• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
cubaflyfishtravel.com

cubaflyfishtravel.com

Travel with us to experience Cuba fly fishing at its finest!

  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Cayo Romano, Cuba
    • Jardines de la Reina(JDR)
  • Preparing for your trip
  • Gallery
  • About St Petes
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Uncategorized

Preserving Jardines de La Reina one trip at a time!

April 15, 2025 by shop@stpetes.com

The establishment of the Jardines de la Reina marine park in the early nineties came to be through the collaboration of many scientific, governmental and non-governmental entities. The goal in preserving and protecting such a massive area (840 sq mi) is quite an ambitious action that has never been taken lightly. As the long term stewards of this pristine marine park, we believe that real and concrete conservation goes beyond boundaries and statutes; but requires the involvement of each individual visitor to become a reality.

Jardines de la Reina is more than just a fishing destination – it’s an extraordinary, living ecosystem that requires our collective efforts to safeguard its future. As a leader in sustainable tourism, we are committed to ensuring the conservation of its pristine waters and vibrant marine life. Over the last thirty three years we have developed avenues for guests to grow their partnership in the protection and sustainable utilization of this archipelago. In the simplest form, your presence within the marine park ensures that guides are on the water acting as a de-facto surveillance team while exploring the various regions of JDR for fish of all varieties among a multitude of habitats. Even further, each fish caught and released is logged in a scientific database providing much needed information in understanding and protecting the habitats that they rely on so heavily. 

Additional actions such as reduced fuel consumption, catch and release fly fishing, rotational use systems, no-take sanctuary designations, reducing plastics, grey water recycling, and limiting visitors have made significant positive impacts for the efficiency of the programs and the health of the environment. This is a phenomenal opportunity to create a mutually beneficial environmental program in the marine parks through science based innovations while returning the benefits back to the ecosystem and the local communities.

=What’s New in 2026 and How Can You Be Involved?=

1. Expanded Conservation Zones:

We’re expanding conservation zones to protect juvenile fish populations, providing safe spaces for their growth and helping adult fish find refuge. These zones will ensure healthy fish stocks and the long-term sustainability of the region. See the map below of the expanded areas of protection that will ultimately add to the overall size and health of the marine park.

2. Reduced Visitor Numbers and Skiff Use:

To improve the guest experience and preserve the fishery, we’re limiting Jardines de la Reina to 8 skiffs (16 anglers) per week. This reduction will lower fishing pressure and provide more opportunities to explore the destination at your will from end to end without the barriers of being limited to one region only during your week The live-aboard program will be mobile, following the best fishing spots while protecting sensitive ecosystems.

3. Guest Involvement Opportunities:

In 2026, we’re offering more ways for guests to engage in conservation, from expert talks to hands-on research programs. Your participation will help preserve Jardines de la Reina for future generations while enhancing your experience.

Why Your Trip Matters–

Every visit you make to Jardines de la Reina supports the conservation initiatives that keep this delicate ecosystem thriving. Whether you’re fishing, diving, or simply exploring the breathtaking surroundings, your presence plays a vital role in preserving the natural beauty that makes JDR so special.

We’re proud to offer an experience that blends adventure with responsibility. It’s not just about catching fish or sightseeing—it’s about actively protecting the paradise we’ve all come to love.

Join us in Keeping JDR Wild and Thriving— Book your 2026 Adventure Now!!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Cuba Fly Fishing, Cuba fly fishing Travel, FishingCuba, FlyFishingCuba, Jardines de la Reina

Cuba Travel Preparation

September 11, 2024 by shop@stpetes.com

Cuba Travel Logistics: A Guide to Legal, Safe, and Successful Travel

By Grant Houx- St. Peter’s Travel Coordinator 

When it comes to fly fishing and travel, what is better than an adventure filled with expansive saltwater flats and plentiful fish? Combine this with amazing culture, great food, wonderful people, and a place unlike anywhere else in the world, and you have a journey that is hard to top. You may have guessed it, but I’m talking about Cuba. Cuba is a place that offers all those experiences and more. For these reasons, Cuba is unquestionably a top destination in our fly fishing travel program. In this blog, I’ll elaborate on the above details and why Cuba should be at the top of your list of fly fishing destinations. Additionally, I’ll cover how to travel to Cuba and what you need to know to make sure your trip is a success.

We at St Peter’s Fly Shop have been traveling, arranging, and taking clients to Cuba for almost a decade. I’ve been fortunate to be on the front end of our travels there, hosting 2 to 3 trips per year since we added it to our list of destinations. Avalon is the company that we have partnered with, and they control most all fly fishing access in Cuba. After visiting all of Avalon’s locations throughout the country, we as a shop have chosen to focus on what we consider to be their 2 best: Cayo Romano to the north and Jardines de la Reina(JDR) to the south. Though the destinations are very different, they’re both fantastic in their own ways. I will focus on more details about each destination below, but let’s first discuss the aspects of travel to Cuba.

TRAVEL

First and foremost, all travel we arrange to Cuba is legal, and we ensure the documents to follow mandates between the US and Cuba. Travel seems to be the largest barrier for most when it comes to visiting Cuba. We at St. Peter’s Fly Shop pride ourselves in making this process as easy and safe as possible. We’ll make sure you make it there and back legally, by assuring all proper paperwork is lined up and arranged by our travel experts. Admittedly, of all the destinations we travel to in the world to fly fish, Cuba does have some difficult logistics. This isn’t said to scare one from wanting to travel there, but rather to inform you that it does require crossing your t’s and dotting your i’s. Again, we will hold your hand through this whole process. In fact, these challenges are part of what makes Cuba such a special place. When less folks travel somewhere to fly fish, and when fish see less pressure, the fisheries tend to be that much better. It is also the reason many travelers choose St. Peter’s to help arrange their trips: we know how to navigate the logistics.

Now, let’s cover some of these logistics and discuss how to navigate them. I’ll note that in the last 10 years, 3 of which were heavily impacted by COVID, logistics have been constantly changing. Since we have multiple trips there a year, we are constantly studying Cuba travel and how to make sure our customers can navigate their way to this amazing destination and back to the States. We’ll handle travel logistics so customers can focus on what they are there to do: fly fish!

When it comes to traveling to Cuba there are a handful of documents and paperwork that you’ll need to legally enter the country. (Again, when you travel or book with St. Peter’s to Cuba, we make sure we are traveling legally and that all your paperwork will be organized.)

As of Nov 1st, 2022, here is the list of required documents:

-Passport- It must not expire for 6 months from the first day of your arrival to Cuba.

-Cuba Visa – can be obtained multiple ways, but normally we recommend ordering them through Cuba Travel Services at least 2 weeks prior to your trip

-Travel Affidavit- I’ll go into this document with a bit more detail because it’s the paperwork that explains our legal reason for traveling to Cuba. Currently, we are traveling under Humanitarian Projects. Let me explain how this makes your travel to Cuba legal. While in Cuba, Avalon works closely with an organization called Oceans of the Youth. Oceans of the Youth is the outfit that protects and researches Cuba’s flats and coastal waters. Each angler is required to count and keep track of fish caught each day. That info is passed to Oceans of the Youth to help them with fish population records. On top of that, while visiting Cuba, you’ll be required to attend an informative speech detailing the current status and future objectives of the marine area. By helping Oceans of the Youth, we are in the act of helping with Humanitarian Projects, therefore making our travel to Cuba legal. Prior to departing for Cuba, we’ll make sure you have the Travel Affidavit and Workshop Certificate to solidify legal travel to the country.

-Workshop Certificate. We arrange this for you through the Cuban outfitter. It defines your reason for visit and authorizes your travel.

-Vaccinations and COVID Test requirement. Currently Cuba isn’t requiring travelers to be vaccinated. COVID tests are not required to enter the country.

As of this moment, the above items are the travel requirements and logistics. Please be sure to check with us as requirements change, and we’ll be sure to get you the most up to date information prior to your trip.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Footer

Pages

  • About St Petes
  • Blog
  • Cayo Romano, Cuba
  • Contact Us
  • Destinations
  • Gallery
  • Homepage
  • Jardines de la Reina(JDR)
  • Preparing for your trip

Contact

St Peters Fly Shop

970-498-8968

shop@stpetes.com

http://stpetes.com

Blog

  • Preserving Jardines de La Reina one trip at a time!
  • Cuba Travel Preparation

Copyright St Petes Fly Shop 2024