Fly Fishing Vacations  in Belize

Alaska Adventures is exited to announce our partnership with Turneffe Flats resort in Belize. Turneffe Flats shares many of the same "guiding" principles that we live by, and their angling property has many surprising parallels to ours. Call Charlie Summerville at Alaska Adventures for special rates and hosted trips dates to this Orvis Endorsed International Destination.

Belize Fishing Top Island Location
Turneffe Flats is located on the Eastern side of Turneffe Atoll, the largest of only four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere. About 30 miles offshore from Belize City, the trip by boat takes about 90 minutes on their covered 48 ft. Pro. The trip will take you through the offshore cayes, over the Belize Barrier Reef, and through the mangrove channels of Turneffe Islands to Turneffe Flats. The trip to and from the atoll is spectacular and a highlight for many quests.   At Turneffe Flats "Pampered in Paradise" is more than just their motto. This island resort is positioned on a private point with white sand beaches, coconut palms, and an impressive view of the reef.
Turneffe Flats location allows guest access to miles of wadeable flats for fishing. Close proximity to the best scuba diving and snorkeling in Belize is featured in their diving and atoll adventure packages. A very couple friendly resort, non angling spouses have the opportunity to experience the biodiversity of the atoll through their guided marine eco-tours, and scuba diving program that features trips to the famous Blue Hole. Their packages offer all you could want for a great Caribbean vacation!

1st class Modern Accommodations
Choose to stay in one of eight beautiful beach cabanas or one of two 3-bedroom villas, ideal for groups of friends or families. Each room is furnished with one queen size bed and one extra long single. All are air-conditioned, have private baths with a shower, two sinks, and offer panoramic views of the Caribbean. (
 Meals are a delicious combination of Belizean and American dishes served family-style. Fresh fruit, seafood and fresh baked pastries are served daily. A large breakfast of fresh fruit, cereal, eggs to order, pancakes, bacon, sausage and fresh baked goods is served from approximately 6:45 - 7:45 a.m.

The Fly Fishing in Belize
Turneffe Flats has been long accepted as one of the world's premier saltwater fly-fishing lodges where anglers always have a chance for the Grand Slam of flats fishing – a bonefish, permit, and tarpon all landed (and released) in one day.
Bonefishing
Bonefishing at Turneffe Flats offers something for anglers of all levels of experience. Beginner saltwater anglers see hundreds of fish per day providing a great opportunity to learn the basics of flats fishing. Skilled saltwater anglers find plenty of challenging fishing, particularly fishing to smaller schools and larger singles. (pictures: bonefish_rainbow)
The ocean side flats are 5 to 20 minutes from the lodge and are some of the most picturesque flats found anywhere. While wading Turneffe's flats, you will cast to large schools of bonefish averaging 3-4 pounds, with some larger fish up to 12 pounds.
Bonefish are present in equal numbers throughout the year. Bonefish on Turneffe's ocean side flats stay on these flats throughout entire tidal cycles, differentiating them from bonefish in other areas, such as the Florida Keys. These are very abundant flats full of crabs, shrimp and other bonefish foods. As a result, these fish can become selective. This can make for challenging fishing and the correct tackle, flies, presentation and fishing techniques are all important.
Bonefish also live in the mangrove-lined lagoons and flats on the interior of the Atoll. These bonefish are usually bigger and take flies more readily than the ocean side fish; although they tend to be on the move, making casting accuracy more crucial. Fishing for these fish is mostly done from the bow of thier 16' Dolphin Superskiffs.
There is a wadeable flat immediately in front of the lodge, allowing you extra fishing in the early morning or evening. There is nothing better then to wake up, walk out your front door and see tailing bonefish on your walk to breakfast!
Dick Brown, author of Fly Fishing for Bonefish, has named Turneffe Flats one of "The World's Best for Bonefish".

Permit fishing at Turneffe Flats                                is exceptional and many anglers come with sight-fishing for these challenging fish as their primary objective. Permit are found on the flats and bars throughout Turneffe with most permit fishing done from a poled skiff. You can anticipate ample shots at 10 to 20 lb. permit with some permit in the 30 to 40 lb. class. You may see more permit at Turneffe Flats then any other saltwater destination in the world, but as usual they still present that challenge that draws us all in

Tarpon Fishing
Tarpon live in the creeks, channels and lagoons of Turneffe Atoll. Most tarpon jumped are 60-90 pounds, with some big fish in the 100-150 pound range and occasionally monsters approaching 200 pounds. Most of Turneffe Flats tarpon fishing is done to rolling fish.
Tarpon fishing is quite seasonal as tarpon are migratory. Tarpon numbers begin to increase in April or May and drop off in September or October with peak tarpon months being in June, July, and August. There are a few "resident" tarpon around Turneffe throughout the year. We look for a full moon and midday high tides in those summer months as being the best tarpon fishing.

Species to fishin Belize
The center of the Turneffe Atoll offers miles of mangrove-lined bays, creeks and lagoons to fish for a variety of snappers, jacks and barracuda with poppers or Clouser minnows. This can be some extremely thrilling saltwater fishing with either a fly rod or spinning gear. Barracuda are an underrated and acrobatic game fish inhabiting the reefs at Turneffe in large numbers. Some anglers prefer to troll a fly for them, but they can also be taken by sight casting on the flats or by casting poppers into the deeper holes along the reef.

Along the reef, wading anglers can take snappers and jacks by casting deceiver patterns or poppers into the surf. Spending some time during your stay at Turneffe "chasing" other species is always fun and usually rewarding.
Fishing Skiffs
Turneffe Flats fishes from 16' Dolphin Superskiffs custom built in the U.S. These are comfortable skiffs with a large casting deck and rod holders. All skiffs are outfitted with safety gear and VHF radios.

Daily Fishing Schedule
Turneffe Flats fishing schedule is as flexible as possible. A normal day's fishing is about 8 hours. Generally the fishing day begins after breakfast and ends around 5:00 P.M. Every guest is asked to be back to the lodge well before dark for safety reasons.
Each day you will have the option to take a nice packed lunch or return to the lodge for the noon meal. Lodge management will coordinate your day's fishing the prior evening.
Catch and Release
Turneffe Flats believes strongly in protecting the fishery at Turneffe. With rare exception, all fish at Turneffe Flats are released. As a conservation leader in Belize and a charter member of 1% For The Planet, Turneffe Flats donates 1% of all revenues to conservation efforts.