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For anglers seeking the ultimate in seclusion and a world-class flats fishery, it’s hard to top Playa Blanca on Espiritu Santo Bay.
Playa Blanca is actually Casa Blanca’s “sister lodge” and is also within the massive Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Guests take the 120 mile charter flight to the Isla Punta Pajaros airstrip at Casa Blanca, and are then transferred by vehicle another 10 miles south on the island. These 10 miles of jungle and secluded white sand beaches are what separates Playa Blanca guests from their nearest neighbor, Casa Blanca Lodge. The nearest settlement is the tiny fishing village of Punta Hererra, some 20 + miles away on the southern lip of Espiritu Santo.
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Playa Blanca was originally built as an “Adventure Resort” for clients looking for a high level of seclusion and personal service in pristine natural surroundings. The beautiful beachfront property provided upscale accommodations, gourmet dining and such activities as snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, nearby Mayan ruins, and…oh by the way, if any one wants to go fishing… that can be arranged! However, word of the world-class fishery soon spread and the demand for the fishing far exceeded demand for the adventure resort. Playa Blanca has operated primarily as a fishing lodge for many years now, but retained all the other activities making this an ideal destination for anglers with non-fishing partners.
The fishing on Espiritu Santo is quite similar to Ascension Bay, but it is even more remote and less pressured. On rare occasions you might see a flats skiff out of Punta El Placir far to the south. However, it’s more common for Playa Blanca boats to go for weeks without seeing any other boats. For all intents and purposes, playa Blanca has exclusive use of literally hundreds of square kilometers of the Bay. The Playa Blanca guides were the first to explore and learn this still near-virgin fishery.
Espiritu Santo is rivaled only by Ascension Bay in its abundance and diversity of species. Bonefish are plentiful, and perhaps a bit larger in average size (particularly in Laguna Santa Rosa). Tarpon are found year round, although the bigger, migratory fish to 100 + pounds are most prevalent from April through November. Snook to trophy size (over 20 pounds) are found in the bay. And the permit fishery ranks on par with Ascension Bay – in other words, it’s one of the top permit fisheries in the world.
An added bonus to the miles of flats on the Bay proper, Playa Blanca has exclusive use of the renowned Laguna Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa features a reliable, year round fishery for juvonile tarpon, but also produces some of the largest bonefish found in Central America. Bones up to 33 inches (approximately 12 pounds) have been taken.
Playa Blanca also shares access to “the Tarpon Lagoon”. This is a special resource and to prevent too much fishing pressure from ruining it, access is strictly limited to a maximum of 3 boats (6 anglers) per week. And access may be further restricted at the fishing manager’s discretion if deemed necessary. The Tarpon Lagoon days are NOT GUARANTEED. Requests for a Tarpon Lagoon day must be made when you make your reservation. There is no extra charge and these are allotted on a first come basis.
Accommodations
Playa Blanca accommodates up to 14 anglers in 7 spacious guest rooms in cabanas situated on a sand dune bluff overlooking a palm studded white sand beach and the aquamarine hues of the Caribbean. The rooms are tastefully decorated in white with bright Caribbean accents and each have private verandas with hammocks, large baths, queen size beds, sitting area with couch and ceiling fans. Daily maid service is provided and laundry service is available for a nominal fee. Each room is unique in design and decor and may be reserved by room number.
The Playa Blanca dining room is located in the main lodge building and serves three meals a day (anglers usually take a cooler lunch in the boat) with light snacks available at your leisure. The menu features fresh seafood and a variety of expertly prepared regional specialties. A choice of two entrees is offered at each meal. Meals are served indoors or on the covered veranda per guest request. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.
The bar is located in the restaurant and offers a changing atmosphere throughout the day. The bar offers indoor and outdoor services as well as covered seating on top of the building…a perfect spot to sip a tropical drink and watch the waves on the beach.
Recreation
Besides fishing, recreation at Playa Blanca revolves around its extraordinary beaches and beautiful Caribbean waters. Non-fishing guests may choose from Guided Snorkeling, Sailing, Sea Kayaking, Wind Surfing, Mayan Ruins Tour (the Chac Mool ruin site is a short walk from the lodge), or Bicycling. The spectacular and totally secluded white sand beach extends for miles in both directions and is protected by the Palencar Barrier Reef, providing great “beach combing” and ideal waters for swimming. And if all this tires you out, stretch out in your hammock on your private veranda or let the gently breezes and the sounds of the ocean lull you off into a Yucatan style siesta!
Accommodations Distribution
Deluxe Single Cabana – 1, Located on the dunes overlooking the beach and ocean, private veranda, 2 double beds, large bath, couch, indoor and outdoor seating.
Deluxe Duplex Cabanas – 2, Located on the dunes overlooking the beach and ocean, private veranda, 2 double beds or kings, large bath, couch, indoor and outdoor seating.
Deluxe Rooms – 2, Beach and ocean view, private veranda, 2 king size beds, outdoors seating; air-conditioning.
Transportation
The air charter from Cancun to the island takes 45 minutes. Then after a 5-minute boat ride across the bay, and another 30-minute drive in a vehicle (approximately 10 miles) south, you will arrive at Playa Blanca.
Playa Blanca Fishing Lodge 2025 Rates
HIGH SEASON (February – June)
| Package Details | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nights/6 Days (Saturday→Saturday) | $7,192 | $9,610 |
| ↑ (1 non-fishing) | $5,778 | Call |
| 5 Nights/4 Days | $6,074 | $8,164 |
| ↑ (1 non-fishing) | $5,468 | Call |
Low Season (July – January)
| Package Details | Double Occupancy | Single Occupancy |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nights/6 Days (Saturday→Saturday) | $6,787 | $9,182 |
| ↑ (1 non-fishing) | $5,336 | Call |
| 5 Nights/4 Days | $5,701 | $7,285 |
| ↑ (1 non-fishing) | $4,774 | Call |
(Rates are per person and subject to change)
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All prices include round trip air charter from Cancun to the island. Deluxe seaside accommodations, all meals, snorkeling, wind surfing, sea kayaking, bicycling, natural history excursions, birding, unlimited use of all recreational equipment, non-bottled beverages. Fishing rates include guide & boat beverages. It does not include alcoholic beverages, use of phone, laundry, guide service and staff gratuities.
Partial Week Itineraries
Itineraries for partial week packages should begin or end on a Saturday. The lodge will not accept reservations which span a Saturday since this would eliminate the possibility of booking two full week packages. Additional air charter charges will apply for groups for which extra flights are required. See Air Charter Surcharges.
Air Charter Surcharges for all Late Arrival, Early Departure & Partial Week Itineraries
The cost of the air charter from Cancun to the island is included in the rates on the price list, but these rates apply only to Saturday. For itineraries requiring travel on days other than Saturday, there will be a surcharge based on the number of passengers on the flight. These surcharges will apply to all late arrivals, canceled or delayed airline flights, early departures from the lodge and to all partial week itineraries.
1 Passenger = $1,248; 2 Passengers = $624 per person; 3 Passengers = $416 per person; 4 Passengers = $312 per person
Gratuity
Recommended tip for a fishing guide is minimum $50 – $100 per day per boat. House / Staff tip is $20 – $30 per night per guest or $120 – $200 for the week per guest.
