Every October, Cabo San Lucas becomes a meeting point for anglers, boats, and visitors drawn to one of the most anticipated moments of the sportfishing calendar. Offshore waters come alive with marlin, tuna, dorado, and billfish, while the marina becomes the center of activity as teams return from a day at sea.
For those planning a fishing-focused getaway, October offers a unique opportunity to experience sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas alongside some of the destination’s most recognized tournaments.
Among the season’s highlights are the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore, and the renowned Bisbee’s Black & Blue. Together, they make October one of the most exciting times of year for a Cabo San Lucas fishing tournament experience.
Why October is one of the best times for marlin fishing in Cabo
Cabo San Lucas is known for its deep offshore waters and year-round sportfishing, but October holds a particular place on the calendar for anglers pursuing marlin.
The month brings a concentration of major fishing tournaments to Los Cabos, attracting experienced teams from around the world. The combination of tournament activity, offshore fishing, and the atmosphere around the marina makes October an ideal time to experience marlin fishing in Cabo San Lucas.
For visitors, the experience extends beyond the water. Mornings begin early as boats head offshore, while afternoons bring teams back to the marina for weigh-ins, conversations, and the anticipation of the next day.
The 2026 Cabo fishing tournament calendar
If you are planning a trip around a cabo fishing tournament 2026, October offers several opportunities to experience the season.
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament
October 7–11, 2026
The Los Cabos Billfish Tournament opens the month’s major fishing events. The 2026 edition takes place from October 7 through 11 in Cabo San Lucas and marks the tournament’s 28th year. The competition includes blue and striped marlin, along with tuna, wahoo, and dorado categories.
Its timing at the beginning of October makes it a natural starting point for the destination’s tournament season.
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore
October 12–17, 2026
Known as the “Little Bisbee’s,” Los Cabos Offshore follows immediately after the Billfish Tournament. The 2026 event runs from October 12 through 17, with three official fishing days from October 14 to 16.
For many anglers, it also serves as the lead-in to the main event later in the month: Bisbee’s Black & Blue.
Bisbee’s Black & Blue
October 19–24, 2026
The month reaches its signature moment with Bisbee’s Black and Blue, one of the most recognized fishing tournaments in Cabo San Lucas.
The 2026 event runs from October 19 through 24. Registration and opening ceremonies take place on October 20, followed by three official fishing days from October 21 through 23. The tournament concludes with its awards celebration on October 24.
For those searching for bisbee fishing tournament 2026, bisbee black and blue, bisbees black and blue, or bisbee’s black & blue, these different search terms all point toward the same defining event of Cabo’s October fishing season.
The focus is on giant black and blue marlin, while the marina becomes an energetic gathering point as catches arrive at the official weigh station each afternoon.
What makes Bisbee’s Black & Blue special?
The appeal of the Bisbee fishing tournament goes beyond competition. It has become part of the character of Cabo San Lucas itself, bringing together anglers, crews, spectators, and the wider community around the marina.
During the 2026 Black & Blue, fishing takes place from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM on October 21, 22, and 23. The official weigh station remains open from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM on those days, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the excitement as teams return to the marina.
For travelers who may not be participating in the tournament, the experience can be just as compelling from shore: watching the boats return, feeling the energy around the marina, and experiencing Cabo during one of its most distinctive annual events.
A different way to experience a Cabo Marlin Tournament
A fishing trip to Los Cabos does not have to revolve entirely around the tournament.
For those traveling with family or friends, a private villa provides space to enjoy the destination at your own pace before and after time on the water. Slow breakfasts, afternoons by the pool, sunset dinners, and private spaces to gather create a natural complement to the excitement of the Cabo marlin tournament season.
For travelers looking for Cabo San Lucas villas near marina, location becomes particularly valuable during October. Staying close to the marina allows guests to remain connected to the tournament atmosphere while returning to a private residence at the end of the day.
Pacifico del Mar
Located in Pedregal, Pacifico del Mar offers the scale and privacy suited to larger groups. The nine-bedroom residence accommodates up to 19 guests and combines Mexican hacienda-inspired architecture with panoramic ocean views.
A heated pool, hot tub, expansive terraces, and outdoor fire pit create spaces for relaxed afternoons and evenings together. Its location provides easy access to downtown Cabo San Lucas while maintaining the privacy of a gated residential community.
For groups planning to spend time around the marina during the October tournaments, Pacifico del Mar offers a private setting to return to after a day of sportfishing in Cabo San Lucas.
Villa Bellissima
Set within the Pedregal community, Villa Bellissima combines expansive interiors with views extending across the Pacific and Cabo San Lucas.
The nine-bedroom residence features private terraces and balconies, a gourmet kitchen, ocean-view fitness center, home cinema, multiple swimming pools, and direct access to the amenities of Pedregal, including private tennis and pickleball courts.
Its generous spaces make it particularly suited to groups traveling together for a Los Cabos fishing tournament, allowing everyone to share the experience while still having room to retreat.
Casa Finisterra
Perched above Cabo San Lucas, Casa Finisterra offers a more intimate setting with four bedrooms and sweeping ocean views.
Designed by architect Steven Harris, the residence received an American Institute of Architects New York Honor Award for its architectural significance. Its pool terrace and carefully considered spaces create a tranquil counterpoint to the energy of tournament week.
For guests seeking a refined private retreat during marlin fishing in Cabo San Lucas, Casa Finisterra brings together architecture, privacy, and a strong sense of place.
Villas de Pedregal
For travelers searching for luxury villas near Cabo San Lucas marina or Pedregal villas near Cabo marina, the Pedregal community offers a natural setting from which to experience October in Los Cabos.
Its hillside position provides privacy and expansive views, while its proximity to downtown Cabo San Lucas and the marina keeps the destination’s restaurants, activities, and tournament events within easy reach.
Villa Turquesa
For larger groups who want resort-style amenities without leaving the villa, Villa Turquesa is a 10-bedroom residence in Pedregal built for both relaxing and entertaining, with room for up to 20 guests.
The property’s standout feature is its heated infinity-edge lap pool with a swim-up bar, a natural gathering point for groups returning from a day on the water. Beyond the pool, guests have access to a Jacuzzi, expansive ocean-view terraces, outdoor dining areas, a putting green, a private fitness room, and a media room, giving every group member a space to unwind at their own pace.
Set along the cliffs of Pedregal Pacific, Villa Turquesa pairs dramatic ocean views with the same convenient access to Cabo San Lucas’ dining and marina activity that makes the neighborhood a favorite during tournament week. As with the destination’s other villas, personalized concierge assistance is available throughout the stay, private chef arrangements, transportation, spa treatments, and restaurant reservations can all be coordinated on request.
For groups chasing marlin by day and want a resort-caliber space to return to by evening, Villa Turquesa offers scale, amenities, and privacy in equal measure.
Plan Your October in Los Cabos
October offers a distinctive rhythm in Cabo San Lucas. Mornings begin offshore, afternoons gather around the marina, and evenings return to the quieter pace of private residences and open-air terraces.
From the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament to Los Cabos Offshore and Bisbee’s Black & Blue, the month brings together some of the destination’s most anticipated fishing events.
Whether you arrive to compete, watch the weigh-ins, or simply experience Cabo during marlin season, choosing a private villa allows the tournament to become part of a broader stay, one shaped by time together, ocean views, and the freedom to experience Los Cabos at your own pace.
Discover here your private retreat in Pedregal and experience October in Cabo San Lucas.