Three fish draw fly anglers to the shallow flats around our island: bonefish, permit and tarpon. This guide to fly fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon on Ambergris Caye explains how a guided day with White Sands Dive Shop works, what the guide fee covers, and the rules every angler needs to know.
It is written for traveling fly anglers, from the first-timer who has only cast on a lake to the experienced angler chasing all three species in a day. Our Fishing page puts it simply: top fly fishers from around the world return to fish in Belize time and time again.
Can you fly fish for bonefish, permit and tarpon on Ambergris Caye?
Quick answer: Yes. The flats in and around Ambergris Caye offer catch-and-release fly fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon. White Sands Dive Shop books half and full day guided trips for one or two anglers, and the guide fee covers fuel, tackle, flies, ice and refreshments. You also need a Belize sport fishing license.
The three flats species and why anglers come for them
Bonefish, permit and tarpon are the classic saltwater fly targets of the Caribbean flats, and each one asks something different of you. Belize protects all three by law. The Coastal Zone Management Authority’s sport fishing program lists bonefish, tarpon and permit as protected species that can only be caught for catch and release.
Bonefish
Bonefish are the fish most anglers start with on the flats. They feed in very shallow water, so the game is spotting them, making a quiet, accurate cast and keeping your nerve when one takes the fly and runs.
Permit
Permit have a reputation as the hardest of the three to fool on a fly. Expect plenty of refusals and count every hookup as a good day. Patience and a calm presentation matter more than distance.
Tarpon
Tarpon are the big, acrobatic fish of the trio, famous for jumping when hooked. Shots at them can be few, so be ready when your guide calls one.
Catching all three in a single day is the famous Grand Slam. CZMAI defines it as the occasion when an angler catches a bonefish, permit and tarpon in one day, and Belize promotes its flats as a place to try for one.
How a guided fly fishing day works
Fly fishing with White Sands Dive Shop is booked as a guided trip, either a half day or a full day, for one angler or up to two. Two is a good number on a flats boat: one person fishes while the other watches, rests or takes photos, and then you swap.
What the guide fee includes
- Fuel for the boat.
- Tackle and flies, so you can travel light if you prefer.
- Ice and refreshments on board.
Other beverages and gratuities are not included, so plan for those separately. For the current half and full day rates, see the fly fishing, reef and deep sea fishing prices on our Fishing page.
Half day or full day
A half day suits a first taste of the flats or a vacation shared with diving. A full day gives the guide more time to follow the fish and the light, and it is the better choice if you are hoping for a Grand Slam.
Fly, reef or deep sea: choosing your fishing trip
Fly fishing is one of three kinds of trip on our Fishing page. If your group mixes keen fly anglers with people who just want to bend a rod, the table shows how the options differ.
| Trip | Where you fish | Target species | Group size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fly fishing | The shallow flats | Bonefish, permit and tarpon, catch-and-release | 1 or up to 2 anglers | Fly anglers chasing the flats species |
| Reef fishing | Inside the reef and at channels | Snapper, barracuda, jacks and groupers | 1-4 people | Families and mixed groups |
| Deep sea fishing | Blue water, on 30, 32 and 37 foot boats with restrooms | Marlin, sailfish, wahoo, dolphin-fish, tuna, king mackerel and black grouper | Up to 5 people | Anglers after a big game fish |
On reef trips, tackle, gear and bait come from your guide. If the big blue water fish appeal more than the flats, read our guide to deep sea fishing on Ambergris Caye.
Licenses and catch-and-release rules
Every angler fishing in Belize waters needs a Belize sport fishing license, and that includes a guided fly fishing day. You can buy a Belize sport fishing license online from the Coastal Zone portal, the same link we give on our Fishing page.
Because bonefish, permit and tarpon are protected, none of them can be kept. CZMAI describes catch and release as catching a fish and then immediately releasing it into the water in the same state it was landed. Every fly fishing trip we book is catch-and-release.
- Keep the fish in or close to the water while the hook comes out.
- Have the camera ready before the fish is landed, so any photo takes seconds.
- Let your guide handle the release if you are unsure.
How to prepare for your first day on the flats
Flats fishing is visual. You are looking for fish in shallow, bright water, often with a breeze, so a little preparation before the trip pays off on the boat.
- Practice casting in the wind at home, aiming for quick, accurate casts rather than long ones.
- Pack polarized sunglasses, a hat with a brim, sunscreen and a light long-sleeved shirt.
- Buy your sport fishing license before the trip.
- When you book, tell us your experience, which species you most want and whether you want a half or full day.
Tackle and flies are included, but many anglers like to bring a favorite rod. Mention it when you book so your guide knows what will be on the boat.
Days off the flats
Fishing pairs well with the rest of what we do. Non-anglers in your group can join our Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkeling trip, and certified divers can explore our guide to diving Ambergris Caye.
For a day on the mainland, our Maya ruins and jungle tours from Ambergris Caye include the Lamanai river trip. Anglers who enjoy the shorebirds will like Birds of Ambergris Caye, Elbert’s column written by Bubba the Labrador, who has opinions on every one of them.
Who arranges your trip
White Sands Dive Shop is owned and operated by Elbert Greer, a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, and licensed by the Belize Tourism Board. Fishing questions go straight to Elbert, as our Fishing page says, so you can ask him anything before you book. Read more about Elbert Greer and White Sands Dive Shop.
Our dive students write about the care Elbert takes with every guest. Minette Layne wrote: “If it hadn’t been for you and your caring teaching style, I most certainly would have given up.” Read more letters from Elbert’s dive students in their own words.
Bonefish, permit, tarpon, Ambergris Caye: your questions answered
Can I keep a bonefish, permit or tarpon in Belize?
No. Belize protects all three species, and they can only be caught for catch and release. Every fly fishing trip we book is catch-and-release.
Do I need a fishing license for a guided fly fishing trip?
Yes. Every angler needs a Belize sport fishing license, which you can buy online through the Coastal Zone Management Authority portal linked on our Fishing page.
What is included in the guide fee?
The guide fee includes fuel, tackle, flies, ice and refreshments. Other beverages and gratuities are not included.
How many anglers can go on one fly fishing trip?
Fly fishing trips are for one angler or up to two, on a half day or a full day.
What is a Grand Slam?
A Grand Slam means catching a bonefish, a permit and a tarpon in a single day. A full day on the flats gives you the best chance of trying for one.
Where can I see fly fishing prices?
Current half and full day rates are listed on our Fishing page. Email Elbert with your dates and he will help you plan.
Book your fly fishing day
Tell us your dates, how many anglers are coming and whether you want a half or full day, and Elbert will help you plan the day. Email elbertgreer@fastmail.fm or call 011 (501) 226 2405.