Fly Fishing Placencia - Day Trips

The once sleepy fishing village of Placencia has evolved into a favorite destination for travelers of all types - snorkeler, scuba divers, and fly fishing enthusiasts. This charming little village has retained the ‘small town’ character while embracing the modernization that today’s travelers in enjoy. Many boutique style lodges/resorts, vacation rentals, and larger resorts offer fine accommodations and dinning. A number of other restaurants set a high bar, creating a memorable culinary experience, for those anglers/travelers looking to sample the local cuisine. 

Placencia has long been known in the fly fishing community for the productive fishing found within a short boat’s ride from the village. Permit is main attraction, and the flats they inhabit in are certainly the most picturesque in Belize. The shallow flats of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve offer anglers unparalleled opportunity to ‘hunt’ for tailing permit on the in coming and out going tides. This is one of the most consistent fisheries for permit anywhere in the world. 

Tarpon can be found nearly 365 days per year, with the most likely time frame for great tarpon fishing happening between late spring and early fall (May-early September). There are a number of bonefish flats, and they can be caught daily, making this region one of the top areas for catching a grand slam (bonefish, permit, and tarpon all in the same day) or catching a trip slam (all three species on different days). 

Good fishing can be had year round, depending on the weather. The best fishing weather is calm winds and sunny skies. These conditions are mostly to prevail from mid February through early September, and then again in November and early December. September and October offers great fishing too, but please purchase travel insurance, as this is the most common time frame for Belize to see a tropical storm or hurricane (really this can happen as early as June and as late as November, but late September and October are the most likely months). We’ve found that before and after a tropical storm or hurricane the fish are more aggressive… so don’t count out these months. The winter months of December and January can also offer fantastic fishing, IF the weather is favorable. These two months are the most common months to have a cold front from the US or Canada send winds, rain, and cool temperatures to Belize. A cold front effects the water temperatures and moves the tide depth and intensity… both elements that flats fish respond negatively too.

For anglers wanting to focus on permit there is no better fishery. For anglers traveling with friends and/or family desiring to experience fly fishing on the flats in Belize, there is no better fishery. Blue Horizon offers day trips and half day trips from Placencia Village. 

Full day trips and half day trips depart daily from Hopkins, the Placencia peninsula, and from island resorts between Hopkins and Placencia villages. We can even accommodate cruise ship guests, with our special “cruise ship” trip. Start times and locations are set at the time of your booking, and are set to maximize your day on the water. We will set the pick up location in a convenient local to where you will be staying. In some cases, we can pick you up from your resort or hotel dock.

Daily Guided Fly Fishing Tours

Maximum 2 Anglers : 1 Guide per Boat, for all trip options.

Includes: Basic selection of flies and terminal gear (we suggest bringing flies and tackle), lunch is included on a full day and cruise ship trips only, snacks and beverages are included on all trips. Taxes are included. 

Top of the line rods/reels are available

Does not include gratuity

Does not include ground transfer costs

Does not include the mandatory fishing licenses. Please click here to purchase your license.

Pick up and drop offs are available in multiple locations. When possible, we will arrange for your guide to pick you up at your hotel/resort dock. NOTE: ground transfers are not included in the price.

Full Day Trips Include: Full day trips span at least 8 hours and include professional fly fishing guides, outfitted flats boats, rods and reels and all terminal equipment (leaders and tippet). Lunch, refreshments and snacks. Casting lessons and instruction is available upon request. Maximum 2 guests per boat. Does not include gratuity, or other items detailed above. 

Half Day Trips Include: Half day trips span at 4 hours and include professional fly fishing guides, outfitted flats boats, rods and reels and all terminal equipment (leaders and tippet). Refreshments and snacks. Casting lessons and instruction is available upon request. Maximum 2 guests per boat. Does not include gratuity, or other items detailed above.

Cruise Ship Trips Include: Cruise ship trips span at 5-6 hours and include professional fly fishing guides, outfitted flats boats, rods and reels and all terminal equipment (leaders and tippet). Lunch, refreshments and snacks. Casting lessons and instruction is available upon request. Maximum 2 guests per boat. Does not include gratuity or tax, or other items detailed above. Special note: you will need to ensure you are on the first shuttle from the cruise ship terminal to the municipal pier in Placencia Belize. Your guide will be there waiting for your arrival. He will return you to the pier within plenty of time to catch the final shuttle to the island. Since we can not control the shuttle schedule, we are not responsible for delays or cancellations due to the shuttle service.