Piñas Bay, Panama — marlin and sailfish:
Tropic Star Lodge
Black marlin
Zane Grey Reef
Bertram 31s
Overview
Tropic Star Lodge sits on remote Piñas Bay in Panama’s Darién Province, about 20 minutes from Zane Grey Reef. Guests fish black marlin, blue marlin, and sailfish offshore, and roosterfish and cubera on the inshore grounds, from Classic or Premium Bertram 31s. Twenty-three air-conditioned rooms and villas take up to 45 guests.
Guests fly to Tocumen International (PTY) in Panama City, overnight, then take a 30-minute drive and a charter of just under an hour to Bahía Piñas. A short bus and 10–15 minute water taxi finish the trip to the lodge.
Peak weeks (January–February) run as 7-night, 6-day packages and book 1–2 years out. Inshore (March–May) and Standard / blue marlin weeks (June–September and December) also offer shorter 3- and 4-day packages. The annual Billfish Tournament is in November; the Roosterfish Tournament is in May.
Call or use the form for information about billfish and inshore fishing at Tropic Star Lodge.
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Fishing Tropic Star Lodge
Piñas Bay’s offshore bite is black marlin (heaviest in January and February), blue marlin (June–September and December), and sailfish that regularly top 100 pounds. Yellowfin tuna, dorado, and wahoo run with the billfish. Grand slams are common in July.
Inshore, roosterfish are the draw from March through May, with fish over 70 pounds on the books. Cubera snapper, bluefin trevally, broomtail grouper, and tarpon in the backwaters keep a second rod busy. Local captains and mates — many second- or third-generation on this coast — run the Bertram 31s with GPS, VHF, tuna tubes, and live wells.
The lodge
Twenty-three air-conditioned rooms and villas look over the bay or the garden. Options run from double-occupancy lodge rooms to two- and three-bedroom villas and private residences. The Palace is the three-bedroom villa with master suites and a view of Piñas Bay.
Dinner is four courses at the Bayview Restaurant, wine included. The Marlin Bar faces the water. A freshwater jungle pool and hot tub sit in the trees; the rainforest spa is part of shoreside packages (three treatments and three jungle excursions).
23 rooms & villas
Up to 45 guests
Bayview dining
Jungle pool & spa
Tropic Star Lodge 2026 rates
Book through Angler Adventures. These 2026 figures are for a Bertram 31, two anglers, six fishing days (Doug, 25 August 2026). Season names below are the ones we quote: Peak, Inshore, and Standard. The lodge site lists the same windows as Black Marlin / Inshore / Blue Marlin.
| Season | Dates | Package | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak | January–February | Bertram 31, 2 anglers, 6 days | $8,590 | Black marlin weeks. 7-night / 6-day packages. |
| Standard | June–September | Bertram 31, 2 anglers, 6 days | $7,750 | Blue marlin weeks. |
| Inshore | March–May | Bertram 31, 2 anglers, 6 days | $6,240 | Roosterfish and cubera. |
| Transfer / charter | Year-round | Panama City to lodge | $745 | Per person plus room tax. VIP meet-and-greet, up to four ground transfers. |
| 2027 | Not posted | Any week, including 26 Feb–6 Mar 2027 | Call 860-434-9624 | Lodge has not posted 2027 dollars yet. |
Rates still vary by boat (Classic or Premium Bertram 31), party size (1–4 anglers), and package length. Room upgrades extra. Seasonal discounts and other boats — call or email us.
2027 lodge rates are not posted yet. Call 860-434-9624 for the week you want, including 26 February–6 March 2027. Our services are free.
Included
- 7 nights lodge accommodations (for 6-day packages)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and wine with dinner
- Daily guided fishing
- Use of the pool, bars, restaurant, and spa
- 3 spa treatments and 3 jungle excursions for shoreside guests
Not included
- Round-trip charter from Panama City ($745 per person)
- Room upgrades
- Gratuities for guides and staff
- International airfare to Panama City
- Travel insurance and personal items
Getting to Tropic Star Lodge
Fly to Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City. Lodge staff meet you and transfer you to the overnight hotel. In the morning a 30-minute drive and a charter of just under an hour land at Bahía Piñas. A short bus and a 10–15 minute water taxi finish the trip. Panama City to the lodge is about 2–3 hours of travel time after the overnight.
Billfish at Tropic Star
on Piñas Bay, Darién, Panama
Black and blue marlin
Peak January–February is the black marlin window. Blue marlin weeks run June through September and December. Sailfish over 100 pounds mix through both seasons.
Roosterfish and inshore
March through May is roosterfish, cubera, bluefin trevally, and grouper. Tarpon hold in the backwaters for a fly rod.
Tropic Star Lodge FAQ
Where is Tropic Star Lodge?
Tropic Star Lodge sits on Piñas Bay in the Darién Province of Panama. Guests fly to Tocumen (PTY) in Panama City, overnight, then take a charter of just under an hour to Bahía Piñas and a short water taxi to the dock.
What do you fish at Tropic Star Lodge?
Black marlin, blue marlin, and sailfish offshore, plus roosterfish, cubera snapper, yellowfin tuna, dorado, and more than a dozen inshore species. Zane Grey Reef is about 20 minutes from the lodge.
What are the 2026 Tropic Star Lodge rates?
Angler Adventures quotes a Bertram 31, two anglers, six fishing days at $8,590 Peak (January–February), $7,750 Standard (June–September), and $6,240 Inshore (March–May). Transfer / charter is $745 per person. 2027 lodge rates are not posted yet — call 860-434-9624.
When is black marlin season at Tropic Star?
January and February are Peak / black marlin weeks. Those dates book 1–2 years out and run as 7-night, 6-day packages. Blue marlin weeks run June through September and December. Inshore weeks (roosterfish and cubera) run March through May.
How do I get to Tropic Star Lodge?
Fly to Panama City (PTY). The lodge transfer ($745 pp round-trip) covers the VIP meet-and-greet, up to four ground transfers, and the charter to Bahía Piñas. International airfare to Panama City is separate.
Does Tropic Star Lodge have a 2027 rate sheet?
Not yet — tropicstar.com has not posted 2027 dollars. Call Angler Adventures at 860-434-9624 for the week you want, including 26 February–6 March 2027.
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Call or use the form for information about billfish at Tropic Star Lodge on Piñas Bay.
