OVERVIEW
This esteemed fishing lodge is located 30 miles off the coast of Belize on the picturesque Turneffe Atoll, the largest and most biologically-diverse coral atoll in the Western Hemisphere. Now protected as Belize’s newest and largest Marine Reserve, Turneffe Atoll is remote and beautiful, yet easily accessible via our 50-ft transfer boat. Offering miles of unspoiled gin-clear flats, prolific turtle grass habitat, and healthy coral reefs teeming with of marine life, Turneffe’s unique fishery is one of the finest in the world. Turneffe Atoll is noted for its abundance of saltwater fly fishing opportunities. Plentiful bonefish, permit and tarpon make this place one of the rare spots in the world where you have a legitimate shot at a Grand Slam. In addition, there are a number of other game fish species resident to the area, providing a unique diversity of saltwater fly fishing options.
FISHING OPPORTUNITIES
Bonefish: Turneffe bonefish are plentiful, both on the ocean-side flats and in the mangrove-lined lagoons. Bonefish are resident on the ocean-side flats all months of the year, and during an average day fishing these flats you will see and fish to hundreds of bonefish in the 3-5 pound range with shots at bigger fish, some over 10 pounds.
Permit: Many anglers come her primarily to pursue permit, and many return again and again. Permit are plentiful and are found on the bars and flats throughout the Atoll as well as on the ocean-side flats. You can expect plenty of shots at 10-20 pound permit with some fish in the 30-40 pound class. Turneffe permit may be more plentiful than in other areas, but are just as challenging to catch. The opportunity to consistently sight fish for permit with our excellent flats guides makes this second-to-none for the avid permit anglers.
Tarpon: The tarpon migration is generally from late April through September although some resident tarpon are around throughout the year. Most tarpon jumped are 60-90 pounds with some huge fish of 150 pounds or more.
Other Game Fish: Snook, barracuda, various jacks, mutton snapper, small sharks, jack crevalle and cubera snapper are all available and add to the angling experience. We recommend that you come prepared to at least try for some of these other species during your stay.
A TYPICAL DAY
A regular fishing week is 7 Nights/ 6 Days (Saturday-Saturday) with 4 Night/ 3 Day (Saturday-Wednesday) and 3 Night/ 2 Day (Wednesday-Saturday) itineraries also available. A helpful fishing orientation is conducted the first morning after arrival, followed by the first full day of fishing.
An average fishing day at Turneffe Flats is about 8 hours; however, we don’t have any ‘set’ fishing schedule and only ask that all skiffs are in an hour before sundown for safety reasons. During tarpon season, anglers often opt to start early and quit a little earlier. For those who can’t ever get enough fishing, the “home flat” can be fished before breakfast and until after sundown.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Lodging: Accommodations include eight Oceanfront Cabanas plus two large three-bedroom/ three-bath Villas. The Oceanfront Cabanas have a panoramic view of the Caribbean Sea and Turneffe Atoll reef. The Reef Villa is also located right on the beach and has a wonderful view of the reef in both directions. The Garden Villa is set back from the beach just slightly and has a wonderful view of our lush grounds as well as the Caribbean. All rooms are air-conditioned, and most are furnished with one Queen bed plus one twin bed. All rooms are very nicely appointed and have private bathrooms.
Food and Other Amenities: Three delicious meals per day feature a mixture of Belizean and International cuisine including seafood, beef, and pork dishes. Served family style in the main lodge, meals offer options for different palates and always include fresh fruits, freshly-baked breads and pastries. A comfortable lounging area and well-stocked bar in the main lodge provide a focal point for evening gatherings.
ACTIVITIES
Sightseeing, superb snorkeling and SCUBA diving are other reasons people visit Turneffe Flats. You may want to set aside some time for snorkeling, and we do offer combination fishing and SCUBA diving packages. Our Atoll Adventure Package is very popular with non-fishing partners and offers a fully guided daily activity such as snorkeling, sightseeing, shelling, dolphin and manatee searches, or bird watching.
RATES AND SEASONS
Rates – Please contact us with inquiries, and for short notice and cancellation packages.
Seasons –
Bonefish – Year round
Permit – Year round
Tarpon – Some resident tarpon are available year round. Migratory tarpon May – Sept
Other species (Snook, barracuda, various jacks, triggerfish and snapper) – Year round
INCLUSIONS
- Lodging
- Meals
- Professional guiding
- Transportation between the lodge and Belize City Airport
- Wifi
- Sea kayaks
- Beachside snorkeling
EXCLUSIONS
- Alcohol
- Flies and other fishing equipment
- Gratuities and government taxes
