Battle of the Bay, Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica

A hosted Marlin Expeditions tournament experience in Costa Rica’s remote and wild Osa Peninsula. Spend two days pre-fishing with Crocodile Bay’s experienced captains and crews, then put your preparation to work during the two-day Battle of the Bay tournament. Between fishing days, unwind at Botánika Osa Peninsula and explore one of the world’s most biologically rich coastlines. Battle of the Bay brings together premium offshore fishing, tournament competition, rainforest adventure, and the ease of a fully hosted Marlin Expeditions program. Guests fly privately from San José to Puerto Jiménez, settle into Botánika Osa Peninsula, and fish directly from Crocodile Bay’s marina with a dedicated captain and crew. Marlin Expeditions is designed around the balance of learning, competing, specializing, and exploring—bringing anglers together with proven crews in exceptional fisheries while creating a complete destination experience beyond the dock. Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José no later than 1:30 p.m. and connect with the group’s private air transfer to Puerto Jiménez on the Osa Peninsula. Upon arrival, meet the Botánika concierge team for resort transfer and check-in. That evening, meet your Crocodile Bay captain and crew to review the float plan, boat procedures, fishing preferences, and the week’s preliminary game plan. Breakfast opens at 5:30 a.m., with to-go orders available for early departures. Meet at Crocodile Bay Pier at 6:30 a.m. and head offshore for two full pre-fishing days. These days are designed to help your team dial in the local fishery before tournament competition begins. Work with your captain and crew on the spread, bait and lure selection, communication, angler rotation, and release procedures while developing a plan based on the current conditions. Boats return at approximately 3:00 p.m., leaving afternoons open to relax, review the day, and prepare for tomorrow. Enjoy an open day in the Osa Peninsula. Choose a full- or half-day eco-tour, explore Puerto Jiménez, visit the beach, relax at the resort pool, or simply reset before competition begins. At 5:00 p.m., join the Battle of the Bay captains meeting and kickoff party. Meet fellow competitors, review official tournament procedures, finalize the team plan, and get ready for two days of tournament fishing. Start each tournament morning with breakfast opening at 5:30 a.m., followed by the official shotgun start. Fish hard alongside your captain and crew as the team applies the game plan developed during pre-fishing. Lines out at 3:00 p.m. each day, followed by return to the resort and marina. After the final day of competition, join the awards dinner and celebration to recognize the week’s top teams, memorable releases, and great stories from the water. Enjoy a full free day to relax and experience Costa Rica at your own pace. Spend time by the pool, visit the beach, book a spa treatment, explore the town, return to the water for an optional eco-adventure, or enjoy Botánika’s dining and resort amenities. For guests who want a beach escape, Botánika’s Cahui Beach Club is set on Playa Preciosa and accessed by a short boat ride from the pier. Check out of Botánika and transfer to Puerto Jiménez for the private air transfer back to San José. Connect with your international departure from SJO. Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is one of the Pacific’s most compelling big-game destinations. Crocodile Bay is positioned near Puerto Jiménez, where anglers have access to both the rich inshore waters of the Golfo Dulce and the blue-water grounds of Costa Rica’s South Pacific. The result is a fishery capable of producing serious offshore action while remaining close to one of the world’s most dramatic rainforest coastlines. The offshore program is built around billfish, with opportunities for blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, and other pelagic species. Daily strategy will be driven by the conditions, including water temperature, currents, bait concentrations, bird activity, and the captain’s read on where fish are moving. Crews may employ trolling, live-baiting, pitch-bait techniques, teasers, and lure spreads to create the best possible opportunities throughout the day. The two pre-fishing days are a key part of this expedition. They give each team time to establish its on-water rhythm before tournament points are at stake. Guests will become comfortable with the boat and crew, practice their angler rotation, refine cockpit communication, and learn the details that can matter most in a tournament setting—from teaser and bait management to fast, clean release execution. Tournament fishing puts that preparation to work. The Battle of the Bay format adds urgency and camaraderie to each decision: where to start, when to move, how to respond to a bite window, and how to keep the cockpit organized when opportunities develop quickly. Whether you are an experienced tournament team or j