» General Information:
Jardines del Rey (Gardens of the King) Archipelago lies just off the northern coast in the north of Cuba. Some of its cays are larger than some countries of the world, and its intact nature outstands making it one of the most precious spots in the Cuban Caribbean. To the north it is surrounded by a coral wall of about 400 km long, which is the second largest barrier reef in the world, being the Great Barrier Reef in Australia the first. There are canals among the cays and islets, whose origin dates back to millions of years ago when they used to be ancient riverbeds. After the last big thawing, they were partly flooded when the level of sea water rose. The cays become bigger from the West to the East in Morón, Ciego de Avila Province. In this region Turiguanó Island and Cayo Coco, Guayabal and Sabinal are located, forming a kind of exterior coast in front of the shore, giving shape to the bays Buenavista, Los Perros and Jiguey. Among the formations in the archipelago, we can mention Cayo Coco which is linked to the mainland by a 17 km causeway, which also links Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Paredón grande. Other islets to be mentioned are Cayo Romano, Cayo Sabinal, Cayo Santa María, Cayo francés, among others.
This northern area has already developed for tourism offering nautical. Anglers can stay in a 4-star hotel on the coast, which offers a customized service. Four boats 19 feet long with 60 HP Yamaha engines are provided, as well as well qualify fishing guides. The species that are fished in the area are up to 150-pound tarpon, bonefish, permit, jack crevalle, mouton snapper, cubera, spanish mackarel, barracuda, etc.
There is plenty of tarpon in the area from April through August, which is found in very clearly determined spots. There are many canals through which great numbers of tarpon come and go to the open sea, and where they are relatively easy to catch. There are also wide flat areas, of 3 to 6-foot deep, where they are easy to spot due to the crystal-clear waters.
For bonefish fishing, there are huge areas of flats and mangrove vegetation to be fished on boat or by wading. There are big-size bonefish with an average weight of 4 to 6 pounds, but some over 12 pounds have been caught.
The region abounds in permit too, some of them weighing up to 40 pounds. The average weight ranges from 25 to 30 pounds.
» Package:
The package includes airfare Havana/Cayo Coco/Havana; reception in Cayo Coco airport; 7-night accommodation in the Melia Cayo Coco or Melia Cayo Guillermo all inclusive hotel; transfer hotel/marina/hotel; 5 days fishing with boat & guide; ice and fishing licence. We are able to organize all the package including hotel in Havana and/or another hotel accommodation in Cayo Coco or Cayo Guillermo. This has proved to be an ideal program to combine family and fishing vacations, with the special characteristic that the fishing can be done three days minimun.
» Accommodation:
Melia Cayo Coco or Melia Cayo Guillermo all inclusive or depending on each customer.
» Tackle and Equipment:
We suggest taking a #8 wt rod, two #10 wt rod and a #12 wt rod optional. At least a #8 wt rod and a #10 wt rod. Spare lines in case of possible cuts in the mangrove and reef areas. Intermediate and a Sinking line for tarpon (300 to 450 grains).
Flies for bonefish: Crazy Charly; Gotcha; Bonefish Special; Clowser Minow, Boogle Head, etc.
Flies for Permit: Merkin´s Crab; Rag Head Crab; Nick´s Casablanca and others. Flies for Tarpon: Black Death; Purple Death; Toad Tarpon; Cockroach; Stu Apte; Seaducers; Sea Streamers, etc. Poppers.
Others: Leaders for bonefish ( 10 feet and 12-pound class tippet). 60 and 80 pound-test fluorocarbon shock tippet. 12/20/40/60 pound fluorocarbon spools (tippet). Silicone to clean the lines. Steel line for Barracuda. Hook sharpener. Polarized sunglasses. Wading neoprene boots. Medicine for headaches, stomach and others. Sun block. Lightweight rain jacket. Insect repellent.
» Additional Information:
A tourist visa is necessary to enter Cuba. Health insurance.
American dollars and other European currencies are not acceptable to pay any kind of service, the money is changed for CUC (tourist currency).
You can use credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, etc) for shopping, hotel and other services in Havana, but they are NOT accepted it they have been issued in the United States.
The weather is usually drier and stable from Mid November to March. From August to Mid November, it is usually rainy and there might be occasional tropical storms and hurricanes. March through August has proved to be the best time of year to fish bonefish, permit and tarpon.
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| » Rates / 2010 |
| U$S 1,970.- |
Per person double basis (sharing accommodation and boat) |
Rates include:
Transfer to and from the domestic airport in Havana; airfare Havana/Cayo Coco/Havana; reception in cayo Coco; 7 night accommodation in the MELIA CAYO COCO or MELIA CAYO GUILLERMO "all inclusive"; 5 fishing days with transfer in/out hotel, guide, boat, ice. Transfer to Cayo Coco airport. |
Rates do not include:
International airfare and taxes related; Cuban visa; personal health insurance; accommodation and extras in Havana; fishing equipment and flies; gratuities. |
Notes:
2011 rates are subjetc to change. Ask for other options (more or less fishing days, etc.) |
| » Fishing
Report |
September 2010
Good size bonefish and very good tarpon fishing have been reported. |
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