Turneffe Flats Lodge - Belize

RATES

 

 

High Season: (mid December - mid June)

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing: $5,590 - Double Occupancy -double occupancy and shared guide

*contact us for single occupancy or single angler rates

 

Low Season: (late June-mid December)

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing: $4,890 - Double Occupancy -double occupancy and shared guide

*contact us for single occupancy or single angler rates

 

NOTE - 4 night 3 day packages are also an option based on availability - please inquire for rates and available options

 

Included: Seven nights of lodging (Saturday to Saturday), guided fishing, Round-trip land and sea transfers between Belize City and Turneffe, Three meals per day and an afternoon snack, Coffee and tea will be available in the room

 

Not Included: International flights to Belize City, Belizian taxes (9% hotel tax and 12.5% sales tax), Bar tab and alcohol, Belizean fishing license (can be purchased at lodge), Gratuities for guides and staff, Flies, leaders and terminal tackle (can be purchased at tackle shop), Rod rental available at added cost, Additional diving and non-fishing adventure packages

 

FISHING OVERVIEW

The fishing schedule is as flexible as possible. A standard day's fishing is about 8 hours. Generally the fishing day begins after breakfast and ends around 5 p.m. although it is adjusted depending on the tides and other factors. The guides fish from 16-foot Dolphin Superskiffs custom built in the U.S. All skiffs are equipped with VHF radios and safety gear.  Lean bars are available upon request.

Bonefish: Bonefish are the most common target for anglers visiting Turneffe Atoll. The ocean-side corral flats are just a short boat ride from dock. Sight casting  to large schools of tailing bonefish is possible during most hours of the day. Anglers can expect to see smaller schools of medium-sized bones, along with the occasional lone fish in the five-plus range. Bonefish are consistently available throughout the year, giving anglers of all experience levels the challenge they are looking for. You should expect to see hundreds of bonefish over the course of a week of fishing with the guides of Turneffe Flats. 

Permit: The waters of Turneffe Atoll are home to an exceptional population of the elusive permit, which is why many permit junkies return year after year. Permit can be found on the flats throughout the year, with the best fishing occurring between March and November. Permit inhabit the same coral reef as the bonefish and can also be found in the inner lagoon. The large schools in the lagoon offer anglers one of the most forgiving opportunities to catch a permit. Many anglers have landed their first permit in the lagoon near Turneffe Flats. Anglers serious about chasing these fish can expect numerous shots at 10 to 20-pound permit and occasional shots at fish in the 20 to 35-pound class.

Tarpon: Resident tarpon up to 50 poounds make the creeks, mangrove channels, and lagoons their home, and can be found in select locations everyday of the year. Sometime in April or May, large migratory tarpon make their way through onto the Atoll for a brief stop to feed on bait and rest, before continuing their migration. June through August is considered the best season for tarpon fishing on Turneffe Atoll, but large migratory tarpon have been caught as late as the end of September. Migratory fish run between 70 to 150-pounds. 

Other species: The interior of the Turneffe Atoll offers miles of mangrove-lined bays, creeks and lagoons to fish for various snappers, jacks and barracuda with poppers or Clouser minnows. This can be some very exciting 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.

 

Non-Angling Activities 

Scuba Diving: Turneffe Atoll consistently ranks among the world's top dive locations and Turneffe Flats is ideally located to take advantage of the atoll's very best Scuba diving. The dive program offers 18 dives each week including a day of diving at Lighthouse Reef and the Blue Hole, weather permitting. Divers have access more than 60 dive sites around Turneffe Atoll, and the lodge is within an hour's boat ride to the Blue Hole.  The dive team at Turneffe Flats provides true valet dive service. After unpacking dive gear on your veranda the first morning, it is washed and set up on the dive boat the remainder of the week.  All you need to do is walk to the dive boat after a delicious breakfast and head for one of our exceptional dive sites.

Atoll Adventures: Explore all of the wonders and the beauty of the Turneffe Atoll.  This unique marine eco-adventure experience features world-class snorkeling, birding, wildlife sightseeing and several other fun and informative activities. Every day offers a great new adventure and a perfect opportunity to relax - that's what our Atoll Adventure is all about. A 25 foot canopied boat is at your guide's disposal for exploring the reefs, mangroves, creeks and lagoons that make Turneffe the largest and most biologically-diverse atoll in the Caribbean. Turneffe's warm Caribbean waters, extensive sea life and and vibrant corals make snorkeling one activity that you will definitely want to experience. The guides are masters at helping everyone feel comfortable in the water and beginners can learn to snorkel on our sandy shore before visiting the reef. With at least 60 species of birds at Turneffe, birding is another highlight. You may also want to tour the atoll looking for manatees and dolphins or enjoy an afternoon kayaking. 

 

ACCOMMODATIONS

The spacious, air-conditioned Main Lodge, is the social center of the resort. Your visit will begin here with a welcome drink and a brief orientation. The Main Lodge is the social gathering place, dining area, and bar all together. Each evening, there is a pre-dinner gathering in the Lodge for hors d'oeuvres and refreshments and tales of the day’s adventures. A large deck area and a swimming pool provide an outdoor commons area, perfect for non-anglers as well as fishermen looking to relax after a day on the water. Turneffe Flats has three different choices for accommodations - all of which are the same price and included in the package rate.

Beach Cabanas

Eight spacious, air-conditioned, individual guest rooms are located directly on the beach, and all are furnished with two queen-sized beds, a large private bath with two sinks and a shower. 

The Reef Villa

A three-bedroom villa with a large sitting and common area, satellite television, a small kitchenette, and air conditioning. The main Reef Villa bedroom houses two queen beds and the other two rooms offer one queen bed and two single beds, respectively. Private bathrooms adjoin every bedroom.

The Garden Villa

A three-bedroom villa with a larger common area that is set slightly back from the beach but has wonderful views of the manicured grounds and the Caribbean Sea. The Garden Villa has three nicely appointed guest rooms, each with a private bathroom. The kitchenette, satellite television, and air conditioning make this the perfect place for groups and families.

Food and Beverages

Meals at the lodge are a combination of Belizean and American dishes served family-style in the large dining area. Fresh seafood, local produce, and home-baked pastries are standard fare. Three delicious meals per day are part of the package, and each morning you will awaken to fresh coffee or tea served on your private verandah. The main bar is well-stocked with premium liquor and offers a variety of wines, as well as local beers. 

Typical Length of Stay

The standard package includes seven (7) nights / six (6) fishing days (Saturday to Saturday). Partial week packages are available with some restrictions.

Communications

Wi-Fi is available free of charge for Lodge guests. Please bring your own device for accessing the internet. Depending on your service plan, some cell phones will also work in Belize City, but not out on the Atoll. There is a land-line available for use by guests, at $1/minute. 

 

GETTING THERE

International flights to Belize City's Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) go through Miami, Dallas, Houston, Newark, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Charlotte. Belize is services by American, Delta, United, US Air, and Taca. 

Turneffe Flats is accessed only twice a week via a private transfer boat, so it is very important that you arrive into Belize City (BZE) in time to catch the boat out to the Atoll on your arrival day. Plan on arriving NO LATER than 3:00 PM. If you arrive later than that, you will have to overnight in Belize City at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, and then take the guide and staff boat out to the island early Sunday morning.

On your departure day from Turneffe, you will not want to schedule a flight out of Belize City before 11:30 AM, as there is no guarantee that you will be back at the airport before 10:00 AM that morning (The transfer boat typically leaves the lodge at 7:30 AM and arrives at the dock in Belize City at approximately 9:00 to 9:30 AM).

All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within six (6) months of trip dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way.  Citizens of the U.S., the British Commonwealth, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the European Community are NOT required to have Visas.