Craig Hayes and Turneffe Flats have been a very generous supporter of bonefish and permit research over the years. If I remember correctly he has sponsored my research trips five or six times since 2000. He has also made the lodge a member of 1% For The Planet, and has started a conservation group Friends of Turneffe Atoll.

The bonefish fishery is mostly on the backreef flats on the east (windward) side of the atoll. These backreef flats lie behind the coral reef, and benefit from ocean swell breaking on the reef. The backreef flats are a mixture of sand, coral rubble swept back from the reef by waves and current, and seagrass. It is common to see large schools of bonefish tailing on the flats, or even so shallow that both tails and dorsal fins are exposed. Sometimes the schools of bonefish seem to hold station for hours at a time, while other times they cruise the back edges of the flats in feeding forays. There is also some bonefish action along mangrove shorelines of the interior lagoon (typically larger fish) and in various bays and along shorelines on the western side of the atoll (but beware of the bugs on these leeward shores).

The permit fishing here can be fantastic. At the very least you are likely to encounter schools of large (>15 pound) permit in the interior lagoon, often finning at the surface in six feet of water. I’ve had a tough time getting these schools to eat, but sometimes they turn on and anglers get multiple hookups. There are also plenty of grass flats and limestone ridges throughout the atoll that are good for permit fishing. I’ve not yet caught a tarpon at Turneffe, but I do know that large tarpon come through the atoll, especially in summer. The lodge is well done, and nicely laid out, with many beachfront rooms. The food is excellent Belizean style, including local seafood. The staff and guides are all very good.

All material copyright Aaron Adams 2009, and beyond, unless noted.