The stunning Turneffe Flats is a little piece of paradise like no other and is known around the world for providing some of the best saltwater flats fishing while experiencing some of the finest services. Immerse yourself in this tropical paradise while wading crystal clear flats looking for those tailing fish or carefully wind yourself through the shallow reefs being poled by one of the superb guides in search of that dream chance of a Grand Slam of Bonefish, Permit and a Tarpon all in a single day. For over 30 years Turneffe Flats has been recognised as one of the world’s finest saltwater fly fishing destinations with many Trip advisor awards that the staff and guides have worked so hard to achieve you will certainly feel all of their passion as soon as you step foot in this dream saltwater fly fishing location.
Location
At approximately 17 degrees north, Belize is the northernmost country in Central America. Belize is bordered south and west by Guatemala and the north by Mexico and out to the east, you will find the stunning shimmering Caribbean Sea. The country of Belize is relatively small with it only being 200 miles from north to south and only 100 miles across. Belize in comparison is relatively small but very diverse, much of the coastline is mangrove forests which is home to a huge diverse fish eco-system and protects Belize from storms and erosion and more inland you will find dense rainforests home to some stunning wildlife. Also along the coast are nearly a thousand islands locally known as ‘Cayes’ as well as three of only four coral atolls in the hemisphere.
The resort built its first guest cabins in 1985, the first guests at the lodge had such a fantastic experience that one member of the group soon became a shareholder. The resort continued with extra cabins and upgrades taking place throughout the late 80s and 90s and even being the first Lodge to use the custom-built Dolphin flats skiff boats. In 1998 and 2000 respectively the Atoll was hit by two major Hurricanes resulting in major damage, in 2001 the major remodelling of the lodge was completed. After the devastation of the hurricane, Turneffe Flats remodelled the resort expanding the dining room and added air-conditioning which leads us up to the present day and once you have witnessed what the lovely staff and the long-standing owners have created here you will call this your second home.
Fishing
For more than 30 years this resort has built a huge reputation within the saltwater fly community due to the ability to sight-fish for Permit, Bonefish and Tarpon on any given day making Turneffe Flats one of the few places where a Grand Slam is always possible. Turneffe Atoll is the largest Atoll of only four coral atolls in the Western Hemisphere and is best known for its wide array of saltwater fishing.
Bonefish have been a primary target of anglers here for over 30 years. While wading the expansive flats you will regularly see large schools of Bonefish providing a great opportunity for new saltwater anglers to learn the basics of the sport while still offering the more experienced great and sometimes challenging opportunities. With Bonefish approaching double figures it gives ideal situations for anglers to experience skinny water fishing at its best and you will get to witness some the world’s most picturesque flats known to man-kind. Most of the fishing for Bonefish in Turneffes Central and Northern Lagoons is often done from the bow of your skiff. The Bonefish in these lagoons take on a beautiful brownish-green colouration this is due to them blending into their surroundings and it is believed that the sort after golden coloured Bonefish often spotted can only be caught at Turneffe. They stand out very clearly from the rest of the shoal and more often than not, they are the largest fish in the shoal.
Belize is recognised around the world by saltwater fly anglers as the Permit capital of the world and with many very experienced anglers landing their very first Permit at Turneffe.
With over 250 square miles of the fishing area, it is no wonder that many anglers have focused their attention on this wonderful fishery. The Permit fishing is normally focused around shallow bars and flats inside Turneffes central lagoon from the bow of the Dolphin skiff however there are lots of wadable flats on the ocean side. The Permit flats average around 1 to 3 feet deep and are covered in turtle grass, hard coral and sandy bottom which makes for some really challenging fishing.
Turneffe Flats has a great pedigree in producing some first-class Tarpon fishing and produces Tarpon all year round. Although there is always some resident Tarpon to be found, the migratory Tarpon season extends from May until October and this is generally when the larger fish turn up. Tarpon inhabit the creeks, channels and lagoons of the Atoll and most Tarpon jumped are 60-90 pounds, with some fish in the 100-150 pound range and occasional monsters approaching 200 pounds.
Other species that can be found around the atoll include Triggers, Snook, Jacks, Snapper and Barracuda. These can be great fun to catch in between targeting the main slam species of the Atoll.
The skiffs you will be using each day are 16ft Dolphin Super Skiffs custom built in the states. These boats have been designed to cut through the chop and also pole well in skinny water. They all come equipped with large casting decks and rod holders capable of holding 6 rods. If you prefer to have a lean bar please request one and one will be added to your boat.
There is also a very well stocked tackle shop onsite that can provide all you flies, lines basically everything you will need to fish at Turneffe Flats. It is also possible to hire all your equipment from rods and reels and even wading boots.
Guiding
During fishing days you will travel with your guide in teams of two via the flats boat spotting for tailing fish and then take it in turns to take shots at what presents itself.
Other Activities
As mentioned previously, this is not just a fish resort they cater for all manner of guests form your family holidays with a couple of days fishing to your more seasoned anglers who want full-on fishing experience. You will find many non-fishing activities from eco-adventures to many different diving opportunities. If you would like a full detailed list of all the activities please ask a member of the Sportquest team who will be more than happy to assist.
If you have any questions about our fishing trips contact our experienced team who will be able to help with any questions you have. Alternatively, you can request a free brochure.
