There’s something meditative about standing in clear water, fly line looping through the air, waiting for that flicker of silver beneath the surface. All well and good if you’re a passionate fly fisherman. But what about partners and family who don’t fish but still want a holiday? Well, the joy of a great fishing trip isn’t confined to the riverbank or the flats — it’s also in the lodges that elevate the experience from a pastime to a luxury holiday. From Bahamian islands to the atolls of the Indian Ocean, there are a good few beautiful fishing lodges that invite travellers to slow down and enjoy the tranquillity. And for those who don’t fish, there’s an entire world waiting beyond the reel.
Here are just a few of the options to consider for a luxury fishing holiday that will delight everyone, not just the angler.
Delphi Club, Abaco, The Bahamas
Perched above a private stretch of white sand and turquoise sea, the colonial-style plantation house overlooks the famous Marls of Abaco — more than 200 square miles of pristine flats that comprise one of the world’s most coveted bonefishing destinations.
Here, anglers rise early to chase bonefish across shimmering shallows, guided by local experts who read the tides like a second language.
For those who prefer hammocks to fly fishing, Delphi Club offers languid days by the infinity pool, beach picnics under palm shade, and candlelit dinners that last long after sunset. The atmosphere is sociable — the kind of place to bond over a rum punch and stories of the one that got away.
Kamalame Cay, Andros Island, The Bahamas
Across the water on Andros, Kamalame Cay, a private island draped in bougainvillea, is surrounded by gin-clear flats. This is bonefishing heaven, where stealth and precision meet sunshine and serenity. Experienced guides lead you across the shallows where the ghost-like bonefish dart beneath the surface, offering the kind of challenge that makes even seasoned anglers’ hearts quicken.
But Kamalame Cay is also a barefoot luxury retreat, where couples and families find just as much joy away from the flats. A spa perches above the turquoise sea, and long, lazy lunches spill into afternoons of paddleboarding, snorkelling, or simply doing nothing at all.
Alphonse Island, Seychelles
Few places on earth can rival the raw beauty of the Seychelles, and Alphonse Island — a coral drop in the middle of the Indian Ocean — might just be the pinnacle. Here, fly fishing reaches near-mythical status: giant trevally, bonefish, triggerfish, and milkfish all patrol the flats in abundance. The guides share an infectious passion for this delicate marine world.
Yet even for those who never pick up a rod, Alphonse casts a spell. Days melt into a haze of diving, snorkelling, and relaxation, with evenings spent barefoot dining beneath the starlit sky. Conservation is central to life here, and guests are invited to join marine biologists in reef monitoring and turtle tracking — an experience as rewarding as any catch.
Copal Tree Lodge, Belize
Hidden in the lush jungles of southern Belize, Copal Tree Lodge is where the river meets the rainforest. The lodge overlooks the Rio Grande, offering both freshwater and saltwater fishing in one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems. One day might bring tarpon in the river, the next bonefish or permit on the flats of the Sapodilla Cayes.
For non-anglers, Copal Tree is a paradise. The lodge’s organic farm supplies nearly everything that graces the table — from cacao to coffee — and the bean-to-bar chocolate workshops are good fun. There are zip-lines, guided hikes, and visits to Mayan ruins, perfect for the curious traveller.
Miavana by Time + Tide, Madagascar
Anglers can chase giant trevally and barracuda across vast saltwater flats or cast for snapper and grouper along volcanic reefs from this private island off the Madagascar coast. The fishing here is exhilaratingly wild, but those seeking a softer adventure will find snorkelling with turtles, helicopter excursions to lemur-inhabited forests, and private picnics on deserted sandbars. Evenings bring barefoot chic to the fore with flickering lanterns and toes-in-the-sand dining.
Como Maalifushi, The Maldives
In the heart of the Maldives’ Thaa Atoll, Como Maalifushi is the embodiment of island sophistication. Flats fly fishing is available here between December and April; there’s so much else on offer, it’s unlikely non-fishing family members will even know you are gone.
Yoga pavilions open onto the sea, and the Como Shambhala spa is superb, guests can snorkel and dive amid coral gardens or simply watch the water change from sapphire to silver as the day fades away.
Pira Lodge, Ibera Wetlands, Argentina
Deep in northern Argentina’s wild Ibera Wetlands, Pira Lodge offers an altogether different kind of magic. This is the realm of the golden dorado — fierce, acrobatic, and dazzling in its molten sheen. The labyrinth of crystal-clear creeks and lagoons makes for thrilling sight fishing, guided by experts who know the wetlands’ moods like old friends.
When rods are down, guests can explore by kayak or horseback, spotting caimans, capybaras, and roseate spoonbills among the reeds. Evenings at Pira are a celebration of Argentine warmth — Malbec in hand, the scent of asado on the air, and a sense that you’re far from anywhere.
Away from these individual lodges, the Eleven stable of properties all offer angling adventures in the lap of luxury. With options from New Zealand to Iceland there is a great choice to fish in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations AND stay in lodges full of home from home comfort.
For further information on holidays at any of these lodges please contact Peter McLeod or Olly Thompson or call us on +44 1980 847389.
