Belize has long been one of Central America’s most compelling destinations, offering an exceptional mix of wild landscapes and species variation. From misty cloud forests inland to coral atolls set in luminous blue water, it delivers far more than just outstanding fishing. For anglers, it remains one of the most complete saltwater fisheries anywhere, with genuine chances at bonefish, tarpon and permit, while still being perfectly suited to those travelling with non-fishing partners or families. English is widely spoken, logistics are refreshingly simple, and daily international flights into Belize City mean you can often be settled at your lodge by mid-afternoon. With increasing demand for stable, reliable saltwater destinations in the Caribbean region, Belize stands out as a particularly attractive option for 2026. It is helped by the new flight route opening via Montreal negating the need for a night in the US flying in. Accommodation ranges from relaxed beachfront lodges to boutique hotels, private villas and island retreats, making it easy to find a base that suits both anglers and non-anglers alike. With that in mind here are our top picks of operations for 2026:
The lodge has long been recognised as one of Belize’s leading saltwater fly fishing, SCUBA diving and marine ecotourism destinations. Located on the Turneffe Atoll, the largest and most diverse coral atoll in the Caribbean, they specialise in superior service for a limited number of guests. The main lodge is at the heart of the resort and is the social and dining area for eight cabanas and two villas. It is ideally located to enjoy 250 square miles of expansive flats, healthy coral reef and remarkably rich marine habitat. Bonefishing is a mainstay of the fishing operation with miles of crystal clear, wadeable flats. It is also one of a select group of saltwater destinations where you can experience flats fishing for tailing permit with a reasonable opportunity to catch one. Tarpon are present throughout the year, but the migratory tarpon season really begins in April and continues to mid-October. Guests can also enjoy a whole host of non-fishing activities including various nature tours and a tour of nearby Mayan ruins. There are no onsite spa facilities. View a short video filmed by Peter showcasing the lodge as a family venue here.
In 1997, Lincoln Westby and his wife Perline decided to build a fishing lodge in Southern Belize, located in one of the worlds most productive permit fisheries. Coined, “permit alley” the fishing grounds are known for their expansive pancake flats that teem with marine life. There is no better place to fish for tailing permit in shallow water, than Permit Alley with Blue Horizon’s expert guides. This unique lodge merges Lincoln’s original “fish camp” feel with all the modern amenities a travelling angler wants.
There are no long boat rides to get to the flats. Blue Horizon’s professional team of guides will have you casting to permit (or bonefish or tarpon) within minutes of leaving the lodge. The proximity to the flats allows you to maximize your time on the water during the most productive moments of each tide cycle. They will have you fishing the tides, not the clock. The entire fishing program is determined by the tide cycle, not the time of the day or when a meal is served.
While most anglers who stay at Blue Horizon Lodge are focused on fishing for permit, but there is an abundance of tarpon nearby. Bonefish can be targeted and caught any day of the year, making this fishery one of the best places to target a Grand Slam in Belize.
Only a short trip from the international airport, Belize River Lodge has access to a very diverse fishing environment. There are flats, channels, cayes, reef and mangrove islands to be explored, along with fishing on the Belize, Silburn and Manatee Rivers. It’s a large area with a great variety of conditions, fish species and scenery. Anglers will find permit, bonefish, tarpon, snook, snapper and jacks to cast at. The fishing guides at Belize River Lodge are all local, they know the waters well are and experienced saltwater operators.
The bonefish here tend to vary from two to eight pounds, with the average around three pounds. Snook can be found in sizes of five to 25lb and although they can be fished for year round, November through April are the optimum months. Large tarpon are also landed year round, with the biggest specimens found between March and early August. Permit – that ultimate fisherman’s trophy – are regularly sighted with fish anything from five to over 30lb. The fishing is mostly from skiffs although there is some wading available for bonefish and permit.
Turneffe Island Resort is the most comfortable operation available on the pristine Turneffe Atoll and ideal for the fly anglers travelling with non-fishers. Whether you are wading or your guide is poling the flats, large schools of bonefish are a common occurrence along the miles of hard coral and soft grass flats on either side of the southern end of Turneffe Atoll. Many flats hold resident bonefish that will tail in the deeper water scattered along the inside reef flats. Bonefish are mostly in the 1 to 3 lb range but if you move out of the schooling fish and work the backsides of the flats you will find much larger fish of 4 to 8 lbs. Permit are often found on the flats as the tide rises and the schools spread out to comb the grass flats and shoals to look for crabs, shrimp and small bait fish. Permit range in size from 8 to 12 pounds up to bruisers over 30 pounds. The tarpon season begins in March and lasts well into October with the summer months being the peak season. Tarpon holes are abundant due to the large number of creeks and lagoons that are present on the atoll. The average catch will be 60 to 90 pounds with larger fish ranging from 100 to 130 pounds. Most casting is to the sound of rolling tarpon as they come up in the early morning or late evening to feed.
Each room in the resort has a queen bed, private bath and shower, air conditioning, and ceiling fans. Rooms with two beds are also available upon request. To ensure your added comfort, all windows have screens and may be opened to enjoy the ocean breeze. Upgrades to luxurious private cabanas are also available.
A little closer to the mainland, Ambergris Cay is no more than a 15 minute hop in a Cessna. This long cay runs all the way up to the old Mayan channel which was dug centuries ago, from here it carries on all the way to the Mexican border. El Pescador is a longstanding favourite of ours and is one of the first fishing lodges in the area. The lodge is still owned and run by the same family and has a combination of lovely lodge rooms and private villas. The bustling town of San Pedro is close by for non fishers. For fishermen, Ambergris Cay is one of the best areas to target migratory tarpon in Belize from July through to September. For those not fishing, there are three saltwater pools to relax in and a variety of activities to choose from. From snorkelling and beach picnics to the mainland ruins of Altan Ha and Lamani. From ziplining through the rainforest to searching for the endangered West Indian Manatee, there is something for everyone.
Copal Tree Lodge is The lodge is located on the Rio Grande, a short boat ride down river to the nearly endless flats of Belize. Most anglers visit the lodge for the world-class permit fishing; however, the area around Copal Tree Lodge (formerly known as Belcampo) also has populations of bonefish, tarpon and snook. The focus here is definitely on permit, but for those anglers wanting some variety there are opportunities close by for all of these major flats species. There are hundreds of excellent flats in the area around Punta Gorda, most less than thirty minutes from town. The lodge is about a 15 minute boat ride downriver to Punta Gorda, making the closest flats about 20 minutes away and the furthest flats about 45 minutes away.
Copal Tree Lodge maintains a top-shelf fishing program, while also offering perfect combinations for families and couples looking to combine an angling holiday with non-angling eco-tourism activities. The main lodge is spacious and inviting, and is perfectly complimented by the 12 luxury cabanas. Each cabana features air conditioning, a private bathroom, California king or two queen beds, and a large deck built out over the jungle canopy. In addition, the lodge features a spa, pool, mountain bikes, hiking trails, kayaks, and canoes.
If you would like more information please contact Peter McLeod or call us on ++44 1980 847389. Alternatively click HERE if you would like us to contact you.
