Cuba Fishing, Isla de la Juventude %%sep%% AnglerAdventures.com

Big Permit & Snook

Jardines de la Reina (JDR) is Cuba’s second largest archipelago of reefs and over 600 islands and cays paralleling the country’s south coast. Encompassing 840 square miles, this vast marine park, which is larger than the Florida Keys, is ideal for fly-fishermen who enjoy fishing from dawn till dusk. The archipelago has one of the Caribbean’s healthiest and most pristine coral reef systems, and hundreds of square miles of mangroves and tropical flats providing a diverse and abundant balance of species year round. The area was made a National Park and all commercial fishing was shut down in 1996. Diving and sportfishing (catch and release only) has also been carefully restricted to minimize human impact on the area. Today, only a few hundred lucky anglers per year fish the entire area.

JDR is perhaps Cuba’s most well rounded flats fishery with abundant permit, bonefish, resident and migratory populations of tarpon, as well as jacks, barracuda and other species. Bonefish average an impressive 4+ pounds and double digit fish are taken regularly. Permit average near 20 pounds and many fish over 30 have been landed. The resident tarpon at JDR range from 20 – 60 pounds, and their numbers are augmented by a run of large migratory tarpon from early April thru June, when fish in the 80 to 120 + pound range join the fray.

Anglers fishing Jardines de la Reina transfer by bus from Havana to Jucaro port (5 hour drive), and then a 3-hour boat ride to final destinations which are approximately 60 miles from the Jucaro port. Within the park, ACFC provide accommodations at their “floating hotel”, the 110’ double decker houseboat, La Tortuga (up to 14 anglers), and on several live aboard luxury yachts; Avalon Fleet II (Groups of 10 to 12 anglers), La Reina (groups of 4) & Halcon (groups of 4 to 8 anglers). All accommodations are equipped with air conditioning, large dining areas and an exclusive crew. Guests enjoy accommodations in comfortable staterooms and expertly prepared meals featuring amazingly fresh seafood.

Anglers enjoy long fishing days at JDR. The guides are ready to depart at 7:45 am. Most of the flats you will fish are within fifteen minutes of the yacht or accommodation, and many anglers enjoy returning to the yacht for lunch. Or if your guide recommends trying a more remote location, box lunches are taken for the day on the water. The guides also put in long afternoon hours often fishing you until near dark!

The season in the Jardines de la Reina is from mid-October to end of August. Weeks run from Saturday to the following Friday. A normal week includes five full days of fishing and one to two half days depending on your schedule and mode of transportation to Jucaro. Clients travel aboard fast and comfortable transfer yachts, Sol or Mares, for the trip out to the Jardines de la Reina.

Our Services are Free!

Please call Angler Adventures 1-800-628-1447 for Pricing Details on any of the Jardines de la Reina Cuban Fishing operations described above, or for help picking the right Cuban destination for you.

Included: Reception in Havana Airport; all transfers from Hotel in Havana – Jardines de la Reina – Hotel in Havana; 2 nights accommodation in double room base in 5-star hotel in Havana (on arrival and departure) with breakfast included; 6 nights accommodations; all meals while in Jardines de la Reina; 5 full days + 2 half days fishing (two people per skiff); Beverages on board – 10 beers & 30 drinks (water & soft drinks).

Not Included: International Airfare; VIP service on arrival at the Havana Airport; Meals and drink in Havana beyond Breakfast; Fishing tackle (please notify of interest in rentals at time of booking); Cuban Visa; Departure Tax; Gratuities; Personal expenses; Beverages other than stated above; Taxi Transfers Havana Airport – Hotel – Havana Airport; Diving.

Traveling to Cuba Overview

2015 will be remembered in Angling history as the year it became legal for US Citizens, in possession of a “people to people” travel letter from the non-profit fisheries research and conservation organization Bonefish Tarpon Trust (BTT), to sport fish in Cuba.

2015 is also the year travel restrictions were lifted, making it legal for US airlines to fly to Cuba, US travel agents to book travelers to Cuba and US insurance companies to offer travel insurance to US Citizens traveling to Cuba.

Angler Adventures has been assisting a limited number of US anglers traveling legally to Cuba for several years. But, the easing of restrictions in general and the travel license from BTT in particular, opens the door for any US angler wanting to fish Cuba.

What hasn’t changed (and will take years to catch up) is the tourist infrastructure within Cuba and the transportation network to Cuba. Traveling to Cuba is still complex. We recommend using a knowledgeable, qualified travel agent, whether it’s your first trip or your twelfth.

In addition to having a staff of fishing experts, Angler Adventures is a full service travel agency, licensed to sell travel insurance. Angler Adventures can assist you in selecting a fishing location in Cuba, prepare you for what to fish for and what to bring, assist you in obtaining the travel letter from the BTT, assist with your Cuban Visa, create the most efficient travel itinerary for you and your group and offer you the protection of travel insurance for trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical evacuation, and more.

Call us today at 1-800-628-1447. There is so much more we’d like to share with you about this fascinating country and phenomenal saltwater fishery.