Before you cast a fly to a bonefish or drop a line on the reef, there is one piece of paperwork to sort out. A Belize sport fishing license is issued by the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI), and most visitors can buy one online in a few minutes.
This guide is for anyone fishing with us from San Pedro, whether you are a seasoned fly angler or a family trying reef fishing for the first time. It covers who needs a license, the options, how the online form works and the catch and release rules that come with it.
Do you need a Belize sport fishing license for your trip?
Quick answer: Yes, anyone fishing for pleasure or competition in Belizean waters needs a sport fishing license from CZMAI. Visitors can buy a 1 day or 1 week license online on the official portal. One year licenses are for permanent residents only and are issued in person. Fees are listed on the portal.
Who needs a Belize sport fishing license
CZMAI defines sport fishing as fishing done for pleasure or competition, where the fish is not kept to sell or export. That covers every trip we book: fly fishing the flats, reef fishing inside the barrier reef and deep sea trolling in blue water. The licensing program runs under the Coastal Zone Management Authority (Sport Fishing) Regulations.
The license belongs to the angler, not the boat. Each person who fishes needs their own, so a group of four anglers needs four licenses. The application form on the portal lets you add several applicants in one order.
Our reef, fly and deep sea fishing trips page has carried a link to the license portal for years. You can read the full rules on the CZMAI Sport Fishing Program page.
License types and how long they last
There are three durations, and which one you can buy depends on where you live. The online portal sells short licenses to anyone. The one year license is only for permanent residents of Belize, who must show proof of residency.
| License | Who can buy it | Where you get it | What you need | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Visitors and residents | Online portal | Applicant details and a Visa or Mastercard | A single half day or full day charter |
| 1 week | Visitors and residents | Online portal | Applicant details and a Visa or Mastercard | Anglers fishing two or more days in a week |
| 1 year | Permanent residents of Belize only | In person at the CZMAI office or an approved distributor | Valid photo ID and proof of residency | Residents who fish all year |
The online license is listed as “Sport Fishing (Catch and release only)”. Fees change from time to time, so check the current amount on the portal rather than relying on figures quoted on older travel sites.
How to buy your license online, step by step
The official Belize sport fishing license portal takes a few minutes. Have your trip details ready before you start, because the form asks about more than your name.
- Add an applicant: first and last name, email, address, city and country.
- Choose the tour type, either self guided or with a tour guide, and give the guide’s name if you have one.
- Pick your intended fishing destination from the list, which includes Ambergris Caye and San Pedro.
- Enter your hotel or resort, choose the duration and start date, then repeat for each angler.
- Pay by Visa or Mastercard and save the license that the portal issues.
The terms you agree to
Before you pay, the portal asks you to accept a short list of conditions. Two of them catch travelers out.
- Carry your permit while fishing, and never lend it to someone else.
- Allow any enforcement agent to inspect your permit, your photo ID and your catch and release equipment.
- The license is valid only for the dates printed on it, and online sales are final.
- Dates cannot be adjusted if your travel plans change, and refunds are considered only for a portal failure reported within 14 days.
The practical lesson is simple. Confirm your fishing day with us first, then buy the license for that exact date. Keep a copy on your phone and bring your photo ID on the boat.
Catch and release: bonefish, permit and tarpon
Under the Fisheries (Species Designation Protection) Regulations, bonefish, tarpon and permit are protected and may only be caught for catch and release. These are the fish that bring fly anglers back to the flats around the island year after year. Our guide to bonefish, permit and tarpon fly fishing on Ambergris Caye explains how those days work.
CZMAI also lists 22 sport fishing designated species. They include Atlantic Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Atlantic Sailfish, Wahoo, Dolphin Fish, King Mackerel, Cobia and several snook and pompano. Many of these are the blue water fish on our deep sea fishing trips for marlin, sailfish and wahoo.
How to release a fish well
A released fish only counts if it survives. CZMAI’s best practices are worth knowing before your first strike, and your guide will help on the day.
- Use barbless hooks, and match your tackle to the fish so the fight is neither too long nor too short.
- Keep the fish wet and support it horizontally under the jaw and belly, rather than hanging it from a lip grip.
- If the fish has swallowed the hook, cut the line as close to the hook as you can.
- Release it away from predators, and if it is slow to recover, move it gently so water flows over its gills.
Which of our fishing trips need a license
All of them. A reef fishing charter for snapper, barracuda and grouper runs inside the reef and at the channels, with tackle, gear and bait provided by your guide. Fly fishing the flats targets bonefish, permit and tarpon, and deep sea trips head to blue water for billfish.
Whichever you choose, every angler aboard needs a valid license for that day. Current charter rates are on the Fishing page with half day and full day charter details. If you also want time underwater, our guide to scuba diving on Ambergris Caye covers the local reef dives.
Who arranges your fishing day
White Sands Dive Shop is a 5 Star PADI Dive Facility on the beach in San Pedro, owned and operated by Elbert Greer and licensed by the Belize Tourism Board. Elbert is a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, and you can read more about Elbert Greer and White Sands Dive Shop.
You email Elbert directly with your dates and the kind of fishing you want, and he sets up the trip. To hear how he looks after visitors, read the letters from Elbert’s students and guests.
Belize sport fishing license: your questions answered
Can I buy a Belize sport fishing license online?
Yes. The CZMAI portal sells 1 day and 1 week licenses online, paid by Visa or Mastercard. One year licenses are issued in person to permanent residents only.
How much does a Belize sport fishing license cost?
Fees are set by CZMAI and listed on the official license portal. Check there before you buy, because figures on older travel sites are often out of date.
Does every person on the boat need a license?
Every person who fishes needs their own license, and the permit cannot be lent to someone else. You can add several anglers to one online order.
Can I change the date on my license if my plans change?
No. Online licenses are valid only for the dates shown, sales are final and dates cannot be adjusted, so confirm your fishing day before you buy.
Can I keep a bonefish, permit or tarpon?
No. Bonefish, tarpon and permit are protected in Belize and may only be caught for catch and release.
Do children need a sport fishing license?
The official CZMAI pages we checked do not set out an age rule. Ask CZMAI directly before you travel if you are fishing with children.
Plan your fishing day with us
Tell us your dates, how many anglers are coming and whether you want reef, fly or deep sea fishing. We will confirm the day so you can buy your license for the right date. Email elbertgreer@fastmail.fm or call 011 (501) 226 2405.