We are excited to announce that the Deerfield Fly Shop is putting together a hosted group trip to Cuba to fish the world renowned Jardines de la Reina, “Gardens of the Queen,” on the Avalon Outdoors live-aboard yacht, February 22 to March 1, 2025.
The Jardines de la Reina is a vast marine park, larger in size than the Florida Keys. It is ideal for fly anglers wishing to live and experience fishing from dawn till dusk in one of the most pristine settings on the planet. With tarpon to 60 pounds, large permit and plentiful bonefish, the Jardines offers daily opportunities at the classic flats Grand Slam species in addition to barracuda, jacks and other fish that offer great fun on the fly rod. The marine park outlaws commercial fishing and tightly regulates recreational fishing so that anglers are encountering relatively unpressured fish—there are hundreds of miles of flats and it is likely we will go the week without encountering an angler from outside our group!
Jardines de la Reina is for those seeking adventure, amazing food (including fresh seafood daily), and complete comfort. You can fly directly from Miami to Camaguey, where Avalon provides transport to Jucaro port (2.5 hour drive), and then a 3-hour boat ride to final destinations which are approximately 60 miles from the Jucaro port. Overnights in Havana are possible with extra arrangements.
Once on the water, we have our floating hotel, the 190-foot Jardines Avalon IV. The boat is equipped with air conditioning, large dining and lounge areas and an exclusive crew. Guests will enjoy their fishing dreams from the minute they step aboard and are able to fish more hours and for more species than in any other Caribbean destination. The flats skiffs pick us up right from the boat every morning and whisk us away to flats both within fifteen minutes and further away, depending on what the anglers and guides decide they want to do for the day.
We have been offered a special rate of $6740 per angler which is a savings of $750 over the normal price of $7490. The rate includes transfers from Camaguey to Jucaro, seven nights of lodging aboard the boat with all meals included, five and three quarters days of fishing and transfers between Jucaro and Camaguey. Flights to Cuba, other travel expenses, gratuities for both fishing guides and boat staff, a marine park conservation fee and other fees and costs are not included.
If you are interested, please reach out to me at [email protected] or by phone at 413-397-3665 and I am happy to provide more details about the trip. This is a truly unique opportunity in one of the most sought after fishing destinations in the world. I hope you can join us.