Turneffe Atoll / Belize
Tailwaters Fly Fishing TravelBELIZE FLY FISHING
Turneffe Flats is one of the most respected destination fishing lodges in the saltwater fly fishing community. Located approximately thirty miles from mainland Belize, Turneffe Atoll is one of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse islands in the Caribbean. It is also one of the easiest to get to. Belize City is less than three hours direct from Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, and Miami!
Anglers enjoy fishing miles of flats and inshore habitat ideal for bonefish, permit, tarpon, and numerous other species. Bonefishing is orchestrated wading ocean-side flats for tailing fish in the two – five pound range, while other fishing is done from a 16’ Dolphin skiff exploring the labyrinth of flats, creeks, and mangrove lagoons. Turneffe’s permit fishery is considered one of the best in the world, resident baby tarpon are present year round, and larger migratory tarpon also show up in the summer months.
Guests enjoy beachfront, air-conditioned cabanas with private baths. The lodge’s social areas include the dining room, verandah, open bar, swimming pool, and an outdoor bar. T-Flats also has three villas with multiple bedrooms for larger cohesive parties.
T-Flats operates a full service PADI diving and snorkeling program as well as a combo diving / fishing package. Non-angling guests can also partake in the flexible “Atoll Adventure” package that includes numerous guided activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, beach combing, bird watching, or simply napping in a hammock.
Whether you are wading the miles and miles of Turneffe’s flats, fishing or diving on its enormous reef, or cruising through the vast interior of lagoons and backcountry; you will be blown away by the atoll’s vibrant life, color, and beauty. “T-Flats” is a wonderful destination for families, divers, snorkelers, hard-core anglers, or those who just want to hang out on a private white sand beach and relax.
Location: Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Species: Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon
Seasonality: Year Round
Rates: from $5,390, $5,390 – $6,090 + tax // 7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing depending on seasonality + taxes
Saltwater anglers enjoy fishing the waters of Turneffe Atoll because of the wide variety of species available to anglers on a year round basis. Turneffe Flats is one of the few places on earth where fisherman can expect to have a good shot at the saltwater “Grand Slam.” Numerous times every season guests come back boasting of landing bonefish, permit, and tarpon all in one day. Turneffe’s unique fishery is a great spot to consider for both beginner flats anglers as well as experienced fly rodders. From wade friendly ocean flats to leeward lagoons or interior flats, the atoll has every style and species of saltwater flats fishing available in the Caribbean. All boats at Turneffe Flats are standard 16’ Dolphin Super Skiffs with poling platforms and reliable motors.
Bonefish, permit and tarpon are the predominantly targeted species, but anglers will invariably have run-ins with barracudas, jacks, snook, snapper, sharks, and more. Wade-friendly bonefish flats are nearly limitless, and shots for permit and tarpon are a possibility every day.
The guides at Turneffe Flats have a reputation as being some of the best in the business. If you have fished often throughout Belize, you will recognize such names as Cabral and Westby – both big names in the Belizean guiding community. They are real deal generational guides – many of which have fished Turneffe for over twenty years.
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
The lodging at Turneffe Flats is as nice and comfortable as you will find in any dedicated fishing lodge, and consistent updates have heightened comfort and freshened up each of the lodge’s cabanas and villas. Guest rooms accommodating 18 anglers per week are about 450 sq. feet and have ample room for guests to unpack and feel at home. All rooms are centrally air-conditioned and each room includes a large, private bath. Furnishings include two queen-sized beds.
Each of the lodge’s eight double occupancy cabanas has its own verandah overlooking the turquoise water of the western Caribbean. Three villas (Reef Villa, Garden Villa, and Pelican Villa) offer a little more square footage, a common area with kitchenette, satellite TV, and three bedrooms. The Garden Villa also has a small exercise facility on the bottom floor, as well as a meeting area that works well for business or family-oriented gatherings.
The lodge bar is well stocked with liquor, red and white wine, and of course Belikin, the local beer. Three meals are served daily and consist of traditional Belizean fare of seafood and fresh local produce. There is a beautiful swimming pool, outdoor bar and two large upper and lower decks attached to the lodge that are great spots to enjoy the gorgeous view and a cocktail. A gift / fly shop is adjacent to the main dining room and sells souvenirs, some flies and terminal tackle, sunscreen, etc.
Turneffe Flats caters to non-anglers with its first class dive package, adventure atoll package, and the “R&R” package. Guests not interested in fishing are well-entertained while spouses and travel partners are off on the flats. Belize consistently ranks among the top Caribbean dive destinations, and Turneffe Flats is ideally located to take advantage of some of the best diving in Belize. Over 60 sites around the Turneffe Atoll are within easy reach, and Lighthouse Atoll, home of the famous Blue Hole, is only an hour’s boat ride away. The Atoll Adventure Package offers snorkeling, bird watching, and a number of other fun and informative activities. The Rest and Relaxation package is great for those who wish to relax and enjoy the beauty and serenity of a private tropical island.
Before you book
Tailwaters Travel must adhere to the cancellation policies of the guides, outfitters and lodges which it represents. Turneffe Flats Lodge’s policy follows: A refundable 25% deposit is required to secure all reservations. Final balance is due 60 days prior to departure. All fees are refundable up to sixty (60) days prior to departure minus a $100 cancellation fee per rod. Within sixty days of departure, all funds are non-refundable unless a replacement client is found. 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. Refunds or credits are not given for fishing time lost due to inclement weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgement that 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.
Guests at Turneffe Flats fly into the capital of Belize, Belize City. Belize City (BZE) is serviced by Delta, American, and United Airlines from most major U.S. cities. Once in Belize City, guests are met and escorted to the dock in the city harbor to board a comfortable, forty-eight foot, closed cabin power boat for a ninety-minute, scenic ride to the island. Turneffe Flats Lodge can easily be reached in half a day with a direct three-hour flight from Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, or Miami.
Belize’s southerly latitude makes for great winter fishing. While the spring months are the most popular with anglers, the summer months usually have light southeasterly breezes and larger migratory tarpon. Tropical storms can happen anytime June-November, with August-October most likely. Autumn months are normally very consistent and similar to spring conditions.
Turneffe Flats is open year round, and Turneffe Atoll enjoys excellent fishing conditions more or less all season long. On rare occasions during the winter months, cooler temperatures and northerly breezes can be tougher on anglers; but, for the most part, Belize is a very consistent wintertime fishery. May – August are considered prime tarpon months for migratory fish exceeding one hundred pounds.
Contact Tailwaters
Contact our travel team to discuss dates, availability and a trip to Turneffe Flats Lodge.
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.
Turneffe Atoll, Belize
Fly fishing on Turneffe Flats in Belize is all about endless turquoise flats, steady trade winds, and shots at bonefish, permit, and tarpon cruising in skinny water. The atoll’s remote setting means lighter pressure, healthy fish populations, and classic sight-fishing where accurate casts and good presentations are rewarded. Whether you booked this trip with us or not, if you’re heading to Turneffe Atoll, let us lend a hand with the gear, tackle, clothing, and accessories needed to maximize your comfort level as well as your success.
Below you will find a wealth of information regarding the primary categories within any Turneffe Flats 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.
