A holiday to Crocodile Bay gives you the chance to achieve unbelievable results on this hosted big game fishing trip. Many personal best Marlin and near-record sized Roosters get caught by anglers who have joined us on this fishing holiday. Another reason why this destination is so popular is due to its vast array of family-friendly eco-tours. One day you could be chasing down beautiful Billfish. The next trekking through the spectacular rainforest located a short drive away.
There are several advantages of joining a Sportquest Holidays hosted fishing trip. You can travel on your own at no extra charge; you will get to fish with like-minded anglers and form long-lasting friendships; you get to travel with an experienced host who has travelled extensively and will help you every step of the way. So if you are looking for your next saltwater adventure and like the thought of fishing with other like-minded anglers, then this trip is for you.
Do you like travelling with your non-angling partner? And are you looking for a place that will cater for both of you? Then why not join this hosted trip? You can fish during the daytime, be back at the lodge by 3 pm, then spend the rest of the day relaxing around the resort or why not take advantage of the many eco-tours available on-site.
Crocodile Bay Fishing Resort is situated on 44 acres of manicured tropical gardens, has 28 air-conditioned rooms in Puerto Jimenez on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast. The charming and rustic town of Puerto Jimenez is only a short 10-minute walk. Here you will find some lovely art and craft shops, supermarkets and some of the most excellent fish restaurants around. The resort, over the years, has built an outstanding reputation for its friendly staff and excellent service they provide. Another reason why so many people head to Crocodile Bay is, of course, for fishing. Especially for the run of Sailfish. Each year multiple catches per day are very common. The fishing is good in this part of the Pacific Ocean due to the upwelling. The reason is the offshore winds to the north and south that moves baitfish into the area—creating a flat calm ocean, perfect for a day afloat searching for your chosen species.
The fishing on offer at Crocodile Bay is varied and appeals to many different fishing types, from fly fishers to lure anglers. Offshore fishing offers many other options, including trolling big Marlin lures and rigged baits for the Billfish. While fishing offshore, you will come across vast shoals of Tuna and Dorado. You catch them either with lures or by fly fishing and the standard trolling.
Please read through some of our previous Crocodile Bay Fishing Reports to get a good insight into the fishery.
The Billfish caught at the Fishing Resort is mainly Blue Marlin averaging around 300lb. The Sailfish average around 70lb, with some going over the 100lb bracket. The Tuna you can target is mainly the Yellowfin Tuna which average between 20–50lb with the odd 100lb gracing the boats each week.
The inshore fishing is also varied and world-class, with options to throw poppers at feeding Roosters, vertical jig for giant Amber Jacks and Cubera Snappers to fly fishing for surface feeding species. Roosters average 25lb, but there is always a chance of a huge one approaching the 100lb bracket, a real fish of a lifetime.
The boats will cruise the surf line looking for fish-holding areas; make sure you are ready to go as the captain will spot fish feeding and call out to make a cast. You can use baitfish with the more standard trolling tactic to attach the lines to the outriggers and troll at a slow speed. This style is very productive and sometimes will trick the wariest of fish.
The fleet of vessels at Crocodile Bay Fishing Resort ranges from the 24′ centre console Boston Whalers to their luxury 33′ and 35′ tower boats. All boats are kept up to a very high standard and equipped with the most modern fish finding equipment, VHF radios, and of course, the high-quality fishing tackle free for you to use. Visit our YouTube Channel to explore more of our Big Game fishing holidays.
The boats we use on the hosted trip are the luxury Strike 33′ or 35′ boats. These will give the anglers more room to manoeuvre when the strike happens. The boats do not have fighting chairs but have plenty of space at the stern so you can stand toe to toe with the fish, giving you the true feeling of the power some of these fish have. All boats come equipped with a toilet, an area to relax, and plenty of food and drink on board.
If you would like to popper or lure fish, you can bring your equipment with you. We can offer you updated lists of the lure, poppers and other tackle that you will require. This method of fishing is very productive in Costa Rica, and the results can be advantageous. The main area where lure fishing is successful is inshore fishing over shallower waters. You can still lure fish offshore for the Tuna and Dorado, and it is a tremendous amount of fun when you find a large shoal of either Tuna or Dorado.
On the larger boats (upgrade to Strike 33ft), you will get a captain and a deckhand to ensure that you have the best experience, whilst on the Boston Whalers, it will be you and a captain. The Boston Whalers will require you to be a little more hands-on with setting the rods out, striking fish, and sometimes even keeping the boat moving whilst your captain sorts the rods out or helps land your fish of a lifetime.
Crocodile Bay Fishing Resort is also known for its unique eco-tours on offer. The list is endless, from zip-lining through the rainforest, evening guided insect walks, paddleboard trips, whale watching excursions, bird spotting tours, the list goes on. So if you are travelling with your non-angling partner or want to add a few days to the hosted trip to take advantage of the eco-tours, we can easily arrange this.
For 2023 Crocodile Bay has undertaken a vast accommodation upgrade creating its new Botánika resort, combining an incredible blend of luxury accommodations and amenities. Offering guests the chance to visit a region so teeming with wildlife that National Geographic called it “the most biologically intense place on earth”.
Botánika’s resort experience and amenities centre around its unparalleled access to the rainforest, offering a range of adventure activities, a lagoon-style pool, an oversized fitness centre, and an array of beautiful nature trails. With the Pacific Ocean on one side and Corcovado National Park on the other, the resort will offer guests a variety of eco-adventures and premier fishing from Crocodile Bay Marina.
The resort’s organic architecture and interiors blur the lines between outdoors and in. With well-appointed studio, 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom accommodations offering casual comfort and panoramic vistas, creating your retreat in paradise. Each room at Botánika is carefully crafted with you in mind using natural materials and a warm-modern aesthetic.
GUEST ROOM – 2 QUEENS
Rest and recover by night in your 446-square-foot room featuring double Serta Sweet Dreams queen beds, a 55-inch television, high-speed Wifi, a luxurious shower, cool air conditioning and more – all hot commodities in the jungle!
1-BEDROOM SUITE 1 KING
This 944-square-foot or 956-square-foot one-bedroom suite features a Serta Sweet Dreams king bed, a 55-inch television, high-speed Wifi, a luxurious shower and cool air conditioning.
2-BEDROOMS 1 KING/1 QUEEN
Are you travelling with friends or family? This 1,405-square-foot two-bedroom suite features an expansive terrace, two Serta Sweet Dreams king beds, a 55-inch television, high-speed Wifi, a luxurious shower, cool air conditioning and more.
3-BEDROOM SUITE 2 KINGS/2 QUEENS
Are you travelling with even more friends or family? Rest and recover by night in your spacious 1,851-square-foot three-bedroom suite with an expansive terrace featuring two Serta Sweet Dreams king and two queen beds, a 55-inch television, high-speed Wifi, a luxurious shower, cool air conditioning and more.
The new resort offers a range of dining opportunities, from the flagship Tierra a la Mesa to the Driza Bar & Grill to the Becrá Lounge and the Babánca Wine Bar.
TIERRA A LA MESA
Sustainably sourced from the surrounding land and sea, the authentic flavours of Costa Rica come to life at Tierra a la Mesa, Botánika’s flagship dining experience. The restaurant supports local farms while showcasing traditional and innovative land-to-table and fresh seafood dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whether you’re dining indoors or outside, Tierra a la Mesa pulls the outdoors in through organic materials and an earthy colour palette, creating an exquisite culinary destination that melds nature and civilization.
DRIZA BAR & GRILL
Named after the rope that hoists up sails on a sailboat, Driza Bar & Grill invites guests to unwind with fresh fruit juice, local craft beers and exotic cocktails mixed with Costa Rican flair. Enjoy a modern bar menu including tapas, ceviche, Peruvian-style “tiraditos,” healthy fresh salads, and the best burgers in town, all set against the open, airy backdrop of the lagoon-style pool and a soundtrack of sunset DJ sessions.
BECRÁ LOUNGE
Located off the lobby, Becrá Lounge allows guests to grab and go in a more casual setting. Sip Costa Rica’s world-famous coffee. Satisfy your sweet tooth with the pastry chef’s creations. Curb your appetite with homemade sandwiches. And quench your thirst with exotic fresh fruit juices. Becrá, meaning hideout, promises you can leave your worries at the door.
BABÁNCA WINE BAR
Located in the lobby, Babánca adds to the refined atmosphere of The Clubhouse with sweet and savory culinary offerings that will delight the palate. Enjoy local chocolate samplings, coffee and scotch tastings, and wine tastings from around the world with visiting vineyards, and local and imported cheese and charcuterie pairings. Babánca, which means to exchange, is the perfect place to connect and mingle with others.
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Please note that depending on what international airport you depart from, travel to this destination may involve an overnight flight and/or an overnight hotel.
Once flights are available, your itinerary will be finalised.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive San Jose
Once you land in San Jose and collected your luggage, the group will then meet outside the terminal where there will be a representative from Crocodile Bay waiting to transfer the group to the overnight hotel. (transfer approx. 15 minutes)
The rest of the evening is free to relax at the hotel. If you want to go out for something to eat this evening there is a wonderful Argentinian Steak house opposite the hotel and well worth visiting.
Overnight accommodation: The Doubletree (Twin room) B/B
Early in the morning the group will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the small internal airport for a 6 am flight. This flight is only 45minutes long and the views you get are out of this world.
Once you have landed at the local airstrip there will be a minibus waiting to transfer everyone to the hotel (transfer approx. 5mins) where you will be greeted by the house staff with freshly made cocktails (either alcoholic or non). After the very quick briefing, you will be escorted through to the breakfast hall for a good meal.
After this everyone will make their way down to the boats for the first inshore fishing day targeting Roosters and any other inshore species you would like to catch. A little tip on this day, when you are at the hotel in Costa Rica make sure you travel to the resort in your fishing clothes as this saves time when you want to go out fishing.
Overnight accommodation: Crocodile Bay Lodge Suites (Twin room) F/B
Over the next four days, you will get to fish a mixture of inshore and offshore. Using many different methods. Even though all fishing tackle is included you can bring your own if you wish and choose to popper or jig fish.
Overnight accommodation: Crocodile Bay Lodge Suites (Twin room) F/B
Later in the day, you will be taken back to the local airstrip for a short flight back to San Jose where you will be picked up at taken back to the DoubleTree Hotel.
Overnight accommodation: The Doubletree Cariari By Hilton (Twin room) B/B
The morning will be free to relax around the pool before your return international flight. The host will let you know what time to be at the reception for the transfer back to the airport
Depart San Jose
Arrive Home
Please note that depending on what international airport you wish to return to, travel from this destination may involve an overnight flight and/or an overnight hotel. Once flights are available, your itinerary will be finalised.
The season runs from November to April.
Season: All Year
Peak: February to April
Weight: 70lb to 140lb
Average Weight: 75lb
Season: July to April
Peak: November to December & March to April
Weight: 200lb to 400lb
Average Weight: 250lb
Season: All Year
Peak: All Year
Weight: 5lb to 80lb
Average Weight: 30lb
Season: All Year
Peak: July to August & November to December
Weight: 10lb to 300lb
Average Weight: 30lb
Season: All Year
Peak: January to May & November to December
Weight: 5lb to 70lb
Average Weight: 20lb
As this is a hosted holiday there are no supplements for travelling alone. If you wish to take a non-angler then please contact a member of the Sportquest Holidays team who will organise a price for the non-angler.
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2025 | 31/12/2025 | 8 | Enquire for prices and availability | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on twin rooms for accommodation and two anglers per boat on the Boston Whaler Outrage 24ft (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharges.
Thanks for arranging such a great hosted trip for now on Crocodile Bay Resort is my favorite place for fishing, enjoying nature, and just plain relaxing in Costa Rica.
Accommodations, meals, and service are first class, and the setting is a tropical paradise.
I can’t wait to go back again.
Mark, it was a pleasure trust me it was.
I have e-mailed you some dates for next year.
Sportquest thank you for such an amazing trip.
The sailfish, Marlin and Roosterfish fishing was of the charts.
The lodge is idilic and a real home from home. I would love to return and next time I will bring the whole family as they will also love it.
Thanks again Martin
Martin,
Thanks for choosing Sportquest Holidays as we do know you have a choice. So glad you loved the trip as it was a pleasure having you.
You are correct the resort is very family friendly as there is so much else to do apart from the fishing, perhaps next time you need two weeks.
Tight lines
Just returned from another hosted trip with Sportquest. This time I joined a group to the famous Crocodile Bay and it did not disappoint in anyway.
First class operation, fishing, boats and guides.
The accommodation and resort is suitable for both anglers and non anglers, which was a real bonus (As I would sleep on the beach if the fishing was good enough)
Thank Sportquest another successful trip.
It was great to have you back on another hosted trip. Lets hope we can keep you interested with lost of different destinations as we have lots of hosted trips you can work your way through.
Talk soon :)
Top class fishing resort, friendly, luxurious, great food.
Fishing was a little tough inshore but by the end of the week the offshore fishing was excellent with 12 Sailfish caught and released and many more raised to the teasers. All equipment was first class and the crew were friendly, knowledgeable and spoke decent English.
On top of this was the stunning scenery and wildlife, even just around the resort.
Highly recommended!
Thanks for your feedback form. Glad you guys loved the place, it is truly one of those places in the world that you will want to return to year after year.
Shame the fishing was a little tough but still you had some good Sails in the end.
Where is next for you guys?
Once again thanks for choosing Sportquest to take care of your adventure.
All the best
Paul
The hotel was excellent and the staff helpful and very friendly. Boat crew were efficient and good at their job while being friendly on long days. The fishing was the best bit, especially catching my Sailfish. The flight was long, but Business class makes it better. Internal flight is turbulent over the mountains, be prepared!
I will go back to get the Marlin soon!
Hi Malcolm, thank you so much for taking the time to fill out your feed back form. I totally agree with all you have said and it was a pleasure to have been there when you caught your Sailfish, sorry we couldn't get you your Marlin, maybe next time.
Crocodile Bay is an awesome destination and one that always pleases people who stay there.
All the best and hopefully will see you again
Paul Stevens
The standard of fishing boats varies. Some are faster and more comfortable than others. Try and get a good one.
Hello Robert, thanks for your feedback form. Yes there did seem to be a difference in boats. We have made a mental note of the faster boats and will request them next time.
All the best and see you soon
Paul
Catching a Sailfish was the most memorable part for me. Travelling was not as bad as I feared.
Sportquest seems to have the answers to any queries any reasonable angler could ask.
I enjoyed my trip, now for the Andamans!
Hi Geoff, thank you so much for taking the time out to fill your feed back form. It was a pleasure to have been there when you caught your Sailfish, they are awesome creatures. Hopefully you liked the pictures.
Andaman will be here sooner than you think
All the best and thank you so much for my wine
Paul
The boats were comfortable and the time would have allowed one more days fishing.
The fishing was good and the weather was mostly good.
Hi John, thanks for your feedback and a massive well done on your huge Rooster fish, what a fight and what a fish.
The only reason why we couldnt have another days fishing is because the small internal flight sometimes has delays and as its a very small fleet of planes we have to allow plenty of time just in case a plane breaks down and we are late getting back to Costa Rica.
Look forward to seeing you again soon
All the best Paul
Just Brilliant. Crocodile Bay is a great location, even for a non angler! Excellent accommodation and food. Staff were very friendly and helpful.
The eco tours arranged by Crocodile Bay were excellent and I had the opportunity to see some of the beautiful wildlife in Costa Rica.
Hi Jane, it was real pleasure to finally meet you. Kev speaks very highly of you! So glad you loved the place, it is one of my personal favourites and enjoy every trip there. There is just something about the place, its friendly atmosphere, its fine food, the wildlife, the fishing, I can not quite put my finger on it...... just feels so relaxing.
And also, thank you for your feedback
I had a ball. If I had landed everything I hooked it would of been out of this world. Never the less six new species caught plus new PB Dorado. Fauna and Flora outstanding too. I would definitely go Back!
Hi Kev, thank you for your feedback. I am glad you loved your first visit to Crocodile Bay the location is out of this world. Plus the fishing is world class. It was a pleasure to have been there when you caught that Dorado.... all the ones you had were huge! Shame about the Marlin falling off maybe next time
All the best
All very enjoyable. Resort good, food good as was the service.
Fishing ok, not a great variety of species and long distances to the fishing grounds. Beautiful location and superb bird life.
Hello John, glad you liked the location it truly is stunning. When you spend most of the time offshore there are not many species available, shame you didnt connect with one of the billfish family!
All the best
First rate trip all round!
Fishing guide + boat crew beyond expectations. Avoid duty free at San Jose (rip off)
Special mention for Paul, for whom nothing was too much trouble
Thanks again
Hello David, so glad you loved the trip and it exceeded your expectations. It is a wonderful place and somewhere all anglers should visit.
Well done on all your fish you had a great weeks fishing.
All the best and hopefully get to fish with again
Great holiday with excellent service & food at the lodge. Boats of a good standard. Offshore grounds quite a journey out however better to spend travelling to be on the fish. Would like to go back in the Sailfish season.
Hi Steve, really good to finally meet you after so many years. Glad you loved the place and well done on your 13th Marlin!! And boy did you get that in quick.
Like you say it is better to spend time getting to the fish rather than fishing closer to land for no fish.
You are all booked on for next years Sailfish trip (February is peak time for them)
All the best
Paul was an extremely friendly and amiable guide. He kept calm when the rare mishap occurred such as a lost passport, which he found under a computer keyboard on the checking desk. Great holiday thanks
Hi Kathleen, it was a great pleasure to have met you guys finally after the many years of helping you on your adventures and will see you again next February for a return visit.
All the best and thank you for your kind words
I was lucky enough to be able to go to Costa Rica last December. What a wonderful place to go to, the fishing was a bit on the slow side but I was lucky enough to get my big blue marlin and see one of the biggest Dorado you will ever see! It was about 90to 100lb, well done Bob. Thank you Sportquest, I will never forget this trip.
Hello Martin,
It was a real pleasure to have fished with you and a super big well done for catching that Blue, I know how much it meant to you. Yes the Dorado was a monster and I am sure it was one of the biggest caught.
All the best Martin and hopefully I will get to fish with you again one year
Tight lines Paul
Our first time big game fishing so after talking to you we decided to opt for a hosted trip.
Our host was Peter from Sportquest and we are so glad that we listened.
Peter took very good care of us from departing the UK until we all returned.
Perfect location, top class fishing and very well run from start to finish. Can not find a single fault.
Roger, thank you for your kind words, it was a pleasure looking after everyone and something I also enjoyed as it was a great group of people, which makes my job much easier.
I hope to get to share some fishing with you again someday soon.
Both my husband & I joined one of Sportquest's hosted trips, as first time big game anglers we were very unsure about both what to expect and what to do.
We did not need to worry as Peter our host and owner of SQH took such good care of us. I really appreciated having him in the boat the day I found myself connected to a Blue Marlin. His instructions on what to do and how to play the fish made a great help and kept me both confident but also calm.
The lodge and our room was stunning, the staff also need a mention as nothing is too much for them. The girls in the restaurant and bars are a real asset to the resort.
I am sure that we have both been bitten by the bug and are already planning to return.
If you have ever wanted to try big game fishing just ask Sportquest.
Christine / Paul
Thank you for such a nice review and your kind words. It was a pleasure in having you both on one of our trips.
Christine, you did an amazing job of playing that Marlin, it was all your hard work with only a few words from me.
Looking forward to all the pictures, I will share the rest of the group pictures with you once they are all in.
Tight lines
Had a very enjoyed week at Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica. Well organised transfers and airport hotel, good resort, very friendly staff, OK food.
Paul Stevens who accompanied us on the trip was very helpful and concerned for our happiness.
As first-time "big game" fishermen and first-time Sportquest customers, I was surprised at how little introduction and induction there was (i.e. none), especially given the high cost of the trip.
When we arrived at Crocodile Bay, we had breakfast and were put on a boat at 8.30 am and while motoring out were told the absolute basics of what was going to happen. There was no explanation before we set off (or even any time pre- or post-booking) that these would be 9-hour boating days starting at 6.30 am. There was no explanation for us beginners of the fishing techniques to be used for different fish, how to handle the rods and lines, nor what to expect in the lucky event that a fish might be caught.
You should produce some videos to explain all of this so customers can learn before going on a trip. You should have an organised land-based induction/introduction program at the resort, and also on-board tuition.
For the high cost, it is not enough to let the deck-hand explain to us in broken English what to do.
After 3 relatively fruitless fishing days, Paul arranged for us to switch boat to a different captain. While this yielded a marginally better result (3 fish rather than 2!), it alerted us to the fact that our first boat had been very poorly equipped - it had few rods and perhaps more crucially given 9 hours on the boat, no chairs that had a backrest (the second boat did have them).
So it feels like we were short-changed with our first assigned boat and captain. Again, for the money, not good.
Hello Richard, was a real pleasure to have met you and Andrew and thank you for your feedback. This information is very helpful for future travellers.
I understand what you are talking about, it is a big rush when we arrive at the resort as we fish the first day. I have tried to add a spare day when we arrive at the resort so everyone has the chance to settle in and this is when I use to give the introduction but doing this creates a problem at the end of the holiday as we miss the direct London flight. Having this extra day at the resort makes us miss this return direct flight and forces us to have another 4 days at the resort to catch the direct flight. Running the trip the way we do, is purely down to our customers asking for this length of itinerary. It is a very good idea regarding a short video on an introduction for newcomers and something I will mention to our media team.
With regards to the boats and skippers, yes they do vary and we get allocated the boats and skippers when we arrive. I shall make a note to reserve certain captains next time. I am sorry the fishing wasn't on form and hopefully if you decide to use us next time for your adventure we can make up for it.
All the best Paul
Crocodile Bay is a great venue and a nice group of people well led by the Sportquest guide, however the fishing was very poor with only 2 fish caught by myself and 1 lost near the boat, scant reward for the cost and effort of getting to Costa Rica.
Hi Glenn, thank you so much for your feedback. Glad you liked the trip and the group. Such a shame about fishing, as it can be very good. I have never witnessed it being so hot there before and the water temps were very high. I know these are fishermen excuses but it was very tough going.
Norway next Glenn
All the best, Paul
The holiday in general was superb. Well organised with great company.
The lodge was also very good, comfortable, and clean with lovely staff.
Travel to and from the destination was better than I expected, the stop over hotel again very good.
The fishing was as fishing is. We had to work hard but we achieved our targets.
My only opinion is I would have preferred two anglers per boat.
I would definitely go again, great time.
Hi Paul, thanks for taking the time to send us your feedback. It was great to take you and Alison out to Costa Rica and so glad you guys liked it. Shame the fishing was tough but it must have been something to dow ith the high temps and high water temps. Next time!!
I may be looking at putting back to November each year as I find the fishing a little more varied and also will consider two anglers per boat. All the best
Paul
Peter just a quick thank you for taking good care of us all on the trip.
The whole experience was amazing, lots of action with sailfish and Tuna,
The lodge and staff are a real credit to the whole trip, nothing was to much trouble for anyone.
We would love to return in a couple of years time, as I have some unfenced business with that Blue Marlin.
George, you are welcome as always it was good to have you all on the trip.
The fishing was very kind to us so I hope to see you all again soon (Next year maybe?)
