The PEARL OF THE WORLDWIDE ANGLING PORTFOLIO

Thirty miles off the coast of Belize, Turneffe Island Lodge is located on the Turneffe Atoll, the largest of only four Atolls in the Western Hemisphere. The Turneffe Atoll is remote and strikingly beautiful with crystal clear waters alive with a wide diversity of marine life. Imagine awakening in your air-conditioned beachfront cabin with an incredible tropical seascape of white sand beach, tranquil bonefish flats, lush mangroves and the surf breaking over the reef for miles in either direction. Each morning, with coffee delivered to your door, you can watch a spectacular sunrise from your verandah and when night falls, the stars look close enough to touch. The Turneffe Atoll is noted for its variety of saltwater fishing. The availability of bonefish, permit and tarpon make Turneffe Island Lodge one of the rare spots in the world offering a legitimate shot at a GRAND SLAM year around. In addition, Turneffe offers opportunities for several other saltwater species. Worldwide Angling encourage you to come prepared for a wide variety of fishing opportunities.

Turneffe Island Lodge Fishing Package Price

Prices vary depending on the season, number of night and the number of people. Call us today and we will get you the best deal possible for this remote island get away.

Turneffe Island Lodge Deposit Requirements

A deposit of 50% of the package price selected (per angler) is due within 10 days of booking your Turneffe Island Lodge fishing adventure. Final payment is due 60 days prior to arrival date. A reservation is only confirmed when deposits are received.

Included in the Turneffe Island Lodge Package

• Round-trip boat transfer from Belize City to the lodge
• The appropriate amount of full days of guided fishing (2 anglers per flats boat)
• Accommodations at Turneffe Island Lodge
• All meals
• Fishing license for length of stay
• Nightly pre-dinner Hors d'oeuvres

Not Included in the Turneffe Island Lodge Package

Airfare to Belize City, Belize; alcoholic beverages; tackle rental; gratuities; purchases at the lodge shop; items gifts purchased in Belize, airport departure tax of US$35.

Turneffe Island Lodge Travel Logistics

Anglers depart their home cities and travel to Belize City, Belize. Direct gateways include Miami, New Orleans, Houston, Los Angeles and Charlotte, NC. From Belize City, you will then take a 90 minute boat trip to Turneffe Atoll. You will travel through several offshore cayes, the Barrier Reef, across open ocean, and then through the Turneffe Islands to Turneffe Island Lodge. The boat used is a 48-foot custom dive boat with 16 foot beam. Most of the transfer occurs inside the reef, typically making for a smooth ride.

Turneffe Island Lodge fishing Season

Year-round.

Capacity at Turneffe Island Lodge

The lodge comfortably handles 30 total guests. They will accommodate up to 8 anglers.

Ammodations at Turneffe Island Lodge

Guest rooms at Turneffe Island are about 450 sq. ft. and have ample closet and drawer space for you to fully unpack and feel at home. All rooms are centrally air-conditioned and each room includes a large, private bath. Furnishings include a queen sized bed, or two double beds. A covered verandah overlooks a bonefish flat and is perfect for relaxing, gazing at the ocean and watching some amazing sun rises. All guest rooms are located on the beach with a panoramic view of the reef. All rooms have private baths with sinks and a shower. The social center for Turneffe Island Lodge is their centrally air-conditioned main lodge, which includes their dining area and bar. A pre-dinner gathering for hors d'oeuvres, drinks and conversation is customary. The large breezy verandah is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the evening. Their gift shop is also located in this building. Turneffe Island Lodge has a diesel generator, which supply 110V/220V AC. Generators run around the clock and are not within hearing distance of guest rooms. Water is primarily supplied by rainwater collection and desalinization. Our fresh water supply is somewhat limited, and we ask that you conserve water. No laundry service is available.

The Fishing Program at Turneffe Island Lodge

Their fishing schedule is as flexible as possible. A standard day's fishing is about 8 hours. Generally the fishing day begins after breakfast and ends in the late afternoon. They do insist that everyone be back to the lodge well before dark for safety purposes. All of Turneffe Flats guides are English-speaking Belizeans with extensive knowledge of all of the water we fish. Several have been guiding on the flats for more than three decades. The guides stalk the fish in clear water using shallow draft skiffs for getting onto the bonefish flats and they know how to position the boat to give the angler the best possible casting opportunities. They are accomplished boatmen and all are accomplished fly casters. They will gladly help you with the technical aspects of saltwater fly fishing if you desire assistance. Two anglers generally fish with each guide, although private boat/guide packages are available. You wil fish from tiller-driven 16' Dolphin Super skiffs that were custom built in the U.S. These are comfortable boats with a nice casting deck, rod holders and dry storage.

Some of their best flats are located literally minutes away from the resort. As a result, long, rough boat rides aren't necessary. They do fish the entire Atoll and some of the bars, creeks and lagoons may be a 30-40 minute run. he proximity of the fishing is such that it is very feasible to fish for tarpon and permit in the morning, for example, and boat to the ocean side flats for a full afternoon of bonefish. There is also a flat right outside the doors of our cabins that is home to a large school of bonefish and permit.

During tarpon season, many anglers wish to begin fishing shortly after sunrise and take a rest during the day. There is a long, productive flat right in front of the cabins that allows the hard-core anglers a chance to fish from sunup to sundown.

You will be given the daily option to take your lunch or return to the lodge for the noon meal. Lodge management will coordinate your day's fishing the prior evening, i.e. guide, time, what type of fishing, and whether you wish to return for lunch or take a lunch.

BONEFISH: The ocean-side flats are some of the most picturesque, wadable flats anywhere in the world, containing large schools of bonefish as well as smaller schools and singles. These fish average 3-5 pounds with some 8-12 pound fish. Fishing the ocean-side flats at Turneffe offers something for anglers of all levels of expertise. Novice saltwater anglers see hundreds of fish providing a good opportunity to learn the basics of saltwater fishing. Experienced anglers find plenty of challenging fishing, particularly fishing to the smaller schools and larger singles. Bonefish are present in equal numbers throughout the year. The ocean-side flats can offer some challenging fishing, and the right tackle, flies, presentations and fishing techniques are all important. Bonefish also inhabit the mangrove-lined lagoons and flats on the interior of the Turneffe Atoll. These bonefish are often larger and take flies more readily than the ocean-side fish, although they tend to be on the move and casting accuracy is crucial. Fishing for these fish is mostly done from the bow of our 16' Dolphin Super skiffs.

PERMIT: Permit are the primary objective of many anglers at Turneffe Island Lodge. On the bars and flats within the Turneffe system, you can expect plenty of shots at permit averaging 10-20 pounds. You can also expect to see some 30-40 pound permit. Permit fishing at Turneffe is primarily done from the bow of one of our Super skiffs, although there are some wading opportunities for permit.

TARPON: In season, tarpon inhabit the creeks, channels and lagoons of the Atoll. Most tarpon jumped are 60-90 lbs., with some fish to 150 lb. Most of our tarpon fishing is to rolling fish with limited sight fishing. Tarpon fishing is seasonal, as tarpon are migratory. Tarpon numbers begin to increase in April or May and drop off in September or October with peak tarpon months being June, July, and August. There are a few "resident" tarpon around Turneffe throughout the year.

OTHER FISHING: The interior of the Turneffe Atoll offers miles of mangrove-lined bays, creeks and lagoons to fish for various snappers, jacks, and barracuda with poppers or #2 Clouser minnows. This can be some very exciting saltwater fishing -- with either a fly rod or spin tackle.

Barracuda are an underrated and acrobatic game fish inhabiting the reefs at Turneffe in large numbers. Many anglers prefer to troll a fly for them, but they can also be taken by sight casting on the flats or by blind casting poppers into the deeper holes along the reef. Along the reef, large snappers and jacks can be taken by casting deceiver patterns or poppers into the surf.

Non-Angler Activities at Turneffe Island Lodge

Turnfeffe Island Lodge operates a full SCUBA diving program. Diving Packages or Combination fishing and diving packages are available. A Discover SCUBA class is available for non-divers interested in trying some diving. They also offer an Atoll Adventure Package, which provides daily-guided activities such as snorkeling, sightseeing, dolphin watching, and bird watching. This is a very enjoyable option for non-angling partners. It is suggested that divers learning to dive should complete all of the classroom and pool training prior to coming to the Island. This insures maximum diving for the open water training.

Meals at Turneffe Island Lodge

They pride themselves in providing quality dining complete with fresh fruits, fresh seafood and fresh baked pastries. Meals are served family-style in the main lodge, not buffet style, and are a tasty combination of Belizean and American dishes. Each morning, you will be awakened at 6:30 a.m. with fresh coffee or tea served on your verandah. A breakfast of fresh fruit, cereal, eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage and fresh baked goods is served from 6:30-7:30 a.m. Lunch, at the lodge, is served between noon and 2:00. Anglers will have the daily option of returning for lunch or taking a packed lunch. Hors d' oeuvres and cocktails are served at 6:00. Dinner, at 6:30, is the big meal of the day. Entrees vary from seafood, chicken, pork and beef.

Weather Conditions at Turneffe Island Lodge

The climate is typically 80-90 degrees on a year-round basis. February has historically been the windiest month with the summer months being the calmest at Turneffe Flats. Hurricanes are not considered frequent by locals, however, September and October (2 of their best fishing months) are the months to be watched in the event that a hurricane does hit.

Entry Requirements for Belize

Belize requires a valid passport for entry.

Predominant Languages Spoken at Turneffe Island Lodge

All of the guides and staff are English speaking.

Packing for Turneffe Island Lodge

Upon receipt of deposits, you will be sent detailed packing lists that will help you prepare for your trip.

Turneffe Island Lodge Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Belize City, Belize. Ninety minute boat transfer to Turneffe Island Lodge. Overnight Turneffe Island Lodge.

Fishing Days: A minimum of 8 hours of guided angling.

Departure day: Boat transfer to Belize City, international flight home.

BELIZE DOES NOT PARTISIPATE IS OBSERVING DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME BUT THE LODGE DOES. FOR THIS REASON THE LODGE TIME MAY DIFFER BY ONE HOUR EARLIER THAN THE MAINLAND DURRING DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME.

Trip Cancellation and Travel Insurance Recommendation

Travel, especially foreign travel, unfortunately has some unusual aspects that need to be addressed. Issues such as lost baggage, missed flights and medical concerns are often over looked until an untimely event happens. You or your traveling partner may need protection from trip cancellation due to events at home such as illness of you or your travel companion, illness while away from home, as well as a host of other travel nightmares. Worldwide Angling strongly recommends all parties obtain trip insurance right after booking a trip abroad. We obtain our own travel insurance with Travelex, a well established, highly recommended, travel insurance company and we recommend it to all of our clients. Travelex specializes in insuring the foreign traveler to far away and remote places. Once a trip is booked with Worldwide Angling, you will receive from us an application for Travelex travel insurance. The cost is quite reasonable, less than $60 per $1000 in most cases. Please review your insurance needs to see if Travelex is for you.