Are you looking for a unique experience when coming to Belize on a fly fishing trip? Are you interested in spending time in more than one location? Then why not, when you consider all the fantastic opportunities that the Belizean coast has to offer?
We have worked long and hard putting together this triple centre itinerary where by you will arrive and start your fishing in the north of Belize San Pedro and end up in Placencia, down in the south.
There is something magical about travelling everywhere by boat whilst using the gorgeous Caribbean Sea as your highway. Fly Fishing trips like these are an extraordinary way to see and fish Belize. The days are long and the guides will make sure to put you into a wide variety of species. Unlike many of the traditional fishing lodges in Belize, our guides are not clock-watchers and do not keep “bankers hours.” Our guides enjoy fishing as much as you do and this customized trip is a great way to maximize your fishing time by taking advantage of 10 to 12 hour days. Below is a little bit about each of the three main destinations you will fish.
San Pedro is a charming little beach town, on Ambergris Caye. This thriving island community has just about everything that an angler could want: great restaurants and many bars. A warm, friendly town defines the word "casual." With only 10 streets and no pavement, most people get around the village by walking, riding a bike or renting an electric powered golf cart. The laid-back atmosphere on this island is a sure tonic to cure what ails you. Until the last decade, the fly fishing out of Ambergris Caye had been a well-guarded secret. However, when the quality of the Tarpon and Bonefish fishing started to get out, the area became a world famous fly fishing destination in just a few short years. The numerous estuaries, inlets, and river mouths in and around Ambergris Caye tend to hold the brackish water that Tarpon favour when foraging and breeding. The low salinity is a real magnet for breeding Tarpon in particular. In addition, the gorgeous white bottomed sand flats stretch all the way up to the Mexican border and anglers will marvel at the numbers of Bonefish and Tarpon that will be seen throughout the course of the fishing day. Guests will be fishing within 20 minutes of leaving town, which maximizes the fishing day to the fullest.
Caye Caulker life, to say it is laid-back is an understatement. Settle into a hammock and listen to the wind rustling through the coconut palms. Relaxation on Caye Caulker is not an option -- it is unavoidable. Located just 21 miles from Belize City, Caye Caulker feels like it's light years away; this tiny island, a half mile wide and five miles long, consists of sandy roads travelled by golf carts, bicycles and barefoot of course. Most popular species found on the flats are plentiful year-round. Bonefish range from 3-8 pounds and are found on most shallow flats surrounding Caye Caulker and the other offshore cayes. Just off the beach at the Iguana Reef Inn you often see schools of Bonefish which you can catch right from the shore, especially when the local lobster fishermen are cleaning their catch. Even Bonefish have an appreciation for lobster. Permit average 10+ pounds and are generally found in deeper flats. Tarpon range from 20 pounds to 150 pounds and are found in deeper water flats.
Placencia is situated at the end of a 20-mile peninsula; this laid-back town of 800 is the perfect backdrop to a week of fly fishing in the Caribbean. Sand and coconut trees are everywhere and everything is within a short walk. There are plenty of restaurants and numerous bars which combine to create a unique and festive atmosphere. The village is very fly fishing friendly and draws fly anglers from around the world. These flats are an excellent Permit and Bonefish resource. A 52-pound Permit was caught on a fly rod off the coast of Placencia two winters ago, so guests should be ready with the appropriate equipment for a wide variety of contingencies. Fifteen to twenty Grand Slams (a Permit, Tarpon, and Bonefish all caught on the same day) were hit this past winter out of Placencia, so if you have the bug for a slam, this is a good place to be! Another unique aspect of fly fishing in Placencia is the huge saltwater mangrove lagoon to the west of the village. This estuary stretches all the way down to Monkey River and is a prime breeding ground for Tarpon and Snook as well as a variety of other fish. Permit will also be found in this backcountry area as will a variety of Jacks and Snappers.
FISHING METHODS
Saltwater Fly Fishing, Spinning
SPECIES TO CATCH
Bonefish
Season: All Year
Peak: March to June
Weight: 2lb to 12lb
Average Weight: 3.5lb |
Permit
Season: All Year
Peak: March to June
Weight: 2lb to 60lb
Average Weight: 12lb |
Tarpon
Season: All Year
Peak: May to June
Weight: 5lb to 150lb
Average Weight: 15lb |
Snook
Season: All Year
Peak: March to June
Weight: 2lb to 12lb
Average Weight: 5lb |
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Note: these figures are complied with catch reports over 5 years, however they can be affected by adverse weather.
TOUR INCLUDES
All flights (WT), transfers, accommodation and guided fishing.
WHAT’S EXCLUDED
Holiday insurance, personal items, Miami transfer, local tips and fly fishing tackle.
OPTIONS
Seat upgrades available with British Airways.
VISA
No visa for UK citizens required.
Note: Because your flight will involve travelling into the USA, you will be required before travel to complete an Electronic System Travel Authorisation (ESTA) online, which is compulsory for all USA Visa Waiver Programme (VWP) travellers before boarding an air or sea carrier to the USA. For full information and to apply online visit our ESTA information page.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
No vaccinations currently required.
PLEASE NOTE
All details of visa and medical requirements are correct at time of press however please check these requirements for changes.
DEPARTURE TAX
There is a $39.50 US per person additional departure tax payable upon leaving Belize and can now only be paid in USD
FLIGHT ROUTE AND FLIGHT TIME
UK - Miami (approx 9hrs)
Miami - Belize City (approx 2 hrs)
Belize City - San Pedro (approx 15 mins)
Caye Caulker - Belize City (approx 20 mins)
Belize City - Placencia (approx 30 mins)
BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
(WT) 2 checked in items 23 kg (WTP) 2 checked in items 23 kg (C/F) 3 checked in items 23 kg. British Airways permits each passenger to check in one piece of sporting luggage i.e. a rod holdall, but must not exceed 23 kg.
TRANSFER TIME
San Pedro - Tides Beach Resort (approx 5 mins)
Placencia - Diannis hotel (approx 5 mins)
BELIZE WHITEWATER KAYAKING
Over a 5 mile stretch you will battle against white water, with a final exciting drop at Clarissa Falls, a Class III drop (not a waterfall!) that falls into a pool where a small lodge and restaurant are located.
BELIZE HIKING ADVENTURES
An opportunity to climb the Castillo, a hike which takes you to a viewpoint where you can see all the way to nearby Guatemala.
BELIZE RIVER CAFE
Relax as you flow through four caves on its course from the Maya Mountains to its confluence with the Sibun River.
