OSG Charter FAQ: Excursions & Fishing Charters Costa Rica

OSG Charter FAQ

Charters out of Flamingo Marina!

Booking directly with OSG Charter is quick and convenient! You can easily pay for your excursion and/or fishing charters out of Flamingo Marina via our user-friendly online booking system, which is directly accessible from any of our packages.

$300 online deposit due to hold date. Remainder due 72 hours before charter date. We will email you an invoice to pay the balance online 1 week before your charter date.

Once you have confirmed your reservation, you will receive an email confirmation of your booking. Our team will provide you with all the necessary details to ensure you are fully prepared for your trip.

We strive to provide a seamless and hassle-free payment process for our guests. If you have any specific questions or require further information about our payment options, please contact our dedicated team. We’re here to assist you every step of the way and ensure that your payment is handled smoothly.

At OSG Charter, we understand that unexpected situations can arise when traveling abroad. We strive to be rational and understanding, and we’ll work with you to find the best possible solution to reschedule your excursion.

Refund Policy based on Time of Cancellation:
Fully refundable if cancelled 72 hours before charter date. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.

Gratuities for our hard-working captain and crew members are greatly appreciated. Tipping is a personal gesture and is entirely at your discretion. If you’re satisfied with the service provided, a customary tip of 15-20% of the charter price is often considered appropriate

Our bilingual, U.S.C.G. Licensed captain and multilingual crew carry not only Costa Rican certification, but also the highest-caliber international qualifications, including STCW certification, Coast Guard licensing, Red Cross CPR certification, and SOLAS training. We comply with and exceed all USCG and Costa Rica Coast Guard requirements and mandates.

Yes, and we’re glad you asked! Our fishing charters from Flamingo Marina are billfish-focused, so we use circle hooks for catch and release. We also practice ikejime, a humane Japanese method of dispatching your catch to minimize suffering and make your fish taste better.

We do! We don’t just say we’re family-friendly; we redefine the concept. We are all parents and all our children fish! We welcome anglers of all abilities. We’re more hands-on. We prioritize your experience over sheer numbers caught. We keep your kids safe, always. And we help you share your passion and inspire a lifetime love of fishing in first-timers.

We curate custom on-water excursions and charter fishing in Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo, Conchal, Las Catalinas, Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Avellanas, Playa Negra, and Playas del Coco, departing from the new Flamingo Marina. We specialize in half- and full-day trips for serious anglers, families, and adventure seekers, among others.

Our two licensed skippers and captain have international (STCW) and Costa Rican (certificado de zafarrancho) certification, as well as Coast Guard licensing and SOLAS training. We use radar to avoid weather and have a fully inspected life raft, EPIRB, Type-1 offshore life jackets, an onboard med kit, and fire prevention gear. We comply with and exceed all USCG and Costa Rica Coast Guard requirements and mandates.

OSG Charter offers two meeting options for your convenience.

OPTION 1: Our primary meeting point is the new Flamingo Marina F/V Sassy Girl, Marina Flamingo, Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste
Slip Number E-12
Google Maps Link https://goo.gl/maps/2Tfi5hgGLp94xvb67

This is where our friendly crew will be waiting to welcome you and ensure a smooth departure for your fishing adventure.

OPTION 2: Additionally, we are happy to provide optional pickups in Tamarindo, offering you even more flexibility in your travel plans. Please note that a delivery fee will apply to Tamarindo pickups for all water excursions, sunset trips, and fishing charters.

If you request a Tamarindo pickup, we will meet you at the beach just to the south of El Chiringuito Restaurant, 15 minutes before departure time. The parking area is ample and secure, but we kindly ask you to leave nothing of value in sight.

Feel free to text or call the captain upon your arrival; alternately, our crew will arrive promptly to collect you and your party.

Please note that most days, a parking attendant is present at the beach and requests a donation of 3,000.00 colones (about $5) for watching your vehicle until your return. This fee supports his business and ensures the safety and cleanliness of the area.

If you need directions or encounter any issues, please give us a call

Yes, a fishing license is required for all fishing charters out of Flamingo Marina (and Costa Rica, generally). We kindly ask you to remember to purchase your fishing licenses online before your fishing trip. It is an easy process via an online request: https://www.incopesca.go.cr/carnets/tramites/SolicitudTraducido.aspx

Please ensure you have your fishing license ready in advance of your Tamarindo sport fishing charter. It’s important to comply with local regulations and have the necessary permits to enjoy a seamless fishing experience. If you have any questions or need assistance with obtaining your fishing license, feel free to reach out to our team, so we can help you complete the process successfully.

For all charter experiences, we recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, comfortable clothing, a rain jacket, music, and any personal items you may need. And don’t forget your camera to capture the memorable moments!

For Tamarindo and Flamingo fishing charters, be sure to bring proof of your fishing license (see: Do We Need a Costa Rica Sport Fishing License?). If you are joining us for spearfishing, surfing, or fly fishing, we also ask that you either bring your own equipment or request equipment rentals prior to your charter. For sunset sails and other water excursions, no additional items are necessary.

We all know that there are no guarantees on the water. That said, our 20+ years of local experience get you as close as possible! Depending on the time of year, the weather, and a bit of luck, our most common target species when sport fishing in Tamarindo and around Flamingo include:

Near-Shore/Inshore: Bonito (Sarda sarda), Skipjack (Katsuwonus pelamis), Snapper (family Lutjanidae), Grouper (family Serranidae), Mackerel (family Scombridae), and Roosterfish (Nematistius pectoralis)

Off-Shore/Deep-Sea: Blue Marlin (Makaira Nigricans), Black Marlin (Makaira Indica), Striped Marlin (Kajikia Audax), Sailfish (Istiophorus Platypterus), Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus Albacares), Dorado / Mahi-Mahi / Common Dolphin Fish (Acanthocybium Solandri), and Wahoo (Nematistius Pectoralis)

For up-to-date information about what’s biting right now, please get in touch with our captain. https://osgcharter.com/contact-us/

Laura Mooney has always had a passion for being on the water and fishing. She has three exciting businesses in Costa Rica BOHO Tamarindo, Tamarindo Charter Company, and OSG Charter.

Whether she is repelling down waterfalls in Costa Rica, zip lining through the jungle or climbing Mountains all over the world she brings her adventurous spirit and tenacity to every business and personal venture she commits too. Laura is very committed to the importance of her community, family and friends. For more information on Laura’s adventures, visit HERE

Have fun exploring Costa Rica with the various experiences you can choose from. Visit HERE

Welcome to Tamarindo

and the New Flamingo Marina

Costa Rica’s spectacular North Pacific – towns including Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, Las Catalinas, Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Avellanas, Playa Negra, and Playas del Coco – is a coastal wonderland renowned as a hotspot for dependable surf and world-class deep-sea fishing in Costa Rica, as well as for its vast biodiversity and now, the newly inaugurated (2023), $50M state-of-the-art Flamingo Marina (Slip E-12).

Tamarindo

And the Scenic Gold Coast

Costa Rica’s breathtaking North Pacific, also known as the Gold Coast and/or Guanacaste (for our province), centers around wildly popular Tamarindo Beach and the town of Tamarindo, fanning out north and south to encompass a stretch of sun-drenched coastline that includes Flamingo Beach, Playa Conchal, Las Catalinas, Hacienda Pinilla, Playa Avellanas, Playa Negra, and Playas del Coco.

Our beautiful and biodiverse region encompasses resort towns and fishing villages, epic surf and protected mangroves, hidden waterfalls and towering volcanoes, cowboy country and national parks, gentle tide pools and some of the country’s most beautiful beaches.

It’s also a world-renowned pilgrimage for a variety of travelers: For anglers, who come for legendary fishing – and especially for sailfish and billfish, including three species for marlin fishing in Costa Rica. For surfers, who make the trek to discover Witch’s Rock and the many waves made famous in Endless Summer II. For nature enthusiasts, who seek to experience whale watching, waterfall hikes, and some of the world’s last swaths of tropical dry forest. And of course, for the beach lovers, who comb the coastline for protected spots, pristine sands, and mellow swimming coves. It’s no surprise that this is one of the most coveted destinations in the country!

State-of-the-Art Flamingo Marina

Where Sustainability Goes Upscale

A destination unto itself, the sustainably built, luxury Flamingo Marina (officially: Marina Flamingo) delivers state-of-the-art facilities, including wet slips, full Immigration & Customs services, and an upscale Marina Village with shopping, dining, and even a gourmet ice cream shop – all, just a seven-minute walk to the pristine white sands of Flamingo Beach.

In addition to being a hub for fishing tours at Marina Flamingo, Costa Rica, this waterfront community delivers a range of services to meet any boating or tourist need. Amenities include: