Bahamas Fly Fishing Cost: Bonefish & Grand Slam 2026 | One Outdoors
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The Bahamas is the most accessible world-class saltwater fly fishery on Earth. From Florida, the flats are a 90-minute flight away — yet the bonefishing rivals or exceeds Christmas Island, Belize, and the Seychelles. We book more Bahamas fly fishing than any other Caribbean destination by a 3-to-1 margin.
This guide breaks down realistic all-in costs across the four primary Bahamian fisheries: Andros (the heartland), Abaco (the wade angler's island), Crooked & Acklins (the last frontier), and Grand Bahama / Bimini (the easy entry).
What a Bahamas Fly Fishing Trip Actually Costs
| Trip type | All-in / 6 nights | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Premium full-service lodge | $6,500–$10,500 | Private guide daily, all meals, boat + skiff, lodge package |
| Mid-tier lodge | $4,500–$6,000 | Shared guide some days, all meals, basic skiffs |
| DIY rental + occasional guide | $2,200–$3,800 | Rental house, day-rate guide 2–3 days, self-poled rest |
| Bonefish + tarpon combo program | $7,500–$11,000 | Two-fishery rotation, often Andros + Bimini or Abaco + Florida Keys |
For destination context, see our Bahamas fishing pillar and bonefish species guide.
Andros: The Bonefish Heartland
Andros is the world's largest island with the most bonefishing flats anywhere — 700+ square miles of clean, wadeable, and pole-able flats stretching from the North Bight to the South Bight. Average fish run 3–5 lb with 7–12 lb trophies common.
Premium Andros Lodge Cost (6 nights, fully guided)
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Lodge package (full-board, private guide, skiff) | $4,500–$6,500 |
| International flight US → Nassau (NAS) or direct to Andros (ASD) | $400–$900 |
| Bahamian charter or Bahamasair to Andros | $0–$350 (often included) |
| Bahamian sportfishing license | $50–$75 (often included) |
| Guide gratuity (15–18%) | $700–$1,150 |
| Pre/post Nassau hotel (1 night) | $200–$400 |
| All-in total | $5,850–$9,375 |
Top Andros operations: Andros South Lodge, Bair's Lodge, Mars Bay Lodge, Mangrove Cay Club, Tranquility Hill Lodge, Kamalame Cay. Browse all Bahamas experiences.
Mid-tier Andros Cost (cabaña + day-rate guide)
A budget approach: stay in a guesthouse on the South Bight, hire a guide 4 days at $650/day, self-pole flats the rest.
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Round-trip flights to Andros (via Nassau or Fort Lauderdale charter) | $500–$1,200 |
| Guesthouse / cabaña × 7 nights | $700–$1,200 |
| Day guide × 4 days | $2,400–$3,000 |
| Food + groceries + meals | $400–$700 |
| Bahamian fishing license (week) | $50 |
| Skiff rental for self-pole days (3 days) | $450–$900 |
| All-in total | $4,500–$7,050 |
This is the trip serious flats anglers do — comparable lodge experience for 25–35% less.
Abaco: The Wade Angler's Island
Abaco's flats from Marsh Harbour through Cherokee Sound and the Marls are mostly hard-bottom and wadeable — the best wading flats in the Bahamas. Average fish are larger than Andros (4–7 lb, 8–12+ lb common), but the fishery is smaller and more weather-dependent.
Abaco Cost (6 nights)
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Lodge package | $4,200–$6,000 |
| Direct flight US → Marsh Harbour (MHH) or Treasure Cay (TCB) | $400–$750 |
| Sportfishing license | $50 (often included) |
| Guide gratuity | $650–$950 |
| Incidentals + travel | $250–$400 |
| All-in total | $5,550–$8,150 |
Operations: Abaco Lodge (premier wade fishery), Bair's at Abaco, Pete and Gay's. October–May season; prime November through April.
Crooked & Acklins: The Last Frontier
The most remote Bahamian fishery — Crooked Island and adjacent Acklins receive a fraction of the pressure of Andros or Abaco. Average bonefish run 4–6 lb with 10+ lb fish a regular feature. The downside: harder to reach, fewer beds, weather-dependent.
Crooked & Acklins Cost (6 nights)
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Lodge package | $5,500–$7,500 |
| Charter flight from Nassau or Fort Lauderdale | $500–$1,200 (sometimes included) |
| Sportfishing license | $50 |
| Gratuity | $850–$1,150 |
| All-in total | $6,900–$9,900 |
Operations: Crooked Island Lodge, Acklins Outback Lodge. Book 12+ months ahead — limited beds.
DIY Bahamas: The Honest Budget Approach
The cheapest viable Bahamas fly fishing trip is genuinely cheap — but it requires self-sufficiency, route knowledge, and either a rental skiff or strong wading legs.
DIY Andros (7 nights)
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Round-trip flights (booked early) | $400–$700 |
| Beach house or cottage rental × 7 nights | $700–$1,400 |
| Rental car / scooter × 7 days | $250–$500 |
| Groceries and food | $300–$500 |
| Day guide × 2 days (strategic) | $1,300–$1,500 |
| Skiff rental × 3 days (self-pole) | $450–$900 |
| Sportfishing license | $50 |
| All-in total | $3,450–$5,550 |
Many DIY anglers go cheaper — under $2,500 — by skipping the guide entirely and renting a paddleboard or beach kayak to access flats.
The Grand Slam Trip: Bonefish + Tarpon + Permit
A "Grand Slam" — catching all three on the same day — is the holy grail. The realistic Bahamas program adds a Bimini or Abaco extension to a standard Andros bonefish trip.
10-day Grand Slam Cost
| Item | Range |
|---|---|
| Andros bonefish week (lodge package) | $4,500–$6,500 |
| Bimini or Abaco tarpon/permit add-on (4 nights) | $2,800–$4,500 |
| Inter-island charter | $400–$800 |
| All flights | $600–$1,200 |
| License (multi-day) | $75–$150 |
| Gratuities | $1,200–$1,800 |
| All-in total | $9,575–$14,950 |
Most Grand Slam attempts produce a single grand slam over 8–10 fishing days; the better mental frame is "Grand Slam attempt."
Comparison: Bahamas vs Other Saltwater Fly Destinations
| Destination | Cost (week, all-in) | Avg bonefish | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahamas (Andros) | $5,800–$9,400 | 3–5 lb (7–12 trophy) | Wade + skiff |
| Belize | $5,200–$7,800 | 2–3 lb (5–7 trophy) | Skiff |
| Mexico (Yucatan/Ascension Bay) | $4,800–$7,500 | 2–4 lb | Skiff (mostly) |
| Christmas Island (Kiribati) | $7,000–$11,000 | 4–6 lb (10+ trophy) | Wade |
| Seychelles | $14,000–$22,000 | 4–6 lb (8+ trophy) | Wade + skiff |
| Cuba (Jardines de la Reina) | $7,500–$11,000 | 3–4 lb | Liveaboard |
The Bahamas advantage: easiest access from the US East Coast, largest unpressured flats, lowest premium-tier price point.
Booking Window
Premium Andros lodges sell out 6–10 months ahead. Abaco runs 4–8 months. Crooked & Acklins requires 12+ months for prime weeks (Feb–April). Last-minute openings are common in October and June. Hurricane-risk shoulder weeks (late August through mid-October) are heavily discounted but unreliable.
Related Guides
- Bahamas Fishing Pillar
- Bonefish Species Guide
- Tarpon Species Guide
- Permit Species Guide
- Belize Fishing Trips
- Best Saltwater Fly Rods
- Fly Fishing Travel Gear
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a week of Bahamas bonefishing cost?
All-in costs run $5,500–$8,500 per angler for a 6-night premium lodge package on Andros, Abaco, or Crooked Island, including flights from the US, lodge package, gratuities, fishing license, and incidentals. Mid-tier programs run $4,000–$5,500 all-in. DIY trips with rental cabins and self-poled flats can be done for $2,200–$3,500 over 7 nights.
Which Bahamian island is best for bonefish?
Andros is the largest and most consistent — over 700 square miles of flats, the highest density of bonefish in the Caribbean, and lodges from budget to premium. Abaco offers the best wading flats and biggest average fish. Crooked & Acklins is the best 'last frontier' option with lightest pressure. Grand Bahama is the easiest to reach and best for first-timers. The Berry Islands and Bimini offer good fishing but less infrastructure.
What's the cost difference between guided and DIY?
Guided lodge programs run $5,500–$8,500 per week all-in (typical breakdown: $4,500 lodge package + $1,500 flights + $500 gratuities + $200 license + $300 incidentals). DIY trips run $2,200–$3,500 per week all-in with rental cabin or guesthouse, rental car or bike, self-poled flats, and zero guide fees. DIY savings: 50–65%. Trade-off: you find your own fish, navigate uncharted flats, and miss out on lodge food and boat efficiency.
When is the best time to fly fish the Bahamas?
Bonefish: October through May. Prime: November through April when winds are most predictable and water clarity is at peak. Tarpon: April through July (migrating) and resident populations year-round. Permit: October through May, with the highest concentrations November–March. Avoid June through September unless targeting specifically — it's hot, the wind direction shifts, and hurricane risk peaks August–October.
What gear do I need to bring?
8-weight 9' rod for bonefish (most important rod). 10–12-weight for tarpon. 9-weight for permit. Saltwater-grade reel with sealed disc drag (Hatch, Tibor, Nautilus). Tropical floating fly line. 9–12' tapered leaders, 12–16 lb fluorocarbon tippet. Polarized sunglasses (essential — must have amber/copper lenses). Buff or sun mask. Quick-dry pants and long sleeve shirts. Wading boots if planning to wade Abaco or Andros.
Do I need a fishing license?
Yes. The Bahamas requires a separate sportfishing license. Costs: $20 for a single day, $30 for 3 days, $50 for 7 days, $75 for a month. Most lodges include the license in the package. DIY anglers can buy at any Bahamian Customs office or online before arrival. Catch-and-release is the legal standard for bonefish; never keep one.
Should I fly to Nassau or directly to an outer island?
Direct is always preferable for cost and time. Andros: fly into Andros Town (ASD), Congo Town (TZN), or Mangrove Cay (MAY) via Bahamasair from Nassau or charter from Fort Lauderdale. Abaco: direct flights from Florida to Marsh Harbour (MHH) or Treasure Cay (TCB). Acklins: fly into Acklins (AXP) via charter or Bahamasair from Nassau. Adding a Nassau layover adds $200–$400 per person and a day of travel. Most premium lodges include charter flights from Florida or Nassau in the package.
Top Fishing Trips
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North Riding Point, Grand Bahama, Bahamas
North Riding Point is one of the finest bonefish lodges in the Bahamas, providing access to one of the best trophy bonefish fisheries in the world on Grand Bahama Island.
Stella Maris Resort Club and Marina Long Island, Bahamas
Stella Maris Resort Club and Marina on Long Island in the Bahamas is an intimate plantation-style out island hotel providing the perfect Bahamas resort getaway for leisure travelers and active water sportsmen.
Mangrove Cay Club, Andros Island, The Bahamas
Premier saltwater fly fishing lodge on Andros Island offering access to the world's largest bonefish habitat with luxury beachfront accommodations and gourmet meals.
Tongario Lodge, New Zealand, North Island
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Tarraleah Lodge, Tasmania
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Southern Lakes Fishing Safaris, New Zealand
Southern Lakes Fishing Safaris provides guided fly fishing for Brown and Rainbow trout in the Southern Lakes region of New Zealand's South Island, encompassing three World Heritage National Parks based out of Wanaka.