This was the first destination for Wildcat Creek Outfitters many years ago. We have had some of our best trips in Saltwater at Turneffe Flats. If you have never been to Belize then you are missing one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. Turneffe Island is a small atoll off the coast of the main coast of Belize.
Our best Permit trip of all time was not to Ascension Bay it was to Turneffe. Ascension Bay is a wonderful destination but the Lagoon behind Turneffe Island is as good if not better. Turneffe also has a great migratory Tarpon fishery in May, June and July and it also has resident Tarpon throughout the year. The last trip we did our group hooked 27 Permit, that’s right 27!!! We fished to schools of 150 to 200 fish with those fish going between 15 and 30 pounds. My personal best Permit is 28 pounds from Turneffe.
Fishing Note: If you want to fish for Tarpon it is a really good idea to get out before breakfast. Turneffe Flats is excellent about this and can arrange an early morning excursion for Tarpon.
Turneffe is also one of the best run operations in the world. Craig Hayes is about a sharp an angler/owner of any lodge I have ever been to. The main lodge is beautiful and the cabins are perfectly laid out and in perfect upkeep. The island itself is easy to get to. Fly to Belize City where a person form the lodge picks you up and transfers you to the marina where Craig will pick you up in his 35ft. Stingray. The ride out to the island is part of the charm of the trip. You will cross the second largest barrier reef in the world and go through a tiny passage through to open water for the final run to the lodge.
You are in complete seclusion on this island and there is more to do than just fish for Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon. The snorkeling and diving is world class. They have combined packages for fishing/diving and have a dive master on staff year around. The famous blue hole of Belize is within a 45 minute drive of the lodge. They al so have a Mayan guide on staff for eco-trips to different parts of the area. The Mayan ruin tour is worth a day off of fishing.
Let me leave you with this. I had 2/3rd’s of the Grand Slam on consecutive days and could not find a Tarpon to complete the Slam either day. What I am saying is that this is one of the best places in the world to attempt a Grand Slam. Give us a call or email us back if you have always wanted to go to Belize. If you like seclusion and added activities this is the place.
Turneffe Flats may also be the best place in the Caribbean to combine other activities with fly fishing. They have a tremendous dive program that is priced on this page, as well as numerous other activities around both Turneffe Island and the mainland. We have done several of the mainland activities and have really enjoyed them; they are well worth the price. We can set up any of the diving, eco tour oriented stuff that they offer that they have to offer. For more info contact Chad at chad@wildcatcreekoutfitters.com
This is a section of the promotional DVD for Turneffe Flats.
To receive the full version of this free Turneffe Flats DVD, please contact Therese Bonasera with Turneffe Flats at (888) 512-8812 or reservations@tflats.com. Visit the Turneffe Flats website at www.tflats.com
Flights to Turneffe
Most all major airlines fly into Belize City. You will fly into Belize City and someone from Turneffe Flats will be ready for you at the Belize City International Airport. Flights must arrive no later than 3:00 pm in Belize City to allow for enough time to make the boat. The boat needs enough light to make the run to the island; it will not travel at night.
Transportation to the Lodge
After you are picked up at the airport by an assistant from Turneffe Flats Lodge you will be taken by bus to the Belize City Marina. As you wait on the boat out to Turneffe Flats you can have a nice meal of Grouper fingers and red beans and rice in the café at the marina. Upon departure to the island you will ride on the lodges 35 ft. stingray about 90 minutes out to the lodge. This part is included in the price of the trip.
If for some reason you cannot find a representative for the lodge at the airport, take a taxi to the Princess International Hotel Marina. What’s included in the fishing package price.
Passport required
If you need help renewing your passport or acquiring a passport for the first time go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Reciprocity Fee
A fee of 30.00 is required upon entry into Belize. You will pay this upon going through customs.
Currency
US currency is easily exchanged in Belize at a rate of $2 BLZ for $1 US, and you do not need to exchange money before leaving the U.S. Large US bills ($50’s and $100’s) are difficult to break, and we suggest that you bring smaller bills. Other currencies should be exchanged for Belizean dollars or US dollars prior to traveling to Belize. Turneffe Flats accepts MasterCard, VISA, and Discover as well as travelers checks or personal checks drawn on U.S. banks. Major Credit Cards are accepted in Belize City.
Deposit and Cancellation Policy
- A 50% deposit is due to confirm your reservation.
- Full payment is due 90 days before departure
- Deposits refundable (minus a 100.00 handling fee per package up to 60 days before the trip.
- Within 90 days of your trip your deposit is non refundable unless your spot is rebooked.
- If booked within the 90 days the full price of the trip is due
- No funds are available for unused portion of your trip
Travel Insurance
We are a Sportsman Travel Insurance agent and highly recommend travel insurance. Most lodge policies are written to encourage a travel to buy insurance. If you have an issue shortly before your trip you will be very thankful you purchased it.
Itinerary for the week
-Saturday arrival in mid-afternoon or early evening; you will be taken to your rooms
-Wake at 6:30 to tea or coffee on the porch of your cabin.
-Breakfast will be served at 7:00 am.
-Sunday will start with a short orientation before the fishing after breakfast.
-You will begin fishing everyday at 8:00pm
-Lunch will be on the boat at a time determined by the guide. Lunch consists of sandwiches, chips, drinks and a cookie or fruit. Don’t forget to put Sharp’s Habanera on your sandwiches.
-You will return each day to the lodge at around 5:00 pm. The lodge requires the guides to be back well before dark for safety purposes. If you still have enough energy grab a snorkel; jump in and do a few minutes around the front of the dock. There is about as good a snorkeling around the coral heads at the dock as you can find anywhere. Trust me it is worth the time!
-Dinner is typically served around 7:00 pm. After dinner you can hang out in the main lodge or head back to your room for the night. The main lodge is one of the finest facilities of any lodge we have ever been to.
-Your 6 fishing days will be as described above.
-On the last day, Friday, you will be back at the lodge at little earlier from fishing so you can get prepared for the trip back in the morning. The guides live out on the island for the week and have to get prepared for the one day they go back to the mainland.
-On Saturday you will leave after breakfast to return to the mainland. Upon arriving at the airport you will get checked in and get back home.
What’s included in the fishing package price.
• Guides, three meals a day, ground and water transport to and from the lodge. Fully guided daily fishing - two anglers per boat and one guide
• All land and sea transfers on scheduled transfer days
• Three substantial meals per day and pre-dinner hors d”oeuvres
• AIR CONDITIONED, double occupancy lodging
What’s not included in the fishing package price.
• Bar tab
• Fly shop and gift shop purchases
• Gratuities
• Fishing equipment rentals
Rates for fishing packages
Fishing Rates 2008 - 2009
Date Range Price Taxes
May 31 - Aug 30, 2008 $3,557.00 $235.93
Aug 30 - Dec 20, 2008 $3,233.00 $213.89
Dec 20 - Dec 27, 2008 $3,744.00 $248.64
Dec 27, 2008 - May 31, 2009 $3,859.00 $256.11
May 31 - Aug 27, 2009 $3,669.00 $243.19
Aug 27 - Dec 19, 2009 $3,329.00 $220.07
Dec 20 - Dec 27, 2009 $3,859.00 $256.11
Rates for Dive Packages
Diving Rates 2008 - 2009
Date Range Price Taxes
May 31 - Aug 30, 2008 $2,077.00 $135.29
Aug 30 - Dec 20, 2008 $1,983.00 $128.89
Dec 20 - Dec 27, 2008 $2,204.00 $143.92
Dec 27, 2008 - May 31, 2009 $2,519.00 $164.99
May 31 - Aug 27, 2009 $2,369.00 $154.79
Aug 27 - Dec 19, 2009 $2,259.00 $147.31
Dec 20 - Dec 27, 2009 $2,519.00 $164.99
What’s included in the Dive Package price
• 3 dives per day (usually 2 on the last day)
• Day trip to dive the Blue Hole and explore Lighthouse Reef (weather permitting)
• Tanks, weights and weight belts
• Daily care and cleaning of your dive equipment
• All land and sea transfers on scheduled transfer days
• Three substantial meals per day and pre-dinner hors d”oeuvres
• AIR CONDITIONED, double occupancy lodging
What’s not included in the Dive package price
• Bar tab
• Gratuities
• Dive equipment rental
• Blue Hole Park Entrance Fee
• Nitrox which is $10 per tank
Note: The recompression chamber in Belize charges a fee of $1 per dive to have available their services should they be needed. Although this fee is optional, we highly recommend that all of our divers participate.
Rates for combination Dive and fishing package
Combination Packages 2008 - 2009
Date Range Price Taxes
May 31 - Aug 30, 2008 $3,707.00 $246.13
Aug 30 - Dec 20, 2008 $3,383.00 $224.09
Dec 20 - Dec 27, 2008 $2,347.00 $156.20
Dec 27, 2008 - May 31, 2009 $3,999.00 $265.63
May 31 - Aug 27, 2009 $3,819.00 $253.39
Aug 27 - Dec 19, 2009 $3,479.00 $230.27
Dec 20 - Dec 27, 2009 $3,999.00 $265.63
Included in Combination Package Price:
• Fully guided fishing - two anglers per boat and guide
• Up to 3 dives per day
• Tank, weights and weight belts
• All land and sea transfers on scheduled transfer days
• Three substantial meals per day and pre-dinner hors d”oeuvres
• AIR CONDITIONED, double occupancy lodging
Not included in this package:
• Bar tab
• Gratuities
• Fishing equipment rentals
• Dive equipment rentals
• Blue Hole Park Entrance Fee (if applicable)
Tackle for Belize
The Bonefishing is about as varied as anywhere bonefish can be caught. There are two distinctly different areas bonefish can be found at Turneffe. The ocean side flats are primarily coral and the other is a soft bottom found in the lagoon behind the lodge. The bonefish here run between 1 to 3 pounds with some larger fish in the 8 pound range available.
The Permit fishing is almost entirely in the lagoon. There is potential to see schools of up to 200 Permit as once and these are not small fish. A typical Turneffe Island Permit is in excess of 15 pounds and can be up to 30. Our shop best fish there is 28 pounds.
While there are a few resident Tarpon around this is typically a migratory Tarpon fishery. That means big ocean fish in the 100 pound range.
So considering all this here is a list of stuff we have found is great to have on the trip. This is a very comprehensive list so don’t feel like you need all of this but we have found that everything we recommend makes for a better trip.
Rods
-9’0” 6 weight or 7 weight in a 4 piece for Bonefish.
-9’0” 10 weight for Permit. A 9 weight may get you by but a 10 will help keep those big fish out of the lobster traps. These Permit are big so don’t go under gunned
-9’0” 12 weight for Tarpon.
Note: We feel strongly that the Sage Xi2 is the best saltwater ever made. It creates fantastic line speeds to counter potential high winds. It also has a lot in the butt to fight big nasty saltwater fish.
Reels
-We really like the Nautilus CCF and NV and Tibor is our best selling most used reel on all our saltwater trips. If you are looking for a less expensive reel and need something that will work in cold or warm water as well try the Ross CLA or the Redington CDL. We really like the CDL for the money.
Lines
-Saltwater Sharkskin has become a favorite of ours and you can not go wrong with its shootability and how high it floats on the water. The other line we like is the Rio Bonefish taper and the S/A bonefish line. The S/A intermediate Tarpon line for Tarpon and the Rio Saltwater Taper in a 10 weight for Permit.
Leaders
-10 ft 10 pound Rio Bonefish leaders and don’t consider anything else. This is the simplest decision you will make for your trip.
-Tarpon leaders should be Biminis of 16 pound and 60 to 80 pound shock tippets. WE make our own Biminis and you can order ahead and get the leaders Chad makes for the shop.
-Permit leaders should be 10 ft with 20 pound tippets. These Permit are not leader shy they are presentation shy so don’t get discouraged by spooking fish. They were spooked because you made a bad cast, everyone does it!
Tools
-A good pair of pliers for removing hooks, hopefully from the fish.
-Nippers
-A really good pair of polarized sunglasses. We prefer copper or brown as a good all around lens in saltwater.
Flies
Bonefish
-Pop’s Bitters in brown and olive in size 6 and 10. Small flies are necessary because of the small Turneffe crabs living in the coral.
-Gotcha in #6 and #10 in weighted and un-weighted. You need small un-weighted flies for the ocean side flats in low tide. You will thank me latter.
-Tan Charlie in #6 and a couple of #10’s same thing as the Gotcha’s. have a few un- weighted or have a pair of pliers and cut the eyes off when needed.
Permit
-Sure we would like to sell you a bunch of flies but you would figure out pretty quickly that for the most part all you really needed was a 1/0 Merkin Crab.
-If it was not for the fact that it is a dumb idea to just go anywhere with one pattern I would recommend a Raghead crab in tan also in a #2.
Tarpon
Bunny flies work well in Red/White, Red/Black. 2/0
Black Death 2/0
Big Eyed Tarpon fly 2/0
Toads 2/0
Reef Fish
2/0 Pearly Poppers
2/0 Mushmouth in Yellow and Blue
Clothing and Stuff
- Fishing shirts with 40 upf protection. I usually take one for every day.
- Zip off fishing pant 2 each.
- Light weight quick drying shorts
- Tube shocks for wading. Throw away at the end of the day.
- Flats boots
- Fanny pack
- Dry Bag for camera and gear
- Aspirin
- Other meds
- Mad money for tips and anything you may want to buy in Belize. The lodge does take credit cards
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