Isla de la Juventud Liveaboard

Jardines The JAF1

Fly Fishing Only at this Protected Marine Park.

Isla de Juventud is Spanish for the Island of Youth. This pristine marine park is 93 miles from Havana, covering 1,367 square miles, and with approximately 90,000 inhabitants. This area is part of the 672 keys and islets that make up the archipelago. Book now for 2025.



Fly Fishing at Isla de Juventud

Tarpon Fishing Cuba

Aboard The JAF1, a 110-foot liveaboard yacht, you’ll explore the most remote areas of the Canarreos Archipelago, the world-famous chain of islands that runs 80 miles from the Isle of Youth to Cayo Largo. You’ll stop off at selected anchorages like Cayo Campo, the Antilles Islands, and finally, Cayo Rosario, renowned for some of Cuba's most outstanding flats fishing. Isla de la Juventud is ideal for anglers obsessed with monster tarpon. Between March and June, they’ve caught and released tarpon around 100 pounds, and the fishing usually exceeds their expectations.
Liveaboard Season:  The JAF1 is in Isla de Juventud for peak season only from March 15 through July 12, when bonefish, permit, and jacks are all present.
Peak season is also the best time to try for a Caribbean Grand Slam—tarpon, permit, and bonefish in one day. Each season produces numerous Grand Slams and a few Super Grand Slams, which means a tarpon, bonefish, permit, and snook in one day. Migratory tarpon average between 15 and 30 pounds, and up to 100 pounds are regularly spotted, and shots at permit are frequent.


Juventud Fishing Facts:

Isla de Juventud Cuban Fishing Centers

Boats:  16-foot Dolphin Super skiffs with 70 HP Yamaha motors. The guides pole the skiffs on the shallowest bonefish flats. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Guides:  Local Spanish-speaking guides know enough fishing English to get by and are excellent anglers. They know these waters like the backs of their hands and are skilled at finding all species.
Fishing Hours:  You are guided for seven to nine hours each day at your discretion. Depending on the tides and fishing, you’ll take a packed lunch and return to the Liveaboard in the afternoons.
Fishing Equipment is not provided. An optional rental with a fly rod, reel, and lines is $350.00 per week. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
Fishing License:  A fishing license is included in the package.
Marine Park Fee:  The package does not include the Marine Park Conservation fee of $300 per person.

Sample Fishing Day:
7:00 a.m. Wake-up call
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Guided fishing
You'll return to the yacht in the afternoon.
Enjoy appetizers and dinner.

The JAF1 Liveaboard Yacht

The JAF1 Liveaboard

The JAF1's overall capacity is 12 passengers and eight crew members. They suggest between 8 and 10 anglers for optimum comfort. There are ten cabins, three with queen-size beds. Eight rooms have a private bathroom; two rooms share a bathroom. Each room includes air conditioning and heat controls, power plugs (110 and 220 volts), storage, and panoramic windows to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Caribbean beaches. A spacious and comfortable lounge/bar and dining room area and a hot tub on the boat deck.
While the laundry service is free, they ask that you provide a tip.

Dining Aboard The JAF1

The JAF1 Liveaboard

Meals:  Buffet-style breakfasts and packed lunches. In the afternoons, you’ll enjoy some of the finest frozen daiquiris, Cuban libres (rum and coke), and cocktails. Dinners include fresh salads and entrees such as lobster, fish of the day, pork, or chicken. Dessert and wine are served with dinner. Chefs work with special dietary needs.
The Open Bar:  The open bar is included in the package and includes beer, wine, rum, soft drinks, and water.
Communications:  There is no Wi-Fi available on the liveaboard. Before your trip, you’ll need to check with your cell service provider 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.
Click here for more JAF1 pictures and liveaboard information.

Getting to Isla de la Juventud:

1.) You’ll fly to Havana, Cuba (HAV). A travel services representative will greet you at the airport and help arrange for a taxi to take you to the hotel of your choice. Hotel nights and taxis are not included in the package. (Four-and 5-star hotels run $250.00 to $350.00 per night. Our confirmation packet includes a list of recommended hotels.)
2.) The next morning, you’ll wait in the hotel lobby—the exact time will be confirmed the prior evening for the three-hour private bus transfer to Zapesca Port.
3.) The navigation to Isla de la Juventud takes about four hours.


2025 USD Rates:

7-nights and 6-days guided fishing:
Saturday to Saturday
2025 Season:  March 15 - July 12

Entire Yacht:
A max. of 10 anglers + 2 hosts
$114,400.00 per group
Booking the entire yacht gives you 10 staterooms, 6 skiffs and 6 guides.
Group Size:  10 paying anglers + two free hosts.

Half Yacht:
A max. of 5 anglers + 1 host
$57,200.00 per group
If you book a half yacht, you get 5 staterooms, 3 skiffs, and 3 guides.
Group Size:  Five paying anglers and one free host.

Request an Isla de Juventud
Information Packet.  


The Packages Include:

• Reception at the Havana airport
• Private bus transfers between Havana and the Port
• 7-nights aboard The JAF1
• All meals on The JAF1
• Open bar on The JAF1
• Laundry service
• 6-days guided fishing
• A Cuban fishing license.

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare
• Taxi transfers in Havana (airport/hotel)
• First and last night hotels
• Marine Conservation fee of $300 p.p.
• Optional fishing equipment rental of $350 per week
• Gratuities to guide and staff
• Tips for laundry
• Personal expenses
• Global Rescue
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not mentioned under inclusions.

Isla de la Juventud


Bonefish Plentiful Here Year-Round

Bonefishing Cuba

Barracuda Fishing, Too.

Isla de la Juventud Barracuda

The Sought-After Mutton Snapper

Isla de la Juventud

16-Foot Super Skiffs with 70 HP Motors

Isla de la Juventud Skiffs

Skiffs Returning to the Mothership

The JAF1 Liveaboard

The JAF1 Liveaboard

The JAF1 Fleet I

Bedroom Aboard The JAF1 Liveaboard

JAF1 Bedroom

Open Bar is Included in the Package.

Beverages on Deck

The Jacuzzi on the Upper Deck

The JAF1 Jacuzzi

Cuba Fly Fishing - Isla de la Juventud

Cuba Tarpon Fishing

Return to . . .

Cuba main page 

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