PRE-TRIP INFORMATION & ONSITE DETAILS FOR BLUE HORIZON LODGE
If you experience any travel delays or have any travel logistic related questions, you can also reach out to, Marcy Usher - Operations Manager @ 011-501-612-1295. (From a US phone, be sure to dial 011-501 before the 7 digit phone number.) You can also find BH Onsite Manager at +501-612-1295 on WhatsApp.
Additionally, our on island team can be reach at 011-501-613-6345. From a US phone, be sure to dial 011-501 before the 7 digit phone number.) You can also find BH ISLAND at +501-613-6345 on WhatsApp.
Please read it carefully:
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
TRAVEL: DO NOT FORGET YOUR PASSPORT. A valid passport is required to enter Belize. We recommend that you carry a change of clothing and your necessary personal items such as medications in your carry-on bag. Although we have not had a substantial problem with lost luggage, being prepared will help prevent the major inconvenience of lost luggage.
CURRENCY: U.S. currency is easily exchanged in Belize at a rate of $2 BLZ for $1 US, and you do not need to exchange money before leaving home. Large US bills ($50's and $100's) can difficult to break, and we suggest that you bring smaller bills (USD $20’s are ideal). We also recommend clean, crisp, or new bills for hassle free use during your travels in Belize. Other currencies should be exchanged for Belizean dollars or US dollars prior to traveling to Belize. Blue Horizon Fishing accepts most major credit cards (for incidentals on the island only - WE DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS FOR GRATUITIES). Most major Credit Cards are accepted throughout Belize.
GETTING TO BLUE HORIZON LODGE: Belize City International Airport is just a short non-stop flight away from many North American cities: Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Newark, and LA. You can also find daily flights from Belize to other countries in Central America, such as Guatemala and Mexico.
ARRIVAL: We ask that you book an international flight that arrives NO LATER than 3:00 pm, into Belize City. Early is better. Upon arrival at international airport, you will clear immigration, pick up any checked luggage, clear customs and exit the arrivals area. You will then go to the domestic ticketing area (accessed through two sets of double doors, upon exiting the arrivals area). In case you need assistance with your luggage, airport porters are available (they do expect a tip for their services). You will then enter the domestic area in the airport, check in for your flight to Placencia at the Tropic Air or Maya Island Air counter, and receive your boarding pass and instructions for catching your flight. We suggest you ‘check’ as much baggage as you as can, as there is limited room in the airplane seating area for carry on items. The next step is to go through a typical airport security check point and enter the departure gates. If time allows, we highly suggest you visit Jet’s Bar or grab a draft beer at the Belikin store… if you ask anyone will be able to point the way.
The flight to Placencia will most likely make a short stop in Dangriga before continuing to Placencia. The total flight time will be about 30 minutes from Belize City to Placencia.
Once you arrive in Placencia, you will be greeted by a Blue Horizon representative, who will help you gather your luggage and then transfer you to the Placencia Municipal Pier, where our boat and captain will be waiting.
Depending on the schedule of other arrivals, you may be required to wait for a short period of time while other guests arrive. During your wait, you will have access to the local bars and restaurants, nearby the pier. We highly recommend Big Becks or The Shak (both within eye sight of the pier). Once, all of the guests have arrived, you will be transferred to our island lodge.
NOTE: The representative who greets you at the airstrip in Placencia will ensure that your luggage is delivered to the boat.
Our island lodge is a quick 35 minute to 1 hour boat ride from the pier. The boat ride is included with the purchase of the all-inclusive package, for Saturday and Wednesday arrivals ONLY. We utilized a fleet of boats for these transfers. We suggest you keep your rain gear handy in case the weather requires it. Your luggage will be stowed in a covered storage area and/or covered with waterproof tarps.
NOTE: The last flight to leave Belize City departs at 4:45 pm daily. If your intentional flight is delayed and you miss the last flight to Placencia, you will need to stay in Belize City. The first flight from Belize City to Placencia is at 7:45 A.M. The cost of meals and lodging, and/or the services in Belize City is not covered in your Blue Horizon Fishing package. We are happy to assist with making arrangements if need. There are options for staying in Placencia that evening too.
NOTE: It is not uncommon to be moved to an earlier commuter flight on Tropic Air or Maya Island Air. If you are moved to an earlier flight, PLEASE contact us ASAP so we can arrange to have our teammate at the airstrip in Placencia when you arrive. Please contact our Operations Manager: Marcy Usher by calling 011-501-612-1295. (From a US phone, be sure to dial 011-501 before the 7 digit phone number.) You can also find BH Onsite Manager at +501-612-1295 on WhatsApp. You can also email reservations@bluehorizonbelize.com or email info@bluehorizonbelize.com.
DEPARTURE: On departure day, breakfast is adjusted slightly later in the morning (most days), and we ask that your bags are packed and ready to travel before you arrive for breakfast. The boat transfer to the mainland departs our island lodge depending on the flight schedules of the departing group. It is common to depart between 6:30-9 am. On your departure day we can recommend you book an international flight scheduled to depart at 11 a.m. or LATER.
NOTE: We can accommodate earlier departures, but additional charges may apply for private or special transfers, and/or lodging on the mainland the evening prior to departing.
WHAT TO EXPECT ONSITE
LOCATION: In Belize, a “caye” (pronounced key) is an island. There are different spellings, most commonly Caye or Cay. Blue Horizon Lodge is located on North East Caye. The original island the our head guide, Lincoln Westby, settled and developed over 20 years ago. He chose the island because of its proximity to the best permit, tarpon, and bonefish flats. Our lodge is the most central location for accessing the prime flats of the South Water Caye Marine Reserve.
You can look up our island on Google Earth using these coordinates: Latitude: 16°41’17.57"N Longitude: 88°11’13.58”W
MAIN LODGE: To keep with the heritage and history of the island and Lincoln’s legacy, we converted one of the original guest rooms into our main lodge and dinning area. The foot print was doubled, the walls on two sides opened up and wrap around deck were added to create this open air lodge with striking views of the home flat (yes, you will be able to fish to tailing permit in front of the lodge). The unique design allows the lodge to be fully open to the ocean, have a portion open to the outside, or we can completely close off the lodge to protected it from the weather. Our lodge will invite you in to enjoy the comfortable lounge and of course the community dining table.
GUEST ROOMS: Our sea-side rooms have views that extend past the edge of our home reef, have been designed to utilize as much of the original guest cabins as possible, and much of the accents of the decorate have been repurposed from Lincoln’s original Blue Horizon Lodge. All of the guest rooms are air-conditioned and furnished with two full size beds. A spacious private bathroom complete hot water showers created from recycled materials at a homey touch. Rooms 1 and 2 are nearly 100% from the original lodge, and the 3 room unit housing rooms 3, 4, and 5 share the original foot print of Lincoln’s lodge. Front porch decks give anglers the perfect place to take in the sunrise, read a book, or relax with friends and tell tales of the day’s fishing success.
FOOD & BEVERAGE: All of our packages are all-inclusive, they include three meals per day, snacks and local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Your typical daily menu consists of traditional Belizean cuisine with a modern touch. Breakfast is served buffet style and is ready early. Our location allows us the unique ability to maximize the best fishing tides, and you will either have lunch back at the lodge or take lunch on the boat with you. A three course meal always concludes your day at Blue Horizon Lodge.
NOTE: We will cater to special dietary needs, just let us know when you book your trip what you require.
BREAKFAST: Self-serve coffee is available by 5:00 am each morning, with the breakfast buffet open shortly after. Breakfast consists of coffee or tea, fruit juice, fresh tropical fruits, pastry, muffin, or sweet bread, and a savory option of quiche, stuff jacks, or other to go breakfast items. Depending on the best times for fishing your guides will be ready to depart as early as 6:30 AM.
LUNCH: Lunch is most often taken with on the boat, but the guides will occasionally decide to return to the island for a lunch and short break (depending on the tides). Different lunches are served each day and consist of a sandwich, wrap, or bento box and the cooler is also stocked with fresh fruit, personal sized bag of chips, granola bars, and fresh baked cookies.
APPETIZERS: Appetizers are served daily at 6:15-30 PM.
DINNER: Dinner is served at 6:45-7 P.M and will include a seafood/meat entree, complete with veggies and starch, and is followed with made on the island dessert.
BAR: Our bars are well stocked with local gin, vodka, and rum. In addition, we have red and white wine in the cooler. Belikin beer and stout is available. We have a full selection of sodas and juices for making cocktails. Your all inclusive package includes all of the items in the bar area. The bar is a self serve bar.
NOTE: Our self serve bar and drink cooler is open at all times of the day. If you wish to have specific imported liquors, we suggest you purchase those at duty free upon entry into Belize. IMPORTED LIQUOR IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR PACKAGE
DRESS: Dress at the lodge is casual and there is no need for formal clothing.
POWER: Our lodge and guest rooms are powered by a high efficiency diesel generator, that runs at all times when you are on the island (all night). From time to time, you should expect the power to be shut off to run daily maintenance on the generator (we typically perform these tasks while you are out fishing). During the day, while guests are not on the island, we often shut the generators down too. If you need to stay back at the lodge, we will arrange to keep the generators running. Normal US standard power plugs will work in the outlets in the rooms and lodge.
WATER: Our water on the island is from rain water capture and desalination. Additionally, we utilize a UV filter after water is moved from our cisterns. This ensures the water is delicious and safe to drink from the tap in your room. Drinking water is supplied on the boats in large reusable coolers. Upon check in, you will be given a souvenir silicone pint glass for drinking water. Please help use reduce the use of plastic by using that water bottle.
NOTE: Our fresh water supply is somewhat limited, and we ask that guests conserve water whenever possible.
LAUNDRY SERVICE: Laundry service is available during your stay at BHL. The charge is $10USD per load of laundry. Please arrange with the onsite manager and/or the front of house manager for instructions to have laundry done.
INTERNET ACCESS/PHONE: Our island has wireless internet access covering the majority of the island. Your room and the main lodge have are 100% covered. Cellular service is limited, but available to most US carriers.
NOTE: We have installed a next generation internet system that allows for accessing the internet at fiberoptic speeds. WiFi calling, emails, internet browsing, text messaging, social media, and even high speed streaming of live TV and movies is not just possible, but standard. We expect you to be pleasantly surprised by the speed and consistency you’ll be able to access the internet.
We do not have a hardwire local telephone line on the island. Our management and staff all have local cell phone that work on the local network. These are available for your use in emergencies only.
LODGE EXPENSES: Gift/Pro shop purchases, rentals, and other items purchased that are not included in your package will be paid for at the end of your stay. You may pay your bill with credit card ONLY – We accept VISA, AMEX, MasterCard & Discover. Some charges may incur a 3% credit card processing fee.
GRATUITIES: Tipping is at your discretion and should relate directly to the level of service you receive. As we are often asked about customary tipping, so we offer the following suggestions. Tips should be paid in CASH, and we suggest that all tipping be done at the end of your visit. Suggestions below are in US dollars.
Fishing Guides - All gratuities to the guides should be given directly to the guide. We recommend tipping your fishing guide $125-150USD per day ($62.50-75 per angler per day for 2 anglers in the boat). If you are apart of a multi-boat group, we suggest tipping at the end of each day. If you are schedule to fish with the same guide each day of your stay, please feel free to tip at anytime during your stay. One important note: the guides often depart for home shortly after completion of the fishing day on the final day of your trip. Please make sure to tip your guide before he depart for home.
Lodge Staff - Our lodge staff is integral to the enjoyment of your stay at Blue Horizon Lodge. Even if you don’t see them during your stay, they are there to ensure the lodge is operating at our maximum enjoyment for you. Recommend tipping the lodge staff $40-50 USD per guest per night of your stay (ex: 7 Nights / 6 Days of fishing = $280-350 per guest). Staff tips should be given to the lodge manager and they will distribute the tips equally to the staff.
EMERGENCIES: If you have an emergency, please call our Reservations Office at 1-800-313-1672.
You can also call our Island Manager directly at +501 613-8784 or our Operations Manager directly at +501 612-1295.
Global Rescue provides unparalleled emergency medical services and conducts medical evacuations from the point of illness or injury back to your home country and hospital of choice. In addition, a Global Rescue membership also includes 24/7 access to critical care paramedics, and in-house physicians backed by specialists from Johns Hopkins Hospital System. Before traveling, we recommend you consider a Global Rescue membership. If you have questions or would like to sign up please visit www.globalrescue.com/turneffeflats, or call Global Rescue at +1-617-459-4200.
24 HOUR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: A manager is on duty 24 hours per day. In case of an emergency, please contact the manager at +501 613-6345 or find his room in building #6 on the map.
SECURITY: Your security while at Blue Horizon Lodge is our priority. We have security that patrols the island at night, from 10 pm to 6 am. So you are very safe on our island. So don’t be alarmed if you are walking the grounds between 10-6 am and see our security guard. He’s very friendly.
LOCAL EMERGENCY CONTACTS: These are the locals medical service providers we would work with if needed:
Southern Regional Hospital (Dangriga): +501 671-0964, 613-7837, 629-7439, 633-9113
Placencia Medical Services: +501 622-7648
Placencia Health Center: +501 613-0186
Placencia Pharmacy: +501 523-3346
Placencia Police Station: +501 503-3142
SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION: Our boats are available at anytime to transfer guests to the mainland in case of emergency. We can also arrange a private transfer (at your cost) by Captain Eworth Garbutt and his team: +501 610-1018.
Credit cards are accepted for on island purchases or gratuities to the lodge staff. We accept most major credit cards. A processing fee of 3% will apply to all on island credit card payments.
CONTACT: For any questions or further details regarding fishing, please feel free to contact our Fishing reservationist at info@bluehorizonbelize.com or 1-800-313-1672.
EMERGENCY CONTACT: Marcy Usher - Operations Manager directly at +501 612-1295.
TRAVEL / TRIP INSURANCE: We work with Global Rescue as our travel insurance partner. They are recognized as the best in the industry and offer multiple products from their signature Emergency Evacuation policies to Trip Cancellation and more. Please utilize this link for purchasing travel insurance: https://globalrescue.com/bluehorizonflyfishingbelize/
GEAR AND FLIES
PACKING LIST: Belize is a tropical country where the average temperature is 84ºF. Dress is informal at the island resort, so bring light, comfortable clothing. You may wish to consider packing the following:
Lightweight rain gear for tropical showers
Light jacket or sweater for cool mornings/evenings
Light quick-dry shirts, shorts, and pants for protection from the sun
Polarized sunglasses for spotting fish (amber, copper, or green mirror work best on the flats)
Wide-brimmed hat for protection from the sun
Personal medications
Small waterproof bag for carrying extra gear
Camera, batteries, plenty of memory/film, and lens cleaner
Sunscreen, lip balm, and moisturizers (SPF 30+)
Insect repellent (we recommend OFF brand spray with the orange cap)
Hand towel/rag for fishing use
Wading shoes or boots for stalking flats fish, if desired - We recommend HARD SOLES BOOTS
Fisherman’s pliers, clipper, and line cleaner
Optional: binoculars and snorkeling gear
FISHING OVERVIEW: The South Water Caye Marine Reserve, locally known as Permit Alley, is home to prime pancake flats and many schools of permit, bonefish, and cruising tarpon. The nearby Meso-American Reef is home to many permit and tarpon, as well as jacks, snapper, barracudas, and some other species. Tarpon are present year round and found on nearby cayes, channels, and in the large Placencia lagoon, which is also home to healthy populations of snook. From late April through the month of August, anglers can cast their flies at the larger migratory tarpon. These fish can reach 150+ pounds.
The besides the vast experience of our talented guide staff, the next best reason to come fishing at Blue Horizon Lodge is the proximity to the most productive permit flats in the Belize. It is very common to travel less than 10 minutes from the lodge and be casting to tailing permit. Occasionally, our guides will make longer runs, but only if they are 100% confident they will find unpressured fishing.
PERMIT: The vast majority of anglers come to Southern Belize to pursue permit. Permit are plentiful and are found on the pancake flats and the outer cayes surrounding Blue Horizon Lodge. You can expect plenty of shots at 5-20 pound permit on any given day. There are few places in the world you can expect to have more shots at permit. What makes Permit Alley so unique, is the number of tailing permit you will encounter in a given week. A tailing permit is a feeding permit.
BONEFISH: While the area is most well known for the permit, there are impressive numbers of bonefish. The most common place to see bonefish is on the flats near the cayes or on select reef flats. On an average day on the flats, any time of year, you will see and fish to schools of bonefish in the 2-5 pound range. These fish tend to be in large schools; however, there are singles and doubles if you are interested in more challenging casting. Our guides can consistently find schools of bonefish, even during low tides and weather conditions that limit the encounters with permit.
TARPON: Tarpon are present in the fishery throughout the year, in select channels and protected island lagoons. The tarpon migration is generally from late April through August in Belize, and the channels and cayes in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve get robust amounts of the migration. There is considerably less pressure in these waters then in the more famous reaches of Northern Belize. The tarpon in this fishery tend to be ‘eaters’ not ‘lookers’.
OTHER GAME FISH: Barracuda, jacks, snapper, sharks, jacks and trigger fish are all available and add to the angling experience. We recommend that you come prepared to at least try for some of these other species during your stay.
GUIDES: All of our guides are English-speaking Belizeans with extensive knowledge of all of the water they fish. Several have been guiding on the flats for more than three decades. They are accomplished boatmen and fly casters, who fish on their days off. They will gladly help you with the technical aspects of saltwater fly fishing if you desire assistance. Two anglers generally fish with each guide, although private boat/guide packages are available.
FISHING: During your fishing days you should expect to be on the boat for a minimum of 8-9 hours per day. Our guides will commonly put in long days, especially if the permit are showing themselves. If you want to return to the lodge earlier, that option is always available. Just let you guides know when you’ve reached the maximum fishing time for the day.
Our fishery is perfectly suited for fishing from the boat or from foot. Some of our guides prefer to fish from the boat, others from foot… the argument can made of the advantages to both styles. Please bring wading boots appropriate for wading hard corral flats.
NOTE: Rental gear is available at our lodge. Wading boots, rods and reels can be rented during your stay at Blue Horizon Lodge. Rental prices:
Rod/Reel Combos: $25USD/day or $100USD/week
Wading Boots: $10USD/day or $75USD/week
SUGGESTED TACKLE: It is important to come prepared, if you wish to bring your own gear, here is our recommend gear list.
Recommended Permit Tackle
Rods: 9 or 10 weight
Reel : Saltwater reel holding a minimum of 200 yards of 20 pound backing
Fly Line : Weight forward Floating
Leader : 9-12 feet
Tippet : 12-20 pound test
Recommended Tarpon Tackle
Rods: 11 or 12 weight
Reel : Saltwater reel holding a minimum of 200 yards of 30 pound backing
Fly Line : sink tip (400-550 grains sink tip) is preferred. Occasionally, and Intermediate sink line or sink tip line is the best tool, but more commonly the heaviest sink tip is best - 500 grain Leviathan from RIO is the preferred line.
Leader : 4 - 6 ft. butt section, 16 - 20 pound class tippet and 60 - 100 pound shock tippet
Recommended Bonefish Tackle
Rods: 7 or 8 weight
Reel: Saltwater reel holding at least 200 yards of 20 pound backing
Fly Line: Weight forward floating line
Leader: 9-14 feet - depending upon the fishing situation
Tippet: 2X-0X - Fluorocarbon offers an advantage
FLIES: Flies are available for purchase in our pro-shop (along with other critical fishing tackle). You may choose to tie or bring a selection of flies. We recommend 2-6 of each pattern below. The highlighted flies are what our guides most often referred to as their “go to” flies.
Permit Flies
Bauer’s Crab - Olive and Tan size 6-8 (sometimes size 4)
Camo Crab - Olive or tan size 2 - only place to purchase is SSFlies.com
Colby’s Casa Blanca crab - Tan size 6 or 4.
Del Brown's Permit Fly (Merkin) - Tan size #6 to 2
Alphexo crab - Olive or tan in size 8
Strong Arm Crab - White or tan in size 6 or 8
Avalon Fly - Tan in size 6 or 8
ContraBand Crab - Olive or tan is size 6
Various other Crab patterns in olive or tan - size 6-1/0
Smaller, lighter variations for the shallow flats
Bonefish Flies
Pops' Bonefish Bitters, #6 & #8 (Olive and Amber)
Crazy Charlies - chartreuse, white, pink & brown (unweighted for outer flats) #6 & #8
Gotcha’s - white, pink, tan , #6 & #8
Christmas Island Specials - white, tan or pink #6 or # 8
Tarpon Flies
Black Death - size 1, 1/0
Tarpon Toad - purple/black, black/red, or chartreuse in size 2-1/0
Tarpon Bunny flies - purple/black, black/red, or chartreuse in size 2-1/0
Gummy minnow - size 2, 2/0
Apte-style tarpon flies in various color combinations. Dark colors; black, purple, red, blue, combos. Bright colors: chartreuse, yellow, white, combos
Deceiver patterns - various colors
EP - Peanut style flies - various colors
All tarpon flies in sizes 3/0 to 4/0
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PAYMENTS: Deposit payment is required to confirm all bookings, and made within 10 days of making your reservation. Deposits can be made via credit card, check or wire transfer. Processing fees apply for payments made with credit cards. Full payment is due 90 days prior to scheduled trip. You can easily call us with a credit card if you prefer to give information over the phone. 1-800-313-1672. We prefer you utilize the secure payment portal linked from the email you received that confirmed your reservation.
Credit cards are accepted for on island purchases or gratuities to the lodge staff. We accept most major credit cards. A processing fee of 3% maybe apply to all on island credit card payments.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
All cancellations must be received in writing.
Prior to 90 days 100% of deposit may be transferred to another date/angler or refunded minus the cancellation fee
Between 45 - 90 days 50% of package may be transferred to another date or angler or
refunded minus the cancellation feeLess than 45 days may not be transferred or refunded
All cancellations will be charged a 5% cancellation fee
The unused portion of these packages by guest’s choice are not refundable.
Trips cancelled or shortened as a result of inclement weather and/or acts of nature including
hurricanes or due to airline delays, strikes or political unrest are not refundable. We strongly encourage all guests to purchase travel insurance.
It is the Tour Operator’s / Agent’s responsibility to ensure that their clients are informed of the above mentioned cancellation conditions and that they are covered by a travel insurance policy to offset unforeseen cancellation charges.
Conditions are subject to change without notice.