After more than a year of work behind the scenes, we are delighted to report that Beh Kay Lodge is officially open to anglers. It is the newest Sage Experiences outfitter located on one of the most sought-after fisheries in the world, Mexico’s Espíritu Santo Bay.
On Thursday 5th February 2026, Beh Kay Lodge opened its doors to become the newest mixed species saltwater flats destination located on Espíritu Santo Bay. The Beh Kay Lodge programme is built around Espiritu Santo Bay’s super grand slam fishery (bonefish, permit, tarpon, and snook) with a clear focus on permit. What sets this destination apart is not only the quality of the fishery, but the standard of accommodation, service, and cuisine that rivals some of the finest boutique lodges anywhere in the saltwater world.
There is something special about seeing the very beginning of a lodge’s story. So often new lodges open and that initial phase is a chance to work out any teething issues, but this is certainly not the case at Beh Kay. This is largely down to the efforts of Carlos Cortez; his passion for angling, and permit in particular, were key drivers in his plans to open two new lodges in Mexico. The plan was ambitious but clear. Create two of the premier permit focused operations in the Yucatan. Offer the highest level of accommodations, meals, and service. Build a guide team to match. Knowing that his strengths lie in building and leading a fishing programme, Carlos partnered with Nervous Waters to run operations at both lodges. That decision ensured that lodging, meals, and service would meet the highest standards. At both locations, guests have access to top of the line rental equipment, including Sage rods and reels paired with RIO fly lines as part of the Sage Experiences programme, further elevating the overall experience. One of those lodges, Mayazul Lodge, has now been operating for nearly two years. The 5th to 12th February 2026 marked the opening week of Beh Kay Lodge. From what we can see, Carlos is well on his way to accomplishing exactly what he set out to do.
Getting There
The lodge operates on a Thursday to Thursday schedule. Guests fly to Cancun on Wednesday and overnight near the airport. On Thursday morning a charter flight takes them south to the Pulticub airstrip north of Mahahual. There they are met by members of the guide team and driven up the coast along a sand road for roughly an hour and a half to the lodge. The final stretch is bumpy, but it sets the tone. You are leaving the developed world behind and heading somewhere truly remote.
Beh Kay Lodge Location
Beh Kay Lodge sits on a spectacular and secluded stretch of coastline roughly five miles south of the fishing village of Punta Herrero. The setting is striking. White sand beach. Clear Caribbean water. Jungle pressing in from the interior. We have visited a great many lodges over the years and it would be difficult to find a more scenic tropical ocean setting.
The Lodge
As the lodge lies within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, new permanent structures were not permitted. Many would have walked away from a project with that limitation. Carlos did not. Instead, he refurbished the existing buildings into an intimate and comfortable main lodge and built raised platforms to support a series of unique guest domes.
The renovation of the main lodge is done well, but it is the domes that define the property. They are spacious and airy, with a full wall of windows facing the beach. Each dome has air conditioning, a powerful ceiling fan, and a well appointed bathroom. Curtains provide privacy and soften the early morning light just enough to remind you that it is time to get up and go fishing.
Elevated wooden walkways connect the domes and lead to shared deck spaces with lounge chairs that invite slow mornings with coffee or relaxed evenings with a drink in hand. Outdoor seating near the main lodge provides another comfortable gathering place to recap the day.
Service and Food
This is where Nervous Waters demonstrated just how experienced they are. With senior staff on site to train the local team, the lodge operated as if it had been open for years. The service is warm and genuine. The bar was well stocked. No request will feel too large or too small.
The food deserves special mention. With chefs from Argentina blending culinary influences from both Argentina and Mexico, each meal is thoughtful and composed. Fresh seafood, balanced flavours, and creative presentations are consistent throughout the week. In a remote setting like this, it is hard to overstate how impressive that is.
The Fishing Programme
The foundation of the fishing programme is Espíritu Santo Bay. Located within the protected 1.3 million acre Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, the bay has earned a reputation as one of the finest permit destinations in the world and a premier saltwater fly fishing venue for those pursuing a Super Grand Slam. Near the remote lobster fishing village of Punta Herrero, jungle, mangrove systems, and Caribbean flats merge to create ideal habitat for the region’s big four species: permit, bonefish, tarpon, and snook. The bay is a complex network of white sand flats, internal lagoons, and mangrove shorelines. Permit are found in schools as well as solitary larger fish on the shallowest flats. Blue holes and mangrove creeks hold snook and resident tarpon. Bonefish are present in strong numbers and provide steady action. Migratory tarpon begin to appear as early as February, with larger numbers arriving in the summer months. What defines Espíritu Santo Bay, however, is the behaviour of its permit. These fish feed confidently across a range of depths, including true shallow water flats. For anglers who value the visual element of the hunt, few places offer more consistent opportunities to see and stalk fish in skinny water.
Carlos has built five custom 19-foot skiffs, each operated by a single guide. While they do not ride as smooth as a traditional panga in rough water, their shallow draft, manoeuvrability, and quiet profile allow access to water that would otherwise be unreachable. It is a deliberate trade off that benefits serious flats anglers. The defining feature of the programme is the guide team itself. Carlos is carefully assembling a group of talented guides and encouraging them to work collaboratively for the benefit of guests. That type of culture does not form overnight and in many fisheries it runs counter to tradition. Even in this first week, however, it was evident that the foundation was taking shape. Run times range from just a few minutes to roughly 45. Most fishing is done from the skiff, though there are wading opportunities for anglers who prefer to stalk fish on foot.
Opening a lodge is never simple. Opening one that feels this composed from the outset is rare. Beh Kay Lodge has begun its story with momentum, clarity of purpose, and a clear commitment to quality. For those who value serious permit fishing paired with a refined lodge experience, it is a compelling new addition to the Yucatan.
If you would like to be one of the first anglers to experience Beh Kay Lodge, please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847 389.
