Updated: April 17th, 2026
Full-Day Offshore Charter
$2,400
12+ hours on the water chasing tuna, mahi, wahoo, and marlin in the Gulf Stream. This is the trip most anglers dream about. You will run offshore, fish hard all day, and come back with a cooler full of fish and a lifetime of stories.
Two-Day Offshore Trip
$4,500
Two full days offshore. This is for the angler who wants more time on the water, more shots at big fish, and the full Speechless experience. Day one you fish hard. Day two you go even harder.
Most offshore fishing charters in the Outer Banks cost between $1,900 and $3,500+ depending on the boat, location, season, trip length, fuel costs, and experience level of the crew. At Speechless Sportfishing, our standard full-day offshore charter is $2,400 for up to 6 people when booked directly through our website.
The goal of this page is simple: give you complete clarity before you book so you know exactly what to expect, what affects the price, and why some charters cost much more or much less.
There is also a small booking fee through the online payment platform, plus customary mate gratuity.
The biggest reason fishing charter pricing gets confusing in North Carolina is that most people don’t realize there’s a massive difference between offshore, nearshore, and inshore fishing.
And charter companies don’t always make that clear.
Here’s the truth.
What we do at Speechless is true offshore fishing.
We’re fishing near the continental shelf, near the Gulf Stream.
That’s why our trips go 30 to 50 miles out. That’s why you’re targeting mahi, wahoo, tuna, and billfish.
And that’s a big reason why the cost is what it is.
Fuel, distance, equipment, and time on the water all add up.
When you see a charter priced significantly lower than ours, it’s usually because they’re not actually going offshore.
The one question you should ask any charter before you book: How far out are we going?
If the answer is 5 to 10 miles, or even 15 miles, you’re not going to the continental shelf.
You’re not going to the Gulf Stream.
That’s not offshore fishing. That’s nearshore.
It’s a different experience, a different type of fish, and it should come at a different price.
There’s nothing wrong with nearshore fishing. It’s a great option for a lot of people.
But if you’re paying for offshore and getting nearshore, that’s a problem.
And if you’re comparing an offshore charter to a nearshore charter on price alone, you’re not actually comparing the same thing.
This is why we’re upfront about exactly where we go, how far out we run, and what you’re paying for.
There are major differences between charter boats, crews, and experiences.
How far offshore you go is one of the biggest factors that affects price, but it’s not the only one.
Some of the biggest factors that increase the price of a fishing charter include:
1. Boat Size and Type
A larger custom boat with more room, better ride quality, advanced electronics, air conditioning, a head (bathroom), and premium equipment will naturally cost more.
2. Fuel Costs
Fuel is one of the largest expenses for any offshore charter. Offshore boats can burn hundreds of gallons of diesel in a single day. On Speechless, fuel alone is often around $1,000 to $2,000 per trip.
3. Distance Offshore
Most offshore trips require traveling 30–50+ nautical miles offshore. The farther the run, the more fuel, time, and wear-and-tear on the boat.
4. Equipment and Technology
Premium rods, reels, outriggers, fighting chairs, fish finders, GPS systems, side scan sonar, bait systems, and high-end tackle all increase the cost of operating a serious offshore fishing boat. A single offshore rod and reel setup can easily exceed $1,000.
5. Captain and Crew Experience
An experienced captain who consistently puts people on fish commands a premium. The same is true for great mates who work hard all day to rig lines, help land fish, clean up, and create a great experience.
If you see charters priced significantly below the market average, there is usually a reason:
A cheaper charter is not always a bad charter, but it is important to understand what is and is not included.
Most offshore charters in Hatteras run roughly $1,900–$2,500. In the Oregon Inlet and Nags Head area, most charters fall between $2,300 and $3,500+. Speechless is positioned near the lower end of that premium range at $2,400, while still including a highly interactive experience, premium equipment, licenses, and an educational atmosphere.
That means customers are not just paying for a fishing trip. They are paying for:
This is where most charter companies stay vague. You should not.
Mate Gratuity
The standard mate tip is typically 15–20% of the trip cost. On a $2,400 charter, that usually means a gratuity of $360–$480. Mates work extremely hard and rely heavily on tips.
Food and Drinks
Guests are responsible for bringing their own food, drinks, sunscreen, motion sickness medication, and personal items.
Fuel Surcharge
Offshore trips burn a significant amount of fuel. When fuel prices spike or a trip runs longer than expected, some charters pass part of that cost through as a fuel surcharge. Speechless does not charge a fuel surcharge, but you should always ask upfront whether one applies so you are not surprised at the dock.
Fish Cleaning
Fish cleaning is not included in the charter price. We will point you in the right direction when we get back to the dock.
Here are the typical rates at most cleaning stations near the dock:
$0.45 per pound for standard fish.
$0.55 per pound for smaller fish under 5 pounds.
$0.75 per pound at the headboat cleaning station.
$5 minimum at the Ships Store.
Tipping the cleaner is always appreciated.
For the right person or group, absolutely.
Offshore fishing is not inexpensive—but for many families and groups, it becomes a once-in-a-lifetime memory. There are not many experiences that compare to catching a giant tuna, watching mahi explode behind the boat, or seeing a marlin appear in the spread.
The real value is not just the fish.
It is:
Depending on the season and trip type, you could catch yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, sailfish, marlin, king mackerel, and more. We’ll let you know what’s running when you book.
Food and drinks for the day, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and weather-appropriate clothing. We provide all the rods, reels, bait, tackle, and everything else you need to fish.
Absolutely. A big part of what we do is making first-timers feel comfortable. Our crew will walk you through everything. You don’t need any experience to have a great time.
Safety comes first. If conditions are not safe to go out, we will work with you to reschedule. We monitor weather closely and will communicate with you ahead of time.
We leave from the Outer Banks, North Carolina. We’ll send you the exact marina location and directions when you book.
Our boat accommodates up to 6 guests. If you have a larger group, reach out to us and we can help you coordinate multiple boats.
All rods, reels, tackle, bait, fuel, crew, and fish cleaning are included. You just bring yourself, your food and drinks, and sunscreen.
Click the “Book a Trip” button anywhere on this site, or reach out to us directly. We’ll get you set up with dates, trip options, and everything you need to know.
Ride-alongs are not available during the summer season because our schedule is packed with charter trips. From time to time, we do put small ride-along groups together during slower parts of the year. If you would like to be considered for a future ride-along, send us your email and we will add you to the list.
In most cases, yes, you keep the fish you catch. The only times you may not be able to keep certain fish are if the species is out of season, the fish does not meet legal size requirements, harvest limits or quotas have already been reached, or the species is protected and must be released by law. Fish cleaning is available after the trip for an additional cost.
Fish cleaning is not included in the charter price. It is available at the filet house back at the dock after the trip and is charged by the pound. We recommend bringing cash to cover it.
See available dates and book your next offshore adventure with Speechless.
