Bahamas Saltwater School at Swain's Cay Lodge with Peter Kutzer
Oct. 12-17, 2024 | Starting at $4,950 - We have collaborated with Orvis-Endorsed Swain's Cay Lodge to bring you the ultimate Instructional experience in one of the most beautiful places on earth – The Bahamas.
Bahamas Saltwater School at Swain's Cay Lodge with Peter Kutzer
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Bahamas Saltwater School at Swain's Cay Lodge with Peter Kutzer
Oct. 12-17, 2024 | Starting at $4,950 - We have collaborated with Orvis-Endorsed Swain's Cay Lodge to bring you the ultimate Instructional experience in one of the most beautiful places on earth – The Bahamas.
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Dan Davala
Bahamas Saltwater School at Swain's Cay Lodge
1-800-547-4322
Mon-Fri, 9am - 5pm (ET)
orvistravel@orvis.com
Mangrove Cay is rustic, charming, and perfectly simple; it’s the ideal location for anglers and non-anglers looking for that hidden slice of paradise. Newly built in 2009, the lodge is located on the beach and offers a variety of accommodations. All lodge rooms are equally charming and all you have to do to enjoy the view is just step outside. Lodge staff are always available and can answer questions, help arrange travel, and assist with angling and non-angling activities.
Arrival Day: May 11
Fly into Clarence A. Bain Airport (MYAB – MAY) on Andros Island. Swain's Cay Lodge is nearby, so you can arrive on any flight, but we recommend arriving in the afternoon or early evening. From the airport you will be transferred to the lodge where you will be given an orientation tour and given a chance to settle in.
You can choose to spend the rest of the day enjoying lodge activities or relaxing on the wraparound deck that overlooks the water. For anyone itching to fish, there is a home flat directly in front of the lodge that can be fished unguided. The day will finish with dinner at the lodge restaurant.
Day 2: Classroom Day
Following breakfast, you will gather for the classroom portion of your trip. While we call it "classroom" time, this is like no class you've taken before. With the Caribbean as your backdrop, you will learn about spotting fish on the flats, fly selection, saltwater knots, casting and delivering your fly in a 360° arc, fishing with a guide, how to be a good boat-mate, and more. Throughout the week your instructor/host will be available to help you with any questions or techniques you would like to brush up on.
Days 3-5: Guided Fishing
The day starts at sunrise with coffee and continental breakfast for the early birds and a delicious homemade style hot breakfast starting at 6:30 AM at the Lodge's beachside restaurant, Reef Side Restaurant & Bar.
After breakfast you'll take a quick 5-minute ride through town to meet your guide at the docks around 7:30 AM. From there, it's fishing time! Enjoy the challenge of spotting big bones as they appear and disappear in the turtle grass as they cruise the flats. When you hook-up, revel at the reel-blistering runs that are a hallmark of Bahamian bones.
Around 3:15 PM–4:30 PM return to the docks where lodge staff will ferry you back to the lodge. Once back, relax with a cold Kalik or tropical drink, and sumptuous hors d'oeuvres while enjoying the scenery from the wraparound deck. If you're up for a little more adventure, take out a kayak, bike, or walk along the beach before dinner. At around 6:30 PM, there will be a sit-down, three-course meal where you can share your fish stories with your fellow anglers.
In the afternoons and evenings your instructor/host will be available to answer any questions you may have about flats fishing, help you brush up on your casting, or simply celebrate your day on the water.
Day 6: Departure
You will be transferred to Clarence A. Bain Airport in time to catch your flight home. For those wishing to continue their adventure, Orvis Travel has a wide variety of options available in the Bahamas and we will be happy to make a recommendation and handle the arrangements.
Swain’s Cay Lodge is located about half way down the East coast of Mangrove Cay in the center of Andros. The Middle and North Bights separate Mangrove Cay from North Andros and the South Bight separates Mangrove Cay from South Andros. The Bights are a complex network of channels, islands, flats, reef, and deeper cuts. An ideal habitat for sea life, a healthy ecosystem, and the perfect environment for big bonefish! This central location makes Mangrove Cay the ideal place to fish due to easy access to productive spots.
A complex tidal system exists where tides can be opposite depending on which side of Andros you are on as the water is pushed and pulled through the network of channels. This allows the guides to be able to search out a rising tide at most times of the day- simply put, this means your guide will be able to put you in front of fish regardless of time of day. The lodge boasts experienced guides with an exceptional playground to chase fish.
What is Included?
- Instruction from an Orvis Instructor
- Guided fishing
- Accommodations, all meals, purified or bottled water
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Transfers to and from the dock (Middle Bight or South Bight)
- Wi-Fi
- Use of kayaks, bicycles, and snorkeling equipment
What is Not Included?
- International and domestic flights
- Alcoholic beverages and sodas at the lodge
- Fly-fishing equipment and flies
- Select additional activities
- Value-added tax @ 10.00% on services/sales outside of packages, i.e., bar, other activities, fly shop
- Gratuities for guides – a minimum recommendation of $100.00 in cash per boat to the guide at the end of each fishing day
- Gratuities for lodge staff – $25.00–$40.00 per person per day, paid at the end of the trip to management to distribute to all the staff
How many people are on this trip?
10 anglers.
What skill level is suggested?
All skill levels are welcome.
How strenuous are the activities?
The trip can be tailored to an individual's fitness level.
Is this a child-friendly trip?
Kids will have a great time at Swain's Cay Lodge. Fly-fishing, reef, and snorkeling trips are all kid-friendly. Swain's Cay Lodge can provide childcare services if required. Parents should use their discretion regarding their children's level of maturity and patience if they will be joining the trip as an angler.
What additional activities are available?
Even if you’re not into fishing, there are plenty of activities to enjoy at the lodge. Kayak along the bights and spot the creatures of the air and sea. Snorkel the tropical underwater landscape. Admire the flora and fauna during a bike ride around Mangrove Cay.
What is the typical weather?
The Bahamas is a sub-tropical climate with temperatures averaging in the 70° to 80°(F) range all year round. Summers can be humid with temperatures up to 90°(F). There are an average of 340 sunny days per year—be sure to bring your sunblock and a buff!
What gear do you recommend?
A detailed packing list will be sent to guests upon booking.
Reservations, Deposits & Payments
The deposit is 50% of the trip price unless stated differently in the trip proposal and materials (trip planner and confirmation email). In some cases, deposits are non-refundable, this depends on the destination and will be clearly noted in the trip proposal and materials as well. Deposits may be made by check or credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. The balance of the trip cost is due 90 days before departure, except where specified differently on individual itineraries. The balance will be charged automatically to the credit card used for the deposit, unless otherwise specified. Any changes made to the method of payment after the final balance has been collected are subject to processing fees.
A reservation form and release are required prior to departure.
All prices must be paid in U.S. dollars. Deposits are not transferable from one trip to another.
Prices quoted are based on foreign exchange values and tariffs currently in effect and prices are subject to change. Orvis Adventures reserves the right to adjust prices accordingly until the time of departure.
Planning information
When your reservation is confirmed, you will receive planning information to guide you through trip preparations. Details about arrival and departure, clothing and equipment, trip cancellation insurance, pre- and post- trip extensions, visas and documents and activities are included in the planning information.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Although cancellation fees may be higher for some trips (stated in the trip proposal and materials), the following minimum cancellation fees will apply:
| Days Prior to Trip | Fee |
| + 90 days | $300 per person |
| 89 days or less | 100% of cost |
For trips that include an Orvis gift card or Orvis merchandise, the retail value of the gift card or merchandise is non-refundable upon delivery. Cancellation fees cannot be waived for any reason, including health, business or personal emergencies, or weather.
We strongly urge you to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
No refunds will be made for unused portions of a trip, including late arrival or early departure. Guide fees and hotel costs are not refundable if unused as outlined in the itinerary. Orvis reserves the right to modify an itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. In the unlikely event that Orvis must cancel a tour, all payments received to date will be refunded, which constitutes a full settlement.
Orvis is not responsible for expenses incurred in preparation of any canceled trip, including airline tickets and visas fees.
Cancellation Insurance
Your planning information includes information for travel insurance covering cancel for any reason, cancellation for medical reasons, trip delay, medical expenses, lost baggage and medical evacuation. We urge you to obtain this coverage.
Share policies
Trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms & cabins are limited. If you request a single room, a single supplement will apply as noted in the itinerary. We will confirm the single room as early as possible, but in some cases it may not be earlier than 30 days prior to the trip. If you request a roommate, we can usually pair you with another guest of the same gender, and no single supplement will apply. If you request a roommate, and one is not available, we will only charge you the single supplement if required by the lodge or facility used in the trip.
Children under 18 must share a room with a parent or other family member. In some cases this may be waived.
Passports and documents
International trips require a passport. Check your passport early and make sure it has six months validity at the time of travel. A visa is needed in some countries and we will send you complete details and instructions.
Arrival and Departure
Group transfers from a central location such as an airport are described in the itinerary, and are included in the land cost.. Transfers are not included in the land cost if you arrive early or leave after the scheduled departure day.
Equipment & Clothing
You will receive a detailed list of appropriate gear with your trip planning information.
Airline reservations
The land cost of your trip does not include airfare.
Limitation of liability
This section defines Orvis Travel’s responsibility with regard to all travel arrangements made by Orvis Travel, including individual travel and pre- and post- trip extensions. Please read it carefully.
Upon sending your deposit to Orvis Travel, you acknowledge that you have read and understand all the terms and conditions outlined here, and agree to be bound by them.
All trips that involve outdoor sporting activities such as shooting or fishing, or travel through remote places by vehicle, boat, small plane or on foot, put you at risk for accidents and serious injuries in the normal course of the activity. That is the nature of travel to such destinations and you acknowledge that you accept these hazards as a condition of participation.
Orvis Travel, its Owners, Employees, Associates and Agents give notice that they act only as the agent for the owners, contractors and suppliers providing means of transportation and/or other services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from: acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays, expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, terrorism, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or changes in transit or hotel services over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers.
Baggage and personal effects, including items purchased, guns, fishing equipment or sporting goods are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times and no employee/agent of Orvis Travel, its subsidiaries, affiliated or associated companies is authorized to accept these for storage, safekeeping, or transportation.
