Cuba - The New Tortuga Yacht, The JA4

Jardines de la Reina

Jardines de la Reina, Spanish for Gardens of the Queen, is a vast, protected marine park that is larger than the Florida Keys. The JA4 is an amazing new 180-foot vessel that stays moored in Jardines de la Reina. The new yacht has replaced the former and beloved Tortuga that many anglers and divers returned to year after year. The new JA4 features 20 cabins with private bathroom, a spacious lounge, a modern dining room, and a sun deck to enjoy every aspect of the Gardens of the Queen. The Liveaboard hosts a maximum of 22 anglers per week, and up to 40 guests. The liveaboard also accomodates divers. Jardines de la Reina (JDR) and is ideal for fly anglers who desire to fish from dawn till dusk, about 5:00 p.m.

For More about the FISHING...

Visit JARDINES DE LA REINA'S Main Page

Lounge area

The new JA4 is the perfect base of operations for your week of fly fishing, diving, eco-adventuring, and experiencing the pristine nature of Jardines de la Reina.
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.

Dining Room

Meals: Western and regional dishes. Vegetarian options. Snacks are available all day.
Open Bar: An open bar is included in the package and includes beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, and water.

Air-Conditioned Bedrooms

Each room includes personalized air conditioning and heating controls, a small TV, and ample storage space.

Private Bathroom

Private bathroom with the necessities—shower, toilet, sink, and mirror.

Main Deck and Lower Deck Floorplan

Sun Deck and Upper Deck Floorplan

Floorplan of The JA4

The helm deck includes four suites (an upgrade to the standard package) with balconies as well as a delightful jacuzzi and sun deck to enjoy the incredible views. The upper deck includes eight double rooms with private bathrooms as well as a lovely dining area and rear patio. The main deck includes another eight double rooms, a comfortable lounge area with large couches, and areas to relax. This is the main entrance area to the yacht and features a massive rear deck and platform to keep all of your gear organized and access easy. The lower deck is where the crew resides along with the engine room powering this incredible vessel.

Typical Fishing Day:

7:00 a.m Wake-Up call
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Your guides are ready to depart for fishing.
Morning winds often calm down in the afternoon, and fishing in the late afternoon can be superb, especially for bonefish. You’ll take a packed lunch. You’ll be guided for seven to nine hours each day.
5:00 p.m. About dusk, you'll return to the liveboard.
5:30 p.m. Enjoy appetizers.
7:30 p.m. Dinner.
Note: Schedule can be changed according to your preferences and your guide's suggestions.

Getting to the Liveaboard:

Many US cities have direct flights to Havana. You can also book direct flights to Cayo Coco (CCC) from Canada or Mexico. If you fly to Havana, plan on staying overnight at a hotel here before and after your fishing trip. The private bus transfer to Jardines de la Reina from Havana departs approximately. 7:00 a.m. and takes 6-8 hours to get to Jucaro Port. If you fly to Cayo Coco, the ground transfer takes 2-3 hours from the airport to Jucaro Port. Your entire group must arrange for the same flights to avoid private transfer costs. The ground transfer from Havana to Jucaro Port is $150.00 per person (one way), and is not included in the package. The group transfer from Camaguey/Cayo Coco/Santa Clara to Jucaro is $50.00 per person.
Arrival and Departure Days: Upon arrival at Jucaro Port, you will board The JA4 and begin your fishing week in the Jardines de la Reina. On the final day of your trip, you’ll return to The JA4 around 2:00 p.m. The yacht will return to Jucaro Port, where you will overnight. Early the next morning, you will return to Havana or Cayo Coco for your departing flights.

2023 USD Rates:

7-nights and 5.75-days guided fishing
Low Season:
Dec. 31, 2022 - Feb, 18, 2023 and July 15 - Dec. 30, 2023
Two anglers per room and boat $4,399.00 per person
One-angler per skiff $6,299.00 per week
Upgrade to one angler per cabin Add $1,000.00 per week.
High Season: February 18 - July 15, 2023
Two anglers per room and boat $7,290.00 per person
One-angler per skiff $11,190.00 per week
Upgrade to one angler per cabin Add $1,000.00 per week.

2024 USD Rates:

7-nights and 5.75-days guided fishing
Low Season:
Dec. 30, 2023 - Feb, 17, 2024 and July 13 - Dec. 28, 2024
Two anglers per room and boat $5,150.00 per person
One-angler per skiff $7,050.00 per week
Upgrade to one angler per cabin Add $1,000.00 per week.
High Season: Feb. 17 - July 13, 2024
Two anglers per skiff and cabin: $8,590.00 per person
One-angler per skiff $12,490.00 per week
Upgrade to one angler per cabin Add $1,000.00 per week.
Optional Upgrades:
Upgrade to a Suite for an added $540.00 p.p. per week.
Upgrade to a Demi-Suite (a larger room with more space) for an added $320.00 p.p. per week.

Packages Include:

Airport reception in Havana, 7-nights on the liveaboard, full board basis (breakfast, lunch, and evening meals are included), an open bar with beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, and water; guided fishing (two anglers per skiff), fishing licenses, and for 2023, the Marine Park Conservation Fee is included.

Packages Do Not Include:

Airfare, taxi from the airport to the hotel, hotel and meals in Havana, ground transfer from Havana to the Port of Jucaro $150.00 p.p. each way, (if you are traveling from Camaguey/Cayo Coco/Santa Clara to Jucaro, the ground transfer is $50 per person), Cuban tourist visa (approx. $85.00), optional fly rod and reel rental $350.00, optional diving equipment rental $250.00 for full set of diving gear per week, gratuities to guides and staff, personal expenses, Global Rescue, travel insurance, (for 2024 season, the Marine Park Conservation Fee of $300.00 per angler per week is not included), and anything not mentioned under inclusions.

×The New Tortuga Policies:

Deposit Policy:

For trips confirmed with over 18 months of arrival date, a 5% deposit of the total amount due is requested.
- 18 months before arrival date, a 10% deposit of the total amount is due.
- 12 months before arrival date, 30% deposit of the total amount is due.
- 6 months before arrival date, 70% of the total amount has to be paid.
- Balance payment is due 3 months (90 days) prior to arrival.
6 months prior to your arrival date, you will have the chance to confirm only half yacht or to book half group (on land base accommodation), more anglers can always be added further on if space will remain available.
The Outfitter will be in charge to sell the unsold part of the yacht if necessary to help completing the group.

Cancellation Policy:

Deposits are refundable (minus a US $800.00 PER PERSON handling fee until 180 days prior to the start of your trip). Within 180 days of your trip, your deposit is non-refundable. No refunds are available for unused portions of packages. Full payment is due 90 days prior to arrival. In the lodge, credit card payments cannot be accepted for anything. All programs and execution of them remain subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Claims for refunds will not be accepted.

**IMPORTANT: Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended and "cancel for any reason" insurance is very important to consider in the case of unforeseen events preventing you from traveling. If you cancel within 180 days of your trip this will be your only possible form of reimbursement.
If you would like trip cancellation coverage for reasons not included in standard travel insurance policies, please inquire with your travel representative about the No Risk Policy** The refund policy is not applicable to rescheduled or rebooked trips. Therefore, once a trip has been rescheduled or rebooked it is ineligible for a monetary refund of any kind and claims for refunds will not be accepted.
Travel Insurance: Fishing with Larry strongly recommends purchasing trip insurance when traveling with to Cuba. We have worked with the outfitter for years and know from experience they almost never give a refund or credit for a future trip. We have had anglers miss their trip to Cuba due to flight problems because of weather or mechanical issues and the outfitter was unwilling to work with them. Save yourself some heartache and get Travel Insurance.
Click here for our Travel Insurance page.

*Cuban Laws are against any kind of drugs, and the use is absolutely forbidden in any place. Trying to enter the Cuban Country with drugs is considered a severe crime. The outfitter is against any kind of drugs.

Request an Information Packet.