What species can I target at Isla de la Juventud?

Primary targets are tarpon and bonefish, with opportunities for permit and barracuda depending on conditions.

What’s the best season to visit?

Productive year-round; many anglers favor warmer months for more frequent tarpon encounters and stable flats conditions.

Do I need to be an expert caster?

No. Guides coach on the water. A consistent 40–60 ft saltwater cast helps; heavier rods are suggested for tarpon.

Is this a liveaboard-based program?

Yes. You’ll stay aboard the Jardines Fleet II (JAF2), which maximizes time on the flats and reduces long daily runs.

Isla de la Juventud Liveaboard

Jardines The JAF2

Fly Fishing Only at this Protected Marine Park.

Isla de Juventud is Spanish for the Island of Youth. This pristine marine park is 93 miles from Havana, covering 1,367 square miles, and has approximately 90,000 inhabitants. This island is part of a larger archipelago consisting of 672 keys and islets.
2027 Peak Season Rates:
Full Yacht: $121,960 (up to 12 anglers)
Half-Yacht: $60,980 (up to 6 anglers - Half-yachts may only be booked within 8 months of your trip.)

Fly Fishing at Isla de Juventud

Aboard The JAF2, a 130-foot liveaboard yacht, you’ll explore the most remote areas of the Canarreos Archipelago, the world-famous chain of islands that runs 80 miles from the Isle of Youth to Cayo Largo. You’ll stop off at selected anchorages like Cayo Campo, the Antilles Islands, and finally, Cayo Rosario, renowned for some of Cuba's most outstanding flats fishing. Isla de la Juventud is ideal for anglers obsessed with monster tarpon. Between March and June, tarpon around 100 pounds have been caught and released.
Peak Season: Peak season for Isla de Juventud runs from February 20th through July 17, when bonefish, permit, and jacks are all present.
Peak season is also the best time to try for a Caribbean Grand Slam—tarpon, permit, and bonefish in one day. Each season produces numerous Grand Slams and a few Super Grand Slams, which means a tarpon, bonefish, permit, and snook in one day. Migratory tarpon average between 15 and 30 pounds, and up to 100 pounds are regularly spotted, and shots at permit are frequent.
Low Season: (September–December): Cooler temperatures bring excellent opportunities for bonefish and permit, along with the chance to catch a "resident" tarpon in the lagoons and mangrove systems. Snook, barracuda, and jacks add variety, making this a productive time while enjoying fewer anglers and attractive pricing.

The Fishing Program:

Boats: 16-foot Dolphin Super skiffs with 70 HP Yamaha motors. The guides pole the skiffs on the shallowest bonefish flats. Two anglers per guide and boat.
Guides: Local Spanish-speaking guides know enough fishing-English to get by and are excellent anglers. They know these waters like the back of their hands and are skilled at finding all species.
Fishing Hours: You are guided for 7 to 9 hours each day, at your discretion. Depending on the tides and fishing, you’ll take a packed lunch and return to the Liveaboard in the afternoons.
Fishing Equipment is not provided. An optional rental with a fly rod, reel, and lines is $350 per person per week. Rentals require 60 days’ notice before your trip. You will need to bring all flies as they are not available for purchase on the liveaboard. Our confirmation packet includes a detailed list of what to bring.
Fishing License: A fishing license is included in the package.
Marine Park Fee: The package does not include the $300 per person Marine Park Conservation fee.

A Typical Fishing Day:
7:00 a.m. Wake-up call
7:30 a.m. Breakfast
8:00 a.m. Guided fishing
You'll return to the yacht in the afternoon.
Enjoy appetizers and dinner.

The JAF2 Liveaboard Yacht

The JAF2 has ten deluxe king cabins with ten private bathrooms. While its overall capacity is 20 passengers, they suggest between 10 and 12 anglers for optimum comfort for fishing groups. Each room includes air conditioning and heating controls, power plugs (110 and 220 volts), storage, and panoramic windows offering breathtaking views of the Caribbean beaches. There is a spacious, comfortable lounge/bar and dining area, as well as a hot tub on the boat deck.
While the laundry service is free, they ask that you provide a tip.
Learn more about the JAF2 Yacht →.

Dining Aboard The JAF2

Meals: Buffet-style breakfasts and packed lunches. In the afternoons, you’ll enjoy some of the finest frozen daiquiris, Cuban libres (rum and Coke), and cocktails. Dinners include fresh salads and entrees such as lobster, fish of the day, pork, or chicken. Dessert and wine are served with dinner. Chefs work with special dietary needs.
The Open Bar: The open bar is included in the package and includes beer, wine, rum, vodka, soft drinks, juices, and water.
Communications: Wi-Fi is not available aboard the liveaboard. You’ll be offline—no bars of service. Check with your cell service provider to see if your U.S. cell phone will work in Cuba. International cell phones can be used and are an affordable option. Satellite phones are strictly prohibited in Cuba and will be confiscated at the airport on arrival.
Click here for more JAF2 pictures and liveaboard information.

Getting to Isla de la Juventud:

Friday - Optional: You’ll fly to the Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) in Havana, Cuba. Upon your arrival at the Havana airport, you’ll be greeted by a Cubatur (travel services) representative. He will help line up a taxi for your transfer to your hotel. The outfitter recommends staying at the Grand Aston Hotel, Central Park Hotel, or the Melia Habana Hotel. The package does not include a taxi, hotel nights, or meals in Havana.
Saturday: If you’re flying to Havana on Saturday, your flight must arrive before noon. A private bus will pick your group up at noon at the airport or from the hotel for the three-hour drive to the Zapesca Port. After appetizers, you’ll settle into your cabin. At 4:00 p.m., the JAF2 will travel two hours to Cayo Blanco. Dinner and overnight stay on the liveaboard.
Departure Day: At 6:00 a.m., transfer to Zapesca. You’ll disembark at the Zapesca Port at 9:00 a.m. Private three-hour bus transfer to Havana. It is best to book your departure flight home on Sunday and schedule another overnight stay in Havana on Saturday night. If you choose to fly home on Saturday, don’t plan your departing flight before 4:00 p.m.

2027 USD Rates:

Full Yacht: 10 rooms and 6 skiffs.
A maximum of 12 anglers and 8 non-angler guests
Half Yacht: 5 rooms and 3 skiffs.
A maximum of 6 anglers.
(Half-yacht charters may only be booked within 8 months of your trip and are subject to availability.)

7 nights and 5.75 days guided fishing:
Saturday to Saturday

Peak Season:
Feb. 20 - July 17, 2027
Full Yacht: $121,960
Half-Yacht: $60,980

Low Season:
Sept. 25 - December, 2027
Full Yacht: $99,000
Half-Yacht: $49,500

Request an Isla de Juventud
Information Packet.

The Packages Include:

• Reception at the Havana airport
• Private bus transfers between Havana and the Port
• 7 nights on The JAF2
• All meals on The JAF2
• Open bar on The JAF2
• Daily laundry service (a $1 tip per item)
• 6 days guided fishing
• A Cuban fishing license.

The Packages Do Not Include:

• Airfare to and from Havana, Cuba
• Cuban tourist visa, $85
• Taxi transfers in Havana (airport/hotel)
• First and last night hotels
• $300 per person Marine Park Fee
• Optional fishing equipment rental of $350 per person per week
• Flies
• Gratuities for guide and staff
• Personal expenses
• Global Rescue coverage
• Mandatory Cuban health insurance (included in airfare for flights from the U.S.)
• Travel Insurance
• Anything not listed under inclusions.

Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies)
2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.

Isla de la Juventud Policies:

Required Waiver of Liability: Required Waiver of Liability: Upon your arrival in Cayo Largo, you will be required to sign a Waiver of Liability before participating in the trip. This legal document outlines the inherent risks associated with the activities and includes a release of liability for the outfitter to the extent permitted by law.)

Minimum-Occupancy Disclaimer: If the minimum occupancy is not met (for example, on a 10-room vessel, minimum occupancy is 8 anglers) at the time of the trip, either by the group itself or by other groups reserved directly by the outfitter, the company reserves the right to relocate the group to another yacht or accommodation, always respecting the group’s destination and confirmed trip dates.

Deposit Policy: For trips confirmed more than 18 months before arrival, a 20% deposit is required at the time of booking, a 50% deposit is due 12 months prior to arrival, and the remaining balance is due 90 days before arrival.

Cancellation Policy: To qualify for a refund, cancellation must be made more than 240 days before the trip start date. An $800 handling fee per person will be deducted from all approved refunds. Within 240 days of your trip, your deposit is non-refundable. No refunds are available for unused portions of packages. Full payment is due 90 days prior to arrival. Credit card payments cannot be accepted for anything on the Liveaboard. All programs and their execution remain subject to weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances beyond the outfitter's control, and claims for refunds arising from such circumstances will not be accepted. The refund policy is not applicable to rescheduled or rebooked trips. Therefore, once a trip has been rescheduled or rebooked, it is ineligible for a monetary refund of any kind and claims for refunds will not be accepted.

IMPORTANT: Trip Cancellation insurance is strongly recommended, and “cancel for any reason” insurance is important to consider in the event of unforeseen circumstances that prevent you from traveling. If you cancel LESS THAN 240 days BEFORE YOUR trip, trip cancellation insurance will be your only possible form of reimbursement. If you would like trip cancellation coverage for reasons not included in standard travel insurance policies, please inquire with your travel representative about the No Risk Policy.

Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance: Fishing with Larry strongly recommends purchasing travel insurance when traveling to Cuba. In our experience, the outfitter rarely offers refunds or credits for missed trips, regardless of the reason. We have had anglers miss their trip due to weather delays and mechanical airline issues and receive no compensation from the outfitter. Travel insurance is the best way to protect your investment and avoid a costly disappointment.
Click here for our Travel Insurance page.

*Cuban Laws are against any kind of drugs, and the use is absolutely forbidden in any place. Trying to enter the Cuban Country with drugs is considered a severe crime. The outfitter is against any kind of drugs.