Welcome to Belize

Location, Type of Fishing:

Excellent sight-fishing opportunities for inshore grand slam species can be found in the pristine waters off the coast of Placencia in Southern Belize. A pleasant fishing village that once existed almost exclusively off the bounty of the sea, Placencia has transformed in recent times to a delightful destination, offering modern luxuries and stylish amenities. Quite charming, the community has retained its laid-back vibe, far from touristy despite the many advances that have made it more tourism-friendly. An excellent getaway for families, this sleepy hamlet can be both safe and fun. It also just happens to be close to some of the world’s best flats fishing, making it the perfect destination for those seeking a family-friendly atmosphere to go along with an excellent fly fishing adventure. Packages to this special gem include fishing days guided by Eworth Garbutt, one of Placencia’s top guides and outfitter, and charming evenings spent unwinding at Chabil Mar Villas, a premiere beachfront boutique just a short walk from the restaurants and shops of the village. The perfect launching point to access the various flats and lagoons spreading-out from the mainland towards the Barrier Reef, some 25 miles to the east. To experience a little more variety of Belize fly fishing, Chabil Mar has teamed-up with Turneffe Flats to create a marvelous package where you can split time between this quaint peninsula and the remote Turneffe Atoll, positioned well off the mainland. Two diverse and varied locations, you will have the opportunity to fly fish at both world-class fisheries, and choose how to spend your evenings, devoting four nights at one resort and three at the other.

 

• Season: Year-round
• Species: Permit, Tarpon, Bonefish, Snook, Barracuda
• Rods: 8-12 wt. Saltwater, Fast-action
• Rates: 7 night/ 6 days fishing $4,600.00

 

 

 

 

 

What Makes It Special:

Fishing during your stay in Placencia will be organized by Eworth Garbutt. His guide service offers one of the most comprehensive fly fishing programs in the area with a network of top guides, insuring you will have every opportunity to get into fish during your visit. Fantastic with the serious angler and the non-angler alike, his guide service is an excellent choice for families. Under his careful guidance, you will have the chance to fish the waters of two National Marine Reserves and one National Marine Park. Several dozen islands and cayes stretch from the mainland off the coast of Placencia to the Barrier Reef, the world’s second longest reef. Sparsely populated, many of the cayes you will fish fall under the protection of the park or one of the two reserves. The sheltered environment of the reef provides excellent inshore habitat for permit, tarpon, bonefish and snook. It is a great place to try your hand at a grand slam or super slam. If wading to tailing permit on hard-bottom flats is your thing, then Placencia is the perfect place for you. There are plenty of opportunities to get out of the boat to sight-fish for schools of permit along these beautiful flats. The water quality here is excellent, as it is continually being replenished by the Caribbean, and there are a variety of invertebrates and baitfish thriving here that permit crave. The quality of life found on the flats of Southern Belize will astound you, as you are likely to find numerous small green crabs underneath pieces of coral scattered regularly among the turtle grass of these shallow flats.

 

Fishing:

Almost immediately after departing Placencia Lagoon, there are many different flats that are excellent for permit at a variety of tides. The best tides are incoming and out-going, but there are occasionally ones that can be fished well on a slack tide, where the water is neither rising or falling. The guide might ask you to fish very early in the morning if the tide is going to be right, and it is usually not a bad idea to follow his recommendation, if it can be managed. Heading-out to the fishing grounds, there are a number of private islands with flats and lagoons that can be fished from either the poled skiff or by wading. Here you will find excellent opportunities for permit, bonefish and tarpon most of the year. Resident tarpon can be found throughout the year, but the best opportunities for tarpon are from early spring through the summer months and well into the fall. Tarpon are generally found in the mangroves and lagoons of the Gladden Cayes inside the South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Belize’s largest marine reserve. There are also some incredible permit flats here, as well. Going further out, you’re likely to find bonefish on the sand and turtle grass flats of the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes. Belize guides are some of the hardest working ones in the business, and Eworth’s guide service is no exception. If you do not wish for a long day on the water, it’s best to tell your guide up front. It is not uncommon to fish your way back home in the afternoon, stopping at each good flat you come across in search of final shots at permit and bonefish well past the typical 8-hour day.

 

Lodge:

An unpretentious boutique hotel with marvelous beachfront access to the sea, Chabil Mar is situated just north of the village of Placencia. A spectacular property, the resort features 20 opulent villas set among tranquil, manicured gardens and two infinity pools, offering breathtaking ocean views in a calming atmosphere that is both stylish and relaxing. One or two room villas are adorned with original artwork and modern amenities, and include complete kitchens, king-sized beds, spacious living areas, air-conditioning and free WiFi internet. A guest-exclusive retreat, uninterrupted ambience can be found on the 400-foot beachfront of groomed sand with its own private pier. The professional staff of this secluded oasis is attentive and friendly, as you will always be greeted with a genuine pleasantry by a passing staff member who is eager to assist you in any way possible. A fully-staffed kitchen and wait staff are ready to serve you meals in the ease and warmth of the waterfront dining area, at a romantic table on the pier or in the comfort of your private villa. There is a cozy bar and sitting area nestled among the extraordinary tropical gardens where you may feel free to socialize, sipping a cocktail or ice-cold Beliken to go with tasty appetizers at happy hour. Small and intimate, the whole footprint of the resort takes up a small part of the peninsula’s coastline, but rarely feels crowded, as the layout of the property was designed to accentuate feelings of privacy and solitude. Complimentary activities include sea kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and bicycling. Golf carts are available for a small rental fee.

 

Dining:

The dining at Chabil Mar is splendid, though it has no restaurant in the traditional sense. With no set dining area, your meals can be served wherever you would like to eat. While the food at Chabil Mar is truly lovely and convenient, you’re going to want to explore many of the local eateries outside the resort, as well. Sunday night should be reserved for waterfront dining at Chabil Mar. The kitchen serves a buffet-style dinner of traditional holiday delights known as Fiesta Night, featuring a mixed grill of chicken and seafood, in addition to Creole and Garifuna-influenced dishes, like Pumpkin Fritters and Rice with Beans. Throughout the week, you are free to order off a set menu while dining at the resort. Some of their house specialties make regular appearances, including Snapper Beurre Blanc, a pan-seared snapper atop a light butter sauce, and Pineapple-Glazed Pork Chops. The kitchen is also pleased to cook whatever you catch and keep. In the evenings, the resort offers complimentary drop-off and pick-up in the village from 4 pm until 10 pm. Recommended dining options include: La Dolce Vita, Secret Garden, Barefoot Bar, Omar’s and Wendy’s Restaurant (not the fast food chain). Rumfish y Vino is widely-considered to be Placencia’s top fine-dining spot, and reservation are recommended. A visit wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the local gelato shop, Tutti Fruiti, but be advised, they are closed every Wednesday. Outside of the village, there is a culinary experience at the Maya Beach Hotel Bistro, just north of Seine Bight on the peninsula, that is a bit more far-flung, but very much worth the effort to get there. A golf cart rental is recommended.

 

How to Get There:

Your fly fishing package to Chabil Mar begins as you step on to the tarmac at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City (BZE). Retrieve your checked bags and clear customs before heading to the domestic ticket counter. Placencia (PLJ) is serviced by two domestic carriers: Maya Air and Tropic Air. Transfers may not be included in the price of your package, so please check your itinerary. After picking up your boarding pass from one of the two carriers, proceed through security to the domestic gates. The flight to Placencia takes about 45 minutes once in the air. Your flight may include a stop at Dangriga, but do not disembark the plane until you arrive at Placencia. At the airport, you will be greeted by a member of the staff to help assist you with your luggage and provide you with free transportation to the resort, a few minutes away by van. Arriving at Chabil Mar, you must first check-in at the main desk before making your way to the villa, where your luggage will be waiting for you. At the end of your stay, you will be provided with ground transportation back to the airport at Placencia for your return flight to Belize City. A $35 Belize Departure Tax may not be included in your package, so plan on bringing some cash with you to the airport, as you will be required to pay the tax before exiting the country. Note: for split weeks between Chabil Mar and Turneffe Flats, please follow the information on your itinerary (a week that begins at Turneffe Flats follows a different protocol than the one detailed here).

 

Typical Day:

It can be arranged to have coffee delivered to your room with breakfast as a gentle start to your day. The kitchen begins serving breakfast as early as 7 am. Order off the menu the night before, and breakfast can be ready first thing in the morning. Chabil Mar’s breakfast menu contains many familiar items, like eggs, any way you like, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns and toast. For a more traditional Belize breakfast, order the Fry Jacks. To-go lunches can be ordered from the menu, and will be waiting for you at the slip where you will meet your guide. Fishing trips leave from the marina across the road from the resort on the lagoon-side. Your guide will be waiting for you with rods for you to use, or you may bring your own. The guide will have all the flies and tippet you will need, and can rig your gear for you, as well. In the boat, bring wading shoes, sunscreen, polarized sunglasses and a light rain jacket. The summer is the rainy season in Belize, and you should expect a chance of rain everyday at that time of year. High season runs from February through May, and while it is quite dry at that time, you should come prepared for wind. Lunch is often taken in the boat at one of the beautiful flats or in a sheltered lagoon. For a nice change of pace, skip the picnic lunch and visit Hatchet Caye for a nice relaxing lunch made-to-order in the shade of the restaurant. Plan on returning to the resort in the late afternoon, where you can reflect on the highlights of your day with a Chabil Martini in hand, made especially for you at the bar. .

 

What’s Included:

Luxury accommodations, guided fly fishing from skiff, and ground transportation to/from Placencia Airport. Depending upon the fishing package you choose, in-country air transfers to/from Belize City, Belize Departure Tax and meals at the resort or off-property may not be included.

Not Included: International air to/from Belize City, fishing license, alcohol, and gratuities for the guide and resort staff.

 

Non-angling Activities:

There are many different activities that are fun for the whole family and can be arranged through the concierge desk at the resort. Activities include: visiting ancient Mayan Ruins, cave tubing, following a guided tour of the tropical rainforest in a Jaguar Preserve, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling and diving.