If you know, you know. You’re relaxing on peaceful waters, watching the fish finder, enjoying the sights, and hoping for a strike. Then, cutting through the quiet comes the noise you’ve been waiting for: the screech of your reel. You race to the edge of the boat, ready to fight the force of a giant fish. This is deep-sea fishing Hawaii.
It’s the ultimate experience for outdoors enthusiasts and a valued practice in Hawaiian culture.
But it’s not for everyone. Lots of people don’t understand the thrill of it. But for those who do – for those who live for that moment when you get a strike – Hawaii is one of the best places for deep-sea fishing.
Deep Sea Fishing Hawaii Quick Facts
Hawaii is a really fun place to fish, but there are some things you’ll want to know before you book a trip. Here is some info for you:
Islands Where You Can Deep Sea Fish
You can deep-sea fish while vacationing on any of the Hawaiian islands, including Molokai and Lanai.
Cost of Hawaii Deep Sea Fishing
The cost of Hawaii deep sea fishing varies based on the island, experience, and company you book with. In general, you’ll pay around $300 – $400 per person on a shared charter, or a private charter will be about $1500 for your group. You’ll also want to budget for the crew’s gratuity – about 20% is standard.
The Catch
Most fishing excursions will allow you to keep all or most of your catch, and many will also filet the fish for you.
Time of Year
Fish are active in Hawaii throughout the year, though you may have the best luck in summer and fall. Sometimes, shared charters will get canceled during the tourist off-season if there aren’t enough bookings to fill up the boat.

Is Hawaii Deep Sea Fishing Worth It?
Deep Sea Fishing isn’t the cheapest thing to do in Hawaii, but you get a lot of time on the water for the price, plus the thrill of catching big fish that you can eat. And when you consider the cost of fish in Hawaii, you get some of the value back (as long as you reel something in!).
If you’re an avid sportsman, you’ll likely find a Hawaii Deep Sea fishing charter worth it.
When searching for the best deep sea fishing in Hawaii, look for a company that lets you keep your catch. Usually, they’ll send you home with a certain number of pounds. Or, if you’re on a shared charter, you’ll split the group’s bounty.
“Will I Catch Anything?”
If you’re a real ocean hunter, one big question could determine if Hawaii deep sea fishing is worth it: will you catch anything?
Honestly, maybe not. That’s just how fishing goes.
Very few charters in Hawaii offer any kind of guarantee that you’ll reel in any fish (you may find a company that will offer a small refund if you don’t catch anything). Fishing is just so hit-or-miss that you could spend all day on the boat and not get a single strike.
But chances are good that you may get a strike. Or, even better, a catch. The best Hawaii deep sea fishing captains are experts at their sports. They are out on the water nearly every day. They know the best spots, ideal timing, and strategies for securing a catch.
They also have the best equipment: high-tech fish finders, an array of rigs for different catches, hooks of all sizes, coolers, and everything you need to get a trophy fish.

Deep Sea Fishing Hawaii: Beginner Friendly, an Expert’s Dream
The great thing about deep sea fishing in Hawaii is that nearly everyone can enjoy it, whether you’re an experienced angler or a complete newbie. And, even if you feel like an expert, you’ll be in for a totally new experience once you’re in Hawaii’s waters.
The ocean here is different than you’ll find in other destinations, and Hawaii has its own set of rules and best practices that you’ll want to follow. So, almost any visitor who goes deep sea fishing in Hawaii is a beginner in some way.
And, if you approach your expedition with an eagerness to learn and an openness to our unique marine system, you’ll be in for one of your biggest adventures.
Kid-Friendly Fishing?
Above, we said that deep sea fishing is excellent for nearly everyone. One demographic that may need to skip this one out? Small children. Even preteens and teens can get a little bored waiting for a strike. But, if your kids have enjoyed fishing in the past, they could have a great time on Hawaii’s waters.
We say around 10 years old is a suitable threshold for taking your kid along. And if they have difficulty sitting still, you may want to wait even longer.
Some charters have a minimum age, so check on that before booking a spot for your young angler.
If you have young children who may not be up for a full day of fishing, consider a private charter. As the only group on the boat, you can set the pace. Many captains know great places to swim, snorkel, or whale-watch, so you don’t have to spend the entire day trolling for fish.
Hawaii’s Fish

Many of the fish that live in Hawaii’s deep waters are delicious, and you’ll probably recognize them from menus if you’re eating at any restaurants around the islands. They also are excellent trophy fish thanks to their large size and beautiful features.
Here are some of the common catches you might encounter when you’re fishing in Hawaii:
Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna)
A yellowfin tuna (called Ahi in Hawaii) could weigh more than 100 pounds and put up an admirable fight when you get a bite. Ahi is sought after because of its flavorful meat that’s delicious raw, seared, or cooked through.
Mahi Mahi
Mahi shows up a lot in Hawaiian cuisine and is a popular pick for Hawaii visitors who are eating out. The meat is flakey and light, but firm enough to be filling. Your Mahi may weigh around 15 pounds. Try coating it with local macadamia nuts and frying it up.
Blue Marlin
The blue marlin put up a hefty fight, too. And if you’re lucky enough to reel one in, you’ll have a beautiful prize. Marlin has a dense, fatty texture with a mild flavor.
Ono (Wahoo)
Ono means delicious in Hawaiian, so you know you’ve reeled in a tasty catch. This is a white, flakey fish with a mild flavor, similar to mahi. The Ono you catch while deep sea fishing in Hawaii will likely weigh around 25 pounds or less, but they’re fast swimmers, making them a thrilling catch.
Aku (Skipjack Tuna)
The Skipjack Tuna may be “the one that got away.” Their soft jaws mean it’s hard to get a good hook on them and reel them in. It may be for the best anyway, as there are other, far tastier, fish in the sea.
The Best Deep Sea Fishing in Hawaii
Like we mentioned, you can go deep-sea fishing on nearly any island. But the ultimate place for a big catch and a thrilling day on the water is off the Kona coast on the Big Island. The ocean gets deep close to shore, and huge Marlin lurk in its depths.
So, if you’re going to Hawaii for the sole purpose of deep sea fishing, book your vacation in Kona.
If you’re vacationing on other islands, you still can have a great day fishing. Here are other hotspots with the best deep sea fishing Hawaii offers:
- The southern coast of Maui, departing from Lahaina or Maalaea
- On Oahu, many anglers frequent the waters near Kaena Point, but the southern coast near Waikiki can have good fish, too.
- The sharp drop-off near Kauai’s cliffs means you can find many great fish near shore. Charters will go out anywhere around the north, east, and south coasts of Kauai.
Deep Sea Fishing During Your Hawaii Vacation

What do you think? Is deep sea fishing your next Hawaii activity? Whether you’re an avid outdoor sportsperson or a newbie to the rod and reel, you could have a great time vying for your own fresh catch.
And, if you want to enjoy the best deep sea fishing Hawaii offers, you’ll want to work with an experienced travel agent who knows all the best charters. We can help you pick the right trip based on your unique needs. Here are some things we’ll consider when booking your deep sea fishing charter in Hawaii:
- Are you bringing along children?
- Have you been deep sea fishing before?
- Do you want to spend the entire time trolling and waiting for a bite, or do you also want to swim, snorkel, and sightsee?
- Do you want the entire boat to yourself, or would you be ok with a shared charter?
So get in touch with Hawaii Aloha Travel today to set up your excursion. We can plan a complete vacation around an angling adventure, or make it part of a trip with all different experiences. No matter what, you’re in for a reel-y good time!