Riptide Charters BBB Business Review

Riptide Charters - Deep Sea Fishing, Whale Watching, and Ashes Scattering - Half Moon Bay, CA

SALMON SEASON IS OPEN FOR LIMITED DATES!

Riptide Charters offers Deep Sea fishing, Whale Watching and Scattering Ashes.
Riptide Charters takes both individuals and groups for adventures in sport fishing in Half Moon Bay.  Riptide Charters serves Half Moon Bay and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. We are conveniently located at Pillar Point Harbor – the gateway to the beautiful San Mateo California Coast - just 25 miles south of San Francisco and 4 miles north of Half Moon Bay.

The warm sun, the salty sea, and the fish ready to bite—there's nothing quite like a fishing adventure on the California coast. Riptide Charters takes both individuals and groups for adventures in sport fishing in Half Moon Bay, a short drive from San Francisco, CA.

You can experience the awesome, big, and exciting fun of whales and the ocean's natural splendor aboard the Riptide! See our schedule and book now.

We offer:

  • Deep Sea Fishing: Immerse in the thrill of deep sea fishing with Riptide Charters in San Mateo, CA. Experience the open waters like never before, guided by seasoned professionals committed to delivering an unforgettable adventure.
  • Whale Watching: It has been great seeing humpbacks and the migrating Gray Whales.
  • Ashes Scattering: Our service reserves the boat exclusively for your group for the 1-hour service. Our special service helps you to respectfully memorialize your loved ones with the scattering of ashes upon the ocean.

We also offer:

  • SALMON SEASON IS OPEN FOR LIMITED DATES!
  • Shallow Water Fishing: Opens May through September and in November!
  • Bluefin Tuna & Albacore Tuna: Tuna have shown up. Email us to be put on the Tuna fishng list.
  • Salmon Season: Ocean salmon season IS OPEN FOR LIMITED DATES!
  • Deep Water Fishing: November and December only!

Call or send us an email so we can customize a trip to your specific needs. Food and beverages available on request.

Whale Breaching

Our Vessel and Captain
The "Riptide" is owned and operated by Captain William Smith, a licensed captain for 40 years who has been involved in Half Moon Bay fishing for the past 39 years. The F/V Riptide is a 40' fiberglass hull, equipped with turbo diesel, state-of-the art electronics, and is licensed and inspected by the United States Coast Guard. Riptide is located on "H" dock at Pillar Pt. Harbor in El Granada (near Half Moon Bay), California.

Captain Smitty
Kayak Logo

Local Limits

Jul 19, 2025

Ahoy!! another great day fishing close to the harbor with my grandkids!! they slayed them! And some nice lings and cabbies with a

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Shallow water rock fishing

Jul 16, 2025

Ahoy! with another light load we stayed close to home and had exelent action. We ended up with 5 limits and

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Saturday sloppy limits

Jul 12, 2025

Today's weather was blowing southerly but our group had great success and caught limits.  weather looks great next week so come

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Riptide 2025 YTD Fish Counts

Cabezon

King Salmon

Lingcod

Rockfish

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