Jardines de la Reina - Avalon IV

Lodging Details
The newest yacht in the Avalon fleet and launching in 2021, Avalon IV replaces the dilapidated Tortuga Houseboat in Jardines de la Reina. This massive 180-foot vessel, with a permanent mooring in the heart of Jardines de la Reina, offers 20 large staterooms with ample storage room in each room and en suite baths.

All staterooms offer plenty of space with private bathrooms, individual air conditioning, and heating controls, electricity plugs (220 and 110 volts), ample storage, and convertible double beds. A spacious and comfortable lounge area provides an indoor air-conditioned lounge area, a large indoor dining room located, and a rooftop sun deck and bar to take in the views of the Gardens of the Queens and mojitos at sunset.

This is a great option for couples or small groups who can use JA IV / Avalon IV as their base and floating hotel for the week in Jardines de la Reina. While aboard, you will be sharing the base with divers and other anglers as this is not a fishing only liveaboard, but serves as accommodations for many types of visitors to Jardines de la Reina.

Food and Beverages
Dining onboard Avalon IV is always amazing. The menu typically combines fantastic Continental Italian cuisine, fresh seafood every day, and traditional Cuban favorites like rice and beans, black bean soup, and fried plantains. If you are someone who enjoys fresh seafood, then you will be in heaven. The chefs aboard are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions and requests that you may have. Beverages available on board include bottled water, various soft drinks, beer, rum, and imported wines. If you prefer liquor other than rum, you can bring this with you.

Typical Length of Stay
A typical stay in the Jardines de la Reina area is seven (7) nights / five and a half (5.5) fishing days, starting on Saturday and ending on Friday. A normal week includes five full days of fishing and one or two half days (depending on your schedule and mode of transportation to and from Jucaro). Additional days in Camaguey or on other parts of the island can be arranged. Combo trips between the Jardines de la Reina and other fishing areas can also be arranged. Please contact Yellow Dog for more details.

Non-Angling Activities and Options
These are remote live-aboard operations located in the mangrove wilderness of the Jardines de la Reina. This means that non-angling (and non-diving) activities are limited. If you are interested in diving, Avalon’s dive program is incredible and ‘JDR’ is considered by many to be one of the finest, most pristine dive and snorkel destinations in the entire world. Even anglers can participate in a shallow-water dive program on a few afternoons of their trip. This can be arranged after your day of fishing. Overall this specific destination is best suited for anglers and divers.

Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi is not available on Avalon IV. Some cell phone service providers now offer international plans that will allow for your phone to work while on mainland Cuba. While in Jardines de la Reina, there is NO cell service. Also, satellite phones are strictly prohibited in Cuba and will be confiscated at the airport on arrival.

How To Get There
The fisheries that are located in the Western half of Cuba (Cayo Largo, Isla de la Juventud, Zapata, Playa Larga/Las Salinas and Cannarreos) can all be best accessed with flights directly into Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport (HAV). There are many daily flights to Havana on US carriers such as American Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue and Southwest that can easily be booked to get to Havana. If you are traveling to Jardines de la Reina, Cayo Romano or Cayo Paredon, the best arrival city is Camaguey (CMW) which is served with daily flights from Miami (MIA) on American Airlines. There are a number of international flights that can be booked into Havana from international cities such as Milan, Madrid and Istanbul. Yellow Dog can help advise on the best days to travel to and from Havana based on the specific fishery that you are traveling to. We can also help with tour services and hotel arrangements for your trip.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times
For the grand majority of fisheries in Cuba, anglers typically fly into Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport (HAV) on a Friday, where they overnight in the city. The next day (Saturday), you will be met for your transfer to Port where you will board your mothership for the week. Once everyone is aboard, you will transfer to the fishery where you will moor for the night. Your guides will meet you the next morning with the skiffs for your first day of fishing. On the following Friday, you will bid your guides goodbye and the boat will head back to port to prepare for your Saturday morning disembarkation. You can either schedule a late departure flight (after 4 PM at the earliest!) out of Havana on this day, or we can arrange a final hotel night in Havana prior to your departing flights. Many visitors choose to add an extra day or two in the city to explore Havana and the surrounding areas either before or after your week aboard. Yellow Dog can help arrange for additional time in Cuba and associated logistics.

Documents Required
A valid passport is required for all visitors to Cuba and must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond the duration of your stay. Citizens of the United States are also required to have a Cuban entrance visa that can be secured when checking in for your direct flight to Cuba. You will be asked to sign an affidavit for your trip to Cuba and determine which OFAC category your trip qualifies for and as an American traveler, you are obligated to maintain a record of your trip for five years – documentation is supplied to you by Yellow Dog.

Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.

General Information
Fishing hours during a stay aboard Avalon IV are longer than in most Caribbean fishing destinations and are totally at the discretion of the clients. The day normally begins with breakfast at 7:00 AM and guides are ready to head out any time after 7:45 AM. During your week of fishing, each day you will fish the waters of JDR, and depending on tides and current conditions, you can expect runs of 30 minutes or less in order to access different fishing areas and target the top game species. Ask your guide what the plan is and if you have any preferences with regards to specific species, let him know and they will do their best to accommodate your request based on current conditions.

Boats and Equipment 
The fishing boats used by Avalon are Dolphin Super Skiffs outfitted with Yamaha 60 or 70HP motors. Radios and life jackets are carried aboard every skiff. For gear and equipment, it is recommended that anglers always bring their own rods, reels, wading boots, etc. Flies, leaders, tippet, all terminal tackle, and all accessories should be packed as well, as very few items are available anywhere in Cuba! Yellow Dog will provide a complete pre-trip packing and equipment list for fishing in Cuba.

Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. 

Please contact Yellow Dog for rates.

What’s Included:

• Meet-and-greet reception upon arrival to Camaguey International Airport (CMW)

• Land and water transfers to/from Camaguey to Jucaro and Avalon IV

• Seven (7) nights accommodations on Avalon IV

• Six (6) full days of guided fishing (two anglers per skiff) 

• Three meals per day (all-inclusive meal service)

• Taxes and GSTs  

• Full bar tab and all-inclusive drinks while aboard
  

What’s Not Included:

• International flights to Havana (HAV) or Cayo Coco (CCC) – Yellow Dog can help arrange

• Entry Visa for Cuba

• Fishing tackle, equipment, flies and all terminal tackle 

• Gratuities for guides and staff 

• Other items of a personal nature

• Conservation Fee ($300)