In conjunction with our partners at Avalon, we’d like to introduce you to Canarreos, an archipelago located south of the main island of Cuba in the Caribbean Sea. Vast in size, comprising over 350 islets and an area almost as long as the Florida Keys, it offers travelling saltwater fly fishing anglers the opportunity to fish the famous Isla de Juventud and Cayo Largo fisheries from a single live aboard yacht.
Canarreos is a unique and incomparable combination, a once-in-a-lifetime destination that allows anglers to fish in their own marine park on the southern coast of Cuba. In the east of the archipelago, its endless white sand and turtle grass flats are home to abundant numbers of Permit and Bonefish, whilst, to the west, there are plentiful habitats for Tarpon and Snook. As a result, it’s one of the best destinations globally to target a ‘Super Grand Slam’.
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. If you’d like to learn more about this incredible saltwater fly fishing destination in Cuba, visit our YouTube channel.
Fly fishing in Cuba is far different from other destinations in the Caribbean, and it’s only in recent years that its flats fishery has been developed, and the waters of Canarroes are no exception. As a result, travelling rods visiting this unique part of the world will have the opportunity to wet a fly in waters that have not seen sport fishing for nearly fifty years. This pristine area is a Cuban National Marine Park, part of the Blue Sanctuary project and protected from all forms of commercial fishing, other than for lobsters. The flats species like Tarpon, Permit, Bonefish, Snook, Mutton Snapper, Barracuda, and a variety of Jacks are found in incredible numbers, and since the fishing pressure is so light, the fish rarely encounter anglers and can be unusually easy to catch.
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. A place where big Bonefish run toward your fly even when it hits the water too hard, rather than streaking off the flat in the other direction. A place where you have a legitimate chance for a Grand Slam every day of the year. A place where big Permit are as plentiful as they were in the Florida Keys 30 years ago, and here they take absolute pleasure in eating your fly; that’s Canarreos. An incomparable location of wadeable white sand flats where you’ll find enough big Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon, for a lifetime of fishing.
The bounty of nature found at Canarreos is a well-kept secret. It has a pristine coral reef flanked by mangrove keys and islands with unparalleled nursery habitats for many fish species. As a result, it’s one of the best destinations to target a ‘Grand Slam’ and even a ‘Super Slam’.
The King of Silver has an insatiable appetite and gets very violent; they take with power and show stamina and acrobatic qualities that make them formidable adversaries on a fly rod. Fishing for Tarpon in Canarreos is divided into three categories: Baby Tarpon (fish that weigh up to 30lbs), medium Tarpon (fish that weigh between 30lb and 80lb) and monster Tarpon (fish that weigh more than 80lb and sometimes can surpass the incredible mark of 150lbs). The last category is the holy grail, but behemoths of this size are much less common.
In Canarreos, the Bonefish average 4-6lbs, with many over double digits. An amphidromous species, it lives in coastal tropical waters and moves onto shallow mudflats to feed with the incoming tide. Adults and juveniles may shoal together, and they may be found singly or in pairs. They prefer shallow water and can be located in depths between centimetres and 2 meters. Typically, it is possible to see them swim in schools of fish with numbers between 4 and 20.
Fly fishing for a Permit is exceptionally challenging, and the odds are often stacked against the intrepid angler looking to target this fabulous adversary. Wind, sun, and this fish’s erratic nature all conspire against fly fisherman in their quest to tail one of these majestic fish. No other fish is so challenging to predict, understand, and worse still, to deceive. Canarreos is an outstanding location for producing ‘Slams’, mainly because the permit fishing is consistently so good, not just for numbers but also for size; each year, fish of over 25lb get landed. A common way to find a Permit is to look for Stingrays feeding in 2 to 3 feet of water.
Canarreos has an incredible Snook population, and they can be targeted every day of the season. They are famed for their excellent fighting power, generated from their broad swooping tail, and anglers often have to fight tooth and nail to land one of these mangrove warriors.
As well as the four species that make up a ‘Super Slam’, it’s also possible to fish for and catch an array of other species, including Jack Crevalle, Mutton Snappers, Cudas and sharks to name just a few.
The fishing season at Canarreos runs from October through to July. From the start of the season to mid-February, the fishing is consistent for all the target ‘Grand Slam’ and ‘Super Slam’ species, and it’s possible to catch them every day. This is the perfect and popular time to plan a trip, as the weather is warmer in Cuba than in Europe or Northern America. The high or peak season runs from mid-February through July and offers stable and perfect fishing conditions with all species present.
The fly fishing guides at Canarreos are some of the most experienced and knowledgeable in the region, spending almost 250 days every year guiding on the water. Give them a fly rod and they’ll double-haul a 100-foot cast or show you how to work a fly to make a Bonefish charge and inhale it. They spot fish as well as any of the Caribbean’s best guides and direct your casts from the poling platform. They are enthusiastic anglers and love to work long days, allowing you to fish as hard as you want, days aren’t limited to six or eight hours, and there’s never any limitation on gas used or distances travelled. If you want to get out early and fish until dark, you can do it.
Although Spanish is the guides’ native tongue, they have all taken classes in English, and they can communicate surprisingly well with their guests. They are also in constant training to improve their language skills.
The Avalon I has exceptional cruising capabilities allowing you to access the most remote areas of the Canarreos Archipelago during your week of fishing. This very spacious 110-foot liveaboard yacht has a total of 10 rooms, with 2 being convertible queen size cabins featuring side by side beds and eight deluxe staterooms, each with single side by side beds. Each stateroom is equipped with its own private bathroom, toilet, shower, individual climate controls, and safety.
The shaded upper sun deck with cushioned chairs and couches is perfect for that afternoon siesta or an early morning cup of coffee. It’s also equipped with a jacuzzi, which is the ideal place to enjoy a mojito after a long day of fishing.
The food aboard the Jardines Avalon I is a wonderful selection of Cuban cuisine, grilled fresh seafood and vegetables, and many international delights. The chef is well versed in many different styles and will be sure to amaze you during your stay aboard this boat. In addition, there is a full bar with a selection of Cuban beers and rum, international wines, and a variety of spirits. Our attentive crew will be there to take care of your every need and make sure you have a wonderful trip.
These other vessels are available on request, and you can find out more information on each by clicking the boat name below…
Jardines Avalon I
Jardines Avalon II
Jardines Avalon III
Jardines Avalon IV
Jardines Avalon FI
Jardines Avalon F II
Although the fishing days are fixed, the below itinerary is still flexible should you require additional free days to explore at the beginning or end of your holiday; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Please note that depending on what international airport you depart from, travel to this destination may involve an overnight flight and/or an overnight hotel.
Once flights are available, your itinerary will be finalised.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Havana
Transfer from Havana airport to your overnight hotel
On arrival take a taxi (not included) to your overnight hotel. Once you have arrived you’re free to relax and explore this beautiful city.
Overnight accommodation: Havana Standard Hotel in a twin room on a bed & breakfast basis
Travel from Havana to Zapesca
Around lunchtime, you will be picked up by one of our representatives and transferred to Zapesca, a journey of around 3 hours. Once you arrive you’ll enjoy some drinks and appetisers.
Travel from Zapesca to Cayo Blanco
At around 4.00pm you’ll navigate to Cayo Blanco, during the journey and on arrival, you’ll be free to relax, enjoy dinner, overnight and prepare for the next days fishing.
Overnight accommodation: Avalon I in a twin room on a full board basis
On your first fishing day, at 5.00am the Avalon I liveaboard will navigate from Cayo Blanco to Playa Sirena. On arrival at 8.30am you’ll meet with your guides, before the first full day of fishing at the northern spots in Cayo Largo. That evening after dinner, the Avalon I will navigate to Cayo Rosario, ready for the next day’s fishing.
On your second fishing day, in the morning, the fishing will be concentrated at Cayo Rosario, Divisa y Pasaje, before moving to Cayo Cantiles-Cayo Tablones, during the afternoon. At sunset, you can enjoy some reef fishing at Canal de Cayo Aguardiente.
Overnight accommodation: Avalon I in a twin room on a full board basis
On your third fishing day, you’ll enjoy fishing at Cayo Avalos and Cayo Aguardiente, overnighting in Cayo Campo, before a full day of fishing there during your fourth fishing day.
Overnight accommodation: Avalon I in a twin room on a full board basis
On your fifth fishing day, you’ll concentrate on the western spots of Cayo Rosario before navigating to Playa Sirena in the evening, while on your sixth and last fishing day, you’ll wet a fly in Cayo Largo (north and south), before navigating back to Cayo Blanco in the evening.
Overnight accommodation: Avalon I in a twin room on a full board basis
Travel from Cayo Blanco to Zapesca
In the early hours, you will be transferred back to Zapesca to catch your transfer back to Havana.
Travel from Zapesca to Havana
Around 9.00am, once you have packed your bags and disembarked the liveaboard, you will be picked up by one of our representatives and transferred back to Havana, a journey of around 3 hours. Once you arrive in Havana and have checked into your overnight hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore this beautiful city.
Overnight accommodation: Havana Standard Hotel in a twin room on a bed & breakfast basis
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 Home
Please note that depending on what international airport you wish to return to, travel from this destination may involve an overnight flight and/or an overnight hotel. Once flights are available, your itinerary will be finalised.
The season runs from October to July.
Season: All Year
Peak: March to June
Weight: 1lb to 11lb
Average Weight: 4lb
Season: All Year
Peak: March to June
Weight: 5lb to 150lb
Average Weight: 20lb
Season: All Year
Peak: March to June
Weight: 4lb to 30lb
Average Weight: 10lb
Season: All Year
Peak: March to June
Weight: 5lb to 15lb
Average Weight: 8lb
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/09/2025 | 03/01/2026 | 11 | £7,590 | Enquire Now |
| 03/01/2026 | 14/03/2026 | 11 | £7,899 | Enquire Now |
| 19/09/2026 | 02/01/2026 | 11 | £7,899 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on 12 adults sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation as an exclusive charter and are correct at the time of going to press. This destination is also possible to book as a half charter if you have a minimum of 6 anglers. We also have some dates available for either individuals or couples on certain dates where we are looking to make up the numbers for a full charter.
Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharges.
A truly fantastic place to spend a week on the water. The fishing was exceptionally every single day, with the scenery and surroundings to match. Please pass on my sincere thanks to all those who made my trip possible.
The fishing was exceptional, and the guides were first class. I had two species on my list to catch; Permit and Tarpon, and I'm pleased to say I landed both. Neither was massive, but it didn't matter one bit.
Thanks to everyone for another brilliant Cuba trip; I never return home disappointed. I know I said it last time, but what a lovely liveaboard the Avalon I is; I don't think I ever want to stay in another hotel again.
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