urneff

Turneffe Island Lodge

Turneffe Island Lodge has been recognized for over three decades as one of the Caribbean’s top destinations for Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit. This one of a kind Caribbean, fly-fishing paradise is a private 12 acre island located at the Southernmost tip of the Turneffe Atoll. This undisturbed saltwater paradise teems with Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon as well as Grouper, Snapper, Snook, Barracuda, Jacks, Wahoo, King Mackerel and Tuna. The crystal clear waters are inhabited by the greatest variety of coral and tropical marine life found anywhere in the Caribbean.

The Fishing

Saltwater anglers thrill in the challenge of chasing the difficult and prestigious "Grand Slam" — catching a bonefish, permit and tarpon all in one day.  The lodge’s 12-acre island home is surrounded by one of the most fertile marine ecosystems in the world.  It is located in the heart of what is commonly known as the most productive geographic area of the 30 - mile long Atoll.  This eliminates the need for long boat rides (commonly a 10 – 15 minute ride to the fishing sites).  English is the native language of the experienced and friendly guides.  The Eastern side of the Atoll is lined with pristine and productive wadeable flats.  A network of flats, creeks, and lagoons dotted by literally hundreds of mangrove islands runs throughout the shallow interior of the Turneffe Atoll.  Big schools of Bonefish are commonly seen tailing on the wadeable flats of the atoll.  Bonefish are found in singles, doubles and small schools, tailing and cruising the acres of interior soft bottom flats.  The "Golden Bonefish," (a rare golden colored bonefish) unique to the area, provides anglers with an additional challenge.  Turneffe Island Lodge is one of the few flats fishing destinations in the world with consistent opportunities for catching shallow-water Permit.  These fish are considered by many to be the ultimate saltwater fly-rod challenge, and numerous anglers have scored their first Permit catches while visiting the lodge.  Permit are found tailing and cruising in numbers ranging from singles to schools of up to twenty in both the wadeable and interior flats.  Tarpon range in size from 40 to 100+ pounds and inhabit the atoll year-round.  However, they provide the most action from May to September when the migratory schools of Tarpon join the resident population.  Tarpon fishing grounds are most common in the nearby creeks and lagoons, but Tarpon can also be found on deeper flats.

Typical Day

A typical day in "Paradise" begins with coffee delivered to your room, followed by your choice of hot or cold breakfast about 7:30 am.  Following breakfast you're off in one of the lodge's Dolphin Super Skiffs to hit the waters of your choice.  Anglers sometimes opt to head out at or before daylight, typically to tarpon fish, and then return for breakfast.  Anglers will also have the option of packing a lunch and staying out all day, or returning to the lodge for one of the kitchens famous dinnertime creations.

The fishing schedule is flexible.  Guests work out their own schedule on a day-to-day basis with their fishing guide.  The Lodge does ask that you return to the Island before dark in order not to miss the delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails served in the bar, followed by a gourmet dinner at 7:30 pm.

The lodge employs a "line up" of some of the most talented, friendly and professional guides in the Caribbean.  The guides are local Belizeans, who grew up in and around the Atoll and have been guiding for up to 20 years.  They are hard working, patient, and capable of instructing fly and spin fishing.  The lodge’s fishing manager is also available for instruction and tips on fishing and fly tying.  Turneffe guides captain a top-notch fleet of radio-equipped Dolphin Super Skiffs, and each guide is paired up with no more than two anglers per boat.

Accommodations

The lodge is the only resort on the 12-acre island, so there’s plenty of elbowroom.  Twelve guest rooms ring the perimeter of the island to catch the cool ocean trade winds and views of total tranquility.  The cottages and facilities were built in the early 1960s.  Although completely renovated and modernized in 2000, they have retained their original feeling of old Caribbean charm.  Each room has ceiling fans, private baths and a screened verandah overlooking the Caribbean.  Each room is air-conditioned and private beach cabanas are available for an additional charge.

Season

Sunshine and salt-water fishing is open year-round!

How To Get There

Flights are available on American and Continental from Miami, Dallas/Ft. Worth and Houston.  Plan your arrival to meet the Lodge’s transfer boat on Saturday or Wednesday. The transfer boat comes to the city on Saturdays for guest transfer and on Wednesdays for supplies. You must arrive Belize City no later than 2:00 pm Central Time.  If you are traveling during the time of year in which Daylight Saving Time is observed (April-October, please check exact dates) you may arrive no later than 3:00 pm Central Time. The transfer boat will leave the Princess Hotel and Casino’s Marina by 3:00 pm (Central Time) or 4:00 pm (Central Time-during Daylight Saving) for transfer to the Island during daylight hours. If you are late arriving, their representative will meet and advise you of alternate plans which may include the scheduling of a special charter boat to the island ($325 to $600 USD) or spending the night in the city (they will arrange lodging for you at your cost) and taking a special charter boat ($325 to $600) to the island the following day. If you experience travel interruption, please call or fax the Island directly at 011-501-212011 or from Belize dial 0212011.

The Lodge’s representative will be awaiting your arrival at the Belize City airport.  First, clear Immigration, then claim your luggage and clear Customs.  Their representative will be directly outside the airport exit. After your luggage has been loaded, they will transfer you in air-conditioned comfort to the Princess Marina for departure to the Island.  Dress comfortably for the approximate 1 hour transfer by boat to the Island on Saturdays.  If transferring on Wednesdays expect a two-hour transfer.

Other Activities

The lodge offers comprehensive diving programs and several levels of certification.  Dives at the famous Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye are included in the dive and combo packages.  All necessary dive equipment is available for rent.  Other popular activities include; sea-kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, beach volleyball and eco-tours of the Atoll.

Length of Stay

Seven night packages (Saturday – Saturday) are the most popular lengths of stay.  Four night (Saturday – Wednesday) and three night (Wednesday – Saturday) packages are also available for booking during certain times of the year.

Capacity

To help preserve this special fishery, the lodge has limited the number of anglers each week to a maximum of ten.

Required Documents

A passport is required for all visitors to Belize and must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the duration of your stay.  Citizens of the British Commonwealth (India excepted), the US, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the European Community are not required to have Visas.  All other citizens should contact the nearest Belizean Consulate for details on obtaining Visas before traveling.

2001 Rates  

*If traveling December – June, half-week packages may be booked 30 days or less prior to arrival. If traveling June – November, half-week packages may be booked at anytime.

Prices based on double occupancy. Add $535 for Sat – Sat packages for single occupancy, add $428 for half week stays for single occupancy. Private beach cabanas – add $250 for the week and $125 for the half week (total, not per person).  There is a $100 per person fee for date changes.  Tips for service staff are included in the package cost (service charge).

Inclusions

Fishing guide, boat & fuel, 2 anglers per boat, lodging based on double occupancy, breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon hors d’oeuvres, land and boat transfers on Saturdays or Wednesdays, sunfish sailboat, kayaking, volleyball, horseshoes, and snorkeling.

Exclusions

Fishing equipment rental and/or purchase, bar tab, gratuities, gift shop purchases, airfare and airport departure tax.

Booking Requirements

A deposit of 25% of the package value is due 10 days from the date of booking.   Full payment is due 45 days prior to arrival.  Payments to Fly Lodge International may be made by certified check or wire transfer.  Cancellations more than 60 days prior to arrival receive 90% refund of package price.  59 – 30 days prior to arrival receive 75% refund of package price.  29 days or less prior to arrival, forfeit all payments.  No refunds on unused portions of packages.  No refunds for weather related cancellations.  Cancellation insurance is recommended!

Things to Bring:

A light rain suit can be useful for the occasional shower.  Flats boots are a must and should have thick soles.  A lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and lightweight pants are recommended to help guard against over-exposure to the sun.  Polarized sunglasses, waterproof sunscreen and lip protection.  Hat - preferably with a large bill, wading pack, camera, batteries and film and insect repellent.

Fly - Fishing Tackle:

Bonefish -
Rod: 7-9 wt.
Reel: minimum of 175 yards of backing
Lines: weight-forward floating line, 10 -15 lb. Tippet, small spool of flurocarbon 10 lb.
Flies: Pink Puff, Crazy Charlie, Bonefish Special, Snapping Shrimp, Bonefish Bitters, Gotchas, Ultra Shrimp, Yucatan Charlie, Turneffe Crab, Small Crabs, hook sizes 6 to 10. Some flies need small bead chain or no eyes at all. Approximately one-half of your flies should have weed guards for fishing in grassy areas. 

Permit -
Rod: 9-10 wt.
Reel: minimum of 175 yards of backing
Lines: weight-forward floating line, 10 -15 lb.tippet, 20 lb flurocarbon tippet
Flies: Raghead or Merkin sizes 2 - 4, Bauer Crab

Tarpon -
Rod: 10-12 wt.
Reel: minimum of 200 yards of backing
Lines: slow to medium rate sinking lines or sink tip lines
Flies: The Cockroach, The Grizzly or others in colors of red/white, yellow, white, white/green and orange
Leaders: Pre-made loop-to-loop leaders with flies already tied on

Offshore-
Rod: 12 - 14 wt.
Reel: large arbor with minimum of 250 yards of backing
Lines: floating, medium to fast rate sinking lines
Flies: Deceivers, Clouser minnows, poppers, etc.

Spin Fishing Tackle: 

Bonefish
Rod: light spinning gear; 12 lb. Test
Lures: 1/6-1/8 oz. jigs for use with live bait
Bait hooks and sinkers

Permit
Rod: light spinning gear; 12 lb. Test
Lures: 1/6-1/8 oz. jigs for use with live bait
Bait hooks and sinkers

Tarpon/Reef
Rod: medium spinning gear; 15 - 20 lb. Test
Lures: Mirror Lures (65m or 38m), Rapalas, Trader

Rental Equipment:

Fly-
8 wt. Rod/Reel $30/day
10 wt. Rod/Reel $30/day
12 wt. Rod/Reel $30/day  

Spinning-
Light and medium weight
Small: $15/day
Large: $20/day
Flats wading boots-
Sizes 8 to 11  $5/day

Other Gear:
Barracuda flies with wire leader material
Flurocarbon tippet material
Extra fly lines
Extra sunglasses
Fly tying materials for bones and permit

Tackle Sales:

The Lodge tackle shop has a limited supply of flies, leaders, tippet and other supplies.  It is best to bring everything you will need and use the tackle shop for backup.  A fly tying bench in the tackle shop with some materials and basic tools are there for you to use anytime.  Smaller flies seem to work more often in sizes 6 & 8 for bones, 2 & 4 for permit and 2/0 for tarpon, cuds and cubera snappers.  It’s best to bring any offshore flies with you in the standard sizes used everywhere in the world. The shop provides anglers with a convenient facility to clean maintain and store their gear.