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Yucatan, Mexico

Tarpon Cay Lodge

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Yucatan, Mexico

Tarpon Cay Lodge

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What we like

Tarpon Cay Lodge is a small but well-run fishing operation in a semi-remote part of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It caters to a maximum of just 6 anglers at a time, affording them the opportunity to enjoy the outstanding action available in a vast marine preserve where numerous tidal lagoons, creeks and canals, and sprawling grass flats and mangrove shorelines are home to one of Earth’s largest juvenile tarpon populations. 

Situated directly in front of the harbor, in the small town of Rio Lagartos, the lodge is actually a boutique hotel offering well-appointed, air-conditioned rooms overlooking the water, a nice restaurant, a pool, and an outdoor bar and dining area for those who prefer to enjoy their beverages and meals alfresco.

Season

March - September

Species

Barracuda, Jacks, Snook, Tarpon

Accomodations

Comfortable and well-appointed rooms with air conditioning, private baths, and great views of the harbor.

Occupancy

6 Guests

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Lodge Features & Amenities

Amazing Food

Beginner Friendly

Couples Friendly

Family Friendly

Remote Location

Wi-Fi

The Tarpon Cay Lodge Experience

Tarpon Cay is a small fishing operation offering world-class tarpon angling in an unspoiled environment where most fish remain unpressured and eager to take flies. While not off-the-grid, the lodge is situated a stone’s throw from the water, in a small Yucatan town, far from cruise ships, bars, shops and the myriad attractions that lure throngs of tourists to the Mayan Riviera. With no competing outfits in the area, guests at Tarpon Cay enjoy exclusive access to nearly 30 miles of fertile, inshore waters inhabited by countless tarpon and several other game species, like snook, barracuda, jacks and mangrove snapper, as well as birds of many types—including flamingos, frigates, various herons, egrets, and many more. Crocodiles and other wildlife are also spotted frequently, adding to the northern Yucatan experience. 

The lodge is really a nice, waterfront, boutique hotel located directly across from the dock where anglers board the boats. The rooms are generous, air-conditioned and feature two queen-size beds, full, private baths, and a number of modern conveniences, like flat-screen TVs, ceiling fans, and plenty of electrical outlets to charge mobile devices and camera batteries. The vibe is relaxed, the food and drink are terrific, and the service is personalized and top notch.

The northern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where Tarpon Cay Lodge is located, is famous for its remarkable juvenile tarpon fishery, as 5- to 15-pound silver kings abound and are commonly encountered in aggregations ranging from just a few fish to large schools of more than 100 members. And the babies aren’t the only silver kings available in the area, 20- to 30-pound fish are also present, and much larger tarpon (of 40 to over 100 pounds) make the scene now and then during the annual May-through-August migration. In addition, visiting anglers are also bound to get shots at snook, barracuda, jacks, mangrove snapper, and the sporadic seatrout.

Most of the fishing takes place in clear water, only two to four feet in depth, where an array of visual cues, explosive strikes, and the acrobatic displays from the many hooked tarpon considerably boost the level of excitement. We are talking sight fishing at its finest, with tarpon consistently rolling or cruising along mangrove shorelines, in protected coves and creek mouths, or across skinny-water flats, rarely with any other boats visible in the distance. 

Tarpon Cay guides, all local experts with as much as two decades of fishing in the region, are very familiar with the tactics and fly patterns best suited for their waters. They also stay in touch with each other and exchange information to ensure everyone gets in on the hot bites.

Fishing Schedule

Since mornings are usually calm and produce excellent action, every fishing day at Tarpon Cay Lodge begins at daybreak (approximately 6:30 a.m., depending on the time of year). To make the most of the seasonal weather patterns, you’ll either eat lunch out on the water (the guides always try to find a shady spot) and fish until 2 or 3 p.m., when the wind usually clocks around and blows toward shore, or head back to the lodge for lunch and a siesta instead. After a 3-hour break, you’ll go back out and fish until dusk to take advantage of another peak period of tarpon activity. Based on your guide’s game plan (with tides and weather forecast taken into account), the run to the fishing grounds can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as 45. 

Boats 

Tarpon Cay guides are equipped with 23-foot pangas boasting a traditional open-boat design that is seaworthy, quite maneuverable and lightweight. The boats run and float in shallow water, and feature recent-year outboards, comfortable seats, and a roomy casting deck at the bow. 

Loaner Gear

The lodge does NOT have any fly outfits to lend guests, so you must bring your own gear (including at least one spare rod and reel), as well as plenty of flies, leaders and other essentials, like a rain jacket and polarized sunglasses.

The rooms at Tarpon Cay Lodge are airy and quite comfortable. They all boast large windows supplying great water views and plenty of natural light, as well as air conditioning, ceiling fans, private baths, a pair of queen-size beds, a large, flat-screen TV, and several, strategically-placed outlets to recharge electronics. Daily maid service ensures your room will be clean and the linens, towels, soap, bottled water and cups have been replaced when you get back from fishing.

A good restaurant on the ground floor serves delicious food and even snacks between meals (do yourself a favor and try the guacamole). There’s also a pool to take a refreshing dip after a warm day out on the water, and an adjacent outdoor bar where you can always order a cold beer or a cocktail mixed just right. And for the ultimate views of the area, grab that drink and head up to the rooftop terrace.

Cuisine

Mexican food lovers are sure to enjoy every meal at Tarpon Cay Lodge, where the chef and kitchen staff prepare scrumptious regional favorites, as well as international dishes influenced by Caribbean and Latin-American cuisine. Here, guests start each day with fruit juice and coffee or tea, as well as a nourishing breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, eggs, bacon or other meats, pancakes, toast or tortillas, and other accompaniments. 

When fishing the split, morning and evening shifts, lunches are a la carte and served in the air-conditioned restaurant or, if you prefer, in the outdoor palapa (tiki hut) in back. Otherwise, lunches are packed in the boat coolers each morning and include sandwiches, chips, fruit, and a sweet treat. Lip-smacking appetizers are served daily, when anglers return from fishing, along with ice-cold beer, wine, margaritas or other popular libations of your choice. 

At dinner, guests get to sample various regional and international dishes, with fresh fish or seafood, chicken, pork or beef on the menu throughout the week. By the way, Tarpon Cay Lodge’s staff will gladly meet most dietary restrictions, simply make sure your needs are relayed to the lodge at least two weeks prior to your arrival. 

Connectivity

Cell service from certain U.S. providers may work in Cancun and Rio Lagartos, where the lodge is located, but it is bound to be spotty or nonexistent otherwise. If your cell doesn’t work at the lodge, Tarpon Cay offers complimentary Wi-Fi and also has a phone that guests can use with a prepaid calling card.

Tarpon Cay Lodge is a fishing-focused operation in a semi-remote location. Therefore, non-angling activities are quite limited. The surrounding area is a birdwatcher’s paradise, however, and those who come prepared may be able to see and photograph numerous species, including many exotics indigenous to the region. In addition, various Mayan ruins can be explored by renting a car in Rio Lagartos or Cancun, with the latter also offering lots of restaurants, shops and many other attractions.

Anglers headed to Tarpon Cay Lodge should fly to Cancun (CUN). We recommend you book a flight that lands no later than 3:30 p.m. and a return flight that departs no earlier than 1 p.m. to ensure a timely and relaxed transfer to the lodge and back to the airport at the end of the trip. If your arrival time is later than recommended, you may need to spend the night in Cancun before transferring to the lodge. 

Upon arrival, after you have gathered your luggage and cleared Mexican immigration and customs at the airport, head for the exit and take a taxi or a shuttle to the nearby Marriott Courtyard airport hotel, where a representative of Tarpon Cay Lodge will meet you at 4:00 p.m. and escort you to an air-conditioned van for the 3 ½-hour drive to the lodge. At the end of your trip, you’ll be shuttled back to the airport, prior to your flight home.

No visas or vaccinations are required for U.S. citizens to enter Mexico, but they must have a valid passport that will not expire within six (6) months of the trip dates, has at least two blank pages remaining, and is not torn or damaged in any way. All minors (under 18 years of age) traveling to Mexico accompanied by only one parent or legal guardian must have a notarized letter from the other parent granting permission to travel. Single parents need a notarized divorce decree or death certificate of the spouse. Unaccompanied minors require a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents. 

Midcurrent Travel’s services are completely free, so you never pay more than if you booked directly with the lodge or outfitter. All rates are per person and listed in U.S. dollars.

Double Occupancy 2024 (shared room and boat)

7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing $4,895 per person
6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing $4,450 per person
5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing $3,965 per person
4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing $3,490 per person
3 nights / 2 Days Fishing $3,000 per person

Single Occupancy 2024 (single room and single angler per boat)

7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days $7,150 per person
6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing $6,430 per person
5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing $5,800 per person 
4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days $5,095 per person
3 nights / 2 Days Fishing $4,390 per person

Included:

  • The number of nights lodging specified in the package 
  • Daily guided fishing
  • Airport transfers on Saturdays 
  • All meals, bottled water, fruit juice and coffee while at the lodge
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • All applicable Mexican goods and service taxes
  • Fishing License 

Not Included:

  • Airfare to Cancun, Mexico 
  • Hotel and meals in Cancun (if necessary)
  • Taxi or other ground transportation in Cancun
  • Airport transfers on days other than Saturdays ($350 surcharge divided by number of anglers in the group). 
  • Gratuities for fishing guides and lodge staff
  • Alcoholic beverages and sodas
  • Fishing tackle and flies
  • Laundry service (available for a nominal fee)

Bookings are confirmed with a 50 percent deposit, made no later than seven days after booking a trip. Balance must be received no later than 90 days prior to the first day of the trip. Notification of cancellation must be received 90 days prior to the first day of the trip in order to receive partial or full credit for an alternate date. All payments are final and nonrefundable, with the exception of a medical or family emergency, deemed reasonable at Midcurrent Travel’s discretion.

Booking a trip or making a deposit represents that the client accepts all terms and conditions. Midcurrent Travel’s terms are in addition to any terms and conditions of each individual lodge that Midcurrent Travel represents. Please read those terms carefully—lodge terms, which may differ from Midcurrent Travel’s terms, supersede any agreements between Midcurrent Travel and a client.

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