Turneffe Flats Lodge, Belize

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A tropical Island Paradise

We have been doing hosted trips to Belize for twenty years, and for the past sixteen years, they have been to our favorite fishing lodge in Belize - Turneffe Flats, in the Turneffe Islands.   Over the years there have been lots of changes, all for the better, but one thing that has remained constant is the wonderful fishing.   New cabins and a completely rebuilt main lodge are very comfortable.  With AC in all the cabins and lodge, there are none of the bug problems that confronted us in those early years.  Turneffe Flats has always been the one of the best managed lodges in the Caribbean, with continual upgrades to boats, skiffs and diving equipment.   Their staff of fishing guides is second to none.  The guides all speak good English and are all very capable and knowledgable about the fishing.   It's a great place for beginners to get their start in fly fishing, but also a haven for expert anglers, especially those that are after their first permit.  The permit fishing has just gotten better and better over the years, and many anglers catch their first permit ever at Turneffe Flats. Not only is the permit fishing superb, but this is a place where you can see and catch some really big permit.  About fifteen years ago now, George Anderson landed a permit with guide Tacu Johnson that  was in the 40 pound class, and would have been a world record if not released.  Over the years George and other anglers caught several other fish in high 20's to mid 30 pound range.   Today, if anything there are more permit than ever before.

        James Anderson with a nice permit on an April trip.

Turneffe Flats is on a coral atoll thirty miles from mainland Belize, an easy run in the big sport fishing/diving boats the lodge utilizes.  Bonefish and permit flats are just minutes away and we have caught nice bones and permit while wading the flat right in front of the lodge.   A short five to ten minute run in a skiffs puts you on some of the best and most extensive bonefishg flats in the Islands.   There is over thirty miles of water inside the big lagoon  and countless islands and flats to fish for permit, bones and also channels where you'll find smaller tarpon on a year round basis.  In the spring (May and June) much larger tarpon show up in good numbers.  

To sum it up, Turneffe Flats Lodge is everything you could hope for in a remote island setting.  Exceptionally nice accommodations, wonderful food and hospitality, great guides, terrific fishing, and spectacular diving.  This is the creme de la creme of salt water fishing and romantic get-a-ways.

The Fishing

In March you can expect to catch bonefish averaging 2-3 pounds with some fish in the 5-8 pound range. There have been bones well over 10 pounds caught over the years but they are rare. The permit fishing at Turneffe is some of the best in the world.

Although the average permit is 8-12 pounds there are many fish in the 15-25 pound range with a few bigger (30-40lb) fish caught each year. Big permit are always a challenge, but with the new crab patterns and techniques we are using today they are being caught on a much more regular basis. 

Besides the grand slam of bonefish, permit, and tarpon, the Turneffe Islands have a wonderful variety of other gamefish you can catch.  Along the reef system you'll find barracuda, a variety of snappers including some big Cubarra Snappers, Jack Crevalle and even an occassional snook. 

Most of the bonefishing is done wading on beautiful ocean side white sand flats.  The guides will often fish from the boat until they locate some good schools of bones, then park the boat and wade fish the flats.  You'll fish to schools of bonefish that will number in the hundreds, but the best opportunities for big bones is finding them in smaller groups of 2-6 fish.   Along the deeper edges of the ocean side flats, permit can be spotted and caught, so if you are wade fishing, remember to bring along a few crab patterns and some heavier tippet.  You'll need the heavier tippet for sure if you hook a permit while wading, as they will immediately try to get back out into deeper water and the protection of the coral reef.   Sometimes you stop them, but most of the time you don't. Whatever happens, the one thing you can count on is that the confrontation will be thrilling.  

       Capt.Bill Blanton with one of his permit for the week

The best permit fishing is back among the islands in the main lagoon and along the big channels leading in from the ocean. The guides will have you fishing from the Dolphin Super Skiffs 95% of the time.   Then, when you do hook a big permit, you'll have a far better chance to land it, forcing the fish to fight in deeper water, away from the flats or coral.   Permit fishing at Turneffe provides anglers with the unique opportunity to cast to large schools of cruising permit.  Most of the time these fish are in the 12-15 pound class.  The larger fish are almost always solitary fish or in groups of two to four fish.   The most exciting fishing is having the opportunity to fish for a single big tailing permit.   There are lots of bars and edges of flats in the main lagoon where you'll spot these tailing fish.   Your guide will help you get into perfect position and tell you just what to do to catch the fish of a lifetime.  

Diving Opportunities

The Turneffe Islands have always been famous for the spectacular diving and snorkeling found there on this pristine atoll and reef system.  Turneffe Flats Lodge is the best lodge we know of where you can combine superb diving with first rate flats fishing.  Turneffe Flats's divemasters know hundreds of fun dive sites, from shallow spots to snorkel inside the reef, to deeper dives like the famous "Elbow" off the Southern end of the island system, which is always packed with fish, from the top of the wall at 80 feet to the surface.  Spur and groove structure along the top of the wall presents fun opportunities to swim through these underwater canyons with schools of tarpon and even permit.  A thirty minute run across blue water puts divers out on Lighthouse Reef, where you can explore the famous "blue hole" or dive the many shallower spots along the reef.  

Gin clear water and wonderful visibility has always been an attraction to Belize divers.  Lateral visibility is often in the 100-200 foot range, unheard of in many other popular dive destinations. 

Most of the diving is done is 40-60 feet of water, and remember, you don't have to be certified to dive when you come to Turneffe Flats.   The divemaster can run you through a "resort" course where you spend one dive in shallow water learning the techniques, and then you'll be able to join the other divers on all but the deepest dives.  Of course you'll be under close supervision by your divemaster at all times.  

Doing a combo package allows you to split your time diving and fishing as you see fit.   Check the tides, and plan your day to fish those good low incoming tides for bones or hit the mid-incoming to high tides for permit, then plan your diving either in the morning or afternoon to correspond to your fishing time.   Or, if you prefer, take the whole day to dive, especially if you are making a long run, like out to Lighthouse reef.   It's your choice. 

Travel, rates and the weeks booked

Belize is easy to get to, with most flights coming in from Houston, DFW, or Miami.  You only need a passport to go and there are no health concerns traveling to Belize. 

Turneffe Flats Rates for 2007-2008

Included in Fishing Package:

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

Not included in this package:

Bar tab
Fly shop and gift shop purchases
Gratuities
Fishing equipment rentals

Single supplement (your own private boat and guide) is available at a higher cost.  We'll be happy to detail all these costs for you.  Just e-mail us on this. 

Combination Fishing/Diving rates

For only about $150-170 per week in addition to the

fishing rates above, anglers can add-on the combo package which allows complete flexibility with up to three dives per day. Tank, weights and weight belt are included.   Bring your own mask, snorkel and fins as well as BC, regulator and dive computer.

If you don't have the BC, regulator and dive computer, you can rent this for the week for $200.   

Special rates for non-anglers

Included in Atoll Adventure Package:

Daily guided activities including snorkeling, manatee & dolphin tours, and birding supervised by our Adventure Guide
An optional day tour on the mainland (additional charge)
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

Atoll Adventure Pricing for 2007-2008

If you would like more information on our Turneffe Flats trips including availability in these different time periods,

e-mail me at jamesd@yellowstoneangler.com, or you can call us here at the Yellowstone Angler at 406-222-7130.

Read the packing list for Turneffe Flats!

Check out our Gear List for Turneffe Flats!

             Accomodations

             Atoll Adventure

                Bonefishing

             Combo Package:

            Fishing and Diving

                    Crabs

                 Fish Food

                   Diving

                    Dogs

                     Flies

                     Gear

                     Guides

                    Knots

                Ocean Blue

               Permit Fishing

            Sunrise/Sunset

      Travel Days (To & From)