The 110-foot Liveaboard yacht will fish the same areas of Cayo Largo as the hotel-based program; however, there may be more flexibility to stay out in Zone 5 and 6 a bit longer since the run from the marina to those areas is eliminated. With a maximum of six skiffs booked in the entire area for the week, Cayo Largo is Cuba's most exclusive and innovative fishing destination. Avalon's Cayo Largo fishery is one of the best locations in the world for finding big permit. Cayo Largo is a small island belonging to Cuba, in the Caribbean Sea; and is no more than 16-miles long and 1.9-miles wide.
Cayo Largo is a premier saltwater flats fishery and Avalon's top destination for Grand Slams.
A Caribbean Grand Slam is when an angler catches a bonefish, tarpon, and permit in one day.
Since 2004, Avalon has landed 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: Avalon uses 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 fishermen 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 $280.00 for 2020 per person per week ($350.00 per person for 2021) and requires 60-days’ notice before your trip.
A detailed list of what to bring is in our confirmation packet.
Fishing License: is included in the package, but the $100.00 Marine Park Conservation Fee is not.
Jardines Avalon I (The JA1) is a 110-foot liveaboard yacht with an overall capacity of 12 passengers and eight crew members. They suggest between 8 and 10 anglers for optimum comfort.
There are ten staterooms cabins with private bathrooms. Two of the cabins have queen beds, the remaining eight have two 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.
On the main deck, there is an air-conditioned lounge with a large screen TV and DVD system for unwinding and watching those 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 are served with international wines and local liquors.
Alcohol: There is a mandatory upfront fee of $200.00 per person for the open bar. The open bar includes Cuban beers, rum, international wines, and a variety of spirits.
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.
You'll need to arrive at the José Martí International Airport in Havana on Saturday before 11:00 a.m. After you claim your baggage, you'll be greeted by your host and driven to Zapesca, about a three-hour drive. In Zapesca, you'll board The JA1. The navigation to Cayo Blanco—the first anchoring point—will take about two hours. If your group arrives at the port after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday or if the weather is of concern, the captain may choose to remain anchored in Zapesca for the evening and depart for Cayo Blanco on Sunday morning.
Saturday to Saturday
7-nights on The JA1
and 6-days guided fishing
Full-Yacht Rates:
Includes 10 suites for groups of 12 anglers,
8 single and two double rooms, with 4 skiffs and guides + 1 added skiff for hosts in case of full groups.
High Season:
March 2 - June 29, 2020
Full Yacht rate:
$75,900.00 per group
Half-Yacht rate:
$37,950.00 per group
Low Season:
September 7, 2019 to
February 22, 2020
Full Yacht rate:
$50,500.00 per group
Half-Yacht rate:
$25,250.00 per group
Round-trip domestic flight from Havana to Cayo Largo, reception at the Vilo Acuna Airport, round-trip ground transfers between the Vilo Acuna Airport and the hotel, ground transfers between the hotel and marina, 7-nights lodging and meals on the liveaboard, guided fishing, fishing license, and four drinks on the skiff each fishing day (beer, water, or soft drinks).
International airfare, ground transfers in Havana from the airport to the hotel of your choice, first and last night hotel stay in Havana, beverages, and meals in Havana, Marine Park Conservation Fee ($100.00 - to be included on your invoice), fishing tackle, fly rod and reels, alcohol (other than beer on the skiff), gratuities to the guide and staff, personal expenses, Global Rescue, IMG Signature Travel Insurance, and anything not mentioned under inclusions
Friday: Optional: You may choose to arrive in Havana a day early and stay overnight. This hotel stay is not included in the package.
Saturday: You’ll need to arrive at the José Martí International Airport in Havana before 11:00 a.m. You’ll be driven to Zapesca, where you'll board the liveaboard.
Settle in and enjoy a cold mojito and a lobster 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 day of guided fishing.
5:00 p.m. – You’ll return to the liveaboard and enjoy appetizers.
7:30 p.m. - Dinner is served.
Friday: You’ll have an early morning wake-up. You’ll fish until 4:00 p.m. The liveaboard will sail back to the anchoring spot in Cayo Blanco, where you’ll stay the night on the liveaboard.
Saturday: You'll disembark in Zapesca. A host and driver will drive you back to the airport in Havana for your flight home.
Cayo Largo is a small island belonging to Cuba, in the Caribbean Sea, and is no more than 16-miles long and 1.9-miles wide. Cayo Largo is one of the best locations in the world for finding big permit. Only in recent years has this flats fishery been developed.
Jardines de la Reina, Spanish for "Gardens of the Queen," is a vast, protected marine park. For the 2020 season, Avalon offers five liveaboards at this location.
Isla de Juventud is Spanish for Island of Youth. Aboard the Avalon Fleet I (The JAF1), a 110-foot liveaboard yacht, you’ll explore the most remote areas of the Canarreos Archipelago, the world-famous chain of islands
