Zapata is one of Cuba’s most exclusive saltwater fly fishing holidays, a vast and untouched fishery limited to just eight rods per week. With such low angling pressure, the sense of space and freedom is unmatched, and every flat feels like your own.
Bonefish are prolific here, swarming across white-sand shallows in aggressive, unpressured schools. Permit tail across pancake flats, their black fins cutting the surface with precision and intent. Tarpon up to 80lb roam the turtle grass edges, ready to explode skyward when the fly connects. It is technical, rewarding fishing where every shot matters.
The programme is designed for flexibility. Anglers can fish solo from single-angler skiffs or pair up on Dolphin skiffs to explore deeper water. Beyond the flats, Cubera Snapper, Barracuda and Jacks add further variety, ensuring rods stay bent throughout long days on the water. Dawn-to-dusk schedules with no fuel restrictions mean more time fishing, less time travelling, and total freedom to explore.
Evenings are spent aboard the Georgiana liveaboard, anchored minutes from the flats. Air-conditioned cabins, a spacious sundeck and freshly prepared Cuban cuisine create a comfortable setting to relax, share stories and prepare for the next session.
For anglers who like the idea of untouched flats, wild fish and the freedom of fishing on their own terms, Zapata delivers a Cuban holiday defined by exclusivity and adventure in equal measure.
The season runs from January to December.
Season: All year
Peak: March to July
Weight: 1LB to 12LB
Average Weight: 5LB
Season: All year
Peak: March to July
Weight: 1LB to 30LB
Average Weight: 10LB
Season: All year
Peak: March to July
Weight: 10LB to 130LB
Average Weight: 45LB
Depart Any international airport - Arrive Havana
Depart Any international airport - Arrive Havana
Depart: TBA
Arrive: José Martí International Airport
General Note
General Note
Please note: Depending on your chosen international airport, an overnight flight and/or hotel stay may be required, which may affect your departure and return dates. Your itinerary will be finalised once travel arrangements are confirmed.
Independent flight/travel arrangements can be accommodated, though our flight-inclusive packages are recommended to ensure seamless integration into your holiday plans.
Transfer from Havana Airport to your overnight hotel
Transfer from Havana Airport to your overnight hotel
Once you’ve landed and collected your bags, take a taxi (not included) to your overnight hotel. After checking in, you’re free to relax or explore this beautiful city at your leisure.
Havana Standard Hotel
Overnight Accommodation
Havana Standard Hotel in a Twin Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Travel from Havana to Base de la Pesca
Travel from Havana to Base de la Pesca
Around late morning, a representative from our partners will pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the small port village of Base de la Pesca, located between Playa Larga and Playa Girón on the Bay of Pigs. The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours along paved roads.
Upon arrival, you’ll board the liveaboard, meet the crew and guides, settle into your staterooms, and begin preparing your tackle for the exciting week of fishing ahead.
MV Georgiana
Overnight Accommodation
MV Georgiana in a Twin Room on a Full board basis
Fishing
Fishing
Your first fishing day will begin once the sun rises, as the MV Georgiana will depart the dock to motor out to the fishing grounds at Zapata. It takes approximately 2.5-3.5 hours (depending on the weather) to motor to the anchor point in Las Salinas.
Once you reach the first mooring, you will head out in the skiffs for the first day of fishing and fish until dark. Once you arrive back at the end of the day, you can shower, relax, and prepare for appetizers and drinks before dinner.
MV Georgiana
Overnight Accommodation
MV Georgiana in a Twin Room on a Full board basis
Fishing
Fishing
On your second and third fishing days, depending on the rotations, you will either get to fish in a single skiff, guided one-to-one, or in a double skiff guided two-to-one. With this, we ensure you access to the better areas of our fishing zone. For skinny waters flats, you will be fishing from the flat bottom single skiff so that you can access the best places for Bonefish and Permit; with our dolphin double skiff, you can fish the best waters for Tarpon and travel to deeper water further from the yacht.
A typical day of fishing will consist of:
7:00am: Wake-up call.
7:30am: Breakfast.
8:00am: Fishing.
Return late afternoon, shower, relax, and prepare for appetisers and drinks before dinner.
MV Georgiana
Overnight Accommodation
MV Georgiana in a Twin Room on a Full board basis
Fishing
Fishing
On your last three fishing days, if you have a particular species on your bucket list that you’d like to tick off, let your guide know – he will do his best to help you achieve your goals.
Zapata has an incredible array of diverse habitats that are home to a wide range of fish species. As you’d expect, the traditional flats species and those associated with the Grand Slam and Super Slam are prominent – Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit and Snook. However, head slightly further offshore to the blue holes and coral heads, and you’ll find giant Cubera Snapper, Barracuda, Jack Crevalle and a whole host of other reef fish.
MV Georgiana
Overnight Accommodation
MV Georgiana in a Twin Room on a Full board basis
General Note
General Note
On your final morning aboard the MV Georgiana, you’ll receive an early wake-up call followed by breakfast. Afterwards, the mothership will begin its journey back to port, where you’ll meet the bus that will transfer you back to Havana.
Travel from Base de la Pesca to Havana Airport
Travel from Base de la Pesca to Havana Airport
The bus from the port will transfer you back to Havana airport.
Transfer from Havana Airport to your overnight hotel
Transfer from Havana Airport to your overnight hotel
Once your bus arrives at the airport, you will need to take a taxi (not included) to your overnight hotel. After checking in, the rest of the evening is free for you to relax or explore the city at your leisure.
Havana Standard Hotel
Overnight Accommodation
Havana Standard Hotel in a Twin Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis
Transfer from your overnight hotel to Havana Airport
Transfer from your overnight hotel to Havana Airport
Depending on your flight times, you will need to take a taxi (not included) back to Havana airport, ready for your return journey home.
Depart Havana - Arrive Any international airport
Depart Havana - Arrive Any international airport
Depart: José Martí International Airport
Arrive: TBA
General Note
General Note
Please note: Depending on your chosen international airport, an overnight flight and/or hotel stay may be required, which may affect your departure and return dates. Your itinerary will be finalised once travel arrangements are confirmed.
Independent flight/travel arrangements can be accommodated, though our flight-inclusive packages are recommended to ensure seamless integration into your holiday plans.
The FCDO is now advising against all but essential travel to Cuba. This follows severe and worsening disruption across the country, including:
Cuba is experiencing sustained infrastructure challenges that are directly affecting the reliability of basic services. Fuel rationing has been introduced, and public services have been scaled back. Airlines are reviewing routes and, in some cases, cancelling services, which risks travellers being unable to leave the country as planned.
If your preferred week or travel dates do not appear in the calendar above, please get in touch. Many lodges release availability in stages, and some dates depend on tides, seasons, guide schedules, or short-notice changes. By speaking with us directly, you will receive the most up to date availability and clear guidance on securing the strongest options before popular weeks fill.
Enquire now and we will check live availability for the dates you are considering.
Our ATOL protection, means you have financial security on your booking.
All our destinations are thoroughly researched by our team of experts.
We have worked hard to be able to provide you with the best prices possible.
We offer complete holiday packages, making booking a holiday simple.
"If you're looking at a trip saltwater fly fishing then I'd 100% recommend Zapata. The Bonefish fishing was incredible and I even landed some nice Tarpon. On the final day, I came within a whisker of my first grand slam too, but unfortunately, the Permit just eluded me! The single angler skiffs were excellent and the guides very knowledgeable, the liveaboard was quite a unique experience too. Overall a brilliant trip! "
"A fantastic week at a fantastic destination. I'd never previously stayed on a liveaboard and was a little unsure about it, but it was an excellent experience - the Georgiana Liveaboard was well equipped and the staff, food and facilities were first class. The fishing was brilliant too, the guides were incredibly knowledgeable and each day I landed some good Bonefish. A big thanks to everyone involved in making my trip happen! "
"What a place! I've saltwater fly fished a few different destinations around the world but this has to be one of the best places I've ever wet a line. The single angler skiffs were something that really appealed to me and it was lovely, without being greedy, to have the water and boat all to myself. Throughout the week and each day, I landed numerous Bonefish of all sizes. "
This Georgiana is a 100-foot, custom-built yacht that accommodates groups of eight anglers at a time. The boat features six comfortable cabins, four single cabins and two double occupancy cabins, each fitted with bunks and private bathrooms. The interior areas of the ship and all staterooms are air-conditioned.
It features a spacious dining, living and bar area, as well as an outdoor barbeque. There is also a sun deck where you can enjoy the fantastic views of deserted white sandy beaches, rocky islands and seemingly endless flats.
The boat is the ideal base of operations for exploring the mangrove wilderness and wild backcountry of the Zapata Peninsula. The ship gets strategically anchored in a well-protected location that allows easy access to the most productive flats and fishing areas in reserve. Typically the Georgiana moors in two different locations within the fishery during the week.
Wi-Fi is not available onboard the Georgiana, which means that you will be offline once you board the ship.
If you have a smaller group, six anglers or less, it’s also possible to visit Zapata and utilise their smaller liveaboard, the Perola. Speak to a member of the Sportquest team when enquiring.
The galley aboard the Georgiana takes pride in serving a diverse menu of traditional Cuban food, fresh seafood, and various international dishes. Breakfasts get cooked to order each morning, and lunches can be packed for a full day on the flats or enjoyed back on the ship at midday.
Fresh fish gets utilized for most meals, and salads with fresh vegetables and various fruits are always available. In addition, you’ll have excellent pork and chicken entrees, fresh sashimi, and Italian-style pizzas for appetizers. All dinners typically include a great line-up of fresh seafood and are served with wine, local liquors, and desserts.
Many years ago, the land and flats of the Zapata Swamp was just an area where charcoal got produced, precious wood extracted, and crocodile and deer hunted. But fast forward to early 2000, and this all changed, as UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – declared the wetlands, which occupy the entire Zapata peninsula and surrounding areas, a biosphere reserve. A year later, the Ramsar Convention included it on its list of international importance, and two years later, it was declared a World Heritage Site. Now Zapata is one of the most protected and best-preserved wetlands systems in the Caribbean.
Just over 9,000 people populate the 4,322 square kilometre area, making it the most sparsely populated municipality in Cuba. Above the water, its wealth lies in the vast forests and swamps, and more than 165 migratory and autochthonous species call the destination home. Below the water is equally impressive, and its warm crystal clear waters are rich with life and home to all manner of marine species, including abundant populations of Tarpon, Bonefish and Permit. These species, the remote nature of the destination, and the vast protected areas of wetlands attract saltwater fly fishing anglers from all around the globe.
With only eight anglers allowed to fish the thousands of kilometres of waters in and around Zapata each week, many area’s have never seen an angler. From a saltwater fly fishing perspective, the destination is in its infancy and is special, and a real jewel in Cuba’s ecological crown.
Zapata has an incredible array of diverse habitats that are home to a wide range of fish species. As you’d expect, the traditional flats species and those associated with the Grand Slam and Super Slam are prominent – Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit and Snook. However, head slightly further offshore to the blue holes and coral heads, and you’ll find huge Cubera Snapper, Barracuda, Jack Crevalle and a whole host of other reef fish.
The destination is home to nearly limitless super shallow, hard sand flats, which provide the perfect habitat for Bonefish. It’s possible to target these fish poling from the boat, or if wading tailing fish is more your thing, then there are miles upon miles of easily wadable water. The populations are abundant, and they get found in great numbers all across the whole ecosystem. Even though Bonefish is sometimes considered a saltwater fly fishing ‘starter’ species, they are at the same time one of the most refined. When hooked in shallow water, they will run with a force and vigour that will challenge the confidence you have in your fishing gear.
Dozens of kilometres of shallow lagoons and pancakes flats popping up from deep water provide the perfect habitat for Permit. These fish range in size between 8lb and 30lb and are some of the most fickle yet rewarding of all saltwater game fish. Typically identified by their protruding coal-black forked tails, they can provide a challenge to even the most experienced fly fishing anglers.
The scores of narrow mangrove channels and lagoons provide the ideal hunting ground for juvenile Tarpon, and fish between 10lb and 40lb are common. However, fishing on the edges of the expansive turtle grass and white sand flats will see you in with a chance of a much larger specimen, with fish to over 80lb landed each season. These fish are powerful and acrobatic, and during the duration of a battle with anglers, they will regularly launch themselves clear of the water in a bid to shake the hook.
Zapata is the ideal destination for those saltwater fly fishing anglers who like a bit of variation. It offers opportunities for anglers to catch different species while fishing different types of flats in a combination of both wade and boat fishing.
To find out more about saltwater fly fishing in Cuba at Zapata, visit our YouTube channel.
One of the things that make the fishing programme in Zapata so unique is the vast amount of skinny water available at the saltwater fly anglers disposal. However, due to the remote nature of the destination and wild marine landscape, much of the water is too shallow to access with traditional flats skiffs, so for this reason, the Zapata operation utilizes four custom-built ‘single anglers’ skiffs. These boats, constructed from a very light fibreglass mould, are ideal for the miles and miles of shallow water, are powered by 40 HP Yamaha engines, and can draw less than 6 inches of water. They have been specially designed to accept one solo angler and one guide.
On each fishing day at Zapata, four anglers will fish from these single boats, with the other four fishing two-to-a-boat, along with a guide, in a traditional Dolphin Skiff. This schedule rotates throughout the fishing week so that each angler can fish solo for three days and share a boat and guide for the other three days. There is no other destination in Cuba that offers solo fishing as a part of their weekly program or where travelling anglers will receive such a considerable amount of fishing time and at no additional cost.
The single angler flats boats are perfect for navigating and fishing Bonefish and Permit in the shallow backcountry, while the double Skiffs are more suitable for Tarpon fishing and making long runs to the fishing grounds further to the West.
Zapata is ideal for fly-fishermen who wish to live and experience fishing from dawn till dusk. They offer more fishing hours than any other destination and are totally at the angler’s discretion.
A regular day usually begins with a hearty breakfast around 7.00am before departing with your guides at around 8.00am. The skiffs on the liveaboard get accessed from the boat’s deck, and you can generally be fishing within one or two minutes after setting off. The liveaboard Georgiana explores the remote wetlands of this Ramsar Site and reaches areas beyond any land-based flats skiffs, fishing waters that rarely see other anglers.
After fishing all morning and with the accommodation so close, it’s common to head back for lunch, escaping the hottest of the midday sun and relaxing for an hour before heading back out for the afternoon.
Typically, wherever you’re fishing, you’ll return to the accommodation early evening, after the witching hour, as this can often be very productive. Once back at on liveaboard and after you’ve relaxed and showered, you’ll be served some dinner, with fine cuisine, fresh fish, lobster and conch, as well as a variety of salad and fruits, washed down with a selection of world-class wines, rum and beer.
If you're looking at a trip saltwater fly fishing then I'd 100% recommend Zapata. The Bonefish fishing was incredible and I even landed some nice Tarpon. On the final day, I came within a whisker of my first grand slam too, but unfortunately, the Permit just eluded me! The single angler skiffs were excellent and the guides very knowledgeable, the liveaboard was quite a unique experience too. Overall a brilliant trip!
A fantastic week at a fantastic destination. I'd never previously stayed on a liveaboard and was a little unsure about it, but it was an excellent experience - the Georgiana Liveaboard was well equipped and the staff, food and facilities were first class. The fishing was brilliant too, the guides were incredibly knowledgeable and each day I landed some good Bonefish. A big thanks to everyone involved in making my trip happen!
What a place! I've saltwater fly fished a few different destinations around the world but this has to be one of the best places I've ever wet a line. The single angler skiffs were something that really appealed to me and it was lovely, without being greedy, to have the water and boat all to myself. Throughout the week and each day, I landed numerous Bonefish of all sizes.
Thatch Caye is an all-inclusive private island resort in Southern Belize, offering laid-back luxury, overwater accommodation, fresh Belizean cuisine, and a peaceful Caribbean escape for anglers and non-anglers alike. Set in the heart of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, it provides direct access to world-class flats fishing for Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon.
This exclusive Sportquest Holidays Solo Traveller week invites single anglers to experience Colombia’s Pacific coast in style, no supplements, no surcharges, just world-class bluewater action shared with like-minded guests in a spectacular beachfront setting. From Marlin and Tuna offshore to Tarpon and Roosterfish inshore, Anigua Beach House delivers thrilling fishing by day and luxury by night.
Nubian Flats is home to some of the best saltwater fly fishing available with miles of untouched and unspoilt areas to explore. Previously these waters were inaccessible until now. With our partners, we can now offer two liveaboard fly fishing operations, one in the north and a longer trip in the deep south giving you access to some of the most virginal saltwater fly fishing around.
Cayo Paredón is the hottest, newest destination in the portfolio of our partners Fly Fishing the Run. Located in the province of Camaguey, the easternmost, most significant and flattest region in the centre of Cuba, it's a saltwater fly fishing paradise, home to all the 'Grand Slam' species.
Think about a place where you can fish more than 100 miles of flats without seeing another fisherman. A place where the flats fishing is so good, you can catch seven fish species in one day and a place where you have a legitimate chance for a ‘Grand Slam’ every day of the year; that’s Canarreos.
