Caerula Mar Club, Bahamas

Caerula Mar is a modern, luxurious, beachfront resort located on the southeastern shore of Andros Island. Its centerpiece is an expansive white sand beach that extends for miles in each direction. This is an ideal location for couples and families with kids 12 years of age or older wanting a true resort experience with activities including watersports, spa treatments, eco-tours, and pickle ball, as well as high-quality guided fly fishing. Guests can enjoy stays of varying lengths and choose from a range of accommodations. While this in not a fly fishing lodge, they have excellent guides and boats and they fish some remarkable waters in the South Bite as well as the renowned water of the West Side. 

Because Caerula Mar is a resort with three guides under contract, Fly Water will set up your guide dates in advance of your arrival to ensure availability. On site, the fishing days will begin with a 10-minute truck ride to Driggs Hill where you will transfer to your skiffs. Run times within the South Bight can be as short as 30 minutes and run times to hallowed waters of the West Side can be over an hour. Once there guides will pole the boat searching for bonefish with anglers taking turns on the bow. As is typical on Andros, guest will be back at the dock around 4:00 PM.

The resort is a clean, modern, luxury facility with three grades of tasteful air-conditioned accommodations. All rooms are nicely decorated and have all the modern conveniences one would expect. The Lodge has a main dining area where breakfasts and dinner are taken as well as a coffee shop and poolside beach bar that serves lunch.

Day 1: Arrive Congo Town, South Andros (COX) in the afternoon. Guests are met by a resort representative who will drive them to the resort.

Days 2-6: Full days R&R or guided fishing on the flats.

Day 7: Depart resort after breakfast, return to Congo Town to catch flights home.

2023-24 Rates: Per person based on single occupancy and shared guiding

October 2023 - January 2024:

• 7 night/6 day package: $5,250 plus tax
• 6 night/5 day package: $4,850 plus tax
• 5 night/4 day package: $4,350 plus tax
• 4 night/3 day package: $3,750 plus tax
• 3 night/2 day package: $3,050 plus tax

February - May:

• 7 night/6 day package: $6,350 plus tax
• 6 night/5 day package: $5,850 plus tax
• 5 night/4 day package: $5,150 plus tax
• 4 night/3 day package: $4,350 plus tax
• 3 night/2 day package: $3,400 plus tax

Who is best suited to this destination?

Caerula Mar Club is best suited for guests who want to a pair a luxurious Bahamian beach resort with a worldclass bonefishing experience. Trips to Caerula Mar offer a premier beachside vacation resort that will appeal to non-fishing guests as much as those dedicated to fly fishing for bonefish. Spa services, watersports, poolside R&R, fine dining and potential double-digit bonefish are all in a day’s work at Caerula Mar Club.

Where is the lodge?

The club is located on the eastern shore of the southern portion of Andros Island, Bahamas near the settlement of Congo Town.

How do I get there?

To get to Caerula Mar Club, guests take a Makers Air scheduled charter flight from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida directly to Congo Town, South Andros. From Congo Town it’s an approximate 20-minute taxi ride to the club.

When should I go?

Caerula Mar Club operates nearly year-round (with a short break in the summer for maintenance). Peak months of interest for anglers being March through May, and September through November. The spring months tend to offer better shots for high numbers of bonefish, while the fall may offer better opportunities for larger bonefish.

How will I fish?

Two anglers and one guide set out in a flats skiff each day. The boats are well-equipped for fly fishing and have all the necessary safety equipment.

Is there wade fishing?

Very limited wade fishing is available in this part of the Bahamas. Some wade fishing can be done to target large barracudas and jacks directly in front of the club from their extensive beach.

Where will I fish?

Guests fish the southern bight of South Andros and the West Side which is littered with flats, bays, cuts, islands and creeks offering a dynamic bonefishing playground.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds?

Each day anglers depart the club by truck with a resort representative and board the fishing skiff in Driggs Hill (approximately 10 minutes away). From there, depending on the goals for the day and weather, the guides will run anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour to the fishing grounds.

What type(s) of fish will I catch?

The primary target is bonefish with rare opportunities for tarpon. Very few permit are encountered.

How many fish will I catch?

On a good day, an average angler stands a good chance to hook double digit numbers of bonefish. On an average day 3 – 6 bonefish are often landed with some days far exceeding those numbers.

Will I see other anglers?

In general, this is not a heavily pressured zone. Anglers will occasionally see other boats, but generally won’t be competing for available terrain, as the fishing area is quite vast.

What are the guides like?

Bahamian guides have a reputation for being passionate. This means that they show their emotions, and sometimes express disappointment at poorly-executed casts or missed opportunities. They are also quick to laugh, smile and jokingly tease their clients, but they are truly always on the anglers’ team. My advice any time when dealing with foreign guides is to relax, realize that many cultural differences are at play, and that when things get heated in the boat, smile and laugh your way through it. As always, never suffer in silence. If you ever have an issue, be sure to bring it up with club management.

What are the physical demands?

There are no serious physical demands for this trip. Anglers can spend significant amounts of time standing on the bow of a flats skiff, looking for fish. Decent balance is also required to cast from the skiff. Skiffs are outfitted with lean bars. Properly preparing for hot days out in the sun is important as well. Remember to stay hydrated with plenty of water and electrolytes.

Are there any special skills required?

Fly fishing for bonefish can be demanding. Anglers often are asked to cast in the wind, make precise presentations at distance and utilize high line speeds to deliver the fly quickly. Anglers that excel with their casting skills are rewarded in the saltwater environment. Having keen eyesight is also advantageous, as finding and seeing bonefish is key to catching them.

Does the lodge provide equipment?

The guides can provide tackle in a pinch (i.e., lost luggage), but it’s best for anglers to bring their own.

What is your favorite setup for the trip?

I prefer lightweight, fast-action saltwater rods in a 9’, 8wt configuration with tropical floating lines specifically developed for flats fishing.

What are the top flies?

My favorite flies for this area are large Pearl Gotcha’s (size 2 – 4), Rubber Legs Gotcha (size 2 – 4), Peterson’s Spawning Shrimp, EP Spawning Shrimp and Ververka’s Mantis Shrimp.

What are the options if weather conditions become challenging?

If weather becomes a safety issue, there may be opportunities to target jacks and snappers close to the dock.

What is a typical day like?

A typical day begins with coffee and breakfast at the resort. Anglers depart for the dock by truck which is about a 10-minute drive away. From there it’s about 7 hours on the water with lunch on the skiff, then returning to the resort in the afternoon at approximately 4pm.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge?

The Caerula Mar Club is a luxurious, new and high-end beach resort without feeling pretentious or stuffy. The staff are local Bahamians and are quick to offer to a friendly hello or help whenever needed. The grounds are clean, quiet, and beautiful with plenty of activities to keep ardent adventure seekers enthused. For lounging and deep rest and relaxation it’s hard to imagine a better location. Rooms do not have televisions (although Wi-Fi is available throughout) to encourage down time. The elevated and refined atmosphere, serene beauty and stunning beach views make it as perfect a beach get-away as anyone could imagine.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge?

Resort staff and lodge management are always on-site and available to help with anything guests may need.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like?

Meals are a blend of American and Bahamian cuisine and are served daily in the resort’s restaurant with private tables per party (rather than family-style). Reservations are made in the afternoon for dinner that night. Lunch is available in the main restaurant or at the more informal beachside café. There are typically two or three entrees to choose from each night. The dishes are well-crafted, beautifully presented, and hearty. Dinner is a fine dining experience every night.

What is the alcohol policy?

Alcohol is not included in the package and guests will settle their bar tab at the end of the week.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like?

Caerula Mar offers several tiers of lodging options from small rooms that sit poolside, to luxurious private villas. All units are well-appointed, air-conditioned, and very comfortable.

Is there internet and/or cell service?

Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort. Check with your carrier to see if your cell phone will work on Andros Island.

Are there other activities?

Caerula Mar Club is far from a fly fishing-only operation. Guests can snorkel, swim, dive, explore remote islands or take advantage of water sports. The onsite activity coordinators will be happy to tailor an experience to your liking and depending on the weather, will offer a range of different excursion options.

Are there any other expenses?

Taxis or additional transfers may have extra expenses, as will specialty alcohol purchases.

Do I need a visa?

No. Travel to the Bahamas only requires a valid passport.

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances?

We recommend guests only drink only filtered or bottled water while in the Bahamas. We also recommend guests check the U.S. State Department guidelines for travel. We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.