What is a 6-pack fishing charter in San Diego, and what does one cost?
A private boat for up to six anglers. Half-days run about $1,100 to $1,850 for the whole boat; full-day offshore trips about $3,200 to $3,400. Licenses are extra.
- Passengers
- Up to 6
- Half day, private
- $1,100–$1,850
- Full day offshore
- ~$3,200–$3,400
- Shared seat
- From ~$199
Plus captain and crew
Whole boat
Whole boat
Limited-load trips
The short version
- The Coast Guard caps an uninspected charter boat at six paying passengers, which is where the name comes from.
- Private half-days listed at $1,100 to $1,850 for the boat in 2025–26; full-day offshore at $3,175 to $3,400.
- Shared 'limited-load' six-pack trips start around $199 per person.
- A regular half-day party boat costs about $80 per person but carries far more people.
- A one-day California fishing license is $21.09 and usually isn't included.
In San Diego, a "6-pack" is a private sportfishing charter on a boat licensed to carry no more than six passengers. The limit comes from U.S. Coast Guard rules for uninspected vessels: a captain with a six-pack license can take six paying guests plus crew. You book the whole boat, and the trip goes where your group wants.
Three ways to fish offshore from San Diego
| 6-pack private | Limited-load shared | Party (open) boat | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who's aboard | Only your group, 1 to 6 | Up to 6 strangers | Dozens of anglers |
| Typical half-day price | $1,100–$1,850 per boat | From ~$199 per person | ~$80 per person |
| Speed | Fast; reaches offshore spots sooner | Fast | Slower, bigger boat |
| Rail space | Plenty | Plenty | Crowded on busy days |
| Best for | Groups, families, big game | Pairs wanting a small boat | Budget, solo anglers |
6-pack private
- Who's aboard
- Only your group, 1 to 6
- Typical half-day price
- $1,100–$1,850 per boat
- Speed
- Fast; reaches offshore spots sooner
- Rail space
- Plenty
- Best for
- Groups, families, big game
Limited-load shared
- Who's aboard
- Up to 6 strangers
- Typical half-day price
- From ~$199 per person
- Speed
- Fast
- Rail space
- Plenty
- Best for
- Pairs wanting a small boat
Party (open) boat
- Who's aboard
- Dozens of anglers
- Typical half-day price
- ~$80 per person
- Speed
- Slower, bigger boat
- Rail space
- Crowded on busy days
- Best for
- Budget, solo anglers
| Trip | Listed price (whole boat) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 4 hours, local | $1,100 | FishingBooker listing, 2025 |
| Half day (5 hrs) | $1,250 | FishingBooker listing, 2025 |
| Half day | $1,500 | Black Diamond Sportfishing |
| Half day coastal, weekday | $1,850 | Davey's Locker, Blackfish |
| Full day offshore (12 hrs) | $3,175–$3,400 | FishingBooker listings |
| Multi-day (1.5 days) | Up to ~$5,000 | Operator guide |
4 hours, local
- Listed price (whole boat)
- $1,100
- Source
- FishingBooker listing, 2025
Half day (5 hrs)
- Listed price (whole boat)
- $1,250
- Source
- FishingBooker listing, 2025
Half day
- Listed price (whole boat)
- $1,500
- Source
- Black Diamond Sportfishing
Half day coastal, weekday
- Listed price (whole boat)
- $1,850
- Source
- Davey's Locker, Blackfish
Full day offshore (12 hrs)
- Listed price (whole boat)
- $3,175–$3,400
- Source
- FishingBooker listings
Multi-day (1.5 days)
- Listed price (whole boat)
- Up to ~$5,000
- Source
- Operator guide
Operator and booking-site listings checked Nov. 8, 2026. Prices exclude tip, license and card fees (some add 4%).
~$208
Per person, 6 sharing
On a $1,250 half-day
6
Max passengers
Coast Guard limit
$21.09
One-day license
Per angler, 2026
What's included
- Usually: rods and reels, bait, tackle and fish cleaning.
- Sometimes: food, drinks and live bait for offshore trips; ask.
- Rarely: fishing licenses. Every angler 16 and up needs one; buy online or at the landing.
- Never: the crew tip. 15 to 20 percent is standard.
When a 6-pack is worth it
Six-packs shine when you want tuna: they're fast enough to reach offshore fish and back in a day, and you aren't fighting for space at the rail. For bass and yellowtail along the kelp, a $80 half-day party boat is usually enough. Bluefin season runs roughly May to October.
Is this still right?
We last checked this tip against its sources on November 8, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.
Prices, fees, hours and rules change, often at the start of a year or season. Confirm with the official source linked below before you rely on a number.
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.
KEEP READING
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- BackgroundSix pack boats / private party FAQ
San Diego Tuna Fishing (operator)
USCG six-passenger limit for uninspected vessels; crew
- BackgroundSix pack vs party boat
San Diego Tuna Fishing (operator)
Private from $1,150 half day to ~$5k multi-day; open party from $200
FishingBooker
$1,250 for up to 6
FishingBooker
$3,175 for up to 6
- PrimarySix Pack Fishing
Davey's Locker
$1,850 weekday half day; inclusions; licenses not included
FishAnywhere
$1,500 half day, up to 6
- BackgroundHalf day local
San Diego Deep Sea Fishing (operator)
Shared limited-load from $199 per person