ciénaga de zapata — las salinas and hatiguanico river
The largest wetland in the Caribbean, on the Zapata Peninsula, with bonefish flats at Las Salinas and tarpon and snook on the Hatiguanico River.
Ciénaga de Zapata is a large area of mangroves, lagoons and rivers on the south coast of Matanzas province, near the Bay of Pigs. At Las Salinas, shallow flats and brackish lagoons concentrate bonefish, which are fished by wading, with fly or light casting gear. On the Hatiguanico River and in the channels of the peninsula's north, tarpon and snook hold in dark water among the mangroves. Barracuda show up on the flats and at channel mouths. Fishing is done with park guides, in day trips. It is an easy destination to combine with Havana.
best season
Bonefish are around all year on the flats of Las Salinas. The dry season, from November to April, has steadier weather; avoid the peak of hurricane season, August to October.
Local rules: Ciénaga de Zapata National Park (418,921 ha), core zone of the Península de Zapata Biosphere Reserve, run by the National Enterprise for the Protection of Flora and Fauna: fishing is done with park guides. In Cuba, tourist fly fishing in protected areas is always catch and release (Resolution 18/2020 of MINAL), and only rod, line and hook are used. Check local rules.
- getting there
- From Havana, about 2h30 by car to Playa Larga, on the Bay of Pigs. From there, transport with your guide to Las Salinas or the Hatiguanico.
- facilities
- Hotels and private homes in Playa Larga and Playa Girón, guides and tours of the national park.
- country
- Matanzas, Cuba
tip
At Las Salinas the water is very shallow: walk slowly, with the sun at your back, and cast short and in front of the fish.
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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 CNAP — Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata418,921 ha; Acuerdo 6291/2008; core zone of the Península de Zapata Biosphere Reserve; fly fishing among the visitor services
- official Gaceta Oficial de la República de Cuba — Ordinaria nº 11 de 2020 (Lei de Pesca 129/2019, Decreto 1/2019, Resoluções 18 e 21/2020 do MINAL)Res. 18/2020, art. 35: in protected areas, tourist trolling or fly fishing is catch and release