» General Information:
Cuba has become a new fishing destination, not only for the natural beauty of its beaches and reefs but for the profitable fishing of some of the best sport-fishing species, such as bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook and jack Crevalle.
Even though they are not many, there are areas where sport-fishing can be practised with well-qualified guides who have good command of the flyfishing technique. Among the possible locations we may mention the Gardens of the Queen (Jardines de la Reina).
Situated on the Caribbean, the Gardens of the Queen consist of a vast area with countless islands, reefs, beaches and flats forming a large archipelago of about 200 km long. Over 400 km separate Habana from Jucaro, the harbor with access to the fishing areas. All the sport-fishing species abound in the Gardens of the Queen: bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, jack Crevalle, barracuda, snapper, etc.
» Package:
Accommodations are provided primarily on 4 large live-aboard boats or on our original craft LaTortuga.
La Tortuga:
A large, 110 foot long, double decker floating hotel with seven cabins for guests. The newly refurbished Tortuga ( 2007) is an unbelievably solid boat, made of steel and then anchored in a protected channel, so that it never moves about. This boat doesn't move one inch. Each cabin has its own shower with hot water, toilet and individually adjustable high tech air-conditioning system. A large air conditioned dining room downstairs with both a foredeck and afterdeck make this a very comfortable home away from home. Wireless connection is available all the time. The Tortuga normally accommodates 14 anglers, two per room. A large air conditioned dining room downstairs with both a foredeck and afterdeck make this a very comfortable home away from home. The dining on board combines the flair of the best Continental Italian cuisine, some of the best seafoood cuisine and traditional Cuban favourites. Beverages available on board include bottled water, Mineral and Tonic water, various soft drinks, beer, rum and excellent wines. There are plenty of rod racks and facilities for cleaning tackle at the end of the day. Laundry is also available on a daily basis.
La Reina:
Is another comfortable yacht, Fully refurbished end of 2005 sixty-nine feet in length, all air conditioned, with 4 double rooms and 4 bathrooms and a large upper deck.
El Halcon:
Is a recently refurbished luxury yacht with a storied past. Seventy Five feet in length, it is equipped below decks with six cabins, and three bathrooms. Good showers with plenty of hot water make things comfortable. Up top there is a large salon, which is fully air conditioned and a perfect place to have cocktails after fishing, before dinner. Meals are usually served on the afterdeck where there is normally a nice breeze. The chef on the Halcon does a wonderful job with the meals. Dinners are primarily seafood- fresh fish every day, lobster and conch. For those that would like something different, chicken and pork are also available.
Weekly packages only!
» Tackle and Equipment:
In Cuba, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get anything connected to flyfishing. So it is extremely important to know what is necessary in advance, in order to be prepared for every eventuality.
Before traveling, we send a complete list of equipment and other objects to help your memory. The following is a summary of the most remarkable equipment to keep in mind.
Two rods for saltwater minimum; one could be #8 and the other #10. We suggest taking 3 rods ( two#8 and one #10)
Their correspondent reel with a good brake system with extra spool or an additional line, if you wish.
Knotless leaders for bonefish ( 12,3 pound test) and 9 feet, and 20-pound-test shock tippet for permit. For tarpon 50 or 60-pound-test butt and 80 or 100-pound-test shock tippet (Hard). 9-foot leaders for robalo, with 40-pound-test shock tippet. Several class tippet between 10 and 60 lbs.
Flies
At least 40 for bonefish (hook #4, 6 and 8): Crazy Charly, Gotcha, Bonefish Special, any Shrimp pattern.
15 for permit (hook #2 and 4): Avalon´s Shrimp; Rag Head Crab, Del´s Merkin Crab, Secret Brown Crab.
25 for tarpon and snook ( hook #1/0, 2/0 and 3/0): Black Death, Purple Death, Cockroach, Lefty´s Deceiver, Tarpon Toad, Tropical Punch and other different patterns (poppers, etc).
Nippers, scissors, tweezers to remove hooks, boga grip (optional). Wading neoprene boots. Lightweight long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Wide brimmed hat to protect neck and ears. Polarized glasses. Sun Creams: #40 strength waterproof sunscreens. Lightweight rain jacket for rain showers. Insect repellent.
» Additional Information:
A tourist visa is necessary to enter Cuba. It costs U$S 20.- and you can apply for it on your own. For the ones who travel from countries that do not maintain diplomatic relations with Cuba, the visa could be issued in Cancun with the assistance of a travel agency ( please ask in advance).
American dollars are acceptable to pay any kind of service and other European currencies are also acceptable in hotels. You can also use credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc) for shopping, hotel and other services, but they are NOT accepted it they have been issued in the United States.
The weather is usually drier and slightly cooler from December to March. During September, October and November, it is usually rainy and there might be occasional tropical storms or rain showers. All the months are good for fishing, but there is more abundance of bonefish and tarpon from March to July.
The average annual temperature in the area is 26°C and humidity reaches an average of 74%. A breeze from the Caribbean blows during the day and light winds from the land blow at night. Cuban people are polite, friendly and well-mannered. It is a safe country as regards crime; however, keep your valuables in a safe place.
» Rates / La Tortuga - Low Season
Start from U$S 3,000.-
Per person in double occupancy basis. Sharing accommodation and skiff.
Rates include:
2-night accommodation in a 5 star hotel in Havana. Transfer Jucaro port/La Tortuga. 6-night accommodation in La Tortuga double room. Full board with 10 beers and 30 soft drinks. 5 full fishing days and 1 half day fishing with guide and skiff in double basis. Marine park licence.
Rates do not include:
Cuban visa. International airfare and taxes related. Trasfer Havana/Jucaro/Havana. Hard drinks. Fishing equipment and flies. Insurance. Gratuities.
Notes:
Ask for accommodation in the other yatchs and hosted trips.
» Rates / La Tortuga - Peak Season
Ask for special offers and rate for groups
Per person in double occupancy basis. Sharing accommodation and skiff.
Rates include:
2-night accommodation in a 5 star hotel in Havana. Transfer Jucaro port/La Tortuga. 6-night accommodation in La Tortuga double room. Full board with 10 beers and 30 soft drinks. 5 full fishing days and 1 half day fishing with guide and skiff in double basis. Marine park licence.
Rates do not include:
Cuban visa. International airfare and taxes related. Trasfer Havana/Jucaro/Havana. Hard drinks. Fishing equipment and flies. Insurance. Gratuities.
Notes:
Ask for accommodation in the other yatchs and hosted trips.
» Rates / La Tortuga - High Season
U$S 5,480.-
Per person in double occupancy basis. Sharing accommodation and skiff.
Rates include:
2-night accommodation in a 5 star hotel in Havana. Transfer Jucaro port/La Tortuga. 6-night accommodation in La Tortuga double room. Full board with 10 beers and 30 soft drinks. 5 full fishing days and 1 half day fishing with guide and skiff in double basis. Marine park licence.
Rates do not include:
Cuban visa. International airfare and taxes related. Trasfer Havana/Jucaro/Havana. Hard drinks. Fishing equipment and flies. Insurance. Gratuities.
Notes:
Ask for accommodation in the other motherships and hosted trips.
» Fishing
Report
September 2010
No reports have been received for the past few weeks.
» Fishing Testimonials
» Gardens of the Queen (Cuba) a five star dream !!!! by: Carlos Cristini - July 22nd, 2009
When Javier Solis and I decided to visit the Gardens of the Queen in Cuba one year ago, I never thought I´d live such an interesting experience.
The trip began with a comradeship dinner at Havana, when Javier gathered those who took part in this dream: Marcos, Nacho, José and Javier from Spain and I from Argentina. Daniel Beilinson was the only one missing; he was going to meet us the following day at La Tortuga, the boat which would accommodate us for the next nine fishing days.
After quite a long trip, 5-hour bus ride and three-hour boat trip, we reached La Tortuga on the following day. After a fast lunch, we started fishing. Since then, we got never bored. The adrenaline filled us all. Amazing surprises awaited us every day: Tarpon - Bonefish - Permit - Jack - Barracudas - Cuberas, etc. At the end of each day, we all had incredible stories to tell, especially the two Gran Slam (one was achieved by myself) and the two 100-pound tarpon I caught.
I can positively assure everything turned out excellent: the guide´s expertise, Avalon´s logistics, the operation that organized the trip, the accommodation and food.
Daniel Beilinson, CEO of FlyFishingCaribe, offered a special personalized attention all the time, far beyond what we had experienced before, always brilliant:
A) Contributing with his knowledge and offering his advice to us, the anglers.
B) Sharing his experience with the guides to fulfill the clients needs and expectations.
C) Suggesting ideas to the people in charge of the operation so that they could offer a better service each day.
Thank you, Daniel and thanks, FlyFishingCaribe.
See you soon.
Carlos F. Cristini
» Salinas de Brito. I would like to say that I enjoyed the fishing very much....... by: John Thomas - April 28th, 2007
Daniel,
I would like to say that I enjoyed the fishing very much, even with my poor technique I caught 7 bone fish during the first day and lost 3 more. The picture shows me with a fish, Lazarus the guide with another and the skiff. Lazarus was very good, a real expert and very knowledgeable.
The second day we tried for tarpon where the lagoons empty into the sea (the river was not fishing well). I only managed to hook one for a few seconds but it was a good day and I want to go back to get a tarpon and of course to catch some more of those bone fish.
The organization and the hotel were very good, as was the food.
I would recommend the fishing very highly.
John Thomas
» Salinas de Brito, Cuba. The fishing was great !!!!!!!!! by: James Lyle - November 23rd. 2006
The fishing was great. Fantastic guides, wonderful scenery and great fish (I got one 5.5lb bone!). Transfers were a bit more confused but we got there...........
Overall we had a great time and would want to go again.
Thanks for organizing........
Chat soon.
James Lyle
» Salinas de Brito - Cuba by: Robert A. Bruce - March 8th, 2005
Daniel,....... all was perfect. The accommodations are super. The food is excellent and the guides are great. We had two guides, the same the entire 3 days. One was Super the other was good. My partener did well all three days. I had one good day and two not so hot but caught fish each day. The area of Las Salinas is unusual in that it is within a national park and covers about 27,000 km. They only allow 6 fisherman/day to control the pressure on the fish. There are no motors, so the guides pole 10 foot canoe like boats. The boats can be very unstable with the fisherman and the guides standing. It does take along time moving from point to point. Other than these minor issues, the only other thing to be sure to tell other fisherman is that it is a good hour to an hour and one half to get to the fishing from the hotel. All in all I would recommend without reservation. I will be putting a report in the Angler's Report listing you as the outfitter. It was a very positive experience. Thanks, Bob Bruce
robertabruce@yahoo.com
