Whether you’re an amateur angler or an experienced pro wanting to earn your Grand Slam, Belize is an ideal place to enjoy a fishing vacation.
Thanks to its year-round balmy climate, there is always a large variety of fish to be found in the waters of Belize, including tarpon, jack crevalle, permit, bonefish, barracuda, cubera, marlin, wahoo, blackfin tuna, bonito, mahi-mahi, king mackerel, swordfish, snook, and snapper. Whether it’s deep sea fishing, fishing in lagoons, or fly fishing from the flats, there is truly an abundance of great species to fish in Belize.
In order to protect the health of the environment and protect the valuable fish stocks in the country, all fishing in Belize must be done with a license from the government’s Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute. Licenses can be purchased online here.
The law in Belize requires that bonefish, tarpon, and permit fish are all catch-and-release. There are some fish species that you are allowed to keep, but in general, most fish are also catch-and-release as well. If you’re interested in catching some fish for a tasty meal, be sure to ask your guide which species you are permitted to keep.
Note: The government strongly encourages fishing for lion fish, an invasive species, which you are definitely allowed to keep (and eat).
Here are a few of the top fishing spots in Belize:
Ambergris Caye – the lagoon on the western side of the island is a good place to find bonefish, permit, and tarpon.
Caye Caulker – the lagoons on the western side are also a great place to find bonefish and tarpon.
Turneffe Atoll – Ideal for fly-fishing amongst the mangrove islands or saltwater flats. Tarpon and bonefish are found in abundance in this area.
Punta Gorda – The coastal flats are a great place to find some permit fish.
Placencia – This area on the southeastern coast is also a great place to enjoy some fly fishing for permit fish.
Dangriga – A popular choice with local and foreign anglers alike, Dangriga’s shallow flats are loaded with bonefish. And a nearby island called Tarpon Caye is well named indeed.
If you’d like to enjoy a fantastic fishing vacation in Belize, Chabil Mar Resort offers a number of Belize fishing vacations. Chabil Mar is a luxury resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize.
Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information about fishing in Belize, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call US/CAN Toll Free: 1-866-417-2377, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning your Belize vacation.
