Ecuador boasts some of the best fishing in Central America. Knowing the best times and seasons to fish in Ecuador helps anglers plan a fishing trip of a lifetime.
The best times to fish in Ecuador are during the warm-water season from December to April for species like marlin and tuna, and the cool-water season from May to November for species like grouper and snapper.
| Month | Ecuador Fishing Location |
| January | Start the year off in the offshore waters of Salinas, targeting the peak of the Black Marlin season. |
| February | Find Sailfish aplenty near San Cristobal Island’s reefs in the Galapagos. |
| March | Try your luck with Snapper on the Esmeraldas coast. |
| April | Manta’s offshore areas are teeming with Blue Marlin. |
| May | Hit the nearshore waters of Santa Elena for abundant Roosterfish. |
| June | Dive into the Machala offshore for Bigeye Tuna. |
| July | The Santa Cruz Island channels in the Galapagos are prime for Wahoo. |
| August | Focus on Floreana Island’s beaches in the Galapagos for Mahi-Mahi. |
| September | The inlets around Manabi are brimming with Snapper. |
| October | Isabela Island’s backcountry waters in the Galapagos host large Jack Crevalle populations. |
| November | Look to the nearshore waters of Esmeraldas for plentiful Grouper. |
| December | End the year on a high note, chasing Yellowfin Tuna off the coast of the Galapagos Islands. |
In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Ecuador. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.
The Galapagos Islands offer year-round fishing opportunities, but for peak game fish activity, including species like marlin, sailfish, and mahi-mahi, the best period is generally from December to June. However, species like wahoo and grouper are more abundant during the cooler months, from May to November.
Marlin: The peak season for marlin, including the striped, blue and black species, is typically from December to April.
Sailfish: While sailfish can be caught year-round in the Galapagos, the prime season tends to be from January to March.
Grouper: Grouper are usually abundant from May to July in the Galapagos.
Wahoo: This fast-swimming species is most plentiful from September to November.
Mahi-Mahi (Dorado): Mahi-Mahi can be caught year-round, but the prime season is usually from December to June.
Tuna (Yellowfin and Bigeye): Tuna are typically abundant all year round, with peaks from May to November.
Snapper: Snapper, including red and cubera snapper, are abundant from May to August.
Tarpon: Tarpon are not typically found in the open waters of the Galapagos. They are more common in the brackish and freshwater areas of mainland Ecuador.
Santa Elena Peninsula Flats: Home to abundant bonefish, the best time to fly fish here is from December to April.
Esmeraldas Mangroves: This location is known for its tarpon, with prime fishing times being from May to November.
Guayas River Estuary: Fly fishers will find snook here, particularly during the warm months from December to April.
Galapagos Islands Shallows: A haven for species like the Pacific Bonito, fly fishing is best from May to November.
Manabi Coastline: Known for its roosterfish, the best time for fly fishing is from December to April.
Machala Flats: These flats offer plenty of snapper, with the best fly fishing times being from May to November.
San Lorenzo Estuaries: This location is renowned for its Jack Crevalle, especially from December to April.
Azuay Highlands Streams: Trout thrive in these cool, high-altitude waters, best fished from May to November.
El Oro River Mouths: Renowned for the Sierra Mackerel, fly fishing here is excellent from December to April.
Santa Cruz Island Flats (Galapagos): This location offers an abundance of bonefish and is best for fly fishing from May to November.
Salinas Bay: Known for its abundant grouper, the best time for fishing in these inshore waters is from May to November.
Esmeraldas Inshore: Inshore waters here are rich with tarpon, best targeted from December to April.
Manta Coastline: Mahi-Mahi are plentiful along this coast, with the prime fishing time being from May to November.
San Cristobal Island (Galapagos) Inshore: This area is famous for its large yellowfin tuna, best caught from December to April.
Santa Elena Inshore: The inshore waters here teem with roosterfish, ideal for fishing from May to November.
Guayaquil Estuaries: Known for the diverse species such as snook, the best time to fish here is from December to April.
Manabi Inshore: This location is home to many snapper, best targeted inshore from May to November.
Azuay Inshore Lakes: Trout thrive in these lakes, making them an excellent location for fishing from December to April.
Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos) Inshore: This location is great for targeting Pacific Bonito, with peak times from May to November.
Machala Inshore: The inshore waters here are rich with Sierra Mackerel, best targeted from December to April.
Salinas Nearshore: Renowned for its Marlin, the best time to fish in these nearshore waters is from December to April.
Esmeraldas Nearshore: Nearshore waters here are abundant with grouper, best targeted from May to November.
Manta Nearshore: Mahi-Mahi are plentiful along this coast, with the best fishing time being from December to April.
Guayaquil Nearshore: Known for its rich population of snook, the best time to fish nearshore here is from May to November.
Manabi Nearshore: These waters are home to large populations of snapper, best targeted from December to April.
Galapagos Islands Nearshore: Here, the waters teem with yellowfin tuna, ideal for fishing from May to November.
Santa Elena Nearshore: This area is famous for its roosterfish, best caught from December to April.
Machala Nearshore: The nearshore waters here are rich with tarpon, best targeted from May to November.
San Cristobal Island (Galapagos) Nearshore: This location offers abundant Pacific Bonito, with peak fishing times from December to April.
Floreana Island (Galapagos) Nearshore: Known for its Sailfish, the best time to fish in these nearshore waters is from May to November.
Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos) Nearshore: This location is great for targeting Wahoo, with peak times from December to April.
Azuay Nearshore Lakes: Trout are abundant in these waters, making them an excellent location for fishing from May to November.
Isabela Island (Galapagos) Nearshore: Here, the nearshore waters are home to large populations of Amberjack, best targeted from December to April.
Santa Isabel Nearshore: This area is famous for its large population of Jack Crevalle, best caught from May to November.
Salinas Offshore: Renowned for its Black Marlin, the peak fishing time in these offshore waters is from December to April.
Manta Offshore: Blue Marlin are abundant in the offshore waters here, best targeted from May to November.
Esmeraldas Offshore: Swordfish are plentiful offshore here, making December to April the prime time for fishing.
Galapagos Islands Offshore: Known for its rich biodiversity, Yellowfin Tuna is especially abundant here and best fished from May to November.
Manabi Offshore: The offshore waters here are home to plentiful Wahoo, best targeted from December to April.
Santa Elena Offshore: This area is famous for Sailfish, with the best fishing times being from May to November.
Machala Offshore: The offshore waters here are rich with Bigeye Tuna, best targeted from December to April.
San Cristobal Island (Galapagos) Offshore: Abundant with Striped Marlin, the peak fishing times are from May to November.
Floreana Island (Galapagos) Offshore: Known for its Mahi-Mahi, the best time to fish in these offshore waters is from December to April.
Santa Cruz Island (Galapagos) Offshore: This location is great for targeting Roosterfish, with peak times from May to November.
Isabela Island (Galapagos) Offshore: Home to large populations of Jack Crevalle, these waters are best fished from December to April.
Fernandina Island (Galapagos) Offshore: Known for its Snapper, the best fishing times in these offshore waters are from May to November.
Santa Isabel Offshore: This area is famous for Cubera Snapper, best caught from December to April.
Genovesa Island (Galapagos) Offshore: This location offers abundant Grouper, with peak fishing times from May to November.
Santiago Island (Galapagos) Offshore: The offshore waters here are rich with Sierra Mackerel, best targeted from December to April.
These Ecuador-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Cowboy Fishing Charters | Ayampe, Ecuador |
The best time for fishing striped marlin in Ecuador is typically from May to November. Early morning or late afternoon is the recommended time of day. Some top locations for striped marlin fishing in Ecuador include the offshore waters near Salinas, the Galapagos Islands, the coastal areas of Manta, and the nearshore regions of Esmeraldas.
The best time for fishing blue marlin in Ecuador is typically from May to November. Early morning or late afternoon is the recommended time of day. Some top locations for blue marlin fishing in Ecuador include the offshore waters near Salinas, the Galapagos Islands, the Manta coastal areas, and the Esmeraldas nearshore regions.
The best time for fishing black marlin in Ecuador is typically from December to April. Early morning or late afternoon is the recommended time of day. Some top locations for black marlin fishing in Ecuador include the offshore waters near Salinas, the Galapagos Islands, the coastal areas of Manta, and the nearshore regions of Esmeraldas.
Fishing for swordfish in Ecuador is best during December to April. Swordfish are often caught at night or during early morning hours. Some top locations for swordfish fishing in Ecuador include the offshore waters near Salinas, the coastal areas of Manta, the Galapagos Islands, and the nearshore regions of Esmeraldas.
The best time to catch wahoo in Ecuador is generally from September to November. It’s ideal to fish during the early morning or late afternoon. Some great locations for wahoo fishing in Ecuador include the offshore waters near Salinas, the coastal areas of Manta, the Galapagos Islands, and the nearshore regions of Esmeraldas.
The best time for fishing yellowfin tuna in Ecuador is generally from May to November. It’s recommended to fish during the early morning or late afternoon. Some top locations for yellowfin tuna fishing in Ecuador include the offshore waters near Salinas, the coastal areas of Manabi, the Galapagos Islands, and the nearshore regions of Esmeraldas.
The best months to catch bigeye tuna in Ecuador are typically from May to November. It is recommended to fish during the early morning or late afternoon for the best chance of success. Some prime locations for bigeye tuna fishing in Ecuador include the offshore waters near Salinas, the Galapagos Islands, the coastal areas of Manabi, and the nearshore regions of Esmeraldas.
The best months for fishing mahi-mahi in Ecuador are generally from December to June. Early morning and late afternoon are great times to fish for them. Some top locations for mahi-mahi fishing in Ecuador include Manta’s coastal waters, the offshore areas near Salinas, the Galapagos Islands, and the coastal regions of Manabi.
The best time to catch sailfish in Ecuador is typically from January to March. It’s ideal to fish for them during the early morning or late afternoon. Some excellent locations for sailfish fishing in Ecuador include the offshore waters near Salinas, the coastal areas of Manta, the Galapagos Islands, and the waters near Santa Elena.
If you’re looking to catch grouper in Ecuador, your best bet is from May to November. Aim to fish during the cooler times, like early morning or late afternoon, at top spots like the offshore waters near Salinas, around the Galapagos Islands, the coastal waters of Manabi, and the nearshore region of Esmeraldas.
Ecuador’s best time to fish for Cubera Snapper is from December to April. Early morning or late afternoon fishing is most successful in areas like the offshore waters of Salinas, the coastal region of Manabi, the nearshore waters of Esmeraldas, and around the Galapagos Islands.
Catching tarpon in Ecuador can be a big adventure, and your best chance is usually between December and April. Try fishing in the early morning or late afternoon in places like the rivers and estuaries near Esmeraldas, the coastal lagoons of Manabi, or the mangrove-lined waters around Guayaquil.
Roosterfish are fun to catch in Ecuador; the best months to find them are between May and November. The early morning or late afternoon are great times to try to catch them in places like the nearshore waters of Salinas, the coastal region of Manabi, the Esmeraldas coast, and around the Galapagos Islands.
If you’re chasing for Jack Crevalle in Ecuador, the best time to catch them is between December and April. Try fishing in the early morning or late afternoon at popular spots like the offshore waters near Salinas, the coastal areas of Manabi, around the Galapagos Islands, and the nearshore waters of Esmeraldas.
The prime months for catching Sierra Mackerel in Ecuador are December through April. Fishing during dawn or dusk will give you the best chance, and you can find these fast swimmers in the offshore waters of Salinas, around the Galapagos Islands, along the Manabi coast, and near Esmeraldas.
Fishing for bonefish in Ecuador is a thrilling adventure, and the best time to do it is from May to November. These fish like to eat in the morning and late afternoon, so that’s the best time to try to catch them. You’ll have the most luck finding bonefish in the flats and backcountry waters near Santa Elena, the shallow areas around Manabi, the coastal waters of Esmeraldas, and even in the Galapagos Islands.
Barracuda are exciting fish to catch and can be found in Ecuador’s waters, especially from December to April. The early morning or late afternoon are the best times to catch them because they usually hunt for food. Some great places to find barracuda in Ecuador are the offshore waters near Salinas, the coastlines of Manabi, nearshore areas around Esmeraldas, and the Galapagos Islands.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Guatemala, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Panama, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Aruba, check out this guide.
