Belize - Turneffe Flats

We have a hosted trip scheduled for April 19-26th, 2025 - Contact us to reserve your spot!

Turneffe Atoll is the second largest coral atoll in the Western Hemisphere and is a world famous destination for flats-minded fly fishermen, divers, and eco-tourists. Resting about 30 miles east off the coast of Belize City, it is home to more than 500 species of fish alone, over 60 different corals, and a vast array of marine life such as sea turtle, spotted sea ray, manatee, and dolphin. The extremely healthy ecosystem combined with a great diversity of flats, lagoons, reefs, and channels support Belize’s best fishing opportunities. This is not only recognized as the best bonefishing in Belize due to numbers and size, but Turneffe has incredible numbers of permit and tarpon. This makes it one of the best places in the Caribbean to either specialize in targeting one species (for numbers or size), or going for that grand slam! Turneffe Flats sits right in the middle of all the action. A home flat is 40 feet from your door. You’re that close. As one of the premier fly fishing destinations in the world, Turneffe Flats has lead the way in not only providing extremely high end customer services for all their guests, but is the leading voice in Turneffe Atoll environmental protection. 

The Fishing

BONEFISH - Turneffe Flats is surrounded by the best bonefishing in Belize. A flat wraps its way around the lodge and is accessible all day to the angler either wanting to stick close to home or fish before and/or after their guided days. It is well recognized that the biggest bonefish in Belize live in Turneffe Atoll. Incredible numbers of these fish have ample food supply due to these flat’s healthy ecosystem. There are a lot of them, and they are well fed. Average size is 3-4lbs with larger ones caught regularly (A 5lb’er was caught by Josh on a recent trip). If one only wanted to focus on bonefishing their whole day, it would not be unlikely to hook up with 30-40 fish a day. There is not one specific season for bonefish on Turneffe and they can be found in ample numbers all year. 

PERMIT - The atoll is home to not only various flats and lagoons which are prime feeding areas for permit, but deep waters directly off the coral flats provide habitat for permit in between tides and during spawning. The permit are plentiful and they get big. We’ve had days of seeing 40+ permit in either larger schools or singles/doubles. If you’ve been looking for some of the best permit fishing in the Caribbean, this is it. The diverse feeding zones for permit also give the anglers on Turneffe the ability to fish for them in multiple flats and lagoons around the atoll. You could chase permit all week here and not get bored. Much in the same way as bonefish on the atoll, permit can be found in ample numbers throughout the year.

TARPON - Miles of mangrove lined lagoons, creeks, flats provide habitat for not only resident tarpon in the 10-40lb range all year, but Turneffe Atoll sees the larger migratory tarpon arrive seasonally as well. When this happens the “silver kings” in the 100+lb range are seen, jumped, and landed every year. We had one day where we targeted 30-40lb tarpon along the mangrove flats and had a ton of fun! Migratory tarpon start to arrive usually in May at Turneffe and will last sometimes into September.

OTHER SPECIES - We’ve had lots of fun chasing triggerfish around the flats in the rolling waves along the edge of the reef! You can find big snook in the mangroves, or jack crevalle and barracuda. There are many other species that one can search for or incidentally find while exploring the atoll.

The Accommodations

The guest accommodations are all air-conditioned and divided between beachside cabanas (seen in the above photo), a beachside villa, and a garden villa. The cabana rooms offer two queen sized beds, private bathroom, and sit right along the home flat with views of the Caribbean. The villas are usually reserved for either larger parties or guests wanting a single-private room. They also provide private bathrooms and have added kitchen and living rooms. The main lodge is where the dining room, bar, and fly/gift shop are located. Sitting atop a main deck with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, the main lodge area provides great views and plenty to do either for all day relaxing or before and after your adventures.

Other Activities

One of the aspects that we find is present in all of our destination offerings is the ability to accommodate activities outside of fishing. This can either be for families, spouses, or the angler looking to rest their shoulder. Fly fishing brings you to the most beautiful places on earth and the lodges that inhabit these places can provide incredible experiences that can involve eco-tours, diving, snorkeling, kayaking, birding, swimming with dolphins, and more. Turneffe Flats has what is considered the best “marine eco-adventure experience” in the Caribbean. Plus, Turneffe Flats has a fully function dive shop and can license divers with day instructional courses with a PADI dive instructor. As a diver you will have access to the endless sites around the atoll including Lighthouse Reef and the world famous Blue Hole. Please contact us for adjusted rates for any of these options.

Upcoming Hosted Trip Details

April 19-26th, 2025 (Just announced, Limited Availability!) - Contact us for your spot!!

Fishing Packages - 2025 Rates

7 Night/6 Day:

• January 1st - July 26th: $5,890 Double Occupancy / $8,090 Single Boat/Room

• July 26th - December 20th: $5,190 Double Occupancy / $7,490 Single Boat/Room

4 Night/3 Day:

• January 1st - July 26th: $3,590 Double Occupancy / $4,990 Single Boat/Room
• July 26th - December 20th: $3,590 Double Occupancy / $4,990 Single Boat/Room

What's Included:

• Lodging at Turneffe Flats for your preferred length of stay
• All guided fishing (8-hour fishing days)
• Round-trip land and sea transfers between Belize City and Turneffe
• Three meals per day and an afternoon snack
• Coffee and tea will be available in the room

What's Not Included

• International flights to Belize City
• Bar tab and alcohol
• Belizean fishing license (can be purchased at lodge)
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Items purchased at gift shop / tackle shop
• Flies, leaders and terminal tackle (can be purchased at tackle shop)
• Additional diving/non-diving adventure packages

ATOLL ADVENTURE NON-ANGLING PACKAGES

*Pricing does not include taxes. A 3% convenience fee will be applied to all credit card transactions.