Central PacificPrivate fishing charters • 7 Pacific coast locations
Fish species · Offshore
Dorado & Mahi-Mahi Fishing in Costa Rica
Electric green and gold, fast, acrobatic and one of the best-eating fish in the ocean. Dorado — also called mahi-mahi or dolphinfish — are a favorite on Costa Rica’s offshore charters. Here’s when and where to find them.
- Peak: green season
- Fast growing & plentiful
- Great for all anglers
- Excellent table fare
Coryphaena hippurusScientific name
10–40+ lbTypical Costa Rica fish
May – NovBest months
Keep someDelicious to eat
Meet the fish
The most colorful fish in the ocean
Few fish are as striking as a dorado in the water: neon green and blue on the back, bright yellow on the sides and scattered with electric spots. Those colors flash and change as the fish fights — and fade quickly once it’s out of the water.
The three names all mean the same fish: dorado (Spanish for “golden”), mahi-mahi (Hawaiian for “strong-strong”) and dolphinfish — no relation to dolphins. Males, called bulls, have a tall, blunt forehead, while females (cows) have a rounder head.
Dorado grow incredibly fast and live only a few years, so populations stay healthy. In Costa Rica most fish run 10 to 40 lb, and big bulls over 50 lb are caught every season.
Brilliant colors
Jumps & fast runs
Often in schools
Excellent to eat
When to go
Mahi-mahi season in Costa Rica
Dorado show up all year, but rain and floating debris drive the best bites.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Green season | May – November | Rain washes logs and debris offshore, creating floating structure that holds big schools of dorado. |
| Dry season | December – April | Mahi-mahi mixed in with sailfish on offshore trips, with good numbers in some years. |
| Offshore FADs | Year-round | FADs off Quepos and Golfito hold dorado alongside yellowfin tuna and wahoo. |
| Weed lines & current edges | Year-round | Captains search for color changes and floating weed where bait and dorado gather. |
Where to fish
Top mahi-mahi locations
Dorado are found offshore along the whole Pacific coast — pick the port closest to you.
Central Pacific
Central PacificLuxury yachts
Los Sueños Marina
Fast sportfishers that cover water to find floating debris and weed lines holding dorado.
Central Pacific
South PacificRemote waters
Golfito
Uncrowded offshore water and long-range FAD trips with plenty of dorado in the mix.
North PacificGuanacaste
Flamingo
Quick runs from Marina Flamingo to offshore currents where dorado feed.
North PacificGuanacaste
Tamarindo
Full-day offshore trips from Tamarindo that often bring dorado home for dinner.
Want to catch mahi-mahi?
Tell us your dates and hotel — we’ll recommend the best port and boat for dorado.
How it’s done
How crews find and catch dorado
Find something floating and you’ll often find mahi-mahi.
Read the water
Floating Structure
Logs, palm fronds, weed lines and FADs give dorado shade and bait. Captains run the edges looking for any floating debris.
Cover ground
Trolling
Small lures and rigged ballyhoo trolled through the spread catch dorado along with sailfish and tuna on the same pass.
The pro trick
Keep One in the Water
Leave a hooked dorado in the water and the rest of the school follows — then pitch baits or cast lures for multiple hookups.
Gear & table fare
Fun to catch, better to eat
Dorado are perfect on 20 to 30-lb class tackle or light spinning gear, which lets you enjoy every jump. Around schools, casting lures or a fly can be fantastic fun.
Mahi-mahi is one of the best-eating fish in the sea — mild, sweet and flaky. You can keep some for dinner, and many local restaurants will cook your catch that night. We encourage keeping only what your group will eat and releasing smaller fish.
Light tackle friendly
Great on spinning & fly
Cook-your-catch dinners
Release the small ones
Tips for your trip
How to get the most from a mahi-mahi day
1Fish the green seasonFrom May to November, floating debris and weed lines hold the biggest schools.
2Watch for colorA lit-up dorado behind the boat means it’s ready to eat — tell the mate right away.
3Plan dinnerAsk your hotel or a local restaurant to cook your mahi-mahi fresh that night.
Mahi-mahi photos
Dorado in Costa Rica
More species
Other fish you can catch
Mahi-mahi FAQ
Questions about dorado fishing
Are dorado, mahi-mahi and dolphinfish the same fish?
Yes. Dorado (Spanish), mahi-mahi (Hawaiian) and dolphinfish are all names for the same species, Coryphaena hippurus. It’s not related to dolphins.
When is the best time to catch mahi-mahi in Costa Rica?
Mahi-mahi are caught year-round, but the green season from May to November is usually best, when rain washes floating debris offshore and big schools gather around it.
Where is the best place to catch mahi-mahi?
Quepos is popular thanks to its offshore FADs, and Los Sueños, Jacó, Flamingo, Tamarindo and Golfito all produce dorado on offshore trips.
How big do mahi-mahi get in Costa Rica?
Most fish weigh 10 to 40 lb. Large bulls over 50 lb are caught each season.
Can I keep the mahi-mahi I catch?
Yes. Mahi-mahi can be kept for eating and are delicious. We encourage keeping only what your group will eat and releasing smaller fish.
Ready to catch mahi-mahi?
Send us your dates, group size and where you’re staying — we’ll match you with the best offshore boat.