West Palm Beach: Half-Day Deep-Sea Fishing & Rod Rental

You don't need your own gear to catch fish off the Florida coast

You board a Coast Guard-certified vessel with rod and tackle included, fish waters 20 to 40 minutes offshore where dolphins and sea turtles are common, and have your catch filleted before you leave the dock. Two daily departures from Riviera Beach near West Palm Beach require no advance booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Half-day deep-sea fishing excursion

• Arrive at Blue Heron Fleet dock
• Board custom aluminum drift fishing vessel
• Receive fishing rod, reel, bait, tackle
• Depart for prime fishing grounds
• Fish with crew assistance
• Observe birds, sea turtles, dolphins
• Return to dock
• Fillet all legal fish at dock

The experience

Riviera Beach sits about 20 to 40 minutes from the fishing grounds depending on where the catch is running that day, and the Blue Heron Fleet leaves twice daily without requiring a reservation. Everything you need comes with the ticket (rod, reel, bait, tackle, and your fishing license), so you show up and fish. The vessels are custom-built aluminum drift boats that meet Coast Guard regulations, and the cabins have cushioned seating and separate restrooms, which matters more than it sounds when you're out for four or five hours.

The crew knows the difference between someone who fishes every weekend and someone holding a rod for the first time, and they work with both. You're fishing in waters where bottlenose dolphins show up regularly, sea turtles pass through, and the occasional whale shark has been spotted. The boats are the largest in the area, which means they're stable and don't crowd you against other anglers. At the dock afterward, they fillet any legal fish you've caught, so you leave with something to cook or a story, depending on the day.

Blue Heron has been family-owned since 1955 and is now run by the third generation. The fleet specializes in half-day deep-sea fishing trips, but they also take private charters for groups, corporate events, and other occasions if you want to book the boat with people you know. Two departures run daily from Riviera Beach, and you don't need to call ahead. Just show up.

What’s included

• Your half-day trip includes rod, reel, bait, and tackle, plus your fishing license.
• The crew will fillet any legal fish you catch at the dock before you leave.
• The vessel has cushioned cabin seating and clean restrooms.
• Two departures run daily from Riviera Beach, and no advance reservation is required.

Options for this experience

3 options

Morning 8:30-12:30Guide in English · 08:30Tour held in the morning

Afternoon 1:30-5:30 PMGuide in English · 13:30Tour held in the afternoon

Six-hour trip on Friday as a specialGuide in English · 08:30

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day except Tuesday at 08:30 and 13:30, from US$ 80.25 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Tuesday and Friday: 08:30 and 13:30Friday: 08:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 604 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Blue Heron Fishing

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to fish without owning or renting gear, and don't want to plan around a booking window: the twice-daily departures and no-reservation policy mean you can fit it into your day without calling ahead.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's included in the half-day fishing trip?

Rod, reel, bait, tackle, and your fishing license. You don't need to bring or rent gear separately.

How far offshore do you go?

The fishing grounds are 20 to 40 minutes from Riviera Beach by boat, depending on where fish are being caught that day.

Do I need to book in advance?

No. Two half-day departures run daily and no reservations are necessary. You can show up and board.

Are the boats suitable for first-time anglers?

Yes. The crew has experience working with both novice and experienced fishers and helps everyone safely.

What wildlife might I see besides fish?

Bottlenose dolphins are common, sea turtles pass through regularly, and seabirds are frequent. Whale sharks have been spotted in the past.

Are restrooms available on the boat?

Yes. The cabins have separate men's and women's restrooms.