Turneffe Flats, Belize
With a long history of looking after fishers and non fishers, the team at Turneffe really know how to make your trip as good as it could possibly be.
A one hour boat ride from Belize City, Turneffe Flats offers superb saltwater fishing in a pristine environment.
The fishing is superb and yet, in such a beautiful environment and with such a huge range of activities on offer, it is often the non fishers who say they have had the better day when all are together for dinner.
Turneffe Flats Lodge has unbridled access to this first class fishing. With more permit of up to 35lbs landed in these waters than anywhere else in the world, schools of big bonefish and huge tarpon this is a tremendously productive fishery and is presided over by top class guides who bring decades of local experience.
With wadeable flats immediately in front of the cabins and schools of jacks rushing past the boat docks by night, Turneffe Flats offers a chance to fish from before sunrise to well after sunset.
The ocean side flats, only 5 to 15 minutes from the lodge, are some of the most picturesque flats anywhere. While wading the flats at Turneffe you will cast to large schools of bonefish averaging 3-4 pounds, with some larger fish up to 12 pounds.
The permit fishing is truly astonishing and it is not uncommon to see schools of 50 fish marauding the flats and deeper water. The larger fish tend to be in singles and offer the ultimate challenge but such is the productivity of the area, all of the guides have landed several of these sized fish and their calm when under pressure is a key element of their success.
Accommodation
The main social centre for Turneffe Flats is the air-conditioned Lodge. A pre-dinner gathering for hors d’oeuvres and refreshments is customary, and the screened veranda is a wonderful place to enjoy the tropical evenings. Breathtaking views from the upper and lower decks makes the Lodge a favourite spot for visitors.
Beach Cabana rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and are located on the beach with panoramic views of Turneffe’s coral reef. All rooms are furnished with a queen size bed and an extra-long single bed, ample closet space, chest of drawers and a sitting area. Each room has a large private bath with two sinks and a shower.
The Reef Villa is a three bedroom villa with a common living space. Bedroom #9 has one queen sized bed, bedroom #10 has two single beds and bedroom number #11 has two queen sized beds. All bedrooms have private bathrooms and the living room space has a couch and sitting area with satellite TV and a small kitchenette but no cooking facilities.
The Garden Villa is the newest accommodation. This two story concrete building has three bedrooms and a large common area with couch, sitting areas and satellite television on the upper level. The lower level contains a Meeting Area, Exercise Room and Television Room.