every week of the year on the Central Pacific. There is no real off-season.
Yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, cubera snapper, and grouper can be kept within legal limits. The crew cleans and fillets keepers at the dock after the trip.