Havana, Cuba’s capital, offers so many activities that it can be hard to fit it all into a trip. Museums, cultural centers, exquisite ballet performances, delicious cuisine and thrilling baseball games are aplenty here, but when you want to head out of the city, there are even more options for relaxation. Havana is home to pristine beaches and beautiful waters, making it ideal for watersports and fishing. In fact, in the clear tropical waters off of Havana’s shores, you’ll find some of the best fishing Cuba offers. Although fishing is a huge draw in Havana, it may be impossible to escape without experiencing some of the culture and history that is still present through dining and architecture.
Experience Havana Fishing
Fishing is everywhere in Havana, even straight off the sea wall! Many areas allow fishing in the shallow waters directly off the shore, while other areas require heading further out. That’s no problem for most fishing enthusiasts as Havana is home to some of the most exciting deep sea fishing in the Caribbean.
For visitors to Cuba, accommodations can be found to include a full week of fishing if you prefer to have a set itinerary. For those who want a little more freedom, there are plenty of charter boats and rentals around the island that can take you out for the morning, midday, or whole day. From fly fishing to deep sea fishing, and everything in between, Cuba is a fishing paradise for any fishing enthusiast.
Havana Fly Fishing
In the shallow waters surrounding Cuba, you might be surprised to find some large game fish. But these areas are the ideal spots for fly fishing, so keep watch for tarpon, bonefish, snook and other fish that favor the flats. Or head out further away from shore for a fisher’s paradise with nothing but water surrounding you. Although Cuba is immensely popular for fishing, there are so many accessible spots that you can spend all day on the water without bumping into another boat.
Deep Sea Fishing in Havana
Deep sea fishing enthusiasts can get their fill with deep sea Havana fishing. Here you can try to land some of the largest and most fierce creatures living in the tropical waters. Locals and tourists alike often reel in dolphinfish, hefty marlins, sailfish and even the biggest tuna. Just miles from Havana, the Gulf Stream passes which turns the waters into prime conditions for lurking fish and the fishers who hunt them.
Hemingway International Billfishing Tournament
It’s hard to tell whether the locals or tourists love the Hemingway Fishing Tournament more. This annual tournament lasts for four fun-filled days as fishers from all over the world battle the biggest ocean fish. As a tag-and-release tourney, the Hemingway Fishing Tournament is the perfect opportunity to go after the biggest of the big, including marlin, wahoo and tuna, or try for a Grand Slam title! Bring your own boat and gear or rent a boat early from one of the many rentals in Havana.
Havana Grand Slam
Although baseball is wildly popular in Cuba, a fishing Grand Slam consists of catching a tarpon, bonefish and permit all in one day! It may sound impossible, but the waters are teeming with these types of fish — it just takes a dedicated fisherman who is willing to put up a fight. Perhaps you have what it takes to land a Super Grand Slam by adding a snook to the day’s catch. If so, you’ll have done what few others have accomplished all while enjoying the beautiful sun, warm waters and maybe even one of Cuba’s spectacular sunsets on the water. Take your angling game to the next level and try your rod at a Grand Slam!
Our Favorite Havana Fishing Excursions
Cuba is unique in that it offers fishing excursions at every side of the island. It’s harder to find a spot without fish than to find an ideal fishing location in Cuba’s waters, and the shallows and deep waters near Havana are no different. Whether you want to fish for snapper and snook in the shallow waters or reel in the biggest tuna you’ve ever seen while deep sea fishing, there are plenty of boats available to take you on a Havana fishing adventure.
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Marlin XV (Havana Fishing Boat): The Marlin XV is perfect for any fisher who want to spend the day at sea. With a spacious cabin, there’s plenty of room for up to 10 passengers. And while you can enjoy snorkeling, diving or relaxing in the sun on the Marlin XV, we recommend putting it to its best use for day-long fishing. Choose a 4-hour, 6-hour, or 8-hour fishing trip and head out with a provided captain for some of the best fishing around.
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Costa Azul (Havana Fishing Boat): Aboard the Costa Azul, you’ll have everything you need for a day of fishing, including gear, bait, snacks, beverages and a captain to keep you heading in the right direction. At 33 feet long, the Costa Azul provides lots of room for up to 10 passengers to spend half-day, mid-day, or full-day rentals. See what you can catch in Havana aboard the Costa Azul!
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Mundi Tours: Not far from Havana’s beautiful beaches you’ll discover an immense change to the depth of the waters. Just a few miles from the coast is where some of the best deep sea fishing can be found. Using live bait and trolling methods, you’ll be able to try your luck at the monstrous undersea creatures.
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Playas del Este: Just a few minutes from Havana, Playas del Este is a great beach area with many water activities, including many fishing facilities. Fishermen can land barracuda, tuna and even enormous swordfish here, a feat which few other beach areas can boast.
Top-Rated Fishing Destinations
While Havana offers a little bit of everything — culture, entertainment, relaxation and fishing — there are many other areas around Cuba that offer ideal fishing conditions. With just a short trip via taxi or plane, you can be fish from the top-rated Cuba fishing destinations after your exciting stay in Havana.
Cayo Largo is known as the best spot for snook, bonefish, tarpon and permit, so if you’re aiming for a Grand Slam, you can’t miss Casa Batida. For nearly 50 square miles, sand flats, channels and turtle grass intertwine with tidal mangroves which creates an ideal environment for these fish. Although the area is catch-and-release only, you’re sure to make plenty of memories and catch some of the biggest fish you’ll never forget. You can even try for a Super Grand Slam by catching all four types of fish!
If you head to the southern edges of Cuba, you’ll meet up with the Jardines de la Reina, perhaps the most famous spot in Cuba for diving, snorkeling and fishing. This area is teeming with a diverse population of fish and other marine life, so whether you visit for the amazing underwater sights or have your sights set on landing the big ones — amberjack, bonefish, snapper, sailfish, mahi-mahi, wahoo, grouper, barracuda, sharks, marlin and more — you definitely don’t want to miss the Jardines de la Reina, or the Gardens of the Queen.