Gardens of the King | CUBA

PREMIER TARPON FLY FISHING

Since 2000, Cayo Santa María has been a key part of UNESCO’s Buenavista Bay Biosphere Reserve. The Gardens of the King (GOK) area, particularly from March to August, is renowned for its migratory tarpon fly fishing, often hailed as the best big tarpon fly fishing destination in Cuba. Alongside tarpon, anglers can pursue bonefish, barracudas, jacks, and other saltwater species.

With our new management and developments, the quality of fly fishing has reached new heights. We focus on marine life preservation, research, and ecosystem health, all of which go hand-in-hand with conservation efforts to ensure the best fly fishing experiences. This northern area has also developed a significant nautical infrastructure for tourism. Anglers can stay in a 5-star hotel on the coast, which offers personalized service.

Tarpon are abundant in this area from March through August, with clearly defined spots where they are relatively easy to catch. Numerous canals lead tarpon to and from the open sea, providing prime fishing opportunities. Additionally, there are extensive bay fly fishing areas, with deeper waters up to 20 feet, where tarpon are plentiful. Schools of fish can often be seen rolling in these areas, allowing skiffs to position themselves for intercepting casts.

The flats, with crystal-clear waters 3 to 6 feet deep, offer excellent conditions for spotting and catching bonefish. Permits are also abundant in deeper waters, known as floaters, with some reaching up to 40 pounds. The average weight ranges from 25 to 30 pounds. While all varieties of flats fish are present in the Gardens of the King, it is the tarpon that truly make this area famous for fly fishing. Resident tarpon are present year-round, ranging from 10 to 80 pounds. Starting in March, the larger migratory tarpon arrive, staying through August, with some exceeding 150 pounds—a true test of any fly angler’s skills.

THE ONE GALLERY RESORT

The One Gallery Resort, located in Cayo Santa María, Cuba, is a 5-star hotel immersed in a natural environment that feels like a true paradise on earth. Surrounded by crystal-clear waters and white sandy beaches, The One Gallery Resort offers an incomparable scenic experience, designed to blend harmoniously with the lush nature that envelops it.

The resort boasts exceptional facilities, from rooms with ocean views to restaurants offering exquisite cuisine. Guests can explore various water activities, dive into the resort’s dreamy pools, or simply relax on the beach while enjoying the Caribbean sun. Additionally, The One Gallery Resort features an excellent artistic program, combining natural beauty with top-tier entertainment for an unforgettable escape.

LOCATION

• 62 km from Remedios
• 110 km from Abel Santa María International Airport in Santa Clara
• 177 km from Cienfuegos
• 198 km from Trinidad
• 386 km from Havana

Full program rate include

• Reception in Santa Clara Airport
• Transfer Santa Clara – Santa Maria (both ways)
• 7 nights The One Gallery All Inclusive 5 Star Resort , Spa Suite DBL Room, all meals and beverage.
• 6 full days fly fishing, sharing a skiff
• Box lunch and beverages while fly fishing on skiff

Full program rate do not include

• VIP Service in Habana or Santa Clara Airport
• Additional nights apart from The One Gallery Resort
• Tips and Cuban visa
• Fishing Gear

Supplements

• Single fishing skiff: US$ 4.000 split in two anglers or US$ 2.000 for single anglers.
• SGL Room Resort Upgrade : US$ 500.00 p.p. (both anglers need to paid)
• Grand Villa Resort Upgrade: US$ 400.00 p.p (upgrade to DBL Grand Villa Room)
• Transfer from Habana for groups of 1-4 anglers: US$ 250.00 p.p

CONDITIONS

On booking, send passport number, date of birth and full name (as in passport). A deposit of 30% of your package is required within 2 weeks of invoice to confirm reservation. A deposit of 40% is due 6 months before trip. Deposits are refundable (minus U$D 800 handling fee per person until 6 months prior to the start of your trip). Within 180 days of your trip, your deposit is non-refundable unless we are able to resell your spot. No refunds are available for unused options of packages. Full payment is due 60 days prior to arrival. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. Credit card payments cannot be accepted. All programs and execution of them remain subject to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Claims for refunds will not be accepted.

THE STORY OF LAS BRUJAS KEYS

This is the tale of Pepe, a fisherman who lived peacefully with his family north of Villa Clara Province, in Farallón de la Bomba. His tranquil life was disrupted when his only daughter fell in love with a young man from a neighboring cay. Driven by jealousy, Pepe did everything he could to stop the romance, resorting to violence on more than one occasion. The young lovers devised a plan, spreading rumors of ghostly apparitions and eerie voices on a mountain of the cay, hoping to secure a secret meeting place.

Although no one seemed to believe the rumors, people avoided the area where the supernatural events were said to occur. Despite the fear, Pepe’s daughter was often seen entering the hills at sunset to meet her lover, only to reappear as a large owl. Locals, steeped in superstition, believed she had supernatural powers and practiced black magic. Her reputation as a witch grew, fueled by tales of her transformations.

One stormy day, when her lover arrived late for their rendezvous, he searched desperately but found only a terrifying witch who stared at him before taking flight. The young woman was never seen again, and her disappearance became a mystery. Some said she had transformed into the frightful witch. Her lover, devastated and overcome by grief, claimed to see and speak with her, but no one believed him as he succumbed to drink and despair. He never left the key, and to this day, it is said that an evil witch emerges from those hills at sunset, a ghostly reminder of the lost love.