Ascension Bay Lodge

Ascension Bay Lodge is a well-thought-out, beachfront property with a wealth of amenities and a laid-back atmosphere. It was completely remodeled in 2020, after opening just 5 years earlier, and it offers six spacious, air-conditioned rooms, a private dining room, a nice bar, a small adjacent living room, a rod locker and washing station outside, and a covered deck with outdoor seating. Five of the rooms are located in the main lodge, one downstairs and the other four upstairs. The sixth room is upstairs, in the lodge’s rear annex. The kitchen, dining room, living room, bar and a half bath are all on the ground floor of the main lodge, with the covered deck just outside the front door, ideal for rigging gear, sipping your favorite libation while enjoying the view, or watching fellow guests engage in a friendly game of horseshoes.

A number of exciting gamefish thrive in prolific Ascension Bay and its neighboring waters. Permit abound and have a lock on the top position of the most-wanted list, but other top target species like bonefish, snook and tarpon are also plentiful and active, providing visiting anglers with a plethora of opportunities and reliable, year-round action. Slams are, therefore, always a possibility around these parts.

At Ascension Bay Lodge, it’s common practice to assign two guides to every boat, adding a valuable extra pair of trained eyes to search for fish and two more expert hands to cut down on time spent rigging leaders, changing flies and fixing line tangles. And, while a considerable portion of the fishing is done from the panga’s front casting deck, wading is possible in various areas and frequently encouraged, like when it’s likely to improve your odds at an approaching permit, for instance. Then you’ll be prompted to get in the water accompanied by one of the guides and stealthily get within casting range. Thus, wading footwear is recommended to provide better footing and protection against rocks and sharp coral. 

Fishing Schedule

Fishing days begin at around 8:00 am after anglers board their boats at the beach, right in front of the lodge (when sea conditions allow it), or following a 5-minute walk to a nearby mangrove lagoon where the pangas are kept whenever the wind kicks up the surf. Boats return at around 4:30 pm.

Boats 

Ascension Bay Lodge equips its guides with classic, 23-foot pangas, the reliable and seaworthy boats widely used throughout Mexico and Central America. This type of boat has considerable, uncluttered fishing room, an elevated casting deck up front, comfortable seating and rod racks, and it also floats and runs in skinny water with ease. 

Loaner Gear

While the lodge tries to keep a couple of fly outfits to lend guests in case their gear is damaged or lost, its remote location makes fixing and replacing tackle difficult, so it’s best to bring you own gear and at least one spare rod and reel, as well as a good selection of flies, leaders and other essentials, like a rain jacket, flats-wading footwear and polarized sunglasses.

Each of the six double rooms has a full bath ensuite, ceiling fan and air-conditioner, and is supplied with Wi-Fi and furnished with two full-size beds, a dresser, and a desk with chairs. All of the lodge’s gathering areas are on the ground floor, and they include a small living room, a spacious dining room, a bar with counters on two sides so guests can always belly up and order a cold beverage. Drinks and appetizers can be enjoyed outside, where a large palapa (tiki-style roof) provides shade for a large deck with plenty of seating, and there are loungers and hammocks out in the open for those who want to work on their tan or simply kick back and feel the ocean breeze on their skin.  

Cuisine

At Ascension Bay Lodge, the chefs make use of the best available ingredients to prepare delicious dishes inspired by the rich Mayan culture and influenced by authentic cuisine from various Mexican regions, the Caribbean and more. In the morning, guests can have juice, freshly brewed coffee, and opt for traditional American breakfasts, typical Mexican fare, or lighter choices like fresh fruit, yogurt and granola. To make sure anglers have the nourishment needed to stay energized out on the water, lunches are generous, prepared freshly every morning, and packed in the boat coolers before going fishing. They include sandwiches, chips, fruit, and a sweet treat of some kind, as well as purified water, sodas and four beers so anglers and guides can toast to a great catch. Loaded nachos, ceviche and other tasty hors d’oeuvres are served after guests get back from fishing. Dinners always start with a soup or salad, followed by an entrée often featuring fish or seafood, and then dessert. Of course, meals may be customized to meet most dietary restrictions, just be sure your needs are conveyed to the lodge at least two weeks prior to your arrival. 

As for the bar, it is stocked with a variety of Mexican beers, sodas, liquors and mixers, and the bartender is always ready to mix your favorite drink or serve you a margarita just the way you like it. 

Connectivity

Though certain U.S. cell phones may work in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and sometimes Tulum, service will be spotty or nonexistent once you enter the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, the expansive, natural reserve where the lodge and the nearby village of Punta Allen are situated. Ascension Bay Lodge, however, offers Wi-Fi free of charge and the use of a satellite phone for a nominal fee.

Ascension Bay Lodge is primarily an angling-focused operation, nevertheless, non-angling guests have access to activities like bird watching, snorkeling, beachcombing, visiting Mayan ruins, or exploring some of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a huge, pristine World Heritage Site with an impressive diversity of flora and fauna.

Anglers coming to Ascension Bay Lodge should book a flight to Cancun International Airport (CUN); several airlines offer direct flights from major U.S. cities. Upon clearing Mexican immigration and customs after arrival, walk to the airport’s lobby and reception area to meet the lodge representative that will escort you to the air-conditioned vehicle for the ride to Boca Paila bridge landing, just south of Tulum, where you’ll board a boat that will take you the rest of the way to the lodge in Punta Allen. In case of inclement weather or late arrivals, guests may simply be shuttled by van all the way. To ensure a stress-free and timely transfer back to Cancun airport at the end of the trip, be sure to book a flight departing after 2:00 pm for your return home. 

No visas or inoculation are required for U.S. citizens to enter Mexico, but they must have a valid passport that will not expire within six (6) months of the trip dates, has at least two blank pages remaining, and is not torn or damaged in any way. All minors (under 18 years of age) traveling to Mexico accompanied by only one parent or legal guardian must have a notarized letter from the other parent granting permission to travel. Single parents need a notarized divorce decree or death certificate of the spouse. Unaccompanied minors require a notarized letter of consent signed by both parents. 

Midcurrent’s services are completely free. Clients will not pay more than if booked directly with a lodge. All rates are per person based on double occupancy, and listed in U.S. dollars.

2023 Rates

Double Occupancy (shared room and boat)
7 Nights / 6 Days Fishing $4,125 per person
6 Nights / 5 Days Fishing $3,550 per person
5 Nights / 4 Days Fishing $2,975 per person
4 Nights / 3 Days Fishing $2,400 per person

Single Occupancy (single room and single angler per boat)
7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days $7,200 per person
6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days $6,200 per person
5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days $5,200 per person
4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days $4,200 per person

Included:

• The number of nights lodging specified in the package 
• Daily guided fishing
• Airport transfers 
• Breakfasts and dinners at the lodge and boat lunches
• All purified water, coffee, tea and fruit juices
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Fishing license
• Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve entry fees
• All applicable Mexican VAT and hotel taxes 

Not Included:

• Airfare to Cancun, Mexico 
• Hotel in Cancun (if necessary)
• Airport transfers 
• Gratuities for fishing guides and lodge staff
• Alcoholic beverages
• Laundry service
• Fishing tackle and flies
• Special tours and non-angling activities

Bookings are confirmed with a 50 percent deposit, made no later than seven days after booking a trip. Balance must be received no later than 90 days prior to the first day of the trip. Notification of cancellation must be received 90 days prior to the first day of the trip in order to receive partial or full credit for an alternate date. All payments are final and nonrefundable, with the exception of a medical or family emergency, deemed reasonable at Midcurrent’s discretion.

Booking a trip or making a deposit represents that the client accepts all terms and conditions. Midcurrent’s terms are in addition to any terms and conditions of each individual lodge that Midcurrent represents. Please read those terms carefully—lodge terms, which may differ from Midcurrent’s terms, supersede any agreements between Midcurrent and a client.