Turneffe Flats Fly Fishing Lodge Review

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Turneffe Flats Lodge was founded over thirty years ago by Craig Hayes and has become known as one of the world's finest saltwater fly fishing lodges. Located 20 miles off the coast of mainland Belize on Turneffe Atoll, this remote lodge offers remarkable angling for a diverse array of saltwater species and very little angling pressure. The exceptional health of this fishery is thanks in part to Turneffe Flats Lodge’s ongoing commitment to conservation and sustainability. The lodge is largely powered by solar panels and has championed conservation victories on the Atoll over several decades. Longtime guests of Turneffe Flats insist the fishery has gradually improved over the years, resulting in an even better experience for anglers and eco-tourists alike. Today, we’ll review Turneffe Flats Lodge from A to Z, highlighting important details like the fishing, the food, and the amenities. Keep reading to learn more about Turneffe Flats Lodge, and decide if this lodge is the right destination for your next saltwater fly fishing trip.

Who It’s For

Turneffe Flats Lodge and its team of experienced guides can cater to anglers of any ability level. For beginners, the fishery offers ample opportunities for eager Bonefish in the Atoll’s many shallow flats. For intermediate and advanced anglers, adult Tarpon and clever Permit are the ultimate challenge. Whether you’re a hardcore solo angler or a bigger group of mixed experience levels, Turneffe Flats Lodge can accommodate you and will work tirelessly to create an unforgettable experience.

Food & Beverage

Traveling anglers know the importance of good food at a lodge. Turneffe Flats Lodge takes their food program seriously, delivering delicious, nourishing meals in a clean, comfortable setting. Meals here are a flavorsome mix of Belizean and international favorites, typically including fresh seafood, local produce, and home-baked pastries. Each evening you can enjoy cocktails or cold beers from the lodge’s well-stocked cash bar, swapping stories of the day’s fishing with friends new and old. Overall, the dining experience at Turneffe Flats Lodge is a major reason we keep going back year after year.

Rooms

Getting good sleep at a fly fishing lodge is imperative to your angling success and overall enjoyment. At Turneffe, you’ll sleep like a baby with plush beds and lots of privacy. The rooms at Turneffe Flats Lodge are spacious and comfortable, each with A/C, electricity, hot-water showers, and sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea right out your front door.

Amenities

Usually, staying at a remote fly fishing lodge means sacrificing first-world amenities like gyms, pools, and convenience items for purchase. This is not the case at Turneffe Flats Lodge, where you’ll have access to extras like an infinity pool, a gym, a tackle/gift shop, and the use of kayaks for paddling around the lodge. What’s more, you can relax on the pristine sand beach and soak up the sun anytime you want.

Non-anglers

If you’re wondering about non-angling activities at Turneffe, rest assured that there are plenty of options. The lodge offers diving tours, snorkeling tours, eco-tours, and even offshore fishing. And for a fun DIY adventure, you can use the on-site kayaks to explore the waters surrounding the lodge. That being said, Turneffe Atoll is very remote, so if you’re looking for cultural tours or visits to authentic Belizean towns, you won’t find that at Turneffe. However, if you enjoy watersports on a tranquil remote island, you’ll appreciate all the other activities that Turneffe Flats Lodge has to offer.

Location

As anglers, we intrinsically desire remote destinations with an abundance of fish. Turneffe Atoll offers both in spades, featuring a very healthy fishery away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Unlike many lodges, Turneffe Flats is located on a fantastic home flat that can be fished before and after your guided day. If you're a fishing enthusiast eager to make the most of every moment, you can start your day early, step out the door, and begin stalking tailing Bonefish within minutes. Overall, spending a week at Turneffe Flats feels like going back in time, unbothered by phone calls, emails, and the latest world news. Here, it’s just you and a plethora of fish to cast to, just the way it should be.

While Turneffe Atoll is quite remote, Turneffe Flats Lodge makes getting there remarkably easy. When you land in Belize City, a Turneffe Flats Lodge representative will meet you at the airport, and transfer you to the Radisson Marina. From there, you’ll board a boat for a scenic 90-minute transfer to the Atoll. No long, bumpy van rides or sketchy taxis are required, just a seamless travel experience that delivers you to one of the most beautiful Atolls in the Caribbean.

Fishing

The Turneffe Atoll fishery is characterized by its incredible diversity. Here, you can target the big 4 saltwater species; Bonefish, Snook, Tarpon, and Permit, as well as bonus critters such as Jacks, Triggerfish, Snapper, and more. Additionally, June and July offer opportunities for large migratory Tarpon, with some fish exceeding 100 lbs. It’s worth noting that, for anglers who strictly want to target Permit, there are better options in the Caribbean. But for those who like lots of variety, few fisheries measure up to Turneffe Atoll.

Value

2024 Fishing Packages

All rates below are per person for seven nights and six days of fishing. Rates and inclusions are subject to change at any time. Contact us for the most current pricing.

Double Occupancy (Per Person)

December 30, 2023 to July 27, 2024 = $5,590

July 27, 2024 to December 21, 2024 = $4,890

Single Occupancy (per person)

December 30, 2023 to July 27, 2024 = $7,690

July 27, 2024 to December 21, 2024 = $6,990

What's Included:

• Saturday and Wednesday airport transfers
• Lodging at Turneffe Flats
• Guided fishing
• Meals and Appetizers
• Use of amenities including internet, pool, gym, and sea kayaks

What's Not Included:

• Taxes
• Fishing license
• Bar tab, gratuities, and any equipment rentals
• Marine Reserve Fee of $25 per person
• Additional transfers on days other than Saturdays and Wednesdays
• Blue Hole Park Fee of $40 per diver
• Airfare to/from Belize City (BZE)

We see a lot of value in Turneffe’s week package. Not only do you get exceptional fishing with seasoned guides, but you also get lots of extras that normally are unavailable at remote fly fishing lodges. Top-notch food, comfortable lodging, an infinity pool, and a fly shop, are just a few of the perks you’ll enjoy at this world-class operation.

Conclusion

Spending a week at Turneffe Flats Lodge is more than just another fishing lodge experience. This is an opportunity to create your ideal lodge experience. Want to fish hard from dawn to dusk? No problem. Want to relax by the pool with a cocktail in your hand? You can do that. Want to go snorkeling and Scuba diving? You can do that at Turneffe Flats, too. Having traveled the globe in search of the finest fly fishing lodges, camps, and outfitters, we continually return to Turneffe Flats Lodge for its exceptional location, amenities, and fishing. Overall, this is hands down one of the finest fly fishing lodges in Belize and should be on any flats angler’s ‘must-do’ list, regardless of their experience level.

If you have any questions about Turneffe Flats Lodge or want to book your trip, give us a call at 888-413-5211, or shoot us an email at [email protected]. Our team of travel experts is ready to help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.

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