Sian Ka’an Lodge
Fly fishing at it’s best in the UNESCO-listed Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
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Sian Ka’an Lodge sits inside the UNESCO-listed Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on Ascension Bay — one of the Caribbean’s great mixed-species flats fisheries. Operated by Blue Safari Fly Fishing in partnership with the Keir family, the lodge continues the legacy of Grand Slam Ascension Bay Lodge with Blue Safari’s guest experience and reservation support. Punta Allen, a kilometre away, is widely regarded as the Atlantic permit capital of the world.
Twelve ocean-facing rooms and six in-house skiffs (more available on demand) sit steps from a private jetty — roughly 50 metres from the lodge — so anglers are on the water without delay. That setup puts you on the Big Four — permit, bonefish, tarpon, and snook — with immediate access to sight fishing on crystal-clear flats. The lodge runs on solar power inside the biosphere, partners with Punta Allen on conservation initiatives, and welcomes non-anglers with cenotes, Mayan history, birding, and beach time on the Boca Paila Peninsula.
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Sian Ka’an Lodge: Location & Geography
Sian Ka’an Lodge is on the Boca Paila Peninsula in the heart of Mexico’s Yucatan — the southern reach of Bahia de L’Ascencion, better known as Ascension Bay. The lodge sits inside the massive 1.3 million acre Sian Ka’an Biosphere Preserve, wild and virtually uninhabited except for the fishing villages at Punta Allen and Punta Herrera. The biosphere is home to over 100 species of mammals and more than 330 species of birds.
Protected by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, Ascension Bay offers miles of shallow flats, mangrove-rimmed lagoons, and white-sand beaches — ideal habitat for bonefish, permit, and tarpon. An angler landing all three in a single day has accomplished the coveted Grand Slam. Add snook for a Super Grand Slam. Ascension Bay remains one of the world’s premier mixed-species flats fisheries.
Days start with breakfast at the lodge, then two anglers per boat and guide typically leave the dock around 7:30 am for a full day on the water. Lunch is packed for the flats; dinner is back at the lodge, often on the deck with the day’s stories and a cold drink. Bonefishing is from the poled skiff or by wading — Ascension Bay has miles of firm-bottom wading flats. Resident bonefish are abundant; average size has increased over the years thanks to commercial fishing restrictions within the biosphere.
The Fishing at Sian Ka’an Lodge
Ascension Bay is a true mixed-species fishery. Most weeks you are chasing the Big Four — permit, bonefish, tarpon, and snook — with plenty of bonus shots at reef and edge species.
Permit
Available year-round. Ascension Bay fish average 12–14 pounds with trophies well beyond that. This is one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated permit fisheries — fish here often show and eat more willingly than permit in many other destinations.
Bonefish
Resident bonefish are abundant on firm wading flats and from the skiff. A perfect species to dial in your saltwater game — or to rack up shots when the permit are being permit.
Tarpon
Migratory tarpon typically arrive late March or April and fish through November. Juvenile tarpon hold in backcountry water year-round. From the skiff or in the mangroves, they deliver the classic jump-and-run show.
Snook
Year-round in brackish mangrove shorelines — abundant, often large, and frequently the trickiest of the four primary species. Technical fishing with explosive eats when you get it right.
Atlantic Grey Triggerfish
Opportunistic feeders on the ocean edge and shallow reefs. Tailing fish on skinny reefs are a foot-fishing treat; deeper fish are targeted from the skiff — a rewarding change of pace from the classic flats program.
Jack Crevalle & More
Jack crevalle, barracuda, sharks, snapper, ladyfish, tripletail, and reef species round out the week when conditions or ambitions shift. Grand Slam and Super Grand Slam days are realistic here.
Sian Ka’an Lodge: Accommodations & Lodge Life
Sian Ka’an Lodge sits on a secluded stretch of beach on the outskirts of Punta Allen, inside the UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve. Twelve ocean-facing rooms ring a pool and shared deck that looks straight out over the bay — small enough that guests and guides are on first-name terms from the first morning.
Rooms
Each room is fully air-conditioned with two king-size beds, a spacious en-suite bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, minibar, and kettle. The lodge runs on 24-hour solar power inside the biosphere. Full housekeeping and laundry are included — everything a serious angler needs, nothing you have to think about twice.
The Lodge & Dock
A private jetty about 50 metres from the lodge puts you on the water without delay — six in-house skiffs with more available on demand. The communal palapa bar and restaurant overlook the Caribbean; the pool and deck are where the day’s fishing gets talked through over a cold drink. Snorkeling, kayaking, beach time, and eco tours are on the menu for non-anglers or off days.
Dining
Breakfast and dinner are served at the lodge; lunch is packed for the flats. The kitchen draws on traditional Mexican cooking and international touches, with ingredients sourced from Punta Allen and the surrounding region — fresh, refined, and as local as it gets. Once a week, taco night has become a lodge institution. Dine with the group or on your own schedule.
Guides & Operation
The guide team knows Ascension Bay intimately — a legacy carried forward under Blue Safari Fly Fishing and the Keir family partnership. Operated with Blue Safari’s guest experience and reservation support, the lodge continues the Grand Slam Ascension Bay tradition with a refreshed lodge program and hospitality standard.
A Typical Day at Sian Ka’an Lodge
- Morning: Breakfast at the lodge, then two anglers per boat and guide leave the dock around 7:30 am.
- On the water: Full day poling the flats, wading firm-bottom shorelines, or working mangrove edges — lunch packed on the skiff.
- Evening: Shower, cold drink on the deck, flies compared and tomorrow’s plan made over dinner in the palapa.
- Weekly rhythm: Taco night once a week; plenty of quiet beach time if you want a half-day off the water.
Sian Ka’an Lodge: Traveling With a Non-Angler?
Not everyone in your party has to chase permit. Traveling partners often explore the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, cenotes, Mayan ruins, birding, and beach time while anglers are on the skiff — then everyone meets back at the lodge for dinner on the deck. Blue Safari offers fly fishing & leisure couple packages (shared or single skiff options); we can quote mixed itineraries — call or use the form below.
The lodge is open year-round. Standard packages run seven nights with six days fishing, but stays can be built to your length — extend when the permit are running hot, or compress the trip if your calendar is tight.
Getting There to Sian Ka’an Lodge
Sian Ka’an Lodge is approximately 25 miles from Tulum International Airport or 105 miles from Cancún International Airport. Round-trip road and boat transfers from Tulum, Cancún, or the Riviera Maya are included in package rates — then you are steps from the private jetty and your skiff. Helicopter transfers can be arranged for larger groups.
Sian Ka’an Lodge 2026 Rates
Most anglers book the 7-night / 6-day shared skiff package — two anglers per boat, enough time to work the species and find a rhythm with your guide. High-season shared skiff trips start at $6,360 per person (see tables below). Single occupancy, couple/leisure combinations, and custom lengths — call or email us; we will build the right fit.
Shared Skiff (most popular)
Seven nights, six guided days, two anglers per skiff. The classic Ascension Bay week — permit, bones, tarpon, and snook with time to chase what got away earlier in the trip.
Couple / Leisure & Custom
Shorter stays, single skiff, or angler + non-angler combinations — reef, cenotes, and culture days while you fish. Custom packages quoted on request.
High Season (October 1 – December 31, 2026)
| Length of Stay | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nights Stay with 6 Days Fishing | $6,360 | Please call or email us (see below) |
| 6 Nights Stay with 5 Days Fishing | $5,475 | ↑ |
| 5 Nights Stay with 4 Days Fishing | $4,590 | ↑ |
| 4 Nights Stay with 3 Days Fishing | $3,705 | ↑ |
| 3 Nights Stay with 2 Days Fishing | $2,820 | ↑ |
Low Season (July 1 – September 30, 2026)
| Length of Stay | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nights Stay with 6 Days Fishing | $5,520 | Please call or email us (see below) |
| 6 Nights Stay with 5 Days Fishing | $4,755 | ↑ |
| 5 Nights Stay with 4 Days Fishing | $3,990 | ↑ |
| 4 Nights Stay with 3 Days Fishing | $3,225 | ↑ |
| 3 Nights Stay with 2 Days Fishing | $2,460 | ↑ |
Rates are per person in USD$ and subject to change. 2027 rates TBD. Single occupancy — please call or email us below.
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Rates Include: Round-trip transfers (Tulum/Cancún/Riviera Maya); beachfront accommodation; three meals per day; non-alcoholic beverages; bar (beer, wine, spirits); guided fishing; rod and reel loan; fishing license; conservation levy; laundry; taxes.
Not Included: International airfare; Cancún hotel-zone transfers; travel insurance; premium alcohol; phone; tackle; gratuities for guides and lodge staff.
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In recent years the southern tip and southwest side of Andros Island, Bahamas, has become one of the hottest bonefishing destinations in the world. South Andros is a relatively new spot on the angling map and is comprised of vast, unpressured flats, tidal creeks, mangroves and unique inland lakes. Check out our report from 
The Agua Boa River is part of the immense Amazon River system, the largest river system in the world. Agua Boa is located approximately 200 miles north of Manaus, Brazil in a totally uninhabited part of the jungle. It drains into the Rio Branco which feeds the Rio Negro which in turn feeds the Amazon proper. Effectively out of range of the large river boat opertions plying the Rio Negro, Agua Boa enjoys further protection provided by recently passed legislation designating the river as “Fly Flishing Only”. The river is regularly patrolled by Amazon River Police to insure no unauthorized fishing or illegal netting takes place.
Unlike the Rio Negro (Black River) it ultimately feeds, the Agua Boa is normally crystal clear providing wonderful site fishing in low water for the hard fighting Peacock Bass, or Tucanaré as they are known in Brazil, as well as numerous other species. As in flats fishing for bonefish, tarpon or permit, many consider site casting to peacocks the ultimate fly rod experience.
While over 20 different species have been taken on the fly on the Agua Boa, Peacock bass comprise the prime target for anglers. Members of the cichlid family, there are actually 4 different species found in the Agua Boa which range from the beautiful Peacock Bass (cichla occelaris) which average 3 to 5 pounds to the true Tucanaré (cichla temensis) which can top the 20 pound mark. Some of the other species include the ancient Aruanã, the Marticha, the Characin Pike or Wolf Fish, Pirhanas, several species of catfish, occasionally Payara, and many more.
Anglers fish from 20 aluminum skiff equipped with poling platform and powered by either 2 stroke outboard or 4 stroke jet engine, depending on water levels and areas you will fish. If you opt to fish far afield that day, lunch may be taken in a cooler but most guests fish early morning, returning to the lodge for the noonday meal and a siesta out of the midday sun, and return to fish the later afternoon hours, returning to the lodge for dinner.
Tackle choices generally range from 8 to 10 weight fly rods. It’s best to bring back up as large tucanaré are notorious rod busters! Most fishing is with floating line but it’s a good idea to have a 200 – 300 grain sink tip in your kit in case of high water. Large streamer patterns, like 4 – 6 inch deceivers, whistlers and Clousers are most effective. Peacocks and many other species love surface poppers. Be sure to bring some outsized poppers like the Big Boy Trevally Popper. If you plan to do a lot of popper fishing, you should consider a 10 weight rod to better carry these big wind resistant flies to your target.
As this is all catch & release fishing, we suggest you leave your IGFA class/shock tippet leaders at home. Straight 40 pound hard, clear mono (like Mason or Rio Salt Water) or 50 pound fluorocarbon level leaders as the way to go. And the lodge has a well stocked fly shop on the premises should you require additional tackle during your week.
Set in landscaped gardens on the banks of the Agua Boa River, the Lodge House is comfortably furnished and equipped with all modern facilities, including television with English channels, a bar and a games room. Wireless internet access is available, at no additional cost, in both the Lodge House and the individual chalets. Both the Lodge House and the chalets are constructed from local materials and are finished to a high standard. Set right on the banks of the river, a 20 meter swimming pool and pool bar, provide a perfect place to relax after a days fishing.
The six chalets are arranged in a row along the river bank, each with an uninterrupted view of the river and its wildlife, the chalets are all excellently well appointed. Each of the well furnished air conditioned chalets have two queen beds, a large bathroom with en-suite solar heated shower, dressing room and separate toilet. All chalets are equipped with frigobar, wireless internet access, and have plenty of storage room for even the best packed fishermen. Outside there is a large porch area with a table and chairs.
Electric supply is through standard US sockets and is 110 volt. Chalets are normally shared by two guests, but single occupancy can be booked at additional cost if required. A daily laundry service is provided, at no additional cost, for those guests who prefer to travel light.
Breakfast is buffet style, with a choice of hot and cold dishes, breads, pastries, cold meat, fresh fruit and cereals. In addition, fresh fruit juices and coffee are freely available. Lunch may be taken either at the Lodge, where our chef will provide a cooked meal, or a packed lunch can be prepared in the morning for those who prefer to stay on the River all day.
For those taking lunch on the River, all our boats have a cooler on board to keep food fresh, and our guides will ensure that plentiful supplies of cool drinks are available throughout the day. A three course dinner, with wine, is served in the dining room each evening. The main course is a buffet, with a choice of several meat and fish dishes, all freshly prepared by our chef. Throughout the day and evening, snacks and hot and cold drinks are always available.
Both a passport and a visa is required for travel to Brazil from the US. There are direct flights from both Miami and Atlanta to Manaus, Brazil. The camp week runs Saturday to Saturday . Guests need to arrive in Manaus on Friday, the day before scheduled to fly into camp. The charter flight into camp is early Saturday morning, and a half day of fishing is included Saturday afternoon. Guest are met and transferred to a local hotel, and picked up the following morning for the charter flight into the lodge. After your week at camp, your AB Lodge rep will meet your charter flight return to Manaus and arrange your transfer to your international departure or to your reserved hotel.
