Remote island offshore of Dangriga / Belize
Tailwaters Fly Fishing TravelBELIZE FLY FISHING
Thatch Caye Resort is the perfect destination for serious permit anglers with non-fishing companions in tow - including those looking for a romantic couples holiday or an active family vacation. Located off the coast of Dangriga on a private island, Thatch Caye offers a myriad of accommodation options including beautiful over the water bungalows and oceanfront cabanas. Anglers are guided by some of Belize’s most experienced guides including the legendary Lincoln Wesby from Thatch Caye’s sister lodge to the south, Blue Horizon. While permit are the primary focus here, year round bonefish and seasonal tarpon are also part of the fishing experience.
The Thatch Caye fishery is some 40 miles north to south, inside the Belize barrier reef from Dangriga to south of Placencia, dotted with flats along the entire length. Most of the flats themselves are relatively small. That leads to a pretty good tradeoff: more frequent boat runs between flats, but the fish are easier to locate on each flat and there are very little periods of extended poling without shots or encounters. This is classic (technical) permit fishing at its finest with long leaders and tailing fish in an absolutely gorgeous environment. The remote island’s location right in the heart of the fishery alleviates the need for long boat runs from the mainland - with fishing some days starting without firing up the engine.
Location: Remote island offshore of Dangriga, Belize
Species: Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon
Seasonality: Year Round
Rates: Inquire for custom quotes
Thatch Caye anglers enjoy fishing with some of Belize’s top guides from their sister lodge just to the south, Blue Horizon. The permit fishing in this area is often described as the equivalent to dry fly fishing due to the sheer number of tailing fish in ultra shallow water. And not just any shallow water — crystal clear water barely covering countless pancake flats, reef-style flats, and cayes ringed with multi-colored coral. The tops of the flats are mostly sand and/or turtle grass, and on the correct tidal periods, almost every flat is adorned with schools of tailing permit. Other dedicated permit fishing destinations might match the overall quality of the fishing, but no other permit fishery has flats as beautiful as those here.
In addition to the pancake flats and cayes near the barrier reef, there are also several lagoons on the mainland between Placencia and Dangriga that hold permit, tarpon, and snook. While the water in the lagoons is not as pretty as it is closer to the reef, the lagoons provide variety and the permit there tend to be eager to eat a fly.
What to Pack for Fly Fishing Belize | Tailwaters Fly Fishing Guide
Episode 7: Belize Fly Fishing EXPLAINED — Choosing the Right Region | Tailwaters Fly Fishing Podcast
Thatch Caye’s private island accommodations are the crown jewel of the resort. From stunning overwater bungalows to expansive oceanfront cabanas, each room is thoughtfully designed with reclaimed island materials, blending rustic elegance with sustainable luxury. Each accommodation has its own private outdoor balcony for guests to take in the island views over sunrise coffee or sunset cocktails.
Exceptional dining is also a key part of their Caribbean island escape. Guests enjoy three fresh, chef-prepared meals daily, plus snacks and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, all crafted with the finest seasonal ingredients and by the island’s best local chefs. Weather permitting, guests will take dinner outside under the stars with over-the-top meals featuring authentic Belizean flavors and fresh local ingredients.
Thatch Caye offers a variety of non-angling activities including scuba diving and snorkeling, complimentary use of kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes, island games such as volleyball, ping pong, and corn hole, various yoga, massage, and fitness platforms, and a natural saltwater pool. The resort also offers many diverse and adventurous trip packages, such as their Cultural Immersion package, where guests hunt for conch and lobster, then participate in a cook-your-catch experience.
Before you book
Inquire for custom quotes
Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. Thatch Caye's policy follows: A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to secure all reservations. No space or guides will be held without receipt of deposit. Full payment is due 90 days prior to arrival.
Prior to 90 days, 100% of deposit may be transferred to another date/angler or refunded minus a 5% fee. Between 45-90 days prior to scheduled arrival, 50% of total package price may be transferred to another date or angler or refunded minus a 5% fee. Less than 45 days prior to scheduled arrival, no refunds or transfers to other anglers will be granted. The unused portion of these packages by guests' choice are not refundable. Trips canceled or shortened due to acts of inclement weather including hurricanes, airline delays / cancellations, strikes or political unrest of non-refundable.
Refunds of deposits/payments made on credit cards will be charged a 3.5% service charge to fully compensate Tailwaters Travel for all bank charges incurred. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that the registrant has read and accepts the cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses.
Given the strict cancellation and refund policies associated with nearly all fishing packages, we cannot stress enough the importance of obtaining travel insurance to protect your investment. Redpoint Travel Protection / Ripcord offers competitive medical/cancellation/interruption coverage to couple with their industry-leading medical evacuation services. Click here to learn more and contact us to generate a quote.
Travel to Thatch Caye is easy and hassle-free. Belize City (BZE) is serviced by the major U.S. airlines with multiple daily flights from DFW, Houston, Miami, and Atlanta. After arrival in Belize City, guests clear customs and immigration and then check in for the domestic flight to Dangriga with local carrier Tropic Air. These flights leave about every hour throughout the day, so there is never a long layover. Travelers are then picked up by Thatch Caye staff and shuttled to the dock at the Pelican Beach Resort for the boat pick up. Boat pickups happen daily at 2:30pm and 4:30pm (subject to change) and are approximately 9 miles (about 25 minutes) to the island.
Thatch Caye is open year round and the permit fishing is good year round. Springtime is most popular among anglers for the consistent good weather. However, we have had our best trips during summer and winter, and fall fishing can be as good or better than the spring when the weather cooperates. Just as with any fishery, bad weather can happen any time of year, and long with it slower fishing - but the reverse is also true.
Contact Tailwaters
Contact our travel team to discuss dates, availability and a trip to Thatch Caye.
Trip details and availability are confirmed with the travel team.
Planning a fly fishing trip to Belize? In this video, the team at Tailwaters Fly Fishing breaks down exactly what you need to pack for a successful week on the flats.
In this episode of the Tailwaters Podcast, Rebecca Milne sits down with David Leake to break down everything you need to know about fly fishing Belize.
Belize is often talked about as a single saltwater fly fishing destination, but from an angling perspective it is best understood as three distinct fisheries.
Every year, beginning in late spring, the water off Belize starts to change. Trade winds soften, bait stacks along the reef, and shadows begin sliding through the channels and along the outer flats. They’re not subtle. They’re not small.
Remote island offshore of Dangriga, Belize
Ambergris Caye is a popular destination for fly anglers for its convenience to reach, and the diversity of fish species to target. There are several fly fishing programs here, such as El Pescador and Victoria House, that excel at putting anglers on all the key flats species: permit, bonefish, tarpon, and - in summer months - also migratory tarpon. Whether this is your first saltwater flats experience or your fiftieth, we know exactly what gear, tackle, and clothing is required to maximize your comfort level as well as your success on a trip to Ambergris Caye.
Below you will find a wealth of information regarding the primary categories within any Ambergris Caye packing list. You will also see recommended assortments of the latest and greatest products we carry in the shop, as well as custom fly selections with flies that your guides will actually use! You can shop below, or give us a call for a private outfitting appointment (virtual or at the shop) and we can assist you in filling your shopping cart.
