Sámara doesn't have a marina, and that's part of the charm: the fishing boats launch straight off the beach. There's no dock or ramp. At the far end of the bay (toward Hotel Hideaway) you wade into the shallows, step into a small shuttle boat, and it runs you out to the charter. Fine for most people, and worth knowing if anyone in your group has limited mobility. Here's how it works, who we send our own guests to, and when the big fish are here.
Our pick: Gladiator Sportfishing
We send fishing guests to Gladiator Sportfishing, run by our neighbor and friend Captain Simone Passarelli. He's a serious offshore and fly-fishing captain with a small, loyal following of anglers who come back every season, and his boats run inshore and offshore out of Sámara. Trips are private (the boat is yours), with gear, bait, drinks, and snacks included. Villas Dualis guests get 10% off through our link. The booking page shows the regular rate, and the 10% comes off your final payment.
Inshore: the half-day most people should book
Inshore trips work the rocks, river mouths, and beaches close to the coast, casting poppers and jigs or fishing live bait for roosterfish, cubera snapper, jacks, and grouper. It's active fishing with a lot going on, the water is calmer, and you're back for a late lunch. If anyone in your group is new to boats or prone to seasickness, this is the one. There's also a guided shore-fishing day on the rocks and beaches between Sámara and Carrillo, no boat at all.
Offshore: the real thing
Offshore means running 22 to 40 km (14 to 25 miles) out to the drop-offs in front of Sámara for sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna. A half day is 4.5 hours, and six or eight hours gives you more time out there. First time offshore? Gladiator's guide to your first deep-sea trip walks through the day.
What's biting when
The offshore season that matters runs from December through April, when Pacific sailfish, blue, black, and striped marlin, mahi-mahi, and tuna are all within reach of the beach. Roosterfish and snapper are an inshore game most of the year. Gladiator's season usually runs November to August, with a break from mid-May to the end of June. Their month-by-month guide and Costa Rica fishing calendar have the detail. If you're here December to April and offshore fishing is on your list, book before you fly; those are the weeks every serious angler wants.
Not a fisherman?
Gladiator also runs a family trip (light tackle, dolphins, whales in season, beaches, and "nobody has to fish"), a dolphin-and-snorkel outing, and a sunset cruise. For a catamaran version of the sunset, our partner Samara Adventures sails most afternoons. If whales are the goal, see our whale season post.
A few practical notes
Boats leave early (7:30 for the morning trips), so this is a coffee-on-the-terrace-at-6 kind of day. If you get seasick, bring whatever you normally use and follow the label; most need to be taken before you board. Wear a hat and reef-safe sunscreen, and bring a dry bag for the phone. Ask the crew about keeping part of your catch for dinner; a fresh mahi on your own barbecue is a very good night. For the rest of the water options, see Isla Chora and the sample week.
The launch is a 10-minute drive from the villa, so a 7:30 departure is still an easy morning. Check availability at Villas Dualis and book direct, or write us at stay@villasdualis.com and we'll make the introduction.