Boca Paila Fishing Flats
Boca Paila Fishing Flats
4.5
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4.5
19 reviews
Excellent
13
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4
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Terrible
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flyingflyfisherman
Greenville, SC80 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
The lodge itself has been closed for a number of years. However their boats are still there and can arrange guided fishing in the area. Fishing is awesome here. Short runs, lots of protected water. Guides are good. Bummer lodge is closed because I would fish here more if it was open. Now have to stay in Tulum, take taxi to docks each day (depending where in Tulum staying could be as quick as 10ish minutes to 20 minutes). But that means assembling your rods every morning and break them all down at the end of the day.
Written 26 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bigfish210
Sugar Land, Texas100 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
This is one of the few areas where a guy can fish without paying for a guide or charter boat. It is a good, clean beach with very little fishing pressure (relatively speaking). Typical Mexican flats. Clean, clear water unless wind is high. Scattered reefs. Easy to walk the beach and look for bonefish, permit and snook (robalo). We used fly and spinning gear. We caught fish on everything: spoon flies, clousers, jerk baits, and small jigs. A backpack with everything you need is advised. Unless you bump into another fisherman you will be alone.
Written 16 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary B
Spring Branch, TX96 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
My 30+ year old son and I go fly fishing on the flats for bonefish, permit and snook at Boca Paila every couple of years while our families enjoy the beautiful beaches in Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve. You'll need at least a canoe or kayak to get out to the best spots and there is a good launch spot just over the bridge on the right side. It is best to get there early as it can get to be a popular spot but the bay is so large so there's lots of room for everyone.
As you cross the bridge on arrival, be sure to stop and talk to the locals fishing there and ask about any crocodile spottings. There are usually at least one of them in the pool next to the bridge trying to steal bait. Occasionally, they will cruise around and chase kids swimming there. In fact, there is a great You Tube video of a croc chasing a guy swimming and he gets so close that people on the bridge start throwing things at him.
Anyway, back to fly fishing. If it's your first trip, I'd suggest you use a guide. You can make arrangements for one in Tulum or Akumal. There is even an American guide in Tulum that lives there in the winter months. They will get you use to the right places out on the flats and train yo to spot this elusive shadows of the bones and permits. If the wind is calm and the tide out, you can spot them much easier as they are "tailing" as they search the bottom for shrimp and crab. On our recent trip, we miss judged both the tide and winds and only landed a couple. I'd suggest that the tide is the most important as even on moderately windy days, you can lay in near a stand of mangroves and avoid the heaviest winds. These mangroves are also where the snook and young tarpon hang out so you may try your luck there anyway.
Good luck, and always remember, it is called "fishing" not "catching". No matter what the catch is, you'll enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
As you cross the bridge on arrival, be sure to stop and talk to the locals fishing there and ask about any crocodile spottings. There are usually at least one of them in the pool next to the bridge trying to steal bait. Occasionally, they will cruise around and chase kids swimming there. In fact, there is a great You Tube video of a croc chasing a guy swimming and he gets so close that people on the bridge start throwing things at him.
Anyway, back to fly fishing. If it's your first trip, I'd suggest you use a guide. You can make arrangements for one in Tulum or Akumal. There is even an American guide in Tulum that lives there in the winter months. They will get you use to the right places out on the flats and train yo to spot this elusive shadows of the bones and permits. If the wind is calm and the tide out, you can spot them much easier as they are "tailing" as they search the bottom for shrimp and crab. On our recent trip, we miss judged both the tide and winds and only landed a couple. I'd suggest that the tide is the most important as even on moderately windy days, you can lay in near a stand of mangroves and avoid the heaviest winds. These mangroves are also where the snook and young tarpon hang out so you may try your luck there anyway.
Good luck, and always remember, it is called "fishing" not "catching". No matter what the catch is, you'll enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Written 30 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John J
Breezy Point, MN92 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
I had a great guide. He had me on fish within five minutes of leaving the dock.
Several snappers and barracuda.
I also caught several bonefish and a big permit in four hour half day trip!
They picked me up at my condo and a short hour drive later arrived at the dock.
Several snappers and barracuda.
I also caught several bonefish and a big permit in four hour half day trip!
They picked me up at my condo and a short hour drive later arrived at the dock.
Written 3 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Senor_Garrick
Atlanta, GA62 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
My wife and I chartered the boat for a morning half-day trip. I had planned on fly fishing for bonefish but it was way too windy to cast. Fortunately, the guide a couple spinning outfits and some bait (hermit crab).
Our guide spoke limited English but with my also limited Spanish, we were able to communicate just fine.
The Biosphere was absolutely beautiful. We caught 4 or 5 bonefish, a jack, and a bunch of small mangrove snapper and perch.
All in all, it was a very enjoyable trip.
Our guide spoke limited English but with my also limited Spanish, we were able to communicate just fine.
The Biosphere was absolutely beautiful. We caught 4 or 5 bonefish, a jack, and a bunch of small mangrove snapper and perch.
All in all, it was a very enjoyable trip.
Written 9 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
varda s
Rehovot, Israel88 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
We have enjoyed a boat ride on this beautiful lake - "Boca Paila", which mend the mouth of the lake that joins the sea. Wild sea animals can be seen from time to time.
Written 17 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald K
Littleton, CO75 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Take a walk on the wild side. Beautiful undeveloped beach. Brought my own backpacking fishing gear from home and surf fished. No luck but a bad day fishing is better than any day at work. A bit bumpy drive but well worth the effort
Written 23 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Z
Kralendijk, Bonaire177 contributions
Apr 2015
I have fished this spot multiple times on two separate trips to Tulum with my wife. Fished from seaside where the river enters the sea. Standing in breast deep water and casting lures (plugs and surface lures) for jacks, barracudas and sometimes even snook. Parked my rental car on one of the spots neaar the bridge with normally numbers of people fishing the bridge itself. One day coming back from my spot the trunk was broken open and my camera was missing. Later on talked to a guy who had the sam experience.
Written 7 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ochap
Weston, FL9 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Peaceful, colorful, beautiful white beach, excellent food, beautiful hotels and spas. Specially Be Tulum
Written 12 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
todd f
8 contributions
Jan 2014 • Couples
World class flats fishing. BEAUTIFUL lagoon to fish, kayaking, manatee watching, ruins in the lagoon, plenty of beautiful bird watching including the large spoonbill that looks like a flamingo, bright pink and huge.
Written 18 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I don't want to go all the way to Punta Allen. Is there some way to find guide who will take me out closer to Tulum?
Written 30 November 2019
Where do I stay if I want to fish the Boca Palia flats every day? Where do I get the rental car I assume I must need?
Written 27 January 2019
John,
who did you use as a guide service for this area? I may be wade fishing the bridge area early January, and if you have any tips on where to fish, that would be helpful. First time saltwater fly fishing, semi-avid trout fly fisherman.
Written 20 December 2018
We are looking for a half or full day fishing trip in November 2018. Can you tell me what company to book with or how to hire a guide? I'm having trouble finding local fishing without having to drive all the way to Pesca Maya lodge. Thanks!
Written 10 August 2018
Is there any place where I can rent a kayak for the day there? I'll be coming from Tulum and I have all my fishing gear with me but I would prolly need a boat to reach the snooks inland?
Written 9 January 2018
how was the drive to get there and did you feel safe along the route? would you feel confer table without a guide.
Written 27 July 2015
O drove way down to close to Punta Allen. It is pretty desert but I did not feel unsafe. The road is not so good and you need to be fueled up before getting there. There is no many places to fish without a guide so I took Pesca Maya one day tour. It was good enough but I expected more
Written 26 February 2017
How much does it cost to get a fishing guide?
Written 23 March 2015
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