Part of Fishing in San Diego, our guide to fishing, long-range sportfishing and whale watching in San Diego.
Each landing sets its own passport wording, so read the one for your trip. H&M Landing says most trips need no passport, but one is required within 12 miles of the Mexican coast or islands. Fisherman’s Landing’s FAQ says 10 miles for its Coronado Islands trips. The two figures differ.Checked October 23, 2026.
What H&M Landing Says
Most trips need no passport. A passport is required for trips within 12 miles of the Mexican coast or islands such as the Coronado Islands. A Passport Book or Passport Card qualifies for the Mexican tourist visa (FMM); a driver’s license and birth certificate are not accepted. H&M says it issues the FMM and the Mexican fishing permit for its trips, and that some tickets include the permit and visa and some do not. Its page does not cover fees or CONAPESCA.
What Fisherman’s Landing Says
Its FAQ says full-day Coronado Islands trips need an FMM, which Mexico requires within 10 miles of Mexican land, and a valid passport. It says the ticket price includes the visa and the Mexican fishing license for those trips. This applies only to the trips that FAQ describes.
What Point Loma Sportfishing Says
Its long range page says prices include customs clearances, and its trip listings note that some trips require a passport, with Mexican fishing permits and California licenses sold separately. Its dedicated passport page returned a 404 when we checked, so no further wording is available here.
Returning to The United States
The CBP pleasure boats page says a small vessel arriving from a foreign port must report to CBP immediately (ROAM app or phone), and that the Small Vessel Reporting System is out of service. It does not mention fishing trips or passports, and we did not find CBP guidance for passengers aboard a landing’s boat.
California Rules Still Apply
The California license rules and the CDFW multi-day permit are separate from Mexican requirements. See the license and limits page.
What We Could Not Verify
- The 10-mile and 12-mile figures differ between the two landings. Each is quoted only for that landing. Which applies to your trip is for the landing to confirm.
- CONAPESCA is not named on any page we read, and Mexican fishing permit fees are not covered by H&M Landing’s page. Not confirmed.
- CBP rules for passengers on a charter or party boat are not confirmed. The CBP page we read covers private pleasure boats only.
- Point Loma Sportfishing’s passport wording is not confirmed. Its passport page was unavailable.
- Whether a specific long-range trip (such as to Guadalupe, Alijos or the Revillagigedos) needs a passport is not confirmed here. Ask the landing before you book.
- Which Mexican entry rules apply to children are not confirmed.
More in Fishing in San Diego
FAQ
Do I need a passport for a San Diego fishing trip?
It depends on the trip. H&M Landing says one is required within 12 miles of the Mexican coast or islands, and Fisherman’s Landing says its Coronado Islands trips need one. Ask your landing.
Is the Mexican fishing license included?
Fisherman’s Landing says yes for its full-day Coronado Islands trips. H&M Landing says some tickets include it and some do not.
Sources
- H&M Landing: passports
- Fisherman's Landing: FAQ
- Point Loma Sportfishing: long range
- Point Loma Sportfishing
- CBP: pleasure boats
- CDFW: multi-day permits
Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.