Isla de la Juventud Liveaboard
Isla de Juventud is Spanish for Island of Youth. Aboard The JAF1, a 110-foot liveaboard yacht, you’ll fly fish and explore the most remote areas of the Canarreos Archipelago, the world-famous chain of islands.
Cayo Largo is a small island belonging to Cuba in the Caribbean and is no more than 16 miles long and 1.9 miles wide. The JA1, a 110-foot Liveaboard yacht, has a maximum of six skiffs in the entire area for the week. Cayo Largo is Cuba's most exclusive and innovative fishing destination. The Cayo Largo fishery is one of the best locations in the world for finding big permit.
Last-Minute Peak Season Special
Save 20-percent for select week:
Half-Yacht available for six anglers
June 22 - 29, 2024:
Reg. $51,200.00 now $40,960.00
Get a group of six together = $6,826.66 per person
Cayo Largo is a premier saltwater flats fishery and a top destination for Grand Slams. A Caribbean Grand Slam is when an angler catches a bonefish, tarpon, and permit in one day. Since 2004, over 500 grand slams!
Cayo Largo has a rotational system of six zones. During a full week of fishing, you'll fish each zone once. With the Liveaboard, they have the flexibility to stay further to the west in zones 5 and 6, where the tarpon fishing can be better. The run from the marina to zone 5 and 6 is quite far, so during the week, liveaboard anglers have the advantage of fishing these zones longer than resort-based anglers.
Boats: Dolphin 16-foot Super skiffs teamed with Yamaha 60 or 70-HP motors at all their flats fishing destinations. The guides can pole the skiffs on the shallowest bonefish flats. Two anglers per boat and guide.
Guides: Local guides are excellent anglers and skilled at finding all species. They were born and raised on these waters and know the ocean and the flats very well. The guides speak Spanish, yet also enough Fishing-English to get by.
Equipment: No gear or tackle is provided. A rod, reel. and fly line rental is available for $350.00 per person per week and requires 60 days’ notice before your trip. A detailed list of what to bring is in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License: The fishing license is included in the package. The Marine Park Conservation fee is $300.00 per person, and not included in the package.
The JA1 is a 110-foot liveaboard yacht hosting up to 10 anglers (12 for hosted trips) plus eight crew members. The liveaboard also hosts divers. There are nine cabin staterooms with private bathrooms. Two cabins have queen beds, and the rest have twin beds. Each cabin has air conditioning and heat controls, electricity plugs, 220 volts and 110 volts), drawers for storage, and panoramic windows for views of the Caribbean.
The main deck has an air-conditioned lounge with a large screen TV and DVD system for watching fishing videos from your day out on the flats. The lounge also has a digital and photo editing computer to use during your stay. The shaded upper sun deck has cushioned chairs and a hot tub.
Meals: Delicious Cuban cuisine, grilled fresh seafood, vegetables, and desserts, served with international wines and local liquors.
Alcohol: The open bar is included in the package and includes beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, and water.
Communications: Wi-Fi is not available on the liveaboard. You’ll need to check with your cell service provider before your trip to see if your U.S. cell phone will work in Cuba. Satellite phones are NOT allowed in Cuba and will be confiscated at the airport upon arrival.
2024 Schedule: You'll need to arrive at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Friday. After you claim your baggage and go through the immigration process, you'll be greeted by your host. He will help arrange a Taxi for you to a hotel in Havana that you've reserved in advance. (Taxi transfers and hotel nights are not included in the package.)
On Saturday at noon, the driver will transfer your group by private bus to Zapesca Port, a three-hour drive. You'll board The JA1. Navigating to Cayo Blanco—the first anchoring point—will take about two hours. You'll enjoy dinner and stay overnight on The JA1.
Saturday to Saturday
Friday: Optional: You may choose to arrive in Havana a day early and stay overnight. This hotel night is not included in the package.
Saturday: You’ll need to arrive at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana before noon. The group for the week will take a private bus to Zapesca, a 3-hour drive, where you'll board the Liveaboard. Settle in and enjoy a cold mojito and a nice dinner. Overnight on the JA1 liveaboard.
Sunday - Thursday:
7:00 a.m. - Wake-up call.
7:30 a.m. - Breakfast. You’ll pack a lunch to take on the skiff.
8:00 a.m. – Head out for a full day of guided fishing.
You’ll return to the liveaboard and enjoy appetizers.
7:30 p.m. - Dinner is served.
Friday: 6:00 a.m., You’ll have an early morning wake-up. You’ll fish from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Liveaboard will sail back to the anchoring spot in Cayo Blanco, where you’ll stay the night on board.
Saturday: 6:00 a.m., sail to Zapesca. At 9:00 a.m., you'll disembark. A host and driver will drive you back to the airport in Havana for your flight home, with an estimated arrival of noon. Do not plan your departing flights before 3:00 p.m.
Entire Yacht Includes:
9 cabins for groups of 10 anglers with 5 skiffs and 5 guides.
If you book the entire yacht, the deal is 10 paying anglers + 2 free hosts with 6 skiffs and 6 guides.
Half-Yacht Includes:
5 cabins for groups of 5 anglers with 3 skiffs and 3 guides.
If you book the half yacht, the deal is 5 paying anglers + 1 free host with 3 skiffs and 3 guides.
• Reception at the Havana Airport
• Group bus transfer from the hotel in Havana to Zapesca Port
• 7-nights Liveaboard lodging
• All meals on the Liveaboard
• Open bar on the Liveaboard
• 6-days guided fishing
• Four (4) drinks on the skiff each fishing day (beer, water, or soft drinks)
• Fishing license
• Laundry service.
Isla de Juventud is Spanish for Island of Youth. Aboard The JAF1, a 110-foot liveaboard yacht, you’ll fly fish and explore the most remote areas of the Canarreos Archipelago, the world-famous chain of islands.
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