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The Cayo Largo fishery is an absolutely enormous system of lagoons, estuaries, and of course, endless flats. Located on the southern coast of Cuba (in which commercial fishing is forbidden and strictly enforced), the sport-fishing-only area comprises 100 square miles, which means that each skiff has an area of nearly 20 square miles to itself each day.
Cayo Largo is a small resort island in Cuba, off the southern coast of the southwestern part of the main island. Fishermen can opt to stay at one of two resorts on the island or choose to stay aboard Jardines Avalon I, one of Avalon’s finest liveaboards.
The guides are local and have mastered the fishery. They all share the hospitable nature of all Cubans. They go the extra mile each and every day.
A valid passport and Cuban visa are required.
12 anglers per week
Cayo Largo is located off the southwestern shores of Cuba in the Canarreos Archipelago
Jose Marti International Airport (HAV)
Permit, bonefish, tarpon, snook
Year-Round
What does it cost?
2020-2021 Rates
Jardines Avalon I (JA I)
High Season – $7,900
March 7 – July 4, 2020
Low Season – $4,900
Sept. 1, 2019 – March 7, 2020
July 4 – Sept. 5, 2020
Villa Marinera Resort
High Season – $6,990
March 7 – July 4, 2020
Non-angling guest - $2,900
Low Season – $4,600
Sept. 1, 2019 – March 7, 2020
July 4 – Spt. 5, 2020
Non-Angling guest - $1,950
Sol Cayo Largo Resort
High Season – $7,900
March 7 – July 4, 2020
Non-angling guest - $2,900
Low Season – $4,900
Sept. 1, 2019 – March 7, 2020
July 4 – Sept. 5, 2020
Non-Angling guest - $2,500
Tidehead services are always free. Always. Our prices are the same prices as booking directly with the lodge. You never pay more.
All rates are priced on a 7 night/6 day lodging & fishing package. Shorter stays are available.
All prices listed are per person. Other combinations may be available. Please contact us for details.
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Cayo Largo is located in the Canarreos Archipelago, on the southwestern coast of Cuba and belongs to "Municipio Especial Isla de la Juventud."
The fishing area is broken down into six (6) sections with only (6) flats boats allocated to these waters. Each day the skiffs rotate into a new area. This means that guests are constantly fishing new water each day and have that area all to themselves.
This is also probably the best location in Cuba for specifically targeting permit. Most of the permit are found in 3-4 feet of water and are often cruising behind feeding rays. In addition, the bonefish tend to run much larger here, similar to their northern cousins in Cayo Cruz. While not known so much for migratory tarpon, there are plenty of juvenile tarpon in the mangroves along with a large population of snook.
There are normally between 25-30 Grand Slams at caught at Cayo Largo each year making this one of the top destinations in the world for achieving this rare angling feat.
Because Cayo Largo has such a vast expanse of regulated flats, this leads to a completely unpressured fishing area where the guides have free range to explore and share the bounty of this flats oasis. Avalon's Cayo Largo guides have work only in this area and have intimate knowledge of these flats, lagoons, and mangroves. Because of this deep history and wealth of knowledge, along with Avalon's professional and progressive training measures, Cayo Largo features some of the best and most competent guides in all of Cuba and the Caribbean. Avalon’s guides speak English well and are eager to share stories about their Cuban heritage and unique fishing experiences with the guests. These guides will go the extra mile for each and every one of our clients while exhibiting a passionate drive towards success while pursuing the fish of a lifetime.
The Avalon guides run 16ft Dolphin Super Skiffs. The skiffs have a deep v hull that enables them to make runs through choppy, open water, yet they only draft 8 inches so they can be poled on the skinniest of flats. Equipped with Yamaha 60/70 HP motors and 27-gallon fuel tanks, the Avalon skiffs are prepared to take you as far as you want to go quickly to maximize your time on the flats.
Bonefish
Year-round.
Bonefish in Cuba are usually pretty eager to take both traditional shrimp-imitating patterns as well as some of the newer ties, like EP’s Ascension Bay Mantis. Both work. If you tie, it’s hard to go wrong with rubber legs and tan bodies. It’s always a good idea to have a variety of eye weights from bead chain (shallow water) to lead eyes (deeper water).
Permit
Year-round, peak season is February-June.
The waters of Cuba hold large numbers of permit from big, cruising singles to schools of smaller fish. Cuba is the perfect place to hook into your first permit or to continue adding to your personal score card. Crab patterns are the name of the game, so having a good variety is essential for success.
Tarpon
Year-round for juvenile tarpon. Peak season April-June for migratory tarpon.
Generally, tarpon flies for Cuba don’t need to be extremely large. 3-4 inches is plenty. The best flies incorporate materials that create subtle movement. A selection of various colors is important. Tarpon are much more opportunistic than selective feeders. So presentation reigns supreme.
Snook
Year-round.
Populations of snook can be found in most locations around Cuba, some of them very large. They are often found in many of the same areas where you might be targeting bonefish & juvenile tarpon. But most of the guides have special areas where they know snook lurk. Red and white fly patterns are, by far, the number choice for snook.
Jardines Avalon I (JA 1)
The Jardines Avalon I has 10 cabins and can accommodate 12 fishing guests with 2 master cabins on the main deck with picture windows, with beds that can be arranged as either a twin or queen. In the lower deck are the 8 deluxe cabins, these have a twin bed arrangement. Each cabin has air conditioning ample storage and plugins, and a private bathroom and shower. Freshwater is replenished constantly with the boat having a de-salinization system.
The main deck is equipped with the dining room, bar and outside aft deck with a hot tub. This is where the majority of the time is spent. The dining room and bar are enclosed and air-conditioned, while the aft sun deck and hot tub are open to the Caribbean air.
Each boat is properly stocked with all of the necessary groceries for a week’s fishing trip. What makes the Avalon dining experience more enjoyable is that chefs make use of the water’s plentiful bounties. Once fishermen have departed for the day, the crew members take to the waters in search of fresh snapper, grouper and other delicacies for dinner. All of which are prepared fresh and accompanied by a variety of vegetables, rice and beans, freshly baked bread and a bottle of wine.
Each morning, breakfast is cooked to order with eggs, bacon, fruits, freshly baked bread. “American” coffee is ready by 6am. And if you’d like to indulge in a cup of strong Cuban coffee, all you need to do is ask, they’ll be happy to oblige.
Lunches are set out in the morning during breakfast. It’s up to you to prepare your lunch for the day. There will be a variety of proteins, starches and fruits for you to choose from. The staff will make sure it finds the appropriate cooler for the day’s fishing.
Après fishing! Served on the back deck, guests are served pizza appetizers and cocktails all while exchanging the day’s events. Lies, mostly!
Included in your trip is an all-inclusive drink package. Waters, soft drinks, Cuban rum and mixers are all readily available at the bar. Cuban Mojitos, Cuba Libre and Daiquiris are among the favorites. If you have a personal preference, it’s encouraged that you pack it in your luggage prior to departing for Cuba. The cruise director of staff will be happy to accommodate you.
The chef on board is always happy to prepare some ceviche, should you stumble across an unlucky snapper!
Sol Cayo Largo Resort
The Sol Cayo Largo is a beautiful all-inclusive resort located on the southern shore Cayo Largo del Sur.
The Resort is only 5 minutes from the International Airport. It offers a total of 296 comfortable rooms with a terrace or balcony overlooking the ocean, including 8 Junior Suites and 52 deluxe rooms. This is the perfect destination to bring along a non-fishing wife or girlfriend.
The hotel provides a broad array of services and attractions: a club House for daytime activities, three restaurants, Spanish classes, cocktail and cooking classes, party hall, karaoke night club, a dive school nearby, health Center with gym, sauna, massages at bargain prices, jacuzzi and steam bath, two tennis courts with artificial lighting, multi-purpose courts, bikes, ecological excursions, dancing classes, water sports center for non-motorized water sports, Cuban Club for cultural activities, and theater.
Most packages on Cayo Largo include a stay at the Hotel Sol Cayo Largo, a large-scale, full-service, all-inclusive beach resort located on the southern shore of Cayo Largo del Sur.
The resort offers an all-inclusive experience, with several different restaurants, bars, social areas, lounge areas and swimming pools. Rooms are air-conditioned and spacious, and all offer direct access to the beaches and the pools of the resort. Daily housekeeping is included, and concierge staff can assist with any special requests. All meals, drinks and even your bar tab are included in these packages. This is basically the Cuban/European version of an all-inclusive mega-resort, and the overall scene can at times be a bit humorous. Each morning a shuttle van will pick up anglers from in front
of the main lobby entrance and shuttle the group to the island’s marina area, located only ten minutes from the hotel. This is where the Avalon Fishing Center and clubhouse are located. All fishing gear, rods, and other equipment can be left at the fishing center for the week, making the daily transfers quick and easy.
All dining (breakfast and dinner) typically takes place at the Hotel Sol Cayo Caribe in one of the resorts all-inclusive restaurants. The main restaurant always features a full service, expansive buffet. All meals are totally included in your package, and the dinner buffet always includes a full line-up of fruits, vegetables, seafood, meats, bread, desserts and more. The breakfast buffet each morning is equally as expansive, with omelets and eggs cooked-to-order, fruit, bread, meat and much more. Lunch each day is typically packed for your day on the water and includes sandwiches, chips, etc. Back at the resort, the bar tab and all drinks are included in your package!
Villa Marinera
Villa Marinara: Relatively small by Cayo Largo standards, with only 22 rooms in total. This 3-star all-inclusive hotel is located right in the heart of the Marina Cayo Largo district and is about a 5-minute drive from the international airport. It was inaugurated in 2003 and new cabins have been added in 2010. One of the really nice aspects of staying here when fishing at Cayo Largo, is that each angler gets their own private cabana for the week.
Each cabana is fully air-conditioned and comes with 2 Twin beds, bathroom with shower or bath, hairdryer, mini-fridge, TV, Phone, 220 volts (bring a 110-volt converter when staying here if from the US or Canada). The hotel has a nice pool, a clubhouse with a small library, bar and pool table.
All meals and drinks are totally included in your package, Breakfast buffet each morning is expansive with omelets and eggs cooked to order, fruit, bread, meat and much more. You also will have 4 drinks each day on the boat. Lunch every day is packed for you during breakfast time for your day in the water, with water, soft drinks, and beers. Back at the resort, the bar tab and all the drinks are included in your package.
Flights arrive/depart into Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. (HAV)
Fishing aboard Jardines Avalon I - Weeks begin and end on a Saturday. Because of the land transfer from Havana to Playa Larga, anglers can arrive on Saturday and make the three (3) hour trek to the marina.
Lodging on the island – Arrival into Havana, overnight and a domestic flight early the next morning to the island.
Upon return, it’s recommended you overnight in Havana and depart the following day.
A valid passport that must be valid up to six (6) months beyond the duration of the trip. A Cuban Visa is also required to enter Cuba. The Cuban visa can be purchased online prior to the trip or at the final departure gate for your trip to Cuba.
Immigration and Customs forms are given out on your flight to Cuba or at a help desk near your departure gate for Cuba.
