Black Sands Lodge

Black Sands Lodge is located on Colombia’s Pacific Coast, near the small town of Bahia Solano. This is a seldom-seen part of Colombia for foreign visitors. It is only in the past several years that the bounty of this unique inshore fishery has become known to the outside world. Today both outfitters and clients are constantly learning more about a vast array of species available to both fly and conventional anglers.

Black Sands is particularly popular in the April through June timeframe. This coincides with the run of sardinas when the Pacific’s pelagic fish pursue the bait within a few hundred yards of the shore. The lodge uses a 32-foot Contender, capable of fishing four anglers. All fishing equipment is provided by the lodge. Prices are determined not only by the number of days fishing, but the number of anglers in the boat. For fly anglers, it is best to think of rotating turns and having a maxim group size of three.

Guests typically overnight in the lovely town of Medellin which is now a safe and fascinating city, full of distinctly different “barrios,” interesting tourist sites, and excellent restaurants. Although located in Colombia, Black Sands is owned an operated by Argentines. As is their culture, they are intent on providing guests with beautiful accommodations, top notch food, and the best wines. Additionally all clients enjoy single occupancy rooms.

Black Sands most popular time window coincides with the annual spring run of sardines. Because of the coastal topography and currents, shoals of sardines are pushed near the beach, followed by a variety of predatory pelagic fish. Guests at Black Sands can very often have great fishing within a half mile of the shore.

There are two particularly unique aspects to this fishery. The first is that so many deep-sea fish become susceptible to a fly so close to the shoreline. Sailfish will often be at the surface, slashing through schools of bait, and anglers can cast directly to them. This is very unique. Additionally, large schools of yellow fin tuna are plentiful, and will readily take a fly when feeding. Cubera snapper grow very large here, and when the sardinas are schooling, they will often come near the surface to gorge. They are a truly the ultimate test of both tackle and an angler’s endurance.

The other amazing thing about the Colombian coast is the number of available species. Black marlin cruse the depths, and dorado are also plentiful and often huge. There are species of jacks, roosterfish, and surprisingly there are now both tarpon and snook inhabiting the Pacific Coast. Having come through the Panama Canal, they now live and breed here, and anglers can target them at certain times of the year. Their habitat typically mandates a longer boat ride to the north, near the border with Panama.

Both fly anglers and those who wish to use conventional tackle will do well at Black Sands. Groups willing to do both may have the most success. The owners of the lodge distribute some of the best flyfishing brands throughout South America. As such, they make available all tackle to their guests. Black Sands also provides all flies, and also has all that is needed for conventional anglers.

The beautiful 32-foot Contender used by the lodge is a fishing machine. It can take up to four anglers, although this number would probably only work well for groups fishing conventional tackle. For fly anglers, we recommend groups of up to three. Given the strength of these fish, a group of three can alternate turns, so that everyone not only has opportunities to cast to and fight fish, but a chance to take a seat, drink a beer, and regain their energy.

Black Sands Lodge is extremely comfortable, with a relaxed vibe. It is located 15 minutes from the small fishing village of Bahia Solano. The lodge is isolated, with thick Colombian jungle behind it, and the beach and Pacific Ocean in front.

All guests enjoy their own single bedrooms. All accommodations are very tasteful and have queen or king-sized beds with fine linens. Bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms which are well appointed, and hot showers. All bedrooms also have views of the Pacific Ocean.

Black Sands prides itself in providing excellent customer service, and top-notch drinks and meals. Colombia’s Pacific coast has cuisine that expresses the Afro-Latin culture that exists throughout much of South America. This cuisine is richly spiced, and uses ingredients from the rainforest as well as the bounty of the Pacific. The chef will often present seafood dishes cooked from fish caught that day in your boat. Meals are paired nicely with an excellent selection of international wines.

Breakfast provides a wide variety of fruit, yogurt and cereal, as well as eggs cooked to order, sausage and bacon. If anglers are fishing near the lodge, they will often return for a hot lunch and a short rest before returning to the fishing grounds to fish in to the evening. On those days when anglers choose to run further in the boat to chase marlin, or to go to the north in search of tarpon or snook, lunches will be packed to enjoy aboard the boat.

Day 1: Arrive Medellin. Guests will be met at the airport by the staff of Black Sands and transported to a hotel in Medellin. Enjoy a night on the town on your own.

Day 2: Breakfast at hotel. Guests will transfer to local airport for short flight to Bahia Solano. Transport by boat to lodge. Lunch upon arrival. Guests unpack before fishing the afternoon. Dinner and drinks served after fishing.

Day 3-6: Breakfast at lodge. Depart for fishing. Return to lodge for lunch, unless boat has traveled a long distance where guests will enjoy prepared lunches. Appetizers, dinner and drinks at the lodge.

Day 7: Depart lodge for local airport and flight to Medellin. Guests transported to Medellin hotel. Afternoon on your own to explore the town and have dinner. Night in Medellin.

Day 8: Breakfast at hotel. Guests depart for international airport and flights home.

2024/2025 Rates: Per person based on single occupancy and shared guiding

Contender 32 ST

Based on group of 2:

• 7 night/6 day package: $8,536
• 6 night/5 day package: $7,344 
• 5 night/4 day package: $6,151
• 4 night/3 day package: $4,959 

Based on group of 3:

• 7 night/6 day package: $6,804
• 6 night/5 day package: $5,900
• 5 night/4 day package: $4,996
• 4 night/3 day package: $4,092

Based on group of 4:

• 7 night/6 day package: $5,995
• 6 night/5 day package: $5,225
• 5 night/4 day package: $4,456
• 4 night/3 day package: $3,668

Contender 39 ST

Based on group of 2:

• 7 night/6 day package: $11,440
• 6 night/5 day package: $9,764
• 5 night/4 day package: $8,087
• 4 night/3 day package: $6,411

Based on group of 3:

• 7 night/6 day package: $8,740
• 6 night/5 day package: $7,513
• 5 night/4 day package: $6,287
• 4 night/3 day package: $5,060

Based on group of 4:

• 7 night/6 day package: $7,447
• 6 night/5 day package: $6,435
• 5 night/4 day package: $5,420
• 4 night/3 day package: $4,414

*Note: For an additional $700 per person, the lodge will add transfers and hotel in Medellin, as well as your domestic flight to/from Bahia Solano.

Included: Ground & boat transfers while in Bahia Solano, double room accommodation at the lodge, fishing licenses and tackle, all meals and drinks while at lodge, complimentary wifi, and laundry at lodge.

Not Included: International airfare, accommodations, transfers, and meals in Medellin, domestic flight between Medellin & Bahia Solano, miscellaneous expenses, staff and guide gratuities

Species: Yellow fin tuna, sailfish, black marlin, cubera snapper, dorado, jacks, roosterfish, tarpon, and snook

Season: January-June and mid-September-November

Capacity: 4 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? Black Sands is best suited to saltwater anglers, looking for new destinations, boat -based fishing, and adventure. Anglers need to be hearty and able to endure days when there is heavy rain and or waves. Guests who enjoy or expect luxury accommodations and well-prepared meals are also well-suited to Black Sands.

Where is the lodge? Black Sands is located on Colombia’s Pacific Coast about 70 miles south of the border with Panama, and one 125 miles west of Medellin.

How do I get there? Guests arrive in Medellin and overnight, before taking a short shuttle flight to Bahia Solano. Once there, all clients are transported about fifteen minutes to Black Sands lodge.

When should I go? There is good fishing at Bahia Solano all year. That said, the fishing heats up greatly, and is best suited for fly anglers, in the months of April, May and June.

How will I fish? Anglers will fish together in the lodge’s 32’ Contender boat. Fly anglers are able to cast at feeding fish, and at times blind cast to structure. There are times when guides will troll in order to tease fish to within casting distance. Conventional gear anglers will enjoy trolling, jigging, and popping techniques.

Is there wade fishing? No. All fishing will be done from the boat.

Where will I fish? Many days, the boat will find feeding fish only a few miles in front of the lodge, with the beach and jungle within view. Other times, the boat may go offshore in search of marlin or dorado. If anglers request it, the boat will head to the north where there are more river mouths, and where anglers may have chances at both tarpon and snook.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? In the Spring and early Summer, boat rides can be as short as ten minutes. In these instances, fish are found actively feeding on sardines. When anglers want, or when guides think it is best to go offshore or to the very north, the boat ride can be as long as an hour.

What types of fish will I catch? This largely depends on the time of year, as the fish species move depending upon the season. Species can include black and blue marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, cubera snapper, dorado, jacks, roosterfish, tarpon and snook.

How many fish will I catch? During feeding frenzies, anglers can land as many fish as they have time and energy to fight! Anglers should expect to have many opportunities at fish, although the number of fish caught will vary largely dependent upon times of year and ocean conditions.

Will I see other anglers? During the Spring and early Summer, when there are feeding frenzies near the shore, you will see other anglers. When going offshore, or in other times of the year you should expect to see only a few boats each day.

What are the guides like? You will have a boat captain, as well as a guide from the lodge. The boat captains know this ocean and the fish, and are very skilled. The lodge guides are experts in all types of fishing. Usually Argentinian, they also speak very good English and are enthusiastic anglers.

What are the physical demands? This part of Colombia sees significant rainfall each year. The temperature is almost always warm, but days can be wet. As well, although the ocean is typically calm near the beach, anglers should be aware that the ocean can have wind and waves. Anglers should be able to endure changing weather, and long fishing days in warmer weather.

Are there any special skills required? Fly angler who are proficient in casting heavier outfits, and can delivery the fly quickly and on target will get the most out of this trip.

Does the lodge provide equipment? Yes! The lodge provides all equipment, including flies and lures.

What is your favorite set up for this trip? Fast, strong, saltwater 12 and 13 weights combined with high quality saltwater reels, and fly lines with heavier breaking strengths. Again, the lodge will provide all of this equipment.

What are the top flies? Black Sands lodge provides all flies. Flies imitating sardinas will have the most success. Puglisi makes many of these patterns.

What are the options if the weather conditions become challenging? If the weather becomes dangerous, your boat will return you to Black Sands Lodge. When waves and wind are strong, the captain will do his best to find protected bays where the water and wind is more manageable.

What is a typical day like? A fishing day at Black Sands starts early, with a hearty and delicious breakfast. When the sardinas are present, anglers will go by boat a short distance to fish until lunch. Guests will eat at the lodge and have a short siesta, before returning to the water to fish until the early evening. When anglers or guides want to go further, lunch will eaten aboard the boat. In the evenings, guests will enjoy appetizers and an open bar, before having a very thoughtfully prepared dinner together.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? Black Sands is very comfortable, with well- appointed bedrooms and bathrooms. The lodge itself has a casual feel, and it is built in a local style, with local materials. It is both simple and elegant. Guests will enjoy views of the beach adjoining the lodge, and views of the Pacific Ocean from guestrooms and the other common areas.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point person at the lodge? Yes, one or the other or both are always on site.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room. Lunch is as well on days when guests are fishing close to the lodge. When they travel far, lunch will be packed for them to enjoy aboard the boat. The food at Black Sands is prepared with great care, and often utilizes the fresh food of the Colombian jungle, as well as seafood caught in the nearby Pacific.

What is the alcohol policy? All drinks are included in the price of your stay. This includes beer and wine with dinner, and an open bar for spirits.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? All guests have their own rooms. Accommodations are well-appointed and very comfortable, with queen and king-sized beds, and attached bathrooms. All bedrooms have views of the Pacific Ocean.

Is there internet and cell service? The lodge has both internet and cell service.

Are there other activities? Yes. There is amazing whale-watching here during much of the season. For ardent scuba divers, excursions can be organized. There are also eco tours and jungle hikes, and bird-watching available.

Are there any other expenses? Clients will be responsible for miscellaneous expense such as taxis, drinks and dinner while in Medellin. Guests will also be responsible for staff and guide gratuities

Do I need a visa? No

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? If the seas are rough, seasickness for some is a possibility. There are a few insects in the evenings if the wind is down.