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.
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 of 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 are very 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 and 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. For 2023, the Marine Park Conservation fee is included in the package. For 2024, the Marine Park Conservation fee is $300.00 per person.
The JA1 is a 110-foot liveaboard yacht hosting up to 12 anglers, 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 if you would like to use it 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.
2023 Schedule: You'll need to arrive at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Saturday before noon 12:00 p.m. After you claim your baggage and immigration process, you'll be greeted by your host. He will help arrange a Taxi for you to Parque Central Hotel in Havana. (Taxi not included in package.) At 1:00 p.m., your driver will transfer your group by private bus to Zapesca Port, a three-hour drive. You'll board The JA1. The navigation to Cayo Blanco—the first anchoring point—will take about two hours. Dinner and overnight on The JA1.
2024 Schedule: You'll need to arrive at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on Friday. After you claim your baggage and 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 and hotel night are not included in package.) At 12:00 p.m. the following day, your driver will transfer your group by private bus to Zapesca Port, a three-hour drive. You'll board The JA1. The navigation to Cayo Blanco—the first anchoring point—will take about two hours. Dinner and 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 12:00 p.m. 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 12:00 noon. Do not plan your departing flights before 3:00 p.m.
Full-Yacht Includes:
9 cabins for groups of 12 anglers with 6 skiffs and 6 guides.
Half-Yacht Includes:
5 cabins for groups of 6 anglers, 4 single rooms, and 1 double room, with 3 skiffs and 3 guides.
Reception at the Havana Airport, a group bus transfer from the hotel in Havana to Zapesca Port, 7-nights liveaboard lodging, all meals on the Liveaboard, lodging, open bar (including beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, and water), 6-days guided fishing, four drinks on the skiff each fishing day (beer, water, or soft drinks), fishing license, and laundry service.
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