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JRD Cuba on board the JA4

THE FISHING

Fishing from the JA4 is an excellent option for those who are looking to enjoy more flexibility than most traditional lodges will allow. Fishing hours are totally at the discretion of the guests, unlike the majority of lodges in operation. The fishing day normally begins with breakfast at 7:00am, with a 7:45 am departure. A lot of guests choose to return to the boat for a great lunch, particularly when it is hot during the spring and summer months. Some of the flats are as close as fifteen minutes from the floating hotel and it’s always a good idea to take a break from the sun while having lunch if you plan on a long afternoon of fishing the flats. Others that are going farther or would like to spend the day on the flats can do so by requesting a packed lunch the night before. Clients can fish late into the evening if they like and there is never a daily gasoline limitation for the guides.

The bonefishing in JDR is superb and the flats are both beautiful and productive. This is a real mixed bag flats environment with everything from white sand flats to lush grass flats. Guests will have numerous daily shots at bonefish in the 7 to 9 lb. class and bones in the 10-14 lb. range are being landed on a consistent basis over the past 3 years. This is an excellent location to sight cast to tarpon. The countless rivers and creeks that flow through the islands and flats are a magnet to tarpon and fish in the 25-50 lb. class are available in this wonderful ecosystem on a year round basis. The larger fish will show beginning in mid March and will hold through the summer.

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

The flats skiffs used in JDR from the JA4 are Dolphin Super Skiffs powered by 80 horse power engines. Both fly fishing and spin casting. There are a limited number of fly rods and rental gear available. Fly fishing and spin casting.

GETTING THERE

For guests choosing to fly into Havana: you will fly into Havana on Friday where you will be met by a Slipstream Angling representative as soon as you clear customs. Once you clear customs guests will need to take a taxi from the airport to your four-star hotel, located in downtown Havana. On Saturday morning, guests will be picked up at their hotel for the transportation down to the Port of Jucaro. Once docked at the Port of Jucaro in the late morning the following Saturday, you will be transferred back to Havana for your overnight at a four star hotel in downtown Havana, or to make your late evening flight.

For guests choosing to fly into either Camaguey, Santa Clara, Cayo Coco: You will fly in on Saturday,
where you will be met by a Slipstream Angling representative as soon as you clear customs. Once you clear customs you’ll be transferred to the Port of Jucaro where you’ll board the tender that takes you out to the JA4. On departure day, guests arrive at the port of Jucaro the following Saturday at approximately 9 am. Once docked, you will be transferred to either Camaguey, Santa Clara, or Cayo Coco for your evening departing flight. Please be sure to book an evening flight out of either Camaguey, Santa Clara, or Cayo Coco.

Slipstream is a full service travel company that can handle a variety of services relating to your trip. For assistance, please contact us directly at 1 866 644-7703.

RATES FOR 2023

Low Season: Dec 31st (2022) – Feb 18th (2023)

$4,499 USD DBL

High Season : February 18, 2023 to July 15, 2023

$7,290 USD DBL

  • Havana - HAV
  • ​Year Round
  • Tarpon, Bonefish…
  • 16 Rods per Week guests
  • Wifi: Yes
  • Language: English/Spanish
  • Physicality: Low
  • CC Payment at Facility : No
Live Aboards

JRD Cuba on board the JA4

Tour Location

LOCATION

Jardines De La Reina (JDR for short) is located in south east Cuba, approximately 75 miles off the coast of the state Camaguey. Due to its natural beauty and extraordinary bio diversity, it has been designated a National Park by the Cuban Government.

PRIMARY SPECIES

Tarpon and Bonefish. Permit, mutton, cubera snapper, jack crevelle, and barracuda are also available in excellent numbers.

SEASON OF OPERATION

Year Round

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE LOGISTICS

The week begins on Saturday and ends the following Satuday. Please note there are two options to choose from when arriving to the Tortuga. First, being that all guests fly into Havana the Friday before their week starts in order to make the early Saturday morning hotel pick up for transportation to the Port of Jucaro. Going this rout, guests will also spend an additional night in Havana on the back end of their trip, unless they have an early evening flight out of Havana. The second option, on arrival day, guests fly into either Camaguey, Santa Clara, or Cayo Coco and be met by a rep to be transferred to the Port of Jucaro, where you’ll board the Halcon. Your departure falls on the following Saturday. Please be sure to book an evening flight out of either Camaguey, Santa Clara, or Cayo Coco, as the Halcon doesn’t dock until late morning at the Port of Jucaro.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Guests fishing JDR will stay on board the Tortuga, a 110 foot double decker floating hotel. The Tortuga was completely refurbished in 2007 and is an extremely sturdy vessel. The ship is made of steel and has been anchored in a protected channel, so that it never moves about. The threat of getting seasick is non-existent as the boat does not move at all. Each cabin has its own shower with hot water, toilet and individually adjustable high tech air-conditioning system. A large air conditioned dining room downstairs with both a foredeck and afterdeck makes this a very comfortable home away from home. Round the clock fresh water is guaranteed by a desalination unit that produces 4.000 liters per day. The generators are located on a small island close to the lodge and run twenty four hours a day providing electricity. This is a smooth operation that is 100% dialed in to provide great comfort for anglers in a logistically complex environment.

DESTINATION CAPACITY

Angling capacity on the Tortuga is 16 rods per week.
Live Aboards

JRD Cuba on board the JA4

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Live Aboards

JRD Cuba on board the JA4

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Bar tabs and other items cannot be paid with credit cards. Cash only
  • There is daily laundry service available
  • High Speed internet service is available 24/7
  • Electricity is 110 and 220 volt

INCLUDED IN PRICE

  • Being met at the airport in Santa Clara/ Camaguey or Cayo Coco
  • 7 nights on board the Tortuga (dbl occupancy) full board
  • 6 full day and two half days of guided fishing (dbl occupancy in skiff)

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE

  • Extra beverages and food on International arrival and departure days
  • Round trip taxi service to and from the hotel on arrival and departure days
  • All transfers inside Cuba as per program below
  • 2 nights in Havana at a 4 Star downtown hotel before and after fishing week (dbl occupancy) breakfast included
  • Cuban Visa
  • Alcohol
  • Fishing gear
  • Gratuities
  • $300 USD Conservation Fee
  • Mandatory Cuban Medical Insurance Policy as of May 1, 2010

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • A valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months after your departure from Cuba
  • A Cuban Entry Visa.