Year-round bonefishing
Jardines de la Reina - Avalon Cuban Fishing Centers
Jardines de la Reina is Spanish for “Gardens of the Queen.” A vast, protected marine park that is twice the size of the Florida Keys. The archipelago is made up of more than 600 cays and islands, and the undisturbed flats run on for miles and miles. Avalon has been the exclusive fishing operator at Jardines de la Reina since 1993.
Fly Fishing Jardines de la Reina
Among their four liveaboards (three yachts and a large double-decker floating hotel) Avalon keeps a maximum of 15 Dolphin 16' Super Skiffs teamed with Yamaha 70-h.p. motors at Jardines de la Reina throughout the week.
This keeps the fishing pressure very, very low. Jardines de la Reina (JDR) offers more fishing hours than any Avalon’s destination and is ideal for fly anglers who desire to fish from dawn till dusk.
Permit: Permit are the ultimate flats challenge, and many fly fishermen have been taken to school by this wary fish. The best locations in Cuba to consistently find permit are in Jardines de la Reina and Cayo Largo.
Both locations are 60 to 80 miles offshore, along Cuba’s southern coast. The optimal times to fish for permit here are between March and July, as well as in the month of November when the tides are high.
Like Cayo Large, JDR is also an outstanding location for Grand Slams and Super Slams, in large part because the permit fishing is consistently good.
Tarpon and Permit
Tarpon: For their Avalon locations, JDR and Isla de la Juventud are the best for tarpon fishing. Peak tarpon fishing is February to late-July, with April through July being the best time for large tarpon.
Bonefish: are available year-round at all Avalon operations. In JDR, the morning winds often calm down in the afternoons, and fishing in the late afternoon can be superb, especially for bones.
Mutton snappers: are everywhere in the JDR, and plenty are found and landed on the flats, a real rarity. This is perhaps the best and only place in the world where you can expect to catch mutton snappers on the flats.
Numerous other species: Anglers that want to troll off the reef with plugs, bait, and even flies, encounter many other species of fish. Various snappers including the huge cubera snapper
are present as well as groupers, jacks, kingfish, albacore, wahoo, bonito and big ‘cudas. One group of visiting anglers caught 25 different species of fish off the reef in one day.
The Avalon Liveaboard Fleet
The Avalon Fleet has three air-conditioned yachts with electricity, private cabins, and bathrooms, plus The La Tortuga.
The Tortuga is a large 110-foot, double-decker steel houseboat
that is permanently secured in a small, protected channel of a big island. Seven, air-conditioned guest cabins that accommodate two anglers each.
The La Tortuga is the only liveaboard that has Wi-Fi access (free).
Meals on board: There is a buffet-style breakfast each morning. Lunches are either taken back
at the liveaboard each day or can be packed ahead of time. Continental Italian cuisine, wonderful fresh seafood, and traditional Cuban favorites like rice and beans. Wine and dessert are served with dinner each night.
Beverages available on board include bottled water, Mineral and tonic water, various soft drinks, beer, rum and excellent wines. If you prefer liquor other than rum, you can bring this with you and our bartender will have whatever mixers you need.
Getting Here:
You’ll fly into the Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) in Havana, Cuba. From there, you’ll need a domestic flight to the Ignacio Agramonte Airport (CMW) in Camaguey, a 2.5-hour flight.
Please inform us of your flight details prior to your trip so that upon your arrival, a representative can be at the airport to transfer you to the Port of Jucaro.
The ground transfer to and from Jucaro is covered by the package if, and only if, all members are departing from the airport at the same time.
At the port, you’ll board your yacht for the evening. The next morning, you’ll make the three-hour trip to Jardines de la Reina.
Currency: It’s best to bring Euros or Canadian Dollars to exchange into Cuban CUC upon arrival in Cuba. U.S. Dollars are subject to a 10% special tax/commission.
2019 USD Rates:
*Groups have full yacht exclusivity.
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
High season:
March 2 - July 13, 2019
La Tortuga - sharing room and skiff
$6,300.00 per person
Perola - 3 skiffs, 6 anglers
$34,800.00 per group*
Avalon Fleet II - 5 skiffs,
10 single cabins
$82,000.00 per group*
Low season:
Sept. 1, 2018 - March 2, 2019
and July 13 - Aug. 31, 2019
La Tortuga - sharing room and skiff
$3,990.00 per person
Perola - 3 skiffs, 6 anglers
$24,000.00 per group*
Avalon Fleet I - 6 skiffs,
eight double cabins
$50,500.00 per group*
Avalon Fleet II - 5 skiffs,
10 single cabins
$57,200.00 per group*
Packages include:
reception at airport, ground transfer to and from Jucaro Port (if the entire group transfers together), 7-nights on the liveaboard, all meals aboard the liveaboard, guided fishing, fishing license, beverages on skiff, including four drinks (beer, water, and soft drinks) each fishing day.
Packages do not include:
Flight to Havana, domestic flight to Ignacio Agramonte Airport, visa, the Marine Park Conservation Fee ($100.00 – may be paid online prior to your trip), fishing tackle, fly rod and reels, boarding tax of CUC 25 (CUC Cuban convertible peso) to be paid at airport before leaving, if not included in your airfare; gratuities, personal expenses, beverages other than those stated above, and anything not mentioned under inclusions.
Medical Insurance:
For Cuba, you absolutely need to have full, comprehensive medical insurance that completely covers you in the event of any injury or illness. If you are not sure of the extent of your current coverage, please contact your insurance provider to find out.Sample Itinerary:
Friday: Arrive in Camaguey. Stay overnight in local hotel. (Overnight must be booked for and paid for by client.)
Saturday: Transfer from the hotel to the Port of Jucaro. Leave for Jardines de la Reina.
(Transfer from hotel is only included in the package if the entire group transfers together.)
Sunday - Friday: 7:00 a.m. Breakfast. 7:45 a.m. Guides are ready to go fishing. Many anglers elect to return to the Tortuga for a nice lunch especially during the summer season.
Some of the flats are within fifteen minutes of the boat, and it is always nice to take a lunch break in the shade and relax a bit before fishing a long afternoon.
You'll return late in the afternoon for appetizers and dinner. *Note: The schedule can be changed per your preferences and your guide’s suggestions.
Saturday: Transfer back to the Port of Jucaro in the morning. Ground transfer to the airport for your flight home.
