🎣 Fishing Spot: San Pedro – Ambergris Caye, Belize

🏞️ About San Pedro & Ambergris Caye

San Pedro is the vibrant, English-speaking fishing town on Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island and the undisputed crown jewel of Caribbean flats fishing. Located just 36 miles off Belize City on the northern coast, San Pedro sits beside the Belize Barrier Reef — the second-longest barrier reef in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique geography creates an extraordinary concentration of fishing environments: gin-clear turtle grass flats, mangrove-lined lagoons with juvenile tarpon, deeper channels where permit cruise in massive schools, and coral reefs teeming with snapper and barracuda — all accessible within a 15-minute boat ride.

San Pedro has earned legendary status as the Grand Slam capital of the Caribbean. While achieving a Grand Slam (bonefish, permit, and tarpon in one day) is a once-in-a-lifetime event in most destinations, San Pedro lodges report guests accomplishing this feat almost weekly. The protected waters inside the barrier reef create ideal conditions for small flats boats, stable year-round fishing, and sight-casting opportunities that rival anywhere on Earth. Add world-class English-speaking guides, a thriving tourism infrastructure, and consistent trade winds that make even summer heat comfortable, and you have the most accessible world-class saltwater fishery in the Americas.

Beyond the flats, San Pedro offers the rare opportunity to combine inshore Grand Slam fishing in the morning with offshore billfish and tuna in the afternoon — the reef drops from 40 feet to over 2,000 feet just minutes offshore, creating blue-water opportunities steps from legendary flats.

🌟 Why San Pedro Is Special

• Grand Slam Capital of the Caribbean
  San Pedro lodges see multiple Grand Slams (bonefish, permit, tarpon) weekly — a feat that's once-in-a-lifetime elsewhere. Schools of 50-100 permit cruise the flats in spring, making this the permit capital of the world.

• Year-Round Fishery with Stable Conditions
  Protected by the barrier reef, the inside waters remain calm and fishable 300+ days per year. Trade winds keep summer comfortable, and Belize's mild winters (70-80°F year-round) mean no off-season.

• Gin-Clear Sight Fishing
  Turtle grass flats with crystal visibility allow anglers to see and stalk individual fish — watching permit tails wave above the surface as they root for crabs, or spotting massive tarpon cruising channels in 3 feet of water.

• Minutes to Multiple Ecosystems
  Flats, mangrove lagoons, channels, and reef are all within 15 minutes. Fish juvenile tarpon in mangroves at dawn, hunt permit on white sand flats midday, and bottom-fish the reef for snapper at lunch — all in one trip.

• Legendary English-Speaking Guides
  Multi-generational Belizean guides with extraordinary spotting abilities and intimate knowledge of tides, migrations, and seasonal patterns. Most learned to fish these waters as children and speak fluent English.

• Protected Species = Abundant Populations
  Since 2009, mandatory catch-and-release for bonefish, permit, and tarpon has created thriving populations. Belize's flats fishing generates BZ$246 million annually (6.7% of GDP), ensuring strong conservation incentives.

• Accessible Paradise
  Direct international flights to Belize City, then a 15-minute domestic flight or 90-minute water taxi to San Pedro. No need for expensive mothership lodges — fish from comfortable beachfront hotels minutes from downtown.

🐟 Fish Species of San Pedro Waters

FLATS & LAGOON SPECIES (The Grand Slam Trio + Inshore):

REEF & CHANNEL SPECIES:

OFFSHORE SPECIES (Minutes from flats):

🌤️ Seasonal Fishing Overview

❄️ Winter (December – February)

• Dry Season "Peak Tourism" — Most anglers visit to escape northern winter; highest rates and most pressure
• Excellent bonefish and permit — cooler water (75-78°F) and remnants of cold fronts bring wind but comfortable temps
• Resident tarpon available on calmer days in channels and lagoons
• Trade winds can be strong (15-25mph) — casting skills challenged
• Best overall season for permit alongside spring

🌸 Spring (March – May)

• PRIME PERMIT SEASON — As water warms, permit school in massive groups (50-100+ fish) cruising flats
• Peak Grand Slam opportunities — all three species highly active
• Excellent bonefishing continues with multiple shots daily
• Tarpon fishing improves steadily through these months
• April-May hottest months (mid-90s) but winds settle down
• Minimal rain and most consistent conditions of year

☀️ Summer (June – August)

• PEAK TARPON SEASON — Migratory ocean tarpon (60-150 lbs) arrive in big numbers; June-August prime
• Best overall fishing months — large numbers of all Grand Slam species present simultaneously
• Bonefish and permit still excellent on the flats
• Summer temperatures (mid-90s) moderated by steady trade winds
• Beginning of rainy season but rain comes in quick afternoon squalls; fishing unaffected
• Lower lodge rates and less angler pressure than winter

🌧️ Fall (Mid-August – November)

• Tropical storm season (peak Sept-Oct) — weather can interrupt sight fishing with rain/clouds
• Excellent fishing when weather cooperates — all species active
• Some of best permit fishing if cold fronts don't disrupt patterns
• Tarpon still present through September
• Lowest rates and minimal crowds for adventurous anglers
• October-November transition back to dry season

Best Overall Months: May–September for all species; March–May for permit focus; June–August for tarpon

🪶 Fishing Techniques in San Pedro

FLY FISHING (Primary Method for Grand Slam):

Fly Selection by Species:

• Bonefish: Crazy Charlie (tan/pink/orange), Christmas Island Special, Gotcha, EP Spawning Shrimp (sizes 4-8)
• Permit: Merkin Crab, Raghead Crab, Avalon Permit Fly (sizes 2-4; tan/brown/olive)
• Tarpon: Black Death, Cockroach, Toad, Bunny Flies (sizes 2/0-4/0 for big tarpon; size 2-6 for juveniles)
• Snook: Clouser Minnow, Deceiver, poppers (white/chartreuse, sizes 1/0-3/0)

SPIN FISHING (Wade & Boat):

BOTTOM/REEF FISHING:

⚖️ Regulations & Permits

FISHING LICENSES (Required for All Anglers 16-65):

Purchase Online: CoastalZoneBelize.org or apps.coastalzonebelize.org
Important: Save digital copy or print confirmation — wardens check licenses

Most fishing guides include license fees in package pricing or purchase on your behalf

MANDATORY CATCH & RELEASE SPECIES:

It is ILLEGAL to possess, keep, or kill the following species:

• ✅ Bonefish (Albula vulpes) — Catch & Release ONLY
• ✅ Permit (Trachinotus falcatus) — Catch & Release ONLY
• ✅ Tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) — Catch & Release ONLY

Penalties: These regulations are strictly enforced. Violations result in fines, gear confiscation, and potential criminal charges.

Conservation Success: Since 2009 legislation, these populations have thrived, making Belize a global model for sustainable sport fishing. The flats fishery generates BZ$246 million annually (6.7% of Belize's GDP) and provides 6,000 jobs.

ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS:

• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): No fishing in Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Bacalar Chico, and other MPAs — guides know boundaries
• Spearfishing: Prohibited while scuba diving (snorkeling/freediving OK with restrictions)
• Size/Bag Limits: Apply to snapper, grouper, lobster — guides know current rules
• Nassau Grouper: Fully protected year-round
• Parrotfish: Fully protected year-round
• Sharks: Whale sharks and nurse sharks fully protected

🎣 Guide Services & Lodging

GUIDED FISHING (Highly Recommended):

Full Day Flats Fishing: US$400-600/day (1-2 anglers)
Half Day: US$250-350
Multi-Day Packages: Discounted rates available

What's Included: Boat, guide, all tackle (fly & spin), flies/lures, water, fishing license often included
Bring: Sunscreen (non-spray), hat, sunglasses (polarized essential), light rain jacket

Recommended Guide Services in San Pedro:

• GoFish Belize (Abbie Marin)
• Reel Belize (Lori-Ann Murphy)
• El Pescador Lodge (largest guide fleet)
• Blue Bonefish Lodge
• Tres Pescados
• Fly With Me Belize

LODGING OPTIONS:

Fishing Lodges (All-Inclusive Packages):

• El Pescador Lodge — Longest-operating lodge; large guide team; US$2,500-4,000/week
• Blue Bonefish Lodge — 4 miles south of San Pedro; great for couples/families; US$2,000-3,500/week
• Turneffe Flats — On Turneffe Atoll (requires boat transfer); US$4,000-6,000/week

Hotels/Self-Guided (Book guides separately):

• Xanadu Island Resort — Fishing packages available; beachfront
• Victoria House — Luxury option; excellent service
• Aqua Vista Beachfront Suites — Walking distance downtown; guide partnerships
• Numerous Airbnb/VRBO options north of town near flats

Getting There:

1. Fly to Belize City (BZE) — Direct from major US cities
2. Domestic flight to San Pedro (15 min, US$60-100) OR water taxi (90 min, US$25-40)
3. Most lodges arrange transfers

🧭 Summary

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye represents the most accessible world-class saltwater fly fishing destination in the Western Hemisphere — where the legendary Belize Grand Slam (bonefish, permit, tarpon) happens not once-in-a-lifetime, but almost weekly. Protected by the world's second-longest barrier reef, these gin-clear flats offer sight-casting opportunities that rival anywhere on Earth: massive permit schools cruising white sand bottoms, tailing bonefish in turtle grass, and 100-pound tarpon exploding from shallow channels.

What sets San Pedro apart is the concentration of opportunities within minutes of shore. Dawn finds you stalking juvenile tarpon in mangrove-lined lagoons. Midday, you're sight-casting to permit tails on pristine flats. Afternoon brings topwater barracuda strikes on the reef. And if you want, you can troll for sailfish and mahi in 2,000 feet of water before sunset — all from the same small flats boat, all within a 20-minute run.

Add English-speaking guides with generational knowledge, year-round stable conditions, mandatory catch-and-release conservation, and a vibrant Caribbean town with excellent food and nightlife, and you have the most complete saltwater fishing destination in the Americas. From first-time saltwater anglers to permit-obsessed veterans chasing their 100th Grand Slam, San Pedro delivers.

Location: San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Northern Belize
Nearest City: Belize City (15-min flight or 90-min ferry)
Fishing Season: Year-round (peak May–September)
Main Species: Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon (Grand Slam), Snook, Barracuda, Snapper
Best Methods: Fly Fishing (sight casting), Spin Fishing, Wade & Boat
Regulations: Catch & Release for bonefish/permit/tarpon; Fishing license required
Special Features: Grand Slam capital, World's second-longest barrier reef, Protected waters, English-speaking guides, Minutes to multiple ecosystems, Year-round fishing