ESIRITU SANTO BAY LODGE
Destination Overview
What if you were offered the opportunity to experience one of the last frontiers of Caribbean fly fishing where fish have seen very few fishermen and where you will stay in the Caribbean’s newest fishing lodge. The lodge has been built on a beautiful Caribbean beach in the southern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (over 250 miles from Cancun) within the 1.3 million acre Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Its location on Espiritu Santo Bay is considered a smaller version of its neighbor, Ascension Bay but without all of the competing lodges, snorkelers, scuba divers, fishermen and the over 6000 local inhabitants that serve its tourist industry.
Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge is like stepping back in time except while enjoying modern facilities. You will be able to experience what Caribbean fly fishing was like it was when it was known by only a few. It is where you will have the chance at the Caribbean’s “grand slam”: Permit, Tarpon, Bonefish and Snook in a true ocean wilderness that you will have all to yourself. There may be nowhere else on the planet that can compare to Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge for Permit fishing. The populations of fish are incredible, particularly during the prime permit fishing months when water temperatures are perfect and schools of fish abound on the flats of the bay.
At a Glance
Target Fish: Permit, Tarpon, Bonefish and Snook
Location: Southern Yucatan (in the province of Quintana Roo, Mexico)
Seasons: February – May (High Season); October – December (Low Season)
Lodge Capacity: 8 anglers
Nearest Airport: Cancun (with air shuttle to lodge’s private airstrip)
Electricity: 110 volts (American style 2 prong plugs)
Documents needed: Passport
Fishing Program
The guides at Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge, have spent years guiding there with the former Paradise Lodge and the guides know every nook and cranny of the bay. In the last year the guides have averaged 1.5 permit per day, registered 12 grand slams, and have had countless bonefish, tarpon, snook, and barracuda brought to the boat.
Each evening, during cocktail hour or after dinner, the angling options will be discussed with fishermen and a plan will be devised for the next day. Most commonly, anglers are up at 6:00 a.m. Fresh coffee, juices and a delicious breakfast buffet with cooked-to-order eggs will be ready to go at 6:30 a.m.
You should be out the door and on your way to the fishing grounds no later than 7:30 a.m. The drive from the lodge to where the boats are moored takes no more than 15 minutes. The guides, who have left earlier in the morning, will be waiting at the flats skiffs, ready to go for the day.
The fishing days at ESB Lodge are full, no less than 8 hours total. The most distant fishing areas in Espiritu Santo Bay are no further than a 45-minute boat run under normal conditions, with some areas as close as five minutes from the dock. Lunch is taken on the fly.
The guides will have you back to the lodge between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. for a shower, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. Dinner is normally served at 7:00 p.m.
Best Fly Fishing Seasons
May – October
Accommodations
Espirito Santo Lodge is a brand new beach front facility that accommodates a maximum of eight anglers per week in four double occupancy rooms comprised of two duplexes built on pylons over the sandy beach. Each of the large rooms features a full bathroom, separate toilet area, shower, double sinks, two beds, two dressers and shelves to store your gear. Rooms are cooled by ceiling fan, an air conditioner, and windows that can take advantage of the ocean breezes. Each room shares an open deck with comfortable chairs, with its cottage mate that overlooks the ocean.
The main lodge consists of massive traditional thatch roof palapa where the bar, lounge and gift shop are located. Attached to the palapa is a spacious air conditioned dining room and open air kitchen. The main lodge faces the barrier reef and Caribbean with a large front deck that is a popular gathering spot where the day’s fishing stories are told.
The food at the lodge is a blend of traditional Mexican food with a Mayan flair that takes advantage of fresh fish, lobster (in season), fresh produce and regional meat dishes. Dinners are simple and delicious, often fresh off the barbeque. Dinners are served with table wine. Breakfast is served buffet style with plenty of fruit, cereals, custom fried eggs, toast, juices and starches and meats. Your sack lunch that will include a choice of different sandwiches, fruit, chips, cookies and beverages can be ordered the day before and will be ready upon your departure the following morning. Special diets can be accommodated upon prior notice.
On Site Amenities and Activities Include
Free Wi-Fi
Full Bar
Free Happy Hour upon return to the lodge each day
Free maid service
Fly tying facilities are available
Getting There
Many airlines service Cancun so you shouldn’t have any problem making reservations. We recommend that you schedule your flight to arrive in Cancun the day before the first day of your stay at the lodge. Cancun has many great hotels, and we suggest that you pick one located close to the airport.
The following morning, you will need to arrive at the airport’s private aviation terminal “Aviacion Privada” (between 9am & 10am for your air shuttle to the lodge. Taxis are readily available at most hotels. Flight to the lodge’s air strip takes about an hour followed by an hour and a half air conditioned van ride to the lodge.
Rates
Inclusions:
Round trip air charter transfers from Cancun to the lodge’s strip and subsequent auto transfer to the lodge (Sundays only), air-conditioned accommodations, all meals, beverages (soft drinks, juices, mixers, and bottled water) and Hosted "Happy Hour" beer and margaritas, fishing license, 6 days fully guided fishing, and 15% Mexico VAT.
Non-Inclusions:
Personal tackle, air charter or ground transfers other than on Sundays if needed, gratuities, alcoholic beverages other than what is outlined in inclusions, items of personal nature and any lodging or meals not provided at Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge, and the Departure Tax.
Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge 2020 Pricing:
$4,295 per person, Double Occupancy (shared room/boat/guide)
$6,650 per person, Single Occupancy (private room/boat/guide)