Cayo Cruz – A Cuba Trip You Can Trust
Cayo Cruz is a long narrow key, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) long with a total area of 32 square kilometers (12.3 square miles), located on the north shore of the eastern province of Camagüey in Cuba. The Cayo Romano fishery is an enormous system of flats, lagoons and pristine estuaries, located in Jardines del Rey, “Garden of the Kings”. It’s part of the Blue Sanctuary a progressive conservation program initiated by the Cuban Government 30 years ago to protect vulnerable and important marine areas. Commercial fishing within this designated area is strictly forbidden and rigorously enforced.
The fly fishing only area is 366 square kilometers (141 square miles) in size, meaning that on the average day, each skiff and pair of anglers has over 50 square kilometers (19 square miles) to fish and explore all to themselves. The fishing grounds are not overcrowded or over fished and represents one of the purest and most biologically diverse marine ecosystems in the world.
Fishing at Cayo Cruz focuses on sight fishing the shallow flats for bonefish, permit, as well as fishing deeper flats, cuts and estuaries for tarpon and the occasional snook. Other species like mutton snapper, Cubera snapper, Jack Crevalle and barracuda can also be opportunistically targeted. This is multi species fishery, similar to those you find on the Yucatan Peninsula or Belize, and is a combination of wading hard-bottomed flats as well as fishing from expertly poled flats skiffs. There is a ton of fishing variety to keep the most seasoned flats fisher engaged, while at the same time suitable to anglers new to flats fishing.
We like Cayo Cruz, and we feel you will as well. It’s a solid multi species fishery in a private and furiously protected marine reserve, easy to get to, safe, land based – all the ingredients for an old world Cuban fishing adventure and shocking simple travel logistics.
Reservations & Rates
Low Season: (January 4th - February 15th) (July 12th - December 27th)
$5,150 / Angler Per Week
High Season: (February 15th - July 12th)
$7,350 / Angler Per Week
Single/Private Room: $600 for eight nights lodging, per person
Single/Private Guide & Boat: $1,500 (Low Season*) | $3,000 (High Season*)
Non-Angler: $1,850 per week (Sharing double room with angler)
*Single/Private Guide & boat must be booked in even numbers and limited to two per week
Ground Transportation outside arrival or departure dates, per transport: $250
Inclusions
6 Full Days Guided Fishing, 1 Day & Night All Inclusive in Camaguey w/ Single Occupancy Room, 7 Nights all-inclusive in Cayo Cruz with Double Occupancy Room at all-inclusive lodge, double room base, full board, 6 Full Days Fishing with Double Occupancy Skiff All Meals, Beverages & Alcohol
Non-Inclusions
International Flights to/from Camagüey, Cuba, Travel Visa, Guide & Staff Gratuity, $300 Conservation Fee per angler/per week, Fishing Equipment & Flies, Medical Evacuation Insurance
Travel Insurance
The Fly Shop® is not in the insurance business, but we recommend Travel Guard coverage as a service with a desire to see your best interests protected. It is impossible to know when an unfortunate situation (loss of luggage, fly rods, illness in the family, or an accident) may occur. However, such things can and do happen, and this insurance can provide a means of recourse against non-refundable financial losses.
• Travel Insurance Information
Seasons at Cayo Cruz
Cuba has a tropical climate, moderated by northeasterly trade winds. The temperature is affected by the Caribbean current, bringing in warm water from the equator. The drier season runs from November through April, and a rainier season from May to October. Day time highs are near seventy in January, and eighty in July.
Read More
From late December to late February, in Cayo Cruz, like most destinations, there’s a potential risk of cold fronts sweeping in from the northeast. However, Cayo Cruz benefits from its geographic location with protected waters shielding most of the prime fishing spots. During this period, fishing remains quite good, especially for sizable bonefish, small to medium resident tarpon weighing between 20 to 30 pounds, and the ever present permit.
March to June emerges as the optimal window of weather conditions and the arrival of large migratory tarpon, alongside the consistent presence of bonefish and permit.
Although quite warm, July and August mirror the productivity of spring and early summer, and from strictly a fishing perspective is the best time of the year. During these summer months there is an increase in permit numbers on the flats, presenting ample opportunities for prime shots throughout the day.
September to December marks another great time period, offering great fishing for all species and the largest tides of the year. However, consideration should be given to hurricane season.
Getting to Cayo Cruz
Getting to Cayo Cruz, Cuba is fairly straightforward starting with your flight to the primary destination of Camagüey Cuba (CMW). There are daily flights on American Airlines from Miami International Airport (MIA) to (CMW) typically departing in the middle of the day.
From Camagüey, it’s a mere 2-hour drive to reach Cayo Cruz. The outfitter takes care of all of the travel once you arrive in Cuba, so there is nothing for you to worry about beyond getting to Camagüey.
Read More
FRIDAY:
Arrive in Miami (MIA) early Friday morning or Thursday with an overnight in Miami. Flights to Camagüey, Cuba (CMW) through American Airlines currently depart Miami around 12:45 PM.
After arriving in Camagüey, you will be greeted by our team with refreshments and cigars as soon as you walk out of the airport. We will then be transported by a fleet of American classic cars to our hotel in the heart of downtown.
After settling into our hotel, we will head out to see the sights and have lunch in Camagüey.
At 6:30 PM we will head over to our venue for the Welcome Party. The party will end around 10:00 - 10:30 PM and everyone will head back to the hotel for the night. We can arrange for a night on the town with VIP services for those looking to check out the nightlife.
SATURDAY:
In Camagüey, after breakfast at the hotel, guests are led to do some shopping and some sightseeing downtown.
Departure to Cayo Cruz is at 12:00 PM, the drive takes about 2 hours, which makes for a very relaxing and easy entry into Cuba.
After arriving in Cayo Cruz we settle in and unpack for the week. Lunch will be served shortly after we arrive and guests have all day to enjoy the pools, spa, refreshments and maybe a trip to the beach.
Orientation is around 5:00 PM, dinner served at 7:00 PM.
SUNDAY - FRIDAY:
Six full days of guided fishing. Fishing hours are roughly 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM every day.
Happy hour drinks and appetizers are from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.
FRIDAY:
Day 6 and your final day of fishing. After fishing your guide will clean all of your equipment with fresh water and help you pack everything in your luggage for travel home the next day.
Happy hour drinks and appetizers are from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.
After dinner and some closing stories of the week’s events, we have a Cuban themed party with a local band for our final night in Cuba.
SATURDAY:
Breakfast from 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM.
Transportation to the Camagüey airport is at 10:00 AM. After arriving to the airport, you will check in and relax while you await your plane. The American Airlines flight back to Miami departs at around 2:30 PM, arriving at approximately 4:00 PM. Give yourself plenty of time for your connection in Miami because you will go through immigration and customs in Miami before your flight home.
Lodging at Cayo Cruz
Nestled in the heart of the island of Cayo Cruz, La Marina & Spa Hotel stands as the perfect base of operations. Situated just across the street from the marina where your guide will pick you up every morning, this exclusive retreat boasts a wealth of amenities including two swimming pools, walk up bar, bowling alley, nightclub, onsite signature restaurants and more.
The hotel rooms are spacious and air conditioned, included private bath and all the modern comforts you are used to in a resort. In the inviting
Read More
open-air entryway and lobby, guests enjoy relaxing and recounting the days adventures in cozy chairs with cold drinks and freshly prepared appetizers served by the friendly staff at the fully stocked bar.
We start the morning preparing for another great day on the flats with the invigorating aroma of freshly brewed, strong Cuban coffee. As the sun begins to rise over the lagoon, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast of a wide variety of egg dishes, meats, cheeses, fruit, juices, cereals and more, awakening your senses and energizing your spirit for the day ahead.
For your lunch on the water, a selection of breads, meats, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, snacks, and other dishes are available to choose from so you can build your own lunch and get exactly what you want.
Dinner is served in three distinct onsite restaurants depending on the night, each offering a diverse array of regional and international dishes. Enjoy freshly caught fish of the day, lobster or traditional Cuban fare, including savory rice and beans, perfectly fried plantains, and tender roasted meats. For diversity and to keep things interesting, two of the restaurants feature a selection of cuisines, from Mediterranean to Asian fare.
This accommodation offers a perfect blend of remoteness and connectivity, fostering a true “lodge atmosphere” for visiting anglers. Unlimited wireless internet access is available in the main lodge, ensuring guests stay connected throughout their stay.
The hotel boasts a plethora of amenities designed to make your time off the water relaxing and entertaining. You can cool off in not one, but two sparkling swimming pools, offering the perfect oasis at the end of a long day on the flats. For those seeking ultimate rejuvenation, indulge in a relaxing massage and get those shoulders loosened up for the next day of fishing.
If you’re up for a little friendly competition, the hotel even features a bowling alley and pool tables, where laughter and camaraderie flow freely. For connoisseurs of the finer things, the cigar room offers a sanctuary to savor the rich aromas of Cuba’s finest cigars. With an array of amenities to explore, the hotel is an ideal location to rest and relax after your fishing days.
Fishing at Cayo Cruz
Cayo Cruz is a target rich environment. What makes this flats fishery special in the world of saltwater fly fishing, is its vast expanse of wadable flats, similar to what we found on Los Roques, Venezuela over 30 years ago. These are perfect bonefish flats to wade looking for tailers, singles and doubles as well as schools. Anglers will sight cast to excellent size bonefish that average an honest four pounds with opportunities to cast to and hook larger bones in the eight pound plus class. You could easily spend the day on foot, plying multiple flats with the advantage of having the flats skiff within close proximity to rove, take a break or enjoy your midday lunch break.
Read More
Additionally, there are plenty of deeper flats that are poled over from skiffs that provide excellent habitat for flats species that prefer the safety of depth, like permit, tarpon and barracuda. Many of Cayo Cruz permit you will spot will be following stingrays, similar to what we see in Crooked and Acklins in the Bahamas or those permit we target around Chub Cay in the Berry Islands. Find a stingray, usually a dark one, and in most cases, they will have a permit on top of them, scraping up leftovers. Landing your fly gently on the back of the ray is often rewarded by an eat. Permit here range in size between eight and 30 pounds.
There are two locations within Cayo Cruz that offer very solid tarpon fishing. Guides tend to save these areas for anglers who are more interested in Tarpon and willing to run further for the opportunity. Or when an angler has already boated a permit and bonefish and is looking for a Grand Slam of course. The tarpon will range from 20 up to 80 pounds during the migration. This is definitely Grand Salm Country!
Anglers are encouraged to target other opportunistic and foraging species like mutton snapper, snook, Cubera snapper, Jack Crevalle, and barracuda.
The average boat run to the fishing areas is about 20 minutes in length and in some areas, you can be into fish within 5 minutes of leaving the boat docks. It just depends on where your guide wants to take you for the day and what you are interested in targeting. With 50 square kilometers per boat, the options are seemingly limitless.
The skiffs depart from the marina at Cayo Cruz each morning after you finish a hearty breakfast. There are 7 different sectors that are included in the fishing rotation and depending on the guide rotation that day, you may be heading to any number of them. Stretching from Cayo Paredon Grande in the north to Cayo Guanaja in the south, the region boasts an abundance of islands, lagoons, and bays that offer a vast playground of productive waters to keep anglers happy and engaged.
A significant portion of the fishing activity occurs in the lagoon system between Cayo Cruz and the mainland. The specific destination zone for the day and the targeted species determines the route chosen by your guide. The sheer abundance of fantastic opportunities within this fishery can sometimes be overwhelming, but options are an important component of the fishing program.
Cayo Cruz Typical Fishing Day
• 7:00 AM: Breakfast is served, coffee is available 24 hours a day
• 7:45 AM: Walk over to the Marina, boats depart at 8:00 AM
• 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Full day of fishing, lunch on the fly
• 4:00 PM: Back to the Marina
• 4:00 – 6:00 PM Happy Hour – cocktails and appetizers
• 7:00 PM: Dinner is served
What Makes This Destination Special and Unique?
● Protected & Private Fishing Waters – The fishing waters of Cayo Cruz is located in the Blue Sanctuary, a progressive conservation program initiated by the Cuban Government 30 years, where. Commercial fishing is strictly forbidden and rigorously enforced. This fly fishing only area encompasses 141 square miles allowing pairs of anglers over 19 square miles to fish and explore all to themselves. The fishing grounds are not overcrowded, 100% of the shallow flats, back bays, creeks, cuts and cays surrounding this massive saltwater wilderness will be yours exclusively.
● Land based Luxury Resort – Cayo Cruz an ideal location for those who don’t want to spend a week on a live aboard ship. The La Marina & Spa Hotel, your homebase for the week, is newly constructed and has all the amenities you would expect, including two swimming pools, bar, lounge, a variety of restaurants, bowling alley, spa, and more. There are plenty of activities for non- angling guests and its location is a short walk to the marina where your fishing day begins and ends each day. This is a very appropriate destination to have your non-angling guest join you on your Cuban fly fishing adventure, they will be well looked after and happy.
● Cuban Culture – One of the many reasons you travel to fish outside of your home waters is to meet new people and experience new cultures. Few destinations offer more cultural stimulation than Cuba. A fly fishing trip to Cuba, should include emersion into the country’s incredible history and the culture. The exclusive Welcome Party and extra day in the town of Camagüey ensures you have this opportunity – a pig roast, Cuban band, dancers, a cigar roller, a short presentation about the cigars of Cuba, and a tasting of Cuban Rum, Coffee and American Bourbon paired with cigars, the perfect kick off to your trip!
● Professional Outfitter – Cuba Fly Fishing Company has been hosting anglers at Cayo Cruz for many years. They are a professional outfitter that understand and appreciate all the intricacies of travelling to Cuba as well as what it takes to make a good trip a great one. You are in excellent hands with our Cuban partners, let them handle all the details, your job is to relax, fish hard and soak up Cuba.
● Multi Species Fishery – Cayo Cruz is a target rich environment. Anglers will sight cast to bonefish that average an honest four pounds with opportunities for eight pounders. Deeper water flats hold some of the best permit fishing in Cuba, hands down! Resident Tarpon (20 – 50 pounds) and some migratory tarpon are available as well. Foraging species like mutton snapper, snook, Cubera snapper, Jack Crevalle, and barracuda are persent. This is definitely Grand Salm Country!
Additional Photos
