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Riptide Charters
Catch unforgettable memories on the stunning waters of Half Moon Bay!
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Business
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Catch unforgettable memories on the stunning waters of Half Moon Bay!
Riptide Charters offers exhilarating fishing and whale watching experiences along the beautiful coast of Half Moon Bay, CA. With over 30 years of expertise, Captain Smitty and his professional crew prioritize guest safety and satisfaction, making every trip memorable. Guests rave about the knowledge and hospitality of the crew, and many leave with amazing photos and stories of their adventures on the water. Whether you're fishing for salmon or enjoying a whale watching escapade, Riptide Charters is dedicated to providing an unforgettable outing for all. Visit their website to discover current fishing seasons and plan your next adventure!
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Seasonal fishing trips for salmon, rockfish, and more with expert guidance and gear assistance.
Guided tours to spot whales and marine wildlife, led by a passionate and knowledgeable captain.
Custom charters for special occasions like celebrations, with personalized service and flexible scheduling.
US Coast Guard-inspected vessel with experienced crew prioritizing guest safety and comfort on the water.
Regular updates on fish availability and conditions via website and phone consultations for optimal trips.
Overall rating
Kat Miller
Our family member requested his ashes be spread out at sea. I live in another city, but looked up Riptide Charters who seemed great. I communicated with Captain Smitty once over email in November. The ashes were shipped to Riptide in December. I emailed him in December, January, and February asking for confirmation that they received the ashes and asking if they could take photos at sea (a service offered on their website). I see my check has been deposited, but I've never received a response, confirmation, or photos. I called in February and now March. Each time, he's told me to email him because he's out on the boat. He has just told me, without asking my name or the name of the ashes, that "all ashes have been scattered". When I asked for confirmation of the specific loved one he told me to email him again. Since he hasn't replied to 3 months of emails, I've asked him to take down my number and call me back by the end of the week to verify. Will update when this is resolved. Update: He emailed that week confirming the date of the ashes scattering. No photos were taken.
Kenneth Strech
Captain Smitty took care of us. I had my limit of rockfish by about 10:30. He definitely knows where the fish are. Thanks!
Elizabeth Lascheid
We had the best time with Riptide Charters. The F/V Riptide is a 40' fiberglass hull, equipped with a turbo diesel, and is licensed and inspected by the United States Coast Guard. It was so clean, well until we all made a mess. It is a lovely boat. We felt so safe with the crew. The Riptide is owned by Capt. William Smith. He has been a licensed captain for over 30 years. You will find it located on "H" dock at Pillar Pt. Harbor in El Granada (near Half Moon Bay), California. The Captain was with us and he was able to help the weak ones, like me, without making me feel like I did not belong. The boat leaves super early in the morning so get some sleep the night before. I had to nap after. Go to their website to see what type of fish is in season or you will not be happy. We went for Rockfish and caught a few and were so happy. We grilled it all up and it was great and we were able to serve a lot of people. I was hoping to see a whale, but sadly, did not. I think they are pretty rare to see in that area. They have clean bathrooms. We will be back, this time for salmon.
Jackson
Very much a budget charter. Crew was nice and helpful. Boat is a little rough around the edges. Bathroom situation on this vessel is bad, like construction site porta potty in the summer bad. The smell makes the cabin and area near the back deck reek. They overbooked our charter and jammed the boat with people, making moving around the deck very annoying, which also means there's nowhere to sit for everybody while underway to/from your fishing spot. I'm also not sure why the captain was fishing the whole time, there was a lot of shuffling of fish around between catch bags, even between different groups. Got scoffed at for throwing back small fish so I could keep bigger ones. They are clearly going for limits as fast as they can. The sea conditions were kinda crap and got worse on our way back, nothing the crew could do about that, but the boat didn't have enough sheltered space to keep even half the guests out of the weather unless you wanted to cozy up to the toxic waste closet that was the toilet.
Jamil Moore
We had an unforgettable whale watching trip with Captain Smitty! From start to finish, the experience was incredible. Captain Smitty was knowledgeable, professional, and truly passionate about the ocean and its wildlife. My new wife and I were celebrating a special time in our lives, and this adventure made it even more memorable. We were lucky enough to capture some amazing photos of the whales and were happy to share them with the captain it was the least we could do after receiving such wonderful service. Thank you, Captain Smithy, for your hospitality, your expertise, and for making the day one we’ll never forget. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a magical experience on the water!
Adam Messner
Had a great time aboard riptide during the short salmon season this past weekend. He was positive and fun and the deckhands aboard worked their butts off. We crushed it and I had a feeling Capt Schmitty is a frequent highliner. I will fish with him again.
