As many of you will know, the FCDO is now advising against all but essential travel to Cuba due to ongoing infrastructure disruption, including power outages, fuel shortages and flight reliability issues.
You can read our full explanation of what this means for travellers here.
In simple terms, travelling against FCDO advice will almost certainly invalidate your travel insurance and remove access to British consular support. That means no medical cover, no disruption protection and no cancellation safeguards.
For Sportquest Holidays customers, existing bookings have been offered full refunds or seamless transfers to alternative destinations, with no financial loss. As a fully bonded UK tour operator with ATOL protection, we carry the risk so you don’t have to.
The good news? There are exceptional alternatives.
Below, we’ve highlighted proven saltwater fly-fishing destinations that offer world-class Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon fishing, as well as reliable options for anglers who had Cuba on their radar.
For anglers who had Cuba on their radar for consistent Bonefish numbers and classic flats fishing, Abaco Lodge in the Bahamas stands out as one of the strongest and most reliable alternatives available today.
The lodge is the only fly-fishing operation with direct access to the legendary Marls, a vast 450-square-kilometre expanse of pristine, shallow flats regarded as some of the most productive Bonefish habitat in the Caribbean. These hard-bottomed waters hold large schools of Bonefish averaging 2–4lb, with regular shots at 5–8lb fish. Fishing is primarily from Maverick skiffs, with wading opportunities when tides align. Permit, juvenile Tarpon, Barracuda and Jacks add genuine Grand Slam potential. The guides are deeply experienced and know the tides intimately, tailoring each day to maximise opportunity and keep rods bent.
Back at the lodge, ocean-view rooms, a pool, excellent cuisine and a relaxed island atmosphere provide comfort without losing the authentic flats feel. With a capacity of just eight rods, Abaco offers the same focused, intimate fishing experience many anglers valued in Cuba, but with stability, accessibility and complete travel security.
Learn more about this lodge here: Abaco Lodge, Bahamas
For those of you who valued Cuba for its classic Grand Slam potential and consistent flats fishing, El Pescador in Belize offers one of the most proven and established alternatives in the Caribbean.
Set on Ambergris Caye, the lodge provides access to over 400 square miles of productive flats, lagoons and mangrove systems. Fishing is two anglers per guide from well-equipped skiffs, with experienced local captains who understand tides, light and positioning. Bonefish are abundant and ideal for refining presentation, while Permit average 8–10lb and offer genuine challenge. Resident Tarpon to 100lb roll in the channels year-round, making this one of the few destinations where all three species can realistically be targeted in a single week.
Accommodation ranges from beachfront lodge rooms to private villas, combining relaxed island atmosphere with comfort and excellent dining. The operation is stable, long-established and professionally run, delivering the structure and reliability many anglers are now prioritising. For those seeking a dependable, high-quality Grand Slam fishery to replace Cuba, El Pescador stands as a world-class alternative with year-round consistency and depth of experience.
Learn more about this lodge here: El Pescador Lodge, Belize
If you were drawn to Cuba for its wade fishing, vast flats and species variety, Christmas Island Lodge on Kiritimati offers one of the most consistent and exciting alternatives anywhere in the world.
This remote Pacific atoll is regarded as one of the finest saltwater fly fisheries on the planet. Endless hard white-sand flats hold extraordinary numbers of Bonefish averaging 3–5lb, while Triggerfish patrol coral heads and Giant Trevally cruise channels with explosive intent. The fishing is primarily wade-based, two anglers per guide, with close shots and technical presentations demanding focus and precision. For those wanting variety, Milkfish and offshore pelagics add further depth. Accommodation is comfortable and purpose-built for anglers, with private air-conditioned rooms and a relaxed communal setting overlooking the lagoon. With a maximum of 12 rods per week and immediate access to prime water, the experience remains intimate and focused.
For those seeking a stable, well-established fishery with vast numbers of fish and true wilderness feel, Christmas Island is a world-class alternative that delivers consistency without compromise.
Learn more about this lodge here: Christmas Island Lodge, Kiribati
For anglers who were planning Cuba for its Grand Slam potential and vast protected flats, Fishermen’s Lodge in Ascension Bay, Mexico stands out as one of the most proven and productive alternatives in the Caribbean.
Located within the protected Sian Ka’an Biosphere, Ascension Bay is widely regarded as Mexico’s Permit capital. Permit demand precision and patience across expansive white-sand flats, while Bonefish provide consistent action, with double-digit days common. Juvenile Tarpon patrol the lagoons, averaging 5–15kg with larger fish landed each season, and Snook lie tight in the mangroves. Grand Slams and even Super Slams are realistic goals here.
Fishing is two rods per guide from traditional pangas, often with two guides per boat, providing exceptional fish-spotting and flexibility across different habitats. Back at the lodge, modern air-conditioned rooms, excellent dining and attentive service provide comfort in a remote jungle setting. Stable, well-established and professionally run, Fishermen’s Lodge offers serious flats fishing in a protected system, making it one of the most dependable and exciting Cuba alternatives available today.
Learn more about this lodge here: Fishermans Lodge, Mexico
If you saw Cuba as the home of Tarpon fishing, Tarponville Lodge on Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast offers one of the most consistent opportunities anywhere in the world for giant Silver Kings.
This is a fishery built around size and power. Tarpon here average 80–90lb, with regular encounters well into triple digits and genuine shots at fish over 150lb. These are heavy, ocean-run Tarpon that strike hard, leap violently and test both tackle and angler to the limit. Fishing is focused and deliberate, with two sessions per day totalling eight hours on the water, guided by seasoned local experts who understand tides, light and positioning.
While Tarpon are the headline, Jacks, Dorado and other species provide variety between prime tides. The lodge itself is simple, comfortable and beachfront, set against jungle backdrop, built for anglers who prioritise fishing above all else.
If your original plans centred around big Tarpon in tropical water, Tarponville stands as one of the most dependable and powerful alternatives available today.
Learn more about this lodge here: Tarponville, Mexico
For anglers looking beyond the Caribbean altogether, Seychelles offers a truly world-class alternative.
This island nation of 115 islands scattered across the Indian Ocean combines vast wilderness with extraordinary marine life. Though small in landmass, its waters span an immense protected zone, creating one of the most pristine and productive saltwater fly fisheries on the planet. Many outer atolls remain uninhabited, preserving ecosystems that feel untouched and wild.
The flats are expansive, crystal clear and demanding. Bonefish tail across white sand, Indo-Permit patrol lagoon edges, and Triggerfish feed over coral rubble. Giant Trevally cruise channels with raw intent, while Milkfish and Bumphead Parrotfish add rare, technical opportunities. This is saltwater fly fishing at its purest, diverse, powerful and visually spectacular.
Across Astove Atoll, Alphonse Island, Cosmoledo Atoll and Providence Atoll, anglers experience different personalities within the same ecosystem, from refined lodge comfort to remote, expedition-style GT hunting. If Cuba represented classic Caribbean flats fishing, Seychelles is the next frontier, bigger water, more species and a true global challenge.
Click any of the tours below to explore each Seychelles destination in more detail and discover which atoll suits your next adventure.
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Cuba remains a special destination with a rich culture and a fishery that has earned its place in saltwater fly fishing history. However, when infrastructure becomes unreliable and official travel advice changes, responsible decisions must follow. Protecting your investment, your safety and your time on the water should always come first.
The good news is that world-class flats fishing is not limited to one destination. From the Permit-rich waters of Ascension Bay and the vast Bonefish flats of the Bahamas to the Giant Trevally atolls of the Seychelles, there are proven, stable fisheries ready to deliver unforgettable sport.
If you had Cuba on your radar, this is simply an opportunity to explore somewhere equally exceptional, perhaps even more so.
If you would like to discuss alternatives or review an existing booking, speak to our team on 01603 407596 or email info@sportquestholidays.com. In uncertain times, who you book with matters — and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
