Accommodations
Season
Species
Ideal for
Direct Access to Some of the Most Untouched Bonefishing in The Bahamas
Acklins Island is one of the least-visited and most productive fisheries in the Bahamas, about as far south as one can get and still be in Bahamian waters. The location of the island is important when you consider that weather patterns in the southern area are usually more consistent and warmer than other Bahamian islands, especially throughout the winter months. All guest rooms sit 50 feet away from the water providing easy access to productive flats, with solid numbers of unpressured bonefish. The lodge accommodates a maximum of 20 guests per week. The owners, Julius and Arnette Chislom, are wonderful hosts and eager to show you the magic of this pristine island.
Accommodation Details
Lodging Details
Chester’s Bonefish Lodge is located on the northern shore of Acklins Island, overlooking Lovely Bay, with miles of wade-in flats just steps from your room. Ten rooms have two double beds and a living area. Each of the rooms has a private bath, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
Food and Beverage
The dining room is an authentic local restaurant where culinary staff prepares fresh, locally-caught fish and other local Bahamian dishes. You can expect American-style breakfasts and fresh Bahamian cuisine for dinner. Lunches are packed in coolers for your days on the water. The lodge carries a fully-stocked bar offering beer, wine, and liquor, and will be happy to keep a tab during your stay. Bottled or purified water, juices, and coffee are included in your package price.
Typical Length of Stay
Designated arrival and departure days for the island (via scheduled commercial service on Bahamas Air) are Wednesdays and Saturdays, which means that a seven (7) night / six (6) fishing days itinerary is the standard package. Other schedules (Wednesday to Saturday, or Saturday to Wednesday) can be accommodated based on availability. Please call Yellow Dog for details. A charter flight option is also available. If you travel to Acklins by charter flight, you can arrive and depart on any day of the week, and trips of any length can be arranged. Please keep in mind that the guides on the island do not guide or work on Saturdays.
Non-Angling Activities and Options
Acklins Island is a pristine and quiet island surrounded by beautiful turquoise flats, pristine coral reefs, and small cays. The lodge overlooks Lovely Bay, which is a large protected flats system stretching for miles in either direction. Guests who enjoy DIY snorkeling and kayaking will find miles of solitude, lots of marine and birdlife, and beautiful isolated beaches. Historical tours of the island, beachcombing, beach picnics, snorkeling, reef and offshore fishing, some nightlife, and shopping in small villages (limited!) are all popular activities. The locals on Acklins are incredibly friendly and welcoming to visitors.
Internet / Communications
The lodge does offer Wi-Fi for guests. Some U.S. cell phones may work throughout the Bahamas depending on your service plan.
Travel Details
How To Get There
Most anglers fly commercially to Nassau International Airport (NAS). There are numerous daily flights into Nassau from many of the larger U.S. cities. From Nassau, you fly to Spring Point Airport. Designated arrival and departure days for the island (via scheduled commercial service on Bahamas Air) are Wednesdays and Saturdays. There is also a charter flight option that is available. If you travel to Acklins by charter flight, you can arrive and depart on any day of the week, and trips of any length can be arranged.
Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Most guests fly Bahamas Air from Nassau (NAS) to Spring Point Airport on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Commercial flights depart Nassau in the morning. There is also a great charter flight option that is available, which means that you can arrive and depart on any day of the week at any time.
Documents Required
All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within six (6) months of your trip dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in the back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way.
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.Â
Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership
Fishing
General Information
The fishing on Acklins is typically on foot, although a few of the guides do have skiffs with poling platforms. The average bonefish in these waters runs 2-4 pounds and anglers will find themselves casting at larger fish on a regular basis. You can also expect to spend the week wading pristine flats that seem endless, with no other anglers in sight. Other species include snapper, jacks, mackerel, sharks, and barracudas, all of which can make for some very fast-paced action.
Boats and Equipment
It is recommended that anglers bring their own gear and equipment, including rods, reels, wading boots, flies, and all terminal tackle.
Rates and Terms
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 call Yellow Dog for current rates.
What’s Included:
- All accommodationsÂ
- All meals and purified or bottled water
- Access to the flats
- Van transfer to and from the airport
- Use of bicycles and kayaks
What’s Not Included:
- Airfare to Acklins Island
- Bahamian departure taxes and hotel taxes
- Alcoholic beverages and bar tab
- Gratuities for fishing guides and lodge staff
- Items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, etc.)
- Bahamas fishing license: $5 per day, $10 per week, $20 per month or $50 for the year (Yellow Dog will ensure the lodge has your license until the on-line system is in place)
Chester’s Highway Inn (Acklins Island, Bahamas)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
For all cancellations, written notice must be sent to and received by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. For cancellations outside of 90 days from beginning of the trip, full amount minus the Yellow Dog handling fee may be refunded or a full credit applied to a future trip booked within one year. This decision will be made by the lodge. Cancellations 60 to 89 days prior to start of trip = 50% refund or trip credit of payment amount. No refund or credit will be given for trips cancelled inside of 60 days from start of trip, regardless of reason. If a cancelled package is resold by either the outfitter or by Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, then a full refund will be sent minus a $100.00 processing fee per guest charged by the outfitter (in addition to a $100.00 per person cancellation fee charged by Yellow Dog Flyfishing.) Chester’s Highway Inn and Yellow Dog strongly recommend that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for your trip. Chester’s will not refund payments in the event of a hurricane or poor weather. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages.
Payment Terms For All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
In order to lock in your trip reservation, we ask that you please remit payment at the time receipt of invoice. For your convenience, Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a direct and secure ACH platform – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Note that all Yellow Dog invoices include a live link that takes you directly to the Yellow Dog ACH platform for fast and easy payment. For open and existing invoices with a remaining balance, payment reminders also include this easy link to the ACH page.
Other customary forms of payment that are accepted are checks or wire transfers. If you would like to pay in a different way or have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (888) 777-5060 or (406) 585-8667. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Beginning September 1st, 2020, Yellow Dog will apply a 3% convenience fee for all credit card transactions.
Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Standard Forms For Payment
- ACH online payments (for US banking institutions only).
- Traditional checks (sent via mail)
- Electronic wire payments (client is responsible for any wiring fees)
*Please contact us if you prefer or require a different payment option. Convenience fees may apply for other payment methods.
**Please be aware that the ACH platform is only available for US financial institutions and bank accounts. International payments can be made via wire or with a credit card.
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