Mexico

Isla Blanca

Species
Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Saltwater Grand Slam, and Snook
Destination Type
Lodge
Fishing Style
Flats, Sightfishing, and Skiff
Season
Year-round
Rate
$$
Why We Go

  • Add a day of flats fly fishing to vacations in the Cancun area
  • Sight-fish for baby tarpon, snook and permit
  • Enjoy the night life and various accommodations in Cancun while spending days in a productive saltwater fishery
  • Combine day trips at Isla Blanca with trips to other Ascension Bay destinations

Overview

For anglers visiting the Cancun area with their families or transiting to other destinations across the Yucatan, Isla Blanca offers incredibly rich baby tarpon, snook, and permit opportunities proximal to the bustling tourist center of Cancun. The numerous flats and mangrove systems of Isla Blanca, located northwest of Cancun, are accessed by purpose-built, 18-foot panga-style skiffs. This is the perfect way to sneak in some fishing while on a family vacation and day trips are welcome.

Isla Blanca features a large area of flats, mangrove islands and channels that lie just to the northwest of Cancun. Despite its proximity to the bustling tourist town, the fishery remains remarkably productive. Isla Blanca provides an amazingly diverse fishing environment, offering fly anglers a variety of species to pursue. We affectionately refer to Isla Blanca as the "sleeper" destination due to the fact that it's relatively unknown, and so very close to downtown Cancun.

Fishing Program

The flats and mangrove lagoons of Isla Blanca are home to very good numbers of permit, baby tarpon, snook, barracuda, and jacks. Bonefish in this region are few and far between, however, they can sometimes be found when conditions are optimal. For those traveling to Cancun for vacations or weddings, spending a day or two fishing on Isla Blanca is well worth the time. Anglers fish with guides from Yucatan Fly Fishing Adventures, with one guide per two anglers. The guides are professional, savvy, and operate well-maintained fly fishing specific, 18-foot panga-style skiffs. Day trips at Isla Blanca can also be easily combined with trips to Ascension Bay or elsewhere on the Yucatan. Anglers fish for 8-plus hours each day, though the start time of the day’s fishing may vary during the week. The guides determine the daily schedule based on the optimum timing of tides and weather.

Accommodations

The outfitter, Yucatan Fly Fishing Adventures, will pick up guests at their elected accommodations in the Cancun Hotel Zone between 5:00 and 6:00 am, transport them to the waiting fly fishing skiff, fish for the day, and then transport back to your hotel. Pickups and dropoffs in the Cancun Hotel Zone are included in the rate. For hotels located outside of the hotel zone or elsewhere on the Mayan Riviera, transportation can be arranged for an additional fee. Longer, multi-day customized packages can also be arranged.

Lunches are packed in a cooler on the boat and consist of sandwiches, snacks, and assorted beverages. For dinner, guests have their choice of the many great restaurants in the Cancun area.

Rates & Details

2025 Rate: Per boat

  • Day Trip: $550 per day for 1 or 2 anglers

Included: Guided fishing, lunch, non-alcoholic beverages on the boat, fishing license, loaner tackle and flies (upon request), daily pick-up and drop-off at elected Cancun Hotel Zone accommodations.

Not Included: Airfare, transfers to/from the airport, accommodations and meals in Cancun, alcoholic beverages, staff and guide gratuities.

Target Species: Permit, baby tarpon, snook, bonefish