| Operator | Boat | Trip length | Price | Leaves from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driftwood Fishing Charters | 35-ft twin-engine tournament-rigged yacht | Half day or full day, daily 8 am to 5 pm | $480 to $960 | Renaissance Marina, L.G. Smith Blvd 9, Oranjestad |
| Aruba Mahi Mahi Fishing | Two 42-ft Hatteras (Mahimahi, Kepasa) and a 54-ft Bertram (Seaiesta, air conditioned) | 4, 6 or 8 hours | Not published; "Check Rates" | Seaport Marina, downtown Oranjestad, near Renaissance Marketplace |
| Viator deep sea fishing trip | See the listing | See the listing | See the listing | See the listing |
The Viator trip is rated 4.2 out of 5 from 113 reviews (read 7 November 2026).
What you can catch
Driftwood says it fishes for everything: barracuda, tuna, wahoo and king fish, up to sharks, sailfish and marlins. Aruba Mahi Mahi Fishing says only that it aims to bring back the catch of the day. The tourism board also lists other charter names, including Carla Fishing Charters, Natasha Sport Fishing, Ola Sport Fishing Aruba and Teaser Charters; their prices are on their own pages.
How to choose a trip
- Short on time: the 4-hour trip with Aruba Mahi Mahi Fishing leaves the most of the day free.
- Chasing big fish: the full-day Driftwood charter, priced at the top of its range.
- A group: the tourism board does not say whether the Driftwood range is per boat or per person, and it does not publish the number of guests; ask each operator before you compare prices.
- Comfort: the 54-foot Seaiesta has air conditioning.
The Driftwood listing says its charter boat, Driftwood I, has been in operation for more than 25 years.
Compared with other boat days
A fishing charter is a private trip, not a shared tour. For shared options at lower prices, compare a snorkel sail (see snorkeling tours in Aruba), a sunset sail (see Aruba sunset cruises) or a private boat (see Aruba private boat charters).
Before you book
- Confirm what is included: the tourism board's pages for these two operators do not list bait, tackle, food or drinks.
- Confirm the departure marina: the two operators leave from different marinas in Oranjestad.
- Ask for the cancellation terms in writing, since the tourism board publishes none.
What the listings do not say
The tourism board pages for these two operators give the boat, the trip length and the harbor, but not the number of guests, the tackle, the food and drink, the cancellation terms or the age limits. The Viator listing is a third way in: its price depends on the date and group, and it is rated 4.2 out of 5 from 113 reviews, lower than most boats on this site, so read its description and recent reviews on the listing page before you choose it over a direct charter. Whichever you pick, a deep sea fishing day is the biggest outing on the island by some distance, well beyond the island jeep safari or the snorkel sail priced per person (see Aruba excursions).
Typical mistakes
- Comparing a per-boat price with a per-person tour price.
- Going to the wrong marina: Renaissance Marina and Seaport Marina are different places.
- Booking a Viator trip because of the price alone; its rating is 4.2 from 113 reviews, lower than most tours on this site.
FAQ
How much does a fishing charter cost in Aruba?
From $480 to $960 on the Driftwood; Aruba Mahi Mahi Fishing does not publish prices; the Viator price depends on the date and group.
Where do the charters leave from?
Renaissance Marina (Driftwood) or Seaport Marina near Renaissance Marketplace (Aruba Mahi Mahi Fishing), both in Oranjestad.
How long are the trips?
4, 6 or 8 hours with Aruba Mahi Mahi Fishing; half day or full day with Driftwood.
Where do I stay to be close?
Oranjestad is next to both marinas; see where to stay in Oranjestad.
Aruba Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
