Turneffe Island Belize fishing resort, Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit.

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Turneffe Island Resort, a world-class private fishing and diving resort. We are a serene 14-acre island, 30 miles southeast of Belize on the south end of the Turneffe Atoll. Our home is the heart of the 200 mile long Belizean coral reef, the longest reef system in the western hemisphere.

Our island is surrounded by one of the most fertile marine eco-systems in the world. It is home to millions of baitfish, crabs, shrimp and other small aquatics, serving as the first link in the undersea food chain that supports the abundant marine life in the Caribbean. Our guests enjoy the privacy of our their island and the nearest resort is almost 15 miles away.

Direct flights from Houston, Dallas and Miami put you within reach of Belize in 2 1/2 hours, with direct flights also from Atlanta, Charlotte, and Newark.

Belize Flats Fishing for Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon

The fishing possibilities are abundant around Turneffe Island Resort ! As the new home of the World Record for most Grand Slams caught by the same person at one location (6), we can make your fishing dreams happen.

We are still recognized after forty years as one of the top flats fishing resorts in Central America. The environment is well protected because we restrict the number of anglers per week to a maximum of 8. Most of our guests seek Bonefish which are plentiful on the nearby flats. Our guides can introduce you to Permit, Tarpon, Barracuda, numerous varieties of Jacks, Cubera Snapper and much more. Our Dolphin Super Skiffs will take you to various fishing sites around the Turneffe Atoll and you can fish the flats on both sides of the island, interior shoal, bar flats, mangrove creeks and our famous wading flats.

Our fishing schedule is built around our flats conservation and management program. This insures a fishing adventure full of variety and excitement while still protecting our incredible fishery. A typical day might begin with a search for Permit or Bonefish in the interior flats. You can eat lunch on the island or take it to go. After lunch, you may want to fish for a Cubera Snapper before returning to the lodge for drinks and dinner.

Bonefish and Permit thrive on miles of beautiful flats, most of which are perfect for wading. The schools of Bonefish average in size from 3 to 8 pounds and it is common to see vast schools of Bonefish tailing on the hard coral flats just inside the reef. Permit are plentiful in these waters and it is here that you can accomplish one of the most difficult tasks; a Permit on fly!! Within the Turneffe Island Resort system, you can spend your days chasing this illusive prize and having many casts at Permit averaging 20 to 30 pounds, with occasional shots at Permit up to 40 pounds. The creeks and deep channels that penetrate the Atoll are littered with hundreds of Tarpon holes. The sizes of the Tarpons vary, from small to 100 pound monsters in the summer months.

It is therefore one of the few areas in the world where you have a chance at to accomplish

A Grand Slam; a Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon all in one day.

First Class Equipment

The equipment at Turneffe Island Resort is first class. Our anglers fish from special edition Dolphin super skiffs powered by new Yamaha 50hp outboards. Several of the skiffs are equipped with leaning rails for those who prefer it. The tackle shop carries a wide variety of rods, reels, leaders, flies, hooks, etc. There is a fly tying bench in the tackle shop so you can tie your secret flies.

Our Belize Flats Fishing Guides

The fishing guides are skilled Belizean natives who have intimate knowledge of the waters and how to coax the marine life onto a hook and into the skiff. You'll enjoy your day on the water with these professionals whose teaching skills you'll surely appreciate as you explore our beautiful waters. These English-speaking guides give you the opportunity to cast at our resident trophy fish and will challenge all levels of angler from beginner to expert.

Belize fishing resort

The original Turneffe Island Resort was built by Mennonite craftsmen in the 1960's and recently remodeled in a casual Caribbean motif to enhance the original "old Caribbean" design. The lodge's tastefully appointed guest rooms and mahogany cabanas are nestled between coconut palms. All rooms are air-conditioned and have a Breathtaking view of untouched white beaches, the coral reef, and Caribbean Sea. The unique location of the lodge provides quick and easy access to the coral reef, lagoons and flats.

The Food

You do not want to miss a meal at Turneffe Island Resort. The "Ladies" make everything from scratch in the kitchen. Meals that you may never forget include Snapper with Lemon Nut Crust, Coconut Shrimp, tenderloin with mushroom sauce, and the famous Coconut Cream pie made with fresh Turneffe Island coconuts. All meals are served family style at set times within the main Lodge. Few ever leave our tables wanting more. We have been fortunate through the years to have some of the finest local culinary talent as part of our team.

In order to enhance the evenings, we provide complimentary hors d'oeuvres on the patio prior to dinner. You will find the terrace deck outside the restaurant an excellent place to enjoy one of the many local Caribbean cocktails as you watch evening fall upon the sea.

Tackle Shop

Our tackle shop has a variety of conventional and fly rods and reels for rental as well as tackle for all styles of fishing. Our gift shop carries a variety of logo'd fishing apparel and local cultural novelties and gifts, made from local hard woods.

Besides offering world-class fishing, Turneffe Island Lodge also offers full service world-class scuba diving experiences with a complete line of equipment rentals. There are over 40 identified dive sites within a 15- minute boat ride of the Lodge, and most dives along the Atoll are drift dives.