# Montezuma Crew: Fishing, Diving and Boat Days from Tambor > Montezuma Crew is a small boat outfit on the southern Nicoya Peninsula that runs sportfishing, scuba trips, dive courses and private island days from the Bahía Ballena dock in Tambor. Everything happens on one 32-foot center console with a captain and mate, so it suits couples, families and small groups who want the boat to themselves. Source: https://sportfishing-costarica.com/montezuma-crew/ Last checked: 2026-11-14 Location: Montezuma, Tambor, Southern Nicoya, Costa Rica Type: charter, diving Official website: https://www.montezumacrew.com/ Boat: One 32-foot center console with twin 150 hp Yamaha outboards (2025) Fishing: Inshore half days and full offshore days, up to 4 anglers Leaves from: Bahía Ballena dock, Tambor Also offers: CMAS dive courses, Tortuga Island dives, private boat tours, house rentals Billfish: Sailfish and marlin are released ## A one-boat crew on the Gulf of Nicoya Montezuma Crew is about as small as a charter outfit gets: one boat, a captain, a dive instructor and a divemaster. It's been running trips on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula for more than a decade, and it still works the same water it did when we first wrote about it in 2013, from Tambor out to Tortuga Island and the open Pacific beyond. The boats don't leave from Montezuma's beach. Every trip starts at the Bahía Ballena dock in Tambor, a sheltered bay about half an hour's drive north of town. If you're staying in Montezuma, Cabuya or Santa Teresa, plan on that drive, or ask the crew about getting there when you book. The crew lists 3 people on its site: Miki, a CMAS dive instructor; David, a CMAS divemaster; and Chema, the sportfishing captain who runs the fishing days. They say they'd rather treat guests like friends than tourists, and with a single boat and small groups, that's easy to believe. ## The fishing The crew offers 2 kinds of fishing trip, and both take up to 4 anglers. **Offshore.** The full day runs from about 7 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon and heads 20 to 25 miles out. The targets are [sailfish](/the-pacific-sailfish/), [marlin](/marlin-the-tropical-sporting-fish/), [yellowfin tuna](/yellowfin-tuna/), [mahi-mahi](/the-dolphin-fish-mahi-mahi/) and [wahoo](/wahoo-in-costa-rica-a-faboulous-catch/). As Costa Rican law requires, any sailfish or marlin goes back in the water. Smaller table fish can be kept. **Inshore.** The coastal trip is a 5-hour morning, roughly 8 to 1, working rocks, reefs, river mouths and estuaries by jigging or trolling. [Roosterfish](/roosterfish-the-majestic-fish-of-costa-rica/) are the main draw here, along with snapper, jacks, mackerel, snook and the odd tuna. Gear, bait, drinks, snacks and fruit come with both trips, and the long day includes lunch on board. As with any charter in Costa Rica, ask whether your sportfishing license is sorted before the day. ## The boat Everything happens on one 32-foot boat the crew describes as new, powered by twin 150 hp Yamaha outboards from 2025 and cruising at about 30 knots. It carries outriggers, GPS, sonar and a fish finder, VHF radios, a live bait well, a cooler, and a small bathroom with a shower. That last part matters more than it sounds on a 9-hour offshore day. ## Diving and private boat days Fishing is only part of what this crew does, and the other trips are a good fit if not everyone in your group wants to fish. **Dive trips.** The private dive tour is a 5-hour morning to Tortuga Island or Bahía Ballena with 1 or 2 dives, an instructor as guide and all the gear. The crew's site describes sites such as the Aquarium, a shallow reef with heavy fish life that suits all levels, a drift along volcanic walls at the island's east tip, a canyon site with lobsters and morays, and a cave where white-tip reef sharks often rest. **Dive courses.** Miki teaches CMAS courses, so you can learn to dive here or finish a certification. **The private dream tour.** This is the crew's signature day: about 6 hours from the Tambor pier to white-sand beaches on Tortuga Island, the private Curú reserve and Bahía Ballena, with 2 snorkel stops, a try-dive or a dive for certified divers, some light coastal fishing with Chema, and a long brunch on board. Humpback whales, dolphins and turtles turn up some days, depending on the season. The crew also rents houses in Montezuma, which can make it simple to book a room and the boat in one go. ## How to book Montezuma Crew takes bookings by WhatsApp, phone or email, and through the booking button on its website. With only one boat, it's worth writing a few days ahead, especially in the dry season from December to April. When you message, say whether you want inshore or offshore fishing, how many people are coming and where you're staying. For more on the town itself, see our guide to [Montezuma](/adventures-montezuma/). The local site [Montezuma Beach](https://montezumabeach.com/montezuma-crew) also keeps a listing for the crew. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where do Montezuma Crew's boats leave from? From the Bahía Ballena dock in Tambor, north of Montezuma, not from Montezuma's beach. ### How many people can fish at once? Up to 4 anglers on both the inshore and offshore trips. ### Can I keep the fish? Smaller fish, yes. Sailfish and marlin are always released, as Costa Rican law requires. ### Can non-anglers come along? Yes. The crew runs snorkel, dive and private beach days on the same boat, and the dream tour mixes all 3 with a little fishing.