cayo largo del sur — canarreos flats
White-sand flats, mangrove and reef on the eastern tip of the Canarreos, with permit, bonefish and tarpon caught on fly only.
Cayo Largo del Sur is a narrow island about 25 km long at the eastern tip of the Archipiélago de los Canarreos, in the Caribbean, south of Cuba. The outer side is beach; the inner side has white-sand flats, mangroves and channels linking the island to neighboring cayes such as Cayo Rico and Cayo Iguana. Permit is the most sought-after fish, along with large bonefish and migratory tarpon. Jacks, barracuda, mutton snapper (cioba) and snook round out the catch. Fishing is sight fishing on fly, from flats boats. Since 2008 the area has been run by a single operator, which has declared it a fly-only destination.
best season
The season runs from November to August, peaking from February to June, when all the species are in the area. September and October are out because of hurricanes.
Local rules: Recreational fishing in Cuba requires a license from the Oficina Nacional de Inspección Estatal (MINAL), which the operator processes (Resolution 18/2020). Only rod, line and hook are allowed (Decree 1/2019, art. 15), and the catch may not be sold. According to the operator, the area is exclusive, with no commercial fishing or nets, and fishing is done only on fly. Release bonefish, permit and tarpon without taking them out of the water. From April to September turtles nest on the cay's beaches: do not step on nests. Confirm local rules.
- getting there
- The island is reached only by air or by boat. Vilo Acuña International Airport receives domestic flights and direct flights from Canada and Italy. On domestic flights, rods, hooks and line go in checked baggage.
- facilities
- Beach hotels, the Cayo Largo del Sur Marina, and the operator's fly-fishing center, with guides and flats boats.
- country
- Isla de la Juventud, Cuba
tip
Large bonefish feed best early and late in the afternoon. For permit, bring crab flies in several weights and wait for the guide to point out the fish before casting.
Loading…
Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
what you can catch here
before you fish in Cuba
The recreational fishing license is issued by the provincial offices of the National Office of State Inspection of MINAL, within 72 hours. It can be processed by tourism companies, which is the normal route for visitors: the fishing operator handles the license. Basis: Fishing Law 129/2019, Decree 1/2019 and MINAL Resolution 18/2020 (Official Gazette No. 11, February 7, 2020).
- Recreational fishing only allows rod, baitcasting or spinning reel, line and hook; cast net only at sea and only for bait. Nets, longlines, traps and explosives are prohibited (Decree 1/2019, art. 15).
- Tourist fishing with trolling or fly in protected areas (where the management plan allows it) is always catch and release, and this is written on the license (Resolution 18/2020, art. 35).
- Recreational catch may not be sold. At sea, the limit is up to 15 kg per outing in areas of major fishing interest (30 kg elsewhere) and up to 3 fish over 15 kg per angler (Resolution 21/2020).
The rules and closed seasons in the rest of the app are Brazilian. Outside Brazil, the regulations of the country and province apply: confirm with the official agency.
sources and references
Access, facilities and season information changes: check with the lodge, a local guide or the city hall before you travel.
- official Gaceta Oficial de la República de Cuba — Ordinaria nº 11 de 2020 (Lei de Pesca 129/2019, Decreto 1/2019 e Resoluções 18 a 21/2020 do MINAL)Res. 18/2020, arts. 33 to 36 (recreational license processed by tourism companies); Decree 1/2019, arts. 15 and 18 (permitted gear and sales ban)
- market Avalon Fishing Center — Cayo LargoOperating since April 1, 2008; fly-only destination; season November to August, peak February to June; baggage rules for domestic flights
- technical EcuRed — Cayo Largo del SurEastern tip of the Canarreos; Vilo Acuña airport; sea turtle protection program from April to September
- press Prensa Latina — Los atractivos del Cayo Largo de Cuba (20 de julho de 2026)Direct flights from Milan, Rome, Toronto and Montreal; part of the Archipiélago de los Canarreos