Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge

General Information

La Bahia del Espiritu Santo (ESB) is the true gem of the Mexican Riviera, and perhaps the last remaining wilderness fly fishing outpost in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. It has always been the "second sister" to its larger, more accessible sibling to the north, Ascension Bay. But that's all about to change and for the dedicated saltwater flats fly fisherman, ESB provides the best angling opportunities in the entire Yucatan.

The primary differences between ESB and Ascension Bay are size and accessibility. ESB is approximately half the size of her more famous sister, but Ascension Bay has more than six thousand people living in the towns around her shores. There are nine official lodges plus several back country, "unofficial" guides that fish the bay, and as of 2015, one hundred and eighty boats with permits for fishing, snorkeling, bird watching, or tours of the bay. This creates a vibrant tourism-based economy centered around these communities, and a constant impact of pressure on the bay.

Espiritu Santo Bay (ESB), however, remains perfectly positioned in a remote wilderness, an area devoid of tourism and the impacts of population and people. There is a small community of about 95 lobster fishermen and their families that live in Punta Herrero, the only human settlement on the entire bay. Only seven boats have legal access to fish in the bay. This combination of remoteness, lack of human population, and limited access is what makes ESB unique, and one of the most pristine resources left in the region to target fish untouched by human influences.

There are simply very few places left in the world with the same sort of unspoiled natural resources as can be found in ESB. Robust and healthy populations of bonefish, permit, tarpon, and snook abound in its flats, creeks, and lagoons. And nobody has better access to or more intimate knowledge of the bay than the guides at Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge, who have spent years guiding there with the former Paradise Lodge.

The fishing

ESB Lodge allows saltwater anglers quick and easy access to the last frontier of Caribbean flats fishing – Espiritu Santo Bay. This fishery can provide fantastic action for all four of the Caribbean's famous flats species – permit, tarpon, bonefish, and snook. This is "Grand Slam" country!

Seasons

ESB will give you good fishing conditions almost year round. But the best months are May - June and September - Oktober. These are usually the months with the better temperatures for both fish and anglers. September and Oktober do have a risk of high winds due to the hurricane season.

The Accommodation

ESB Lodge is a brand new beach front facility and will accommodate a maximum of eight anglers per week, in four double occupancy rooms comprised of two duplexes built off the sand on pylons. Each room is approximately 250 square feet in size and features a full bathroom, separate toilet area, shower, double sinks, two beds, two dressers and lots of shelving and hooks to store gear. Each room has its own thermostat controlled air conditioner, ceiling fan, and plenty of windows to take advantage of ocean breezes. The duplex cottages share a common deck overlooking the ocean with chairs; a perfect spot to enjoy a cold beer or ready your gear for the day.

Travel Details

???

Package Rates

Double Occupancy (shared boat/room/guide), per week $4,195 per person
Single Occupancy (private room/boat/guide), per week $5,950 per person

Dates:

January 07 - July 01
August 19 - November 18

Included:

Your package includes round trip air charter transfers from Cancun to the nearby landing strip and subsequent auto transfer to the lodge (Sundays only), air-conditioned accommodations, all meals, beverages (soft drinks, juices, mixers, and bottled water) and Hosted "Happy Hour" beer and margaritas, fishing license, 6 days fully guided fishing, and 15% Mexico VAT.

Not Included:

Not included is personal tackle, air charter or ground transfers other than on Sundays if needed, gratuities, alcoholic beverages other than what is outlined in inclusions, items of personal nature and any lodging or meals not provided at Espiritu Santo Bay Lodge, and the FBO Departure Tax.