Belize Bonefishing - Turneffe Flats Resort

Premier Flats Fishing - Fly or Spin Angling

Turneffe Flats Resort sits thirty miles off the coast of Belize, just 30 miles from the world-famous Great Blue Hole. With 250 square miles of expansive flats, Turneffe is the Caribbean's largest and most diverse coral atoll. The Atoll is remote and stunning, with crystal-clear waters, and is a premier saltwater fly fishing destination. Turneffe Flats was awarded the Energy Globe Award (2022), today's most prestigious environmental award. The Lodge is completely self-sufficient without any public services.


Miles of Crystal-Clear, Wadeable Flats



Turneffe Flats is one of the Caribbean’s premier saltwater fly fishing destinations. The diversity of their saltwater flats fishing sets them apart from other destinations.

The Lodge Season:  The Lodge is open year-round.

Pursue a Caribbean Grand Slam from June through August when there are good numbers of bonefish, permit, and tarpon available. An expansive bonefish flat is right outside your door, and a vibrant coral reef is only a stone's throw away.

Bonefish and Permit are resident populations, and fishing is remarkably consistent throughout the year.

Bonefishing:  There is no preferable season for bonefishing as they are present in equal numbers throughout the year. While wading Turneffe’s extensive turtle grass flats, you'll sightfish large schools of bonefish, plus smaller groups and singles. Some of their best flats are just minutes from the resort. As a result, long, rough boat rides aren’t necessary. They fish the entire atoll. Some bars, creeks, and lagoons are about a 30 to 40-minute run. While wading the expansive flats on the seaward side of Turneffe, you will see schools of bonefish, a great opportunity for new saltwater anglers to learn the sport. There is also plenty of skinny water for seasoned anglers who enjoy stalking larger bones, some over 10 pounds.
Read John B. Snow's Outdoor Life article:  A Bone Fishing Adventure on the Flats of Belize.


Turneffe Flats

turneffe flats fishing


Year-Round Bonefishing

Turneffe Flats Resort in Belize offers year-round bonefishing. Turneffe is a great place for novice anglers, yet there is also plenty of skinny water for seasoned anglers who enjoy stalking larger bones, some in excess of 10 pounds.

Permit Fishing is Good Year-Round.

At Turneffe Atoll, most permit are found as singles or in small groups on the flats and bars, although larger schools are spotted of permit tailing in shallow water. Guides pole the skiffs and there is also excellent wade fishing for permit on the oceanside flats.

Permit Season:  Permit are also present throughout the year, although permit fishing tends to be more predictable when the prevailing winds are most consistent - generally in the winter, spring, and summer. Some of the better permit fishing can be in the fall if the weather is not affected by a cold front. Most permit are found as singles or in small groups on the flats and bars, although larger schools are spotted of permit tailing in shallow water. Guides pole the skiffs, and there is also excellent wade fishing for permit on the oceanside flats.

Pursue a Caribbean Grand Slam

Turneffe Flats Fishing

Tarpon fishing is quite seasonal since most tarpon are migratory. Our tarpon numbers increase in April and May and drop off in September or October. Peak tarpon months are June, July, and August. Some resident tarpon are around throughout the year.
There is a definite tarpon season in Belize as most tarpon are migratory (May - October). Early morning fishing, particularly for tarpon, can be exceptional, and arrangements to go tarpon fishing before breakfast are easily made.

Standard Eight-Hour Fishing Day

Turneffe Flats Resort

Typical Fishing Day:
A standard fishing day is about eight hours. The fishing schedule is flexible. A coffee pot is in your room.
6:30 - 8:00 am - A hot breakfast includes baked goods. After breakfast, you'll join your guide.
Mid-day - Enjoy a packed lunch on the boat or return to the Lodge for lunch. After lunch, you'll return to fishing.
4:00 to 5:00 pm - You'll return to the Lodge. For safety reasons, the Lodges asks that all guides be in an hour before sundown.
6:30 pm - Enjoy cocktails and appetizers in the main lodge or on the large breezy veranda.
7:00 pm - Dinner is served

The Fishing Program:

Turneffe Flats Fishing

Boats:  Fish from 16 ft. Dolphin super skiffs are custom-built in the U.S. These are comfortable skiffs that cut the chop when running and pole well in skinny water. They have large casting decks and rod holders for six rods. All skiffs are equipped with VHF radios and safety gear. Two anglers per boat and guide.
Guides:  English-speaking Belizean guides. Several guides have been guiding on the flats for more than three decades, and most have been with Turneffe Flats for the majority of that time. They are some of the most experienced and dedicated flats guides in the Caribbean. If you desire assistance, they will gladly help you with the technical aspects of saltwater fly fishing.
Fishing Equipment:  No gear is included in the package. A fly outfit rental is $25 per day or $140 per week (Sage/T&T rods and Hatch reels). A spin outfit costs $15 per day or $85.00 for the week. A comprehensive gear and tackle list is provided in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License:  A fishing license is $25 per week. You may purchase your license at the Lodge or online. There is also a Marine Park Fee of $50.00 per person for the week.

Turneffe Flats Resort

Turneffe Flats Fishing

About the Resort

Turneffe Flats Resort is on the northeastern side of Turneffe Atoll on a private point with a white sandy beach. The main lodge is the social dining center. There are eight large cabanas on the beach, two spacious three-bedroom villas, and Pelican Villa, a two-bedroom and two-bath villa. All lodgings have wonderful views of the beach or reef. All rooms are air-conditioned and have private bathrooms.
Meals:  Enjoy Belizean-style and international dishes in the colonial-style lodge. Cooked breakfasts. Dinner entrees include local seafood, chicken, pork and beef. Packed lunches for the boat or dine at the lodge for lunch between noon and 2:00 pm.
Alcohol:  Alcohol is not included in the package. The Lodge has a well-stocked bar. Individual tabs must be paid before your departure.
Power:  The Lodge is completely self-sufficient without any public services. A sophisticated off-grid solar system with a diesel generator backup powers the Lodge. Power is 110V/220V/60Hz AC. The generators are not within hearing distance of the guest rooms.
Here is energyglobe.info article about Turneffe's award-winning energy grid.
Communications:  Wi-Fi is readily available in the Main Lodge and, to a limited extent, in the cabanas and villas. Email and internet usage works fine. However, there is not enough bandwidth for extensive streaming services.

Air-Conditioned Rooms with Private Baths and View of the Beach

At Turneffe Flats Resort, you'll have an air-conditioned bedroom with a private ensuite bathroom

Affinity Edge Pool with Oceanview

Swimming Pool at Turneffe Flats Resort in Belize.

Dive Packages

At Turneffe Flats Resort, you'll have an air-conditioned bedroom with a private ensuite bathroom

There are many package options--world-class snorkeling, diving, Atoll Adventures, and more. There are also diving and fishing combination packages.

Non-Angler Activities

Sightseeing, superb snorkeling, and SCUBA diving are other reasons people visit Turneffe Flats. PADI Dive Instructors offer introductory diving courses with basic SCUBA instruction followed by two shallow dives of no more than 30 feet. There is an additional charge for this course. Combination fishing and SCUBA diving packages are available.

Escape to Turneffe Flats

Turneffe Flats Fishing


Getting to The Resort:

1.) You’ll fly to the international airport (BZE) in Ladyville on the outskirts of Belize City.
2.) A Lodge representative will meet you and drive you to the Radisson Marina. There is a restaurant/bar at the marina for lunch or a beverage while you wait to leave for the Lodge.
3.)You'll board the Lodge’s comfortable 50 ft. Hatteras yacht and take a 90-minute boat ride through the scenic offshore cayes, the Barrier Reef, and Turneffe’s mangrove channels before arriving at the Lodge.
Departure Day:  After a light breakfast, you'll leave the island on Saturday at 7:30 am. Their boat arrives at the Belize City Marina at 9:00 am. You will be driven to the airport with plenty of time to check in for your flight, provided it is booked after 11:00 am. For guests departing later in the day, a half-day tour of a Mayan ruin or the Belize Zoo can be arranged for you. (Tours are an added fee.)



2024 USD Rates:

7-nights and 6-day packages
Saturday to Saturday packages
Peak Season:
Janaury 1 - June 27, 2024:

Rates do not include 8% Hotel Tax.
Guided Fishing Packages:
Two anglers per boat and room:
$5,590.00 per person
One angler per boat and room:
$7,690.00
Fishing and Diving Combo:
$5,790.00 per person
Diving Package:
$3,690.00 per person
Non-Angler sharing room
$3,190.00 per person
Atoll Adventure:
$3,490.00 per person

Low Season:
June 27 - December 21, 2024:

Guided Fishing Packages:
Two anglers per boat and room:
$4,890.00 per person
One angler per boat and room: $6,990.00
Fishing and Diving Combo:
$5,090.00 per person
Diving Package:
$3,390.00 per person
Non-Angler sharing room
$2,990.00 per person
Atoll Adventure:
$3,290.00 per person

Shorter Stay packages are available - request an information packet.



Request a Turneffe Flats
Information Packet  


The Packages Include:

• Ground transfers between the airport and the marina
• Boat transfers between the marina and the Lodge
• Double-occupancy lodging
• Three meals per day and afternoon appetizers
• Guided activities as per package booked
• Use of onsite kayaks, gym, swimming pool...
• Limited Wi-Fi

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare to Belize City, Belize, and return
9% Hotel tax and 12.5% GST on the total package
• GST on total package
• Alcohol
• Gratuities
• In-room massages at the Lodge
• Ground transfers between the airport and the Lodge
• Fishing equipment rentals
• Marine Reserve Fee, $25.00 p.p.
• Fishing license, $25.00 p.p.
• Blue Hole diving fee, $40.00 p.p.
• Items purchased in the lodge’s gift shop or fly shop
• Global Rescue
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.


Turneffe Flats Fishing


  Turneffe Flats Resort

Permit Fishing is Good Year-Round.

Turneffe Flats Permit Fishing

Belize Bonefishing at Turneffe Flats

A Turneffe Flats guide and angler with Large Bonefish.

Fishing Travel Experts


Guy Schoenborn

1-800-205-3474 ext. 1

MT Office:  406-322-5709

Email:  guy@fishingwithlarry.com

Brad Staples

1-800-205-3474 ext. 3

Cell (503) 250-0558

Email:  brad@fishingwithlarry.com