Fly Fishing Cayo Largo Cuba
World Renowned Flats Fishing
Cayo Largo is a remote gem in Cuba’s southern Canarreos Archipelago, offering one of the Caribbean’s most pristine and productive saltwater fly fishing experiences. Protected within a marine sanctuary, its vast network of flats, lagoons, and mangrove channels provides ideal habitat for bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Strict conservation measures ensure minimal angling pressure, allowing these waters to remain healthy and untouched, even as other fisheries face increasing challenges.
With exclusive access and a limited number of rods on the water, anglers here enjoy world-class sight fishing in solitude. Tailing permit patrol white sand flats, bonefish feed aggressively in shallow water, and resident tarpon offer thrilling takes in hidden channels. Whether chasing a Grand Slam or simply appreciating the raw beauty of an unspoiled fishery, Cayo Largo delivers an unforgettable experience for dedicated saltwater anglers.
The Fishing
Cayo Largo stands as one of the most celebrated fly fishing destinations in the Caribbean, offering anglers unparalleled opportunities to pursue permit, bonefish, and tarpon in an untouched, remote setting. Located along Cuba’s southern archipelago, this fishery is defined by its crystalline flats, expansive lagoons, and mangrove-lined channels—prime habitat for the Grand Slam species.
Permit: The Ultimate Challenge
For those in pursuit of permit, Cayo Largo delivers. Its vast white sand flats and turtle grass beds create the perfect environment for these elusive fish. Here, permit feed with confidence, and while they remain as challenging as ever, the low angling pressure and expert guides increase your chances of success.
Bonefish: Plentiful and Aggressive
Cayo Largo is home to some of the most consistent bonefish action in the Caribbean. These fish are abundant, eager, and often larger than expected, making for thrilling days on the water. Whether targeting singles in skinny water or casting to large schools, bonefish here reward precision and patience.
Tarpon: Seasonal Giants and Year-Round Action
Cayo Largo’s resident tarpon provide action throughout the year, but the migratory giants arrive in force during the late spring and summer months. With plenty of creeks and deep channels, the fishery offers a mix of classic sight fishing on the flats and exhilarating fights with rolling tarpon in the backcountry.
Cayo Largo’s diverse flats—ranging from hard sand and turtle grass to coral-studded shallows—create an exceptional year-round habitat for bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Beyond these prized flats species, anglers can also target snook, mutton snapper, jack crevalle, cubera snapper, and barracuda, offering exciting variety and nonstop action for those looking to expand their saltwater species list.
Fishing takes place across expansive flats, winding mangrove channels, and secluded lagoons, with many prime spots just minutes from the dock. A strict permit system ensures limited angling pressure, preserving the quality of this remote fishery. For those seeking solitude, technical sight fishing, and the opportunity to land a Grand Slam in pristine waters, Cayo Largo remains one of the last great saltwater wildernesses in the Caribbean.
Your Guide to Cayo Largo
From travel logistics to seasonal fishing insights, we’ve compiled everything you need to make planning your Cayo Largo adventure as seamless and rewarding as your time on the water.
The Cayo Largo Fishing Program
Each morning, skiffs depart from the marina after a hearty breakfast, heading into the remote and unspoiled waters of Cayo Largo’s protected fishery. The area is carefully managed, with guides rotating through different sectors to ensure anglers experience fresh, lightly pressured waters each day. Depending on the conditions, you may find yourself poling across expansive sand flats, drifting through hidden lagoons, or weaving through mangrove-lined channels teeming with life.
Spanning a vast marine reserve, Cayo Largo’s diverse ecosystem offers an ever-changing landscape of pristine fishing grounds. Whether stalking bonefish in ankle-deep water, sight-casting to permit in turtle grass shallows, or intercepting rolling tarpon in deep channels, each day presents new challenges and unforgettable encounters in one of Cuba’s most spectacular saltwater destinations.
Fishing in Cayo Largo provides effortless access to some of the Caribbean’s most productive flats. In just 5 to 20 minutes from the marina, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vast turtle grass flats, crystal-clear sandbars, and winding mangrove estuaries, all brimming with life.
Whether you’re casting to schools of bonefish, scanning for tailing permit, or hunting tarpon in secluded channels, the short boat ride means more time fishing and less time traveling. With strict conservation measures and limited angling pressure, this pristine, remote fishery remains abundant and untouched, delivering an unforgettable fly fishing experience just minutes from where your day begins.
With its pristine flats, abundant fish, and expert guiding just minutes from the marina, Cayo Largo offers an unforgettable fly fishing adventure in one of Cuba’s most unspoiled saltwater destinations.
Fish Species Of Cayo Largo
Tarpon, Permit & Bonefish
A Pristine and Lightly Pressured Fishery
Cayo Largo offers an exceptional fly fishing experience, with expansive flats, winding channels, and sheltered lagoons creating ideal conditions for trophy permit, bonefish, and tarpon. Protected within a marine sanctuary and subject to strict conservation measures, this remote fishery sees minimal angling pressure, providing incredible sight-fishing opportunities and diverse, year-round action.
Tarpon – The Silver King of Cayo Largo
From March to August, migratory tarpon flood Cayo Largo’s waters, with fish exceeding 100 pounds providing anglers multiple shots per day at these explosive, acrobatic fighters. Even outside peak migration, resident tarpon ranging from 10 to 80 pounds remain present year-round, ensuring consistent opportunities. Whether targeting juvenile tarpon in the sheltered backcountry or casting to rolling giants in deeper channels, the thrill of battling the Silver King is always within reach.
Permit – The Ultimate Sight-Fishing Challenge
Cayo Largo is one of Cuba’s premier permit fisheries, with strong numbers of fish patrolling shallow turtlegrass flats, sandbars, and tidal channels. Their eager tailing behavior provides thrilling sight-casting opportunities, whether you’re tracking singles along the flats or intercepting moving schools in deeper water. With minimal pressure and expert guiding, Cayo Largo offers some of the best permit fishing in the Caribbean.
Bonefish – The Heart of the Fishery
Bonefish are plentiful, aggressive, and often larger than expected in Cayo Largo. Found in impressive schools across the hard sand flats, these fish provide consistent, high-energy action. Whether sight-casting to singles in skinny water or picking off fish from large groups, the bonefishery here is fast-paced and rewarding, with explosive runs across the pristine shallows.
More Than Just the Big Three
While tarpon, permit, and bonefish are the marquee species, Cayo Largo’s rich ecosystem supports a variety of additional exciting targets, including:
- Barracuda – Lightning-fast ambush predators that challenge reflexes and gear.
- Snapper and Cubera Snapper – Powerful fish lurking around structure, perfect for anglers looking to mix up their targets.
- Jacks and Trevally – Hard-hitting fighters that add unexpected excitement to the day.
With untouched waters, abundant marine life, and some of the most rewarding sight-fishing in the Caribbean, Cayo Largo stands as one of Cuba’s most remarkable saltwater fly fishing destinations.
Tarpon
Permit
Bonefish
Best Seasons For Fly Fishing Cayo Largo Cuba
The Canarreos fishing season generally runs from September to mid-March.
Blue Sanctuary
One of the primary reasons for the continued unspoiled and intact ecosystems found in Cuba is a result of conservation efforts implemented by Blue Sanctuary.
One of the primary reasons Cuba’s marine ecosystems remain so pristine is the country’s strong commitment to conservation. As a key part of the Canarreos Archipelago, Cayo Largo benefits from strict marine park protections, ensuring its waters remain unspoiled and ecologically vibrant.
Falling under Marine Park Management, Cayo Largo is entirely free from commercial fishing, allowing its saltwater flats, mangrove estuaries, and deep channels to flourish. This protection has created an ideal habitat for healthy populations of bonefish, permit, tarpon, and other sought-after species, preserving the area as a world-class fishery with minimal angling pressure.
Beyond conservation, sustainable tourism plays a vital role in maintaining Cayo Largo’s thriving ecosystem. Fly fishing here follows a strict catch-and-release policy, and limited access permits ensure the fishery remains lightly pressured for future generations. Anglers from around the world visit Cayo Largo not only for its exceptional fly fishing but also to support a model that balances adventure with environmental responsibility.
Through these efforts, Cayo Largo stands as a testament to the power of marine conservation, offering both a sanctuary for marine life and a premier destination for eco-conscious anglers.
Cayo Largo Rates
2025 RATES
2025 Rates
Weekly Fishing Packages
Standard Rates
(7 Nights, 6 Days Guided Fishing)
September-March onLy
Hosted Rates — Welcome party Included
September-March onLy
(8 Nights, 7 Days w/ 6 Days Guided Fishing)
Welcome Party
Reserved for our hosted trips, with special access available for larger private groups upon request.
2026 RATES
2026 Rates
Weekly Fishing Packages
Standard Rates
7 Nights, 6 Days Guided Fishing)
September-March onLy
Hosted Rates — Welcome party Included
(8 Nights, 7 Days w/ 6 Days Guided Fishing)
September-March onLy
Welcome Party
Reserved for our hosted trips, with special access available for larger private groups upon request.
What Is Included?
**Included**
-
7 Nights All Inclusive w/ *Double Occupancy Room at all inclusive lodge, *double room base, full board
- 1 Day & Night All Inclusive in Havana w/ Double Occupancy Room
- 6 Full Days Fishing w/ Double Occupancy Skiff
- Ground Transfer To/From Havana Airport
-
All Meals Daily
*Pig Roast - Final night - Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic Beverages
**Not Included**
- International Flights to/from Havana, Cuba
- Travel Visa
- Guide & Staff Gratuity
- $300 Conservation Fee per angler, per week
- Fishing Equipment & Flies
How to Get to Cayo Largo
Getting to Cayo Largo is a straightforward and seamless experience, with multiple options for arriving in Cuba and reaching this remote fishing paradise.
Most travelers fly into Havana’s José Martí International Airport (HAV), which serves as the primary gateway to Cuba. From Havana, there are two main options for reaching Cayo Largo:
- Domestic Flight: A quick 40-minute flight from Havana to Nueva Gerona Airport (GER) provides the fastest and most convenient access to Cayo Largo.
- Ferry Transfer: For those looking for a scenic alternative, a ferry departs from Batabanó, located about two hours by car from Havana, offering a unique way to experience Cuba’s coastal waters before arriving on the island.
Once you arrive, all travel logistics are expertly coordinated, ensuring a smooth transition from the airport or ferry dock to your accommodations and, ultimately, to the incredible fly fishing waters of Cayo Largo.
Recommended Airports
Cayo Largo Itinerary
Fishing Trip Itinerary
The fishing program typically runs from Saturday to Saturday.
Guests return to the mainland on Friday evening, staying overnight aboard the mothership at Zapesca port before departing the following day.
Friday:
Arrive in Miami early Friday morning or Thursday with an overnight in Miami. Flights to Cuba through American Airlines depart Miami around 12:45pm.
After arriving in Cuba you will be greeted by our team with refreshments and cigars as soon as you walk out of the airport. We will then be transported by a fleet of our famed classic cars to our hotel in the heart of downtown.
After settling into our hotel we will head out to see the sights and have lunch.
At 6:30 we will head over to our venue for the Welcome Party. The party will end around 10:00-10:30 and everyone will head back to the hotel for the night. We can arrange for a night on the town with VIP services for those looking to check out the nightlife.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival and Embarkation
- Arrive at the designated meeting point before midday for a transfer to the departure point.
- Board the yacht and begin navigation to the first anchorage. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay aboard.
Day 2 – 7 (Sunday to friday): Fishing and Exploration
- Morning meeting with guides to prepare for a full day of fishing in nearby waters.
- Explore prime fishing spots throughout the day.
- The yacht relocates to a new mooring for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8 (Saturday): Disembarkation and Departure
- Enjoy breakfast before disembarking at the port.
- Transfer back to the original meeting point or airport for departure.
Note: This itinerary is meant to be a sample and your trip schedule may be adjusted without notice due to sea conditions, logistical requirements, or group preferences.
Pre Trip & Travel Requirements
Travel Details
Transportation: We take care of all of the travel once you arrive in Cuba, so there is nothing for you to worry about beyond getting to the closest airport.
Travel Requirements: Beyond your passport there are a few documents that need to be prepared prior to your arrival in Cuba. Please use the link below to start the process with our step by step guide.
Accommodations
JARDINES AVALON I
A 110-foot yacht offering an intimate and personalized fishing experience.
JARDINES AVALON F I
Jardines Avalon F I is an intimate, comfortable and stylishly designed yacht, where each space is created to provide its guests with maximum comfort and safety. The atmosphere was conceived and designed to provide our guests with an experience of a lifetime. With his 130 foot, its overall capacity is 14 passengers and 8 crew members. We suggest between 10 and 14 anglers for optimum comfort. The design and interior decor give the yacht a touch of intimacy, refinement, a sense of warmth and simplicity. The boat has the perfect balance of substantial exploration capabilities and a unique and noble style. It guarantees all our guests a pleasant, exciting and exclusive voyage through the Canarreos Archipelago.
The Avalon F I is heaven-on-earth. We offer a variety of queen and twin size beds, a hot tub and a lounge to make you feel at home with excellent visual/audio equipment if needed. Plus, amazing Cuban gastronomy that we will treat you to throughout your entire stay, served with international wines and local liquors and desserts. Fish during the day and relax while watching an incredible sunset in style and comfort in one of the most beautiful pristine natural environments in the world. When you combine this stunning eco system with the personal touch and excellent service that Avalon is renowned for, our 30 years of experience in providing top notch fly fishing trips you are guaranteed a great experience.
CAyo Largo Cuba Fly Fishing Photo Gallery
The Fly Fishing Guides of Isla de la Juventud
(Alphabetical)
The guides of Cayo Largo are among the most experienced and knowledgeable in Cuba, with years of expertise leading anglers through these pristine waters. Many have deep roots in the region, having spent their lives fishing the area before transitioning from commercial fishing to guiding. Their intimate knowledge of the flats, lagoons, and mangrove-lined channels gives them an unparalleled ability to locate and stalk fish in this remote fishery.
Fluent in English and passionate about their craft, these guides are more than just experts in finding bonefish, permit, and tarpon—they are storytellers and ambassadors of Cuban heritage and fishing tradition. Dedicated to client success, they go above and beyond to ensure every angler enjoys a memorable and rewarding experience, whether it’s landing a first bonefish or pursuing the ultimate prize—a trophy permit in shallow water.
Antonio
Boris
