Turneffe Flats Lodge
Travel & Tackle Guide

Welcome to your Fly Water Travel trip guide. We’re excited to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure! Inside, you’ll find everything you need: your to-do list, travel logistics, destination notes, and a curated tackle guide tailored to your trip.

Getting Ready

We’ve created a quick checklist of essential tasks to make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. If questions come up or you need anything at all, just give us a call, we’re here to help every step of the way.

To-Do List:

✓  Arrange flights to/from Belize City’s Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE), Belize

✓  Complete the Belize Immigration Form (see Immigration Registration section)

✓  Complete your personal online guest registration form

Turneffe Flats Lodge
Travel Guide

From how to get there and what documents you’ll need to tipping guidelines and destination details, this section covers the practical information to ensure smooth travels.

Getting to the Lodge: To reach Turneffe Flats Lodge, you will need to arrange travel to and from Belize City’s Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE). International flights to BZE go through Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and Newark. Major airlines that are servicing these flights to BZE are American Airlines, United, Southwest, Jet Blue, and Delta. 

Arrival Day:
Please arrive no later than 3:30 PM. Upon arrival at the airport, you will pick up your luggage, clear customs and exit the airport. In case you need assistance with your luggage (a very short distance), airport porters are available. As you exit customs, a Turneffe Flats representative will meet you and transport you to the Fort George Marina. There you will be notified of the boat’s scheduled departure time, which varies according to guest arrivals. A restaurant/bar is available at Fort George for lunch or a beverage while you wait to leave for Turneffe Flats. If for any reason you cannot find the Turneffe Flats representative at the airport, please take a taxi to the Fort George Marina. 

The boat trip takes about 90 minutes. You will travel through several offshore cayes, the barrier reef, across the open ocean, and then through the Turneffe Islands to Turneffe Flats Lodge. Generally, motion sickness is not an issue, but ocean conditions may dictate otherwise. You may get settled in and prepare your gear for the next days of fishing.

Departure Day:  Guests need to schedule a departing flight out of Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) after 11:30 AM on the day they leave the lodge. 

Documentation Requirements: To enter Belize, all guests are required to have the following: 

  • Passport: Valid for the duration of your trip. 
  • Register through Belize Immigration: Via website or app 

Belize Immigration Registration Notes:  Belize has introduced a streamlined Online Immigration and Customs Declaration System to make arrivals and departures through Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) faster and easier. Please note that you have two options for registration: website or app. 

As part of this update, paper immigration forms are no longer used for entry into Belize. If you don’t, you will severely prolong the duration that you spend in customs as you will have to fill out the same registration there. Travelers should complete the required forms online before travel, or through the official Belize app on their phone. 

Before You Leave for Belize:
To complete the digital immigration and customs declaration, you will need: 

  • Your passport 
  • Flight information and dates for both arrival and departure 
  • Your accommodation details in Belize. If prompted, enter the lodge name and location within Belize. 

Once submitted, you will receive a QR code for your arrival and another for your departure. Please screenshot or print both QR codes and keep them accessible for Belize Immigration. 

The Belize Immigration form website is a free government service. If you are ever asked or redirected to a website asking for payment, it is not the official service. Please use only the website provided. 

Belize Travel - https://ideclare.gov.bz/Belize_Digital_Forms/ 

Or use the BELIZE App 

Travelers may also complete the forms through the official BELIZE app, identified by colorful “BELIZE” lettering on a light blue background. 

  • Download the BELIZE app from your phone’s app store. 
  • Open the app and select “Getting here” (airplane icon, first column, fourth row). 
  • Complete the arrival form. 
  • Complete the departure form as well, so you have your QR code ready for departure. 

We recommend completing both the arrival and departure forms before leaving home. Save the QR codes to your phone and, if possible, bring printed copies as a backup. Having both QR codes ready will help make your arrival into Belize and your departure home as smooth as possible. 

Travel Cash:  As a guideline we recommend that each guest travel with approximately $800-$1,000 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, licenses, etc. At the end of your stay, you may pay your tab with cash or credit card. Turneffe Flats accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover.  

Gratuities:
Tipping is at your discretion and should relate directly to the level of service you receive. Gratuities are best paid in cash, however, should you elect to pay with a credit card, the lodge charges a service fee which will be added to the tip portion of your bill only. As we are often asked about customary tipping practices, the following are suggestions for your convenience, all in US dollars.  

  • Fishing Guides: $100 per skiff per day. For a shared boat this is $50 per angler per day.  
  • Dive Staff: $20-$40per diver per day. This covers your Dive Master, Boat Captain, Dive Assistants and those filling tanks. 
  • Atoll Adventure: $20-40 per guest per day. 
  • Lodge Staff (kitchen staff, housekeepers, waitresses, bartenders, luggage handlers, etc.): $100-$200 per guest per week.

Fishing Licenses:
Turneffe Atoll has a Marine Reserve Entrance Fee that is issued for the atoll and covers the fishing license. This license costs $50 and will be paid on-site. It can be paid by card or cash. 

Biting Insects:
Turneffe Atoll has both mosquitoes and biting flies present. The mosquitoes are year-round and the intensity of them can vary throughout the year. The best deterrent is either covering up with clothes or utilizing a solid bug spray. With the biting flies (also known as doctor flies), they are generally more aggressive in the hotter months. Sprays usually do not deter them and you will need to rely on clothing coverage to get you from getting bitten. Their mouthparts are designed to pierce, so sometimes tight-fitting clothing can allow them to bite through, like leggings. Loose clothing is your best line of defense. 

Cell Coverage and Wi-Fi: 

  • Cell Coverage: There is no cell phone service at the lodge 
  • Wi-Fi: The lodge has wireless internet 

Communications:
While traveling in Belize we recommend using WhatsApp as this is the way most lodges and outfitters communicate. Texting through the app will allow you to keep in touch with the outfitter, friends, and family when connected to Wi-Fi or your cell service provider.   

Power:
Power is standard 110 volt (same as in the US) and you will not need any plug converters for your electrical equipment. Turneffe Flats is operated with diesel generators that run around the clock and are not within hearing distance of guest rooms.

Laundry:
Laundry service is available for a fee and paid on-site.

Water:
Water is primarily supplied by rainwater collection and desalinization. The fresh water supply is somewhat limited, and guests are asked to help conserve water when possible.

Beverages/Alcohol: 

  • Soft Drinks, beer, wine, and alcohol: Not included and individual bar tabs are kept to be paid at the end of stay.

Emergency Medical Assistance:
The closest medical facility is in Belize City. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time. If you have an emergency, please call their reservation office at 888.512.8812. The phone number on the island is 011.501.232.9022 but it is sometimes difficult to contact the island directly.

Recommended Medical Evacuation Carrier and Insurance Provider:
Global Rescue - https://partner.globalrescue.com/fwtravel/index.html  

Turneffe Flats Lodge
Tackle Guide

Here you’ll find everything you need to be ready on the water. You’ll find our preferred setups, favorite flies, recommended packing list, and notes on tackle available at the lodge.

Turneffe Flats Lodge Tackle Overview 

We always travel with at least three to four set-ups for this trip. A 9ft 8-weight paired with a tropical bonefish floating line, a 9ft 9-weight paired with a tropical permit floating line, and a 9ft 10-weight paired with an all-around or grand slam style floating line, and if there are migratory tarpon present (April-September), then a 9ft 11- or 12-weight paired with a tropical intermediate or fast-sinking line for the deeper channels where they are found.  

Turneffe Flats Lodge - Provided Equipment: 

  • Rods/Reels/Lines: Available for rent. Turneffe Flats Lodge can provide setups that are specifically for their fishery. 
  • Flies: Flies are not included. We suggest packing a thoughtful mix of shrimp, crab, and baitfish, to cover a variety of conditions and species. Turneffe does have a fly shop on-site with a variety of patterns to buy 
  • Flats Shoes: Not included. This can include zip-style booties or boots. You can also rent a pair from the lodge 

Turneffe Flats Lodge Bonefish Setup

This is the go-to setup for bonefish at Beh Kay Lodge. The 8-weight is the most versatile bonefish rod around the world and handles every type of bonefish fly with ease. It strikes the right balance
between presentation and power, making it a dependable choice for most situations. With enough backbone to punch a fly through moderate winds without overpowering smaller shrimp imitations.

Recommended Terminal Tackle:

  • Medium to fast action 9-foot, 8-weight 4-piece fly rod
  • Reliable corrosion resistant reel
  • Weight forward tropical floating line
  • 9-foot 12lb mono and/or fluorocarbon leaders (qty 4 each)
  • Spools of 10-12lb fluorocarbon tippet
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Turneffe Flats Lodge Permit Setup

This is the go-to setup for permit at Turneffe Flats Lodge. The 9-weight is the most versatile permit rod overall and handles many of the fishing situations. For anglers that want a rod to help when the wind picks up or prefers a bit more rod all-around, a 10-weight is another great option. Both rods help deliver the often-heavier weighted flies that most of the Yucatán fisheries employ. They also have the ability to deliver lighter shrimp patterns when the conditions call for it.  

Recommended Terminal Tackle: 

  • Medium to fast action 9-foot, 9-weight 4-piece fly rod 
  • Reliable corrosion resistant reel 
  • Weight forward tropical floating line 
  • 10-12-foot 16-20lb mono and/or fluorocarbon leaders (qty 4 each) 
  • Spools of 16-20lb fluorocarbon tippet 
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Turneffe Flats Lodge Tarpon/Snook/Barracuda Setup

This setup is a great all-around for juvenile tarpon, snook, and barracuda at Turneffe Flats Lodge. The 10-weight is great, as it will handle all these species and then will also be a great secondary or backup if you need it for permit as well. Being that this will be a rod that is utilized to target diverse species, you can rely on a few easy options for leaders too, that can be switched out quickly and easily. 

Recommended Terminal Tackle: 

  • Medium to fast action 9-foot, 10-weight 4-piece fly rod 
  • Reliable corrosion resistant reel 
  • Weight forward tropical floating line 
  • 10-12-foot 16-20lb test leaders with 45-50lb shock tippet (qty 4 each) 
  • Spools of 50lb fluorocarbon tippet (tarpon/snook) and 40lb knottable wire (barracuda) 
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Turneffe Flats Lodge Migratory Tarpon Setup

In the months of June and July, when the migratory tarpon season is in full swing, having a 11- or 12-weight is what you want to have on standby in the boat. When the migratory fish are around, it’s generally chance opportunity, but when that happens, it’s nice to know you have a rod in the boat ready! 

Recommended Terminal Tackle: 

  • Fast action 9-foot, 11- or 12-weight 4-piece fly rod 
  • Reliable corrosion resistant reel 
  • Weight forward tropical floating line 
  • Spool of 80lb fluorocarbon tippet 
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Top Flies for Turneffe Flats Lodge

Top 5 Bonefish Flies 

  • Bonefish Bitters (Olive and Amber – Size 8) 
  • Crazy Charlie (Chartreuse and Gold – Size 8 and 10) *These are for sale at the lodge 
  • Pearl Gotcha (Pearl – Size 6 w/small lead eye and size 6 and 8 w/ x-small bead chain or plastic eyes) 
  • Enrico Puglisi's Micro Shrimp (Olive and Pearl – Size 8) 
  • Enrico Puglisi's Turneffe Micro Crab (Tan/brown and Green – Size 8) 

On the ocean-side flats, smaller flies are more effective (8's and some 10's). Un-weighted flies are an absolute necessity. Larger flies (6's) work best on the flats inside the lagoon, and weighted flies are often preferable here. When tying your own flies, coral/weed guards are helpful and can be installed on your flies by attaching a single strand of 30lb mono, extending from behind the hook-eye to just past the point of the hook.  

Top 5 Permit Flies 

  • Bauer Crab (Tan - Size 4) 
  • Enrico Puglisi's EP Crab (Olive and '3-tone' mottled coloration – Size 6 and 4) 
  • Camo Crab (Tan/Brown and Olive/Brown - Size 6 and 4) 
  • Peterson’s Spawning Shrimp (Tan – Size 4) 
  • Avalon Permit Fly (Tan – Size 2. The guides like to reach for them in certain spots) 

We recommend permit flies ranging from light to heavily weighted for different fishing scenarios. Having various colors is great too with tans, creams, and olives making up the general color ways.

Top 5 Tarpon Flies 

Most tarpon flies are a great crossover for snook too. Snook flies should imitate baitfish or shrimp. In the clearer water, however, snook really prefer a fly with a white body/red head, chartreuse/white or tan/white combo-colored flies. 

Barracuda & Jack Crevalle Flies 

  • RIO’s Ka-Cuda (Size 2/0)  
  • EP Baitfish (Tan/White, Chartreuse/White - Size 1/0)  

Suggested Packing List

Support Your Local Fly Shop

If you need assistance with assembling your gear for your upcoming travels, we encourage you to support your local fly shop. This curated list of tackle is handpicked for your destination by our experts and can serve as your shopping list to get your ready for your next adventure. Find your local Far Bank dealer.

We understand packing for an adventure is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not. As the climate is extremely changeable and a wide range of temperatures and conditions can be expected, we recommend layering clothes. Anglers should be prepared with sun protective clothing, fleece/soft shell jacket, and a rain jacket. Synthetic fabrics are preferred to cotton. Dress at the lodges/camps is neat but casual.

Documents:
Passport, plane tickets, itinerary, credit card, cash.

Pliers/Forceps:
We like a solid pair of corrosion resistant pliers with cutters and/or scissor forceps.

Socks:
One pairs of synthetic lightweight socks to wear on the boat for sun protection.  

Footwear & Clothing:
When fishing from the boat going bare foot is best so that you can feel your fly line around your feet and avoid stepping on it. Otherwise, socks can be worn to protect from the sun or biting flies. Wet wading with flats fishing boots or zip-up style neoprene flats booties work great. You may also want to bring flip-flops or sandals to wear on the boat or around the lodge. 

Shirts:
Two or three long sleeve fishing shirts. One or two lodge shirts. 

Pants/Shorts:
One pairs of pants and two pairs of shorts that are comfortable and quick drying for fishing, wearing around the lodge and traveling. 

Warm Layers:
One lightweight long sleeve jacket. Great for potential chilly nights or on the plane while travelling. 

Rain Jacket:
One lightweight high quality rain jacket.

Hats:Two fishing/baseball hats.

Lodge Shoes:
Flip flops or shoes for around the lodge.

Sun Mask:
One sun mask or gaiter for sun protection.

Sunglasses:
Two pairs of polarized sunglasses. Generally, a rose or yellow base for lowlight and a copper or amber base for sunny conditions. It is great to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well.

Lip Balm:
One stick of SPF 30+ lip balm. 

Sunscreen:
Definitive studies have shown that sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate severely damage coral reefs. As Turneffe Flats works diligently to protect the marine environment of the Turneffe Atoll and Belize, we request that your sunscreen not contain either of these dangerous chemicals while snorkeling, diving or fishing at Turneffe. Appropriate sunscreen is available for sale in the gift shop.

Camera:
Don’t forget extra batteries and waterproof case/bag.

Headlamp:
One small LED headlamp with extra batteries.

Toiletries Kit:
Toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, razor, lotion, mini shampoo bottle, pain relievers, ear plugs, band aids, anti-bacterial ointment, antihistamine, antibiotics, chaffing powder/ointment, etc. 

Water Bottle:
One reusable water bottle. 

Contact Landon Mace

Landon Mace specializes in Fly Water Travel's Saltwater and Jungle operations. Contact Landon now for more information about this exciting destination or to inquire about special openings.

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